The Crawfish Boxes - 2014 Astros draft selections profiles Astros baseball: we've got uniforms and everything.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11437/crawfishboxes-fv.gif2014-06-10T10:00:13-05:00http://www.crawfishboxes.com/rss/stream/55516052014-06-10T10:00:13-05:002014-06-10T10:00:13-05:00Intro to the Astros 2014 Draft Class
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<figcaption>Rich Schultz</figcaption>
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<p>A brief introduction to each of the Astros 2014 draft picks.</p> <h3></h3>
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<p>Let's be honest. Nobody can know about every single one of the Astros 2014 draft class. Well here is a brief overview of every single one.</p>
<p><b>1st Round: Brady Aiken, LHP, Cathedral Catholic High School (CA):</b> <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/3/5774678/2014-mlb-draft-profile-brady-aiken-lhp-cathedral-catholic-hs-ca" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>Comp. A Round: Derek Fisher, OF, University of Virginia</b>: <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/5/5784908/astros-2014-comp-pick-profile-derek-fisher-of-virginia" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>2nd Round: A.J. Reed, 1B, Kentucky:</b> <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/5/5785016/2014-mlb-second-round-pick-a-j-reed-lhp-1b-kentucky" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>3rd Round: J.D. Davis, 3B, Cal State-Fullerton:</b> <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5786526/2014-3rd-round-pick-j-d-davis-1b-3b-cal-state-fullerton" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>4th Round: Daniel Mengden, RHP, Texas A&M</b>: <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5786948/2014-4th-round-pick-daniel-mengden-rhp-texas-a-m" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>5th Round: Jacob Nix, RHP, Los Alamitos HS (CA</b>): <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787042/2014-5th-round-pick-jacob-nix-rhp-los-alamitos-hs-ca" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>6th Round: Brock Dykxhoorn, RHP, Central Arizona College</b>: <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787152/2014-sixth-round-pick-brock-dykxhoorn-rhp-central-arizona-college" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>7th Round: Derek Velazquez, RHP, Fresno State</b>: <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787200/2014-7th-round-pick-derick-velazquez-rhp-freson-st" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>8th Round: Bobby Boyd, OF, West Virginia</b>: <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787322/2014-eighth-round-pick-bobby-boyd-cf-west-virginia" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>9th Round: Bryan Radziewski, LHP, Miami:</b> <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/6/5788116/2014-9th-round-pick-bryan-radziewski-lhp-miami-fl" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
<p><b>10th Round: Jay Gause, RHP, Faulkner University: </b><a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787590/2014-tenth-round-pick-jay-gause-rhp-faulkner-university" target="_blank">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
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<p><b>11th Round: Dean Deetz, </b><b>RHP, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M:</b> You won’t find pitcher’s with much more upside than this in the 11th round. The right-handed pitcher missed the 2013 season while recovering from TJ surgery. So, despite being a sophomore age wise, he just completed his first year of college ball. He has a fastball in the 92-94 range that tops out at 98. His coach thinks he’s a guy who could go as high as the 5th round. He throws a slider, curve, and changeup with the slider being the best off-speed pitch.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>12th round: Ryan Bottger, LF, UT Arlington:</b> A case could be made that Bottger was the most complete hitter in the Sun Belt Conference, and it wasn't particularly close. Even ignoring the 1.030 OPS, his single-digit strikeout rate (9.32%), 14.41% walk rate, and .205 ISO all rank in the top fifteen in the conference. - AB</p>
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<p><b>13th round: Jamie Ritchie, C, Belmont:</b> Even if the college catching class hadn’t been so crowded, you’d be forgiven for missing Ritchie, who played in relative obscurity at Belmont in the Ohio Valley Conference. But he’s been a stalwart for the Bruins. His .302 average may not pop off the page, but he was 18th-best in his conference at avoiding strikeouts, and 15th-best at BB/K. Combined with good gap power, he was easily among the top hitters in the OVC. His work behind the dish, where he allowed 11 passed balls and caught 13 of the 49 runners who tried to steal on him, will ultimately determine his value as a pro. -AB</p>
