Area prospects were chosen in nearly every round of the 40-round 2013 MLB Draft. Some are ultimately bound for college while others are bound for Low-A short season. Here are the local highlights of the two days of the MLB Draft.
Orange County
Orange County saw more prospects selected than any other region in California starting in the second round with Mater Dei third baseman Ryan McMahon (Colorado, 42nd overall), Dana Hills LHP Blake Taylor (Pittsburgh, 51st overall) and Santiago Hills’ Chance Cisco (Baltimore, 61st overall).
Long-ball hitter Kevin Franklin of Cerritos Gahr was a second round selection of Cincinnati. Franklin put up gaudy numbers for the Gladiators, hitting .400 with 27 RBIs and seven home runs but consequently, that aggressive approach has resulted in a high strikeout rate. Franklin is committed to Arizona State.
On the second day, Houston took Orange Lutheran’s Jason Martin. While he is committed to Long Beach State, the Astros are hoping the outfielder will bring an all-out style of play to their organization.
JSerra outfielder Dane McFarland is an intriguing prospect. The Oregon commit has an enticing combination of raw power and speed and has great range in center field. He was taken in the 12th round by the Diamondbacks and has a high ceiling, but will need more development.
Los Angeles
Two close friends and both products of MLB’s Urban Youth Initiative in Serra first baseman Dominic Smith (Mets, 11th overall) and Lakewood shortstop J.P. Crawford (Phillies, 16th) were chosen just a few picks away from one another in the first round. Both are considered two of the top high school hitters in this season’s draft class and both are also committed to USC, though it is unlikely either will see Dedaux Field.
Oaks Christian’s Phil Bickford was taken with the 10th pick by the Blue Jays, continuing what has already been a surreal ride for the humble right-hander who only jumped on the radar last summer during the Area Code Games.
The second day saw Santa Monica’s RHP Connor Greene chosen by Toronto in the seventh round. Greene, like many high school pitchers, has dazzling stuff but sometimes suffers from command issues. Should he decide he needs more refining before he goes pro, he will head to the College of Southern Nevada.
Inland Empire
Los Osos left-hander Chris Kohler made a decision to save his arm growing up and didn’t pitch full-time until his junior year of high school. The strategy paid off when he was taken by Oakland with the 106th overall pick. Billy Beane’s brass didn’t see his lack of innings as inexperience or immaturity – they see Kohler’s arm as one with relatively low mileage with less risk of breaking down.
The Yankees will have to battle Tony Gwynn for Murietta Valley Tyler Wade. Wade, a speedy, athletic shortstop with line drive power was a fourth-round pick for New York but is committed to San Diego State.
Temecula Great Oak’s Trae Arbet, the Pirates’ fifth-round pick, is considered an overall solid pick. Good on both sides of the ball, a strong senior season bolstered his prospects late in the season.
Power-hitting catchers are rare so the Astros are hoping they found one in Redlands’ Jacob Nottingham. Nottingham chose baseball over football, turning down a chance to play tight end for Arizona and instead signing with Okalahoma to play baseball.
