After selecting 14 players in the first three rounds of the MLB Draft, the Rays settled back and diversified a bit late in the draft. With their fourth and fifth round picks, they took two third basemen: Riccio Torrez and Johnny Davis.
Here’s Baseball America’s analysis on Torrez:
He won over scouts because he can do a little bit of everything and has a long track record of performance. Torrez has a line drive swing, with the chance for more power down the road. He profiles best at third base, or could wind up being a utility player because he’s agile enough to play second base or shortstop in a pinch.
And now some of their thoughts on Davis:
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, third baseman J.D. Davis is a good hitter with a lot of strength and above-average power. His swing is more about strength than pure bat speed, which concerns some scouts. He also has a stocky body with a thick lower half and will have to watch his conditioning as he gets older. He is already seen as a baseclogger.
As you get late in the draft, there are fewer and fewer sure picks. Both these players look to have good upside, and only time will tell on how well they will develop. Their skill sets — toolsy, versatile — is exactly what the Rays have been known to target, so it’s no real surprise that the Rays targeted them.