How did the 2014 Draft Picks Fare? Part 1

2014 Draft Picks

Every June Major League teams look to restock the prospect cupboards, in hopes of finding one or two everyday players. The Blue Jays selected over 40 wide eyed College/High School kids in the 2014 June Amateur Draft. So how did they do in their first year of pro ball?

In Part 1 we will look at the top 10 picks…that signed.

RHP Jeff Hoffman (21)- Selected in the first round, 9th overall. He signed July 2nd. Hoffman didn’t pitch for the Jays in 2014 due to an arm injury that required Tommy John. He was a projected top five pick in this June’s draft and a candidate to go first overall, so they Jays did good to pick him up.

C Max Pentecost (21)- Selected in the first round, 11th overall. He signed July 2nd. He played in 25 games between Bluefield and Vancouver. He had some injury issues, which were described as ‘nicks and scratches’. While a member of the C’s, he appeared in 19 games  and hit .313 with 9RBI before being shut down. Max finished the year with a .324/.330/.419 slash, no HR, 3 triples, 4 doubles, and 34 hits. Hopefully the injury issues aren’t anything to serious, but you can rest assured that I will keep you informed.

RHP Sean Reid-Foley (19)- Selected in the 2nd round, 49th overall, and signed on June 10th. Another steal by the Jays, as Sean was originally slotted 18th overall. Sean spent the summer in the Gulf Coast League, where he made 6 starts and 3 relief appearances. Sean didn’t look out of place with a 10.2 BB% and a 25.5 K%.

LHP Nick Wells (21)- The tall lefty was taken in the 3rd round, 83rd overall. He signed on June 18th. Nick also started his professional career in the Gulf Coast League, but he didn’t enjoy the same amount of success as Foley-Ried. Wells struggled as a starter and was moved back and forth for most of the summer.

C Matt Morgan (18)- Selected in the 4th round, 114th overall. Matt struggled  to make much contact in his first go round, finishing with a 42.1 K% and 10.5 BB%. His 0.042 ISO and 0.161 BABIP were probably not what he was hoping for in his first year….or ever.

OF Lane Thomas (19)- Selected in the 5th round, 144th overall. He played 34 games in the GCL before being moved to Bluefield, where he played 18 games. Lane averaged 21.8 K% and 12.0 BB%, while maintaining a 0.367 BABIP and a 0.117 ISO.

LHP Grayson Huffman (19)- Selected in 6th round, 174th overall. Spend time in the GCL and the Appalachian League with Bluefield. He enjoyed great success in his first go at professional baseball. He will have to cut down on the walks in 2015.

OF Zach Zehner- did not sign

RHP Justin Shafer (22)- Selected in the 8th round, 234th overall. As a 22 year old, Shafer was sent straight to Vancouver, where he made 2 starts in 11 appearances. Shafer did well as a member of the C’s bullpen with a decent FIP of 3.29, 6.9 BB% and 22.8 K%.

2B Ryan Metzler (21)- Selected in the 9th round, 264th overall. The young second baseman didn’t exhibit much power with a 0.027 ISO, but did show a decent approach at teh plate with 13,4 BB% and 20.1 K%. His 0.310 BABIP make me think that he will improve.

RHP Jordan Romano (21)- Selected in the 10th round, 294th overall. The Markham resident spent most of the year in Bluefield were he was impressive out of the bullpen. He owned a 2.25 FIP in Bluefield and a very solid 76.7 LOB%.

It isn’t always easy to make the transition from High School or College baseball to professional baseball, so it is nice to see so many of our top 10 (11 actually) have some level of success in their first year.