Osprey Preview 2013 MLB Draft
Published on May 29, 2013 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MONT. - The 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft is essential to the formation of the Missoula Osprey roster and it is right around the corner with round one set to take place on Thursday, June 6, wrapping up with round 40 on Saturday, June 8. The Arizona Diamondbacks, the parent club of the Osprey will be selecting the future of their organization and the present for the Osprey. The first day of the draft will be broadcast live on MLB.com and MLB Network. Coverage begins at 5 p.m. (MT) on June 6 and features the first round, Competitive Balance Round A, the second round, and Competitive Balance Round B. This will be the first time that competitive balance rounds are included in the Draft. The Draft continues with rounds three through 10 at 11 a.m. (MT) on Friday, June 7. The final rounds, 11-40, take place beginning at 11 a.m. (MT) on Saturday, June 8.
The Diamondbacks will select 15th overall in the first round. Chase Utley and Chris Carpenter are two of several notable players chosen 15th overall in past drafts.
One of Arizona's top draft prospects is junior shortstop J.P. Crawford from Lakewood High School in Calif. He batted .459 and had an on-base percentage of .554 this past season. Out of all the middle infielders in the 2013 draft, Crawford is the top ranked, according to Bleacher Report. This year, the selection of middle infielders is rather light and scouts says those drafted will most likely change positions. Crawford already committed to play for USC. Hunter Renfroe, 21, is another option for the D-backs. In 2010, he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 31st round. Instead of signing, the outfielder went to Mississippi State University. In 210 at bats, he led his team with a .352 batting average during the 2013 season. He collected 54 RBI and led the Southeastern Conference with 15 home runs.
Osprey fans know that power can come from first base with the likes of Paul Goldschmidt manning the post. He is leading the Diamondbacks in home runs, RBI and OPS. Senior first baseman Dominic Smith, from Sera High School in Calif., could bring some pop to the plate for the D-backs. This past season, he was named to the Rawlings Preseason All-American First Team with an average of .492 and 7 home runs in 63 at bats. Similar to Crawford, Smith has committed to play for USC.
If the D-backs opt not to go with one of these hitters, a pitcher is the next option. Arizona has its eye on Oral Roberts' right-handed pitcher Alex Gonzalez. He recently finished his junior year of college. In 15 starts and 113.1 innings for the Golden Eagles, Gonzalez pitched two complete games and struck out 126. He held his opponents to a .204 batting average and led his team with a 1.83 ERA. The right-hander has command of a low 90s fastball, a slider and a cutter.
Keep an eye out for these players after the draft because one might be wearing a Missoula Osprey uniform on Opening Day. In 2012, Arizona drafted Stryker Trahan in the first round for his raw talent and plus power. Trahan was a high school catcher and he spent the summer with the AZL D-backs. Despite just turning 19 at the end of April, he batted .281 with an OPS of .895. It is very possible that Trahan will open 2013 as an Osprey. It would also not be a stretch to see Joe Munoz in an Osprey uniform as well. Munoz, the second-round selection of the Diamondbacks in 2012 is an infielder with lots of upside and is full of raw talent. He could be joined in the middle infield by Andrew Velazquez, who was a late call up in 2012 to the O's from the AZL D-Backs playing mostly second base.
The Houston Astros own the first overall pick this year. It is extremely likely that they will draft a pitcher, either Jonathan Gray or Mark Appel both right-handers. During Gray's 2013 season with Oklahoma, he started 15 games and pitched 110 innings allowing only 69 hits and one home run. Gray finished the season with a 1.55 ERA and 127 strikeouts. Appel started 16 games for Stanford during the 2013 season. He pitched 123 innings and collected 130 strikeouts with a 2.56 ERA. Opponents only hit .213 off of Appel.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
