Atlanta Braves Draft Day 3–Part 1
By Fred Owens
Round 15: Zach Becherer, RHP, R/R, Rend Lake Col, J2, 6’4″ 220lbs, 09/04/95
The Braves drafted Becherer even though he is recovering from TJ surgery April 13. Prior to that he was 2-1 with a 1.33 earned-run average in five games (27 IP) with 43 strikeout. This video above is from last September.
He’s always had a mid 90s fastball and featured a lot of strikeout. On March fifth – prior to his injury Becherer went six shut out innings allowing two hits and striking out eight while walking just three. His injury means he won’t pick up a ball this season and might not a a game until half way through the 2017 season but if he can get back to that form the reported $275,000 signing bonus will be money well spent.
Round 16: Josh Anthony, 3B, R/R, Western Oklahoma State College, J2, 5’10” 195lbs, 07/03/96
A Columbus Georgia native Anthony had a superb year at Western Oklahoma State and being named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II All-America team. This season he played in 65 games and hit .444 with a .573 OBP and 25 homers. He also stole 49 bases and scored 112 runs.
According to the Star Ledger Anthony wore No.10 because he grew up a big fan of the Braves and especially of third baseman Chipper Jones. He had already committed to play at Auburn next fall and told the Star ledger that might still happen depending on how negotiations go with the Braves.
That’s A Wrap
That’s all for today anyway, I’ll post another group as soon as I can gather more data. It’s possible some of these late round guys, particularly high school guys who are college bound, juniors who decide to finish college and try again next year or as in the case of Anthony have committed to a school and want to honor that commitment. We won’t know the exact numbers until July 16th.
From what I’ve seen there is some talent there why not give it a shot. I’ve heard some complain about the players taken in the late rounds but for the life of me I can’t understand why it matters. Some of these guys will make it and all that choose to get to follow their dream as far as they can take it. The minor league system need those players to function and they want to play; from what I’ve seen there is some talent there why not give it a shot?
As these guys get into the system Ben will do his usual crackerjack job of letting us know how they’re doing so stay tuned here at the Take,