The Blue Jays went back to Texas for the third and fourth rounds, heading back to Magnolia, Texas to select high school righty Adam Kloffenstein as the 88th overall pick.

 

 

Kloffenstein came into draft day ranked 43rd by MLB.com who noted that the 6-foot-5, 220 pound righty works in the “low 90s with heavy sink on his two-seam fastball and hit 96 mph with his four-seamer.” MLB also likes his “advanced feel” for his slider that he can manipulate into either a curveball or a harder cutter. They also like the potential of his changeup and his projectability as he could add more strength. The high schooler doesn’t turn 18 until late August. He’s got a strong commitment to Texas Christian University but the drafting of his Magnolia teammate Jordan Groshans by the Jays in the first round could free up some money to go over slot for Kloffenstein.

MLB.com scouting grades: Fastball: 60/Slider: 55/Curveball: 50/Changeup: 55/Control: 50/Overall: 50

 

Baseball America had Kloffenstein ranked 35th in the draft and they say many of the same things that MLB.com does, additionally noting that Kloffenstein has “cleaned up his body and holds his velocity deeper into starts, while also flashing a changeup in the mid-80s that induced several swings and misses over the summer.”

 

Kloffenstein is ranked #50 by Fangraphs who note that he’s “very young for the class,” noting that he’ll be a “tough sign.’

 

 

With the 116th overall pick, in round four, the Blue Jays selected another pitcher out of Texas, going with Texas Christian University righty Sean Wymer. A junior, Wymer stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 190 pounds and was ranked by MLB.com as the 85th prospect in the draft.

MLB.com says that Wymer was a “troubleshooting reliever” on TCU’s College World Series team from 2017 but he moved into the rotation this season. He’s had some back issues early in the season and had a 3.65 ERA in 74 innings, striking out 69 and walking only 14 to go 6-3 on the season. MLB notes that Wymer is a four-pitch pitcher and few people agree as to which of them is his best. He works mostly at 89-92 mph with a sinker but he’s able to throw 95 or 96 when he needs to. Scouts like his athleticism and feel for pitching.

MLB.com scouting grades: Fastball: 55/Curveball: 55/Slider: 55/Changeup: 50/Control: 55/Overall: 45

 

Ranked at 89 by Baseball America, they note that he’s “probably better suited as a reliever” as Wymer was moved back into a “multi-inning relief role as April turned to May.” He showed better velocity (93-95 mph) out of the pen than as a starter (90-92 mph) and they thought his high-70s curveball was good when he started but it was sharper when he relieved. BA thinks that “it’s his above-average control of his big breaking ball and an above-average fastball that could make him a useful reliever in pro ball.”

 

Other notable names going in round three:

Kody Clemens, brother of Blue Jays’ prospect Kacy Clemens went as the first pick on Day 2 of the draft, going to the Tigers at 79th overall.

Tristan Pompey, brother of Dalton Pompey, went right after the Blue Jays selected, at 89 overall out of the University of Kentucky, going to the Marlins.

Richard Palacios, brother of Blue Jays prospect Joshua Palacios, was drafted by the Indians at 103 overall out of Towson University in Maryland.

 

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