D-Backs Add Blair and Williams with Final Two Picks Thursday
Published on June 7, 2013 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MONT. - With their final two picks of the first day of the 2013 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks added more pitching and tabbed their first position player.
The D-backs selected right-handed pitcher Aaron Blair of Marshall University (W.V.) in the Competitive Balance Round A, with the 36th overall choice. With their Second Round pick, #52 overall, the Diamondbacks chose high school infielder Justin Williams of Houma, La.
Earlier Thursday, Arizona made University of Nevada pitcher Braden Shipley their First Round pick (#15 overall).
Blair went 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA this spring for the Thundering Herd. He made 13 appearances, all as a starter, with one complete game. The 6' 5", 220-pounder from Las Vegas, Nev. allowed 59 hits in 82 innings, striking out 84 and walking 36, while limiting opponents to a .198 average. Blair earned 1st Team All-Conference USA recognition and was twice named the league's Pitcher of the Week.
MLB.com's scouting report says, "It's somewhat curious why he wasn't the school's Friday starter from the start of the season. Regardless, he's pitched like one, showing a three-pitch mix and the ability to throw strikes with all three. Tall and strong, Blair may not be among the elite-level college arms in this class, but he may not be too far behind."
Baseball America ranked the 21-year old Blair the 11th-best college pitcher in 2013, noting his "bulldog mentality." Blair was previously drafted by the Houston Astros in the 21st round of the 2010 Draft but did not sign.
Williams, who won't turn 18 until August, is described by Baseball America as "a man-child with huge raw power ... with some scouts putting top-of-the-scale power grades on him. He needs to keep his feet quieter and hit from a solid foundation to get to his power. (He's) strong enough to drive the ball to all parts of the park. He'll have to add polish to hit better pitching."
Pioneer League Stories from June 7, 2013
- D-Backs Build up the Middle in Day Two of Draft - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Release Promotional Schedule - Great Falls Voyagers
- D-Backs Add Blair and Williams with Final Two Picks Thursday - Missoula PaddleHeads
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