Tomorrow is May 1 and opening day in the New York-Penn League is still 50 days away. I thought it would interesting to take a look at how the first round picks who played in the NYPL last year are doing this season.
There were a total of six first round draft picks in the 2016 Major League Draft who played in the NYPL. Here's a quick look at where they are this season.
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| Vermont LakeMonsters 2016 |
A.J.Puk was the top 2016 draft pick playing in the New York-Penn League last season. The Oakland Athletics selected him as the #6 pick in the first round out of the University of Florida.
Signing Bonus: $4,069,200.
What the "experts" are saying:
mlbpipeline.com:......"has the power stuff to match his impressive size. He'll run his heater
up to 96-97 mph and maintain much of that velocity deep into starts,
pairing it with a plus slider at 88-90 mph and a changeup that should be
Major League average in the future.......While Puk's stuff suggests a front-of-the-rotation future, his ability
to reach that high ceiling will depend on the ongoing development of his
below-average control and command."
Baseball America: …”leverages his size to get great extension on all his pitches. His fastball touched 98 mph in 2016 with great downhill angle……he must become more efficient with his pitches and more consistent with his command. At worst, he could become a dominating high-leverage reliever.”
BaseballHQ.com Minor League Baseball Analyst: …..”plus stuff and effective angle to plate. Can be a high strikeout pitcher with electric fastball thrown downhill. Counters with hard slider that he can use as chase pitch and changeup that flashes plus. Still relatively raw….tough to hit when on…..”
2016 Season: Puk spent the 2016 season with the Vermont Lake Monsters and showed great promise. He got 10 starts (0-4) with the Lake Monsters, striking out 40 batters while walking only 12 in 32.2 innings. He finished the season with an ERA of 3.03 and a WHIP of 1.07.
This Season: Puk is currently with the Stockton Ports in the Advanced A California League. He has a record of 0-2 in 5 appearances (3 starts) and leads the league with 31 strikeouts while only walking 6 batters. He has an ERA of 4.67 and a WHIP of 1.10.
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| Greenville Drive 2017 |
Jason “Jay” Groome was the number 12 pick in the 1st round by the Boston Red Sox out of Barnegat High School (New Jersey).
Signing Bonus: $3.650,000
What the "experts" are saying:
mlbpipeline.com:....."works with a 90-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97 with armside run, and
he could throw harder as he gets stronger. Nevertheless, his best pitch
is a curveball with power and depth that many evaluators believed was
the best breaking ball in the 2016 Draft.....could be the best pitcher signed and developed by the Red Sox since Roger Clemens."
Baseball America: …."he comfortably dials his fastball from 91-95 mph with a hammer curveball…..the quality of his stuff suggests he could cruise through the lower levels if he remains healthy and keeps his delivery in order. He shows all the elements of a potential front-of-the rotation starter.”
BaseballHQ.com Minor League Baseball Analyst: “Big, physical starting pitcher with extreme upside based upon are strength and advanced pitches for age…..Throws three pitches for strikes and could have more velocity in tank……needs consistency, but could move quickly.”
2016 Season: Groome was assigned to the Lowell Spinners on August 30, after spending the first part of season with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. In one appearance with the Spinners, he pitched 2.2 innings (3.38 ERA, 4 BB, 2 SO, 1.50 WHIP).
This Season: Groome is assigned to the Greenville Drive of the Class A South Atlantic League. As of this writing he is on the 7 day disabled list with a lat injury. He made one start on April 10, giving up 9 earned runs in 1.1 innings.
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| Brooklyn Cyclones 2016 |
Justin Dunn was selected by the New York Mets as the 19th pick of the first round out of Boston College.
Signing Bonus: $2,378,800.
What the "experts" are saying:
mlbpipeline.com:....."has a feel for four pitches thrown with a free and easy delivery. Over
the summer, his fastball sat at 95 mph and he touched 98 mph at times.
He throws both a slider and curve...... tends to be around the strike zone and, with his athleticism, projects to have at least solid average command in the future.
Because of his size and lack of track record, there are some who
wonder about his durability as a starter over the course of a long
season."
Baseball America: ……”He already has the best fastball and slider in the Mets system…..He will need to develop his below-average curveball and changeup to give left-handers different looks…..With two projected plus pitches, Dunn could be a #2 or #3 starter, though some scouts project him to the bullpen.”
BaseballHQ.com Minor League Baseball Analyst: ……”Fastball is best pitch, flashing 96mph with late life through the zone……Slider had good two plane break and could develop into plus pitch. Curveball too scurvy for a pitcher featuring a slider. Changeup is a work in progress.
2016 Season: Dunn saw action in 11 games (8 starts) with the Brooklyn Cyclones. He was 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA in 30 IP, 35 SO, 10 BB and a 1.17 WHIP.
This Season: He is assigned to the St. Lucie Mets in the Advanced A Florida State League. In four starts, he is 1-1 with a 6.30 ERA. Over 20 IP, he has 9 SO, 9 BB and a WHIP of 1.75.
