The Mets have completed their 2017 MLB Draft haul, culminating with the 40th round on Wednesday. Here’s how things finished up.
They used their 31st pick on RHP Ryan Selmer out of Maryland. LHP Kaylor Chafin was the next pick, he’s ranked as the 50th best Texas Prospect. MacLeod Lozer (goes by Mac) out of Michigan was their 33rd rounder. Jake Eder, a top 100 draft prospect, fell into the Mets lap in the 34th round. If the Mets sign him, they should be ecstatic but he has a commitment to Vanderbilt. Their 35th selection was RHP Kyle Wilson out of Crowder College (Junior College).
They took their second catcher on the day, Robby Kidwell Jr. He is from Brunswick Community College. They took Joshua Walker in the 37th round. He is a LHP out of New Haven. Daniel Alfonzo, a 3B out of high school was the next pick. He has ties to a former Met. Two high school pitchers, Noah Nunez of California and Ron Taylor in Texas, were the final picks of the day.
Ryan Selmer
Selmer’s ability to get ground balls makes him a very appealing bullpen arm, and he has demonstrated his versatility, as a guy who has the stamina to pitch multiple innings. The ground balls are a product of his low arm angle, which makes the ball dip down and in on a right handed batter. While he doesn’t throw as hard as his height suggests, a low 90s fastball with movement is better than a straight fastball at 96. Selmer isn’t a guy who has scouts flocking to the stadium, but I think his size is an intangible that will convince a team to take a flyer on him in the later rounds, and hope that they can help him develop more strikeout stuff, or turn him into the more prototypical hard throwing right hander.
Kaylor Chafin
As an undersized lefty, Chafin arrived at Texas A&M as a freshman and quickly discovered that he wasn’t ready for the Southeastern Conference. He redshirted that year and transferred to Blinn (Texas) JC the next year to get needed innings. Even after that dose of experience, Chafin was used minimally as a redshirt sophomore upon his return to Texas A&M. But this year he took a big step forward as a crafty lefty with an 84-90 mph fastball and an above-average curveball. Chafin also throws a changeup, but his success is largely based around his ability to locate both inside and out with advanced command. He’s a lefty reliever moving forward and, as such, he will have to decide if he’s ready for pro ball as a later-round pick this year or if he wants to wait to be a senior sign
MacLeod Lozer
No scouting report on Lozer. He is coming off a great year as a reliever and previously joined Michigan as a SS. Walks have been an issue for Lozer but this year he was able to control them while also increasing his strikeouts.
Jake Eder
Baseball America (#69)
Jake Eder checks a lot of boxes. He is tall and physical, with a broad-shouldered, 6-foot-4 frame that looks to be built for a starter’s workload. He throws hard; Eder’s fastball works consistently in the low 90s and bumps 95. He’s also lefthanded and has a loose-and-easy arm action and delivery. | Two points of emphasis in Eder’s development will be the continued growth of his command and the consistency of his breaking ball. Towards the end of the spring, Eder began throwing more strikes, but he struggled to get the ball down in the strike zone at times. His breaking ball, at its best, will look like an above-average pitch with tight spin and three-quarter break in the upper 70s. At its worst, Eder’s curveball loops upward out of his hand and he’s unable to spot it for strikes. Eder’s biggest challenge is getting his timing down so that he can better repeat his delivery. He has a tendency to collapse early on his back side and lose balance, causing him to throw uphill and rush off the rubber. He’s far from his ceiling, but represents an intriguing high-risk, high-reward option. Eder is committed to Vanderbilt, but could be selected on the first day of the draft.
Kyle Wilson
No report on Wilson. He was previously drafted and is coming off a strong season as a starter and as a reliever.
Robby Kidwell Jr
Perfect Game (2014)
Robby Kidwell, Jr. is a 2015 C/OF with a 6-2 183 lb. frame from Leonardtown, MD who attends Chopticon. Kidwell has long lean build with room to fill out. Hits from a square stance, toe tap trigger, hits to all fields with a line drive swing plane. Flat load with hands, makes consistent contact. Defensively, accurate throws, feet work well, has quick transfer and release.
Joshua Walker
Was a First Team All-County and All-Section honoree at Minisink Valley High School… Helped guide Warriors to a NYS Section 9 championship in 2013…Also garnered Fifth team All-State honors…Named team MVP and team captain during senior season…Posted a 2.60 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 54 innings tossed…Held opponents to a .212 batting average against…At the plate, hit .354 while registering a .480 on-base percentage…Also played football and was on the swim team.
He posted a 2.40 ERA in 30 innings this past year with 32 strikeouts in those innings.
Daniel Alfonzo
No report on Alfonzo but you might recognize the last name. It is the son of former Mets infielder and Brooklyn Cyclones manager, Edgardo Alfonzo. He’s a big kid and will likely start out at the hot corner. He has power potential and the Mets would be very lucky if he’s anything like his father.
Noah Nunez
Almost nothing on him other than the fact he has a commitment to San Diego State University.
Ron Taylor
Taylor has a big frame and commitments to Junior College and Wichita State. The Mets could look to sign him for an above average slot if they don’t secure the other over slot picks.
Eder has 1st round pick in 3 yrs written all over him. Mets would be very lucky if they can convince him to sign.