Tampa Bay Rays 2010 MLB Draft Day Two Recap; Derek Dietrich Selected 79th Overall
Having already selected Josh Sale, Justin O'Conner, and Drew Vettleson on day one of the 2010 MLB Draft, it was time for R.J. Harrison and his band of merry scouts to really build the body of the Tampa Bay Rays draft in rounds 2-30.
The Rays went with a variety of different players - ranging from pitchers who attended big named colleges to one from local St. Petersburg College. They drafted players spanning the entire diamond from both prep and college ranks.
After the jump you'll find all day two's selections with some words about the players picked in rounds 2-10. For more info check Tuesday's open thread as well as swinging by RaysProspects.com.
Round 2, 66th Overall - Jacob Thompson, RHP Long Beach State
Most of us assumed that the Rays would take a college pitcher on day one. Instead, they chose three high-school hitters with their top three picks. Thompson was the college pitcher we expected, however, just not the name. He throws in the 91-94 MPH range with the ability to hit 95-96. His secondary stuff is considered average at this point and could lead to a career in the bullpen.
Round 2, 79th Overall - Derek Dietrich, IF Georgia Tech
Detrich was a name associated with the Rays in several mock drafts. Some had the Rays selecting the college shortstop at 31, so it's considered a nice little coup to get him 48 picks later. Most feel that Dietrich's limited defensive abilities will lead to a shift towards third base or the corner outfield, where his great arm should really shine. His bat speed and power are considered above average, making him a nice selection.
Round 3, 98th Overall - Ryan Brett, IF Highline HS (WA)
Once again, NW Territory scout, Paul Kirsch, puts his fingerprint on the Rays draft. Because of his size, or lack thereof (5-9, 180 lbs), Brett reminds some of Dustin Pedroia. If he becomes an American League MVP at some point, I'll accept that comparison. Despite his small frame, his strength has been noted by many. His workout buddy, Josh Sale, may have something to do with that. What Brett lacks in power, he makes up for in speed. From all accounts he is an absolute burner. His throwing arm on the infield is average, which could lead to a shift to the center field where his speed could be a huge asset.
Round 4, 131st Overall - Austin Wood, RHP St. Petersburg College
After leaving Niceville, Fla., Wood can keep his St. Petersburg address for a little bit longer. He is a definite power arm, but is nearly void of control. He's worked as a starter and routinely hit 93-94. In a few relief outings he topped out in the high 90s. The Rays will likely give him some time to develop his secondary pitches as a starter, but don't be surprised if he is converted to a fire-balling reliever at some point.
Round 5, 161st Overall - Ian Kendall, RHP Ashland HS (OR)
Not much is known about Kendall, but given his geographic location, the Pacific North West, you can bet Kirsch did his homework. Kendall possesses a plus fastball that already reaches 95 mph. Of course, his secondary pitches will be key in the development process. He's from a small town - hopefully Kirsch has found a hidden gem.
Round 6, 191st Overall - Jesse Hahn, RHP Virginia Tech
A former teammate of first round selection Matt Harvey, Hahn might be my 2010 Memorial Luke Bailey draft crush. Hahn stands 6-5 and 200 pounds, giving him good size for a power arm. As a starter he sits 92-95, but threw in the upper 90s as a relief pitcher in the Cape Cod league. In addition to the fastball, Hahn is the owner of two average-to-above average breaking pitches and has a change-up that could join them. An arm injury caused him to miss some time, and is likely the reason he falls to the Rays in round five, but he was cleared by an MRI. I've seen projections as high as a number two-starter to down to a plus reliever.
Round 7, 221st Overall - Michael Lorenzen, OF/P Fullerton Union HS (CA)
Lorenzen could be the latest in a long line of toolsy outfielders drafted by the Rays in recent years. He has a rocket launcher attached to the right side of his body and has the speed to play all three outfield positions. He's definitely not as refined of a hitter as Josh Sale, but has above average pop. He is a Cal-State Fullerton commit which means the Rays might have to pony up some cash to sign him.
