Mack: Draft Talk- Q and A with Brian Recca of SF Draft Talk (Part 2)

 

And now, here's questions 6-10 of our interview with Brian Recca, owner of SF Draft Talk (Twitter: @brian_recca)  (Web: reccabrian.wixsite.com/sfdrafttalk)

6.  Regarding the 2022 draft, I have IMG Academy outfielder, Elijah Green, as the projected first pick in the draft. Do you agree or have someone else in mind?

Brian - I have shortstop Termarr Johnson (Georgia) at #1 right now. We are so far out from 2022 and there isn’t an uber talent like Bryce Harper out there. I think there are several players that have a legitimate chance of going first. Green is absolutely one of those players. He’s a physical freak that has done well against quality pitching. There’s some swing and miss to his game which is why I have Johnson ahead of him. Johnson doesn’t have the electric tools of Green, but I believe he’s a more complete hitter and also a quality shortstop. Those guys typically do well on draft day.

 

7. Give me three players you hope will still be on the board on Day 1 when the Giants pick near the end of the draft?

Brian - This time last year I had Henry Davis, Kahlil Watson, and Sal Frelick on my Giants wish list. Both Watson and Frelick were there but the Giants broke my heart (half kidding) and passed on both. Since I like to torment myself, I’ll set myself up for sadness with this trio: 

Brock Jones, OF, Stanford- physical freak, massive raw power, some swing and miss concerns 

Brandon Barriera, LHP, American Heritage (FL)- seems to take his game to a new level each time out. Up to 96 and the fastball has some filthy darting action. Both secondaries show plus potential and he more than looks the part physically 

Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny (PA)- I love the swing. He can really manipulate the bat and gets good wood on the ball. Plate discipline is also a major strength and he's had some impressive at-bats this summer. Not much power yet but I think that's going to come in time. 

 BONUS: Nazier Mule, RHP/SS, Passaic County Tech (NJ). Gotta highlight a fellow New Jerseyan. A great athlete with a big arm. The first pitcher to ever reach 100 MPH at the Perfect Game All American Classic this summer. He's raw but his fastball/slider combo could be a devastating combo. 

 

8.  The second or third round is usually when a few teams pull a name out of their hat that none of us have heard of. Do you have someone that the Giants pick that would make you happy? 

Brian - Jack Jasiak from USF is someone I’ve really enjoyed watching pitch at USF. He’s not overpowering (90-94 fastball, average or above average secondaries) but his pitchability and command of all of his pitches are way above his years. All he’s done is perform at a high level and he’s established himself as a dependable, mature,  and composed pitcher. He took care of business against some quality lineups and allowed a combined 3 earned runs in 3 starts (16 innings) against East Carolina, Florida, and Texas down the stretch. He carried that over to the Cape Cod League this summer where he finished with a 2.89 ERA and 4.00 K/BB ratio in 18.2 innings. Jasiak won’t get a ton of hype because nothing he does jumps out at you but he’s a guy that grows on you the more you see him on the mound. I would be really happy to see what the Giants development team could do with his package of tools. 

 

9.  I am hunting for a stud starter when the Mets pick at 1.10. Who do you think will still be on the board then. 

Brian - A lot can (and will) happen between now and then so it’s hard to say who will be available. Peyton Pallette has all the elements you look for in a potential top of the rotation arm. He has the body, athleticism, arm speed, and arsenal that few amateur prospects possess at this stage. His fastball is in the mid 90s and generates a ton of  whiffs and weak contact. His breaking ball has ridiculous spin rates well above 3,000 RPM’s and is a strikeout pitch when it’s on. He could have two double plus grade pitches and the changeup shows potential as well. 

However, he doesn’t have much of a track record with a 3.79 ERA and only 61.2 career innings. He was also shut down towards the end of the 2021 season with an elbow issue. Palette, like most young pitchers, comes with considerable risk. But he’s a special talent that is a strong spring away from cementing himself as a top 10 overall pick.

 

10.  Lastly… off the top of your head… who, in order, will be the first five players picked in the 2022 draft?

Brian - Termarr Johnson, Brooks Lee, Elijah Greene, Dylan Lesko, Chase DeLauter