Day One Recap of 2016 MILB Blue Jays Draft (with scouting reports)

[jays4life19]

1 (17th overall) T.J. Zeuch RHP Pittsburgh.

 

BA (26th) Zeuch established himself as a prospect to follow with a strong freshman campaign, and then he develop into the ace of Pitt's staff as a sophomore. He missed the beginning of this spring with a groin injury, but got off to a strong start when he did take the mound. Zeuch's best pitch is his fastball, which sits at 92-94 and sometimes touches higher. Zeuch's extra large, 6-foot-7 frame allows him to generate solid extension towards home plate, making his pitches even more difficult for hitters to pick up out of his hand. His fastball also shows both sink and arm-side run, making it an effective ground ball-inducing pitch. His offspeed pitches, a slider and changeup, receive fringe-average grades from scouts, but he has solid command of his arsenal and repeats his delivery well. The development of his offspeed pitches will dictate his ultimate ceiling.

 

MLB.com (28th)

Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

 

After a very strong showing in the Cape Cod League last summer, scouts were very excited to see Zeuch in action as a junior at Pitt. A groin injury kept him out the first month of the season, but upon his return, Pittsburgh became a popular destination for scouts.

 

Zeuch has a four-pitch mix, all thrown with steep angle from his 6-foot-7 frame that could add more strength. He uses a relatively easy delivery to fire fastballs that have touched 96-97 mph since his return. He'll sit in the 92-94 mph range and his fastball has good run and sink to it. Zeuch will use both a slider and a curve effectively, with his breaking stuff occasionally flashing plus, though it's been inconsistent. He tinkers with a changeup in the bullpen, but doesn't have a ton of feel for it and doesn't use it much in games. He throws strikes with all of his offerings.

 

With the weather warming in Pennsylvania and the chance to see Zeuch start against ACC competition, he was getting a lot of looks as the spring progressed. There's some helium here, with his name coming up often in first-round conversations.

 

(Sickles) T.J. Zeuch, RHP, University of Pittsburgh: He's 6-7, has a plus fastball but mixes it with a potentially solid curve, slider, and change-up; he posted a 3.10 ERA in 10 starts with a 74/19 K/BB in 70 innings; he can be inconsistent but can develop into a mid-rotation starter or a power bullpen arm

 

 

2. (57th) J.B. Woodman OF Mississippi

 

BA (119th) Woodman had some draft helium out of high school, where he was also a football quarterback, but he wanted to go to Ole Miss and wound up falling to the 40th round (Mets). Woodman was a contributor to the Rebels' 2014 College World Series team but took on a larger role the last two seasons as the club's everyday right fielder. He had his best season as a junior, leading the Southeastern Conference in home runs with 13 entering the league tournament. Woodman had a rough Cape Cod League turn, swinging and missing a lot, but he's made more contact this spring, allowing him to get to his power. Woodman has a good pro body at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, and at least average speed that could allow him to stay in center field in the short run. He has enough arm strength for right field and checks a lot of the same boxes as former Ole Miss outfielder Seth Smith, who's had a long big league career. He's hit lefthanders well this spring and his performance could push him into the first three rounds.

 

MLB.com (83rd)

couting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

 

Woodman might have gone in the top five rounds of the 2013 Draft based on talent, but signability dropped him to the Mets in the 40th round. After a late-season surge left him leading the Southeastern Conference with 14 homers entering NCAA tournament play, he should go around the third this time around. He doesn't have a true plus tool but he's at least average across the board and can play up the middle, claims few college players in this Draft class can match.

 

Woodman hit .284 with a total of nine homers in his first two seasons at Mississippi, and he struck out in 37 percent of his plate appearances and slugged just .344 with wood bats in the Cape Cod League last summer. He's doing a much better job of recognizing offspeed pitches and making contact this spring. He employed more of a line-drive approach in the past but is driving the ball more consistently now and has the bat speed and strength for at least average power.

 

His solid speed and instincts should allow Woodman to remain in center field, where his arm is stronger than most at the position. His quickness should enable him to steal a few bases but he needs to refine his technique.

