Arizona Diamondbacks select 10 players in Day 2 of 2021 MLB Draft

The Arizona Diamondbacks drafted 10 players to the organization during the second day of the 2021 MLB Draft on Monday.

With the 42nd pick in the second round of the draft, the D-backs selected Ryan Bliss, a shortstop out of Auburn University. Bliss was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2019.

He was also a part of the 2021 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association First Team All-America.

“From the day [Bliss] walked into Auburn University he has pretty much been a successful player,” D-backs Director of Amateur Scouting Deric Ladnier said. “Playing at shortstop and this year tapped into some more power. I think that was the one thing that we questioned a little bit coming into this year.”

Bliss ended his 2021 campaign by hitting .365, producing 15 home runs, 45 RBIs and had a slugging percentage of .645.

“He brings a unique blend of skills that this organization and just about every organization wants,” Ladnier said. “And then his makeup and character are off the charts.”

Ladnier added that Bliss will be exposed to various positions, outside of playing shortstop.

In the Round Competitive Balance B, Arizona drafted Adrian Del Castillo with the 67th pick. Castillo played his college ball at the University of Miami and was named to the 2021 All-ACC Second Team.

“[Castillo] always been a guy that can control the zone. We like his defensive ability. He’s obviously played at one of the highest levels and to be a career .300 hitter and be a catcher, that skill set was very intriguing to us,” Ladnier said.

Castillo played at Miami for three years and finished his Hurricane career batting .311, hitting 17 home runs, 124 RBIs and 152 total hits in 131 career games.

“He is one of those type guys that is going to grind it out everyday,” Ladnier said of Castillo. “Grind out at-bats and we feel like there is the potential to tap into some power, eventually. But the overall contact rate and the ability to control the zone was the most intriguing thing about him.”

The D-backs then selected Jacob Steinmetz out of Elev8 Baseball Academy in Delray Beach, Florida, in the third round.

He is the first known Orthodox Jewish baseball player to get drafted. Steinmetz told the New York Post that he keeps the Sabbath and only eats Kosher food.

“With regards to [Steinmetz] religious background, being an Orthodox Jew, we’re going to respect that,” Ladnier said. “He’s follows that strictly. So as an organization, we’ll have to work with his schedule to make sure that he can maintain his schedule with his religion.”

Ladnier added that the organization loved Steinmetz’s big arm and believes that he has “one of the better curveballs in the draft.”

Below is a full list of players that the Diamondbacks drafted from the second through tenth round on Monday:

Round 2, No. 42: Ryan Bliss, shortstop, Auburn University

Round Competitive Balance B, No. 67: Adrian Del Castillo, catcher, University of Miami

Round 3, No. 77: Jacob Steinmetz, right-handed pitcher, ELEV8 Baseball Academy

Round 4, No. 107: Chad Patrick, right-handed pitcher, Purdue University Northwest

Round 5, No. 138: Caleb Roberts, catcher, University of North Carolina

Round 6, No. 168: Luke Albright, right-handed pitcher, Kent State University

Round 7, No. 198: Scott Randall, right-handed pitcher, Sacramento State University

Round 8, No. 228: Gavin Conticello, third basemen, Marjory Stoneman Douglas (Fla.) High School

Round 9, No. 258: Jake Rice, left-handed pitcher, Kennesaw State University

Round 10, No. 288: Hugh Fisher, left-handed pitcher, Vanderbilt University