Braves select pitcher Ian Anderson with third pick in MLB draft
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Atlanta Braves selected Ian Anderson with the 3rd pick in the 2016 MLB draft out of New York. Not the Scottish-born musician, singer and songwriter best known for his work as the lead vocalist, flautist and acoustic guitarist of British rock band Jethro Tull…this young righty seems to have what the Braves are looking for – power arm with a bright future. Anderson went 6-1 with a pair of saves and a 0.66 ERA in 11 appearances for his high school team striking out 91 batters in 53.1 innings.
"The Atlanta Braves added to their stockpile of young arms on Thursday, selecting right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson with the third overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft.Anderson pitches at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, New York, and is in the midst of a state semifinal run with the team. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Anderson has been committed to play collegiately at Vanderbilt.“We are very pleased to be able to get what we consider one of the top pitchers in the draft,” said Brian Bridges, the Braves’ director of scouting. “Ian’s command of his pitches, especially his fastball, is really impressive for such a young pitcher. He is one of the youngest players in this draft class, and he possesses a ‘plus’ fastball, curveball and changeup.”"
SM East’s Joey Wentz is selected by Atlanta Braves in MLB Draft
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: With the 40th pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves selected left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz. This spring, the 18-year-old went 9-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 104 strikeouts, 12 walks and only seven hits. The 6’5″ lefty has committed to the Virginia Cavaliers and it could be difficult for the Braves to sign him away…but there is definitely money there for the Braves to sway his decision. Wentz usually sits around 90-95 this spring with his fastball. The Braves selected three high school pitchers with their first three draft picks in 2016…one righty and two lefties.
"“It’s been a long day, but it’s a situation not everybody gets to be in,” Wentz said. “I’m definitely happy about it. I feel fortunate to be with the Braves and we’ll see what happens.”The slot value of the 40th pick, according to Major League Baseball, is $1,616,800, but Atlanta has one of the highest signing bonus pools in the draft.It’s possible Wentz could sign for higher than slot value, and he has until July 15 to decide if he’ll turn pro or enroll at Virginia.“Education is obviously big, but I believe in myself and I believe in my abilities,” Wentz said. “With the Braves, if it’s the right opportunity, and I think it is, that may not matter.”"
Chipper Jones wouldn’t wish first overall pick on his worst enemy
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: In 1990, the Atlanta Braves selected shortstop Chipper Jones out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. 25 MLB drafts later, Chipper still looks back at his draft. He had some interesting things to tell Today’s Knuckleball’s Joseph Nocco.
"Former Atlanta Braves’ third baseman Chipper Jones says that he wouldn’t wish being selected first-overall in the MLB Draft on his worst enemy. A former No. 1 overall pick by the Braves form the 1990 MLB Draft, the now 44-year-old believes that the current era of media has made the process much more focused and complicated.“I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy [to be] the first pick in the draft nowadays,” said Jones. “With the print media, with the video media, with the social media age that we live in now…People didn’t even know what I looked like [when I got drafted].”Now a special assistant to the Braves’ baseball operations department, Jones was also willing to give some advice to the upcoming draftees. However, the advice did not involve anything related to the baseball diamond or the game itself.“Just remember your agent works for you,” Jones added. “Not the other way around.”"