As it has been in the past, Jersey drafted heavy on hitting and heavy on college players. 10 of their 13 players were position players, many older. Here's the breakdown:
Similiar to last year Jersey picked late in the 1st round, this year 25th overall. They picked a college IF with this pick as they did last year as well, this time taking 22 year old SS out of U of Minnesota Fabrice Brodeur. Brodeur is a rangy infielder with a big arm who projects as a SS or 3B with some time in the league. Fabrice was having a fabulous 3 year career before a sudden drop in production his senior year. Despite the drop across the board he still went 1st round. Fabrice will report to single A where Jersey hopes he can work the kinks out of his swing.
In the supplemental round Jersey had 2 picks, picks from the losses of Gordon Brown and Marv Williams. The 1st of the two was pick 10 in the supplemental round at 45th overall and with that pick the Bags selected CL Gerald "Top Dog" Johnson. Johnson attended Rocky Point HS in NY and is a flame throwing lefty. College closers don't see many innings, but in his 3 HR seasons Top Dog almost average 2 K's per inning. Johnson will just add to the relief arms in Jersey's already well stocked stystem.
Their 2nd pick in the supplemental round came 10 picks later at 55th overall. The pick was very similar to their last pick. In fact not only were the players the same age, the attended the same High School. The pick was local New Yorker 19 year old MR John Hall. This right hander was downright filthy in his 3 years at Rocky Point and most notably his Sr. year. In 28.1 IP he gave up 13 hits, walked 3 and struck out 50 on his way to an astounding 0.32 ERA and 0.56 WHIP. He doesn't strike out as many as Top Dog but he has better control, if signed Jersey plans to send him to A ball.
With Jersey's 1st of 2 2nd round picks, compensation from Niagara Falls, the Bags selected 23 year old OF Juan Cabanas. Cabanas, a local Jersey boy, played 3 years at Villanova and was drafted in the 2nd round and 64th overall last season by Kansas City and failed to sign. Jersey took him 36 picks later this year. Cabanas hit .330 in 4 years at Nova and has good speed while and being an above average LF.
With Jersey's own pick in the 2nd round they took another 23 year old speedy OF from St. Johns, Caleb Farrell. Farrell has a knack for stealing bases and some power. He doesn't project to be a great major league hitter, but should hang on with his speed and defense.
In the 3rd round Jersey took another speedy college defender in UCLA 3B Michael Swanson. Swanson has a big arm and his best attribute would be his power where he hit 35 HR in 3 seasons. He does have a knack to strikeout and at 23 years old already, his time might be running short.
4th Round Pick: C Juan Salas, 24 year old college catcher from Pittsburgh. Speed and good OBP player
5th Round Pick: 3B Jorge Perez, 24 year old 3B from Mississippi. Power player, above average defender.
6th Round Pick: College OF Dale Sims. Speedster, not much else.
7th Round Pick: HS MR Michael Pitts. Poor pitcher, won't last long. Never posted an ERA below 5.00
8th Round Pick: OF Flint Knight. College player, good speed and defense.
9th Round Pick: HS 3B Julio Manuel. Big arm, good speed, not much with the bat.
10th Round Pick: SS Tony Tibbs. Utility player, little talent.
Weird draft for Jersey, took a lot of older players. High potential with the first 3 picks and not much more out of the rest of the draft. Would be surprised to see half of them on the roster next year. Don't be surprised to see at least 2 picks not get signed and Jersey to receive picks next year.
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