Eight possible reasons UL shortstop Blake Trahan went from an anticipated first two rounds-pick to a third-round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in this week’s MLB Draft:
1. PROJECTED POSITION: Not all teams see Trahan as a shortstop at the next level, and infielders who aren’t shortstops are much less likely to go in the top two rounds.
2. THE ANGELS FACTOR: Some teams might have backed off because they thought the Los Angeles Angels were going to take him in the first round, but the Angels passed to instead take a catcher (Fresno State’s Taylord).
3. THE THROW: Even though he was clocked at 90 miles per hours when pitching at Kinder High, some teams perhaps questioned the strength of Trahan’s arm because he frequently flips the ball to first base with a three-quarters throw.
4. ANGELS FACTOR II: The Angeles might have taken Trahan early if they had more than two picks in the first two rounds, but they did not and – perhaps with split front-office views on Trahan – they opted for an outfielder (Georgia high schooler Jahmal Jones) with their second selection.
5. THE BAT: A career .331 hitter and not a real power hitter, Trahan’s batting average this season dropped from .385 in late April to .315 by season’s end; he also was 1-for-19 in the NCAA Tournament.
6. LOTS OF SHORTSTOPS: Teams that really wanted a shortstop probably took one in the first round – eight went, including the draft’s top three picks, Vanderbilt’s Dansby Swanson, LSU Alex Bregman and Florida higher school Brandon Rogers – so they were less inclined to select one in the second round.
7. MONEY: While it’s unknown just what Trahan’s number was, it’s possible some teams backed off because – with potential negotiating leverage that he could return to UL for his senior season – they thought his bonus-money expectation was too high.
8. DRAFT FACTOR: It’s the draft. Drafts can be quite crazy and decidedly unpredictable.
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