The Major League Baseball Draft is always a little different and quieter than the draft in other sports. The NBA Draft happens within a couple weeks of the end of the season, and the NFL Draft is arguably one of the bigger events in sports. When it comes to the MLB Draft, it doesn’t get the same amount of attention, and part of that has to do with it occurring during the middle of the season. However, fans shouldn’t ignore the draft. With the high amount of players that get taken, we are sure to be seeing a fair amount of them soon. After finishing 2017 with a record of 78-84, the Seattle Mariners ended up with the 14th overall pick.
Seattle Mariners 2018 Draft Recap
Day 1
Round 1 pick 14 – Logan Gilbert, RHP, Stetson
The highest draft pick to ever come out of Stetson, Gilbert is very deserving of this draft slot. He went 21-1 his last two years in college and earned Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year award both years. Constantly sitting in the low 90’s with a fastball that will occasionally get as high as 97, Gilbert brings four pitches to the table. He has a slider and a slower curveball, which can sometimes blend together. His slider is better than his curve, but his best pitch is likely his changeup, and if he learns to trust the pitch and throw it more, Gilbert easily has the potential to be a solid No. 2 starter.
Round 2 pick 54 – Josh Stowers, CF, Louisville
Josh Stowers is considered a five-tool player, although there are questions surrounding him on whether he is good enough at any of the tools to be an everyday outfielder. His speed is above average to plus, but the arm lacks consistency and could be an issue. He shows good instincts and the possibility of making it as a center fielder is there. Stowers has a similar skill set to what Carlos Gomez ended up being but with a lower ceiling than was expected of Gomez. Stowers does show good plate discipline, with a 31/33 BB/K ratio last year. He shows good power and finds plenty of contact to put up a respectable average as well.
Day 2
Round 3 pick 90 – Cal Raleigh, C, Florida State
A switch-hitting power catcher, Raleigh is an offense first, defense second catcher. It looks like the bat and eye are there already at the plate. Where Raleigh improved during his junior year was improving his walk rate while upping his batting average as well. If the bat sticks and he can be average behind the plate, he should find his way to a decent career in the majors.
Round 4 pick 118 – Michael Plassmeyer, LHP, Missouri
A soft-throwing lefty, Plassmeyer rarely breaks 90 MPH with his fastball. His calling card is his accuracy and movement. His fastball has a high spin rate, which paired with his command gets him more swings and misses and poor contact than you would expect with the lower velocity. He also throws a slider and a changeup, although the changeup is much better. Commended for his accuracy, a teammate was so enamored he stated Plassmeyer could “hit a gnat’s butt.” If the command stays with him, he could easily find himself as a high innings guy in the middle of the rotation.
Round 5 pick 148 – Nolan Hoffman, RHP, Texas A&M
Transferring out of JUCO to Texas A&M, Hoffman is a sidearm weapon coming out of the pen. No more than a reliever, he managed 55 innings in college this year, with around a strikeout an inning and an ERA just over one, maintaining a low walk rate as well. He could find himself called up early if the command stays during the minor leagues, as effective sidearm pitchers are a rare asset.
Round 6 pick 178 – Joey O’Brien, RHP, College of Southern Nevada
A two way player, O’Brien can hit 94 with his fastball, and shows good control after posting a 69:16 K/BB rate. As a hitter, he shows a fantastic eye, with an OBP close to 500 and a batting average in the 330’s. He is in a different situation than most, growing up in Japan. He is going to need to decide on pitching or hitting, as he doesn’t blow away the opposition on either side.
Round 7 pick 208 – Jake Anchia, C, Nova Southeastern University
If Anchia was a Division 1 athlete, he would’ve gone much higher than this. Baseball America called him the best catcher in D-II, showing great skills not only behind the plate, but enough pop to become the homerun leader at Nova after hitting 22 home runs this year. The defensive side shouldn’t be a worry, but the Mariners are hoping the bat will translate from D-II to professional baseball.
Round 8 pick 238 – Joey Gerber, RHP, Illinois
An unconventional delivery that is also violent, Gerber needs to refine his motion to manage his control. Sitting in the low mid 90’s and a biting slider in the lower mid 80’s, he set the Illinois record for saves in a season. He generates a lot of strikeouts, punching out 45 in 28 innings, while lowering his walk rate and issuing only 14 free passes this year. A great value in the 8th round, is the delivery can become smoother he will have no problem making a career in the pen.
Round 9 pick 268 – Keegan McGovern, CF, Georgia
A bright kid who earned SEC scholar of the year, McGovern is known for his arm and his power left bat. Not likely to stick in center due to poor speed grades by scouts, he is likely to find himself in one of the corner spots. He slipped in the draft after an injury, but when healthy, the bat is no question worth a higher pick. He reached base in 21 games straight earlier, and if he can make enough contact he will be a great selection at this point in the draft.
Round 10 pick 298 – Matt Sanders, SS, Troy
Sanders is a smaller infielder, listed at 5’8”, 175 pounds, and is likely to move to second base. A high contact hitter with a good eye helped Sanders lead Division I in runs scored this year. He does show above average to plus speed, swiping 26 bases his senior year. There’s more power than you would expect, as Sanders hit 19 doubles, four triples, and five home runs.
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