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Round 19-50 will take place today. This will consist primarily of filling out rosters and selecting 'draft-and-follow' players, primarily junior college players.


Round 19: Matthew Liuzza, C, LSU

Year ABs Ave OBP SLG K/BB K%
2006 183
0.317 0.386 0.437 1.1 11.7%
2005 171
0.251 0.326 0.363 1.9
18.8%
2004 229
0.328 0.391 0.507 1.6
14.1%
2003 192
0.312
0.390
0.417
1.6
14.3%


BA: Matthew Liuzza came down with draftitis in 2005. Regarded as one of the best catching prospects in last year's draft, he wilted under the pressure and batted .251 while failing to throw out a single basestealer in 32 attempts. He lifted his average 62 points as a senior this spring while showing an arm that rates as a 55 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Liuzza's receiving and blocking skills are sound. He doesn't have much power and his bat profiles him more as a big league backup.


Round 20: Jonathan Del Campo, SS, Cibola HS (AZ)

BA: Del Campo, considered one of the surest bets to sign in the state, doesn't have much power but switch-hits and has the arm strength to play the left side of the diamond. If his power doesn't develop, he may fit better at second.


Round 21: Ronald Lowe, LHP, St Leo College


Round 22: Bradley Mills, LHP, Arizona

Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2006 82.1
4.70
9.0
4.5
0.3 10.5
2005 13.2
4.61
8.2
7.5
0.0 9.5
2004 9.2
4.66
6.8
12.7
0.0 9.8


BA: After starting his college career as a recruited walk-on, Mills has emerged as the top starting pitcher for Arizona's last-place club in the Pacific-10 Conference and one of the better college lefthanders in the draft. He had made 28 appearances (covering just 23 innings) over his first two seasons but established himself as a prospect to watch last summer, when he dominated the summer collegiate Valley League. While he struck out 75 in just 46 innings for Harrisonburg last summer, he's not a strikeout pitcher. Mills has worked hard to improve his fastball velocity over the years and now has an average (88-90) fastball that can touch 92. His changeup is a legitimate out pitch, an above-average offering. He needs to improve the arm speed on his breaking ball, which gets loopy and vacillates between being a slider or curveball. Mills' work ethic and track record of improvement has scouts believing his can improve the breaking ball and become a No. 4 or No. 5 starter. He's not expected to make it out of the third round.


Round 23: Adam Calderone, CF, Florida Southern


Round 24: Keith Demorgandie, RHP, Orange Coast


Round 25: Lui Fernandez, SS, Miguel de Cervantes Saave


Round 26: Chirstopher Emanuele, CF, Northeastern

Year ABs Ave OBP SLG K/BB K%
2006 214
0.313 0.381 0.547 1.8 12.6%
2005 209
0.340 0.380 0.574 4.9
17.3%
2004 102
0.294 0.333 0.431 2.8
12.8%
2003 176
0.335
0.387
0.500
3.1
16.1%


BA: Chris Emanuele is an athletic Canadian with good speed on the bases, plus defensive skills in center field and an average arm. He hit .312-2-16 for Harwich last summer to earn Cape Cod League all-star honors, and his bat came alive down the stretch for the Huskies, but his swing has a tendency to get long and he needs to improve his offensive approach. He hit nine home runs this spring, but he is more of a line-drive hitter.


Round 27: Pat McGuigan, RHP, San Francisco

Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2006 115.0
3.29
5.7
1.6
0.5 9.3
2005 54.1
1.66
8.3
2.2
0.7 6.7
2004 51.2
2.61
6.7
1.9
0.5 8.6
2003 20.1 5.31
7.2
1.3
0.9
10.3



Round 28: Zach Dials, RHP, Kentucky

Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2006 34.0
3.97
6.6
2.1
0.5 8.7














Dials has been up to 90-92, and has done so in front of at least a handful of upper-level scouting supervisors. He has trouble repeating his delivery. When he's online and gets extended toward his target, his fastball has some sink and armside run. He has below-average control.


