For the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Major League Baseball Draft is still an exciting time, even if their first pick comes after all 29 teams get theirs.
That’s the price that comes with winning a World Series–and having such a high payroll that your first-round pick gets bumped back 10 spots due to the luxury tax regulations laid out in the most recent collective bargaining agreement.
So with the 40th overall pick, the Dodgers will have options. Should they shoot for the moon with a high schooler who has massive tools and raw talent? Or perhaps opt for the safer route, a collegiate standout who might not light up the exit velocity leaderboards, but could make an impact soon in the big leagues?
On Friday, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel predicted the latter.
In his latest mock draft, McDaniel projected Clemson University center fielder Cam Cannarella to the Dodgers with the 40th overall pick.
“There’s a rumor that if both are on the board, the Dodgers will take Jack Bauer and Quentin Young at these two picks — literally the two highest ceiling players in the draft. For entertainment’s sake, I hope that happens,” McDaniel wrote.
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“Because Young was picked earlier in this projection (as were L.A. targets Coy James, Marcus Phillips, Aaron Watson and J.B. Middleton), Cannarella fits and has been mentioned here much of the spring. Max Belyeu and Charles Davalan will go soon if they aren’t taken here. Kruz Schoolcraft is another high upside prep player the Dodgers are on.”
Cannarella, 21, earned a 60 grade on the 20-to-80 scale for his speed and fielding ability from MLB Pipeline. He batted .353 with a 1.010 OPS for the Tigers as a junior this past spring.
Having a star defender in center field is a huge competitive advantage these days, so even though the Dodgers seem to be developing one in Andy Pages, it wouldn’t hurt to add another to the pipeline.
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