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<p><b>14th Round: Nick Tanielu, 2B, Washington State:</b> Announced as a second baseman, Tanielu played primarily third base this season. He can hit for average. He batted over .300 every year. This season he hit .340 with 16 doubles, one triple, and one home run. He struck out 33 times and walked just 12 times.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>15th Round: Connor Goedert, 3B, Neosho County CC: </b>There’s no way around this, the sophomore Goedert absolutely dominated JUCO pitching this season. He hit .444 with 31 walks which put his OBP at .542! He struck out just just 24 times and was hit by 14 pitches as well. He totaled 21 doubles, 2 triples, and 19 home runs form the right side. Keep in mind that the NJCAA also followed the NCAA in using BBCOR bats. If you put any stock at such low level and unknown quality of fields, his FLD% was awful at .873, so there MIGHT be a question about his defense. He was awarded with being named First Team All-American.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>16th Round: Ramon Laureano, LF, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M:</b> A 5’11" right-handed hitter, Laureano provides both a high batting average and good plate discipline. He hit .413 this year with 21 walks and just 18 strikeouts. He hit 11 doubles, 1 triple, and 9 home runs while also swiping 16 bases and getting caught just once. This was his sophomore year.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>17th Round: Ben Smith, LHP, Coastal Carolina: </b>Smith is 6’2" pitcher who went down with a torn UCL after six starts this season. The junior has a FB that tops out at 93 but is usually 88-91. He relies heavily on his changeup and also throws a curve. Scouts see three pitches that can grade out as 55/60 in the future. He’s usually shown very good strikeout rates but tends to struggle with control.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>18th Round: Antonio Nunez, SS, Western Oklahoma State College:</b> A smallish shortstop, the sophomore provides a lot on the offensive side of the game. His batting line this year was .371/.491/.506. He doesn’t hit for much more than doubles (just 2 home runs), but has speed and used it for 35 stolen bases and was caught just five times. -Brooks</p>
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<p><b>19th Round: Ruben Castro, C, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy:</b> It’s tough to get information on kids from Puerto Rico unless they get involved in the showcase circuits, which Castro appears to not have. He’s a 5’10" 180 pound left-handed hitter who is signed to play for Wabash Valley College if he doesn’t sign. -Brooks</p>
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<p><b>20th Round: Trent Woodward, C, Fresno State:</b> Woodward is a switch-hitting catcher that stands 6’2" and 200 pounds. He spent a lot of time as the teams DH and batted .290 with 36 walks and 29 strikeouts in his 207 at-bats. He doesn’t have much pop with just 8 doubles, 1 triple, and 3 home runs. In his limited time behind the plate, he threw out 5 would-be basestealers in 15 chances. - Brooks</p>
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<p><b>21st Round: Mac Marshall, LHP, Parkview HS: </b><a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/5/10/5704250/2014-mlb-draft-profile-mac-marshall-lhp-parkview-hs-ga">Draft Pick Profile</a></p>
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<p><b>22nd Round: Bryan Muniz, 1B, Southeastern: </b>The junior was the Sun Conference Player of the Year this year after he hit .400 with 28 doubles, a triple, and five home runs while drawing 33 walks and only striking out 10 times. He also was hit by a pitch 15 times. He’s a right handed hitter.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>23rd: Ryan Thompson, RHP, Campbell University:</b> The 6'5" senior was fourth on the team that proudly represents the "Fighting Camels" in innings, despite never starting a single game. He was the team's closer and picked up 17 saves from 88 innings. He struck out 87 and walked 29 batters. Armed with a mid-80's fastball and a slider that his team refers to as "the flying saucer," he can make hitters feel uncomfortable. The arsenal isn't impressive, but it works for someone a funky, low side-armed delivery. -Brooks</p>
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<p><b>24th Round: Vince Wheeland, RHP, Oklahoma St:</b> One of the pre-season "very Luhnow" pitchers, Wheeland served in the capacity of "utility pitcher" for Oklahoma State (<a href="http://newsok.com/article/3802890">http://newsok.com/article/3802890</a>). In 2014, he was the only Cowboy pitcher to reach ten wins, despite having only three starts. For the past two seasons, he’s posted WHIPs under 1.00; with a fastball in the low nineties, a mid-seventies changeup, and both a slider and a curve, he’s excelled at missing bats and limiting baserunners.</p>
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<p><b>25th Round: Zach Davis, LHP, Central Missouri:</b> He’s a 6’3" 220 pound senior who led his team in appearances, all out of the pen. He tossed 41 innings and struck out 51 and only walked 13. He supported a 1.98 ERA.</p>
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<p><b>26th Round: Mott Hyde, 2B, Georgia Tech:</b> The right handed hitting middle infielder is well rounded at the plate. This year he hit .282 with 12 doubles, 3 triples, and 4 home runs. He drew 26 walks and struck out 51 times. He stole 10 bases in 12 attempts.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>27th Round: Brandon McNitt, RHP, SUNY Stony Brook:</b> The 5’10 senior pitcher was a First Team All-Conference selection this year and tied for second in innings pitched with 71 2/3. He had a 2.89 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 22 walks. The only information I found on him was that he threw his fastball in the 83-87 range back in 2012 as a sophomore.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>28th Round: Aaron Greenwood, RHP, Mississippi:</b> Of all the pitchers for Ole Miss who did not make a start, Greenwood lead the way in innings, so he was heavily relied upon coming out of the bullpen. In his 39 ⅓ innings, he struck out 31 and walked 10. He primarily throws a fastball (velocity unknown) and a slider.