Round 29: Ryan Basham, OF, Michigan St

Year ABs Ave OBP SLG K/BB K%
2006 201
0.363 0.429 0.562 1.2 10.1%
2005 190
0.358 0.450 0.547 0.8
10.2%
2004 182
0.297 0.389 0.511 1.1
13.8%







BA: Basham makes consistent hard contact but is limited athletically and defensively.


Round 30: Raul Barron, SS, Pasadena CC


Round 31: Adam Rogers, RHP, Evansville

Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2006 116.2
3.63
6.3
1.5
0.3 9.8
2005 108.1
3.33
7.5
1.9
0.3 9.4
2004 71.2
6.28
6.7
3.7
1.3
10.0
2003 83.0
5.31
7.4
4.4
0.8
10.8




Round 32: John Tritz, RHP, UT San Antonio

Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2006 38.1
4.46
10.4
6.6
0.5 9.2
2005 46.2
4.05
6.0
4.5
0.8 10.9
2004 23.2
7.99
7.8
6.6
1.6
11.3
2003 21.2
6.23
6.8
4.2
0.8
11.5




Round 33: Greg Lopez, SS, Norte Dame

Year ABs Ave OBP SLG K/BB K%
2006 207
0.304 0.342 0.357 2.0
8.1%
2005 208
0.274 0.347 0.346 4.0
18.7%
2004 199
0.332 0.396 0.432 2.3
14.4%
2003 132
0.250
0.289
0.258
5.5
15.7%



Round 34: Graham Godfrey, RHP, College of Charleston

Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2006 94.1
3.34
9.2
3.7
0.7 8.0














BA: Godfrey, a draft-eligible sophomore, is 6-foot-4 with a 90-94 mph fastball that he throws for strikes.


Round 35: John Zinnicker, LHP, St Bonaventure

Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2006 88.0
2.44
6.2
2.5
0.7 9.1
2005 48.1
7.26
6.5
3.4
1.1
12.3
2004 22.1
7.25
4.5
6.9
0.0 13.0



Round 36: Domonique Rodgers, OF, Sacramento CC


Round 37: Ben Zeskind, OF, Richmond

Year ABs Ave OBP SLG K/BB K%
2006 235
0.379 0.432 0.621 0.9
8.4%
2005 211
0.365 0.427 0.536 1.3
14.0%
2004 212
0.311 0.406 0.462 1.1
14.9%
2003 213
0.366
0.478
0.540
1.0
18.6%



Round 38: Kevin Denis-Fortier, 1B, Crowder JC


Round 39: Luke Tucker, RHP, Florida St

BA: Luke Tucker took over as FSU's closer this season. Tucker transferred from Okaloosa-Walton, where he didn't have an ERA under 4.00 in two seasons. He allowed just four earned runs in 29 innings this spring, however, and has a legitimate put-away pitch in his 80-84 mph slider. His fastball sits between 89-91 mph and he needs to learn to pitch off it more effectively, as he has a tendency to fall in love with his slider. Tucker's durability is also a concern.


Round 40: Ted Serro, RHP, Franklin & Marshall


Round 41: Roger Ebarb, C, Lamar

Year ABs Ave OBP SLG K/BB K%
2006 199
0.286 0.388 0.492 1.3
16.6%
2005 129
0.295 0.410 0.341 0.8
13.5%
2004 103
0.311 0.408 0.417 1.8
23.3%








Round 42: Justin Figueroa, 2B, Lincoln HS (FL)


Round 43: Nate Melek, RHP, New Mexico

Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2006 90.1
7.77
5.1
3.4
1.4
12.4
2005 27.1
2.96
5.3
3.3
0.3 8.6









Round 44: Kelly Sweppenhiser, Virginia Military Institute

Year ABs Ave OBP SLG K/BB K%
2006 206
0.350 0.479 0.524 0.9
12.7%
2005 200
0.370 0.494 0.640 1.1
16.6%
2004 158
0.367 0.446 0.614 1.0
12.0%









Round 45: Lee Verweel, LHP, Malvern Collegiate Institute (Toronto)


Round 46: Mace Thurman, LHP, McLennan CC (Tx)


Round 47: Wilberto Morales, 1B, Arizona Western JC


Round 48: Jonathan Fernandez, SS, American Heritage HA (FL)


Round 49: Kyle Cuthbertson, RHP, Midland JC (Tx)


Round 50: Baron Frost, OF, USC

Year ABs Ave OBP SLG K/BB K%
2006 213
0.310 0.390 0.465 1.3
15.1%
2005 197
0.274 0.370 0.386 1.1
14.0%
2004 211
0.303 0.379 0.464 1.4
13.8%









2006 Draft - Day 2 | 33 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Bruce Wrigley - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 12:31 PM EDT (#148454) #

Reed Johnson is the Mack Daddy

What!?  Filling out rosters!?  Come here and say that!!  I'll bunt your face in!!

