2016 State Draft Report: Ohio

CROP RATING
	Solid, not spectacular
Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

 

Number of players drafted in 2015: 20.

Kent State lefthander Eric Lauer impressed scouts on his way to posting the best Division I ERA by a starter in more than 30 years. Ohio State outfielder Ronnie Dawson got better and better as the season wore on, and Wright State’s Sean Murphy worked his way into the discussion of the best college catchers in the class. That trio ensures that this is a very solid draft class for the state.

The talent is thinner on the high school side, in part because catcher Tyler Duvall missed the year recovering from Tommy John surgery. But there are a number of Division I signees who could go better in three years.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Eric Lauer, lhp, Kent State (National Rank: 27)
2. Ronnie Dawson, of, Ohio State (National Rank: 53)
3. Sean Murphy, c, Wright State (National Rank: 63)
4. Jesse Scholtens, rhp, Wright State (National Rank: 301)
5. Christoper Machamer, rhp/3b, Washington HS, Massillon, Ohio (National Rank: 323)
6. Andy Ravel, rhp, Kent State (National Rank: 416)
7. Tyler Duvall, c, Lebanon (Ohio) HS (National Rank: 472)
8. Mitch Longo, of, Ohio (National Rank: 473)

 

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2016 Draft Map

9. Brandyn Sittinger, rhp, Ashland (Ohio) University
10. Nick Bennett, lhp, Moeller HS, Cincinnati
11. Mitch Roman, ss, Wright State
12. Dan Rizzie, c, Xavier
13. Troy Montgomery, of, Ohio State
14. Jake Rudnicki, rhp, Ohio
15. Jake Baldwin, rhp, Ashland (Ohio) University
16. Nick Sergakis, 3b, Ohio State
17. Connor Simonetti, 1b, Kent State
18. Robby Sexton, lhp, Wright State
19. Jackson Tedder, lhp, Beavercreek (Ohio) HS
20. Jay Wilson, rhp, Loveland HS, Cincinnati
21. Lucas Raley, of, Lake Erie (Ohio) College
22. Jacob Bosiokovic, 1b, Ohio State
23. Nick Hueneburg, 3b, Tiffin (Ohio) College

 

ADDITIONAL SCOUTING REPORTS

Brandyn Sittinger, rhp, Ashland (Ohio) University – Sittinger can light up a radar gun with 93-94 mph fastball but his secondary stuff has a ways to go to catch up to his fastball.

Nick Bennett, lhp, Moeller High, Cincinnati – Bennett, a Louisville signee, has present physicality. He can dominate at times with an 87-89 mph fastball , a breaking ball that flashes average and advanced control for his age.

Mitch Roman, ss, Wright State – Roman is a plus runner who has enough arm and range to possibly stay at shortstop as a pro. He is a spray hitter with very little power.

Dan Rizzie, c, Xavier – Rizzie shuts down running games thanks to a quick release and an accurate average arm. He’s an adequate receiver who is prone to lapses and he has average power with a below-average hit tool.

Troy Montgomery, of, Ohio State – Montgomery has the tools to be better than he is right now. His swing gets too long and power-hungry now, but his best assets are his speed, center field defense and hitting potential.

Jake Rudnicki, rhp, Ohio – Rudnicki’s arm strength (his fastball touches 95) might get him drafted but his arm action is unconventional and he’s coming off of a 5-3, 5.11 season.

Jake Baldwin, rhp, Ashland (Ohio) University – Baldwin’s medical history causes concern as he’s had Tommy John surgery in 2014 and now missed part of this year with a shoulder injury but when healthy his low-90s fastball and an above-average breaking ball give him plenty of weapons.

Nick Sergakis, 3b, Ohio State – Sergakis’ stature (5-foot-8, 185-pound) works against his pro prospects, but the transfer from Coastal Carolina can hit (.332/.451/.542) and he’s solid defensively at third base making him an interesting senior sign.

Connor Simonetti, 1b, Kent State – Simonetti has the kind of plus power (17 home runs) teams look for in a first baseman, but he’s way too easy to pitch to–73 strikeouts in 222 at-bats.

Robby Sexton, lhp, Wright State – Sexton has worked his way back from Tommy John surgery. His slider hasn’t made it all the way back to the above-average breaker he showed pre-injury but he’s pitching right now with an 86-90 mph fastball and a fringe-average slider.

Jackson Tedder, lhp, Beavercreek (Ohio) High – Tedder is a crafty lefty with four pitches, including a pair of breaking balls that both will flash above-average. His 87-88 mph fastball could gain a tick as he matures. He’s signed with Virginia.

Jay Wilson, rhp, Loveland High, Cincinnati – Wilson, a Georgia Tech, signee is the type of player who may blossom with three years of school. His 6-foot-5 frame and delivery would indicate that he should eventually throw harder than the 86-88 mph he sits at now.

Lucas Raley, of, Lake Erie (Ohio) College – Raley, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound outfielder, was one of the top players in Division II this year, hitting .424/.528/.747 this year.

Jacob Bosiokovic, 1b, Ohio State – Bosiokovic has plus-plus raw power, but he swings and misses so much (73 strikeouts, 19 walks this season) that scouts may pass and let the redshirt junior return to school.

Nick Hueneburg, 3b, Tiffin (Ohio) College – Hueneburg has been a productive third baseman who is most noted for his ability square up balls consistently.