 

(Sickes) - Power hitter from the left side; made good progress refining his hitting skills this year; hit .323/.412/.578 this year with 14 homers, 12 steals; 33 walks, 48 strikeouts in 232 at-bats, taking sting out of some Cape Cod League struggles last summer.

 

 

3.(66) Bo Bichette SS Lakewood HS, St. Petersburg, Fla.

 

BA (55th) Dante Bichette was a four-time all-star during his 14-year big league career, and his eldest son, Dante Jr., was the 51st overall pick in the 2011 draft. Five years later, Bo, the youngest Bichette brother, has a chance to go in about that same range. Bichette is home schooled, but plays at nearby Lakewood High. He has had a big spring at the plate, but that has also gotten the attention of opposing teams, who have liberally issued him intentional walks all spring. When he does get the chance to hit, Bichette shows a mature approach at the plate and plus power. The righthanded hitter has exceptionally fast hands, allowing him to whip the bat through the zone and drive the ball. His swing includes a deep load and an exaggerated back elbow swoop, but his bat works through the zone well and he controlled at-bats against elite competition on the showcase circuit. Bichette has a steady glove and a strong arm. He plays shortstop now and could go out as one, but will eventually move to second base or, more likely owing to his 6-foot, 200-pound frame, third base. No matter where the Arizona State recruit ends up defensively, Bichette's main attraction will always be his offensive ability.

 

MLB.com (90th) Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

 

The son of former big leaguer Dante Bichette, and brother of Yankee farmhand Dante Bichette Jr., Bo Bichette clearly has some serious baseball bloodlines. Like the others in his family, he does things in a less than conventional way, but he has had some success against good competition.

 

Over the summer, Bichette showed the ability to square up quality pitching and his raw power was on display when he won the Under Armour All-American Game Home Run Derby in Chicago. This spring, he was still hitting the long ball, but also was getting tied up on mid-range fastballs inside. While he doesn't have the same exact leg kick setup as his father and brother, there are a lot of moving parts to his swing which concerns some scouts. He does have more bat speed than his brother did coming out of high school. A below-average runner, he's probably best suited for second base defensively, or perhaps left field.

 

Bichette has been a bit of a polarizing prospect this spring, with some unsure his unorthodox setup will work at the next level. But the bloodlines and the power potential could still have the Arizona State commit off the board in the early stages of the Draft.

 

(Sickles) - Son of Dante Bichette; 6-0, 200 with bat speed from the right side; Arizona State commitment; questions about where he lands with the glove but he's always hit well and plays above his tools.

Edited June 10, 2016 by jays4life19

[Krylian]

I believe BA has Woodman #119 in their Top 500 if I'm not mistaken.

[jays4life19]

I believe BA has Woodman #119 in their Top 500 if I'm not mistaken.

 

Thanks, i just was looking at the top 100. Will update.

[GD]

I could really see Zeuch developing to be awesome.

[Angrioter]

In Shapiro we trust

[Pendleton]

Woodman and Bichette don't strike me as guys who would have been picked that early by the previous regime...maybe I'm wrong.

[jays4life19]

Woodman and Bichette don't strike me as guys who would have been picked that early by the previous regime...maybe I'm wrong.

 

I think Woodman might sign a little underslot which gives us some flexibility for other picks. Bichette was a nice pick and seems like he really wanted to be a Jay so i don't think it will be tough to get him out of his Arizona St Commitment. I think he goes for around slot money.

[flafson]

Woodman and Bichette don't strike me as guys who would have been picked that early by the previous regime...maybe I'm wrong.

 

It's funny that a guy who is hitting .571 and being intentionally walked left and right isn't considered to be a good draftee. But then again, you can only play to the level of your competition so who knows.

[metafour]

Woodman and Bichette don't strike me as guys who would have been picked that early by the previous regime...maybe I'm wrong.

 

Its virtually the same draft regime from before. We've selected a guy like Bichette before: Dwight Smith Jr. Averageish athlete with bloodlines who "has hit everywhere" and has defensive question marks....

