How UL's Blake Trahan ended up in third round

[NewsCopy]

Eight possible reasons UL shortstop Blake Trahan went from an anticipated first two rounds-pick to a third-round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in this week’s MLB Draft:

1. PROJECTED POSITION: Not all teams see Trahan as a shortstop at the next level, and infielders who aren’t shortstops are much less likely to go in the top two rounds.

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[Dad04]

BT's side arm throwing motion is something he may get coached out of in pro ball. I don't see many on TV throwing that way. The runners will get faster as he moves up and very strong, accurate throws are essential. He has plenty of arm to play MLB for years. Maybe his motion looks sort of Ryan Zimmerman's motion to scouts and he has a zillion errors.

[Frenchie35]

As BT move up to the majors it will get slower. High school, college has speed. Minors a little slower. MLB slow. They walk to first base with a ground ball. I have to disagree with them getting faster as he moves up.......

[Dad04]

As BT move up to the majors it will get slower. High school, college has speed. Minors a little slower. MLB slow. They walk to first base with a ground ball. I have to disagree with them getting faster as he moves up.......

Wait...what? Foot speed decreases as you advance in baseball? Ever heard of Billy Hamilton?

[duggie85]

As BT move up to the majors it will get slower. High school, college has speed. Minors a little slower. MLB slow. They walk to first base with a ground ball. I have to disagree with them getting faster as he moves up.......

I don't think he meant routine plays.

[Just1More]

Base running speed isn't much different in college and the MLB. I think his late season batting slump impacted him the most. When they were grabbing SS early, he would have been one of them IMO. I don't think they question his glove or his arm. When you get into the postseason, and you're up against stellar pitching... if you strike out a lot... it hurts you. The 3rd round isn't bad anyway.

[CajunFan3406]

Base running speed isn't much different in college and the MLB. I think his late season batting slump impacted him the most. When they were grabbing SS early, he would have been one of them IMO. I don't think they question his glove or his arm. When you get into the postseason, and you're up against stellar pitching... if you strike out a lot... it hurts you. The 3rd round isn't bad anyway.

If that's the case then why was Bregman taken second overall? Not buying that argument. I think the only team that really saw him as a first round option was the Angels. He was ranked as the 65th overall prospect in the draft, so being taken at 84 was probably going to be much more likely than 26 as most teams may have seen him as a late 2nd rounder or 3rd rounder.

[GeauxCajuns]

If that's the case then why was Bregman taken second overall? Not buying that argument. I think the only team that really saw him as a first round option was the Angels. He was ranked as the 65th overall prospect in the draft, so being taken at 84 was probably going to be much more likely than 26 as most teams may have seen him as a late 2nd rounder or 3rd rounder.

just guessing, but maybe it was because bregman did it all year against stellar pitching until the NCAA tourney.

Blake did it all year against mediocre pitching until the NCAA tourney.

just a thought on how it could have effected them differently.

[CrazyCajun]

just guessing, but maybe it was because bregman did it all year against stellar pitching until the NCAA tourney.

Blake did it all year against mediocre pitching until the NCAA tourney.

just a thought on how it could have effected them differently.

Blake hit stellar pitching throught his career, the Angels were on him, they took a catcher instead in a draft with lack of depth at catcher. Maybe they didn't think that catcher would be there and he was which caused Blake to slide. There is so much that goes Into a draft... Especially one with 40 rounds, it's not always about the player sliding as it is about teams needs, current depth and guys being there when you didn't think they would be. Also as someone alluded to earlier... He "slid" to the 3rd round, not really a huge slide in picks, just drastic difference in $$$. Lucroy got drafted in the 3rd and seems financially stable. Trahan will either make it or he won't, regardless if he is drafted 2nd or 3rd round. Sounds like it motivated him personally so could be the best thing for him. The catcher the Angels drafted was from fresno, so I'm sure there was some familiarity there with their front office.