Day 2 draft highlights

Day 2 is over, and so are the first 30 rounds of the 2009 MLB Draft. I have a post with everyone the Bucs took, but here I will highlight a few that really caught my eye.

Zackry Dodson, LHP, Medina Valley HS (TX)
Dodson was chosen by the Bucs in the 4th round and was the 1st of 17 pitchers taken by the team today. Dodson was 10-0 with a 1.20 ERA this year. Even better, he struck out 129 batters and walked 36 in 64.1 innings. I can't find much more info on him other than that. Video

Zack Von Rosenburg, RHP, Zachary HS (LA)
Von Rosenburg was picked in the 6th round of the draft and is rated as the #41 prospect overall in the draft. He's an LSU commit as we will look to pry him away from that. He's got the body to develop into a power guy (6-5, 205). He throws around 89-90 consistently right now and his breaking ball looks sick. Video

Trent Stevenson, RHP, Brophy Jesuit Prep School (AZ)
Stevenson was the 7th round pick and might be my favorite pick of day 2. The guy is 6-6, 175 and can throw 93-94 at age 18. He has signed with Arizona and was ranked as the #1 high school pitcher in the state. Hopefully we can get this guy to sign. Video

Colton Cain, LHP, Waxahachie HS (TX)
Cain is right behind Stevenson as my favorites for the day. Chosen in the 8th round, Cain has a scholarship to Texas that the Bucs will have to get him to leave behind. Cain's fastball is said to be able to reach 94 on the gun and if it weren't for signability issues would have been drafted in the 3rd-4th round. Video

Jordan Cooper, RHP, Shelbyville Central HS (TN)
Cooper was chosen in the 17th round and is rated as the #99 prospect in the draft by ESPN. His fastball is 89-93 and has a devastating curveball. He has a commitment to Kentucky, so once again, we'll have to pay up. Video

Michael Heller, RHP, Cardinal Mooney HS (FL)
Heller was picked in the 29th round, but he is more like a 3rd round pick who is pretty set on going to the University of Florida. It will take lots of money to get him here. He throws a 94-95 mph fastball and has looked dominating sporting a great changeup and a plus curveball. He was a High School All-American and is ranked by ESPN as the #92 prospect in the draft. Video

I said after yesterday's dissapointment that this draft could still be salvaged. Well, it was. This 2nd day of the draft more than makes up for the team's first day. I was hoping that the Bucs would go after "unsignable" players and throw lots of money at them, and they picked them. Now, comes the negotiations. The Pirates draft budget is around $9 million this year and $2.5 million of that is going to Sanchez. Hopefully we will be able to get a few of these guys to give up their college scholarships and put on the black and gold. If the club is able to accomplish this, then the draft is looking like it will be a big success.

I kind of threw this thing together on a few guys who caught my eye. If there is anyone else we drafted who should also have some things said about him, feel free to leave it in the comments.

- B.U.C.C.O. Fans.com recaps each pick from Day 2.
- Raise the Jolly Roger recaps Day 2.
- Bucco Ball also details each pick.

Also, grade the Bucs' draft in the column to the left.