Bottlegate

(Click pictures to expand)

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.

Triston McKenzie's senior year numbers: 9-5, 0.79 ERA,157 strikeouts, 16 walks in 91.0 innings of work. #Indians #2015MLBDraft

— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) June 9, 2015

Triston McKenzie is part of Vanderbilt's recruiting class. Has a fastball that sits in the low 90s.

— Mahoning Valley Scrappers (@mvscrappers) June 9, 2015

(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.

In 2 IP at FACA All-Star Games, LHP Juan Hillman (Olympia) 90-95 FB, 73-76 CB, plus CH at 78. #mlbdraft

— Prep Baseball Florida (@PBRFlorida) May 23, 2015

(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.

Indians select Ka'ai Tom OF from Kentucky. Productive hitter. He worked out at 2B lately because he profiles better there.

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) June 9, 2015

(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)

Venditte toiled in minors for nearly a decade. Perez, switch-pitcher drafted by Indians, sounds like a real prospect: pic.twitter.com/vhuNGeIToY

— August Fagerstrom (@August_DF) June 10, 2015

https://twitter.com/TJZuppe/status/608733132402126849