Rounds 3 through 10 of the MLB Amateur Draft took place yesterday and the Tribe had a pick in each round. The Indians added their first position players of the 2015 draft class and continued adding young arms as well.
Round 3 (93): Mark Mathias (2B)
The Indians’ first pick of the day was the team’s first position player of the 2015 draft class. Mathias had shoulder surgery before this season and spent most of the year at second base. He’s known for his hitting prowess and expects to be just an average fielder. He doesn’t have a whole lot of power right now, but that’s expected to change a little bit as he naturally matures.
Round 4 (124): Tyler Krieger (SS)
The Tribe’s 4th round draft pick is considered one of the best college hitters in the Southeast, which is no small feat considering the SEC is considered the best college baseball conference in the nation and the ACC is not far behind. Like Mathias, Krieger also had shoulder surgery before the season began and spent much of his time at second base. Scouts don’t project his defense to be good enough for him to stick at short, so he’ll most likely end up at second or in a utility role.
Round 5 (154): Ka’Ai Tom (CF)
Tom, a native of Hawaii, was the Indians’ 5th round selection out of the University of Kentucky. Tom doesn’t look like much of a baseball player at just 5’9″ and 185 pounds, but he sure can hit. Tom was second in the SEC with a .370 batting average this season. Tom played the outfield at Kentucky, but also saw time at second base, a position he may wind up playing professionally.
Round 6 (184): Jonas Wyatt (RHP)
The Indians first pitcher of the second day was another high school hurler. Wyatt, a San Diego State commit, has a lively fastball that touches 96 at times. He has a lot of athleticism, but at this time he is considered more of a thrower than a pitcher. Scouts project his ceiling to be that of a mid-rotation starter.
Round 7 (214): Nathan Lukes (RF)
Luke is a left-handed hitting outfielder from Sacramento State who had a solid junior year this past season with a .345/.422/.511 slash line to go along with 7 home runs, 14 doubles, and 2 triples.
Round 8 (244): Justin Garza (RHP)
Garza, a Cal State Fullerton product, is the first college pitcher drafted by the Indians so far. Garza has a small frame at just 5’11” 170 pounds and hasn’t pitched since May 9th after injuring his UCL, which will require him to have Tommy John surgery. When healthy Garza has a low-90’s fastball to go along with an average slider and change up.
Round 9 (274): Devon Stewart (RHP)
Stewart is a senior from Canisius college, not your typical baseball school, but had a solid season this year. He features a fastball that sits between 87-92 mph with an average change and slider.
Round 10 (304): Billy Strode (LHP)
Strode is currently the Florida State Seminoles closer and has racked up 14 saves this season with a 1.80 ERA. Like Stewart, he is a senior and an automatic signing for the Tribe.
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