Scouting the Draft: 2017 Draft Review #21-30

21.  Orioles:  DL Hall LHP, HS.

A+:  4-5, 3.46, 80.2 IP, 12.94 K/9, 6.02 BB/9.

Several mock drafts had the Giants in on DL Hall.  He appears to have strikeout stuff, but also major control/command issues.  Grade C.

22.  Blue Jays:  Logan Warmoth SS, College(North Carolina).

A+:  .292/380/.423, 7 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 2 SB, 12.0 BB%, 25.9 K%, 158 PA.
AA:  .200/.290/.277, 11 2B, 3 3B, 12 SB, 8.7 BB%, 29.1 K%, 254 PA.

Mixed bag of results here. Really struggled in fairly large sample size after promotion to AA.  Grade C.

23.  Dodgers:  Jeren Kendall OF, College(Vanderbilt).

A+:  .219/.319/.469, 11 2B, 10 3B, 19 HR, 24 SB, 12.4 BB%, 35.7 K%, 412 PA.

Tools galore but continued contact struggles and resulting low BA in repeat of level are not great signs.  Grade D+.

24.  Red Sox:  Tanner Houck RHP, College(Missouri).

AA:  8-6, 4.25, 82.2 IP, 8.71 K/9, 3.48 BB/9.
AAA:  0-0, 3.24, 25 IP, 9.72 K/9, 5.04 BB/9.

Moved up the ladder but not with the results you want to see.  Grade C.

25.  Nationals:  Seth Romero LHP, College(Houston).

DNP.

LHP with elite stuff who has been troubled by numerous off-field issues.  Missed all of 2019 with TJ surgery.  We'll see if he shows up in the spring.  Grade D-.

26.  Rangers:  Bubba Thompson OF, HS.

A+:  .178/.261/.312, 8 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 12 SB, 9.2 BB%, 31.6 K%, 228 PA.

The great unknown about drafting toolsy HS kids is always the hit tool.  Some of them eventually figure it out, most don't.  Grade D.

27.  Cubs:  Brendon Little LHP, JC(Florida).

A:  0-1, 1.91, 28.1 IP, 7.94 K/9, 4.13 BB/9.
A+:  2-1, 5.95, 19.2 IP, 10.53 K/9, 4.12 BB/9.

Late riser in the draft. Mixed results.  Grade C.

28.  Blue Jays:  Nate Pearson RHP, JC(Florida).

A+:  3-0, 0.86, 21 IP, 15.00 K/9, 1.29 BB/9.
AA:  1-4, 2.59, 62.2 IP, 9.91 K/9, 3.02 BB/9.
AAA:  1-0, 3.00, 18 IP, 7.50 K/9, 1.50 BB/9.

Very hard thrower getting results on the field. Maybe like to see more K's?   Grade B.

29.  Rangers:  Chris Seise SS, HS.

A:  .241/.272/.356, 4 2B, 3 3B, 6 SB, 3.3 BB%, 35.9 K%.

Not a great slash line and a horrific K/BB.  Grade D.

30.  Cubs:  Alex Lange RHP, College(LSU).

A+:  1-9, 7.36, 47.2 IP, 9.63 K/9, 4.91 BB/9.
AA(Cubs):  2-3, 3.92, 39 IP, 6.46 K/9, 4.38 BB/9.
AA(Tigers):  2-1, 3.45, 15.2 IP, 8.62 K/9, 4.60 BB/9.

Disappointing ERA's and even more disappointing K/BB.  Grade D.

*********************************************************************************

In review after review, you can see the dramatic decline in grades, both short and long term between the top, middle and bottom 10 of the first round let alone from round to round.