Noah Hall, Photo by 24/7 Sports

7th Round: RHP Noah Hall, South Carolina; Slot Value: $235,000

Hall, a fourth-year senior from South Carolina, was snagged with the club’s 10th pick (216th overall). The third Gamecock pitcher to be selected in Day 2, Hall was previously drafted in the 20th round by Milwaukee Brewers last year but elected to stay in college with South Carolina. He had recently transferred from Appalachian State prior to the 2022 campaign and also appeared with Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the 2021 Cape Cod League.

Will Sanders gets all the love in the South Carolina rotation, but Noah Hall is a stud. Gutsy game against a really good Penn team. 8 IP/12 K/0 BB/3 H/0 ER. 71 strikes on 99 pitches. Oh and he hit 97 mph in the 8th. https://t.co/fuUq5XOZN3

— Chris Clegg (@RotoClegg) February 26, 2023

When healthy, Hall possessed one of the best change-ups in the nation, with Baseball America giving the pitch a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. TheState.com notes that its spin rate is comparable to high-quality Major-League cambios. It’s the bread and butter of his delivery, with multiple pundits offering praise. A fastball sitting in the low-to-mid 90’s and a cutter/slider hybrid round out his arsenal, which complements his fiery on-mound demeanor.

Hall’s been bitten by the injury bug this year, having not pitched since March 31st due to a back issue. The injury halted a productive campaign for the 22-year-old; he had posted a 3.29 ERA over his seven starts for South Carolina. Out of the club’s first 10 picks, Hall represents the eighth pitcher selected.

8th Round: C Boston Baro, Capistrano Valley High School (CA);

Slot Value $192,900

Their third shortstop selection, Baro is a high-ceiling pick who matches an impressive approach on the plate with a sweet swing from the left side of the dish. He was ranked 98th in the class by Baseball America, 224th by MLB Pipeline, and 145th by Future Star Series.

MLB Pipeline reports:

At 6-foot-2, Baro has a narrow and athletic frame with a loose, easy left-handed swing that reminds some of former SoCal prep standout Brice Turang. He has an excellent approach at the plate, sees the ball well and doesn’t swing and miss much. He may never be a huge power guy, but if he can add strength to that frame, there should be more impact — the one part of his offensive game in question — in the future. Baro will record average to above-average run times now, but that added strength should help him be faster as he matures. He should also improve his arm strength over time and that, along with his easy actions defensively, gives him a very nice shortstop starter kit.

Baro is a hit-first shortstop with a slick glove and the ability to make most throws on the run. He’s got smooth actions around the baseball and real feel for the second base bag on plays up the middle. Baro has an above average arm, maybe a touch more. He’s an average runner, though scouts expect that could tick up with added weight and proper physical development in the weight room. Baro doesn’t show much thunder in the bat at present, though he’s shown a strong approach at the plate. At this stage, it’s all about adding mass and strength. Scouts biggest concern with the profile is whether he’ll impact the baseball enough to be a consistent regular as a pro. Baro checks just about every other box you’re looking for in a prep shortstop.