ECM PADRES REPORT: MLB DRAFT EDITION - DAY TWO: COLLEGE PLAYERS JOIN UP

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo:  Mason House via @MLBDraft on Twitter  

June 13, 2017 (Secaucus, N.J.) - Yesterday in day one of the 2017 MLB Draft, the Padres kept it young, drafting three straight high schoolers in a pitcher and two catchers.  Click “read more” to see who they took today in rounds 3-10.

Third Round, 78th Overall

Mason House - CF, Whitehouse HS (Tyler, TX) - Well, it’s not a catcher, but it’s another high schooler.  A switch hitter but a left-handed thrower, he’s 6’3” and 190.  He’s committed to Oklahoma State and has a junior college commitment to Louisiana State University-Eunice.  He’s athletic and has a loose left-handed swing.  He’s an average runner out of the box, but quick on the base pads.  He should be a solid defender with an average arm.

Fourth Round, 108th Overall

Sam Keating - RHP, Canterbury HS (Fort Myers, FL.  Photo, right:  Youtube screenshot) -
While some scouts didn’t like his arm action, Keating has a lot of potential and the arm action doesn’t need to be changed, save for some simple mechanical changes.  His pitch speed is up to 94 and is one of the most projectable high school pitchers.  His slider is above average and he doesn’t throw a change that often.

Fifth Round - 138th Overall

Jonny Homza - 3B, South Anchorage HS (Anchorage, AK.  Photo left credit: Christian J. Stewart via East Village Times) -
They play baseball in Alaska?  Yes they do and Jonny Homza was the Alaska Baseball Player of the Year for two years straight.  He’s well traveled; he played in Canada, Arizona and in Alaska.  He mostly plays third base, but can also play catcher.  He can swing the ball well.  He’s committed to Hawaii and has a junior college commitment to Central Arizona Community College.  In 2016, he batted .517 with 17 runs scored and nine RBI with a .611 on-base percentage through seven games.

Sixth Round - 168th Overall

Aaron Leasher - LHP, Morehead State (hometown:  Mt. Pleasant, MI.  Photo right via @MSUEagles on Twitter) -
The first college player the Padres take in 2017 is a pitcher.  As a sophomore, Leasher ranked third in single-season MSU history with 107 strikeouts.  He pitched two complete game shutouts.  His ERA is a little high at 4.57 (though much lower than his freshman ERA:  9.71), but that was second on the MSU pitching staff.  His high school resume is more impressive; as a senior, he posted a 10-3 record with a 0.75 ERA.  He finished his junior year with a 1.15 ERA.

Seventh Round - 198th Overall

Nick Margevicius - LHP, Rider University (hometown:  North Royalton, OH.  Photo left credit: The Rider News via East Village Times) -
Margevicius can go the distance.  He pitched 87.1 innings with 79 strikeouts with a team-best 2.89 ERA.  He can pitch deep into games and his fastball is around 90.  He has a decent breaking ball and throws a lot of strikes.  He’s a pitch ability pitcher.  He pitched two complete games and led the Broncos in strikeouts, innings pitched, wins, ERA, complete games and WHIP.  He was Rider’s Pitcher of the Year and named the MAAC Pitcher of the Week three times.  

Eighth Round - 228th Overall

Olivier Basabe - SS, Faulkner University (hometown:  Maracaibo, Venezuela.  Photo right credit: Faulkner University via East Village Times) -
The first foreign player taken by the Padres in 2017.  At 5’11, Basabe is a compact, athletic player who hit .342 this past season.  He has good bat speed and can hit the ball out of the ballpark in batting practice.  Defensively, he showcases good arm strength, throwing 90 MPH from shortstop.  He also has solid hands and good footwork.  

Ninth Round - 258th Overall

Alex Cunningham - RHP, Coastal Carolina University (hometown:  Duncan, SC.  Photo left via @BigSouthBase on Twitter) -
A pre-season All-American who was one of the heroes in the College World Series win against Arizona, Cunningham packs a low 90s fastball.  He was previously drafted by the Tigers last year in the 28th round, but medical issues prompted him not to sign and now he’s back and going to the Padres.  If he can stay healthy, his arm will be valuable to the Padres.  

10th Round - 288th Overall

Dominic Taccolini - RHP, Arkansas (hometown:  Sugar Land, TX.  Photo, below right:  Youtube screenshot) -
Taccolini struck out 40 this year for the Razorbacks.  But this is another pitcher whose high school resume is more impressive than his college resume.  As a high school junior, he posted a 0.58 ERA with 101 strikeouts.  He was previously drafted last year by the Blue Jays in the 16th round.    

The third and final day of the 2017 MLB Draft is tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. and concludes with Rounds 11-40.

 


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