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>29th Round: Richard Gonzalez, C , Alabama State:</b> A 5’9" 200 pound catcher hit .277 this season with four home runs while showing good plate discipline by drawing 27 walks and striking out 24 times. He threw out 16 of 36 basestealers for 31% CS rate.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>30th Round: Sean McMullen, OF, Louisiana State:</b> Hidden in a deep lineup, the senior outfielder was still a very good hitter with a .288 average and tied for the team lead in home runs with 7. He showed very good plate discipline as well with 37 walks and 33 strikeouts. He split most of his time between DH and LF this season and at the plate he keeps his hands high throughout his balanced swing which helps to add loft to his left handed swing.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>31st Round: Dexture McCall, 1B, Hillsborough CC:</b> McCall is 6’1" and has a filled out frame that weighs 220 pounds. He has broad shoulders and a frame that carries power from the right side. As a 20 year old, his power hasn’t fully developed, but he did hit five home runs this season which tied for the team lead. He also drew 29 walks to just 20 strikeouts. He can also hit for average as indicative of his .360 average.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>32nd Round: Robert Kahana, RHP, Kansas:</b> The JayHawks #2 starter this year totaled 85 ⅔ innings of 3.36 ERA ball. He walked 26 batters, and interestingly only struck out 33 batters. He throws his fastball 91-94 and has a good slider. Although, his command is lacking which is the source of his struggles.</p>
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<p><b>33th Round: Edwin Medina, OF, St Thomas University:</b> Medina was an All American Honorable Mention for the NAIA for his standout season. He hit .397 with 27 walks and 22 strikeouts. He added 13 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs while swiping 33 bases in 27 attempts. The 5’8" 170 pound junior is a center fielder.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>34th Round: Joshua James, RHP, Western Oklahoma State College:</b> The JUCO sophomore lead his team in innings with 61 ⅓ across 16 games (10 starts). He totaled 56 strikeouts and 25 walks, showing he has some control issues.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>35th Round: Keegan Yuhl, RHP, Concordia:</b> Short and stocky by pro standards, the 6’ 240 pound right hander lead the Concordia team on the mound with a 2.48 ERA in 104 ⅔ innings. He struck out 100 while only walking 14. He has a 5 pitch mix with both a 4 and 2 seam fastball, changeup, curve, and splitter. His fastball is typically 88-92.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>36th Round: Justin Ferrell, RHP, Connors St College: </b>Ferrell stands out for his height, not overall size. He stands 6’7" but only weighs 190 pounds. Don’t know anything about what he throws, but he was the closer for his team the last two years. This year he struck out 54 and walked 16 over 52 innings.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>37th Round: Eric Peterson, RHP, North Carolina State:</b> Peterson was the Wolf Packs’ primary reliever this year, appearing in 20 games and tossing 56 innings. He allowed just 14 walks and was third on the team in strikeouts with 63. Peterson can run his fastball up to 92 and also throws an average curveball and mixes a changeup in as well.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>38th Round: Michael Foster, 2B, Northeastern:</b> Announced as a second baseman, Foster played both ways and MLB.com reports that his future was on the mound most likely. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" style="line-height: 1.15; background-color: #ffffff;">Astros</a> appear to like him at the plate though. He batted .299 with 10 doubles, a triple, and 3 homers. He walked 22 times and struck out 27 times. He also stole 18 bases in 21 attempts.-Brooks</p>
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<p><b>39th Round: Brad Antchak, SS, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M: </b>A JUCO freshman who doesn’t actually turn 19 until December. He hit .295 with a .417 OBP this season. He added two home runs, 8 doubles, and 4 triples. He shows good plate discipline with 26 walks to 13 strikeouts and added 16 stolen bases as well. -Brooks</p>
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<p><b>40th Round: Alexander Hernandez, 2B, Miami (FL):</b> One of the better defensive second basemen in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-baseball">college baseball</a>, Hernandez has made more than his share of highlight-reel pl<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CccuVRzsxTM">ays (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CccuVRzsxTM</a>). His results with the bat hasn’t yet matched up with his glovework, but the latter gives him a solid foundation to build a career on. -AB</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/10/5795418/astros-2014-draft-class-introductionSubber102014-06-06T23:29:33-05:002014-06-06T23:29:33-05:009th Round Pick: Bryan Radziewski, LHP, Miami (FL)
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<p>Miami's "short, fat lefty" doesn't look like a baseball player, and he doesn't exactly throw like one either, but he happens to be #7 on the team's all-time career strikeout list.</p> <h3>Summary</h3>
