Jim Callis -
Q: Smart to take Lucas Giolito
and sign him regardless of cost b/c of his talent?
A: Never smart to sign anyone regardless of
cost.
All we have been
hearing this year is that there isn't a lot of talent in this years' draft.
Anyone who says that is wrong. There isn't superstar level talent that is
easily identified and it comes with more risk. It's not that it isn't there. Lucas Giolito could slide out of the top 10 or even
not get drafted. He could be a #1 starter in the majors in 5-6 years. Carlos Correa could be a 25 HR hitting shortstop or a
great defensive 3B with a very good bat. Byron Buxton could be a perennial
all-star. Mike Zunino could be a top 10 catcher
in the majors. Max Fried could be a Clayton Kershaw type of arm. Marcus
Stroman, Mark Appel, Kevin Gausman, Andrew Heaney and Kyle Zimmer could all be in major league rotations.
That is talent.
If there's one thing South
Carolina has done well the last few years it's produce very good hitters. Oh,
and win National Championships. A Junior at South Carolina, Walker follows the
likes of Justin Smoak, 11 overall 2008, and Jackie Bradley Jr., 40 overall
2011, into the draft. Like those two players Walker has shown power and a good
approach at the plate. Coming out of high school, in 2009, Walker was ranked
the number one high school player for the state of Pennsylvania. He also
participated and won the 2009 Power Showcase High School Home Run Derby At
Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida. Normally I wouldn't mention something like
that, but it's note worthy because Bryce Harper was another participant in that
competition.
Richie Shaffer 3B/1B Clemson University -> A
quality all-around hitter in a draft year void of solid bats, Shaffer has solid
power in his athletic frame and possesses a strong throwing arm. Questions linger if he will remain at third
base as a professional, some speculate a move to right field or first base, but
his productive bat with solid power should entice a team to gamble on his bat
within the first 20 picks.
Tyler Heineman, C, UCLA, Junior - Heineman is a
strong defensive catcher who should have some on base skills at the next
level. A switch hitter, Heineman is a
patient hitter who looks to go back up the middle. Power is not a big part of his game. He is above average defensively and has a
very strong arm.
