Scouting the Draft; 2017 Draft Review(Selected Later Picks)

Before run down the remainder of the Giants 2017 draft, let's take a look at selected picks after round 1 with emphasis on players we scouted.

32.  Jeter Downs, Reds, SS, HS:  Low A- .257/.351/.402, 13 HR, 37 SB, 9.9 BB%, 19.7 K%.  524 PA.  Solid mix of power, speed and plate discipline.  Grade B+.

33.  Kevin Merrell, A's, SS, College(South Florida):  A+- .267/.308/.326, 5 SB, 5.2 BB%, 22.8 K%, 290 PA.  Disappointing numbers.  Grade C-.

35.  Brent Rooker, Twins, OF, College(Mississippi St.):  AA- .254/.333/.465, 22 HR, 6 SB, 9.9 BB%, 26.4 K%, 568 PA.  Aggressive placement first full season with solid numbers.  I had him as the best power bat in the draft and would not have been disappointed if the Giants took him in the first round despite his corner profile.  Could be hitting dingers for the Twins by midseason.  Grade A.

36.  Brian Miller, Marlins, OF, College(North Carolina):  A+:  .324/.358/.398, 19 SB, 5.1 BB%, 9.8 K%, 276 PA.  AA- .267/.319/.313, 21 SB, 6.3 BB%, 13.6 K%.  AA numbers were down a tick, but it's an aggressive promotion and again, midseason promotions are tough.  Grade B+.

38.  Stuart Fairchild, Reds, OF, College(Wake Forest):  Low A- .277/.377/.460, 7 HR, 17 SB, 11.2 BB%, 26 K%, 276 PA.  A+- .250/.306/.350, 2 HR, 6 SB, 7.0 BB%, 26 K%, 242 PA.  Fair numbers but conservative placement.  Grade C.

39.  Luis Campusano, Padres, C, HS:  Low A- .288/.345/.365, 3 HR, 6.7 BB%, 15.1 K%, 284 PA.  Giants were rumored to be in on this kid possibly has high as round 1. Giants fan because he's from Augusta, GA and the Greenjackets.  More likely they were looking at him for round 2.  He didn't get to them as the Padres grabbed him.  Profiled as a power bat with contact issues.  These numbers are the opposite of that.  Grade B.

41.  Drew Waters, Braves, OF, HS:  Low A- .303/.353/.513, 9 HR, 20 SB, 5.8 BB%, 19.7 K%, 365 PA.  A+- .268/.316/.374, 3 SB, 6.0 BB%, 24.8 K%, 133 PA.  Fine numbers in the SAL.  Aggressive promotion.  Better HS OF prospect than Heliot Ramos? He is a year older.  Grade B+.

42.  Greg Deichmann, A's, OF, College(LSU):  A+- .199/.276/.392, 6 HR, 9.2 BB%, 34.1 K%.  Grade  D.

47.  Griffin Canning, Angels, RHP, College(UCLA):  A+- 0-0, 0.00, 8.2 IP, 12.46 K/9, 3.12 BB/9.  AA- 1-0, 1.97, 45.2 IP, 9.66 K/9, 3.74 BB/9.  AAA- 3-3, 5.49, 59 IP, 9.76 K/9, 3.36 BB/9.  Classic polished college pitcher.  I saw him pitch in the first game of the season against the SJ Giants.  He was dominant.  Moved up quickly all the way to AAA.  Got hit hard there, but it's the PCL and his FIP and xFIP were lower than his ERA. Could make his MLB debut in 2019.  Grade A-.

50.  Calvin Mitchell, Pirates, OF, HS:  Low A- .280/.344/.427, 10 HR, 4 SB, 8.3 BB%, 22 K%, 495 PA.  I have a rooting interest in Calvin as he is related to my cousin through marriage.  Solid numbers in the age appropriate SAL.  Grade B.

51.  Joe Dunand, Marlins, 3B, College(North Carolina St):  A+:  .263/.326/.391, 7 HR, 7.3 BB%, 19.8 K%, 273 PA.  AA- .212/.276/.369, 7 HR, 6.7 BB%, 29.7 K%, 239 PA.  Has gotten some ink for being A-Rod's nephew.  Fair A+ numbers. Took a dip in AA, but that's an aggressive promotion.  Think of it as getting a head start on AA for 2019.  Grade C.

