2016 MLB Draft

Restocking the pitching depth was a focus I see. Lots of fringy back end types with the high likelihood of being relievers down the road.

Whitley is really the only one with a true ceiling that exceeds backend of the rotation.

 

2 or 3 usually have extended careers, with a couple more making the show.

 

It's way too early to know who is a back end starter only. Dallas Keuchel wasn't considered a potential ace when drafted and neither was Oswalt.

 

From astros.com ...

Astros draft Rogers to start college-focused Day 2
By Brian McTaggart / MLB.com | @brianmctaggart | 8:55 PM ET

HOUSTON -- The Astros loaded up on college pitchers on Day 2 of the 2016 Draft, which consisted of Rounds 3-10, but their first pick Friday was Tulane catcher Jake Rogers, who's one of the better defensive college catchers in recent years.

All eight picks made by the Astros on Friday were college players -- five pitchers, one catcher, one third baseman and one outfielder. Astros scouting director Mike Elias said taking so many college players during those rounds isn't unusual because high school players who might go in that range are hard to sign away from college commitments.

"We took some arms we really like today, and we felt that was one of the strengths remaining on the board in the three through 10 rounds, where we were picking today," he said. "We got five pitchers today, and they were guys our scouts were excited about. Good arms from the left and right side, but also good performance, whether they were at a big college, small college, starters, relievers. There were some arms we like and guys we were targeting for sure."

Round 3 (97th overall), Jake Rogers, C, Tulane University

Rogers, considered one of the top defensive players in the Draft at any position, fills a need for the Astros at catcher.

Rogers hit .261 with seven homers and 28 RBIs in 61 games for the Green Wave this year, but he's known for his arm and his quick release. In 2016, he threw out 27 of 43 attempted basestealers (63 percent). In the Cape Cod League last year, he threw out 15 of 21.

"The thing that's pretty impressive about Jake is there's a lot of arm-strength guys out there, but his receiving-to-transfer accuracy is as good as I've ever had," Tulane coach David Pierce said. "There's guys that have great arm strength and guys that have great transfer, but the ability to be accurate as consistently as he was is remarkable. He has the right tools to play in the big leagues. It's going to come down to whether he hits enough."

Rogers, who's originally from Lubbock, Texas, went to high school in Canyon, Texas.

"I think of myself as a good leader and a good, solid catcher that pitchers love to throw to," Rogers told MLB.com. "Hopefully, I can get to the big leagues soon and play really well and keep working hard and working at my game so I can get better."

Elias said Rogers is the player they're most excited about.

"This is one of the better defensive catchers in the last few years in the Draft," he said. "He's an outstanding catch-and-throw guy we've been scouting for a number of years. He was on the Cape; we've seen him at Tulane. His caught-stealing percentages in college baseball have been historic. … He's got a cannon and really smooth hands and it's something we really value. Offensively, he's improved every year and had his best year this year and led the team in walks."

Round 4 (127th overall), Brett Adcock, LHP, Michigan

The Astros continued drafting to need with their fourth-round pick Friday, selecting University of Michigan left-handed pitcher Brett Adcock. The southpaw appeared in 15 games, making 14 starts, as a junior last season and was 7-5 with a 3.22 ERA and a .190 opponents' batting average. He struck out 100 batters in 78 1/3 innings.

Adcock is good friends with Astros second-round pick Ronnie Dawson, an outfielder from Ohio State.

"I'm just going to embrace any opportunity they give me to be a starter or a reliever," Adcock told MLB.com. "It doesn't matter. I'm going to give my 100 percent in anything I come across."

Round 5 (157th overall), Abraham Toro-Hernandez, 3B, Seminole State College (Okla.)

Toro-Hernandez hit .439 with 20 homers, 86 RBIs and 94 runs scored in 55 games last season for Seminole State. A switch-hitter, he played third base last season as a freshman, but he could wind up as a catcher down the road because of his arm strength. He can throw 92 mph off the mound. His family moved from Venezuela to Montreal just before he was born, and he can speak English, French and Spanish fluently.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," Toro-Hernandez told MLB.com. "I know the Astros liked me for quite a few months, but I wasn't expecting to go in the fifth round. I'm pretty excited."

Toro-Hernandez considers himself more of a gap-to-gap hitter than a power hitter. He came up as a shortstop but was moved to third base when he got to Seminole. He didn't know he was going to be drafted until he heard his name called.

"I was with my mom and she was crying," he said. "Big moment."

Round 6 (187th overall), Stephen Wrenn, CF, Georgia

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder started 162 games in center field in his career at Georgia, hitting .292 with 13 homers, 74 RBIs and 56 stolen bases. Wrenn's father, Steve, played baseball and basketball at Wake Forest plus spent four years playing in the Cleveland Indians organization.

"It's so great," Wrenn told MLB.com. "It's just such a relieving feeling. It's a very special moment for me."

Wrenn was struck in the face while running in for a fly ball during an exhibition game before the start of the season and wound up suffering three fractures when the ball clipped his glove and hit him. He wore a face-guard on his batting helmet for the first seven weeks of the season.

Round 7 (217th overall), Tyler Buffett, RHP, Oklahoma State

The 6-foot-1 right-hander appeared in 34 games for the Cowboys last year, all but three in relief. In 67 1/3 innings, he allowed 59 hits, 29 walks, struck out 66 batters and had nine saves as the Cowboys' primary closer. He finished his career at Oklahoma State with 134 strikeouts and 60 walks.

