MLB completed day 2 of its draft on Monday afternoon and we learned a couple of things: First, I have no special talent for mock drafts. I struck out on all of my choices. Not to worry though, I still enjoyed myself some delicious sweet potato cheesecake, from Sharon’s Creole Kitchen, one of my absolute favorite restaurants located in Murrieta. I enjoyed some fried alligator there on Sunday evening. Delicious!!! But I digress. Second, there was no discernable strategy employed by teams that was different from prior years. As in the past, several high school talents, that figured to be tough signs, were not drafted. No surprise there. The Dodgers deviated from their normal script in that instead of selecting pitchers, this year they selected 8 position players out of their 9 selections. Last year they selected 19 pitchers out of their 20 picks, with Damon Keith being the only position player selected.
I know that virtually every Dodger blog has already profiled the players selected by the Dodgers and this may seem a bit repetitious t some of you readers. However, not to be outdone, I provide my short recap of the selections:
- Pick No. 105: Alex Freeland, SS, Central Florida. Freeland is a draft eligible sophomore who played all over the infield, but was drafted as a shortstop. He’s a solidly built 6’2″ 200 lbs. He’s a switch hitter, that put up a 282/.570/.419, 38 RBI, 11 HR, 40 H, 30 BB, 6 SB line for the year. He only struck out 32 times. Freeland was ranked the 249th best draft prospect by Baseball America, the 163rd by ESPN, the 170th by MLB Pipeline, the 102nd by Perfect Game, the 209th by Prospects Live and FanGraphs didn’t even bother to rate him. However, as we have long known, the folks at Perfect Game are the only ones who know what they’re talking about when it comes to ranking players.
Brian Sakowski, a National Crosschecker for Perfect Game loved the pick, as he shared on Twitter:
Dodgers take Alex Freeland, and I love this pick. Switch hitter with good hit tool and power projection from both sides, was excellent on the Cape this summer, can potentially handle multiple spots..
Wyatt Kleinberg, who is a Volunteer Manager at USC Baseball and who interned as a Video Associate/Development Coach for the Dodgers was excited about the pick and tweeted:
Freeland is a fun pick. Mashes FB and despite lower overall EV vs SL, his OPS vs SL was 1.045. Not elite EVs vs offspeed but the potential is absolutely there, switchy w good upside (he’s young for draft year). Love this pick
Future Dodgers also liked the pick:
Freeland was a pretty highly ranked prep bat in 2020 who went to school, is a draft eligible sophomore. Switch hitter, solid hit tool, nearly as many walks as strikeouts in 2022.
When coming out of Mariner High School, Cape Coral, Florida Baseball America had this to say about Freeland:
Freeland is ready to step right into the Knights’ lineup on the left side of the infield. The switch-hitter has solid power, especially from the left side, and a solid overall feel for hitting. He has good hands and arm strength and may ultimately fit best at second or third base but has a chance to play shortstop for UCF.
Just prior to the draft, Freeland was named an all-star for the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. At the time selected he was leading the Brewster Whitecaps, hitting .253 with five homers, 12 RBI, four doubles, and 14 runs scored. He doesn’t turn 21 until later this summer. He appears to me to have second baseman written all over him. He is majoring in psychology, which may come in handy in providing some much needed therapy for Muncy and Bellinger. He might also be part of the trade package that lands us Juan Soto or Luis Castillo.
- Pick No. 135: Nick Biddison, Utility, Virginia Tech. Biddison is an undersized 5’10” 190 lb senior from Virginia Tech. Biddison has experience all of the field defensively, and had a very strong season in 2022, hitting 351/.434/.598, with 14 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He had an OPS above 1.000. His 88 hits were the most by a Hokie leadoff hitter in the program’s ACC era. He was ranked 298th by Perfect Game, the 165th by Prospects Live. As we all know, the folks at Prospects Live are the only ones who know what they’re talking about when it comes to ranking players. Jonathan Mayo compared him to Nick Madrigal, an infielder whom the Cubs acquired for Craig Kimbrel. One can only hope that Mayo is correct. Biddison is a very athletic player, coming from athletic bloodlines. His mother played volleyball at Clemson, where she was an All-ACC performer. He is a fourth year junior who turns 22 later this month, so the Dodgers may be able to sign him under slot. Rest assured, he’s going to sign. On his twitter account he tweeted the following: Excited to be a Dodger! Most optimistic outlook, he fills a Chris Taylor type role with the Dodgers.
