2023 MLB Amateur Draft Live Blog Part 2

 Hey team!  I'm back.  Had to take care of some family time.  Giants clearly pulled off a plan here.  They get one of the highest ceiling prospects in the draft, albeit with a ton of risk, then nab the more conventional high ceiling HS prospect at the premium position with the second round pick who some thought might be their first round pick. Nicely done, FZ and company!  For those of you who has harped for years that you wish the Giant would roll the dice on some high ceiling picks?  You sure got what you wanted now.  Only time will tell if it works out but we all have to admit the safer approach has not produced much so why not shoot for the stars?

Coming up on the final Day 1 pick at #69.  Is Travis Honeyman OF still on the board?  Jace Bohrofen OF?  Jauron-Watts Brown RHP?  

8:39 PM:  Giants on the clock for pick #69. This is the compensation pick for Carlos Rodon.  OMG!  Joe Whitman LHP.  College pitcher from Kent State.  Took on late helium and some analysts were thinking he might go as high as late first round.  

8:44 PM:  Whitman is a 6'5" 200 lb LHP with room to fill out his frame.  Mid 90's FB with better command of a slider with 2-plane movement.  Changeup has potential but lags due to lack of use.

8:46 PM:  OK, let's wrap it up for the evening.  Considering where the Giants were drafting and what they set out to accomplish, I would say they hit it out of the park.  They come away from Day 1 with 3 players who some analysts gave first round rankings to.  Obviously you would rather have one of the uber-prospects at the top of the draft but you can only take who's available when your turn comes.  For sheer ceiling, I don't think they could have done any better.

Busy, busy day for When the Giants Come to Town.  Still have a Game Wrap and Down on the Farm to write up before Day 2 of the draft wraps up.  No live blogging tomorrow.  Will post a Day 2 draft wrap in the evening.  I really appreciate folks reading and all the kind comments.

One more thought:  Kim Ng and her team leading the Marlins ended up with 2 of my 3 top HS pitchers in Noble Meyer RHP and Thomas White LHP.  Very nicely done!