Thursday, May 19, 2011

Where Are They Now: 2009 Unsigned Draft Picks

All this week we'll take a look at where the draft picks that the Rays haven't signed have ended up. I'll post a year each day, continuing with 2009:

1/30 - Levon Washington, 2B, HS: Washington was set to to get to the University of Florida, but was academically ineligible and enrolled at Chipola Junior College instead. He was drafted in the second round by the Cleveland Indians last June and got a quick look in rookie ball. He started the season in extended spring training and just recently joined their low-A squad, where he's started out 6 for 28

2/78 - Kenny Diekroeger, SS, HS: He had a very strong commitment to Stanford which he honored. He's currently hitting .316/.369/.396 for the Cardinal. Scouts still like his overall package of tools but more production was expected. Still, he'll likely go in the first round next June.

10/319 - Derek Dennis, SS, HS: He was a second-round talent coming out of high school, but has struggled at the University of Michigan. He hit .267 his freshman year and just .234 this season. I believe he's a draft-eligible sophomore so a team will probably take a flier on him in June, but Dennis will almost certainly return to school to improve his stock for 2012.

15/468 - Pierce Johnson, RHP, HS: I really, REALLY wanted the Rays to sign Johnson, but he hasn't performed like I thought he would at Missouri State. He struggled to a 7.52 ERA freshman year and holds a 5.37 this year. His peripherals have improved and I still have hope for a breakout junior season next year.

20/619 - Dylan Floro, RHP, HS: He's performed well at one of the top programs in the country, Cal State-Fullerton, but hasn't cracked the regular rotation yet. He should do that next season and should go in the top five rounds (at least) next June.

23/709 - Trevor Peterson, RHP, HS: Currently pitching for Louisiana Tech. Has a 4.70 ERA his sophomore season and has walked as many as he's struck out, 40 in 74.2 innings.

24/739 - Andrew Heaney, LHP, HS: A regular in the Oklahoma State rotation, Heaney has a 48-19 K-BB rate and a 3.34 ERA.

27/829 - Brady Wager, RHP, HS: Not sure if he went there or to a JC out of high school, but he's currently at Grand Canyon University, where he has a 3.72 ERA in 75.0 innings, the most on the staff.

32/979 - Alex Besaw, RHP, JC: Transferred to the University of Central Florida where he's pitched sparingly in two seasons. He allowed eleven runs in 12.1 innings last season, and in 2011 he's thrown six scoreless frames.

33/1009 - Ryan McCarney, RHP, Col: Transferred to San Diego Christian College for his senior season, where he posted a 5.16 ERA.

37/1129 - Austin Maddox, C, HS: Maddox was a very highly-touted prospect with a very strong commitment to the University of Florida, so this was just a flier. Maddox is a two-way player now, and his future might be brighter on the mound. He's hitting .284/.335/.358 but has a 0.89 ERA in 20.1 innings.

38/1159 - Drew Hillman, 3B, JC: Transferred to UC-Irvine where he's currently a senior. Hitting .351/.403/.500 and I'm sure he'll be picked in June as a college senior to sign quickly, probably in the 20-30 round area.

40/1219 - James Pazos, LHP, HS: Pitched one year at Chandler-Gilbert CC before transferring to the University of San Diego. Has a 3.31 ERA with a strikeout per inning in 35.1 innings this spring.

44/1339 - Kalani Brackenridge, SS, HS: Brackenridge was set to play football and baseball at the University of Hawaii, but it looks like he's just on the diamond. Has only 27 at bats this season (six hits)

45/1369 - Cole Nelson, LHP, JC: Transferred to Auburn University where he pitched a year, and was then drafted in the 10th round in 2010 by the Detroit Tigers. Currently plays for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, where he's got a 4.57 ERA.

46/1399 - Aaron Oates, 3B, HS: Can't find any info on him.

48/1459 - Nate Roberts, OF, JC: Transferred to High Point University and was drafted in the 5th round of the 2010 draft. In 51 minor league games, has a .343/.464/.519 line. He's currently with the Twins' low-A affiliate.

49/1489 - Vince Spilker, RHP, HS: Currently at Johnson County Community College. Has a 3.46 ERA in 62.2 innings

1 comment:

  1. Dennis is one I really wanted. Despite being born in Columbus he wanted to go to Michigan so much he turned down a $750,000 bonus as a 10th round pick. He hasn't played very well as a freshman or sophomore, broke his foot this year and missed a lot of the Big 10 season. Only hit .182 in conference games when he did play. He is draft eligible this year, born July 9, 1990, so will be 21 within 45 days of the draft. He might be picked late, but can't imagine he'd sign, stock can only go up for the 2012 draft.

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