- Pick No. 165: Sean McLain, Inf, Arizona State University. Sean is part of the McClain baseball family from Tustin, California. He is the younger brother to Matt McLain, the UCLA star who was selected with the 17th pick by the Cincinnati in the 1st round of the 2021draft. Sean attended Beckman High School. Sean is 5’11”, 170 lb second baseman, who found himself playing shortstop when the projected starting shortstop was injured. In two full seasons as a starter on ASU’s middle infield, McLain was one of the lineup’s most consistent hitters, finishing with 48 multi-hit games across his 108 career starts and at one point recording a 23-game hit streak during the 2021 campaign, tying former ASU outfielder Andre Either for the third-longest such streak since 1998. For the year, McClain hit .333with 3 homeruns and 34 RBI. Apparently Justin Turner is his favorite player, as he was hit by pitches 21 times. He was ranked 161st by MLB Pipeline; 183rd by Baseball America and 195th by Perfect Game. Need I say who is best at ranking draft prospects? The aforementioned Jonathan Mayo had this to say about him:
“He comes from a baseball family. … He had a much more inconsistent season this year. He has a chance to hit, and runs pretty well. I think he probably ends up as a second baseman.”
The feeling is that he’s ready to turn pro.
- Pick No. 195: Logan Wagner, SS, 2B, P27 Baseball Performance Center, South Carolina. Wagner has the distinction of being the first player drafted this year that was rated higher than where he was selected. He is also, the only high school student chosen in the first 10 rounds by the Dodgers. , He’s listed as a SS/2B/3B. He’s 6-1 and weighs 198 pounds. He’s from Aurora, IL where he was home schooled. He attended the P27 Performance Center in Lexington, South Carolina. P27 was created to enable student athletes the opportunity to reach their highest potential through professional training, mentor ship, and immersing in a Christian leadership environment that harnesses success. “P27″ is the abbreviation for Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Even though he is a big boy, he runs a 6.85 60-yard dash.
Perfect Game had this to say about him:
Logan Wagner is a 2022 SS/2B, 3B with a 6-1 198 lb. frame from Aurora, IL who is home schooled. Large, athletic frame with broad shoulders and present physical strength proportioned throughout frame. Ran a 6.85 60-yard dash. Primary shortstop, fields the ball out front with two hands, picks the ball cleanly, balance to actions and repeats them well, quick transfer, some effort at release but can work from multiple slots with comfort and accuracy across the diamond, arm strength plays. Switch hitter, graded out best from the right side in this look; balanced stroked, short and direct to the ball with present whip to the barrel, bat speed plays and stands out, works to the middle of the field on a line with comfort, shifts well through lower half moving into contact. High hand set and back elbow at the plate from the left side, longer path, has bat speed to stroke, keeps hands inside the ball, worked contact around to all fields. Very good student. Verbal commitment to Louisville.
The Dodgers love them some Louisville players!! Wagner, a switch hitter with a high motor, is likely to move from MIF to second or third at the next level. His stock has recently started to surge as he attended the MLB Combine like many of the other Louisville commits. Some had Wagner going around the 3rd round in the MLB Draft. The Dodgers may need to pay a little over slot to get him to sign. I like this pick.
Here’s a day in the life of young Logan.
- Pick No. 225: Christopher Campos, RHP, SS Saint Mary’s, CA. Campos was a 2 way player at Saint Mary’s. The last player from Saint Mary’s drafted by the Dodgers was Tony Gonsolin. Corbin Burnes was also drafted out of Saint Mary’s. Let’s hope that Campos can replicate their success in the majors. As a batter, Campos hit two home runs in three years, hitting .290/.347/.373. As a pitcher, mostly in relief, Campos had a 1.34 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 15 walks in 34⅔ innings in his three years at St. Mary’s. The Dodgers listed him as a shortstop. He’s 5′ 10″, 170lbs and hails from Damien H. S., La Verne, California.
