Thursday, June 12, 2008

Picks 290 and 320

We continue our look today at the Yankees 2008 draft picks with the 290th and 320th selections overall.

The Yankees selected Mikey O'Brien, a senior right-handed pitcher for Hidden Valley High in Roanoke, Virginia, with their 9th round pick. O'Brien also had a scholarship offer to Winthrop University.

"I'm going to sit down with my parents after I meet with the Yankees and the Winthrop coach and decide what's best for me," O'Brien said. "I'm just kind of living it up tonight."

O'Brien, the highest high school draft pick in the state this year, is a diabetic.

"It's something we can adjust to," Yankees scout Scott Lovekamp said of O'Brien's diabetes. "The biggest credit goes to Mikey because he's been able to adjust to it."

Lovekamp said he clocked O'Brien at 93 mph.

O'Brien went 11-1 with a 0.69 ERA this year.

"All that hard work really paid off," O'Brien said. "Everybody dreams of playing professional baseball, and now I guess I've got that chance."

The Yankees 10th round selection was Clemson University jr. right-hander D.J. Mitchell.
From CSTV.com
He became the first Tiger to be drafted by the Yankees since 1990. Mitchell had a 6-5 record and 3.47 ERA in 20 appearances (14 starts) in 2008. He also allowed 97 hits and 40 walks with 106 strikeouts in 98.2 innings pitched. His strikeout total was the most by a Tiger since 1996, when Kris Benson struck out 204.

Biographical Data
Player Name:D.J. Mitchell
Position:Starting Pitcher
School:Clemson University
School Type:College
Academic Class:Junior
Birthdate:05/13/87
Height:6'2"
Weight:165 lbs.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Report Date(s):04/04/08
Game(s):Miami

Focus Area
Comments
Fastball:Mitchell threw his fastball in the 88-92 mph range.
Fastball movement:He has average life on his fastball.
Curve:He occasionally flashes an average curve that he throws 74-75 mph.
Changeup:His changeup is slightly below average.
Control:His overall command is average, though command of his changeup is below-average.
Poise:He competed well. He's very aggressive with the stuff he has. He kept his team in the ballgame and gave them a chance to win.
Physical Description:Mitchell is wiry, strong and athletic. He has limited strength projections and probably won't put on much weight.
Medical Update:Healthy.
Strengths:He's very competitive and goes right after hitters, using the stuff he does have to help his team win games.
Weaknesses:None of his pitches grade out as better than average. His stuff is what it is and there's not much projection.
Summary:Building off a strong Cape League season, Mitchell has had a solid junior season as Clemson's Friday starter. He's wiry and athletic and while he doesn't possess the greatest pure stuff in the world, he gets the most out of it by going right after hitters and keeping his team in games. There may not be a ton of upside or projection, but there's always a market for a college hurler who battles.

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