2011 MLB Draft: St. Louis Cardinals Rounds 11-20
Posted on June 14th, 2011 by azruavatar in 2011 MLB Draft, tags: Aramis Garcia, Danny Stienstra, Dutch Deol, Kevin Medrano, Kolby Byrd, Kyle Hald, Matthew Williams, Nick Gillung, Seth Maness, Travis Miller
Round 11: Seth Maness, RHP
School: East Carolina (College)
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6′
Weight: 180 lbs.
DOB: 10/14/1988
It looks like his full name is Michael Seth Maness and he goes by Seth per his player bio.
Video of Maness pitching and fielding a squibbler (bunt?) toward first base.
Round 12: Danny Stienstra, 1B
School: San Jose State University
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 205 lbs
DOB: 03/01/1989
Q&A from SJSU website:
1. As you approach your junior campaign now as an upperclassman, can you start seeing yourself as a veteran leader in this program? There are a lot of new faces, especially on the pitching staff. Knowing what is expected here, how are you handling this new role?
I’ve always had the mentality that if you work hard on a regular basis and lead by example, others will do the same. Since there are so many new faces, it is important to show them that it is hard work playing a Division I sport and being able to balance school with it, but it is also a great feeling when you can be successful in both. This team is full of young, talented players who will all be very successful both in the classroom and on the field.
Round 13: Kolby Byrd, C
School: Copiah-Lincoln Community College (JUCO)
Bats: L
Throws: R
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 215
DOB: 03/23/1990
Daily Leader article about Byrd’s draft:
Asked about his opportunity to play for the Cardinals, Byrd said, “It’s just a privilege. That’s the team I wanted to go with. I’ve always been a big (Albert) Pujols fan,” referring to the Cards’ All-Star first baseman.
“I’m so proud for Kolby, he played well for us this season,” said Co-Lin Head Coach Keith Case. “We’re excited that he will be continuing his career at the next level.”
Round 14: Kevin Medrano, 2B
School: Missouri State
Bats: L
Throws: R
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 155
DOB:05/21/1990
Baseball Beginnings notes from Cape Cod league:
Left-handed hitter, pro body type, good BPs, gunshot guy, plus bat speed, hard contact. Sleeper.
After finishing fourth in hitting (.321) and fifth in slugging (.423) in the Cape Cod League last summer, second baseman Kevin Medrano positioned himself as an early-round pick for 2011. He lost that momentum when he sprained his left shoulder in an early-season collision at home plate and got off to a slow start. He does an excellent job of using the whole field and making line-drive contact from the left side and has solid speed, but the 6-foot, 160-pounder doesn’t walk much and has little power. He plays good defense at second base, though his below-average arm strength precludes him from trying shortstop. Scouts appreciate his blue-collar mentality but can’t get past the fact that he’s a second baseman with one plus tool. His brothers Steve and Jesus both played pro ball and reached the upper minors.
2010 interview when Medrano was in the Cape Cod league
Video of batting practice session
Round 15: Matthew Williams, SS
School: Liberty University
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: Not Listed
DOB: 08/29/1989
Round 16: Travis Miller, RHP
School: University of Miami
Bats: L
Throws: R
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 200 lbs
DOB:03/15/1990
Video of post game interview (Miller is on the right)
Perfect Game USA has him touching 91 with his fastball
Round 17: Dutch Deol, COF
School: Aliso Niguel HS
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 200 lbs.
DOB: 10/20/1992
Round 18: Kyle Hald, LHP
School: Old Dominion (College)
Bats: L
Throws: L
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: Not Listed
DOB:05/27/1989
Fantastic video of Hald throwing — I don’t see any red flags in the mechanics.
Video interview — includes some nice character quotes from his coach (starts 0:45)
Round 19: Nick Gillung, LHP
School: Mercyhurst College
Bats: R
Throws: L
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 180 lbs.
DOB: 02/25/1989
“I saw my name pop up, and I had to look twice. I just yelled (to my parents), ‘I got drafted!’” Gillung said Tuesday. “I didn’t think I would get picked up until the later rounds or tomorrow.”
Video of several strikeouts (Gillung is in the white jersey on the mound)
Round 20: Aramis Garcia, C
School: Pembroke Pines Charter HS
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 195
DOB: 01/12/1993
SI article looking at day two draft prospects:
Solidly built at 6’1″ and 190 pounds, Garcia is a rarity: an athletic high school catching prospect with remarkably quick feet and fluid receiving skills. His home-to-second-base throwing times range from 1.85 to 1.95 seconds, already above major league average. Garcia is not quite as advanced with the bat, but he does show the potential to hit for power.
Florida’s catchers got plenty of attention, and beyond the top group some evaluators preferred Aramis Garcia, a Florida International signee. Garcia resembles 2009 supplemental first-rounder Steve Baron, who was a premium defender. He has more power potential than Baron but lacks fluid actions behind the plate. His bat may have to carry him if the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder outgrows catching.
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Thanks for the recaps, azru.
Man, I hope they sign the Garcia kid. Looks like a real steal in the 20th round…I believe BA had him a 5th-7th round talent. (And in this, one of the deeper drafts in anyone’s memory.)
Bob–I was just thinking the same thing.
Garcia has a scholarship offer from, IIRC, Florida International. FIU has a strong recruiting program, so Garcia may be a real tough sign. After being optimistic about Austin Wilson last summer, I will not get my hopes up.
I think Garcia and Medrono are the best of the bunch listed above. Should be interesting to see how they develop.
Dang medrano could put on a little weight lol
He came to school at 140 lbs. so he already has added some weight. He has a long, lanky frame, and he’ll never be a big kid. Last year, he hit well over .400 and led the team in slugging. The shoulder really hampered him, and held back his stock. On the Cape he was an All-Star. He was a freshman All-American, and then a regular All-American the next year. It was disappointing that he got hurt this year, but he has a nice, line-drive, opposite field type stroke. He has a good glove with decent hands. Arm holds him back some though.
One above average tool, but he can hit, and I think he’ll have a shot at making the upper minors. From there, it’s really anyone’s guess as to how much he fills out and gains strength.
anyone notice how many seniors were drafted in these rounds? very cheap signings. saving money for international market (I know, they are separate budgets, but…) or just saving money due to drop in attendance? not a positive sign for me; a deep draft, and you take low budget kids in rounds where there are still higher end talents available, unless it’s for international kids.
Some college seniors signed by the Cards: Andrew Brown, Stavinoha, Allen Craig, Matt Carpenter, steven Hill. The higher they can select a senior, the greater the bonus savings that can be invested elsewhere.
Maness may have value as a starting pitcher for the minor league system. Ditto with Deese and McInnis in the 20s. Carlos Martinez clones they are not.
Disagree Dan. We took a took a college junior in 1st, “hard sign” HS in second, a number of HS and non-seniors in earlyish rounds.
agree with the first 10 picks, Tilson will take some money. Wong will likely be slot or close to it. it just struck me on these 10 picks the amount of seniors involved. wondered if anyone else saw something in it. I hope they are all wind up being good players.
Remember Garcia’s name, he will be the steal of the draft.