63.21 Blazers Welcome 2063 Draft Class
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 1:12 am
Montreal announced today that they had signed 18 of the 20 players that they selected in the recent amateur draft. Negotiations with the other two, left-handed pitcher Harumi Koda (round 15) and right-handed pitcher Justin Ocasio (round 19), have been discontinued; it is expected that they will attend college.
Ji-hoon Tokko
The top two picks fill prominent gaps in the Blazers farm system. Selected out of high school with the 28th overall pick, Ji-hoon Tokko is an infielder with elite power who is expected to start at shortstop with the Oshawa Dodgers, Montreal's rookie league affiliate. Tokko, from Korea, projects with otherwise ordinary batting skills and is a slow runner, but his 10/10 home run power as a middle infielder was too much for the Montreal front office to resist. He played third base in high school, but Montreal believes that he can be successful as a middle infielder. Scouts are divided as to whether he can stick at shortstop but are confident that he can thrive at second base. They say that he is very intelligent and expect him to adapt quickly to his new position.
Daniel Bañuelos
Daniel Bañuelos was selected out of junior college in the second round. He is ticketed for the hot corner in Oshawa, the same position that he played in college. He projects with plus-plus gap power, a plus batting eye, a solid hit tool, and decent power. He is somewhat more comfortable facing left-handed pitching. He possesses plus speed but is not much of a base stealer. He is an average defender. Scouts admire his leadership skills and expect him to move quickly through the system.
Roberto Ortíz
The next two rounds saw the Blazers draft college-age starting pitchers, another area of need in their farm system. With their third-round pick, Montreal selected right-hander Roberto Ortiz. With his three years of college experience, Ortiz was assigned to AA Mississauga, where he will join their rotation. His pitching repertoire includes five very pedestrian offerings, including a fastball that sits between 89-91 mph. He uses his plus control to keep batters off balance. His movement projects to be decent but is still a work in progress. Scouts praise his work ethic but suggest that he is not particularly bright.
Thad Gill
In the fourth round Montreal drafted right-hander Thad Gill out of junior college. He throws five below-average pitches, including a fastball that sits at 86-88 mph but should eventually muster 88-90 mph. The best of his pitches is his changeup, but even that is nothing to write home about. He projects with decent movement and control. He will probably join the Oshawa rotation.
Edgar García
In round five the Blazers selected first baseman Edgar García out of college. He'll report to Single-A Dearborn Heights. The right-handed Garcia made his living in college destroying left-handed pitching and Montreal hopes that he can continue to do so in the pros. Against southpaws, he projects with plus-plus home run power and plus gap power, with an above batting eye and contact skills. He is a slow runner who is not a threat on the base paths. He is an above average defender at first base.
Ji-hoon Tokko
The top two picks fill prominent gaps in the Blazers farm system. Selected out of high school with the 28th overall pick, Ji-hoon Tokko is an infielder with elite power who is expected to start at shortstop with the Oshawa Dodgers, Montreal's rookie league affiliate. Tokko, from Korea, projects with otherwise ordinary batting skills and is a slow runner, but his 10/10 home run power as a middle infielder was too much for the Montreal front office to resist. He played third base in high school, but Montreal believes that he can be successful as a middle infielder. Scouts are divided as to whether he can stick at shortstop but are confident that he can thrive at second base. They say that he is very intelligent and expect him to adapt quickly to his new position.
Daniel Bañuelos
Daniel Bañuelos was selected out of junior college in the second round. He is ticketed for the hot corner in Oshawa, the same position that he played in college. He projects with plus-plus gap power, a plus batting eye, a solid hit tool, and decent power. He is somewhat more comfortable facing left-handed pitching. He possesses plus speed but is not much of a base stealer. He is an average defender. Scouts admire his leadership skills and expect him to move quickly through the system.
Roberto Ortíz
The next two rounds saw the Blazers draft college-age starting pitchers, another area of need in their farm system. With their third-round pick, Montreal selected right-hander Roberto Ortiz. With his three years of college experience, Ortiz was assigned to AA Mississauga, where he will join their rotation. His pitching repertoire includes five very pedestrian offerings, including a fastball that sits between 89-91 mph. He uses his plus control to keep batters off balance. His movement projects to be decent but is still a work in progress. Scouts praise his work ethic but suggest that he is not particularly bright.
Thad Gill
In the fourth round Montreal drafted right-hander Thad Gill out of junior college. He throws five below-average pitches, including a fastball that sits at 86-88 mph but should eventually muster 88-90 mph. The best of his pitches is his changeup, but even that is nothing to write home about. He projects with decent movement and control. He will probably join the Oshawa rotation.
Edgar García
In round five the Blazers selected first baseman Edgar García out of college. He'll report to Single-A Dearborn Heights. The right-handed Garcia made his living in college destroying left-handed pitching and Montreal hopes that he can continue to do so in the pros. Against southpaws, he projects with plus-plus home run power and plus gap power, with an above batting eye and contact skills. He is a slow runner who is not a threat on the base paths. He is an above average defender at first base.