<p>Bryan Radziewski calls himself a "<a href="http://caneswatch.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2013/05/04/bryan-radziewski-hurricanes-short-fat-lefty-eating-up-the-competition/">short, fat lefty</a>," and the ninth-round pick of the Houston Astros was in the top ten of my <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/2/12/5391984/fifty-very-luhnow-prospects-part-ii-the-pitchers">pre-season list</a> of "Very Luhnow" pitchers. At 5'10", 195 lbs., Radziewski may not be a physically-imposing presence on the mound, but he's pitched very well in a tough ACC this season - one year removed from being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals - earning second-team all-conference honors.</p>
<p>Despite a fastball that tops out in the high eighties, "B-Rad" is seventh on the Hurricanes' <a href="http://www.stateoftheu.com/2014/6/6/5787474/radziewski-taken-by-astros-in-ninth-round">all-time strikeout list</a>, having recorded at least seven in ten of his sixteen starts this spring, including a season-high ten in his debut, against Maine (his career high is sixteen, which he got last year against Virginia Tech). He was thirteenth in Division-I in strikeouts, and twenty-third in K/9.</p>
<p>You can get a decent of Radziewski's stuff <a href="http://pinetarpress.com/scott-silverstein-and-bryan-radziewski-pitch-data/">here</a>, though the information is over a year old.</p>
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<p>In his outing against Virginia, he threw 105 pitches, and got 6 whiffs, which is well below where you would want it to be. He got 8 groundballs and 12 flyballs, and threw strikes 63.8 % of the time, an okay percentage. He gave up fouls a little more than Silvertstein as well, at 15.2% of the time.</p>
<p>His fastball was anywhere from 83-88, averaging 85.38 MPH. Only 7 starters in the Pitch F/X era (170 innings minimum) have had an average fastball velocity below that, and they were all veterans at the end of their careers (with the exception of R.A. Dickey, a knuckleballer, which Radziewski is obviously not). So obviously, this is not a MLB fastball, but let’s look at his other pitches.</p>
<p>His breaking pitch was a what I am going to call a curveball. It looked like a soft slider with some sweeping action, and the broadcast even called it a cutter. Just for ease and comparisons, I will call it a curveball, which it looked like at times. It was anywhere between 69 to 79 (it was probably two different pitches, a cutter/slider, and a slow curve), averaging 75.24 MPH. This is closest to Cliff Lee, Josh Tomlin, and Aaron Harang. He threw this pitch 44 times, or about 42 % of the time (seemingly supporting that he was actually a 4 pitch pitcher).</p>
<p>He also threw a change 12 times (about 11% of the time). The pitch was thrown 76-81 MPH and averaged 79.83 MPH, barely below Silverstein’s and closest to Kenny Rogers and Jason Vargas, two lefties who threw a ton of changeups.</p>
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<p>(The Silverstein in question was Scott Silverstein, who went in the twenty-fifth round in 2013 to the Blue Jays. Radziewski went four rounds later to the Cardinals.)</p>
<h3>Floor</h3>
<p>LOOGY. Doesn't it stink that by virtue of handedness, this becomes everyone's immediate floor? Still, Radziewski does happen to be left-handed, and while he's generated far more strikeouts than you'd expect from a guy with his stuff and physique, he's also walked a lot of guys - no doubt because by his own admission, sometimes even he doesn't know where his pitches are going to end up.</p>
<h3>Ceiling</h3>
<p>It's certainly not out of the question that Radziewski could harness his stuff, add a little velocity, and become a middle-of-the-rotation starter. I'll call that his ceiling, though it's unlikely he'll reach it. It's more likely that he ends up a reliever in the major leagues, and you can dream on a #4/5.</p>
<h3>Will He Sign?</h3>
<p>Having already red-shirted after having surgery to replace a partial labrum tear in 2012, he <i>could</i> return to Miami for another season, but it seems likely that he'll sign and get his pro career underway.</p>
<h3>Bibliography</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.prospectdigest.com/2014/05/29/2014-draft-profile-bryan-radziewski/">Prospect Digest</a>:</p>
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<p>The career accolades are impressive by themselves: a member of the USA National U16 team, 2011 Freshman All-America Second Team (Baseball America), 2013 Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List (USA Baseball), 2013 All-ACC First Team, 2013 Rawlings All-America Third Team, 2013 Louisville Slugger All-America Second Team, and a pair of 2014 Preseason All-Americas.</p>
<p>But the story itself articulates a clear picture of the type of obstacles the left-hander has had to overcome.</p>
<p>Standing just 5-foot-10 and a potato chip under 200 pounds, Radziewski was overlooked by professional scouts coming out of high school despite having enough firepower to be named as a Second Team Freshman All-American when he posted a solid 3.35 ERA while average 9.07 K9 and 3.65 BB/9.</p>
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https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/6/5788116/2014-9th-round-pick-bryan-radziewski-lhp-miami-flAnthony Boyer2014-06-06T18:32:00-05:002014-06-06T18:32:00-05:002014 10th Round Pick: Jay Gause, RHP, Faulkner U
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<p>A former NC State commit who attended two different junior colleges before landing in the NAIA World Series and getting drafted in the tenth round, it's already been a whirlwind career for the newest Houston Astro.</p> <h3>Summary</h3>
