Tagged: MLB Draft
2016 Draft Recap Podcast
It’s here! With the draft come and gone I have once again put together a podcast for your listening pleasure.
I talk to two of the Brewers draft picks this year, a tradition I started several years ago at this point, as I had the chance to interview top pick Corey Ray and 6th rounder Payton Henry. You’ll also hear some audio from the Director of Amateur Scouting for the Brewers, Ray Montgomery, as well as MLB veteran Curtis Granderson who has been a mentor for Corey over the last couple of years.
I might post a follow-up interview that I wanted to conduct but haven’t yet had a chance to complete due to scheduling conflicts but I wanted to get this up for now without it just in case it never happens.
But for now, listen to this and let me know what you think.
Mitch Haniger Interview – Recorded: June 15, 2012
I had the pleasure of being joined on the phone earlier tonight by recently inked 2012 First-Year Player Draft Pick, and the 38th player taken overall this year: Mitch Haniger.
Haniger is an outfielder who played collegiately at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.*sharp inhale*
We discuss why Haniger didn’t sign after being drafted out of high school by the Mets, what led him to Cal Poly, his experiences playing in a wood bat league last summer in Wisconsin, where he’ll be playing the rest of this summer, and a multitude of other things.
Download the file and give it a listen. Then, if you’re on Twitter, be sure to give Mitch a follow and a congratulatory tweet on his account: @M_Hanny19
Click Here to hear Big Rygg interview Mitch Haniger.
Milwaukee Brewers Select 14 Players on Day Two
The Milwaukee Brewers made 14 selections during the second day of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft today from Rounds 2-15.
The Brewers drafted OF Tyrone Taylor from Torrance (CA) High School with their second round selection (92nd overall). He batted .479 (35-for-73) with two home runs, 25 RBI and 16 stolen bases this past season. A two-sport athlete, he played running back and safety on his high school football team. He has a scholarship offer to Cal-State Fullerton.
Milwaukee used their first four selections of the MLB Draft on position players (C Clint Coulter, 27th overall; OF Victor Roache, 28th overall; OF Mitch Haniger, 38th overall; and Taylor). This marks the first time since 2007 that the Brewers selected four consecutive position players at the start of the draft. In 2007, Milwaukee selected 1B/OF Matt LaPorta, C Jonathan Lucroy, 2B Eric Farris and OF Caleb Gindl.
Milwaukee selected three consecutive pitchers from Rounds 3-5. RHP Zach Quintana (3rd Round, #122) went 9-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 12 games for Arbor View High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has a commitment to San Diego State University. RHP Tyler Wagner (4th Round, #155), a junior at the University of Utah, posted a 3.59 ERA and two saves in 22 appearances. He earned First Team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2011 after going 4-3 with a 2.04 ERA and a school-record 12 saves in 25 appearances. RHP Damien Magnifico (5th Round, # 185) went 3-1 with a 3.68 ERA and two saves in 21 games (seven starts) at Oklahoma University.
In the 12th round, Milwaukee chose RHP Eric Semmelhack from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He attended Oak Creek (WI) High School and is currently pitching for the Lakeshore Chinooks of the Northwoods League. Eric is the son of Michael and Kim Semmelhack.
Overall, the Brewers have made 17 selections over the first two days of the draft, which includes 10 college players and seven high school players. Milwaukee has selected 10 pitchers (two left-handers and eight right-handers), two infielders, one catcher and four outfielders.
Here is a full listing and breakdown of all of the draft selections by the Brewers so far in this draft.