Round 8, 251st Overall - Merrill Kelly, RHP Arizona State University
Kelly is somewhat of a swing man with the ability to pitch as a starter or a reliever. Baseball America describes him as having "a lot of funk and deception" in his delivery which likely means a reliever at the next level. He has a decent fastball that gets up to 92 and by all accounts his change-up is definitely above average. With two pitches and good command, Kelly could make a nice living as a Major League reliever.
Round 9, 281st Overall - Jake DePew, C Granite City HS (IL)
DePew fits right in with the recent run of athletic catchers by the Rays. Though he posses good bat speed, he is a question mark at the plate. His power is considered average-to-above average, but again far from polished. His value right now lies in his plus arm and quick feet which gives him the makings of a good defensive catcher. As an average runner overall, that would make him a speed demon at the position. He is committed to Louisville, and might take some convincing to sign.
Round 10, 311th Overall - Deshun Dixon, OF Terry HS (MI)
Yet another athlete drafted by the Rays, Dixon has the change to become the third professional athlete in his family. His brother Rashun is already in the Oakland A's organization and his brother Anthony was a sixth-round pick in the NFL draft. Deshun is small (6-0, 190 lbs), but has speed and could be above average defensively with more work. He is also a pitcher with average stuff. There is a fair chance he goes to a school if he doesn't get the bonus he wants.
Now the rest...
Round 11, 341st Overall - Travis Flores, 1B Desert Ridge HS (AZ)
Round 12, 371st Overall - Phillip Wunderlich, 3B/1B Louisville
Round 13, 401st Overall - Robbie Price, 2B Kansas
Round 14, 431st Overall - Austin Hubbard, RHP Auburn
Round 15, 461st Overall - Brandon Henderson, LHP Chesnee HS (SC)
Round 16, 491st Overall - Nate Garcia, RHP Santa Clara University
Round 17, 521st Overall - Cody Anderson, RHP Feather River CC (CA)
Round 18, 551st Overall - Jimmy Patterson, LHP Arizona State University
Round 19, 581st Overall - Craige Lyerly, CF Catawba College
Round 20, 611st Overall - C.J. Riefenhauser, LHP Chipola JC
Round 21, 641st Overall - Adam Liberatore, LHP Tennessee Tech
Round 22, 671st Overall - Matt Koch, C Loyola Marymout
Round 23, 701st Overall - Kevin Patterson, 1B Auburn
Round 24, 731st Overall - Daniel Poncedeleon, RHP La Mirada HS (CA)
Round 25, 761st Overall - Matt Spann, LHP Columbia Central (TN)
Round 26, 791st Overall - Justin Woodall, LHP University of Alabama
Round 27, 821st Overall - Chris Winder, CF Odessa College
Round 28, 851st Overall - Julio Espinoza, SS Rialto HS (CA)
Round 29, 881st Overall - Scott Lawson, 2B University of Miami
Round 30, 911th Overall - Nick Schwaner, 3B University of New Orleans
Not everyone is going to be happy with the names or the high amount of college players, but I'll put my trust in the Rays scouting department. Rounds 31-50 will start at noon.
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Kendall apparently doesn't have an advisor
His signing situation is murky right now, which sucks because he’s the only prep pitcher we took in the top 14 rounds.
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Jun 9, 2010 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I really like Kendall as the sleeper in the draft.
That said, signing him is kind of necessary for that to happen.
www.draysbay.com, www.bloombergsports.mlblogs.com, Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Jun 9, 2010 12:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yup. No advisor doesn't mean unsignable or anything
just means it’s murky, like I said. I’ve heard $500k+, which should be doable. I’d love to get Spann too, he’s a big kid whose fastball might grow.
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Jun 9, 2010 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Wait wait wait
We drafted a guy who has the last name “Poncedeleon”?
That has to be a joke, right? That can’t be real…
But if it is, clearly it was just done to boost merchandise sales. Shoot, I’d buy that jersey.
