11th Overall: Astros Select OF George Springer
By Aaron Somers
With the 11th pick in the MLB First-Year Player Draft the Houston Astros selected outfielder George Springer out of the University of Connecticut. Springer is a 6′ 3″ 200 lb outfielder with a very high ceiling. This season Springer hit .350 with 23 doubles, 3 triples, 12 home runs and 76 RBI. Springer and his above average speed were able to record 31 stolen bases for the Huskies. Heading into this year’s draft he is regarded as the best college athlete available. He has the necessary tools to remain a center fielder but will likely shift to right field because of his arm strength. Springer is said to be a very likable kid with great character. He also has drawn comparisons to Astros outfielder Hunter Pence on several occassions. The UConn slugger was slotted as the 13th overall pick by Wally Fish in the S2S Mock Draft.
What They Say:
Baseball America
"At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Springer has a skill set rarely seen among college players. He generates plus raw power with explosive bat speed. He has a plus arm and is a plus runner, and he’s a smooth defender in center field."
Keith Law
"Springer is a superior athlete. He’s an above-average runner with a plus arm and raw power, and has the type of body you rarely see on college position players because guys who look like this are signed out of high school. He has tremendous bat speed, can turn on good velocity and has a history of running deep counts, although he lacks a two-strike approach."
Future:
It’s realistic to assume that Springer would put more work into developing one or two of his five tools. With that being said I could see Springer developing into a quality corner outfielder that hits 30-35 HR while swiping 20 plus bases annually. He already has great size to accompany his skill-set and shouldn’t require very long in the minors. I’m a big fan of this pick for the Astros and I expect big things from George Springer.