Total: 17; Pitchers: 10 (LHP: 2, RHP: 8); Catchers: 1; 1B: 1; 2B: 0; 3B: 0; SS: 1; OF: 4; College: 10; High School: 7
– DAY 1 –
1st Round, #27 overall: Clint Coulter, C; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’3″; Weight: 210 lbs; Birthdate: 7/30/93; Hometown: Camas, WA; School: Union (WA) High School
1st Round, #28 overall: Victor Roache, RF; B/T: R/R ; Height: 6’3″; Weight: 225 lbs; Birthdate: 9/17/91; Hometown: Ypsilanti, MI; School: Georgia Southern University
Supplemental Round 1, #38 overall: Mitch Haniger, RF; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’2″; Weight: 213 lbs; Birthdate: 12/23/90; Hometown: Santa Clara, CA; School: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo State University
– DAY 2 –
2nd Round, #92 overall: Tyrone Taylor, CF; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’0″; Weight: 185 lbs; Birthdate: 1/22/94; Hometown: Torrance, CA; School: Torrance (CA) High School
3rd Round, #122 overall: Zach Quintana, RHP; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’0″; Weight: 190 lbs; Birthdate: 4/15/94; Hometown: Las Vegas, NV; School: Arbor View (NV) High School
4th Round, #155 overall: Tyler Wagner, RHP; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’4″; Weight: 195 lbs; Birthdate: 1/24/91; Hometown: Henderson, NV; School: University of Utah
5th Round, #185 overall: Damien Magnifico, RHP; B/T; R/R; Height: 6’1″; Weight: 185 lbs; Birthdate: 5/24/91; Hometown: Mesquite, TX; School: Oklahoma University
6th Round, #215 overall: Angel Ortega, SS; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’2″; Weight: 170 lbs; Birthdate: 9/11/93; Hometown: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico; School: Colegio Hector Urdaneta High School
7th Round, #245 overall: David Otterman, LHP; B/T: L/L; Height: 6’3″; Weight: 215 lbs; Birthdate: 5/15/91; Hometown: Coquitlam, British Columbia; School: University of British Columbia
8th Round, #275 overall: Edgardo Rivera, CF; B/T: L/R; Height: 6’0″; Weight: 155 lbs; Birthdate: 4/12/94; Hometown: Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, School: Adolfina Irizarry De Puig High School
9th Round: #305 overall: Alejandro Lavandero, RHP; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’4″; Weight: 190 lbs; Birthdate: 11/21/93; Hometown: Miami, FL; School: Belen Jesuit (FL) Prep School
10th Round: #335 overall: Anthony Banda, LHP; B/T: L/L; Height: 6’3″, Weight: 205 lbs; Birthdate: 8/10/93; Hometown: Sinton, TX; School: San Jacinto College, TX
11th Round: #365 overall: James Gainey, RHP; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’3″; Weight: 205 lbs; Birthdate: 2/13/91; Hometown: Pompano Beach, FL; School: United States Naval Academy
12th Round: #395 overall: Eric Semmelhack, RHP; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’5″; Weight: 225 lbs; Birthdate: 1/7/91; Hometown: Oak Creek, WI; School: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
13th Round: #425 overall: Alan Sharkey, 1B; B/T: L/L; Height: 6’0″; Weight: 190 lbs; Birthdate: 11/8/93; Hometown: Coconut Creek, FL; School: Coral Springs (FL) High School
14th Round: #455 overall: Ryan Gibbard, RHP; B/T: R/R; Height: 6’3″; Weight: 220 lbs; Birthdate: 11/28/89; Hometown: Port St. Lucie, FL; School: Lynn University, FL
15th Round: #485 overall: Buck Farmer, RHP; B/T: L/R; Height: 6’4″; Weight: 230 lbs: Birthdate: 2/20/91; Hometown: Conyers, GA; School: Georgia Tech University
Milwaukee Brewers Take Yet Another College Bat at 38
The Milwaukee Brewers have made their pick in the Compensation Round in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, 38th overall.
With that 38th selection, the Brewers took: Mitch Haniger, an OF from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly SLO is current Nashville Sounds’ OF Logan Schafer’s alma mater.
Haniger bats and throws righty. Here is his profile on his college’s website.
Haniger was the 2012 Big West Conference player of the year, batting .346 and leading the league with 13 home runs and 64 RBI. He played center field but doesn’t have ideal speed for the position so with his strong arm he possibly projects as a right-fielder at the Major League level.
