Top 12 Jays Draft Targets, JJ Edition: #5 Sean Gilmartin

This message will continue to be posted on each of the top 12 draft targets I will be listing daily until draft day: the players listed are not “the best” players in the draft, they are simply those that I believe could be around when the Jays draft, and that could wind up being selected by the Blue Birds when their turns come up. The list has 12 of the top targets and will be presented in reverse order (from least likely, to most likely). A College Lefty is next…

#5: Sean Gilmartin (21)

LH Pitcher / 6’2″ 192 lbs / Moorpark California

Birth Date: May 8th 1990

High School Team: Crespi Carmelite

College: Florida State University

Quick Facts:

• His major is Sports Management.
• Wore #3 in College.
• 2011 Golden Spikes Award Watch List.
• 2010 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
• 2009 NCBWA Freshman Pitcher of the Year, NCBWA 2nd Team All-American, ABCA 3rd Team All-American, Baseball America 1st Team Freshman All-American, Collegiate Baseball 1st Team Freshman All-American, 1st Team All-ACC.
• Was drafted by the SD Padres in the 31st rd of the 2008 draft.

Stats:

• 2009: 12 – 3 / 98 IP / 81 hits / 37 BB / 83 Ks / 3.49 ERA / .221 AA / 2 CG / 1 SV
• 2010: 9 – 8 / 111.2 IP / 134 hits / 34 BB / 108 Ks / 5.24 ERA / .305 AA
• 2011: 12 – 1 / 113.1 IP / 86 hits / 20 BB / 122 Ks / 1.83 ERA / .208 AA / 1 CG

Interviews/Videos:

Here’s another:

Pre-Draft Rankings (out of all pitchers in brackets):

• BA Ranking May 27th: #48 (28)
• John Sickels June 1st: #45 (26)

When I made the first draft of this list, I had Sean listed as the #1 positive Jays target. That’s how strongly I feel that they have their eyes and ears all over this FSU lefty. You won’t see him on many people’s draft prediction lists, but he should go in the sandwich round, or the second round at the latest.

I first read about Sean in this article which praised his control and demeanor on and off the mound. Whether it’s facing batters or the media, he just has a certain poise that doesn’t come across as over-confident or cocky, it come across as comfortable. He knows the progress he has made, he has faced adversity (2010, when his stats were way down overall), and he knows he’s done the work to belong as one of the best pitchers in College Baseball. When you watch the first video above, you get to see that comfort level first hand. He’s got his arsenal set, he knows how to use it, and it’s going to be fun to watch him use all of those off-speed pitches to get himself through the minors very quickly.

Control is how Sean survives on the mound. He won’t blow anyone away with his 88-92 MPH fastball, but he locates it extremely well. His slider and curve are apparently still in progress but both grade as average at least, possibly slightly above-average. However, it’s his change up that makes his 3 other pitches work so well, as he’s able to create excellent deception with it which keeps hitters off-balance.

His professionalism and polished arsenal are a combination of strengths that you rarely see in such a young pitcher. While he doesn’t have the height to become an imposing pitcher, his off speed stuff should allow him to dominate hitters in the same fashion as Shaun Marcum has been able to do, so long as he’s brought along the right way and maintains control as his #1 priority.

As a lefty with control, the Jays may be very interested in him in the Sandwich round. As lists have been updated, he has managed to move into most people’s sandwich round, so that’s likely to be where he goes.

Expected Selection (if selected by the Jays): In the Sandwich Round, 46th Overall.

It will be interesting to see if Sean is grabbed ahead of the Jays in the sandwich round, but if my hunch is correct, they won’t let him get by the #46 slot.

Just as an extra note, John Sickels newest update has C.J. Cron going to the Jays at #21!

– MG

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