I'm hopeful these guys will strengthen the farm system. But it doesn't seem like too much excitement about the 2nd round picks so far.
Carlson (Mariner's pick) was projected to be the Astros pick at 15 in one of the earlier mock drafts. Just spoke with his good friend's mother and he is definitely turning pro.
Everyone was excited about Phil Nevin. Nobody gave a crap about Craig Biggio. MLB draft is a weird thing. Let it all play out.
Matijevic was a 1st-team All-Pac-12 selection this year. 59 games, .383/.436/.633, 10 HR, 65 RBI, 57 R, 23 BB (5 HBP), 38 K, 9 SB (1 CS), 1.069 OPS
I haven't done research since the dark ages, so all I can say is "good pick." I will do the Draft Pick Tracker thread when it's all said and done though...
Here are the slot values for the Astros' first 4 picks today: 1-15: J.B. Bukauskas - $3,588,200 2-53: Joe Perez - $1,265,500 2-56: Corbin Martin - $1,178,600 CBB-75: JJ Matijevic - $767,400
Day 2 starts at noon Central time and will cover rounds 3-10. I may miss a portion of it (and probably most of day 3) since I just started a new job
I like the Matijevic pick. If he can stick at 2B he could be a good one. Astros sure do put a lot of stock in the Cape Cod league. An underwhelming 1st day. I like the Bukauskas pick assuming he doesn't eat up the bonus pool; don't know why he wouldn't sign for near slot. But unless the Perez pick is way underslot I do not like it, and I don't like the Martin pick at all (reliever who doesn't seem to have an elite pitch).
I'm a little bit surprised by the Perez pick but he has an elite tool at the plate (power). Maybe they got him a little bit underslot.
Story on JJ Matijevic http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/johnson-gets-matijevic-swing-arizona/#c8ZDA5UvLWq4uHtC.97
Martin stood out in last year's Cape Cod League too: 0-1, 6 saves, 1.15 ERA, 15.2 IP, 8 H, 3 BB, 22 K, 0.72 WHIP in 14 appearances He and Matijevic played together on the Falmouth Commodores. He was also Cy Ranch's backup QB as a sophomore.
Martin has two elite pitches. His fastball is 97-98 out of the pen and 95-97 as a starter. His curve is nasty and very good. His weakness is command. I think the Astros see him as a starter. His stuff doesn't nose dive as a starter and he has 4 pitches. If all else fails they can let him go to the pen where he can go curve/fastball. Bukauskas slipped to the Astros because teams were worried he would end up in the pen and because he isn't the prototype size for a starter. He is a lot like Martin stuff wise, but with far better command and more movement on his off speed offering. I have heard some say his delivery and effort will put him in the pen in the big leagues. They said the same thing about McCullers too. Basically the Astros got two potential starting pitchers that throw 95-97mph as starters and 96-98 mph out of the pen (Bukauskas can throw over 100). Both have breaking balls that are nasty and both throw developing change ups. That is pretty damn nasty.