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 12:52 PM EDT (#148458) #
 LSU Catcher Matthew Liuzza was drafted in the 19th round. He was highly regarded last year, especially for his defensive work. As a junior, he lasted until the 30th round, but elected to return for his senior year. Here's his profile.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 01:50 PM EDT (#148461) #
University of Arizona lefty Brad Mills was a 22nd round selection by the Jays.  He's 6', 185 and throws an average fastball, but a good changeup and has apparently excellent composure and makeup. John Manuel in a recent chat in Baseball America described Mills as a prospect with helium, and that he would go in the first 5 rounds.  Here's the announcement of his drafting and his statistics from the university website. Again, there's not much mileage on the arm.  He also is apparently a bright young man.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 01:55 PM EDT (#148462) #
The Jays selected another Canadian, outfielder Chris Emanuele from Mississauga in the 26th round.
Pistol - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 02:17 PM EDT (#148463) #

For whatever reason I can't access MLB.com right now so I'm in the dark this afternoon.

Sounds like Mills bonus expectations were higher than teams wanted to pay if he was supposed to go in the top 5 rounds and dropped to 22.  I suspect the Jays are just taking a shot at him now to watch him over the summer and then make an offer if they like what they see.

rtcaino - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 02:23 PM EDT (#148465) #
I was wondering if anybody knew whether Jeff Tobin had been drafted yet.

He's a LHP from UBC. He was born and raised in the cradle of civilization: Pickering, Ontario. Jays picked him in the 33rd round last year, but he returned to school to finish his degree.

He has a very good make up, was a Tae Kwan Do champ growing up, and always did well academically.

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 02:50 PM EDT (#148467) #
Mills' last 2 starts were not quite up to his starts earlier in the season, although there was nothing in the stat lines (or pbp available on the U of A website) to indicate anything too problematic.  My guess is that the helium left the balloon, and he simply was forgotten, but there may be more to the story.
Bruce Wrigley - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 03:01 PM EDT (#148468) #
Tobin hasn't been drafted yet through Round 35 according to the MLB Draft tracker.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 03:24 PM EDT (#148470) #

Jim Callis says that Mills is brainy, always a drawback in baseball.  He is a civil engineering major who might go back to finish his degree.

Plus there are injury concerns.

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 03:35 PM EDT (#148471) #
According to this story, Mills is expected to sign.
huckamaniac - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 03:38 PM EDT (#148472) #
The Jays drafted another Canadian, Kevin Denis-Fortier from Quebec City via Crowder College, there's not much info on him on the school's website.
Jonny German - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 03:41 PM EDT (#148473) #
The Jays drafted Denis-Fortier last year too, in the 48th round.
zeppelinkm - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 04:26 PM EDT (#148476) #

Why is being brainy a drawback for a pitcher?

 

Gerry - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 04:58 PM EDT (#148478) #
Baseball old-timers are generally suspicious of "intellectual" players.  John Olerud and Josh Phelps garnered lots of comments because they liked to read books.  Old-timers believe brainy players out-think themselves.
JB21 - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 06:08 PM EDT (#148484) #
INF Marcel Champagnie was drafted today, he plays in the ICL, for Hamilton I beleive. Good young player, can run, and field.
mendocino - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 06:33 PM EDT (#148485) #
Craig B - Wednesday, June 07 2006 @ 09:52 PM EDT (#148492) #
I've seen Champagnie play a few times.  He's got plus speed but if I remember correctly he's pretty small... I think that listed height/weight of 6-0, 180 is at least two inches on the high side.  His arm is OK but I've seen him make some bad throws.  He was a 34th rounder by the Twins... he was a juco guy, so they may be doing a DFE with him.
Mike Green - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 09:44 AM EDT (#148501) #
One assumes that 42nd round pick second baseman Justin Figueroa and 9th round pick shortstop Stephen Figueroa from Lincoln High School in Florida are brothers, or perhaps cousins.  I wonder if there has ever been a double play combination composed of relatives in the major leagues.  The Alous shared the outfield, but I can't think of any DP sibs.
Bruce Wrigley - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 11:02 AM EDT (#148512) #
Cal and Billy Ripken.
Mike Green - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 11:10 AM EDT (#148513) #
D'oh.  Another day, another senior moment.
Bruce Wrigley - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 11:13 AM EDT (#148515) #

