I think it's a balanced first round. 4 batters. 4 pitchers. 4 came from the UAAP and the other 4 came from NCAA.
Cabilete has gone from pitching in the 86-88 mph range to 89-90 consistently, hitting at least 90 in eight straight outings and maintaining his velocity deep into games. Pitching for one of the NCAA’s top teams, he went 4-4, 2.82 ERA with 11 walks and 59 strikeouts in 70 innings. He's flashed an average slider and changeup. At times he gets around his breaking ball a bit, when he drops his elbow, and doesn't command it.
#2. Pulilan Steel Hawks: Arvin Cezar, CF, Ateneo de Manila University (UAAP) (6/10/10/10/6)
Cezar’s package of five tools is as attractive as any in the draft. His most obvious tool is his top-of-the-line speed. He has the bat speed and hand-eye coordination to hit for power and average. Defensively, he needs to work on his range and his arm is just average. He will need to make some offensive adjustments as a pro, as his swing is choppier than fluid, but scouts believe he'll be able to do so.
#3. Legazpi Armada: Eudaldo Rosit, 3b, Adamson University (UAAP) (8/4/10/2/7)
Rosit has a mature approach. He trusts his quick hands and allows balls to get deep in the zone, giving him excellent loft power. He has natural rhythm to his swing and excellent hand-eye and body coordination. He hasn't always stayed patient this year while being been pitched around. He'll have to move across the diamond to first, or take his plus arm strength to a corner outfield spot, but he has the raw power to make the move work.
#4. Lapu-Lapu Red Dragons: Dwien Malanog, 1B/3B, Jose Rizal University (NCAA) (5/10/6/9/4)
Malanog should hit for average and power, and he's patient enough to take walks when he's pitched around. The JRU Bombers thought about moving him to first base last fall because he's raw at the hot corner, but he has stayed at third and should be a solid defender in time. He moves well, has good hands and a strong, accurate arm. He just needs more repetitions, which will come when he gives up football, in order to improve his reads and instincts.
#5. Davao Winds: Obiniana Wingo, OF, University of the East (UAAP) (7/5/10/7/1)
Though scouts say he has been a little anxious this spring, Wingo still has batted .270 with 4 homers and is one of the safest bets to hit among the draft's prospects. He's a sound, strong right-handed hitter whose power still shows when he uses wood in batting practice. Wingo has arm strength and athleticism, but he's better as a right fielder.
#6. Bacoor Bluegills: Carlo Damasco, RHP, Far Eastern University (UAAP) (4/9/5)
Scouts considered Damasco the safest pick among the would-be-aces. He has three plus pitches: a 89-90 mph fastball that scrapes 92, a true 12-6 curveball, and a splitter that he uses as a changeup. The run on his fastball is inconsistent and the pitch flattens out at times, but his curveball is a big-time strikeout pitch and his splitter keeps batters off balance. Strong and durable, he has been injury-free and has the most resilient arm.
#7. Quezon City United: Pablo Alfaro, LHP, Letran Knights (NCAA) (6/1/8)
Alfaro hasn't been at 100 percent this season. He had arthroscopic surgery last fall to clean out inflamed tissue in his elbow. His fastball registers 90-92 mph, and his 6-foot, 200-pound frame allows him to drive the ball down in the zone and make it that much more difficult to hit. His slider, the best breaking pitch in the draft, hits 87 mph. He also has a spike curveball and a changeup but hasn't needed them very often in college.
#8. Ilagan Harpies: Dimacali Moga, RHP, Philippine Christian University (NCAA) (7/4/4)
His fastball was so dominant against weak competition in NCAA this spring that he struck out 68 in his first 65 innings, while allowing just 21 runs. Moga’s lean, athletic build with room to fill out and get stronger. His fastball generally sits in the 93-95 mph range, with natural, hard running action and occasional bore. Moga’s hammer screwball has solid rotation with three-quarter break and excellent depth for his arm slot. He projects as a No. 2 or 3 starter.
The other picks made by Quezon City:
Round 2: C Don Gernale (5/6/3/3/1)
Round 3: SS Amador Trinidad (3/3/2/1/3)
Round 4: MR Chad Ford (3/5/5)
Round 5: SS Gorgonio Suaco (4/9/3/8/4)
* All scouting was made by SISA.
Pat's thought on their picks:
I think Pablo Alfaro is a steal. My head scout has rated him as average in movement but that will do. He's potentially our ace in the future.
The 3 positional players I picked in the succeeding rounds were defensive specialist in two of the hardest positions. Suaco can play all the infield spot.
I know "foreigners" or Filipino-Americans -- Filipino-Canadian in Chad Ford's case -- isn't allowed to play in the Majors. I'm hoping it could change next season or the following years. Let them give the chance to players who wants to play.