RD | PICK (OVERALL) | NAME | AGE | POS | SCHOOL | SCOUTING GRADE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 26 (26) | Jose Lopez | 19 | LHP | IBM (HS) | 70 |
1 | 30 (30) | Katsunosuki Honda | 21 | 3B | U.S. Marines Corp (COL) | 45 |
1-S | 3 (43) | Louis Martinez | 19 | RHP | Campbells (HS) | 55 |
2 | 27 (76) | Kevin McKnight | 18 | LF | US Robotics (HS) | 35 |
2-S | 4 (94) | Mark Moon | 21 | 1B | Kodak (COL) | 45 |
3 | 25 (125) | Dave Harrell | 18 | LHP | Nintendo HS) | 45 |
Jose Lopez
The selection of Lopez with the club's first pick marks two changes in Boise's draft philosophy, for the short term at least: a focus on high school talent and assigning less weight to injury-prone players. In the GM Joe Lederer's first five drafts, he's stayed away from players, and certainly pitchers, with injury histories in the first ten rounds and while the club hasn't shied away from prep players, this year's draft class in Boise is expected to be heavily featuring 18- and 19-year-old players. Lopez is a prep arm with a history of minor back ailments during his amateur career. Lopez, 6'1 and 190 pounds, has been a starter all five years of high school but he's expected to immediately transition into a reliever once he turns professional. Armed with a sinker and curveball that are already well developed for his age and have the potential to be elite, Lopez pounds the bottom of the strike zone with mid-90s velocity. His proclivity to induce groundballs and rack up strikeouts will help off-set his command, which will need some improvement as the works his way up the minors. With one of the worst bullpens in the BBA, expect Boise to move Lopez quickly though the farm system. Lopez has the makings of a multi-inning reliever with the ability to thrive in high-leverage appearances.
Katsunosuki Honda
They say Hondas are reliable and can last over a decade before wearing out. If that's the case, the first-round selection of Katsunosuki Honda makes a lot of sense. Honda is an extremely athletic collegiate third baseman, flashing doubles power, incredible foot speed and a cannon of an arm. Despite some flashy skills, Honda will likely have a less-than-flashy, long career as a .260 hitter capable of 10 home runs and 25 steals per season while playing adequate defense. With a dearth talent at the hot corner in the Spud system, Boise's luxury of having three first-round picks allowed Honda to be a safe pick at a position of need.
Louis Martinez
While Martinez isn't concerned injury prone by the Boise medical staff like top pick Lopez, the 6'6 high school righty won't lace them up in the minors in 2044 after undergoing elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in late April. Martinez seemingly feel down draft boards but the injury didn't deter the Spuds from calling his name with the 43rd-overall selection. Prior to the injury, Martinez had 9 saves in 11 opportunities with a 1.35 ERA and 0.90 WHIP to go with an obscene 16.9 K/9. The Spuds front office hopes the big pitcher out of Texas maintains his 97-99 MPH velo once he makes it back onto the mound sometime in 2045. Martinez has the stamina to become a starting pitcher, but unless his throw-away changeup develops and as he slowly returns from elbow surgery, he's likely to be utilized as a late inning reliever for the start of his career.
Kevin McKnight
McKnight is a two-time high school All-American and Boise feels like could have found a potential major leaguer at pick #76. While he's been a lead-off hitter as a prep star, McKnight has potential to "bump" during development to become a 4th outfielder with run-generating doubles power. McKnight, 6'2 and 180 pounds, will likely call left field and first base home unless his glove and arm grows during his playing time in the minors.
Mark Moon
Moon is another departure from Boise's typical draft strategy, as the 21-year-old from California projects as a DH, a position GM Lederer has never drafted in his first five years. Scouts project Moon to potentially be solid minor league bat against right-handed pitching, so Moon should move through the minors quickly, however his odds to make it to the big leagues will depend on his transition from metal bats to wood bats and improving his lefty power stroke.
Dave Harrell
A local prospect out of Idaho, Harrell is a big (6'8, 220) lefty pitcher who is the first pitcher taken by Boise in this year's draft who should stay as a starting pitcher. With three above-average pitches, Harrell keeps the ball on the ground and has league-average strike-out potential. His Achilles' heel is his control, has he's struggled with walks during his high school career. A development in control and velocity will go a long way towards Harrell's career arc.