House That Hank Built
Fansided

A review of multiple current Atlanta Braves mock drafts

By Alan Carpenter

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig speaks at the podium during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig speaks at the podium during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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circa 1925: Harold Lloyd (1893 – 1971), the American film comedian puts a wind machine to good use to blow himself clean after rolling in the dust during a film sequence.  Hey, it’s a big fan… generates a… draft.  Get it?  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
circa 1925: Harold Lloyd (1893 – 1971), the American film comedian puts a wind machine to good use to blow himself clean after rolling in the dust during a film sequence.  Hey, it’s a big fan… generates a… draft.  Get it?  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) /

MyMLBDraft.com

Link to site’s mock draft page.

Their pick for the Braves:  Daniel Espino (RHP).  6’2″/200 (Premier Academy HS, GA) (LSU Commit)

Fangraphs’ quick eval:  “Hardest-throwing high schooler in the class… two nasty breaking balls… atypical mechanics”

The video on him (this from BaseballAmerica) doesn’t show mechanics that are that unusual – mostly it’s a very high leg kick, but it’s evident that this help to generate the momentum for a 99 mph fastball.

Also of note:  this video came a year ago while Espino was still 17.

I worry about high school pitchers… well, period.  But I know that getting them into pro ball early is key to success in the majors at a reasonable age.

However, getting a guy that already throws this hard – and there’s definitely effort involved – does concern me for his long-term arm health.

This video shows a day where his control wasn’t especially evident, but it does show his motion a bit better.

Overall, it’s always interesting to see a hard-throwing pitcher, but my feeling is that he’s more of a ‘project’ than a ‘sure thing’ and when you have that 9th overall pick, you don’t really want to miss.

Would I rule out a high school pitcher?  Not at all… but there are others (not many, but a couple) that I’d go to before drafting Espino.

If he’s still there for the 21st pick… then maybe.

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