This past weekend, the Athletics added 21 players to the organization through the 20-round MLB Draft, which kicked off this week’s All-Star festivities in Philadelphia. Of the A’s 21 selections, 11 were pitchers, and all but two played college baseball.
The majority of MLB teams drafted high school players in the first few rounds and will now attempt to lure these touted prospects away from their college commitments with overslot signing bonuses. In years past, the A’s draft classes often included at least one high-risk prep selection in the first few rounds.
This year, however, the A’s largely avoided that demographic. Instead, the team invested nearly its entire signing bonus pool of $13,840,300 in a class of collegiate prospects who will likely require less time to reach the majors than their high school counterparts. That figure represents the maximum amount MLB gives teams to spend on signing bonuses for players selected in the first 10 rounds of the draft.
Day 1 Rundown
The A’s kicked their draft off by selecting Georgia Tech’s 5-foot-9 outfielder Drew Burress with the No. 8 pick. Burress, arguably the best collegiate outfielder in this draft class, used his all-around skillset to break multiple program records. He finished his collegiate career with a .357 batting average, 60 home runs and a 1.204 OPS in three seasons.
The small but stout hitter is no slouch defensively. He plays a quality center field and would be comfortable moving to an outfield corner if needed. Burress looks to be another fast mover who could find himself in the A’s outfield as the franchise begins a new chapter in Las Vegas.
He could be joined by the Athletics’ second-round selection, USC left-handed pitcher Mason Edwards. Baseball America’s collegiate pitcher of the year and the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year led the NCAA with 169 strikeouts, climbing up draft boards after each dominant outing this spring. Between Edwards, Gage Jump, Jamie Arnold and Wei-En Lin, the A’s have an abundance of talented young left-handed pitching prospects, a good sign for a club that needs a talent infusion on the mound.
Edwards led a run of three straight college pitchers, although the next two bring more question marks. Right-hander Gabe Gaeckle has electric stuff but command questions. If the A’s can harness his ability, Gaeckle could pitch in the front half of the team’s rotation. If not, he may be better suited for a late-game relief role.
In the third round, the “Green and Gold” selected Jacob Dudan, whose dynamic fastball/slider combination led to a breakout as NC State’s ace before he blew out his elbow. The A’s will have to wait until Dudan returns from Tommy John surgery to get a sense of what he brings to the table.
The Athletics ended the first day of the draft by selecting UCLA infielder Roman Martin, who performed well with the Bruins, although he was overshadowed by No. 1 pick Roch Cholowsky.
Day Two Names to Watch
The A’s did not draft a high school player until the 14th round, when they broke the seal, drafting right-handed pitcher Caden Sivrich out of Norwin HS (PA). Five rounds later, the team chose left-handed pitcher Jake Escalante out of Soquel HS (CA). The team will have to contend with their respective commitments to Pitt and Cal State Fullerton. If they are able to get at least one to sign, that would ensure this draft class comprises not just college players.
Speaking of college players, the following guys are sleepers to watch.
- Right-handed pitcher Nathan Aceves, the A’s 12th round draft pick, followed San Francisco Giants’ first round pick Jackson Flora in UCSB’s rotation this season. His mid-90’s fastball and plus changeup give him a good foundation to have success as a starter in the A’s farm system.
- In the seventh round, the club selected Campbell University’s David Rossow,. The CAA pitcher of the year will look to continue his success against tougher hitters in professional baseball.
- Alex Sosa, the A’s sixth round pick out of Miami (FL), gives the team another young catching prospect to develop. Sosa could be a name to watch as the team’s farm system lacks catching prospects and its starting catcher Shea Langeliers is only a couple of years away from free agency.
- Wake Forest outfielder Javar Williams and Liberty infielder Tanner Marsh are two additional athletic players the A’s nabbed in later rounds who could outplay their draft slot.
Given the team’s desire to contend and how quickly previous draft picks Jacob Wilson, Nick Kurtz and Gage Jump reached the majors, it made sense that the A’s focused primarily on college players this draft class. On the other hand, it would have been nice for them to land a highly ranked high school pitcher or position player to balance out this group.
It is too early to think ahead, but unless the Athletics can resurrect their season in the second half, the team may find itself in the draft lottery once again next year. If that is the case, they will have another opportunity to extend or break this recent streak of selecting college players in the first round.
How do you think the A’s fared during the draft? Is there a prospect who you hoped they would take, but ended up being selected by another team? Will Burress reach the majors first out of these new A’s players? If not, who will beat him and why?
