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By Liz Alper
Photo: Valhalla alum Jeff Houghtby was drafted in the 10th round, 296th overall by the San Francisco Giants. Photo via usdtoreros.com
June 4, 2019 (Secaucus, N.J.) - The Padres kept it mostly in the high school age range on day one. Click the cut to see who the Friars took in rounds 3-10 on day two of the 2019 MLB Draft and also to see if any East County kids made the cut.
Round 3, 84th overall
Hudson Head, CF (Winston Churchill HS, San Antonio, TX. Photo right via mlb.com screenshot)
The Padres continue to stick with high schoolers. Tall and wiry, Head has a good swing and solid arm strength, but lacks the ability to compete hard. He has above average bat speed and needs to continue to improve his reads and routes. He can also pitch, sporting an upper 80s fastball. Committed to Oklahoma.
Round 4, 113th overall
Matt Brash, RHP (Niagara University. Hometown: Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Photo left via purpleeagles.com)
The 2019 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, his fastball reaches 90-95, but needs to be more consistent with his slider. He’s been a starter for the Purple Eagles, but will probably move to the bullpen in the big leagues.
Round 5, 143rd overall
Chris Lincoln, RHP (UC Santa Barbara. Hometown: Moreno Valley, CA. Photo right via mlb.com screenshot)
Previously drafted in 2016 by the Blue Jays out of Rancho Verde High School, but elected to go on to college. His senior year at RV, he posted a 2.92 ERA with 181 strikeouts. His first year with the Gauchos wasn’t too impressive, but he’s gotten his ERA down to 2.15. In the summer of 2017, he spent some time with the Walla Walla Sweets of the West Coast League where he finished with a 4.05 ERA and 36 strikeouts over 33.1 innings and was tabbed the top prospect in the WCL by Baseball America.
Round 6, 173rd overall
Drake Fellows, RHP (Vanderbilt. Hometown: Plainfield, IL. Photo left via mlb.com screenshot)
His fastball touches 93-94, but usually stays around 89-92. The command has regressed a little bit, but last season, he sported a 12-0 record with 117 strikeouts in 100 innings as the Commodores’ Friday night starter. Fellows’ best pitch is his sinker that tops out at 95. He has a solid second pitch in his slider, but needs to regain command and work on his changeup.
Round 7, 203rd overall
Connor Lehmann, RHP (St. Louis University [MO]. Hometown: Belle Mead, N.J. Photo right via slubillikens.com)
In his last game in the Atlantic 10 tournament, Lehmann had 19 strikeouts. He’s 6’7”, 210 with a great changeup. He throws a lot of strikes. Needs time to improve his slider.
Round 8, 233rd overall
Andrew Mitchel, LHP (San Jose State. Hometown: Atwater, CA. Photo left via sjsuspartans.com)
Mitchel has been the Spartans’ Friday night starter for two years, recording a 4.14 ERA. He recorded nine strikeouts against the Aztecs in 2018. Last season, he led the Mountain West in strikeouts with 112 strikeouts. He sports an average changeup and mixes his pitches well with a shifty delivery.
Round 9, 263rd overall
Jason Blanchard, LHP (Lamar University. Hometown: Kingwood, TX. Photo right via lamarcardinals.com)
Blanchard has four pitches topping at 93 and has a decent chance of becoming a starter. He’s able to keep his ERA relatively low, sporting a cumulative 2019 ERA of 3.12 for 2019.
Round 10, 293rd overall
Ethan Elliott, LHP (Lincoln Memorial University. Hometown: Knoxville, TN. Photo left via lmurailsplitters.com)
The seventh consecutive pitcher taken by the Friars. 2.23 ERA, 134 strikeouts, 14 walks. His fastball reaches 85-89, but the changeup is Elliott’s best pitch.
EAST COUNTY MENTION - JEFF HOUGHTBY, SS (USD/VALHALLA HS) 10TH ROUND, 296TH OVERALL TO THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Houghtby’s batting average is not high (.262 as a junior), but he can hit; he drove in 24 RBIs. As a senior for the orange and blue, he hit .373 with an OBP of .478 and was named first-team All-East County, team MVP and first-team All Grossmont Hills League.
Rounds 11-40 will be tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
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