Yesterday the Braves selected North Carolina high school OF Braxton Davidson at pick 32 and Texas high school RHP Garrett Fulenchek at pick 66. Both of these players had been mentioned as potential targets for the Braves at pick 32, so the Braves are likely pleased to have landed both. One interesting thing to note is that both guys are young for their class with neither turning 18 until later this month.
Davidson is the first position player that the Braves have taken in the first round since Jason Heyward. The scouting reports on the lefty Davidson are promising: mature approach at the plate, above-average hit tool, above-average power, hits to all fields, strong sense of the strike zone. There are conflicting reports about his arm strength, but there is no disagreement that Davidson is very slow and his best position likely is first base. Sounds like a Freddie Freeman clone to me, which is as high a compliment as I could imagine being given to a 17-year-old kid. During last night's broadcast MLB Network also compared him to Brandon Belt of the Giants. Davidson is exactly the type of impact bat the Braves need in a farm system devoid of any surefire big league regulars.
Fulenchek sounds like a classic Braves pick. Fulenchek is tall and lean, throws hard, and has several potential above-average pitches. We certainly trust the Braves to identify and then develop pitchers like Fulenchek into quality professionals. Lucas Sims, Alex Wood, J.R. Graham, Cody Martin, Mike Minor, and David Hale are just the recent examples of early round selections by the Braves that have succeeded and improved their status after being drafted by the Braves.
Overall I think the Braves Nation can be happy with the first two selections by the Braves.
Videos of both guys:
No comments:
Post a Comment