I think this was the right pick here. Last year's 2nd round pick seemed like a great one, as scouts really liked his approach at the plate. He played 3B all of last year, but is still a ways away from the big league roster.
Vote now.
Junior Arias, 3B, 20, BA-UR, Sickels-#19
(Billings) .251/.320/.452/.772, 8 HR, 30 RBI
Pros: Toolsy. Will be a monster at the plate if he can get his mechanics together and figures out how to hit. Time is on his side.
Cons: Still really raw. Went up a rookie ball level and numbers didn't improve. Does not walk.
Sean Buckley, 3B, 22, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Billings) .289/.372/.551/.923, 14 HR, 41 RBI
Pros: Showed a ton of power potential, hitting 14 HR in 225 AB. Good bloodlines.
Cons: Struck out a lot, needs to curtail that. Doesn't have a track record for hitting for average in college.
Tim Crabbe, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-#14
(Dayton) 3.65 ERA, 24.2 IP, 25 K, 7 BB, 1.17 WHIP
(Bakersfield) 3.41 ERA, 111.0 IP, 123 K, 46 BB, 1.29 WHIP
Pros: Two above average pitches, profiles as a solid reliever. Put up good numbers in the Cally League, which is a pitcher's nightmare.
Cons: Needs a 3rd pitch if he wants to be a starter. Kind of old for his level, so needs to go to AA and pitch well.
Drew Hayes, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Dayton) 1.35 ERA, 60 IP, 89 K, 27 BB, 0.93 WHIP
Pros: Dayton's shutdown closer in 2011. Throws 3 pitches with good velocity on his fast ball (91-94).
Cons: Needs to improve command with his fastball and secondary pitches.
Josh Smith, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Dayton) 2.97 ERA, 142.1 IP, 166 K, 33 BB, 1.09 WHIP
Pros: Struck out a lot of hitters last year, was the ace for a playoff team.
Cons: According to most scouting reports, doesn't really project as anything other than a back-of-the-rotation starter at best. Low 90s fastball, and his out pitch is a breaking ball that could get exploited by better hitters at higher levels.
Kyle Waldrop, OF, 20, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Billings) .273/.305/.471/.776, 5 HR, 29 RBI
Pros: Former football recruit and huge left handed bat. Broke out slugging .471 for Billings in 2011.
Cons: Plate discipline is an issue.
Ryan Wright, 2B, 22, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Billings) .298/.348/.522/.870, 7 HR, 32 RBI
(AZL Reds) .318/.375/.636/1.011, 1 HR, 5 RBI
Pros: Showed good power potential. Should advance fast through the system. Versatile in the field.
Cons: Could walk more. Attended a school that jch likes.