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dagger wrote:I love the pick because if you have multiple picks, and you lots of great starter arms in the system, why not develop a reliever ORGANICALLY, and control him for CHEAP instead of paying the Corderos of the world $4m to pitch 8th innings.

Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisBA
After my on-screen rant, #BlueJays listen! Nice job, Alex A & Co. Stroman could help their playoff push. #mlbdraft

Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke University: There is a long-standing scouting bias against short right-handers, but the 5-9, 185 pound Stroman is so good that scouts projected him as a first-rounder anyway. He throws 92-95 MPH, has a good changeup, and dominates hitters with one of the best sliders in the draft. He went 6-5 in 14 starts for a 21-34 team, but posted a 2.39 ERA with a 136/26 K/BB in 98 innings with 83 hits allowed. Many scouts think he’ll be ready for the majors by September. The main question is his long-term role. His arsenal is diverse enough to start and he’s had nothing but success as a starter, but many scouts think he’ll fit best in relief due to his size. If so, he could help in a bullpen later this year. However, given his track record and is quality mix of pitches, others believe he deserves a shot as a starter. Either way, he’s got a great arm.

JoeyBats wrote:

Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke University: There is a long-standing scouting bias against short right-handers, but the 5-9, 185 pound Stroman is so good that scouts projected him as a first-rounder anyway. He throws 92-95 MPH, has a good changeup, and dominates hitters with one of the best sliders in the draft. He went 6-5 in 14 starts for a 21-34 team, but posted a 2.39 ERA with a 136/26 K/BB in 98 innings with 83 hits allowed. Many scouts think he’ll be ready for the majors by September. The main question is his long-term role. His arsenal is diverse enough to start and he’s had nothing but success as a starter, but many scouts think he’ll fit best in relief due to his size. If so, he could help in a bullpen later this year. However, given his track record and is quality mix of pitches, others believe he deserves a shot as a starter. Either way, he’s got a great arm.

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/6/4/306432 ... ing-report

"Stroman is one of the best competitors in the Draft," Blue Jays director of scouting Andrew Tinnish said Monday night. "He's extremely athletic, great makeup. His stuff is very good. He's anywhere from 91-98 mph, pitches as a starter at probably 92-94 with a very good slider, and he also has a curveball that are good pitches as well."

Stroman appeared in 17 games as a junior at Duke University this season. He went 3-4 with a 2.80 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings. He recorded four saves, also making eight starts, but Tinnish said the Blue Jays haven't yet decided whether he will be used as a starter or reliever.

flatjacket1 wrote:I don't like these low ceiling reliever draft picks. We did it because we didn't want to risk another Tyler Beede (we only get 1 more compensation pick) but to me this guy looks like a guy who has a chance to contribute right away (as in within a year or two) but should sign for under slot.

This opens up the rest of the picks to be signed over slot I think.

Schadenfreude wrote:He isn't really low-ceilinged at all, nor necessarily a reliever. Said before the draft that Stroman scares me, and he still does...there's a lot of effort in his delivery. If he stays healthy, however, he can be pretty damned good.