Granted, I dont follow other teams that closely, but we sure draft a lot of college seniors. I guess it's the nature of the beast with the new draft rules, but just an observation.
Not elated about any of the picks, but that had to be expected without having a first rounder, and the bonus restraints that come along with it. But I think the first four picks have legitimate upside. Johansen gets the most talk because he was our highest pick, but the Ward pick is intriguing, maybe the most exciting. People rave about his ability and talked about him as a first rounder next year. I know part of his hype was based on him continuing to improve and that he was a year older than his class, but now that he got out of school a year early, that's no an issue. And this kid was dropping 400ft bombs 2 years ago at 16. I dont think there's any concern there, and think he was a legit top 100 guy. There was some talk of him still going in the supplemental round even before the draft, so his talent is for real.
Here's a home video posted by his dad:
There's a lot of video on him on youtube, check it out. 4 consecutive home runs in a game, him dunking a basketball, etc.
Nick Pivetta is interesting because of his size and velocity, but things go downhill from there. But, those are the two things you can't teach. He has a couple other things in his favor: he just turned 20, so there is some development left, and he's from Canada, so he's a bit behind the developmental curve as is. A good friend of mine left Canada to play JuCo ball, because the talent and coaching up there just isn't up to par. So there is definitely some potential for growth, but his numbers are pretty bad. 29/22 K to BB ratio, in 54 innings. That is terrible for a guy that can get it up in the mid to hig 90's. He was a fourth rounder, and at the very least has the tools to develop, but there's a lot of work ahead. He should probably start in the GCL the rest of the year, but his future is probably in relief.
Voth looks like a middle reliever ... The type of guy Benincasa and Adrian Alaniz was years ago. A bulldog on the mound that may get results early on and give you a lot of work in the minors, but is limited at the higher levels and in terms of impacting the big league level.
Cody Gunter has some potential as well. He was drafted last year but the Marlins didn't pay him enough so he went to a JuCo to get drafted again, and rose up the boards. Talk of him playing third or the outfield, so he has some athleticism, and a good arm, as he has been talked about as a pitcher as well. Just turned 19, a lot of physical growth yet. Good size, decent athlete, some polish at the plate, power, and an arm at 19. Definitely some real potential there.
Yezzo's numbers look good and he looks like he has a good stroke at the plate in youtube videos. Definitely not very big though, which raises questions about his power potential. Could be organizational depth or could be one of those undersized guys who outplay their physical limitations and make it to the bigs on heart and toughness.
Napoli. Joyce, and Middleton definitely look like organizational depth. Middleton hit under .300 as a senior, had 0 home runs his last two years combined in college. But he did have 20 sacrifices and 20 hbp's the last two years. Napoli is a small lefty that has started and relieved. Posted decent overall numbers but not a great K/BB to IP ratio. Definitely just a situational lefty if he ever amounts to anything IMO.
Some picks that definitely look like signability picks, but a couple picks with real potential. I would imagine everyone signs, with Ward and Gunter the two to watch as far as possible guys to not sign.