Well, it's only one; it's not like there are 20 of them.  I can't think of any others, although I imagine there have been some short-term ones.

Any possibilities out there?  Cesar And Maicer Izturis can play the right positions, but they play across town.

Mike Green - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 11:47 AM EDT (#148519) #
You're too kind, Bruce. The Jays are in OPACY, the house built for Cal, and his name does not come to me. 

It was an interesting draft.  The drafting of Snider might dispel, once and for all, the notion that Ricciardi only will make "safe" college picks with low upside.  Despite missing their second and third round picks as a result of the offseason free agent signings, the Jays, I thought, generally chose well, and with an appropriate balance of pitching and hitting. 

Mike D - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 12:16 PM EDT (#148522) #

Round 25:  Lui Fernandez, SS, Miguel de Cervantes Saave

I assume that MLB's draft tracker has a limited number of characters in its "school" field, because I would bet my life savings that the high school's proper name includes a dra tacked onto the end.  And indeed, as a 25th-round pick, Lui Fernandez's big league dreams may well be Quixotic.

Bruce Wrigley - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 12:19 PM EDT (#148523) #
True, Mike, but I can't help thinking that maybe he wished he had been drafted into the NL so that he could do battle against the Giants.
Mike D - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 12:22 PM EDT (#148524) #
If he's traded to the White Sox organization, he can finally be among the (AAA Charlotte) Knights.
Ducey - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 03:50 PM EDT (#148542) #

Not sure if has been mentioned before but it appears that the Jays signed Michael Barbara, their 45th round choice from 2005, prior to this years draft.(info from BA)

Mike Forbes - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 05:03 PM EDT (#148549) #

Stephen and Justin Figueora are indeed brothers, infact they are twins. Now how many twin brothers have played together on the same team?

mendocino - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 07:06 PM EDT (#148560) #

Some signings to report:

"And when the 50-round draft ended the Jays were still not done. They agree to terms with Leaside left-hander Drew Taylor, of the University of Michigan Wolverines.

Taylor, a Big Blue co-captain, was 6-4 with 4.94 earned run average in 15 games, nine of them starts with Michigan. He walked 10 and struck out 31 in 62 innings. "

"The disappointment of not being drafted in Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft did not last long for Alan Stidfole as the senior left-handed pitcher today signed a free agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The ace of this year's Penn State pitching staff, Alan will join his twin brother Sean in the Toronto organization. Sean was a 14th round pick of Toronto in last year's draft and is currently pitching with the Lansing Lugnuts of the Low Class A Midwest League. "

Craig B - Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 07:23 PM EDT (#148562) #
Great to see that Drew Taylor was signed.  I've been following his career for a while now and I was disappointed when he wasn't drafted.
mendocino - Friday, June 09 2006 @ 04:00 AM EDT (#148575) #

Picks signed and another free agent pitcher.

 

""We were done with the draft," Burns said, "and they said, 'We need some arms. Does anybody have anyone to recommend?' I told them about Stidfole and Starner, they told me to go do it, and I did it right away. They jumped at the opportunity."

Burns signed the two free agents Wednesday, as well as Toronto's three other regional picks -- Bucknell outfielder Kyle Walter, whom they took in the 18th round; Franklin & Marshall pitcher Ted Serro (40th); and onetime Line Mountain third baseman Kelly Sweppenhiser (44th).

All five received the same signing bonus: $1,000. "

2006 Draft - Day 2 | 33 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.