52.  MJ Melendez, Royals, C, HS:  Low A- .251/.322/.492, 19 HR, 4 SB, 9.1 BB%, 30.3 K%, 472 PA.  Strong power numbers for a HS draftee in their first full season.  Grade B+.

53. Joe Perez, Astros, 3B, HS:  R- .364/.500/.364, 14 PA.  Light tower power and can also pitch.  Made a headline or two before the draft for hitting a ball into a cloud and nobody saw it come down!  Late start on pro career due to TJ surgery.  Grade- Incomplete.

54.  Matt Sauer, Yankees, RHP, HS: Short Season- 3-6, 3.90, 67 IP, 6.04 K/9, 2.42 BB/9.  California kid who I liked before the draft.  Pedestrian K rate.  Grade C.

55.  Sam Carlson, Mariners, RHP, HS:  DNP.  Kind of a carbon copy of Matt Sauer.  Missed the 2018 season due to TJ.  Grade Incomplete.

56.  Corbin Martin, Astros, RHP, College(Texas A&M):  A+- 2-0, 0.00, 19 IP, 12.32 K/9, 3.32 BB/9.  AA- 7-2, 2.97, 103 IP, 8.39 K/9, 2.45 BB/9.  Hard thrower.  Pitched relief in junior season of college.  Was rated much higher on some pre-draft boards.  Great results so far.  Grade A-.

59.  Mark Vientos, Mets, SS, HS:  R- .287/.389/.489, 11 HR, 14.1 BB%, 16.4 K%, 262 PA.  Nice numbers but rookie ball.  Grade C+.

61.  Hagen Danner, Blue Jays, C, HS:  R- .279/.409/.432, 2 HR, 14.6 BB%, 25.5 K%, 137 PA.  2-way player in HS.  I thought he was a bit overrated.  Nice numbers but should be in full season league.  Grade C+.

63.  Cole Brannen, Red Sox, OF, HS:  Short Season- .181/.276/.205, 12 SB, 11.6 BB%, 32.0 K%, 147 PA.  Low A- .157/.246/.205, 9 SB, 9.2 BB%, 30.3 K%.  Sweet swinging lefty hitter in HS.  Struggling to get traction as a pro.  Grade D.

64.  Quentin Holmes, Indians, OF, HS: R- .158/.304/.211, 2 SB, 23 PA.  Reputed to be the fastest player in the draft.  Missed most of the season with a hammy injury.  Grade Incomplete.

65.  Wil Crowe, Nationals, RHP, College(South Carolina):  A+:  11-0, 2.69, 87.0 IP, 8.07 K/9, 3.10 BB/9.  AA- 0-5, 6.15, 26.1 IP, 5.13 K/9, 5.47 BB/9.  Pretty good numbers in A+ ball but hit a wall after aggressive promotion to AA.  Grade B-.

66.  Hans Crouse, Rangers, RHP, HS:  Short Season- 5-1, 2.37, 38 IP, 11.13 K/9, 2.61 BB/9.  Low A- 0-2, 2.70, 16.2 IP, 8.10 K/9, 4.32 BB/9.  Not quite as good after promotion to low A.  Grade B-.

67. Cory Abbott, Cubs, RHP, Collge(Loyola Marymount):  Low A- 4-1, 2.47, 47.1 IP, 10.84 K/9, 2.47 BB/9.  A+- 4-5, 2.53, 67.2 IP, 9.84 K/9, 3.46 BB/9.  Grade B+.

68. Daulton Varsho, D'Backs, C, College(Wisconsin-Milwaukee):  A+- .286/.363/.451, 11 HR, 19 SB, 8.8 BB%, 20.8 K%.  Nice numbers for a small conference college catcher.  The SB's are particularly eye-opening.  Grade B+.

72.  Conner Uselton, Pirates, OF, HS:  R- .225/.280/.250, 6.9 BB%, 17.7 K%, 175 PA.  I had this kid ranked pretty high.  Slowed by injuries.  Grade D.

74.  Zac Lowther, Orioles, LHP, College(Xavier):  Low A- 3-1, 1.16, 31 IP, 14.81 K/9, 2.61 BB/9.  A+- 5-3, 2.53, 92.2 IP, 9.71 K/9, 2.53 BB/9.  Small conference lefty who was a late riser on draft boards.  Strong start to pro career.  Grade B+.

