2028 Draft and Follow
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 6:14 pm
New management in Kalamazoo has fans excited about the future of the team, but there will be quite a number of growing pains over the short term. That said, the future began to take clearer shape on June 7th when the new regime presided over their first amateur draft. With the second pick in the draft, a lot was at stake for the first selection.
1.2 (2nd overall) - RHP Robby Wiggins - (Retired 3/4/2030, to pursue basketball)
Wiggins was likely going to go #1 overall to Yuma until he tore his labrum less than a month before the draft. Doctors don't think the labrum tear is particularly severe, and should have him back on a mound early next year. He's a 3-time collegiate All-Star and won the 2027 USCBA Outstanding Pitcher Award. His college career ended with a record of 22-6 and a 1.39 ERA. He struck out 355 batters in 252.1 innings. Badger brass is hoping the injury will just be a blip... something just about every pitcher goes through in their career... and that he'll pick up right where he left off next year. It's certainly a big gamble.
2.3 (37th) - RHP Ogai Ono
High school hurler Ono is considered by many to be a bit of a stretch this early in the draft, but the team is extremely high on him and didn't want to lose out on him before their 3rd round pick. Ono went just 9-7 in his high school career over 32 starts, but that did come with a 1.70 ERA and 234 K's in 174.2 innings. He walked just 19 batters. What really attracted Kalamazoo scouts, though, was his pitch arsenal. Team scouts rave about his curve ball and change up. The latter is of particular note in that he really doesn't throw a straight fastball. His complementary pitches include a cutter, slider, and forkball, all of which the team believes can develop into above average offerings.
3.2 (60th) - C José Moreno
There were 4 catchers taken in the draft ahead of Moreno, but Kalamazoo insists that they had him ranked highest among backstops. Whether that's brilliance or an indictment remains to be seen. The team thinks he projects similarly to Canton's Ryan Lambert, but with slightly better defensive chops. The Badgers already have a top catching prospect in Claudio Pérez, but cited a severe lack of organizational depth at the position as a key weakness to be addressed.
4.2 (87th) - 3B Alex Payne
It's a bit hard to see exactly what the team does in Payne after he managed to hit just .221 over four years in college. There's some quality defensive skills, but nothing other worldly. He's got decent size and could perhaps learn to play some in the outfield, too. At best, he projects to hit for some power with a moderate average should he make it to the show.
5.2 (112nd) - 1B Jorge Mejía
If he makes it there, Mejía will almost certainly get to the PEBA on the strength of his bat. That's not uncommon for first baseman, but even there he looks uncomfortable defensively. It's likely he'll be a DH, and that means he will have to hit. Scouts like his power, and he did slug .515 for Illinois. Worryingly, his average dropped every year, and that's a trend that can't continue. Team officials rave about his character. By all accounts, he's smart, good looking, and gosh darn it people like him! Whether or not his physical skills reach those lofty standards will determine his fate.
6.2 (138th) - RHP Lou Denton - (Failed to sign)
Denton's 6-16 record for Winter Springs High School doesn't immediately scream, "Draft me!", but here we are. The Badgers say they like his personality, but rumors suggest he may be intent on returning to college to see if he can improve on his draft position. We understand the team is eager to land him regardless, so we'll see how that plays out.
7.2 (164th) - RF Natsu Ohashi
The Japanese switch hitter played his college ball for Ciefuegos. His best skills appear to be plate discipline and an ability to blend into the woodwork.
8.2 (190th) - C Robinson Martínez
The second catcher drafted by the Badgers, Martínez was higher on the team's draft board than several catchers drafted ahead of him. That's not an indication that they think he's that much better than those guys. A journeyman backup career is probably the best the team can reasonably expect here.
9.2 (216th) - LHP Jude Hollington
After taking 3 righties in the first 6 rounds, the lefty Hollington is a change of pace. He's the kind of player that you root for... he didn't even play college ball as a freshman at Oregon State. Despite being 21, he's still a long way off, but that's why he's drafted this low.
10.2 (242nd) - LF Jorge Torres (Released 7/22/30)
A lanky 6'4" outfielder, Torres had a reputation for speed at Tulane due to his track & field activities. He never really translated that to the basepaths, but it'll be something the team works with him on in the minors.
11.2 (268th) - SS Elias Simmons - (Failed to sign - redrafted in 2029)
Simmons has a decent glove and some speed, but so much for doing your homework. Simmons tweeted after the draft that he would not be signing with the Badgers. Kalamazoo probably isn't too worked up over this one.
12.2 (294th) - RHP Will Green - (Released 6/25/2029)
Green's got an upper 90's fastball that could see some improvement if he can harness his 6'7" frame. He'll get a chance to fail as a starter before the team sends him to the pen.
13.2 (320th) - 2B Takayuki Ikeda - (Traded to OKA 7/30/2029)
Ikeda's a stereotypical diminutive Japanese middle infielder. Without the stereotypically good work ethic.
14.2 (346th) - SS Clint Thompson
Thompson can pick it a little with the glove. He can also play some defense. He did help Ohio State to the USCBA World Series, despite 56 K's on the year. You know who struck out more than him? First round draft pick and OSU teammate Paul Oglethorpe. Thompson can't be that bad, right?