<p>Listed in the Faulkner University program at 6'5", 250 lbs., Jay Gause is a presence on the mound in the NAIA's Division I Mid-South Conference. In 58 innings, he struck out 83 batters, walked 24, and had opposing hitters baffled, as they put up just a .139 average against him.</p>
<p>On top of that, he saved his best stuff for the postseason. In the opening round of the NAIA National Championship, he pitched a complete-game shutout over Point University, striking out sixteen batters and allowed just one hit and no walks on just 115 pitches. His next outing, in the NAIA World Series, didn't go as well, with Gause walking seven batters in as many innings of work. He was able to pitch around his mistakes, though, leaving with the game tied 2-2. Oklahoma Baptist would go on to win, 7-2.</p>
<p>Gause took a circuitous route to this year's draft. After being drafted in the 25th round in 2010, he declined the Indians' offer. He had a commitment to NC State, but offseason surgery on his shoulder ended those plans, and he headed to Pitt Community College. In 2013, he landed at Walters State Community College, where he struck out 91 batters in 88 innings for the Senators, walking just 30 in the process before transferring to Faulkner.</p>
<p>In addition to his low-to-mid-nineties fastball, Gause has shown a very good curveball and a changeup that comes in at least average.</p>
<h3>Floor</h3>
<p>A floor as an organizational guy.</p>
<h3>Ceiling</h3>
<p>It's hard to throw a very reliable ceiling on Gause, because there's so much we don't know about him right now. He was pitching in relative obscurity in the NAIA, even though his team made it to the World Series and he pitched there. It's hard to find anything that suggest that he could be much more than a dominant reliever or, at best, a swingman. But it's just too hard to say for sure.</p>
<h3>Will He Sign?</h3>
<p>He's not young, and while it's not entirely inconceivable that he could transfer to an NCAA program, it seems unlikely. I doubt he'd have much to benefit from not signing.</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787590/2014-tenth-round-pick-jay-gause-rhp-faulkner-universityAnthony Boyer2014-06-06T16:23:33-05:002014-06-06T16:23:33-05:008th Round Pick: Bobby Boyd, CF, WVU
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<p>Speed and contact at the plate. It's his calling card.</p> <h3>Summary</h3>
<p>Bobby Boyd can make a lot of contact from the left side. He also has a lot of speed. But, what he doesn't have is power. He's smaller type player, 5'9", 180 pounds. He's just not going to impress on first sight.</p>
<p>This season, the left-handed hitter batted .356 with 8 doubles, 2 triples, and a home run. He drew ten walks and struck out 29 times. He stole 18 bases in 20 attempts. He may have a true plus hit tool, but without power or an ability to draw walks, he doesn't carry a high on-base percentage. There's potential for a good amount of doubles with his gap power. Appears to slap the ball at times but has the ability to square up and drive the ball into the gaps as well.</p>
<p>Defensively, he has good range due to his true 70 grade speed. However, his arm is limited, so he probably can't fill in at RF.</p>
<p>His value is solely locked into his speed and ability to make contact.</p>
<h3>Floor</h3>
<p>Organizational guy.</p>
<h3>Ceiling</h3>
<p>His ultimate ceiling is probably a guy with a .300 average with low walk rate and decent strikeout rate. Good amount of doubles and 25-30 stolen bases. He will track down plenty of balls in the outfield but will struggle to hold runners.</p>
<h3>Will he sign?</h3>
<p>Yes? I expect him to because I think he's mostly maxed out and has nothing left to prove.</p>
<h3>Bibliography</h3>
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<p><a href="http://baseballdraftreport.com/2012/12/19/2013-mlb-draft-preview-west-virginia-mountaineers/" target="_blank">Baseball Draft Report</a></p>
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<p><span>I like SO OF Bobby Boyd as a more refined version of Wilson. He’s a player to watch due to his plus speed, leadoff approach, and impressive range in center field. It’ll be interesting to see if he can grow into some power over the next two or three seasons at WVU. Fellow sophomore 2B Billy Fleming is more of a sleeper, but I like him as a grinder-type who might be able to make some inroads with scouts who dig his gritty style of play.</span></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787322/2014-eighth-round-pick-bobby-boyd-cf-west-virginiaSubber102014-06-06T15:35:09-05:002014-06-06T15:35:09-05:007th Round Pick: Derick Velazquez, RHP, Fresno St
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cSLnf-qtsy1b2ddjtNP76nf4lO8=/0x116:730x603/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34017579/TCB_DP_2014.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ryan Dunsmore</figcaption>
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<p>Drafted as a reliever, he will likely move pretty quickly through the system.</p> <h3>Summary</h3>
<p>Derick Velazquez is an interesting pick as he was announced a reliever. That was his primary role in college and his best fit. However, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> haven't drafted many relievers this early, choosing starters and work them as starters until they prove otherwise. Yet, given his profile, he could probably move fairly quickly for a pitching prospect.</p>
<p>At 6'4" 200 pounds, there's still some weight to be added to his frame which could help his 94 MPH fastball add a tick or two. It already has good life to it. He uses a curveball as an out pitch but really needs to be worked on in order to have more consistency if he is to have success in the pros. As it is now, he lacks the strikeout rate (38 k's in 56 innings). BA says he also throws a hard cutter.</p>
