Draft Weekend is upon us at long last. Also, 3 games will be played. TEX v OAK 7/9-11

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Aaron Zavala, OF/3B, Oregon​

Height: 6’0″
Weight: 195 lbs.
Age: 21
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
2019: 43 G – .273/.356/.338, 2 SB
2020: 15 G – .418/.493/.491, 1 HR, 2 SB
2021: 55 G – .392/.525/.628, 9 HR, 11 SB

Scouting Grades​

Hit: 60
Power: 45
Run: 50
Arm: 50
Field: 50
Overall: 50

Players who walk more than they strike out are few and far between especially in today’s game. Aaron Zavala is one of those players with that potential at the pro level. The bat is what will move him up the ladder, but he does more than that and there are really no glaring weaknesses in his game. The floor is solid with the Orgeon outfielder and teams will be looking at a kid who could make short work of his minor-league time.

MLB Draft Profile: Aaron Zavala - Prime Time Sports Talk

Aaron Zavala checks off a lot of boxes and has an advanced college bat. John Lepore takes a look at the Oregon Ducks right fielder.

primetimesportstalk.com

 

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Strengths​

The bat-to-ball ability is incredible. Zavala has a knack for getting the head of the bat out and making solid contact to all fields. He has a quiet approach, very little movement, and waits back as long as possible before throwing the barrel at the ball wherever it is pitched. His pitch recognition is also excellent. In his Ducks career, Zavala walked more than he struck out (75/68). We all know contact hitters are not a huge thing in the majors nowadays, but the Oregon native has the tools to hit anything the big guns can throw at him.


Zavala is a solid player overall and doesn’t do anything poorly. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he can take an extra base when it is needed. He should definitely stick in right or left field and could grow into being an above-average defender. Zavala also has some experience at third base and would certainly be able to handle first which gives him some versatility. Adding to the talent, the kid has the intangibles as well with intelligence and a solid work ethic.

Weaknesses​

While Zavala has a little pop when he gets a chance to pull one, don’t expect much more than 10-15 HRs a year at the major-league level. He is a line-drive hitter with gap-to-gap power. While that should translate into plenty of doubles, putting them over the fence is not likely given his approach and build. Some scouts believe he is more of a left fielder because of an average arm which also won’t play well at third base. Although teams will be drafting his bat mostly, if there is a perceived lack of versatility and concern about future power, Zavala may drop down in the draft a bit.

 

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The people who did teh write up that I posted above about Zavala had him projected to go at pick 87. MLB Pipeline had him as the number 76 overall and Keith Law did not include him in his top 100.

 

[DT LUNA]

Strengths​

The bat-to-ball ability is incredible. Zavala has a knack for getting the head of the bat out and making solid contact to all fields. He has a quiet approach, very little movement, and waits back as long as possible before throwing the barrel at the ball wherever it is pitched. His pitch recognition is also excellent. In his Ducks career, Zavala walked more than he struck out (75/68). We all know contact hitters are not a huge thing in the majors nowadays, but the Oregon native has the tools to hit anything the big guns can throw at him.


Zavala is a solid player overall and doesn’t do anything poorly. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he can take an extra base when it is needed. He should definitely stick in right or left field and could grow into being an above-average defender. Zavala also has some experience at third base and would certainly be able to handle first which gives him some versatility. Adding to the talent, the kid has the intangibles as well with intelligence and a solid work ethic.

Weaknesses​

While Zavala has a little pop when he gets a chance to pull one, don’t expect much more than 10-15 HRs a year at the major-league level. He is a line-drive hitter with gap-to-gap power. While that should translate into plenty of doubles, putting them over the fence is not likely given his approach and build. Some scouts believe he is more of a left fielder because of an average arm which also won’t play well at third base. Although teams will be drafting his bat mostly, if there is a perceived lack of versatility and concern about future power, Zavala may drop down in the draft a bit.

Has a nice ring about his bat. Can certainly use him if he jells.

 

[saddles]

Has a nice ring about his bat. Can certainly use him if he jells.

I think he might have made a great pick, in the third or fourth round. They passed up several very talented guys to reach for Zavala.

 

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With pick number 73 the Rangers take Cameron Cauley, a high school SS.

