2014 Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 6-20

[Mass Haas]

So the 6th round pick Burkhalter signs for $200,000, below the slot value of $251,900.

[splitterpfj]

It sounds like Yamamoto has agreed to terms, but I haven't confirmed it yet.

[Mass Haas]

We had already confirmed Luke Curtis' signing, but here's more background --

 

Former Mountie Luke Curtis drafted by Milwaukee

By Andy Stine, Philipsburg (PA) Progress Sports Writer

 

After many years of blood, sweat and tears put into the sport, former Philipsburg-Osceola baseball standout Luke Curtis found his long-awaited dream on Saturday.

 

Curtis, who ended his season just a little over three weeks ago as a relief pitcher at the University of Pittsburgh, was drafted in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft in the 18th round (536th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Mountie alumnus was expecting to hear his name called a few rounds later, and was caught off-guard when he heard his name called in the 18th round as he was listening to the draft online.

 

"It really snuck up on me," said Curtis. "I really didn't think it was going to be that early. It was something that I've worked hard for, and I've always imagined. It's a great opportunity that I'm very excited for, and I'm very blessed to have.

 

"I talked to Jeff Simpson (western Pennsylvania regional scout for the Brewers) early in the morning, and I hadn't heard from him (since that time). It just kind of snuck up because I hadn't heard from him for a while.

 

"I actually didn't hear from them until (he heard his name called). I heard my name, and they called me about a minute later and asked me if I was listening. It was very surreal at the time."

 

After taking a day to discuss if he wanted to stay at Pittsburgh for his final year of eligibility or go straight to the minors, Curtis added to the dream on Sunday when he officially signed his contract. The now ex-Mountie and Panther traveled to Helena, Montana this morning where he will be joining the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League in advanced rookie league ball.

 

The Helena Brewers' season begins on June 16 with a home series against the Missoula Osprey - the advanced rookie league affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

 

"The Brewers don't have a short-season team like the State College Spikes are," explained Curtis. "They have rookie league and advanced rookie league, and then you go right to A-ball after that."

 

Curtis is the second former P-O baseball player under head coach Doug Sankey to be drafted in the last five years. Matt Adams, who is a close friend of the Curtis family, went in the 23rd round to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009.

 

Adams debuted with the big club in the summer of 2012 and made the Opening Day roster in 2013. The left-handed power hitter is batting .325 with three homers and 17 RBIs, but is currently sidelined on the disabled list with a calf injury.

 

"We've always been very close with Matt," Curtis said. "He texted me and said, ‘Congratulations, but you're a rival now.' It was kind of funny that we ended up in the same division. Hopefully someday I can make it up there and get the opportunity to face off against him.

 

"He reached out and we talked a little while, but he said ‘You're a rival now.' He made it known."

 

Curtis led Pittsburgh this season out of the bullpen with a 2.17 earned run average, throwing 29 innings over 16 appearances. The redshirt junior said he realized his potential to be drafted about midway through the season after establishing a power fastball that has hit the mid 90s on the radar gun.

 

"I was closing for two straight weekends on Saturday nights against Duke and Georgia Tech, and we swept both series," said Curtis. "I felt really good. My arm was getting stronger as the year was going on. A guy walked up to me and said, ‘Hey, you were really popping today. You topped out at 96.' I didn't believe him. I said, ‘No way.' That was when I really started to get talked to, and that was when I started getting my initial looks.

 

"I could see it coming, but I just wasn't sure when, being that I had another year of eligibility at Pitt. Everything worked out the way I liked."

 

Curtis will go right to work when he gets to Montana, but first he will have to soak in the accomplishment for a few moments.

 

"I just have to get out there and take it all in at first," he said. "I'm anxious to get out there. I'm very excited, but you have to go out there and keep your composure.

 

"It's a completely different world. Going from high school to college was a big change, and now it's twice the task. It's going to be the hardest thing I've done in my baseball career. It's just something you have to embrace and work hard everyday and just keep grinding."

 

Had Curtis not been drafted over the weekend, he was going to either play in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League or the Northwood League for summer ball. Instead, he plans on running with this opportunity with the Brewers as the season continues all the way until the first week of September.