15.2 (372nd) - 3B Tim Hamilton
Kalamazoo's Mr. Irrelevant, Hamilton will get a chance to prove he can't play before the team gives up on him. Some in the organization thinks he has the potential to reach the majors if he can learn on the job.
1.2 (2nd overall) - RHP Robby Wiggins - (Retired 3/4/2030, to pursue basketball)
Wiggins was likely going to go #1 overall to Yuma until he tore his labrum less than a month before the draft. Doctors don't think the labrum tear is particularly severe, and should have him back on a mound early next year. He's a 3-time collegiate All-Star and won the 2027 USCBA Outstanding Pitcher Award. His college career ended with a record of 22-6 and a 1.39 ERA. He struck out 355 batters in 252.1 innings. Badger brass is hoping the injury will just be a blip... something just about every pitcher goes through in their career... and that he'll pick up right where he left off next year. It's certainly a big gamble.
2.3 (37th) - RHP Ogai Ono
High school hurler Ono is considered by many to be a bit of a stretch this early in the draft, but the team is extremely high on him and didn't want to lose out on him before their 3rd round pick. Ono went just 9-7 in his high school career over 32 starts, but that did come with a 1.70 ERA and 234 K's in 174.2 innings. He walked just 19 batters. What really attracted Kalamazoo scouts, though, was his pitch arsenal. Team scouts rave about his curve ball and change up. The latter is of particular note in that he really doesn't throw a straight fastball. His complementary pitches include a cutter, slider, and forkball, all of which the team believes can develop into above average offerings.
3.2 (60th) - C José Moreno
There were 4 catchers taken in the draft ahead of Moreno, but Kalamazoo insists that they had him ranked highest among backstops. Whether that's brilliance or an indictment remains to be seen. The team thinks he projects similarly to Canton's Ryan Lambert, but with slightly better defensive chops. The Badgers already have a top catching prospect in Claudio Pérez, but cited a severe lack of organizational depth at the position as a key weakness to be addressed.
4.2 (87th) - 3B Alex Payne
It's a bit hard to see exactly what the team does in Payne after he managed to hit just .221 over four years in college. There's some quality defensive skills, but nothing other worldly. He's got decent size and could perhaps learn to play some in the outfield, too. At best, he projects to hit for some power with a moderate average should he make it to the show.
5.2 (112nd) - 1B Jorge Mejía
If he makes it there, Mejía will almost certainly get to the PEBA on the strength of his bat. That's not uncommon for first baseman, but even there he looks uncomfortable defensively. It's likely he'll be a DH, and that means he will have to hit. Scouts like his power, and he did slug .515 for Illinois. Worryingly, his average dropped every year, and that's a trend that can't continue. Team officials rave about his character. By all accounts, he's smart, good looking, and gosh darn it people like him! Whether or not his physical skills reach those lofty standards will determine his fate.
6.2 (138th) - RHP Lou Denton - (Failed to sign)
Denton's 6-16 record for Winter Springs High School doesn't immediately scream, "Draft me!", but here we are. The Badgers say they like his personality, but rumors suggest he may be intent on returning to college to see if he can improve on his draft position. We understand the team is eager to land him regardless, so we'll see how that plays out.
7.2 (164th) - RF Natsu Ohashi
The Japanese switch hitter played his college ball for Ciefuegos. His best skills appear to be plate discipline and an ability to blend into the woodwork.
8.2 (190th) - C Robinson Martínez
The second catcher drafted by the Badgers, Martínez was higher on the team's draft board than several catchers drafted ahead of him. That's not an indication that they think he's that much better than those guys. A journeyman backup career is probably the best the team can reasonably expect here.
9.2 (216th) - LHP Jude Hollington
After taking 3 righties in the first 6 rounds, the lefty Hollington is a change of pace. He's the kind of player that you root for... he didn't even play college ball as a freshman at Oregon State. Despite being 21, he's still a long way off, but that's why he's drafted this low.
10.2 (242nd) - LF Jorge Torres (Released 7/22/30)
A lanky 6'4" outfielder, Torres had a reputation for speed at Tulane due to his track & field activities. He never really translated that to the basepaths, but it'll be something the team works with him on in the minors.
11.2 (268th) - SS Elias Simmons - (Failed to sign - redrafted in 2029)
Simmons has a decent glove and some speed, but so much for doing your homework. Simmons tweeted after the draft that he would not be signing with the Badgers. Kalamazoo probably isn't too worked up over this one.
12.2 (294th) - RHP Will Green - (Released 6/25/2029)
Green's got an upper 90's fastball that could see some improvement if he can harness his 6'7" frame. He'll get a chance to fail as a starter before the team sends him to the pen.
13.2 (320th) - 2B Takayuki Ikeda - (Traded to OKA 7/30/2029)
Ikeda's a stereotypical diminutive Japanese middle infielder. Without the stereotypically good work ethic.
14.2 (346th) - SS Clint Thompson
Thompson can pick it a little with the glove. He can also play some defense. He did help Ohio State to the USCBA World Series, despite 56 K's on the year. You know who struck out more than him? First round draft pick and OSU teammate Paul Oglethorpe. Thompson can't be that bad, right?
15.2 (372nd) - 3B Tim Hamilton
Kalamazoo's Mr. Irrelevant, Hamilton will get a chance to prove he can't play before the team gives up on him. Some in the organization thinks he has the potential to reach the majors if he can learn on the job.