 

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6. Cameron Cauley, SS, Barbers Hill HS, Mt. Belvieu, Texas (BA RANK: 85)
Source: HS • Ht: 5-10 • Wt: 170 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Texas Tech

Although he’s a high school shortstop, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cauley play a little bit of everywhere either in pro ball or at Texas Tech. He’s athletic and his plus speed, feel for the game and solid hands could help him develop into an above-average defender at second base or even in center field. Cauley could end up as an average shortstop or third baseman as well, although his average arm is less than many teams want at those positions. More than anything, he’s a proactive baseball player. He makes the routine play and has a good internal clock. At the plate, Cauley’s skinny frame and lack of projection make it unlikely he’ll ever hit more than 10-15 home runs a year, but he has excellent bat-to-ball skills. He has above-average barrel control and a simple, repeatable swing that generates plenty of contact and gives him a path to being an above-average hitter. Before helping lead Barbers Hill to its first ever Texas state tournament appearance, Cauley was a productive wide receiver for the school’s football team. Cauley’s father, Chris, pitched three years in the White Sox farm system and is an assistant football and baseball coach at Barbers Hill.

 

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At this point, I am extremely disappointed in today's draft picks.

 

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How many weak armed guys who have no power can you fit into one draft?

 

[DT LUNA]

How many weak armed guys who have no power can you fit into one draft?

No comment. Honestly do not know much about kids this far out.

 

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No comment. Honestly do not know much about kids this far out.

It seems the Rangers don't either. Lol

 

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At least it is fun watching the Rangers apologists in the media go into full excuse-making mode.

 

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The Rangers select high school C Ian Moller with their 4th pick.

This kid seems like a good pick. I sure wish I could have said that about the last two picks and not liked this pick instead.

 

[DT LUNA]

The Rangers select high school C Ian Moller with their 4th pick.

This kid seems like a good pick. I sure wish I could have said that about the last two picks and not liked this pick instead.

Just what we need ...another catcher

 

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Ian Moller, Catcher, Wahlert (Iowa)​

Height: 6’0″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Age: 18
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Scouting Grades​

Hit: 50
Power: 55
Run: 40
Field: 45
Throw: 55

Moller has an impressive, smooth swing and tremendous launch angle, which translates to an enormous surge of power for the backstop. Meanwhile, behind the plate, he has a very strong arm, though accuracy has been a concern on a couple of occasions. He is also fairly athletic and still young, meaning there is still time for him to move to a different position if teams don’t love his long-term projection behind the plate.

Strengths​

Power is Moller’s top trait. He often demonstrates a large launch angle that surely appeals to many teams under today’s umbrella of modern analytics. Such a smooth, advanced swing provides a major boost to his stock, especially considering he’s a prep prospect and just 18 years old. In addition to power, Moller is simply a solid hitter, too. He has good bat speed and is able to locate gaps and hit the ball to all parts of the field. His spread-out spray chart forces teams to not shift against him, allowing him more room to hit.

As mentioned, Moller has a very strong arm, too. He has posted sub-2.00 pop times frequently, and such valuable arm strength could help him keep a job behind the dish even if some teams want to move him to the corner infield or outfield. He also has above-average athleticism in comparison to other catchers. This allows him to receive balls well but could also make for a smooth transition to a new position if necessary. Third base, left field, and right field would be the likely landing spots for Moller if he doesn’t happen to stick as a catcher.

Weaknesses​

Strikeouts (and swings-and-misses in general) are a concern when it comes to Moller. Much like many power hitters in today’s game, Moller’s exaggerated launch angle and aggressive swing have led to an above-average amount of whiffs. Teams will have to decide if this is a fair trade-off in exchange for a solid power output out of the catcher.

As athletic as Moller is, concerns about his fielding ability have lingered. He’s an average fielder at best, and this is one reason why an eventual move away from the plate seems quite possible. Specifically, there is concern about his blocking ability, so the idea is that his fielding would not be a liability if he shifted to third base or the outfield.

Finally, Moller is a poor runner. He’ll have some range from time to time and might notch an uncontested stolen base here or there, but he cannot run during high-pressure situations. He won’t turn a double into a triple, nor will he be able to sprint long distances for an outfield fly that is barely catchable.

 

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Just what we need ...another catcher

He will probably change positions.

 

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5th round pick is high school pitcher Mitchell Bratt.

 

[DT LUNA]

5th round pick is high school pitcher Mitchell Bratt.

At this point FO must be taking a number

 

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The 5th rounder is a Canadian prospect.

 

[DT LUNA]

Garcia and Gallo not starters in ASG.