10 replies to this topic

[Wingack]

So the Yankees popped Dante Bichette Jr. with their first pick of the draft at pick 51.

Dante Bichette
3B / Orangewood Christian High School

Bats-Throws: R-R
Height/Weight: 6-1/205
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
College Commitment: Georgia
Birthdate: Sept. 26, 1992

SCOUTING PROFILE: Bichette is, of course, the son of the former big-league outfielder of the same name. Dad played 14 years in the majors, slamming 274 home runs. He also was second in the 1995 National League MVP race (.340-40-128 in the friendly confines of Coors Field) and joined the rare 30/30 club the following year (31 HR/31 SB). Dante Jr. is cut from the same mould in many respects. A notable difference between the two is that the younger Bichette comes with a lot more hype than his dad had. Dante Sr. went undrafted out of high school, and was a mere 17th-rounder in 1984 out of Palm Beach CC. His son has been heavily exposed in showcases and travel-league competition, and should be drafted much higher in June, likely in the top 2-3 rounds. Bichette is a righthanded hitter, like his dad, and has the same very aggressive swing that creates outstanding raw bat speed. He hits from an exaggerated open, spread stance that concerns some scouts because he often doesn’t come close to closing his hips at contact, or becoming directional to the pitcher. Few pitchers at the high-school level can spot the ball consistently to the outside corner, especially with off-speed stuff, to exploit Bichette’s apparent vulnerability to pitches on the outer half. But it could prove to be a challenge for Bichette at the next level that may demand adjustments in his approach. On the other hand, throw something middle-in on Bichette, especially with some velocity on it, and he’ll destroy it. Balls typically explode off his barrel and he can easily reach the fences to all parts of the field. Bichette hit a resounding .597-9-37 as a junior at Orangewood Christian High, and .640-10-40 this spring. Admittedly, the level of competition he has faced in high school is inferior to the pitching he normally sees in the summer and fall, but he typically hit in the middle of the lineup last year for powerful FTB Mizuno, and was surrounded in the order by fellow top Florida prep prospects like Francisco Lindor, Dan Vogelbach and Tyler Marlette—all elite prospects for this year’s draft. Defense is another area where Son strongly resembles Father. The elder Bichette was never known as a defensive standout in right field, though had a powerful throwing arm. His son has played plenty of shortstop as a teenager, and though he has acceptable 7.0 speed in the 60, he lacks the ideal lateral foot quickness to play shortstop at a higher level. Likewise, he has enough arm strength to touch 90 mph off the mound, but a slow release handicaps that tool. Scouts envision Bichette adapting nicely to third base as a professional (his dad played 64 games of third base in the minor leagues), before an outfield corner position or first base comes into play. Moving away from all the obvious comparisons to his father, the player in the current high-school draft class that Bichette most closely resembles is probably California slugger Travis Harrison, another prodigious righthanded slugger whose eventual defensive position is a secondary concern to his big bat.

Projected Draft Position: Second / Third Round.

[Guero]

So the Yankees popped Dante Bichette Jr. with their first pick of the draft at pick 51.

Looks like a solid pick at 51. Harold did a breakdown on him the other day, on MLB network. Hope he hits as well as his father did. And if he can play a good 3b, he could be in line to replace ARod in a few years.

[Bigpupp]

KLaw didn't like it...

I laughed. Jr. didn't make my top 100 (report: es.pn/jJzYLw )RT @jslyuan: Yanks realize it's not actually Dante Bichette right?

Wait till you see the hack. RT @Bloogart7: @keithlaw Yikes, just saw footage of Bichette running. Not impressed.

[Wingack]

Mfalcon (Baton rouge): How much an overdraft was Bichette?

Kevin Goldstein II: Tons of Bichette questions, so lets get this out of the way. Was he the 51st best talent? No. Not really even close. More of a 2nd-3rd round guy. That said, I might be wrong, because he was moving up boards late on some impressive workouts and can really hit. He also looks amazingly like his father facially.

Well, so this is what I gather. He was a second/third round type for some teams and then he started moving up some teams draft boards, and I think the Yankees were worried that he wouldn't be there at the end of the 2nd round so they popped him.

[rembrat]

It wouldn't be a draft without the Yankee making ???? picks. I love the KLaw analysis.

Although we should remember that he was the guy that said Pedroia was "Eckstein without the speed."

[BigMike]

Seems like almost a comp lete 180 in the focus from last year.

They seem to be drafting a ton of corner guys who are not great athletes.

[Wingack]

Seems like almost a comp lete 180 in the focus from last year.

They seem to be drafting a ton of corner guys who are not great athletes.

I noticed that too. Seems like they went after alot of power/power potential type bats and HS pitchers. Going after the power bats is something that I have wanted them to do for awhile so I am kind of pleased by that.

[Rice4HOF]

A late round sleeper is Ryan Thompson, a big RHP who was selected in the 36th round. I interviewed him for an article I wrote for the Canadian Baseball Network (sort of our version of Baseball America), and he seems to be an outstanding kid. Very humble, but very hard working and committed.

Here are the links:
http://www.canadianb...ranklin-pierce/
http://baseballinalb...rairies-to.html

[jon abbey]

Dante Bichette Jr. is going crazy in the Rookie GCL, a ridiculous 15-18 with 3 BBs in his last five games and a .980 OPS overall.

[terrynever]

Dante Bichette Jr. is going crazy in the Rookie GCL, a ridiculous 15-18 with 3 BBs in his last five games and a .980 OPS overall.

KLaw thinks that's pretty funny.

[Bob420]

I know it's GCL, but Bichette Jr has been excellent (including great plate discipline) - are those #s somewhat meaningless?

Klaw (12:17 PM)


Totally meaningless. With most quality draftees not signing until August 15th, the caliber of play in the two complex leagues is atrocious right now. Bichette probably feels like he's still playing HS ball.