Reds Draft: Day 3 Wrap

From 2011; Gainesville, FL, USA; The Reds selected Evan Mitchell (52) in the 13 th round. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Look at this list. Some of these players have extremely tough choices to make, especially those that are graduating high school and have already committed to college.

And don’t think because those taken at the back end can’t make an some impact within the organization. In last year’s draft, Zach Vincej, who will be representing the Dayton Dragons at the Midwest League All-Star Game, was a 37th round pick. In the 2010, newly named Cal League All-Star El’Hajj Muhammad was a 48th round choice.

11th Rd. (#345): Ty Boyles, LHP/1B, Quartz Hill HS (CA)
Owns six different all-time Quartz Hill pitching records and also plays first base. In one game this past season, tossed a no-hitter, thumped a three-run homer, and whiffed 15 opposing batters. Physically imposing at 6-1, 255. Committed to Cal Poly-SLO

12th Rd. (#375): Shedric Long, C, Jacksonville HS (AL)
Lefty power bat. Committed to Northwest Florida State

13th Rd. (#405): Evan Mitchell, RHP, Mississippi State
A junior at MSU, the same school that produced many an MLB player including Reds broadcaster Jeff Brantley.

14th Rd. (#435): Willie Abreu, RF, Mater Academy Charter School (FL)
Attended the same school as 2012’s #6 overall pick, Albert Almora. Committed to Miami (FL)

15th Rd. (#465): Jarrett Freeland, C, Parkview HS (GA)
Has also played both corner infield spots and pitched. Committed to Georgia

16th Rd. (#495): Fabian Roman, RHP, Lubbock Christian U (TX)
Played two years at Odessa JC and accumulated 21 wins in that timespan.

17th Rd. (#525): Dalton Carter, CF, Winder Barrow HS (GA)
Prep teammate of Travis Demeritte (#30 overall to Texas). Hit around .400 for past two seasons. Committed to Kennesaw State

18th Rd. (#555): Joe Mantoni, RHP, Merrimack
As a reliever, struck out 32 batters in 28 innings while walking only 7. Allowed only 19 hits for a BAA of .183. As a hitter, posted a triple slash of .252/.392/.396 and was 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts. Led the team in RBI with 36 and HBP with 16 as a DH

19th Rd. (#585): Alex Krupa, CF, Greenwood Community HS (IN)
Batted .463, scored 53 runs, swiped 37 bags (in 38 attempts)while playing in 29 games. Committed to Indiana.

20th Rd. (#615): Morgan Lofstrom, C, St. Boucherie SS, Canada
A catcher from Canada? It’s happened before for the Reds, but in the second round (‘02) and it was some guy named Votto. Committed to San Jacinto CC

21st Rd. (#645): Eric Dorsch, RHP, Kent State
At 6-7, 235, pitching will definitely be downhill as in the direction of his pitches, not his performance. A concern with control as he walked 24 and hit 8 opposing batters in 32.1 innings of relief.

22nd Rd. (#675): Layne Somsen, RHP, South Dakota State
Missed two seasons due to a missed diagnosis of an arm injury that later required Tommy John. Could be a real find as since he returned to the mound, he’s been on quite the roll.

23rd Rd. (#705): Narciso Crook, RF, Gloucester County College (NJ)
Won NJCAA Division III National Championship and voted as MVP.

24th Rd. (#735): Brett Morales, RHP, King HS (FL)
Power arm (low to mid 90’s) with change and 12-6 curve. Committed to Florida.

25th Rd. (#765): Eduardo “E.J.” Garcia, RHP, Alexander HS (TX)
Fastball in low 90’s and also throws slider, curve and change. Considering Arizona State, Baylor, Stanford, Texas Tech, Arizona, Texas Pan Am

26th Rd. (#795): Eli White, SS, Wren HS (SC)
Strong arm, solid defense and quick swing. Power could develop later. Committed to Clemson

27th Rd. (#825): Zack Collins, C, American Heritage School (FL)
Bat is good, but defense leaves some thinking a move to a different position will be necessary. Committed to MIami (FL)

28th Rd. (#855): Carter Austin, 1B, Maine-Endwell HS (NY)
Great work ethic and love for the game. Quit football and basketball to concentrate on baseball. 4.0 student. Committed to Bucknell.

29th Rd. (#885): Alex Greer, CF, Iowa Western CC
Named NJCAA 3rd Team All-American after . Committed to Illinois.

30th Rd. (#915): Taylor Terrasas, 3B, Louisiana Tech
Led team in batting (.292) and doubles (16). Reached base in final 12 games of 2013.

31st Rd. (#945): Andrew Benintendi, CF, Madeira HS (OH)
Going local with this pick. Committed to Arkansas and prevailing thought was since wasn’t selected within the first two days, would honor commitment. Since it is the Reds making the selection, we shall see…

UPDATE: Benintendi has decided to head to Arkansas as reported on FOX 19.

32nd Rd. (#975): Logan Uxa, 1B, Arkansas State
Second member of the RedWolves selected by the Reds (10th round pick Daniel Wright being the other).

33rd Rd. (#1005): Matt Blandino, RHP, Bristol Central HS (CT)
A preseason Top 25 Connecticut player that didn’t disappoint. Committed to Central Connecticut State

34th Rd. (#1035): Luke Bolka, LHP, Atlee HS (VA)
Power arm with a good, sharp curve. Committed to East Carolina

35th Rd. (#1065): Conner Simonetti, LF, Fairport HS (NY)
Fairport’s single season home run record holder (16) with opposite field power from left side of plate. Committed to Kent State.

36th Rd. (#1095): Taylor Hearn, LHP, San Jacinto College North
Selected in 22nd round by Pirates in last year’s draft.

37th Rd. (#1125): Alec Byrd, LHP, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (FL)
Can hit high 80’s with fastball. Committed to Florida State.

38th Rd. (#1155): Dan Grauer, RHP, Liberty
Has also played catcher, first base and outfield for the Flames.

39th Rd. (#1185): Manny Cruz, SS, Wolcott HS (CT)
Also named a preseason Top 25 Connecticut player along with 33rd round pick Matt Blandino. Committed to Southern New Hampshire

40th rd. (#1215): P.J. Cerreto, Ramapo Col. (NJ)
60 strikeouts in 39.2 innings gets your attention…but so does 25 walks.