<p>Delivery works for a reliever. It's a little on the heavy side on the arm and will lean away from his arm which can affect his control at times.</p>
<h3>Floor</h3>
<p>Track records for minor league relievers isn't great.</p>
<h3>Ceiling</h3>
<p>You'd like for a pitcher drafted as a reliever to be a closer, but I think his upside is just short of that. Probably a set-up man</p>
<h3>Will he sign?</h3>
<p>I think he will. He's a reliever despite starting late in the season. He doesn't have much to prove in college.</p>
<h3>Bibliography</h3>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qqFjrnomXbs" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2014/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&fv=hou" target="_blank">MLB.com</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>Fresno State has produced a fair share of pitching prospects, including <span>Matt Garza</span> back in 2005, <span>Tanner Scheppers</span> in '09 and top 100 prospect Jordan Brink this year. Velazquez might not have quite as high a profile, but his stock was rising as the Draft approached. Velazquez spent most of the year pitching out of the bullpen, but he worked his way into the weekend rotation. He's been up to 94 mph with his fastball with a ton of life, and he complements it with a breaking ball that's an out pitch when he's throwing well. He has some feel for a changeup, though he hasn't thrown it as much. Tall and thin, Velazquez has room to add good weight and strength, leaving some scouts to think there's projection in what he can become.</span></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787200/2014-7th-round-pick-derick-velazquez-rhp-freson-stSubber102014-06-06T15:16:53-05:002014-06-06T15:16:53-05:00Sixth Round Pick: Brock Dykxhoorn, RHP, JUCO
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kZEzvtQMRHRqlVp1yFqArq6_x20=/0x116:730x603/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34016873/TCB_DP_2014.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ryan Dunsmore</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>JUCO pitcher with great strikeout numbers but lacks great velocity. The size is impressive though.</p> <h3>Summary</h3>
<p>80 Grade Name</p>
<p>He's a Canadian far way from home. He was a 20th round pick in 2012 and went to West Virginia for his freshman year before transferring for this season. He has a massive frame at 6'8" 240 pounds and uses it to create downward plane on his fastball that hitters tend to struggle with.</p>
<p>His stuff doesn't really stand out as he tops out in the low 90's and relies on his control of the pitch to be effective. He also throws a slider which has reportedly really improved this year and resulting in him moving up draft boards.</p>
<p>He has a lot of work to do as he has control but not great command. He needs to locate better in the zone. There's talk of him having good mechanics and repeating them well which bodes well for command.</p>
<p>He racked up the strikeouts against his lower level of competition in the JUCO ranks. He totaled 114 in his 78 innings which comes out to a 13.15 K/9. He allowed 27 walks for a 3.14 BB/9. His ERA was 2.77.</p>
<h3>Floor</h3>
<p>Hard to peg for a guy we have such limited data on. So, other than the usual minor leaguer career, he could be a middle reliever.</p>
<h3>Ceiling</h3>
<p>He's got some back of the rotation upside unless he can do something to add a few ticks. if he has a long stride length, his velo already plays up, but could always be better. A third pitch will need to develop. He's still only 19 which helps.</p>
<h3>Will he sign</h3>
<p>JUCO guys are usually pretty easy signs at this point in the draft. Especially when they were in a 4-year program prior, transferring lets them get in pro ball quicker.</p>
<h3>Bibliography</h3>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2014/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&fv=hou" target="_blank">MLB.com</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>After committing to Central Arizona in high school, Dykxhoorn was selected in the 20th round of the 2012 Draft. He didn't sign and wound up deciding to attend West Virginia. He transferred to Central Arizona after a year and pitched his way up Draft boards this spring. Dykxhoorn throws his fastball around 90 mph and uses his big frame to create a good downhill angle. His slider has made strides this spring, giving him a third average offering to go with his fastball and changeup. Dykxhoorn pitches with more control than command and has to be careful to keep the ball down in the zone, as his fastball flattens out when he leaves it up. Despite his size, he already repeats his delivery well and has the potential to develop into a Major League starter.</span></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787152/2014-sixth-round-pick-brock-dykxhoorn-rhp-central-arizona-collegeSubber102014-06-06T14:58:37-05:002014-06-06T14:58:37-05:00Fifth Round Pick: Jacob Nix, RHP, CA HS
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2uH6vlmCJwBYeR0jOH5aeScKYwo=/0x116:730x603/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34016197/TCB_DP_2014.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>Projectable RHP's with 96/97 MPH fastballs will always be noticed. He's got a lot of work but the upside is nice.</p> <h3>Summary</h3>
