Major League Baseball Draft 2011: Draft picks six through ten
With pitchers dominating the top five picks at the Major League Baseball Drafts 2011, picks six through ten saw a change in trend with only one pitcher being picked with the other four being position players.
Washington Nationals, getting a hand on the sixth pick, went with Anthony Rendon of Rice University. The third baseman is by far the best college position player in the draft. His last season was hampered with injuries to his ankle and shoulder and thus
he was confined to the role of designated hitter only. He was quick to make impact in college and was named Freshman of the Year. He featured in 61 games amassing 20 home-runs and a freshman Record at Rice University. Rendon was nominated for the d**k Howser
Trophy but he improved it in his sophomore year by grabbing the Trophy. He struck 26 runs in 2010 and was named as College Player of the Year. Injuries have been a concern for him but his strong arm and unmatched fielding ability make him, without doubt, an
exceptional talent.
Arizona Diamondbacks have drafted in Broken Arrow Senior High School’s star Archie Bradley. He is the only pitcher to feature in the draft six through ten positions. Standing at 6ft 4in, the 225 lbs athlete features a fastball topping the 96 mph barrier.
He envisions himself to be remembered as “the best ever at pitching position” but that requires a lot of hard work and commitment in developing new varieties and at 18, age is on his side. He is more likely to skip college and become a pro and thus the Nationals
can plan on developing a prospect who promises a lot.
Francisco Lindor of Montverde Academy was drafted in by the Cleveland Indians at the Number eight slot. Francisco’s high school coach Tim Layden could not stop praising the young short-stop when asked about his defensive ability. Lindor is a natural leader
and an amazing talent with the bat and glove. His Golden Glove award is self explanatory. Still aged 17, the Indians consider this lad to be an effective short-stop. Adding to his credentials as a healthy prospect is his ability to offer some serious power
to muscle the ball as a switch-hitter.
The Chicago Cubs bagged Arlington County Day School’s Javier Baez. He was tipped to land among the top 25 draft picks and he rightly did so. Baez is one player who has parted ways with discipline, but with good talent, this predicament is natural. He has
tremendous talent and will make a good addition to the Cubs’ line-up. This talent needs to be polished in becoming the next big thing in professional baseball. He is a phenomenal short-stop and the only gray area which needs consistency is at the plate.
Corey Spangenberg, the short-stop from Indian River Community College has been drafted in at the Number ten position by the San Diego Padres. The left-handed hitters speed is hard to match, however he lacks power. He has used wood bats throughout his college
years and still managed great numbers. His ability to connect can be a plus for the Padres in the Major League. Spangenberg cited his excitement by showing his intent to readily sign and start playing rather than waiting through the summer. San Diego will
be looking forward to bringing Spangenberg.
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