The Hacienda Heights, Calif. native played middle infield and pitched in late-inning, high-leverage situations for the Gaels. Collegiate Baseball named Campos to their Preseason All-American Second Team as a utility player. He was the only WCC player so recognized. Campos hit .299 on the season with two home runs, four doubles, four stolen bases before an ankle injury sideline him in mid-April after 35 games and 134 at bats. He returned to the mound on the last day of the season and pitched an inning against Cal State Northridge allowing no earned runs. Apparently he displayed the same velocity he had before the injury, sitting around 94 MPH on his fastball and able to dial it up to 97 MPH.
Campos’ head coach, Greg Moore had this to say about him:
“Christopher’s will to win separates him. His awareness on the field is what you see from the best point guards in basketball. CC got better each semester on campus. He has an explosive arm and knows how to play the game. He’s as competitive and gritty as anyone on the West Coast.”
He is currently playing for the Bellingham Bells in Washington, where he’s pitched 6 innings, allowing an earned run with nine strikeouts, five saves, and only one walk issued. He was also 18 for 72 (.250) with three doubles and a .333 on-base percentage with as many walks as strikeouts (6). He is only a sophomore, but, I believe this young man will sign. The Dodgers are his favorite team. The Dodgers drafted a similar player in 2019, when they picked Alec Gamboa in the 9th round.
- Pick No. 255: Taylor Young, 2b, Louisiana Tech. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound shortstop led Conference USA in runs scored this season (80) and stolen bases (28 of 30 attempts).
In 2022, Young put up his best numbers as a Bulldog, hitting .364 with 12 home runs, four triples, 23 doubles, 58 walks, 51 RBI, 28 stolen bases and he led the nation with 89 runs scored for a second straight year. The West Monroe native has etched his name in the Louisiana Tech baseball record books. Young holds the program record for hits (297), runs scored (272) and games played (249). He ended his Bulldog career with 229 consecutive games played (school record) – even playing through a broken hand. Young played in 226 consecutive games dating back to April 6, 2018. He might just be, what’s known as a gamer.
His LA Tech bio has this to say about him:
Earned ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-American honors, ABCA/Rawlings First Team South Region honors, C-USA Tournament MVP, First Team All-Conference USA honors and Brooks Wallace Award finalist… Set the new games played record with 249… Broke the all-time hits record at Tech with 297… Broke his own single-season runs record with 89… Ranked first in the nation in runs scored for second consecutive year… Started in all 64 games as Tech’s leadoff batter at shortstop… Started in 229 consecutive games dating back to April 6, 2018 against UTSA… Ranked inside the top 10 in C-USA in batting average (.364 – T-6th), slugging (.644 – seventh), on-base percentage (.506 – second), hits (87 – first), doubles (23 – third), walks (58 – first) and stolen bases (28 – first)… Earned C-USA Hitter of the Week honors after going 11-for-17 with a home run, three doubles, a triple, eight RBI and 10 runs scored (3/9-3/13)… Went 5-for-8 with a home run, a triple, two doubles five RBI and three runs in two games versus LSU (2/23 & 3/23)… Was a single shy of the cycle in the first meeting with LSU… Recorded 28 multi-hit games with 12 being three-hit and one being a four-hit game… Went 4-for-5 in a midweek contest against Southeastern (3/9)… Hit a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning of game two at Old Dominion (4/30) in a 3-for-4 performance… Belted a three-run homer in a 14-5 series clinching win to finish off the regular season at Charlotte (5/21)… Had two three-hit games during the C-USA Tournament… Hit his 12th home run of the season in his final game as a Bulldog in the Austin Regional versus Air Force (6/5)… Put together a 22-game on-base streak falling second for the longest by a Bulldog this season…
I like this pick and if he signs, I’m going to be rooting for his success.