<p>Here's another guy with much higher stock in 2013 than he did at draft time. Jacob Nix has a lot of upside in his arm but for various reasons, had a round senior season that dropped his stock. The upside is still there, he's just not as polished as some thought he might be. So the value of this pick is there once again.</p>
<p>He has a very good frame, standing 6'4" with a good build. His shoulders are slightly sloped, but he is already filling out. His delivery is pretty good. He drives with his hips but tends to slow his momentum down late in his stride. His arm circle is good and keeps his arm away from dangerous positions.</p>
<p>He tops out at 96/97 on the mound with average fastball life for the majority of the time. He can get enough life at times to back a LHH off a little while still catching the inside corner. He breaking ball is a little slurvy at times but he can get some impressing sharp break at times while others getting more movement at the expense of sharpness. Throws a rare change up but needs to work on it a good bit.</p>
<h3>Floor</h3>
<p>Set-up reliever. Very good fastball but needs work on change up and sharpness to breaking ball.</p>
<p>Note: Minor league floor is an obvious one though.</p>
<h3>Ceiling</h3>
<p>Mid-rotation starter. There's a lot of work to get there, but don't be fooled, the upside is there.</p>
<h3>Will he sign?</h3>
<p>I think he will. You don't see many guys not sign in the top 10 anymore with teams having strong ideas of what it will take with the new rules. It's probably going to take a little extra money, but I think the money is there.</p>
<h3>Bibliography</h3>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3b3JPXLRkJc" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aN3g0DSgCgU" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bWa4nY5gyks" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2014/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&fv=hou" target="_blank">MLB.com</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>After a summer where Nix and his power arm were in top form, the big high school right-hander looked like a sure-fire top 100 type talent heading into the spring. A rough season has put a down arrow next to his name, but he still has the raw tools many scouts like to see. The UCLA commit can light up the radar gun, touching as high as 96 mph, but the rest of his pitching game remains a work in progress. He shows some feel for a changeup, though he doesn't need it all that much. His breaking ball is inconsistent and tends to be slurvy. Big and physical, there is projection to all of his stuff, with the chance of him having three Major League-average or better pitches when all is said and done. It may take him a while to get there and it might be a team that had a decision-maker who saw him over the summer that selects him in the earlier rounds of the Draft.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.bigleaguefuturesplus.net/2014-mlb-draft-profiles/2014-mlb-draft-profile-jacob-nix/" target="_blank">Big League Futures</a></p>
<blockquote>
<table align="center" border="0" style="margin: 0px 0px 20px 3px; padding: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; width: 642px; color: #090909; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px; background-color: #ffffff;">
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<td style="margin: 0px; padding: 4px 8px; border: 1px solid #cccccc;">Player Notes:</td>
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<li style="margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 4px 12px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #eeeeee; background-image: url(http://www.bigleaguefuturesplus.net/wp-content/themes/sportsmag-single-pro/img/arrow.png); list-style-type: none; background-position: 0px 11px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"><span><span>Pro body. Athletic, fit with frame to add good weight.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 4px 12px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #eeeeee; background-image: url(http://www.bigleaguefuturesplus.net/wp-content/themes/sportsmag-single-pro/img/arrow.png); list-style-type: none; background-position: 0px 11px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">One of top RHP in Cali.</li>
<li style="margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 4px 12px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #eeeeee; background-image: url(http://www.bigleaguefuturesplus.net/wp-content/themes/sportsmag-single-pro/img/arrow.png); list-style-type: none; background-position: 0px 11px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Very quick arm.</li>
<li style="margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 4px 12px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #eeeeee; background-image: url(http://www.bigleaguefuturesplus.net/wp-content/themes/sportsmag-single-pro/img/arrow.png); list-style-type: none; background-position: 0px 11px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Power Arsenal, FB up to 95 in spring, reports up to 97 during winter.</li>
<li style="margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 4px 12px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #eeeeee; background-image: url(http://www.bigleaguefuturesplus.net/wp-content/themes/sportsmag-single-pro/img/arrow.png); list-style-type: none; background-position: 0px 11px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Breaking ball has developed since last year, had more depth in Compton outing.</li>
