The MLB draft changes rules at round 11. Anyone drafted in this range can get a $125,000 signing bonus without pulling from the team’s draft pool allowance. Any bonus over $125,000 will count against the pool, dollar-for-dollar over the standard $125,000. Most of the picks after the 11th are college players, typically juniors, who will likely sign before they lose the last of their negotiation leverage as a senior.
In 2019 and 2021, the Braves were able to still acquire notable high-upside prep players thanks to impressive draft pool savings after Days 1 and 2. It is uncertain if Atlanta has that much pool flexibility this year as they concentrated on high school talent earlier in the draft, but there was some notable prep and JUCO players taken today.
Previous Entries In This Series:
Day One (Round 1-2)
Day Two (Rounds 3-10)
11. Ian Mejia, RHP, New Mexico State
An athletic pitcher as Atlanta tends to favor, Mejia lettered in baseball, football, and basketball in high school. Drafted in 2018 by the Mets, Mejia instead honored his commitment to Arizona. After redshirting his freshman year he transferred to Pima Community College and worked well in the pandemic-shortened season. Mejia went to New Mexico State and pitched an impressive 100.2 innings in 2022, making 16 appearances and 15 starts, to a 4.29 ERA in Big 10
Mejia is known for intense competitiveness to go with a fairly nasty high-spin curveball. His fastball has some run as well, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Atlanta employ him as a two-pitch multi-inning reliever or opener. His control took a step up his final year at NMS.
12. Justin Janas, 1B, Illinois
The Braves don’t typically go after hit-over-power first basemen in the draft (actually, they rarely go after first basemen at all), but if they’re going to break the mold it seems good to get a career .361/.494/.489 hitter in the Big Ten and 2021 conference batting champ. That said, his 6 total collegiate home runs, all hit in 2022, is pretty extreme.
Janas’s size – 6′-3″, 205 pounds – would lead one to think more power is possible, but at least in college Janas was happy to work up-the-middle and opposite field with a flat bat plane that makes him a singles machine. It will be interesting to see if the Braves try to have him go through a swing change, a process that has had mixed results with recent prospects.
13. Cedric de Grandpre, RHP, Chipola (FL) College
The third Canadian taken in the draft by Atlanta, de Grandpre otherwise is a classic sinker/slider pitcher who tries to generate soft contact and ground balls. He sits 91-94 on the fastball and tries to keep the ball low, working inside and out. The slider has more horizontal break than most, almost a curveball that looks a little like Luke Jackson when it’s on.
De Grandpre is a 2-year JUCO pitcher with a commitment to Arizona State.
14. Landon Harper, RHP, Southern Mississippi
Another somewhat undersized reliever with good results, Harper pitched two seasons with Pearl River Community College before going Southern Mississippi where he became their closer, picking up 12 saves in 31 appearances with a 3.71 ERA. Another athletic pitcher, Harper lettered in baseball and soccer for Northeast Lauderdale High School in Meridian, MS. Harper was on the mound when Southern Miss upset LSU to advance to the 2022 Super Regionals.
Harper only has half of a thumb after a childhood injury, and he credits it for increased spin rate. His fastball rides high in the zone in the low-90s, and a slider with nasty bite is his big strikeout pitch. He also throws a change-up.
15. William Silva, RHP, Miami-Dade Community College
Another JUCO reliever with a history of success, athleticism, and the ability to hit the strike zone regularly, Silva was the Southern Conference Fireman of the Year after striking out 39 in 29 innings this season for a 2.48 ERA. Silva has some long arm action that can probably be cleaned up a bit, but he throws in the low 90’s with a sweeping slider and average change-up.
16. E.J. Exposito, SS, Long Island University
Exposito hit .275/.382/.481 in three seasons with Long Island but really stood out in the Draft League this summer. Exposito was the everyday shortstop and #3 hitter for Long Island last season.
Exposito looks to have good wrists and barrel feel. He walked more that he struck out in his junior year at Long Island and he looks to make lots of contact.
17. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., OF, College of Central Florida
Kilpatrick is from Stockbridge, GA, going to school at Redan High School in Stone Mountain. He’s an athletic, fast outfielder with a good arm and despite being 21 years old could have more power as well if he fills out his frame.
18. Noah Williams, OF, Redondo Union HS (CA)
Williams was a top Bay-Area hitter his senior year of high school and appears motivated to start his pro career. He has a contact-and-speed approach but looks like he could add power as he fills out.
19. Christian Jackson, OF, Dutchtown HS (GA)
Jackson is from Stockbridge, GA as the Braves double down on pulling from the town; the last time the Braves drafted from Stockbridge — Michael Harris II in 2019 — it seemed to turn out pretty well. Already 6′-2″ and 180 pounds, Jackson is well put together and shows a strong, all-fields approach.
Jackson has a strong commitment to Georgia State and is probably the most unlikely of the draft class to sign.
20. Keshawn Ogans, SS, University of California
Ogans hit .315/.378/.420 his junior year at Cal and followed that up with a .262/.419/.431 line in the Draft League. Ogans turns 21 in August, young for someone who already has 485 plate appearances in Division 1. Ogans is built like a classic infielder, 5′-9″ and 180 pounds with decent arm action for shortstop.
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