June 13, 2017
With nothing more than a weekend to tide the time between a year’s worth of preparation and the beginning of MLB’s first-year player draft, Phillies scouting director Johnny Almaraz wasn’t shy in admitting the nervous excitement he was feeling.
“I’m ready right now, I mean, this is an exciting time,” he said Friday. “It’s an exciting time for each and every person to contribute with players from their areas and impact the organization.”
The other thing Almaraz, who mostly wore a poker face when discussing specifics, went on to admit was that this year’s draft was particularly strong in college pitching. The Phils went that route in the mid-rounds last year, and, at least 12 months later, feel as though they had some success.
On Day 2 of the three-day 2017 MLB Draft, perhaps not surprisingly, Almaraz and Co. began the day by taking a college pitcher for the second time in as many rounds. After taking Virginia outfielder Adam Haseley (8th overall) and Cal Poly right-hander Spencer Howard (45th) on Monday, the Phillies began Tuesday's proceedings by grabbing another California right-handed collegian: Cal State Fullerton's Connor Seabold.
But then the brief run on pitchers stopped, and the Phils spent four of their six next picks on college infielders. Perhaps Scott Kingery's quick path from second rounder (in 2015) to possibly on the verge of a big league call-up was in the back of their minds.
Here’s a little something on all eight players the Phillies drafted on Tuesday, when rounds three-through-10 took place. The 40-round draft wraps up on Wednesday.
A scouting report: “Where Seabold stands out is his control, which drew an 80 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale from one evaluator and ranks among the best in his draft class.” – Baseball America
Statistically speaking: Not a hard thrower (his fastball tops out at 92, according to Baseball America), Seabold has struck out 292 while walking only 43 in 275 innings at Cal State Fullerton.
Scheiner bops: The Northern California native hit an American Athletic Conference-best 18 home runs in 63 games this season. Only 20 Divison-1 players in the country hit more home runs.
Honored: Scheiner was named the NCAA National Player of the Week on March 20 after going 13-for-16 with six home runs.
A scouting report: “He spent the offseason working out with Tom Glavine, whose son played travel ball with Lindow. … Lindow’s fastball velocity jumped, showing some 92 mph reading.” – Baseball America
Seems like the kind of lefty you can dream on: Lindow posted a 0.97 ERA as a senior at Locust Grove and struck out 97 (with 18 walks) in 57 2/3 innings.
Signability: He's committed to the University of Alabama-Birmingham, but perhaps the Phils can play with the draft pool to pay over slot here to get Lindow signed.
A scouting report: “He has more value if you believe he can be an everyday shortstop and he is a solid defender there, one who knows how to position himself and whose instincts should let him stay there. … An above-average runner, Guthrie does have some gap power and an advanced approach at the plate.” – MLB.com
Baseball in the blood: He’s the son of former big leaguer Mark Guthrie, who pitched for eight different teams in a 15-year major league career.
Not 1...Not 2...But 3 unbelievable plays by Florida shortstop Dalton Guthrie pic.twitter.com/V1dF2Z9CLy
— So Damn Talented (@SoDamnTalented) May 3, 2017
Statistically speaking: While playing at a junior college, Maton showed off impressive plate displace this season (34 walks, 27 strikeouts in 169 at-bats over 49 games) and that he can run a little bit, too (33-for-35 in stolen base attempts.
Be True to Your School: On his player page on his school’s website, Maton lists the Lincoln Land Community College Baseball Loggers as his favorite sports team.
School's out for summer: The whole "no school listed" thing confused many at the time of pick and the state of confusion only grew when some found out this was the same name (and birthdate) of a player who previously had been connected to the Phillies as an international signing. Thankfully, ESPN.com's Keith Law cleared it up.
Probably not the same guy: Law said "New Jersey" and not "Pennsylvania," and while it's difficult to find much on Mezquita, there was a kid with the same name who was named to the honor roll at Hazleton Area High School this winter.
Statistically speaking: The Mesa, Arizona native hit 20 home runs in his last two seasons with the Lobos (over 424 at-bats in 109 games) while striking out 80 times and walking 64 times. Zoellner had more walks (37) than strikeouts (26) in 50 games as a senior in 2017.
Some of his favorite things: According to his player bio on the University of New Mexico athletics website, Zoellner is a fan of Mike Trout, the movie ‘Moneyball,’ and green chile enchiladas.
Statistically speaking: Brogdon struck out 35 of the 118 batters he faced this spring while walking one eight and allowing just two home runs.
Lewis-Clark pride: Among the former Warriors to play in the major leagues are Brendan Ryan, Vic Darensbourg, Keith Foulke, and Steve Decker.
Draft buzz: Like Maton (Athletics, 2015), Brogdon was selected in the 40th and final round of the draft in his senior year of high school. He declined to sign with the Braves and began his collegiate career.
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