[Pendleton]

I think Woodman might sign a little underslot which gives us some flexibility for other picks. Bichette was a nice pick and seems like he really wanted to be a Jay so i don't think it will be tough to get him out of his Arizona St Commitment. I think he goes for around slot money.

 

Yeah it definitely seems like they shouldn't be too difficult to sign at all, maybe even save some budget room. Hopefully we use it to go swinging for the fence at some point today.

 

I wasn't trying to knock the picks or anything, just got accustomed to seeing us target a ton of projectable pitching early in drafts.

 

Over the years I've noticed that the Jays don't seem to ever grab many college closers. Would be nice to grab a couple arms that could potentially be quick to the MLB pen.

[Angrioter]

Woodman and Bichette don't strike me as guys who would have been picked that early by the previous regime...maybe I'm wrong.

 

Save money for sign some high ceiling guys.

 

I don't like Woodman guy, and Bichette look chubby for a MIF

[Sorrow]

I think Woodman might sign a little underslot which gives us some flexibility for other picks. Bichette was a nice pick and seems like he really wanted to be a Jay so i don't think it will be tough to get him out of his Arizona St Commitment. I think he goes for around slot money.

 

It's in another thread but a local news paper did an interview with Bichette who openly said he has a deal, will be under slot and is forgoing college.

[Pendleton]

Its virtually the same draft regime from before. We've selected a guy like Bichette before: Dwight Smith Jr. Averageish athlete with bloodlines who "has hit everywhere" and has defensive question marks....

 

For some reason I remembered DSJ being picked a bit later. Yeah I guess that draft is a bit comparable when we we went Beede/Anderson/DSJ...here's hoping this one turns out a bit better

[Spanky99]

It's in another thread but a local news paper did an interview with Bichette who openly said he has a deal, will be under slot and is forgoing college.

 

I read that as well.

[Deadpool]

"The Blue Jays were the top team that I wanted to go to,'' Bichette said. "They were the best as far as player development.

 

"I may end up taking a little less (in signing bonus), but this is the best fit. I actually turned down about four offers earlier in the draft because they weren't good fits."

 

Edit: Bichette said he will bypass college and sign with Toronto.

 

http://web.tampabay.com/sports/baseballpreps/lakewoods-bo-bichette-drafted-65th-overall-by-blue-jays/2281094

[Pendleton]

If he signs for slot, that's taking less money than he would have made by going earlier, so it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be underslot.

[KingKat]

Seems odd to me that he would be so fixated on the Jays. It's not like there's a good track record of developing position players. The four teams must have been pretty s*****.

[THANOS]

Seems odd to me that he would be so fixated on the Jays. It's not like there's a good track record of developing position players. The four teams must have been pretty s*****.

 

4 perennial losing teams I'm guessing.

[King]

Seems odd to me that he would be so fixated on the Jays. It's not like there's a good track record of developing position players. The four teams must have been pretty s*****.

He wanted a chance to play with Vlad Jr.

[FrozenRopes]

I read that as well.

 

Does that mean it is the Jays?

[jays4life19]

It's in another thread but a local news paper did an interview with Bichette who openly said he has a deal, will be under slot and is forgoing college.

 

Yeah haha. That's why i made that comment.

 

But as mentioned by other posters...don't think he's going underslot, just taking less money by being drafted later.

[Nafro]

Anyone think we should have maybe grabbed Delvin Perez with our pick. I was thinking might be a worthy risk, and seeing St. Louis grab him two picks after us tells me it probably was.

[crazy47larry]

Anyone think we should have maybe grabbed Delvin Perez with our pick. I was thinking might be a worthy risk, and seeing St. Louis grab him two picks after us tells me it probably was.

 

i think most of us would have taken perez

[Spanky99]

Does that mean it is the Jays?

 

Wat?

[Krylian]

Anyone think we should have maybe grabbed Delvin Perez with our pick. I was thinking might be a worthy risk, and seeing St. Louis grab him two picks after us tells me it probably was.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, St. Louis had a first plus a couple of high comp picks this year so they have flexibility in terms of creating cap space in order to sign Perez. I'm sure his price tag hasn't come down that much.