 

"It's been a dream, but it's nothing but a new beginning," said Curtis. "The finish line is definitely a long way down the road."

[Mass Haas]

h/t to BrewCrewBall:

 

7 (206). Mitch Meyer, RF, Kansas State

 

Three Wildcats Selected in MLB Draft

By K-State Athletics

 

Mitch Meyer, a native of Stillwell, Kansas, is the first active Wildcat to be drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers franchise in K-State history. In his 121 career games, Meyer batted .277 (85-for-307) with 30 extra-base hits and a .466 slugging percentage.

 

"I don't even know if I can describe it, it was just awesome," Meyer said about getting his draft call. "I wasn't really expecting a phone call that early, but some other things worked out in the draft room and the Brewers thought I fit into a spot where they needed me. It was exciting, I was shocked and it's just awesome."

 

Meyer, who said it has been a busy few days since he was drafted on Friday afternoon, said he will leave today for Helena, Montana, where he will begin competing with the Helena Brewers, the team's rookie-level team in the Pioneer League.

 

"I'm really excited to get there, get settled in and not have to worry about the draft anymore," Meyer laughed. "I'm just ready to get there and start playing baseball again."

 

On what he learned at K-State that he hopes to carry with him the rest of his career Meyer said, "At K-State we pride ourselves on being one of the hardest working teams and we do things that not everyone else is doing. So being able to take that work ethic that I've learned from K-State and transition that work ethic into the professional level, that will help a ton."

 

http://www.kstatesports.com/blog/assets_c/2014/03/7774170-thumb-250x377-44466.jpeg

[TooLiveBrew]

With Medeiros signing, the Crew have signed every pick from Rounds 1-11. Time to get Yamamoto & Oquendo signed up!

[And That]

The Brewers usually seem to get their Puerto Rican picks signed so I'm not too worried about Oquendo, and as Yamamoto seems to be about signed, I'm interested to see if they can get one or two of Onyshko, White, Tackett, Ramirez, or Chester in the fold.

[splitterpfj]

Tweet I got when I asked about Yamamoto...

 

Brewers Player Dev ‏@BrewersPD 50m

@bballintheblood we don't announce anything until players pass a physical. I think we're still talking with him

[Mass Haas]

Great job, Brewers!

 

Top 16 picks (through 15 rounds) all signed.

 

RHP Jordan Yamamoto (agency) tweet, 12th round Hawaii high schooler

[TooLiveBrew]

Alright!

[splitterpfj]

I wouldn't expect more than 2-3 more signings at this point.

 

From what I've heard, Onyshko, Pelham, and White are all, "maybes", I have heard nothing at all on any of the other unmarked picks in this thread...

 

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=31416

[Kelbysdaddy]

Thanks Haas! I've been waiting to hear on Jordan for weeks. I really think this is the draft that will make our system.

[Mass Haas]

State prep stars sign contracts

Stephens Media Hawaii

 

Recent Waiakea graduate and left-handed pitcher Kodi Medeiros will have a familiar name as friendly competition when he climbs the Milwaukee Brewers minor league ladder.

 

The first-round pick in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft will be joined in the organization by Jordan Yamamoto, a recent Saint Louis High graduate and 12th-round selection, who signed on Friday for a $420,000 package, including a $330,000 signing bonus.

 

The first 10 rounds of the MLB draft are assigned slot signing bonuses, and there’s a cap limit for each team. The 12th-round bonus is in the neighborhood of $100,000, according to agent Dave Matranga.

 

Matranga, from psisports.com, was an adviser for Medeiros and Yamamoto. He’s also the agent for several local players, including Kolten and Kean Wong, Iolana Akau, Branden Kaupe and Lenny Linsky.

 

If compared to Milwaukee’s eighth-round pick Villanova junior pitcher J.B. Cole, who signed for slot value $159,100, Matranga scored a major coup for Yamamoto and himself, displaying value on both ends (Yamamoto’s perceived worth and pro potential, and Matranga’s ability to get maximum value).

 

Yamamoto, a 5-foot-11 right-hander, outdueled Medeiros 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I state tournament in May on Oahu.

