House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves bargain hunting adds eight on draft day 2

By Fred Owens

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 07: A detailed view of the first overall pick of the Washington Nationals Bryce Harper on the draft board during the MLB First Year Player Draft on June 7, 2010 held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 07: A detailed view of the first overall pick of the Washington Nationals Bryce Harper on the draft board during the MLB First Year Player Draft on June 7, 2010 held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: General view of SunTrust Park during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals on September 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 17: General view of SunTrust Park during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals on September 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

Stephen Paolini  OF L/L  6-2 195  N/R

Paolini played in the 2017 WWBA Underclass World Championship and earned 2017 Perfect Game Super 25, PG All-American, and 17-under All-Tournament Team honors. This year his play won him selection on rosters for:

  • All- Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference, and
  • All-State, and All-State Junior Select Team

Elon recruited Paolini, and he’s an Elon commit if he chooses not to sign. Elon Coach Robbie Huffsteler gave this evaluation of Paolini.

"Stephen is a true five-tool player . . . who can play all three outfield spots . . has a plus arm . . . is athletic with plus bat speed."

Perfect Game said (in part) of his performance during the 2018 World Championship Series:

". . . projectable power hitter’s swing. . .(with) the ability to consistently drive the ball to the big parts of the ball field. . .  strong lower half . . . gets his bat on plane and shows plus lift at contact . . . shows great plate discipline . . . regularly gets his barrel to the ball . . ."

Atlanta Braves VP of Scouting Dana Brown told Gabe Burns of the AJC why he selected the unknown outfielder.

"“He’s a good-looking young hitter with some upside,” Brown said, while acknowledging his game has parallels with reigning National League MVP Christian Yelich. “He has the foot speed to play center field.”"

If reading about Paolini reminded you of Harris it isn’t an accident.  Both are draft-and-hope guys:  hoping that the potential five-tool, impact player eventually appears. Every team can use a Christian Yelich type.

Tanner Gordon P L/R 6-5 215 NR

A Graduate of Champaign Central High School, Gordon won First Team All-State selection his senior year. He attended John A. Logan College where he posted a 6-0 record his freshman year, striking out 52 and walking 11 in 49 2/3 IP.

As a sophomore at Logan, he posted a 2.06 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, in 70 IP, striking out 104 and walking 20.

This season the big right-hander started 14 games for Indiana University, tossing 80-2/3 innings, striking out 86 and walking 17, to end the year with a 3.35 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

Statistics from The Baseball Cube

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