- Pick No. 285: Brandon Neeck, LHP, Virginia. Primarily a reliever for the Cavaliers over his four years in Charlottesville, Neeck was one of UV’s top back-end bullpen arms. His most notable performance as a Cavalier came in the 2021 NCAA Columbia Regional in which he struck out 16 batters over 5.2 innings pitched (a UVA record) against top-seeded Old Dominion.
Neeck was UVA’s opening day starter in 2022 and won two of his first three games before transitioning to the team’s closer role. Out of the bullpen, he posted a 2.45 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched. He recorded three saves, all in ACC play and all required five or more outs.
Shortly after the switch, Cavaliers pitching coach Drew Dickinson said Neeck’s fastball velocity range jumped from between 87 and 90 mph as a starter to 92 to 96 mph as a reliever. That’s a different person,” Dickinson said then. “That’s letting it go and it’s electric. It’s shutdown and it’s strikeouts. It’s all of those things against both lefties and righties.” Neeck had 101 strikeouts in 67.2 career innings pitched in three seasons for the Cavaliers.
Jared Perkins had this to say about him:
I was pretty impressed with Neeck in the first four innings of this game. According to the stadium gun, his fastball was sitting in the upper-80s to low-90s, topping out at 91 mph. He showed a couple of secondaries, relying heavily on a slider that sweeps across the zone, which he used to his advantage against lefties. He also threw what seemed to be a change-up but didn’t use it very frequently. He shows a good command of all of his pitches and stays consistently in the strike zone. He cruised through the first four innings, but Boston College got to him for four earned runs in the fifth. He ended the day with 4.2 innings pitched while striking out three. To take that next step in his development, he will either need to develop his third pitch or find a way to get to a point he is throwing consistently in the mid-90s as he has touched 95 mph in the past. Teams will most likely be interested in Neeck come draft day due to the potential he might be able to bring to the table.
You can’t draft enough relievers, or catchers for that matter.
- Pick No. 315: Simon Reid, Catcher, Westmont, CA. Reid is a 6′ 1″, 200 lb catcher that hails from McKinney, Texas. For those who don’t know, McKinney is where all disgruntled Californians move to. Reid attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara. Westmont is an NAIA school that I’m familiar with as my sons played against them when they were in College. Back then their baseball program wasn’t that hot. Lately, they have gotten much better, having made their first trip to the NAIA World Series this year.
In his senior season, Reid hit .400, 24 runs, 66 hits, 18 doubles, 2 triples, 9 homeruns, and 45 RBI In his 3 year career, Reid hit .378, 56 runs, 155 hits, 40 doubles, 4 triples, 18 homeruns, and 93 RBI. He also appears to be a good fielding catcher. Reid holds the distinction of being the only NAIA player drafted.
His coach, Robert Ruiz had this to say about him:
Could not be more proud of what @simo_reid accomplished to get to this point in his career. Selfless, servant leader who always took care of others first. Left it better than he found it.
Although the odds are stacked against him, there is always room for a player who leaves the world better than he found it.
Shane McClanahan. Alejandro Kirk. And every name listed above.
I don’t know them.
I feel like I must be from a remote village in Icebury, Dumbfu**istan.
I don’t deserve to be a baseball fan.
I predict home school guy will wind up being the best of the Dodger draftees. I base this on a similar knowledge that Badger just professed.
Thank you, Rob, for introducing us to the newest Dodgers. But…fried alligator?
Better than boiled.
Fried alligator is quite good. Try it sometime.
I have
Fred – you would be surprised as to how good fried alligator can taste.
Only if you like fried chicken and frog legs which I do.
Watching the pre-derby off and on yesterday, Betts personality was such that I liked him more than anybody I saw. Seattle’s Rodriguez had it going as well. Soto, not so much.
Maybe one of the reasons I never had Seager or Muncy as a favorite is personality based. Joc is fun, Betts is fun, Justin is fun. Taylor not so much. Bellinger has impressed me with how he has reacted to being less than he wants to be.
Regarding Soto. Do the Dodgers need another lefty bat given that Muncy has to always be in the lineup? Freeman, Lux, Muncy, Bellinger, Soto versus Smith, Justin, Trea, Smith, Taylor. They already struggle against lefties.
