The Angels took LHP Sean Newcomb from the University of Hartford (CT).
According to the Boston Herald:
Newcomb opened some eyes last season at Hartford when he went 5-4 with a 3.75 ERA, striking out 92 batters in 72 innings. His stock soared when he opened the 2014 season by not allowing an earned run in his first six starts, ending the season with an 8-2 record, a 1.25 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 93 innings.
Turk sez: I have to think the front office is absolutely delighted with this pick, and had no right to believe he would ever fall this far. In nine separate mock drafts, Newcomb was selected at #6 to #13 in each of them.
He basically checks every box:
- He's an advanced collegiate arm who projects to reach the Majors more quickly than any other player on the board potentially.
- He's massive, left-handed, and has a fastball that has been clocked at 97.
- Insane strikeout rates, and the makings of four pitches, including a plus slider.
- He was a consensus top-ten pick.
His main challenge is control, but this is a guy that immediately becomes the best prospect in our organization by far, and could be in high-A or AA by fall.
Read the emergent Wikipedia article on Newcomb and one can't help but get excited. In his senior year of high school, 110 Ks in 58 innings. His first college start: a no-hitter. This year, he opened the season without a run through his first 40 innings pitched. Awesome!