Los Angeles Dodgers scouting director Billy Gasparino bucked a trend on the first day of the 2018 MLB Draft by selecting prep right-hander J.T. Ginn out of Brandon High School in Mississippi with the club’s pick in the first round (30th overall).
It marked the first time Gasparino took a high school pitcher in the first round. “We have seen Ginn over the course of last year with a premium velocity that goes with a lot of movement,” Gasparino said.
“We think he has one of the best fastball qualities in the draft and he also has a power breaking ball that he can throw for strikes. The stuff has always been there, but we have seen him develop a better delivery as the spring went along. We believe that he is a potential starter and can be one of those power, six-foot righties that really has premium stuff.”
With their second-round choice, at No. 68, the Dodgers drafted another right-handed pitcher, though from the college ranks in West Virginia product Michael Grove. He missed his junior season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“Grove is a little bit of a unique case. A lot of credit goes to our area scout, Jonah Rosenthal, as he was able to see him both freshman and sophomore year at West Virginia and was able to gain some familiarity with his physical ability,” Gasparino said.
“We felt like Grove’s talent level matched that pick and our comfort level of where he was with his post Tommy John surgery, it made sense for us.”
Ginn may have the best pure stuff in the draft, according to ESPN’s Keith Law. The 6’1 hurler pairs a mid-90s fastball with a power curve, two pitches that grade at least “plus” on the scouting scale.
He was throwing a changeup last summer against better competition, so he could develop a starter’s arsenal. However, his delivery is violent, including a head-whack, which leads many evaluators to project him as a reliever in the long run.
The Dodgers don’t shy away from altering prospects’ mechanics and are likely hopeful they can tone down the effort in the 19-year-old’s delivery. The club believes in his ability to start, with Gasparino mentioning fellow short righties Marcus Stroman and Lance McCullers as examples of players with Ginn’s profile.
Being a year older for his draft class and with his power stuff, Ginn should move quickly through the lower Minors. The development of his changeup and the player development’s ability to smooth out his mechanics will dictate whether he reaches the majors as a starter or reliever.
Grove wasn’t even listed on some site’s draft boards due to the fact that he missed the entire year with his elbow injury. During his sophomore campaign, he was dominant for the Mountaineers. In nine starts, Grove posted a 2.87 ERA and struck out 61 batters in 47 innings.
Prior to the injury, Grove showed a low-to-mid 90s fastball along with a slider and a curve that both showed promise. Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs compared him to Mitchell White, saying he has a “violent delivery but with big stuff.”
It’s been about a year since his surgery, so while Grove likely won’t pitch in affiliated ball after he signs, he should head to Instructional League later this year and give the Dodgers an idea of what they have. They’re likely hoping for another Walker Buehler, but it would be a miracle for lightning to strike twice.
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