Round 8 (247th overall), Nick Hernandez, RHP, Houston

The Astros drafted the hometown product, who finished the season with a 3-0 record and 1.40 ERA in a team-high 29 appearances for the Cougars in 2016. He struck out 67 batters in 51 1/3 innings. He held opponents to a .154 batting average.

"The thing with Nick is he's a relentless worker," Houston coach Todd Whitting said. "He's a workhorse guy out of the bullpen. He's a self-made guy. … I don't know if I had a kid work for a one-year period like Nick Hernandez did for one year. He deserves it."

Hernandez went to Dulles High School just outside Houston and then to nearby Alvin Community College before transferring to Houston.

"It's awesome because I'm from Houston and get to go from Dulles to Alvin to UH and get drafted by the 'Stros," Hernandez told MLB.com.

The Astros got an up-close look at Hernandez when he pitched in the College Classic at Minute Maid Park earlier this year.

"It's always fun to get a guy from Rice or UH or any of the local schools," Elias said. "We got a real close look at him, because they come to Minute Maid Park every year and he had a dominant season closing for the Cougars. … He's got a good fastball, good breaking ball and should be somebody that transitions to pro ball pretty smoothly."

Round 9 (277th overall), Ryan Hartman, LHP, Tennessee Wesleyan

Hartman appeared in 17 games this season, making 13 starts, and was 10-1 with a 0.64 ERA. He struck out 129 batters and walked only 12 in 98 innings. He was named a Perfect Game/Rawlings Pitcher of the Year following this season. His only loss came in the NAIA World Series.

"He really dominated at that level," Elias said. "It's a smaller, out-of-the-way program, but he still has good stuff. He's over 90 mph from the left side and good control. He's definitely one that will also start in a rotation or piggyback capacity for us."

Round 10 (307th overall), Dustin Hunt, RHP, Northeastern

A three-year starter, he started 14 games in his senior season at Northeastern and went 6-3 with a 2.72 ERA. In 86 innings, he allowed 68 hits, 27 walks and struck out a career-high 93 batters while holding opponents to a .219 batting average.

 

Toro-Hernandez brings power, versatility to Astros
By Brian McTaggart / MLB.com | @brianmctaggart

HOUSTON -- His family moved from Venezuela to Montreal just before he was born in search of a better life. Abraham Toro-Hernandez's next stop might be Houston.

The Astros drafted the unheralded third baseman from Seminole State College in Oklahoma in the fifth round (157th pick overall) of Friday's 2016 Draft. He hit .439 with 20 homers, 86 RBIs and 94 runs scored in 55 games last season for Seminole State and has a cannon for an arm.

Although his college coaches believe he could profile as a catcher down the road, Astros scouting director Mike Elias said that wasn't a huge part of the equation in drafting him.

"We liked him as a third baseman," he said. "We will explore the catching thing with him if it's something we feel is appropriate. We're mostly excited about his physical tools and the success he's had. He had a great season. Our scouts think he's got a third baseman's arm, he's got power and he's an athletic kid."

A switch-hitter, Toro-Hernandez can throw 92 mph off the pitcher's mound, which is why some think he will catch someday. Because of his unique background, he speaks fluent Spanish, English and French.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," Toro-Hernandez told MLB.com. "I know the Astros liked me for quite a few months, but I wasn't expecting to go in the fifth round. I'm pretty excited."

Toro-Hernandez considers himself more of a gap-to-gap hitter than a power hitter. He came up as a shortstop but was moved to third base when he got to Seminole. He didn't know he was going to be drafted until he heard his name called.

"I was with my mom, and she was crying," he said. "Big moment."

Seminole State coach Lloyd Simmons said Toro-Hernandez has power from both sides and has the work ethic to boot. He said he played third because they had a hole to fill at the position, and he has great hands. Former All-Star closer Eric Gagne, who's Canadian and had played for Simmons, gave Simmons the heads up about Toro-Hernandez.

Simmons scouted for the Royals for seven years, and also for the Yankees, and had Royals All-Star catcher Salvador Perez when he was managing in rookie ball in Kansas City's system. Simmons thinks Toro-Hernandez could be an impact player.

"Just me talking and nobody else, I think he can catch in the big leagues," he said. "He's got great hands, quick feet. He's got that 60 arm [on the 20-80 scouts scale], he's got power on both sides. I've seen a lot of prospects in pro ball. I project him as a big league catcher."

 

Intriguing prospect by the Astros. Looks like Toro-Hernandez will start as a catcher. We need all the upside we can get at Catcher in the future. Anyone knows this kids age/birth date? I can't seem to find it. Hopefully he is in the 18 or 19 age range so he can develop as a Catcher.

 

Rogers hit .202 as a Freshman and had a .586 OPS as a Sophomore. He never gets past A ball. What a horrible pick.

 

He is 19.5.

Catcher and 3B are both weak positions and I'd be happy with either. Just let him be better than the last 3B/C guy I remember us drafting (Mike Kvasnicka).

 

Plenty of guys completely suck as Freshmen, so that means pretty little.

Roberto Pena is in AA with career numbers like that. Humberto Quintero had an extended career with numbers like that.

 

You're right. If Alfredo Gonzalez can make it to AA ball, then so can Rogers. Unfortunately, both are worthless and the only guy with a shot to be our below-average backup catcher is Tyler Heineman

 

Lots of pitching so far. I like it

 

Astros from a system standpoint aren't weak at 3B when you count SSs especially if the Astros can extend Correa.

 

Did you see Toro-Hernandez's stats last year?!?!

I can't wait for the HOF ceremony!!!!

 

Weird. He only threw 14 innings at Michigan, and none his junior year. Was mostly an IF. Unless baseball cube is wrong.

 

He is RF/1B.