Recap of Rounds 1-10 of the San Diego Padres 2017 MLB Draft
Round 7, Pick #198– Nick Margevicius, LHP, Rider
Two college players in a row? What? But of course yet another left-handed pitcher to add to the Friars organization. At 6-5, 220, the Rider left-hander is certainly an imposing figure on the mound. Over the course of just over 200 innings with Rider, Margevicius has just shy of 200 strikeouts, as the big left-hander has struck out almost a batter an inning during his collegiate career.
Margevicius isn’t overpowering with his velocity, as he reaches up to 91, but being a big, athletic left-hander more than makes up for his velocity shortcomings. With his size and athletic ability, there is a good deal of projectability here, making him a solid seventh round selection for the Friars.
Round 8, Pick #228– Olivier Basabe, SS, Faulkner
Originally from Venezuela, Olivier Basabe sits at 5-11, 190 pounds out of Faulkner. Basabe not only has a lot of speed from the shortstop position, but also has a strong glove at shortstop.
Given his speed and solid lateral movement, Basabe should be able to stick at the position long term. This season, Basabe hit .342 with 39 RBI and 48 runs scored in 65 games. Basabe got on base at a .404 clip and slugged .471.
Round 9, Pick #258– Alex Cunningham, RHP, Coastal Carolina
After being selected in the 28th round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers, right-hander Alex Cunningham decided to return for his senior season at Coastal Carolina after negotiations did not go the way he hoped. That gamble has paid off in a big way, as the right-hander finished the season with 117 strikeouts in 106 innings and finishing the year with a 2.63 ERA and holding opponents to a sub-.200 batting average.
Cunningham not only has a fastball that sits in the low to mid 90’s, but also three off-speed offerings, including a curve in the low 70’s and a changeup/slider combination that both sit in the low 80’s.
Round 10, Pick #288– Dominic Taccolini, RHP, Arkansas
After starting off the draft with six high school players, the Padres finished off day two by selecting their fifth straight college player, this time another pitcher, right-hander Dominic Taccolini out of Arkansas. After being drafted in the 16th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016, Taccolini returned to school and ended up being drafted in a higher round.
Taccolini had a bit of a rocky season, finishing the year with a 5.75 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 72 innings, but a strong finish to the season was enough to ensure a day two draft slot.
Editorial and Prospect Writer for East Village Times. Twenty-five years young, Patrick has lived in San Diego for his entire life and has been a Padres fan nearly as long. Patrick lives for baseball and is always looking to learn new things about the game he loves through advanced stats.
I know some people are questioning Preller’s decision to take two catchers early, but you have to remember that the Padres now have two AZL teams, so there are plenty of at bats to go around.
I’m sure there was big discussion in the draft room too an some scout fought really hard for Hunt.