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Normally about this time, TCB would look at each mock draft and break down each player projected from the major outlets. But this year, TCB doesn't have to spread out to have complete coverage. ESPN senior writer Keith Law, Baseball American's John Manuel, and MLB.com's Jim Callis have projected the Houston Astros to select Illinois right-handed pitcher Cody Sedlock with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2016 Draft.
Law (Insider Only) noted all the players the Astros were looking at with the pick:
I've heard them possibly taking Whitley too, as well as Eric Lauer and T.J. Zeuch.
Manuel talked about the Astros preference towards college arms:
The Astros are thought to be in on college arms. Whether or not a big late surge will push Cody Sedlock up the board this high, he is primed to exploit the lack of college starting pitchers and move into the first round.
Like Manuel, Callis talked about the Astros looking at college arms :
Barring a surprise dropping in its lap, Houston also is going to be sifting through college arms (Hudson, Sedlock, Zeuch, Kent State left-hander Eric Lauer) and prep bats (Lowe, Jones). This might be Collins' floor.
Sedlock, a junior at Illinois, was 5-3 with a 2.49 ERA in 14 starts (14 games total) for the Fighting Illini this past season. He struck out 116, walked 31, allowed 18 total extra-base hits, and a 1.10 WHIP over 101 1/3 innings. Sedlock was named to the 2016 Baseball America All-American first team, Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, unanimous all-Big Ten first tea.
Subber10 profiled Sedlock a week ago:
His best pitch is a mid-90's fastball that can fluctuate from 91 up to 96. He compliments it with two breaking balls, both a slider, and curve. He relies on the one he feels the best with on any given day. Somedays he has the curve working and others the slider. He also uses a rare changeup but is definitely a lagging pitch.
Mechanically, there are somethings that I don't like. he attempts to use his legs but I think it could be a little cleaner. My issue is that he can get firm on the front side which gets worse because he jerks his head around to whip his arm. That creates a faster and more violent release to decelerate in a small window due to a firmer front side. It creates a very firm recoil. The concern here is the shoulder. Not the elbow.