MLB Draft 2017 results: Reactions to the Rockies rounds 3-10 picks

Round 2 is in the books! We’ve got eight more names in the Rockies organization to get familiar with so I’ll break down each player individually then give a little overview and my thoughts on rounds 3-10.

Round 3, Pick 86: Will Gaddis, RHP, Furman University

Gaddis owns a big curve and a cutter that both flash plus. His fastball sits in the low 90s but features good movement and he has excellent command of all his pitches. He has a very high floor and should be able to move quickly due to his mature approach. (Video scouting report here).

Round 4, Pick 116: Pearson McMahan, RHP, St. John’s River State College

McMahan came out of the pen exclusively last season but moved into the rotation this year successfully. Control issues have haunted him but he has good enough stuff to miss a lot of bats. Has potential as a high leverage reliever or a solid mid-rotation starter.

Round 5, Pick 146: Nick Kennedy, LHP, Texas:

Kennedy split his time this season as a starter and a reliever. He has battled control issues which may force him to the pen where his fastball should play up. He owns a really good slider that plays well of his low-mid 90s fastball. Has potential as a back end starter or solid reliever.

Round 6, Pick 176: Chad Spanberger, 1B, Arkansas

Spanberger has big time power and had a huge breakout season. He’s an athletic first baseman who started out behind the plate and can play either corner outfield spot or third base. His swing and miss tendencies pushed him down some boards but he plus power potential. He did an interview yesterday with University of Arkansas’ “Razorback Nation.”

Twitter: @chadspanberger

Round 7, Pick 206: Lucas Gilbreath, LHP, Minnesota

Gilbreath attended Legacy High School in Westminster, CO, and was drafted by Rockies in the 36th round in 2014. He was a reliever in 2016 and moved to the rotation this year. He’s got a good curveball, a low-mid 90s fastball, and has good command of the strike zone.

Twitter: @lucas_gilbreath

Round 8, Pick 236: Bret Boswell, 2B, Texas

Boswell is a really good athlete and a great defender. He has solid hit, power, and speed tools and the athleticism to play anywhere on the infield. He profiles as a utility type at the MLB level with a relatively high floor and some upside as a potential starter.

Twitter: @bboswell17

Round 9, Pick 266: Sean Bouchard, 1B, UCLA

Bouchard has good bat speed with an average to above-average hit tool. He’s a good defender at first and a good athlete, with above average speed. His plus power upside is his most exciting tool and he could end up making some teams sorry they passed on him. (Video scouting report from MLB.com here).

Twitter: @seanbouchard7

Round 10, Pick 296: Austin Bernard, C, Pepperdine

I literally had never heard his name before the Rockies drafted him. He is a part time player; played in just 37 games his three-year career. Nothing jumps out. The video shows a pretty sound swing but there’s not much else. However, it is interesting that the Rockies would select someone who spent his collegiate career in a backup role.

Twitter: @austinbernard7

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Overall, rounds 3-10 weren’t terribly surprising based on recent Rockies drafts and their financial situation. Sandwiched between their first and last picks today, they selected three college pitchers who could easily end up in either the bullpen or the rotation and they selected three position players who are all athletic and can play multiple positions. Clearly, versatility is the goal in this area of the draft for the Rockies and they certainly accomplished it.

I really like Gaddis, Spanberger, and Boswell in this section. All three have impressed me. I think Boswell is overlooked because of his low ceiling but guys like him are so important to every successful major league team. Spanberger reminds me of Vince Fernandez from last year’s draft with less present power and better contact skills and I think he will move fast and may end up a big-league regular. Gaddis is going to be a fast mover who should be able to help the Rockies soon, which is important for this team right now.

I’m not as high on the other guys but, besides the Bernard pick, I wouldn’t second guess any of these selections at this point. I think Bridich and his team did a really good job identifying the direction they wanted to go today and selecting guys who fit the bill. Tomorrow is another draft day and we will see what direction the Rockies decide to go there.