2024 3rd Round Pick (#97): Austin Overn - OF - (So) USC (CA)

[Sports Guy]

And btw, they should take BPA regardless of position.

As with most thoughts on the draft picks, it’s more about overall philosophy than the player themselves. 
 

This guy sounds like a good pick with a lot of tools to work with.

[Greg Pappas]

17 minutes ago, 86this said:

Bonus Slot $ 752,500

4YR Sophomore

6'0-175 LHH, very little power, 75-grade speed.  "Not a lot of power there. Maybe the fastest guy in the draft class... maybe the best defensive outfielder in the draft class." --Jonathan Mayo on MLB's coverage. Melanie Newman is there and is the lead 'play by play' announcer with Mayo and Callis discussing the pick.  Newman...ugh.  I just grow weary of her.  She was saying something about comparing Overn to Rutschman, but Mayo dismissed that quickly.  Not sure where she was going with that.

The O's continue their odd obsession with taking college OF's. smh

Quote

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 75 | Arm: 50 | Field: 70 | Overall: 45

Overn was known as one of the best athletes in Southern California during his high school days, when he played four sports. He went just up the road to play both football and baseball at USC. He gave up football to focus on baseball in 2023 and jumped into the Trojans’ starting lineup, showing off that athleticism on both sides of the ball and finishing with a .932 OPS before trying out for Team USA and playing in the Cape Cod League. 

Overn is one of the fastest players in the Draft class, with some scouts hanging an 80 on his speed. He’s a legitimate basestealer and that speed plays in center field, where he combines his wheels with good reads and routes to be a premium defender with an average arm. He’s not just athletic; Overn has outstanding body awareness and control.

A left-handed hitter, Overn knows what his offensive game is. He’s used a handsy-slasher type of swing, but it’s vastly improved from his high school days, when he would lack fluidity and crash on his front side. There’s actually some raw pop there, but he focuses on drawing walks and putting the ball in play, with his speed helping his hit tool. He’s the type of table-setter that’s hard to come by, but scouts were tempered in their enthusiasm because of a lack of impact at the plate. 

 

Edited July 15 by Greg Pappas

[Rbiggs2525]

5 minutes ago, Greg Pappas said:

6'0-175 LHH, very little power, 75-grade speed.  "Not a lot of power there. Maybe the fastest guy in the draft class... maybe the best defensive outfielder in the draft class." --Jonathan Mayo on MLB's coverage. Melanie Newman is there and is the lead 'play by play' announcer with Mayo and Callis discussing the pick.  Newman...ugh.  I just grow weary of her.  She was saying something about comparing Overn to Rutschman, but Mayo dismissed that quickly.  Not sure where she was going with that.

The O's continue their odd obsession with taking college OF's. smh

 

I love when the “scouts” say he has very little power as replays in the background show him hitting balls 400 plus feet. If you have power in your legs to be the fastest player in the draft then there’s power there. It just needs to be unlocked. The kid was recruited to play PAC 12 football as well.

[Sports Guy]

I mean it sounds like you got a Bradfield type guy but in round 3 and in a weaker draft than when you took EBJ in round 1 last year.

Bradfield is definitely a guy who could be dealt this month.  In fact, he probably should be if he’s valued.

[RZNJ]

1 minute ago, Sports Guy said:

I mean it sounds like you got a Bradfield type guy but in round 3 and in a weaker draft than when you took EBJ in round 1 last year.

Bradfield is definitely a guy who could be dealt this month.  In fact, he probably should be if he’s valued.

Good comp.  The additions of Honeycutt and Overn certainly give the thought that EBJ is more expendable.   

[now]

13 minutes ago, Ripken said:

We're going to need this extreme speed in the OF, and great defense up the middle, when our 17th round pitchers start getting called up to Baltimore.

Not to worry... we can just trade our excess speed/defense guys for another team's 17th round pitchers (2 for 1 deals, just for arm insurance!) and then plan on "fixing" them!

Edited July 15 by now

[O-The-Memories]

I'd deal this whole draft so far for a top pitching prospect. We have drafted two more outfielders that have trouble hitting the ball, and a catcher who will likely have to play first. If we needed a defense first CF who can't hit, grab someone like Michael A. Taylor for next to nothing. 

[jabba72]

They are quintupling down on college CF's these past two drafts with Fabian, Beavers, EBJ last year now Honeycutt and Overn this season. This organization must place a ton of value on the CF position. Lets hope they really hit on one.

[LookinUp]

2 minutes ago, jabba72 said:

They are quintupling down on college CF's these past two drafts with Fabian, Beavers, EBJ last year now Honeycutt and Overn this season. This organization must place a ton of value on the CF position. Lets hope they really hit on one.

It's almost like they actually are drafting for need. 

Get 4-5 guys who are definite CFs (defensively) and hope one hits enough to be an above average ML starter.

[Fuegofuego]

Nice power numbers from cape cod, nice pick for 3rd.

.314

.412

.535

.947

[Greg Pappas]

8 minutes ago, Rbiggs2525 said:

I love when the “scouts” say he has very little power as replays in the background show him hitting balls 400 plus feet. If you have power in your legs to be the fastest player in the draft then there’s power there. It just needs to be unlocked. The kid was recruited to play PAC 12 football as well.

Being fast does not equate to power.  Take a look at Bradfield Jr. as just one example.  But Overn has enough power to hit the ball over the fence on occasion.  He's not Bradfield Jr in that respect, but I wouldn't think he projects to more than a 10-12 HR's as a regular.  That's not bad, but his value will likely be in his speed and glove, and hopefully he can hit enough to get on base and steal a ton of bases.

[Tony-OH]

Well, the one thing we know, is that Mike Elias is doubling down on his college bat philosophy. 

[Go_Os]

https://x.com/643charts/status/1697277342253494783/photo/1

[Can_of_corn]

I think it's clear they are going to move the walls back even further.

[Can_of_corn]

3 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

And btw, they should take BPA regardless of position.

As with most thoughts on the draft picks, it’s more about overall philosophy than the player themselves. 
 

This guy sounds like a good pick with a lot of tools to work with.

Do you think they are?