MLB.com has the following posted about Haniger:
“In a year that is not known for college bats, Haniger’s ability to hit with power has many teams intrigued with the Cal Poly outfielder. Strong and muscular, Haniger hits from a wide, open stance with plus bat speed and a slight uppercut that allows him to drive the ball to all fields when he makes contact. He’s been doing that more consistently this year, showing improved plate discipline to improve his overall offensive game. There’s enough loft and strength where he could hit 25 homers annually at the next level.
“Not a burner, Haniger is a heady baserunner who picks his spots to run. While he plays center field for Cal Poly, he’ll be better suited for right. He has a plus arm and his power certainly profiles well for what teams look for in the position. There’s going to be some swing and miss to his game, but the power, his arm and his aggressive style of play give him the chance to be an everyday Major League right fielder in the future.”
John Manuel of Baseball America offered this as a quick scouting report on Haniger: “Physicality and power potential make him a top prospect; 13 homers this spring.”
***UPDATE: Comments from Haniger***
“I’ve spoken to (Logan Schafer) every time he came back for our alumni game. I also trained one winter break at the facility he trained at. He loves playing for the Brewers; said everything has been great. I’m sure I’ll be in touch with him soon and talk about the minor-league system.
“I heard from my advisors they were one of the teams interested but once Victor Roache got taken in the late first round I thought there was a lesser chance they would take me at No. 38. But it’s awesome; a great feeling. Words can’t describe it.
“I played center field this year. I believe I can stay there. I think I profile well in both spots (center and right). I’m excited to see where the Brewers want me to play. We’ll see. I can play both. I’m happy to make a position change if necessary. I’m really confident in my arm strength.”
You can follow Mitch Haniger on Twitter at: @M_Hanny19
Milwaukee Brewers Select College Bat with Pick 28
The Milwaukee Brewers have made their first two selections in the Major League Baseball ”Two-Thousand and Twelve First-Year Player Draft.”
(Yes, that’s an homage to the commissioner’s long-winded setup prior to each pick delivery at the podium.)
With the 28th selection, the Brewers took: Victor Roache, a 6’1″ 225 lb outfielder from Georgia Southern University.
Roache bats and throws right-handed.
MLB.com lists Roache as its 27th overall prospect available in this draft.
“A raw hitter coming out of the Michigan high school ranks in 2009, Roache’s years at Georgia Southern have served him well.
“A strong, physical specimen, Roache has plus bat speed and raw power, with the ability to hit the ball out to all fields. He has a solid approach at the plate, with good pitch recognition and rarely gets cheated. Speed isn’t a part of his game, but he’s a capable outfielder with enough range and arm to handle an outfield corner at the next level. He certainly looks the part and plays the game hard.
“There may be some who’ll question if he’ll hit enough to tap into that power, but it shouldn’t be a huge concern. Power in an advanced bat is always highly sought after (see Choice, Michael) and with a good spring, Roache should see him near the top of many Draft boards.”
ESPN.com ranks Roache 88th overall and has this to say:
“Roache may have gone in the first round prior to the broken wrist he suffered in February, ending his season, but wasn’t a first-round talent, just a one-tool player who has plus raw power but lacks the hit tool to get to it. Drafted in the 25th round by Detroit in 2009, Roache is a dead-pull hitter who collapses his back side as he tries to jerk everything out to left field, but showed on the Cape last summer that he couldn’t adjust to offspeed pitches, especially those on the outer half that he couldn’t pull.
“He’s a fair athlete who probably ends up in left field in pro ball. He’ll turn 21 in September, making him one of the younger college position players in the draft, but he’ll have to return to action and show he can make adjustments so that he’ll hit enough to let his power play.”
***UPDATE: Here are some quotes from Roache as he joined the media on a conference call tonight…***
Roache said that the broken wrist that cost him most of this past season would preclude him from playing pro ball this summer. He said he was about 4-6 weeks away from being cleared for all baseball activities.
