I would expect Marshall to possibly take less than he wanted last year. He had the opportunity to go to a 4 year school and chose not to. I think he didn't have the NCAA issues that Nix or Aiken had because he didn't accept a deal but he still chose the route that put him back in the draft this year. I don't think he has the go to college card to fall back on anymore. I guess he could go back to JUCO for a year but then I think he'd really lose leverage in teh draft next year.
Riley Ferrell MLB.com notes: Texas Christian produced the first player from the 2014 Draft to reach the big leagues -- Brandon Finnegan, who became the first player ever to appear in the College World Series and the World Series in the same year -- and could do the same again in 2015. Ferrell could go in the second half of the first round like Finnegan did, and he could rush to the Majors as a reliever. Ferrell has dominated out of the bullpen for the Horned Frogs in the last two seasons, setting a school record with 15 saves in 2014 and making another run at that mark this spring. He devastates opponents with a 94-96 mph fastball that reaches 98 and a mid-80s slider. The Horned Frogs toyed with the idea of using Ferrell as a starter in 2015, a role change that could have enhanced his Draft status. But they ultimately decided to keep him in the bullpen, which most scouts believe is his best fit because he lacks size and a smooth delivery. Had he moved to the rotation, he would have needed to develop a changeup and improve his command.
No. Much of the bonus money is going to Bregman/Tucker/Cameron, and I think getting Matuella would've required an overslot deal. Again, I have the feeling that the Astros might go on a run of picking college seniors today.
I'm "eh" on Ferrell. I've seen him pitch a lot. Hopefully the Astros aren't biased by the fact that Finnegan (also from TCU) was able to perform so well for the Royals last year in a reliever role. Ferrell has looked quite pedestrian to bad in his last few outings. But before that, he was automatic. So hopefully just some fatigue.
This has been an amazing draft. I don't know how anyone could see it any other way actually. Ferrell will be groomed as a closer. He already has a plus fastball and can still get stronger. I don't see any downside here at all.
Round 4, Pick 109: Anthony Hermelyn, C, Oklahoma Was more of a DH early in the season. Jim Callis thinks he could move to 3B. 2015: 61 games, .321/.360/.453, 6 HR, 49 RBI, 27 R, 15 BB (2 HBP), 21 K, 3 SB (2 CS), threw out 13 of 35 runners (37%)