76.  Blayne Enlow, Twins, RHP, HS:  Low A- 3-5, 3.26, 94 IP, 6.80 K/9, 3.35 BB/9.  Strong class for prep pitching.  Solid start to pro career but K rates could be higher.  Grade B-.

77.  Jacob Heatherly, Reds, LHP, HS:  R- 1-5, 5.82, 38.2 IP, 11.41 K/9, 9.31 BB/9.  Seemed like he was advanced for a HS pitcher.  Guess not.  Grade D.

81.  Nick Allen, A's, SS, HS:  Low A- .239/.301/.302, 24 SB, 6.6 BB%, 16.6 K%, 512 PA.   Diminutive stature. Reps as a defensive SS.  Showed some speed.  Grade C+.

83.  Connor Seabold, Phillies, RHP, College(Cal St. Fullerton):  A+- 4-4, 3.77, 71.2 IP, 8.54 K/9, 1.75 BB/9.  AA- 1-4, 4.91, 58.2 IP, 9.82 K/9, 2.91 BB/9.  Aggressive promotion to AA.  High floor college pitcher.  Grade B+.

84.  KJ Harrison, Brewers, C, College(Oregon St.):  Low A- .228/.298/.384, 12 HR, 8.4 BB%, 31.5 K%, 466 PA.  Grade C.

97.  Quinn Brodey, Mets, OF, College(Stanford):  Low A- .217/.287/.389, 10 HR, 7 SB, 7.5 BB%, 26.7 K%.  A+- .245/.313/.382, 3 HR, 4 SB, 8.9 BB%, 27.7 K%, 112 PA.  Grade C.

100.  Connor Wong, Dodgers, C, College(Houston):  A+- .269/.350/.480, 19 HR, 6 SB, 8.8 BB%, 32 K%, 431 PA.  3 true outcomes college catching prospect.  Grade B.

105.  Keegan Thompson, Cubs, RHP, College(Auburn):  A+- 3-3, 3.19, 67.2 IP, 8.11 K/9, 1.73 BB/9. AA- 6-3, 4.06, 62 IP, 7.84 K/9, 3.05 BB/9.  Another polished college pitcher.  Made AA.  Grade B.

119.  Colton Hock, Marlins, RHP, College(Stanford):  Low A- 9-8, 4.45, 91 IP, 7.62 K/9, 2.08 BB/9.  At one point as being touted as a first rounder.  Stock slipped badly during his junior season when he pitched mostly out of the bullpen for Stanford.  Decent numbers here, but level is too low for pitcher drafted out of a major conference.  Grade C.

120.  Michael Gigliotti, Royals, OF, College(Lipscomb):  .235/.435/.471, 24 PA.  Missed most of 2018 season with a ACL injury.  Grade Incomplete.

161.  Alex Scherff, Red Sox, RHP, HS:  R- 0-0, 1.80, 5 IP, 5.40 K/9, 1.80 BB/9.  Low A- 1-5, 4.98, 7.06 K/9, 3.18 BB/9.  I had Scherff ranked as a borderline first rounder.  I might have been a big high on him.  Grade C-.

166.  Ricky De La Torre, Twins, SS, HS:  R- .254/.328/.396, 4 HR, SB, 7.9 BB%, 27.5 K%, 159 PA. I really liked what I saw of this kid in scouting videos.  Appy League is an advanced version of rookie league.  He's a project and not likely to stick at SS.  Grade C.

207:  Evan Skoug, White Sox, C, College(TCU):  Low A- .192/.283/.299, 5 HR, 4 SB, 10.9 BB%, 29.9 K%, 311 PA.  The bat has to play for this defensively challenged college catcher.  Unfortunately, he's struggled with the bat since the beginning of his junior season in college.  Grade D.

210:  Brewer Hicklen, Royals, OF, College(Alabaman-Birmingham):  Low A- .307/.378/.552, 17 HR, 29 SB, 6.9 BB%, 28.2 K%, 347 PA.  A+- .211/.263/.310, HR, 6 SB, 5.1 BB%, 33.3 K%, 78 PA.  Stumbled in a late season promotion to A+ which should be his age appropriate level.  Grade B-.

261.  Jared Poche, A's, LHP, College(LSU):  Low A- 8-6, 4.41, 130.2 IP, 7.23 K/9, 2.34 BB/9.  Ultimate polished college lefty.  Pedestrian numbers at too low a level.  Grade C.