“It was tough, breaking my wrist six games into the season. It was a hard pill to swallow.
“I was in a cast for seven weeks. I’m on the road to recovery right now. It’s going very well. The doctor said I’m in for a 100% recovery. I just have to take my time and not rush, and build my full strength back. I was strictly working on range of motion.
“The broken bone was the least of their worries. Dr. Hunt’s main concern was the ulnar joint was dislocated. He put pins in there and casted it up, and it remained stable and back to normal. In a week or two, I’ll pick up a bat and swing a little.
“Hopefully, by the end of the summer or early fall, I’ll be back on the field playing again. I heard someone say to get ready to go for instructional (camp in the fall), maybe go play winter ball and go from there.
“Everything happens for a reason. I’m very thankful to still be considered a first-round pick. That means a lot to me for the Brewers to still have faith in my talent and take a chance and draft me in the 28th spot. That motivates me even more to give it 100% and get back on the field as soon as possible, and produce for them for the next 10-15 years.”
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You can follow Victor Roache on Twitter at: @_Heavy28Hitter_
Milwaukee Brewers Pick Prep Catcher at 27
The Milwaukee Brewers have made their first two selections in the Major League Baseball “Two-Thousand and Twelve First-Year Player Draft.”
(Yes, that’s an homage to the commissioner’s long-winded setup prior to each pick delivery at the podium.)
With the 27th selection, the Brewers took: Clint Coulter, a 6’3″ 215 lb catcher, out of Union HS in Washington State.
ESPN.com’s write-up of Clint Coulter notes that as “a state champion wrestler, (Coulter) brings that strength to the catcher position and into the batter’s box. He possesses plus arm strength and power at the plate. His swing is consistent and he’s shown the ability to hit the ball to right-center field.
“He should hit for enough average and power for pro ball, but his defense behind the plate is questionable, due to his lack of agility. His technique is sound, thanks in part to his work with coach and former big league catcher Tom Lampkin, and he’s an accurate thrower. If he can’t stick at catcher, the bat may play at first base. The power is easy and natural and he’s shown an ability to stay back on soft stuff and not drift out onto his front foot.
He’s drawn comparisons to Twins outfielder Josh Willingham and is committed to Arizona State. Coulter is a potential Day 1 selection, and if that rings true on draft day he’s not likely to see the Tempe campus this fall.”
MLB.com says of Coulter that as “the best player in the Pacific Northwest in 2012, Coulter has the chance to be a good all-around catcher at the next level.
“Strong and durably built, Coulter has some serious power potential, with the ability to hit the ball out to all fields. He might not be the best pure hitter in the Draft, but he won’t let any pitcher get away with a mistake. While he’s certainly not a burner, he’s not a slug on the basepaths, either. Behind the plate, his arm strength is a plus, but will need to work on his footwork as well as his overall receiving as he progresses. Few doubt he’ll get there though, as Coulter gets high marks for his all-out play and his work ethic. It’s those intangibles that should make him a good leader from behind the plate at the next level.”
Baseball America’s Jim Callis says that Coulter could be a “(Mike) Napoli type” as he is an offensive-minded backstop.
UPDATE: Coulter has had a conference call with the Milwaukee-based media. Here are some of his comments…
On whether he can do a backflip (like a fellow draftee did on live TV): “I don’t think I can do a back flip, but I can do a lot of push-ups.”
For how wrestling in high school has helped his baseball game: “I learned not to let emotions control me. I control my emotions.”
He said his nicknames were “Grunt” and “Country Strong”. Yeah, this kid might have a bit of power. He also told MLB Network that he once hit 29 home runs in little league.
And most importantly, on his chances of signing with the Brewers and forgoing his collegiate commitment: “That’s probably why I was drafted in 1st round.”
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You can follow Clint Coulter on Twitter at: @ccoulter12
The Brewer Nation 