2023 4th Round Pick (#118): Levi Wells - RHP - (Jr) Texas State (TX)

[86this]

Slot = $563.60k

MLB Film Room

[sportsfan8703]

3rd pitcher so far.  I like that we're taking NCAA guys that have a chance to start and haven't dipped into taking the Douglas Hodo's of the world.  Elias and Co. are ready to show that they can develop pitchers.  These guys have some projections.  

The biggest part it is... they're all healthy.  

[MurphDogg]

Transfer from Texas Tech, high spin rate.

[Tony-OH]

Gotta give Elias and Ciolek credit, they are finally going after some pitching early in the draft. Another guy who didn't have amazing numbers, but there is some upside!

[86this]

Just now, sportsfan8703 said:

3rd pitcher so far.  I like that we're taking NCAA guys that have a chance to start and haven't dipped into taking the Douglas Hodo's of the world.  Elias and Co. are ready to show that they can develop pitchers.  These guys have some projections.  

The biggest part it is... they're all healthy.  

Yeah, I think they need to have an influx of college pitchers just to catch up with the hitters moving up the ranks.

[NCRaven]

Elias doesn’t hate pitchers?

[Sports Guy]

Relief prospect?

[Tony-OH]

2 minutes ago, NCRaven said:

Elias doesn’t hate pitchers?

This is definitely a different philosophy this year. I'm liking it. The pitching in the org is really poor and this draft should help that.

[sportsfan8703]

3 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

This is definitely a different philosophy this year. I'm liking it. The pitching in the org is really poor and this draft should help that.

Also, why not draft some projectible arms, that we feel like we can develop, rather than taking 4th OF, UTIL IF,  or backup C types?

[btdart20]

5 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Also, why not draft some projectible arms, that we feel like we can develop, rather than taking 4th OF, UTIL IF,  or backup C types?

Agreed.  The college competition focus and those who have projection as something more than a guy.  TBD for sure, but the logic seems solid to me.

[LookinUp]

A couple of our younger position prospects must be breathing a sigh of relief. It's about time they're not having talent stacked up immediately behind them. 

[RZNJ]

3 minutes ago, LookinUp said:

A couple of our younger position prospects must be breathing a sigh of relief. It's about time they're not having talent stacked up immediately behind them. 

The buildup of the Latin program might have something to do with needing less positional players in the draft.

[Three Run Homer]

I wonder if part of the philosophy is that the consolidation of the lower ranks of the minors is making it harder to develop HS players, making college players more valuable (unless you have an elite prospect like Holliday).  

[Getz]