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Yes, obviously we’re all eyeballs deep in Cavs hype right now. Yes, the MLB draft garners about 1/1000 of the interest that other major sports drafts do. So here’s what you absolutely need to know, and some highlights & opinions of people much more qualified than me.

• (17) Brady Aiken LHP – Talked about him a little in our Tribe notes this week. Basically, if this kid comes close to what he was before Tommy John, this could be a franchise-changing steal. You don’t get compared to Clayton Kershaw by accident.

He’ll look real nice in a future rotation with lefty Justus Sheffield, who we took 31st overall in 2014.

• (42) Triston McKenzie RHP – Tribe went with two Florida high school arms with their second and third picks. McKenzie is all of 6’5″ but only 165 pounds. He’s only 17 so a long ways off from the big club, but he already throws low 90s and has plenty of room for growth.

• (59) Juan Hillman LHP – One day, three arms. The Tribe used their first three picks on pitchers for the first time since 2004. Hillman committed to UCF, and was living with his godfather, former MLB pitcher Tom Gordon. He throws a curveball, changeup and a low 90s fastball.

• (154) Ka’Ai Tom OF – Junior centerfielder from Kentucky. Led them in RBI (51) and BA (.375). He hit safely in 51 of 55 games played (!) and also swiped 15 bags. Left-handed hitter, he left the yard five times this year as well.

• (364) Ryan Perez ?HP – Probably the most interesting story other than Aiken, the Tribe took switch pitcher Ryan Perez in the 12th round on Day 3. He throws over 90 with both arms (94 from the left, 92 from the right), and while he did have Tommy John on his right arm in 2011, there’s apparently no ill effects from it. The video is from the Cape Cod League All-Star game…he was named the game’s MVP.

(referring to Oakland’s switch pitcher Pat Venditte who made his MLB debut last week)

• (784) AJ Graffanino SS – Son of former Indian Tony Graffanino. That’s all.

GO CAVS

 

KEEP THE CHIEF