The Blue Jays have made their first pick of 2017’s MLB Draft, selecting SS Logan Warmoth out of North Carolina with the 22nd overall pick. The 21-year-old stands at 6’0″ and weighs 190 lbs.
Sources: #BlueJays taking Logan Warmoth, SS, North Carolina at 22.
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) June 13, 2017
Warmoth was ranked as the 19th best prospect available in this draft class by Baseball America, 27th by MLB Pipeline, and 7th by ESPN’s Keith Law.
Warmoth received the following grades from MLB Pipeline:
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
Baseball Prospectus wrote a report on him last week, which can be viewed by clicking here.
Baseball America said the following about him:
“Warmoth has an accurate, plus arm that rates as his best tool. His arm strength, good hands and solid range give scouts confidence Warmoth can stay in the middle of the diamond, and many believe he’ll stay at shortstop. Other see him as an offensive second baseman, and his offensive performance was pushing Warmoth into first-round consideration. His power is mostly to his pull side, but Warmoth has the ability to use the whole field and has a solid offensive approach, looking for pitches he can drive and showing the ability to make adjustments. Scouts see him as a high-floor, safe bet big leaguer who could exceed his offensive projections.”
MLB Pipeline had this to say:
“Warmoth took over North Carolina’s shortstop job a month into his freshman season and hasn’t relinquished it. After a solid summer offensively and defensively in the Cape Cod League last summer, he has stepped up his game this spring and should be the first college middle infielder drafted. He has a good chance to go in the first round, which would make him the sixth Lake Brantley High (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) product to do so, following big leaguers Jason Varitek, Felipe Lopez, Rickie Weeks, Jemile Weeks and Nick Franklin.
While Warmoth doesn’t have a standout tool, he also doesn’t have any obvious shortcomings. He’s a gifted hitter who controls the strike zone, handles good velocity and uses the entire field. He started to show some power toward the end of his sophomore season, and has enough to hit 12-15 homers per season in the big leagues.
Warmoth has solid speed and the savvy to use it on the basepaths. His instincts and quick hands help him make plays at shortstop, and he’ll get the chance to play there as a pro. With average range and arm strength, he’s probably better suited for second base.”
Keith Law wrote this about Warmoth:
“Perhaps my favorite swing in the class, Warmoth can really hit and is an above-average runner who should be able to stay at shortstop but at worst would be a plus-defender at second or third.”
Here’s MLB Pipeline’s scouting video featuring Warmoth:
Lead Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports