Today marked day three of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft. If you didn’t know anyone without a famous father selected on days one and two, you’re really not going to know anyone picked today.
But it doesn’t mean the players picked today won’t be able to make an impact in the major leagues some day. Today, the Jays took lots of college players and lots of pitchers #analysis. So without further comment (because really there’s nothing else I know), here are the Jays day three selections, with some notes others have made on notable players.
Round | Pick | Position | School |
11 | Hunter Steinmetz | CF | Missouri State University |
12 | Nick Allgeyer | LHP | University of Iowa |
13 | Brad Wilson | RHP | Ohio Dominican University |
14 | John Aiello | 3B | Wake Forest |
15 | Troy Watson | RHP | University of Northern Colorado |
16 | Josh Hiatt | RHP | North Carolina University |
17 | Austin Havekost | RHP | Kent State University |
18 | Fitz Stadler | RHP | Arizona State University |
19 | Adrian Ramos | OF | Miami Dade Community College South |
20 | Vinny Capra | SS | University of Richmond |
21 | Kobby Lopez | LHP | Imperial High School |
22 | Gage Burland | RHP | Lewis-Clark State |
23 | Troy Squires | C | University of Kentucky |
24 | Mike Pascoe | RHP | San Jacinto College North |
25 | Will McAffer | RHP | Tulane University |
26 | Brett Wright | C | Auburn University |
27 | Kyle Luckham | RHP | El Dorado High School |
28 | Andy McGuire | IF | University of Texas |
29 | Cre Finfrock | RHP | Central Florida |
30 | Cobi Johnson | RHP | Florida State |
31 | Austin Easter | RHP | UNC Wilmington |
32 | Joey Pulido | RHP | University of Houston |
33 | Matt Harris | RHP | Florida Atlantic University |
34 | Grant Townsend | RHP | Oral Roberts University |
35 | Damiano Palmegiani | 3B | Vexhall High School |
36 | Kameron Guangorena, | C | St. John Bosco High School |
37 | Parker Caracci | RHP | University of Mississippi |
38 | Francisco Ruiz | C | Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy |
39 | Cole Beverlin | RHP | Spruce Creek High School |
40 | Drew Labounty | SS | University of Southern Alabama |
Notable Selections
Unlike in previous seasons, the Blue Jays didn’t gamble on a lot of high school players who would be tough signs after round 10 (when you no longer lose bonus pool money for failed signings), instead opting for college players to fill out the minor league ranks. This is almost certainly due to the reported well-over-slot bonus given to third rounder, Adam Kloffenstein. As a result of that move, the Blue Jays are likely very limited in available money to buy a tough commitment out of college (every dollar spent over $100K counts against the pool from rounds 1-10), and thus decided not to waste the draft picks. That said, there are still a few players who are worth an extra mention:
Hunter Steinmetz – Round 11
Steinmetz, 21, is know as a strong defensive outfielder capable of making highlight reel catches while playing college baseball at MSU. Steinmetz has posted strong walk rates throughout his college career and he led the Cape Cod league in stolen bases last season.
John Aiello – Round 14
As reported by Blue Bird Banter, Aiello was a top 200 prospect in 2015 but saw his stock drop when he underwent Tommy John surgery, forcing him to go to college instead of entering pro ball. He had a strong 2017 season followed by a difficult 2018.
Austin Havekost – Round 17
He kinda looks like Jeff Samardzija.
Kyle Luckham – Round 27
According to Zachary Friedman of Scouttrio, Luckham has the ceiling of a number four or five starter. Sitting 89-92 with his fastball and the chance to develop three average or better pitches. It looks like he is committed to Cal Sate Fullerton so there’s a chance he may not sign.
Damiano Palmegiani – Round 35
The Jays took a Canadian product with their 35th pick: Damiano Palmegiani. Palmegiani is a high school third baseman that was born in Venezuela but migrated to Alberta when he was five years old. Palmegiani is playing high school baseball at the Vauxhall Academy, a baseball program that has produced 16 MLB draft picks.
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