San Diego Padres 2019 MLB Draft Preview

Round 2, Pick 48 ($1,543,600)

Matthew Thompson, RHP, Cyprus Ranch HS (Houston, TX) <Ht: 6-2/Wt: 185/B-T: R-R> – Thompson is athletic with an electric arm and has a smooth delivery. So basically, he checks all the boxes. I’m probably higher on Thompson than most, but he’s routinely sat in the mid 90’s with more left in the tank. His slider sits in the mid 80’s and is already considered to be above average. He’s a Texas A&M commit, so it might take the entire slot budget to pry him away from College Station.

Matt Wallner, OF/RHP, Southern Mississippi < Ht: 6-5/Wt: 220/ B-T: L-R> – Tremendous athlete, but suffered a forearm strain early in the season and never saw the mound in 2019. When he was able to pitch last season, Wallner was up to 95 mph, but he’s told evaluators that he prefers hitting and likely won’t be open to a two-way role in professional baseball. He profiles as a right fielder and offers plus power, average speed and a potential return to plus arm strength.

Matt Wallner, y’all. pic.twitter.com/kBtgnj648I

— Jason Munz (@munzly) May 28, 2017

Drey Jameson, RHP, Ball State <Ht: 6-0/Wt:165/B-T: R-R> – The first thing that jumps out at you when evaluating Jameson is his ultra-quick arm action and the electric stuff he packs into his smallish frame. He’s touched 97 mph this year but regularly sits 93-95 mph. His changeup is outstanding and is not far from being a potential plus offering at the pro level. His slider is fringe-average at this point, but the BSU righty punched 136 tickets in 85.2 IP this year. With his stock rapidly on the rise, Jameson could find himself being selected at the back-end of the first round. If he’s still on the board at 48, he would be a great addition to the already rich mix of talented arms in the Padres system.

#MLBDRAFT VIDEO: Drey Jameson (RHP/OF, @BallStateBB) at NIU, home and side views, courtesy of @NickJFaleris:

Full Video (YouTube): https://t.co/XqDLA4lAf8
Full 2019 MLB Draft Video Library (hundreds of draft videos): https://t.co/cjwMnY4Hvz pic.twitter.com/ZQQsKeGSbE

— 2080 Baseball (@2080ball) May 4, 2019

John Doxakis, LHP, Texas A&M < Ht:6-4/Wt: 215/B-T: S-L > – His fastball sits 89-91 mph, but his command of the strike zone has improved drastically from last season. This seems like a perfect fit for AJ Preller. Doxakis is seasoned enough that he could be ready as early as September for his big league debut if necessary. He has all the makings of a low-maintenance draft pick that could slide right into a back-end starters role.

Texas A&M LHP John Doxakis has been as advertised thus far. Athletic with some funk and deception, FB working 90-92 consistently with above-avg life, SL missing bats in low-80’s, bringing out the CH more now as well. Pounds the zone with all 3. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/DEjGNBFtmT

— Brian Sakowski (@B_Sakowski_PG) March 2, 2019

CBB, Pick 73 ($857,400)

Noah Song, RHP, Navy <Ht: 6-4/Wt: 195/B-T: R-R> – Under almost any other circumstance, Song would be a first-round pick. Under the current U.S. Department of Defense policy, he must complete two years of military service before he could pitch for the team that selected him. His fastball has hit 98 mph on several occasions, and his curveball is already plus. If he lasts this long in the draft, it could be well worth the risk of waiting on his service. The lack of quality college arms makes Song an interesting follow.

Kyren Paris, SS, Freedom HS (Oakley, CA) <Ht: 6-0/Wt:170/B-T: R-R>
Quick twitch athlete, plus runner and capable enough with the glove to stick at shortstop as he advances. Raw power is mostly absent at this point, but he’ll be 17 years old during the draft, so there’s plenty of time for the power to develop.

2019 Kyren Paris used the whole field during BP and then showed premium excellent velocity to the pull side capping at 104mph on a single (last swing of the video) @NCWorldSeries pic.twitter.com/lNu9wEr1TV

— Scoutcast Baseball (@ScoutcastBB) June 23, 2018

Matt Cronin, LHP, Arkansas <Ht:6-2/Wt:190/B-T: L-L> – Power lefty who lacks control at times, projects as a reliever at the major league level. Has a 12 -6 curveball that’s devastating to left-handed hitters. His fastball tops out at 96 mph and could upgrade a big league bullpen by September.

Will Holland, SS, Auburn <Ht:5-10/Wt:185/B-T: R-R> – Terrific athlete who makes difficult plays look routine. Above average arm and range, but the question is all about his bat. Without some serious adjustments, he’ll play as a big swing and miss guy at the next level.

Ethan Small, LHP, Mississippi State <Ht:6-3/Wt:190/B-T: L-L> – Sits 90-92 mph, but due to his deceptive delivery and movement, he can be successful at that number. Command, control, and incredible consistency might push Small into the 2nd round.

Ethan Small, Beautiful 74mph Curveball…and Messing with Timing (leg hang). pic.twitter.com/0ySe88Xc8Z

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 17, 2019

Round 3, Pick 84 ($721,900)

Spencer Jones, LHP, La Costa Canyon HS (Carlsbad, CA) < Ht: 6-7/Wt: 212/ B-T: L-L> – Fastball sits 90-93 mph with an upper 70’s curveball that has tremendous depth for a prep arm. He’s committed to Vanderbilt as a two-way player, but scouts believe his upside is greatest as a pitcher.

Graeme Stinson, LHP, Duke < Ht: 6-5/Wt: 260/ B-T: L-L> – Upper 90’s fastball with a filthy wipeout slider, Stinson was considered a lock for the first round before the season. In March, his fastball dipped to the 88-91 mph range, but the rumors of an injury were quickly shut down. Evaluators are concerned there might be a medical issue that arises, consequently, he’s slipped down draft boards this spring.

One more filthy Graeme Stinson sequence (98mph Fastball, foul/87mph Slider, K). pic.twitter.com/6e1XrWQKX1

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 11, 2018

Ryan Garcia, RHP, UCLA <Ht:6-1/Wt:180/B-T:R-R > – Commands four pitches extremely well with fastball in the low 90’s. Throws a ton of strikes and induces weak contact frequently.

Round 4, Pick 113 ($512,400)

Ryan Pepiot, RHP, Butler < Ht: 6-3/Wt: 205/ B-T: R-R> – Great command with a fastball that can touch the mid 90’s. Plus changeup, but his breaking pitches remain a work in progress. Potential No.4 starter that could also develop into a late innings power arm out of the bullpen.

Ivan Johnson, SS, Chipola JC < Ht:6-1/Wt:195/B-T:B-R> – Slashed .380/.500/.606 with 9 HR in 2019. Big, physical body that can handle the shortstop position. Swing tends to be long at times, which ultimately increases his strikeout numbers. Average runner at best, could eventually play 2B, SS, 3B as he advances through the minors.

Jared Triolo, 3B, Houston <Ht:6-3/Wt:200/B-T:R-R> – Great barrel control, had more walks than strikeouts in both his sophomore and junior seasons. Advanced baserunner with average speed and a plus defender at 3B.

Round 5, Pick 143 ($382,700)

Kyle McCann, C, Georiga Tech< Ht:6-2/Wt: 220/ B-T: L-R> – Handled 1B & DH duties as a sophomore while teammates with Joey Bart. 37 combined HRs over the last two seasons, while maintaining a 21% walk rate. Good enough defensively to play catcher at the next level, but could easily be moved to 1B to max out his power numbers.

Jake Agnos, LHP, East Carolina< HT:5-11/Wt:210/B-T:L-L> – Above-average curveball, while fastball sits 92-94. Slider is a work in progress. Solid lefty reliever role awaits him in the majors.

Glenallen Hill Jr, OF, Santa Cruz (CA) HS< Ht:5-9/Wt:170/B-T:B-R> – Super athletic and the son of former MLB 13-year veteran by the same name. Tremendous bat speed and generates exceptional power for his size. Plus runner and could play either SS, 2B or OF as a professional.

Kurt Fremion

Kurt resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his wife and two boys. He enjoys attending TinCaps games and promises to deliver original, informative and sometimes analytical content as part of the EVT team.