Daniel Ponce de Leon is offended by this comment
It’s a pretty common last name in Mexico, especially up in the mountains.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
lol
Didn’t notice he has the same name as the boxer
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Some good news on Kendall
Kendall said he’ll make a decision within “the next week or less,” and adds that money won’t be the driving factor. Kendall said he’s grateful that Oregon State “took a chance on me” but is interested to hear what Tampa Bay has planned.
“It’s really going to come down to what’s best for me right now, whether it’s going to be a student and playing baseball in college, or living on my own with my new teammates in Florida,” Kendall said.
Kendall said he’s leaning toward signing with the Rays.
“Pro baseball is very intriguing and something I want to do,” he said.
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
Not so much on Brandon Henderson
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100608/NEWS/100609655/1088
"I had no idea what was going to happen," he said. "I was hoping to go a little earlier. I’m glad I got taken, but I wish I had been taken a little higher. But it is what it is."
"It’s a toss-up now," he said. "I’m not really sure. I have options. I can go to SMC or I can go to Gardner-Webb or I can sign to play pro ball. I don’t know which direction I’m going to go."
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
Good one Captain Obvious
Hey, Surly only looks out for one guy...Surly!
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jun 9, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Of the guys after round 10
Wunderlich sounds the most promising. Dropped because he really can’t do anything but hit, but it sounded like he has some Travis Hafner potential.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Chris Winder:
Winder, an outfielder, hit .362 with six home runs and 48 RBIs. Winder said he was expecting a call today, he just didn’t know when.
"They just told me keep my phone by my side," he said. "I talked to the scout right after I got drafted and they are going to get me on a flight to somewhere and (discuss a contract).
He said he plans to sign quickly and get into the minors as soon as possible.
http://www.oaoa.com/sports/mlb-48405-draft-baseball.html
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
FWIW
He was also in the top 10 in JC in triples and SBs.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Daniel Poncedeleon
Sounds like he’s heading to college:
A little later in the day, Poncedeleon was taken by the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays with the 731st pick in the 24th round.
“It makes me feel good to get picked,” Poncedeleon said. “It shows that I have a future in baseball.”
Poncedeleon was 6-3 with two saves this past season for the Suburban League champion Matadores. He sported a 2.95 ERA in 64 innings.
Poncedeleon also batted .250 with 11 RBIs.
“It didn’t surprise me I was picked by Tampa,” Poncedeleon said. “They had been in contact for a while.”
Tampa Bay likely will have to make a strong offer to compete with a full scholarship that’s already guaranteed from the University of Arizona.
“There probably is an offer that I like, but it has to be pretty good,” Poncedeleon said.
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/sports/ci_15257413
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Descriptions of all the 2 - 30 guys from MLB.com
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
DePew might be a tough sign
DePew (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) signed with Louisville last fall, so he has some leverage when the Rays try to negotiate a pro contract. He also was chosen as Illinois Player of the Year by Gatorade.
“I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at, but now that I’ve been drafted it’s almost like a new beginning,” he said. "It’s time to start over and work 10 times harder than I ever have. Maybe this is going to begin my journey to the big leagues.
“Let’s hope.”
DePew, 18, was the 281st player taken in the draft and the 20th catcher.
A strong defensive catcher who hits for power and average, DePew led the St. Louis area with 13 home runs. He also helped the Warriors win their first regional since 1994 and hit .469 with 14 doubles, 41 RBIs, 46 runs scored and 18 stolen bases.
DePew began hearing from teams not long after the second round of the draft began Tuesday.
“I’d gotten a call from a team this morning, and they were talking about taking me in the second round,” DePew said. "I told them I’d considered signing there depending on the money, and they passed me up.
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”
DePew said Tampa Bay showed the most interest among the many teams watching him this spring.
“I think they just had just about everybody in their scouting system come watch,” he said. “It’s all going to depend on the dollar figure. We haven’t talked money yet or anything like that.”
Tampa Bay also drafted Justin O’Connor, a high school catcher befriended by DePew last summer at a summer prospect showcase in Minneapolis.
