Tech's Bart goes second, Braves take H.S. pitcher from Florida & OF from Wichita State (with scouting reports, updated)
12:05 a.m. edition, final update for the first two rounds
The Sports Report of Central Georgia
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As projected, Georgia Tech’s Joey Bart went second in Monday night’s Major-League Baseball draft, going to San Francisco.
Atlanta picked pitcher Carter Stewart from Eau Gallie, Fla. High in the eighth spot.
The Braves then picked outfielder Greyson Jenista of Wichita State in the second round, the 49th pick overall.
Cartersville catcher Anthony Seigler went 23rd to the New York Yankees.
The first two rounds and compensatory rounds were completed Monday night.
Forsyth Central pitcher Ethan Hankins went to Cleveland at No. 35 of compensation picks.
Parker Meadows, an outfielder from Grayson, was the first pick of the second round, to Detroit. Griffin Conine of Duke, who belted three homers Monday in helping the Blue Devils beat Georgia twice in Athens to win the regional, went 52nd to Toronto.
Brookwood catcher Will Banfield went to Miami in the competitive balance round B, 69th.
Day 2 begins at 1 p.m. with round 3-10, round 11 starting on Wednesday at noon on MLB.com.
The MLB.com analysis on Bart, a catcher:
“Bart stands out as easily the best catcher in a Draft thin at that position. His power was evident going back to his days at Buford and he's improved tremendously as a hitter in three years at Georgia Tech. Similarly, he's gotten better behind the plate, developing into a solid receiver with a plus arm.
From Baseball America, going into the draft:
“Bart became the first player ever drafted out of Buford (Ga.) High when the Rays selected him in the 27th round of the 2015 draft, but Bart chose to instead attend Georgia Tech, following in the footsteps of major league backstops like Jason Varitek and Matt Wieters. Since then, Bart has established himself as the top catcher in the 2018 class by a wide margin and there are more than a few people wondering if he’s the best catcher to come through the program—high praise considering the talent and major league success of Varitek and Wieters.
“Listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Bart has all the tools necessary to become an above-average defensive catcher at the pro level. He has a strong arm that’s at least above-average and likely plus, as well as strong and quiet hands, footwork that’s online to his target during throws and exceptional game-calling abilities for an amateur.
“Prior to this spring, scouts questioned Bart’s effort behind the dish, but the recent feedback has been exceptional. When he’s locked in and focused, he looks the part. Offensively, Bart has plus raw power to all fields and has a solid track record in the ACC, hitting 13 home runs during his sophomore season and hitting 11 home runs through his first 37 games this spring. Bart also has a solid wood bat track record, hitting .309/.389/.433 with two home runs in the Cape Cod League in 2016, which should help ease the worries of teams who might knock him for a poor summer in 2017, when he was dealing with a groin injury while playing for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team.
“Bart does have a history of striking out a bit too much, and most evaluators put the hit tool at fringe-average at best, but the combination of his defensive tools and his ability to get to his power in-game at a position that is incredibly scarce should have him flying off the board early.”
San Francisco chose catcher Buster Posey of Lee County and Florida State with the fifth pick in 2008.
The MLB.com analysis on Stewart:
“He has the best breaking ball in this Draft class, with the spin rate on his curve reportedly exceeding 3,000 rpm, which is Charlie Morton territory. Stewart also has touched 97-98 mph on his fastball throughout the spring, giving him one of the more impressive two-pitch combinations in the Draft. Stewart should fit in nicely with Atlanta's collection of outstanding pitching prospects.
From PerfectGame.org on Stewart, its No. 4 prospect from Florida:
“Carter Stewart is a 2018 RHP with a 6-6 200 lb. frame from Melbourne, FL who attends Eau Gallie HS. Very long and lean young build, long arms, defines physical projection in a young pitcher. Low effort delivery and arm stroke, has a whippy arm coming through to release. Steady low 90's fastball with good angle, topped out at 92 mph, throws his fastball to both sides of the plate. Outstanding curveball, creates elite level spin rates with very sharp bite and big depth, likely the best breaking ball in the 2017 class. Shows feel for a nice change up with arm speed and lots of life. Three pitch starter with a present swing/miss pitch, command and lots of physical projection. Verbal commitment to Mississippi State. Selected for the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic.
And from The Sporting News recently:
“Carter Stewart’s ceiling is perhaps the highest of all the projected first-round prospects in this year’s draft. He already has an above-average fastball, a well-above-average curveball, and with the proper tutelage in the minors, he could develop his changeup into a complementary third pitch.
“It’s that possibility that has major league clubs considering taking Stewart in the top few picks on June 4. While the concern that a change to his mechanics could affect his stuff, or an inability to further develop his changeup could lead to a move to the bullpen is ever-present, most scouts agree that Stewart’s talent far outweighs the possible pitfalls that come with drafting a high school player.
“Regardless of which team selects him, he’ll definitely need time to develop in the minor leagues, so look for a team that is currently rebuilding to make a play for him early in the first round. The Cincinnati Reds at No. 5 are a possible destination, as it’s clear they are reloading their farm system with young, talented pitchers, as evidenced by their selection of Hunter Greene in the first round last year.
“After a few seasons in minors, a rotation that features both Greene and Stewart in Cincinnati would be formidable in the NL Central. Another possible landing spot could be the Padres at No. 7, as San Diego could also allow Stewart time to develop before making him the centerpiece of its rotation.”
Baseball America’s scouting report on Jenista:
“Jenista led Wichita State in hitting during his first two years in college, but significantly raised his draft stock last summer after being named the MVP of the Cape Cod League with a .310/.391/.401 slash line and three home runs.
“He has big-time raw power—with some scouts describing it as plus-plus raw power—but he has struggled to get to it during games with a level bat path and a contact-oriented approach that’s seen him record just 11 extra-base hits through his first 35 games. He has a solid approach and has walked more than he’s struck out each year in the Atlantic Sun (editor’s note: WSU plays in the American Athletic Conference).
“Previously a first baseman for the Shockers, Jenista played center field during the Cape Cod League and then played the position for Wichita State for much of his junior season before returning to back to first base in April.
“At 6-foot-4, 220-pounds most scouts believe that Jenista will be a corner player at the next level, with a high-maintenance body. He currently runs well for his size and will show occasional above-average run times, but evaluators believe that will back up as he develops into a 40 or 45-grade runner.
“Jenista’s track record with Wichita State and in the Cape Cod League is a strong one, and teams who believe he has untapped power potential might see him as a back of the first round caliber player, but his defensive future is a question and all of his value is tied up in the bat.”