2016 MLB Draft thread, June 9 -11: Jays take TJ Zeuch 21st overall

Wally West · Post #41 » by **Wally West** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 12:34 am

Oh yeah I almost forgot, **** the Red Sox!

Wally West · Post #42 » by **Wally West** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 12:35 am

Holy cow, that Cleveland Indians outfield in a few years could be insane! Frazier, Zimmer, now Benson?! Geez..

Brinbe · Post #43 » by **Brinbe** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:07 am

We're up?

MavCarter · Post #44 » by **MavCarter** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:08 am

Brinbe wrote:We're up?

Yup

Wally West · Post #45 » by **Wally West** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:11 am

Disappointed we missed out on both Whitley and Quantrill. Hopefully we don't mess this up.

Brinbe · Post #46 » by **Brinbe** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:11 am

Here we gooo....

College pitcher
TJ Zeuch

Post #47 » by **Schad** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:13 am

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/6/3/11834134/2016-mlb-draft-t-j-zeuch-rhp-university-of-pittsburgh

Had your fill of 2016 MLB Draft college pitching yet? Here's another arm for your consideration: T.J. Zeuch of the University of Pittsburgh. Zeuch did not receive a huge amount of attention in the prospect press pre-season, but scouts were well aware of him. He's been very strong this spring and has put himself easily into the first round picture.

As a high school pitcher in Mason, Ohio, Zeuch drew notice for his projectable 6-6 frame but was considered to be in need of college development, falling to the 31st round of the 2013 draft. He turned down the Kansas City Royals then pitched notably well as a freshman in 2014, posting a 2.75 ERA in 56 innings of work as both a starter and reliever, 41/17 K/BB. He started full time as a sophomore and rang up a 3.87 ERA in 88 innings but with a nice 90/25 K/BB. He then made four starts Chatham in the Cape Cod League, posting a 17/5 K/BB and 1.31 ERA in 21 innings.

Zeuch entered 2016 as a potential early pick; he's taken the "potential" out of that sentence. He missed the first few weeks of the season with a groin injury but came back in time to make 10 starts for the Panthers, posting a 3.10 ERA in 70 innings with a 74/19 K/BB and 61 hits allowed.

The numbers are solid and the reports are better. Now up to 6-7, 225, Zeuch has matured physically, boosting his fastball from the 80s in high school to 91-94 MPH now, with reported peaks at 96-97. Even at the lower velocities his fastball plays up because he has a full arsenal of secondary pitches: both his slider and his curveball are at least solid-average. Reports on the change-up vary; some rate it as below average, while others put it on par with the breaking stuff as a quality pitch. Call it inconsistent but promising.

The important point is that Zeuch has access to a wide velocity band from the upper-70s into the mid-90s and makes use of it well, throwing strikes from a tall frame and doing a good job keeping his mechanics consistent. He's young for the junior class at age 20, not turning 21 until August, but his cold-weather background means he has fewer miles on his arm than the typical college stalwart. Overall, Zeuch projects as a workhorse starter and looks like a clear pick in the middle part of the first round.

Wally West · Post #48 » by **Wally West** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:18 am

Meh. Would've preferred Wentz or Gowdy. This guys definitely gotta figure out his offspeed pitches but if he fills out his frame, could easily touch 100 so I guess I should be excited. Harris was able to add velocity once he signed and he's looked great so I shouldn't be that disappointed.

Brinbe · Post #49 » by **Brinbe** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:18 am

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
T.J. ZEUCH, RHP
6'7", 225 LBS
PITTSBURGH
Zeuch missed the first month of the season with a groin injury, but he came back at full strength and showed excellent stuff over his 2016 campaign. He touches 97 mph and gets downhill with his fastball, and he’ll show a competent slider and curveball to keep hitters off the heater. The one thing missing is a changeup, but if that can be even an average offering, he has a chance to be part of a rotation. If not, he can be a dominant bullpen arm.

Post #50 » by **Schad** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:24 am

Club That Does Things The Right Way takes kid who got busted for PEDs.

torontoaces04 · Post #51 » by **torontoaces04** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:25 am

Well, he's tall.

Post #52 » by **Schad** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:37 am

Zeuch's not entirely dissimilar to Harris last year, in that he's a college guy with some projection. Not unhappy with the pick; good chance to be a mid-rotation pitcher, but does have a shot to be more, if his stuff tightens up a bit.

vaff87 · Post #53 » by **vaff87** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:39 am

Schad wrote:Zeuch's not entirely dissimilar to Harris last year, in that he's a college guy with some projection. Not unhappy with the pick; good chance to be a mid-rotation pitcher, but does have a shot to be more, if his stuff tightens up a bit.

That sounds like a pretty good pick at #21.

Wally West · Post #54 » by **Wally West** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:44 am

Can't believe the Pirates took Will Craig as a pitcher. Kid can flat out rake at the college level.

SharoneWright · Post #55 » by **SharoneWright** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:47 am

Meanwhile mlb.com says he could be starter/could end up reliever... :-?

Wally West · Post #56 » by **Wally West** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:51 am

Leave it to the Rangers to always draft the guys I want.

Wally West · Post #57 » by **Wally West** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:56 am

Man, Peter Gammons has got to fix his tie.

Post #58 » by **Schad** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 2:18 am

SharoneWright wrote:Meanwhile mlb.com says he could be starter/could end up reliever...

Tends to be the case for all pitchers. That it's mentioned that he could be a lights-out reliever is mostly because he probably wouldn't be a mediocre reliever, heh.

Wally West · Post #59 » by **Wally West** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 2:25 am

Looool Tommy Lasorda kills me! :lol:

Wally West · Post #60 » by **Wally West** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 2:29 am

Anfernee Grier looks like he's gonna be a good one.