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Moriarty9 · 10-24-2009, 10:02 PM

Corona made Rays top pick
Amateur draft brings promise for the future
June 15, 2010

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and teams around the league added depth to their farm systems today in baseball's annual amateur draft.

The Devil Rays used their first pick of the draft, the 17th overall selection as awarded to the franchise when the Chicago Cubs signed Ryan Howard as a free agent, to select Ramon Corona, an 18-year-old middle infielder from Puerto Rico. Tampa Bay's scouting director Dan Plesac said Corona has a "sky high ceiling" with "plus-plus contact ... a pure hitter with an amazing approach to each at-bat." Plesac projects Corona as one day hitting up to 15 home runs in a season with average speed and defensively ability.

With the final pick of the first round, the Devil Rays went local by selecting 18-year-old catcher Shane McKenzie from Jacksonville, Florida. Plesac said McKenzie has "superstar potential" and billed him as an "elite hitter, a player with a sweet swing." He's an average defensive catcher, but Plesac projects him as a future clean-up hitter with great power potential.

In the second round, Tampa Bay tabbed outfielder Ian Wolfe, 22, from Houston. Plesac said he Wolfe projects as an everyday corner outfielder with fantastic gap power and very good power potential. He is not a strong outfielder defensively, and some scouts around the league believe Wolfe will eventually have to convert to a firstbaseman or make it as a DH.

Alfonso Gonzales, an 18-year-old Colombian right-hander, was the first pitcher taken in the draft by the Devil Rays, picked up in the third round. Plesac said Gonzales is one of the best pitchers Tampa Bay has drafted in the last few years, citing his "top-notch movement" and fine control.

10-24-2009, 10:02 PM	#651 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Corona made Rays top pick Amateur draft brings promise for the future June 15, 2010 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and teams around the league added depth to their farm systems today in baseball's annual amateur draft. The Devil Rays used their first pick of the draft, the 17th overall selection as awarded to the franchise when the Chicago Cubs signed Ryan Howard as a free agent, to select Ramon Corona, an 18-year-old middle infielder from Puerto Rico. Tampa Bay's scouting director Dan Plesac said Corona has a "sky high ceiling" with "plus-plus contact ... a pure hitter with an amazing approach to each at-bat." Plesac projects Corona as one day hitting up to 15 home runs in a season with average speed and defensively ability. With the final pick of the first round, the Devil Rays went local by selecting 18-year-old catcher Shane McKenzie from Jacksonville, Florida. Plesac said McKenzie has "superstar potential" and billed him as an "elite hitter, a player with a sweet swing." He's an average defensive catcher, but Plesac projects him as a future clean-up hitter with great power potential. In the second round, Tampa Bay tabbed outfielder Ian Wolfe, 22, from Houston. Plesac said he Wolfe projects as an everyday corner outfielder with fantastic gap power and very good power potential. He is not a strong outfielder defensively, and some scouts around the league believe Wolfe will eventually have to convert to a firstbaseman or make it as a DH. Alfonso Gonzales, an 18-year-old Colombian right-hander, was the first pitcher taken in the draft by the Devil Rays, picked up in the third round. Plesac said Gonzales is one of the best pitchers Tampa Bay has drafted in the last few years, citing his "top-notch movement" and fine control.