The third and final day of the draft is taking place right now, but a couple of yesterday’s mid-round picks caught me eye ...
* Remember the University of Texas pitcher who threw 169 pitches during a 13-inning relief outing in an NCAA tournament game last month? Austin Wood was drafted in the fifth round by Detroit. When told that the Tigers picked Wood, manager Jim Leyland said: “He won’t be able to pitch until August.” He didn’t specify which year.
* Remember the Florida high schooler who threw four consecutive no-hitters? Patrick Schuster was taken by the Diamondbacks in the 13th round, which Conor Glassey of Baseball America notes “is lower than Schuster was expected to go based on talent.” Schuster has a scholarship waiting for him at the University of Florida, so he may choose college rather than mid-round money.
* One other draft note from yesterday: Drew Storen’s incredibly fast deal with the Nationals includes a $1.6 million signing bonus, which is about 25 percent below what the past three No. 10 overall picks have received. General manager Mike Rizzo said that Storen will begin his pro career at Single-A, which suggests that the Nationals aren’t planning to push him to the majors this year.
