ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs prioritize athleticism, speed on first day of 2018 MLB Draft

Jun 4, 2018, 7:02 PM | Updated: 9:46 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks first-round pick Matt McLain. (Twitter photo/@mattmclain_)...

Arizona Diamondbacks first-round pick Matt McLain. (Twitter photo/@mattmclain_)

(Twitter photo/@mattmclain_)

The Arizona Diamondbacks prioritized two certain attributes on the first day of the 2018 MLB Draft.

“We wanted to focus on some extra athleticism, extra speed,” D-backs amateur scouting director Deric Ladnier said Monday following the first two rounds of the draft.

After the D-backs drafted first baseman Pavin Smith and third baseman Drew Ellis with their first two selections last year, Ladnier emphasized Arizona looking elsewhere to strengthen the team’s system.

“We talked about it and last year we felt like we went after thumpers on the corner,” he said. “We did want to increase the speed within our system and the athletic ability within our system because I think this draft really balances out last year’s draft.

“I think it was very balanced for our philosophy over the last couple of years.”

In the first round, Arizona selected infielder Matt McLain with the 25th overall selection.

An 18-year-old out of Beckman High School in Irvine, Calif., McLain is a switch-hitting middle infielder listed at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds. Ladnier said the team wants him to play shortstop despite his positional versatility.

McLain was ranked the No. 53 prospect in the draft by ESPN’s Keith Law.

McLain can hit, which may be enough for some team to take him in the top 40 picks despite the lack of other tools. He’s very undersized, almost certainly moves off shortstop, and isn’t a plus runner. His advocates think he might be the next Dustin Pedroia or Alex Bregman.

McLain is committed to UCLA and was ranked in a similar spot by MLB Pipeline at 54th.

McLain gets high marks for his plus instincts and work ethic, having worked very hard to get his body into premium condition. Some compare him to Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, with more speed, and some think the UCLA commit could go as early as the second round.

“We felt like it was a very advanced high school bat,” Ladnier said of McLain. “It’s a short, compact swing. He’ll end up having some power.”

The D-backs’ top 20 prospects on MLB Pipeline includes two middle infielders: shortstop Jasrado Chisholm and middle infielder Domingo Leyba.

McLain wasn’t the only pick made by Arizona on Monday.

With the 39th selection, a compensatory selection, the D-backs picked outfielder Jake McCarthy out of Virginia. The 20-year-old was previously drafted in the 23rd round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“He’s been a consistent performer from a very good program,” Ladnier said regarding McCarthy. “This is a guy we’ve known for a very long time.”

Arizona also picked in the second round, selecting outfielder Alek Thomas with the No. 63 pick. Thomas is 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds out of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago.

“He’s a plus runner, he can play center field,” Ladnier said of Thomas’ skills. “I do think he’s going to come into some power because he’s very strong.”

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Diamondbacks

Catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno continues get better throwing runners out

Gabriel Moreno had a breakout defensive season for the Diamondbacks last year, and he continues to improve his strengths.

5 hours ago

Ketel Marte...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks stay in rut offensively, cannot solve Padres’ Dylan Cease

The turning point of Friday's Diamondbacks loss to the Padres was clear, when the game turned from pitcher's duel to blowout.

19 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas, Paul Sewald taking steps to return next week

The Diamondbacks are targeting next week's Cincinnati Reds series for center fielder Alek Thomas and closer Paul Sewald.

1 day ago

Relief pitcher Matt Bowman #51 of the Minnesota Twins throws against Ehire Adrianza #13 of the Los ...

Kellan Olson

D-backs acquire reliever Matt Bowman, move Merrill Kelly to 60-day IL

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Bowman from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday for cash.

2 days ago

Beekeeper clearing the bees at Chase Field D-backs-Dodgers game....

Bailey Leasure

Hero beekeeper Matt Hilton getting own Topps baseball card

Matt Hilton, the beekeeper who cleared the bee swarm at Tuesday's game between the D-backs and Dodgers is getting his own Topps baseball card.

2 days ago

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

What went wrong for Jordan Montgomery, Diamondbacks in loss to Dodgers

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said nothing went the way they expected after a blowout loss to the Dodgers.

3 days ago

D-backs prioritize athleticism, speed on first day of 2018 MLB Draft