Some interesting picks so far. Freeland just looks like a ballplayer to me. I look forward to seeing how his career progresses. Happy that we went heavier on non-pitchers this time.
Rob, you mentioned that Freeland might ultimately be used in a trade for Soto or Castillo. That would all depend upon when the trade was made, because teams can’t trade their signed draftees until the day after the World Series ends. That’s actually a lot sooner than in the past when you couldn’t trade a draft pick until the next June.
Here is the rule regarding players drafted in Rule 4 Draft:
3. A player who signs after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) cannot be traded until after the conclusion of the World Series (no earlier than 9 AM on the day after the final game of the World Series), or for 90 days if the player signs after the World Series.
NOTE: Previously, a player signed after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft could not be traded until the first anniversary of the player signing his first contract.
But to your point, he cannot be included in a trade in the next 2 weeks (by August 2 trade deadline).
PTBNL?
It will be years before we know if any of these players have ML talent. There are hundreds of these guys, with hundreds to follow.
I tuned into the Derby for about 10 minutes. Egos on Parade. No thanks. All Star Game. Ok. Maybe. It’s just not what it usta was for me. When all of this mid season publicity hoopla is behind us the next best thing will be Trade Deadline hubbubary. I look forward to that.
STB – that comment was my sad attempt at humor.
Lol. I apologize for being so dense that I didn’t pick it up.
Should have realized that you, of all people, would know that rule.
The 2nd day is chock-full of gambles from every team in MLB. The Dodgers do what they do best, they look for opportunities to make high rewards out of high risks, with limited expectations. They draft a catcher in the first round with huge power potential, but no guarantee he can be a full time catcher. He never has been. Interestingly, Keith Law who seems to be high on most Dodgers prospects had this to say about Dalton Rushing.
“Rushing, who was better known as Henry Davis’ backup at Louisville until this year when Rushing got to catch semi-regularly and hit 23 homers while drawing 50 walks. He’s a work in progress behind the plate, but if he stays there he could be a regular with power and decent OBPs despite low batting averages.”
With their 3-5 round selections, the Dodgers selected college hitters that are destined to be utility players. Two infield, Alex Freeland and Seam McLain, and one OF/1B and some 2B, Nick Biddison. Biddison is a 4th year junior so he has big bonus underslot potential.
The Dodgers are hoping to find lightning in a bottle again. In 2016, in the 9th round, the Dodgers drafted an OF and parttime relief pitcher out of St. Mary’s; Tony Gonsolin. Gonsolin is an All Star in 2022.
In 2022, the Dodgers are trying again in the 7th round with SS and parttime relief pitcher from St. Mary’s, Christopher Campos. In his three years with the Gaels, Campos hit two home runs, hitting .290/.347/.373/.720. As a pitcher, mostly in relief, in three years, Campos pitched to a 1.34 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 15 walks in 34⅔ innings. The Dodgers listed him as a shortstop, but have every expectation to convert him fulltime to a pitcher. I imagine, as did Gonsolin, Campos will get to decide if he wants to start or relieve.
The Dodgers 8th and 9th round picks are college seniors and their current value will surely be because they should be well below slot bonus draftees.
10th round catcher, Simon Reid, is going to get a chance to play professional baseball. As Rob mentioned, Westmont is a Christian NAIA school, that has a decent to good baseball program. Reid became the 20th player drafted out of Westmont (his brother was 19th). 5 other players were undrafted FA, including current LAA utility player, Michael Stefanic.
Two other Westmont players have played at the ML level. Current Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Andrew Vasquez is in his 4th year in MLB (although very limited – 13.1 IP), including 1.1 IP with LAD in 2021. The biggest name out of Westmont College has been utility infielder Jerry DaVanon (8 years – 499 AB).
So the odds of Reid playing at the ML level are very long. But if he signs, he will get his shot at his dream of playing MLB.
The draft is a time of long odds and huge dreams. Why not dream big.
Didn’t Johnny Bench backup Jack Nicholas one year?