“We played together and actually became friends,” DePew said. “We’re going to be competing maybe, so it’s cool.”
Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2010/06/09/1286389/depew-mueller-orear-picked.html#ixzz0qMBqGFkV
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Wood says the Rays are aware of what he needs to get paid to get pried from his USC commit
Wood will have a big decision to make. He’s committed to the University of Southern California and could join the Trojans if a deal can’t be struck with the Rays, who are aware of the dollar figure Wood has in mind.
"We’ll see," Wood said of the negotiating process, which he expects will start soon. "I’ll hope for the best."
Wood had a slow start to this season while working his way back from sports hernia surgery, but he regrouped after moving to the bullpen and finished with a 3-4 record, 4.81 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 43 innings among 16 appearances. His fastball also reached 97 miles per hour on the radar gun.
While pitching for St. Pete, Wood got plenty of looks from Tampa Bay and the Rays kept in frequent touch. He also had a pre-draft workout with Tampa Bay that clearly went well.
While the draft was a tumultuous experience for Wood, he was more than pleased with the end result. Even before the draft, Tampa Bay was one of his favorite teams.
Said Wood: "They’re a classy team."
http://www.crestviewbulletin.com/articles/niceville-2968-wemcvarsity-star-wood.html
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Kendall is weighing his options
“Today, after he gets drafted, I go to the YMCA after playing tennis and I go in a back room and see him with 150 pounds on his back, doing lunges, just trying to make himself better,” Thacker said. “He’s the kind of kid that, in between games, he’s working out. And the kid loves baseball. He just finished a very competitive and long high school season and he’s already looking forward to playing again this summer.”
Thacker added that Kendall’s mechanics made him attractive to scouts, who flocked to Ashland games all spring, with as many as 24 showing up for one game.
“He’s got what the scouts call a very clean motion,” Thacker said. “It’s smooth, not forced. To me, he’s built like Roger Clemens, but just a couple inches shorter. I have no doubt he’ll get more, speed-wise. When (Kendall) gets on a workout program, he’ll get at least 10 pounds heavier, stronger. My guess is, he’ll add a few miles per hour.”
In his senior season, Kendall had an astounding 0.71 ERA through the state semifinals with 94 strikeouts and 41 walks. In Saturday’s state championship game against North Eugene, Kendall’s last as a Grizzly, he carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before eventually giving up one earned run on three hits in 51/3 innings.
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100609/VARSITY/6090311/-1/SPORTS
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Seems like they really focused on gym rats this year
Which also leans to my theory that this FO really favors good makeup.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
I don't know if I'd say more than any other sport
But maybe more than any of the other major team sports. I’d say it’s a bigger part of success in all of the individual sports than it is in any of the team sports though.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Well "any other sport" meant any other sport that matters.
I guess golf and tennis matter though, but I really meant big 3 (or 4 I guess if you live outside the South).
Sounds like Hahn is looking to sign
Despite the hit his stock took post-injury.
“It was really frustrating,” Hahn said. “There were a lot of people telling me to keep my mind off the draft, but it’s hard when you see your name up so high. Right now, I’m focused on getting healthy and pitching for a really good organization.”
Hahn said he’ll rest his arm for a few weeks before beginning negotiations with Tampa Bay.
“The Rays are going to rest me and get me the treatment I need and just go from there,” he said. “Wherever they want me to go, I’ll go.”
http://www.theday.com/article/20100609/SPORT04/306099895/-1/SPORT
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Deshun Dixon
“They had contacted me the most saying they liked me,” Deshun Dixon said. "I kind of knew it would be them.
“They’ve told me I’m going to be an outfielder because they said I have too much athleticism to go to the pitcher’s mound.”
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100609/SPORTS02/6090347/Barrett-sees-stock-rise
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
RJ Harrison told me last night...
That Merrill Kelly gets a TON of groundballs, and that was one of the reasons they liked him so much. I think they did that with a few of the picks…

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