Mariners scouting director Tom McNamara just ended a conference call with reporters after Day 2 of the three-day amateur draft, and here are some highlights:
• Kevin Cron, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound high school catcher drafted in the third round definitely has a power bat, but McNamara also described him as more than someone with a big swing.
“He’s got power. Big power,” McNamara said. “He hit at least 24 home runs this year, maybe a few more. Besides raw power, he’s got hitability. We’re ecstatic to have him.”
For fans who have been to the Mariners’ spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz., there are several large water tanks well beyond the outfield fence on one of the lower practice fields.
“He can put them up there,” McNamara said.
Cron has caught in high school but is projected as a first baseman, although it looks like the Mariners will let him begin his pro career behind the plate.
“Kevin, because of his hitting ability, could end up playing first base,” McNamara said. “But it’s too early in his career (to consider a switch).”
• Of today’s 29 selections, 12 were right-handed pitchers and four of them are 6-foot-3 or taller – 6-5 Carter Capps in the second round, 6-5 Carson Smith in the ninth round, 6-6 Tanner Chleborad in the 24th round and 6-3 David Colvin in the 27th round.
“I’ve got no problem with tall pitchers who throw downhill,” McNamara said. “But there also are a lot of 5-11 and 6-footers who can really pitch.”
• Right-hander Richard White, the high school-aged pitcher from the Virgin Islands drafted in the 23rd round, is an intriguing pick because no school was listed. One report said he had been home schooled, although McNamara said that’s not entirely true. He said White was in a vocational school but was short on credits, and he needs more classes before getting his GED, which is required of a player before he signs with a major league organization.
One report said White threw a 96 mph fastball.
“He’s a good-looking kid,” McNamara said. “Good arm.”
• Shortstop Cavan Cohoes was playing high school ball in Stuttgart, Germany, where Mariners scout Wayne Norton saw him play. “We watched him on filed. He’ll be playing here this summer in Ohio and we’ll take a look at him,” McNamara said.
• It’s no coincidence that the Mariners, one day after they drafted University of Virginia pitcher Danny Hultzen with their first-round pick, grabbed two more players from Virginia – catcher John Hicks in the fifth round and third baseman Steven Proscia in the eighth round.
“In 2009 we drafted three players out of North Carolina,” McNamara said. That’s the year the Mariners took Dustin Ackley with the second overall pick, Kyle Seager 82nd and Brian Moran 203rd. “I was at the University of Virginia a lot this year, so I got a chance to see them play a lot. All of our scouts liked all three of the players.”
• And finally, a few words from McNamara on Keone Kela, the right-handed pitcher from Chief Sealth who the Mariners drafted in the 29th round. “We had a pre-draft workout here and he’s a nice-looking kid,” McNamara said. “He’s got a loose arm. We were glad to take him.”
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