 

Both pitchers turned down full-ride scholarships to college — Medeiros to Pepperdine and Yamamoto to Arizona.

 

One reason Medeiros, a 6-2 southpaw, went higher was because of his pure stuff: a 97-mph fastball and a slider that grades as plus pitch by MLB scouts. Yamamoto was regarded for his pitchability (commanding the strike zone), and was clocked at 92 mph at states.

 

Yamamoto is currently in Arizona and will likely join the rookie league AZL (Arizona League) Brewers with Medeiros, who’s still in Hilo after he signed for $2.5 million last week. He’ll leave Sunday for Arizona.

 

“It’s great that Jordan signed with the Brewers,” Medeiros said. “He’s another talent from Hawaii to play with. We’ll be roommates.”

 

According to Baseball America, Milwaukee’s next two prep picks signed for over slot value: 41st overall pick and shortstop Jacob Gatewood, $1,830,000 ($1,384,900), and 50th overall selection and outfielder Monte Harrison, $1.8 million ($1,100,3000).

 

On Wednesday, mlb.com’s Jonathan Mayo called Milwaukee’s draft the best in the Class of 2014 with Medeiros, Gatewood and Harrison highlighting the first-day selections.

 

“The Brewers really liked Medeiros. He blew them away at a workout, he was good all spring, and they knew he wouldn’t be around by the time they got to pick again at No. 41,” Mayo wrote. “Oh, and Medeiros has some nasty stuff, as filthy as there was among the available pitchers.”

[HiAndTight]

I wouldn't expect more than 2-3 more signings at this point.

 

From what I've heard, Onyshko, Pelham, and White are all, "maybes", I have heard nothing at all on any of the other unmarked picks in this thread...

 

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=31416

 

 

So is there still virtually no chance that Swartz signs? I saw they offered Larkin 1 million dollars. Where was Swartz expected to go? A million dollar bonus I would think would be appropriate for where he was ranked coming in.

 

Or have they just totally given up? I've seen his comments, but am wondering if that's just MAYBE a bit of a ploy?

[splitterpfj]

Swartz will not sign, he's been firm on that since right after the draft.

[HiAndTight]

Swartz will not sign, he's been firm on that since right after the draft.

 

 

I know, but so was Bell a couple years ago even before the draft and he ended up signing. I guess I was just hoping given the fact they offered a million to another kid, perhaps they could offer him a bonus closer to what he had expected. That perhaps there were at least conversations behind the scenes.

 

What was his requirement by the way? What did he want to sign? I can't imagine he thought he was a high first round pick.

[Mass Haas]

It was never likely that Brewers 2014 17th round catcher J.J. Schwartz was going to bypass playing for the University of Florida, but it would have been nice.

 

Check out this article and video - four HR's in a game.

 

ROUND 17: JJ Schwarz, C

6'1", 193, R/R, Palm Beach Gardens HS (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)

DOB: 3/28/96

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

JJ Schwarz Perfect Game Profile (Insider content provided by Patrick Ebert of PerfectGame.org)

 

J.J. Schwarz, c, Palm Beach Gardens HS

R-R, 6-2/190, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

College Commitment: Florida

 

Even though Nebraska’s Jakson Reetz and Louisiana’s Chase Vallot, both Perfect Game All-Americans, rank higher than Schwartz on the PG draft list, it wouldn’t be shocking if Schwartz was actually the first catcher selected. He has had an outstanding spring and been well showcased playing alongside Palm Beach Gardens teammate and first baseman Pavin Smith, another potential high round draft pick. Schwartz has an ideal catcher’s build at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, combining both the strength and durability needed behind the plate with a high level of athleticism. Schwartz doesn’t have a single standout tool but is well rounded and polished in all aspects both offensively and defensively. Part of that is attributable to his father, Jeff, a former Major League reliever and a minor league instructor in the Marlins organization. Close followers of the draft know to never ignore Major League bloodlines.

 

LINKS:

 

• VIDEO: MLB.com - 2014 Draft: J.J. Schwarz, C
  
• Twitter: @jj_schwarz5