2015 MLB Draft: Reviewing The Dodgers Picks From Day Two
The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their draft on Tuesday, making eight more selections. (Check out our Day One review) Let’s examine their Day 2 picks:
Philip Pfeifer, LHP (Vanderbilt)
After taking Vandy right-hander Walker Buehler with their first pick of Day 1, the Dodgers chose his teammate with their first pick on Day 2. Pfeifer, a redshirt junior, pitched solidly for the Commodores this spring, posting a 4.09 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 83.2 innings. Obviously he can miss bats, but he needs to hone his control to make the most of his repertoire.
Willie Calhoun, 2B (Yavapai College)
Calhoun played his freshman year of college at Arizona, but decided to transfer to Yavapai prior to 2015. The move proved to be beneficial, as the 20-year-old posted historic numbers for the Arizona junior college. Willie blasted 31 home runs in 63 games this spring, producing an OPS of 1.472. He doesn’t really have a defensive home and may need to move to left field if second base doesn’t work out. However, wherever he ends up, the bat should play.
Brendon Davis, SS (Lakewood HS, CA)
Davis, who made Baseball America’s High School All America Second Team entering the spring, suffered a wrist injury in February that severely affected his draft stock. However, when healthy, Brendon shows a promising swing and actions for the left side of the infield. He’s rail-thin at 6’4 and 155 lbs, so there’s plenty of projection to take into account and he may need a few years in the low minors to figure things out. There is some signability concern with him, though the Dodgers definitely did their homework before making the pick.
Edwin Rios, 1B (Florida International)
A consistent performer at FIU, Rios found his power stroke this spring, clubbing 18 home runs in 61 games on the way to producing a career-best 1.013 OPS. His pretty left-handed swing will have to carry him in the pros, as the Dodgers drafted him as a first baseman. He should move quickly through the system, assuming he hits the ground running.
CONTINUE READING: See the final four picks from Day Two