<li style="margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 4px 12px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #eeeeee; background-image: url(http://www.bigleaguefuturesplus.net/wp-content/themes/sportsmag-single-pro/img/arrow.png); list-style-type: none; background-position: 0px 11px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Gained feel for breaking ball as game progressed (vs Downey)</li>
<li style="margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 4px 12px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #eeeeee; background-image: url(http://www.bigleaguefuturesplus.net/wp-content/themes/sportsmag-single-pro/img/arrow.png); list-style-type: none; background-position: 0px 11px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">CH (84/85) is firm but effective.</li>
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</tbody>
</table>
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https://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5787042/2014-5th-round-pick-jacob-nix-rhp-los-alamitos-hs-caSubber102014-06-06T14:38:05-05:002014-06-06T14:38:05-05:002014 4th Round Pick: Daniel Mengden, RHP, TAMU
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</figure>
<p>Four-pitch mix with command can only last so long. He was originally thought of as a first rounder. </p> <h3>Summary</h3>
<p>What? You have problems with aggies?</p>
<p>Daniel Mengden came into the season with aspirations of a first round draft pick. That was something that was probably going to happen. However, due to some injuries, the 2014 season just didn't quite play out the way he planned.</p>
<p>A two-player for his first two years in College Station, Mengden had a lot of wear and tear on his body. To emphasize it a little more, his secondary position was a catcher. On top of that, he played for the Team USA in the off-season which means his body just hasn't gotten much rest over the last year. That is one possibility for his down year this year. Notice a theme in these guys? Carlos Rodon, Luke Weaver, and now Mengden all showed a lower velocity this year.</p>
<p>He can crank his fastball up to the mid-90's but sat low 90's this year and even dipped into the high-80's at times while he dealt with fatigue and injuries. He's a four-pitch pitcher with the slider being the top off-speed pitch. He also throws a curveball that is inconsistent and a change up with good fade. The off-speed pitches apparently didn't hurt his back as bad so he leaned on them heavily this year. Less fastball usage can make off-speed pitches less effective.</p>
<p>There's a good bit of funk in his delivery. It's mostly in his leg lift phase of the delivery and early in his windup. It adds to his deception a bit and appears to not affect his control as he consistently keeps the walks down. He could do a little to protect his elbow better, but he's not bad mechanically. The funk is actually something that he's added during his time at A&M and wasn't there as a freshman.</p>
<p>This season he posted an ERA at 4.08 and a strikeout rate of 8.25 K/9 and a walk rate of 2.52 BB/9 across 103 2/3 innings.</p>
<h3>Floor</h3>
<p>Middle reliever</p>
<h3>Ceiling</h3>
<p>Mid-rotation starter. He has a very strong mix and once he's able to use his fastball more, his overall stuff will play up. He needs to get healthy, but he has a very good floor and ceiling when he is. The command profile will really help him.</p>
<h3>Will he sign?</h3>
<p>Rumors were that as his stock fell, he would be returning to A&M. That remains to be seen. But, I think he'll end up signing.</p>
<h3>Bibliography</h3>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HTIObI57f6g" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/06/18/2014-mlb-draft-profile-daniel-mengden-2/" target="_blank">Big League Futures</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>Smaller compact frame with sloped shoulders, wide hips, development in lower rear, sits about 210 pounds, may have some projection left. Upright delivery, high release, does not get weight over well, 93-96 mph on 4S with just okay movement. He has some shape on the split change with a touch of hand side run to the solid dip in the offering. Daniel has a projectable slider with bite and tilt. Erratic release point and timing leaves command an item to monitor down the road. He does showcase a compact delivery and leverage should allow it to improve down the road. Daniel has very potent arm speed and another year under the belt could iron out the wrinkles. High track and follow at this stage.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2014/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&fv=hou" target="_blank">MLB.com</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>Mengden was a two-way player in his first two seasons at Texas A&M, serving as a reliever and bat off the bench in 2012 and as a starter and a regular at DH in 2013. He focused exclusively on pitching with Team USA last summer and again this spring with the Aggies. Mengden has a lot going on in his delivery, but his mechanics add some deception and don't prevent him from throwing strikes with four pitches. His best offering is a fastball that usually ranges from 88-94 mph, though it can get straight at times. His slider is a close second, arriving at 82-85 mph and featuring some sharp bite when he stays on top of it. He also throws a downer curveball that isn't quite as consistent as his slider, and he has the confidence to use his fading changeup in any count. Mengden may not have a true plus pitch, but he could have four average offerings. Scouts love his makeup and believe he can remain a starter in pro ball.</span></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/204-mlb-draft/2014/6/6/5786948/2014-4th-round-pick-daniel-mengden-rhp-texas-a-mSubber10