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| West Virginia Black Bears 2016 |
Will Craig was the 22nd pick in the first round by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Wake Forest University.
Signing Bonus: $2,253,700.
What the "experts" are saying:
mlbpipeline.com:....."poor start initially was more surface than anything, though he didn't
show the power he projects to have. He finished with more walks than
strikeouts and finished second in the New York-Penn League in on-base
percentage. He swung the bat very well at instructs, showing the kind of
player the Pirates hope he'll be at the highest level, displaying good
bat-to-ball skills and bat speed."
Baseball America: ……”below-average defender at third base and a slow runner. Craig does have a good blend of power and patience that give him a chance to be a successful hitter…..lack of range will likely result in him eventually landing at first base.”
BaseballHQ.com Minor League Baseball Analyst: ……”has a solid offensive skill set…..good bat speed and raw power…..Advanced understanding of the strike zone……Lack of quickness and athleticism make him below average defender at third base.”
2016 Season: Craig got off to a slow start with the West Virginia Black Bears. Finished the season strong at the plate, hitting .361 with 10 RBI in the last ten games. Overall, in 63 games he batted .280/.362/.412 with 2 HR and 23 RBI.
This Season: He is off to a decent start this season with the Bradenton Marauders in the Florida State League. He is making the adjustment to playing first base and is currently hitting .282/.361/.376 with 1 HR and 14 RBI in 22 games.
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| Frederick Keys 2017 |
Cody Sedlock was the Baltimore Orioles first round pick and was the 27th player selected in draft out of the University of Illinois.
Signing Bonus: $2,097,200.
What the "experts" are saying:
mlbpipeline.com:....."deep arsenal is headlined by his heavy fastball, which sits at 91-93 mph
and reaches 96. The pitch has excellent sink and some arm-side action,
which helps Sedlock to miss barrels and generate weak, ground-ball
contact. His low-80s slider is his best secondary offering and helps him
to miss bats, and he also demonstrates feel for both a curveball and
changeup that have average potential. A good athlete who repeats his
delivery with ease......has all of the ingredients to become a big league starter, with a
strong, projectable frame, four average-or-better pitches and feel for
throwing strikes."
Baseball America: …..”Sedlock has the build, balanced delivery and repertoire of a workhorse power pitcher. HIs fastball works in the low 90s and touches 97mph with strong sink and late life. His curveball and slider flash above-average…..He holds runners well…Orioles loved his athleticism, work ethic and competitiveness…..will move up fast if he performs.”
BaseballHQ.com Minor League Baseball Analyst: “Strong, durable starting pitcher…..heavy fastball that induces high amount of ground balls. Offers two breaking balls that flash plus and mixes in below average changeup.”
2016 Season: Sedlock went 0-1 in 9 starts with the Aberdeen IronBirds. He had a 3.00 ERA in 27 innings, with 25 SO, 13 BB and a WHIP of 1.07.
This Season: He is off to a strong start the Frederick Keys in the Advanced A Carolina League. In four starts (22 innings), he is 3-0, 1.64 ERA, 16 SO, 8 BB, and a 0.82 WHIP
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| Auburn Doubledays 2016 |
Dane Dunning was drafted by the Washington Nationals 29th overall in 2016 and he made a strong showing with the Auburn Doubledays. The Nationals traded him to the Chicago White Sox after the season.
Signing Bonus: $2,000,000.
What the "experts" are saying:
mlbpipeline.com:......"fastball can hit 96 mph in short stints but usually sits in the low
90s when he starts. His heater still plays as a plus pitch because it
features heavy sink, as evidenced by his 3.1 groundout-to-flyout ratio
in his pro debut. He has a pair of solid secondary offerings in his
changeup, which he has full trust in, and his slider, which can lack
consistency but has power and depth.
Dunning has an athletic, durable build and a fresh arm, so he should be able to handle a starter's workload."
Baseball America: …..”throws his fastball in the low 90s as a starter and can reach 95mph in shorter outings. His slider can be a quality pitch, but is inconsistent…..solid-average changeup isis secondary pitch…..has the tools necessary to be a starter.”
BaseballHQ.com Minor League Baseball Analyst: ……”ability to locate low-90s fastball down in the zone resulting in tons of ground balls. Slider and changeup both have enough potential to dream on a mid-rotation upside. Throws strikes with all three pitches.”
2016 Season: Dunning started the season with the Gulf Coast League Nationals and was promoted to the Auburn Doubledays on July 11. While at Auburn, he made 7 starts and was 3-2 with a 2.14 ERA, 29 SO, 7 BB and a 0.98 WHIP in 33.2 IP.
This Season: After a smoking hot start at the Kannapolis Intimidators in the Class A South Atlantic League, he was promoted to the Winston-Salem Dash of the Advanced A Carolina League on April 28. While with Kannapolis, he was 2-0, 0.35 ERA, 33 SO, 2 BB, and a 0.58 WHIP in 4 starts.
Photo Credits: MiLB.com
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League