Dodgers just drafted Kyle Nevin an OF from Baylor University, that just committed to Oklahoma through the transfer portal. He’s Phil Nevin’s son. His brother plays for the Orioles. Got some good blood lines.
Dodgers RHP, just drafted (16th round) UCLA Jared Karros, son of Eric.
I say we use our 20th pick today on Mike Trout’s son. He’s two. We can wait.
Draft is finished. Here’s the breakdown of the 19 Dodger picks:
Shortstops – 8
Pitchers – 4
Outfielders – 4
Catchers – 2
Second basemen – 1
One of the shortstops is a two-way guy who will probably go forward as a pitcher. Ironically he’s from St Mary’s (Gonsolin’s alma mater) and Tony was drafted as a two-way (P/OF) who became exclusively a pitcher.
Lots of position players and relatively few pitchers this year, which I was hoping for.
I could be wrong, but the large number of shortstops tells me that they are going for athletic types this year, partially because of the demise of the shift. Also, if you can play shortstop, you can usually play most anywhere else, except maybe catcher.
With a very limited budget, it will be interesting to see how AF deploys his funds. I don’t expect he’ll sign every one of the 19 draftees, but hopefully he’ll manage to bring in most of them.
Besides Christopher Campos (St. Mary’s), there is also a HS INF/P (Payton Martin – 17th round) who will probably become a pitcher. But I am guessing that he will honor is commitment to East Carolina University.
Four of the last six picks were HS infielders:
Nicolas Perez – 15th – SS (Puerto Rico) – Committed to Florida State
Payton Martin – 17th – SS/2B/P – Committed to East Carolina
Cameron Decker – 18th – 3B/1B, SS – Committed to Central Florida
Carter McCulley – 20th – Per Perfect Game – SS/2B, 3B, C, RHP, UT – Committed to Pensacola State
I could be very wrong, but I do not think that any of the four will be signed.
I do think that every effort will be made to sign HS SS Logan Wagner, 6th Round.
Why would any of those later round committed to college players sign?
The only reason would be because they want to play professional baseball more than they want to go to school. Most of these kids are getting a minimal scholarship(college baseball only has 11.5 scholarships to field a team) and they have to come up with the remaining costs. Also, the newly allowed financial help to be earned from NIL(name, image and likeness) probably wouldn’t be of any help to these kids. Most of that money is going to football and basketball players and the occasional baseball superstar.
Don’t like math?
If they’re good enough to be drafted, I would think they are good enough to be offered a scholarship. And playing D1 ball might improve their draft position. Also, there’s a lot to be said for the college experience as well as getting an education.
All that said, I have no real idea what these kid’s priorities are. Many things are a lot different than they used to be. Get a few thousand, buy a car, play ball for a couple thousand a month. Who needs to learn how to think when they can play and get paid better than minimum wage to do it?
I do not expect any of them to sign, but I am not in their homes talking with them. Maybe being drafted and signing with a MLB team was a lifelong dream. He can always go to school, but will he ever get that chance again? So I have no idea.
My son was committed to the University of Nevada, and had he been drafted in any round as a high schooler he would have signed. He was 17, but my wife said she would have signed for him to go, and then told me. He got calls all the way through the draft, but never got a call saying he was drafted. So you just never know what these kids are thinking.
Good point. I set my price at 50k. This was in ‘66. I believe I overvalued myself. The phone wasn’t ringing so I guess nobody called.
I don’t expect all of them to sign either but obviously many will. And of course I expect none of them past pick 195 to make it, but, you just never know. I’d trade them all for Castillo.
Stephen Igoe, who covers ECU sports just tweeted that Martin is expected to sign with the Dodgers. We shall see how accurate his info is.
That will surprise me. I think he has a better chance of success as a pitcher, but he has not pitched enough. He could learn a lot at ECU. But as I said to Badger, this may be a lifelong dream he is not going to pass up. He could get $125K without affecting the bonus pool. That may be enough for Martin.
Just read about him. 500th ranked, 82nd ranked in the state of North Carolina. For a few reasons I agree college would be good for him. But, to him maybe $150k and around $2k a month is better than going to school.