MLB Draft: Picks 6-10 -- Rendon, then high schoolers, reigns
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Three high schoolers and two premiere college hitters filled out the top 10 of the MLB draft on Monday.
The Washington Nationals pulled the trigger on the sixth pick of the draft by selecting Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon, who had been predicted to go as high as second in the draft, but questions about a shoulder injury and an influx of pitchers in the top few picks made him available for the Nationals.
The Arizona Diamondbacks picked their second right-handed pitcher of the draft with the seventh pick. Archie Bradley, from Broken Arrow High in Oklahoma, will join Trevor Bauer of UCLA in the Diamondbacks’ potential rotation of the future. The 18-year-old has committed to Oklahoma University to play both baseball and football.
This season’s pace-setters, the Cleveland Indians, looked to add to their stock of young talent with the eighth pick. The Indians added shortstop Francisco Lindor. The 5-fooot-11 Florida native from Montverde Academy won the 2010 Aflac All-American Home Run Derby, so despite his size, he has shown legitimate power.
The Cubs surprised many with their pick of shortstop Javie Baez with the ninth selection. The Cubs already have a shortstop-of-the-future in Starlin Castro, who leading the way for Chicago’s offense this season.
Baez was not planning on leaving home for college, going from Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Fla., to Jacksonville University, but now will have to reconsider.
The San Diego Padres finished off the first 10 picks of the draft with their selection of a player who apparently can play nearly any position. Listed at second base some days, shortstop other days, with even a few appearances at third base and in the outfield, Cory Spangenberg of Indian River State College in Ft. Pierce, Fla., will gave the Padres a versatile weapon.
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-- Douglas Farmer