MLB Draft 2017: What the scouts are saying about RHPs Drew Rasmussen and Michael Mercado

With the No. 31 pick in the draft, the Rays selected Oregon State righty Drew Rasmussen.

He was the 56th-ranked player on Baseball America’s pre-draft rankings. Because of his Tommy John surgery and limited number of innings, he’s a bit of a wild card. In relief, his fastball can reach the high-90s. In his career as a starter, though, he’s had success with an average slider and changeup.

MLB.com grades his fastball as a plus pitch with an average slider and below-average changeup. His stuff, and his control, could both get better as he gets more innings under his belt following his rehabilitation.

Keith Law ($) states his slider could be a plus pitch.

At FanGraphs, Eric Longenhagen gives Rasmussen a plus grade for his fastball, an above-average slider and below-average changeup and command.

Just 11 picks later, the Rays chose high-school righty Michael Mercado with the No. 41 pick. The 6-foot-5, 165-pound late-riser was ranked 48th by Baseball America. Despite his lanky frame, his fastball can reach the low-90s and usually sits in the 88-92 range. Additional strength could likely allow him to sit with average-or-better velocity.

BA also notes that he throws a high-80s two-seamer that can help get groundballs, which is generally expected from a pitcher of his size.

Scouting-wise, MLB.com put an above-average grade on his fastball and curveball, average grade on his changeup and a below-average grade on his slider. FanGraphs’ Longenhagen agrees with all of those grades on his board.

An interesting thing about Mercado is one way he breaks the tall, high-school pitcher stereotype. He throws strikes. While several reports note he needs mechanical refinement (like every other high-school arm), he’s generally able to throw strikes with all of his pitches.