Blue Jays select RHP Kendall Williams in second round of MLB 2019 draft

With the 52nd pick in the 2019 MLB draft, the Blue Jays selected right-handed pitcher Kendall Williams from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida (not far from Dunedin). A native of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Williams was transferred to IMG in early 2017 and is committed to attending Vanderbilt. Signers of Vanderbilt are often seen as difficult signs, but the Jays probably would not have made the choice without knowing what it would take to sign Williams, potentially in excess.

MLB Pipeline sums up Williams in the role of the quintessential high school high school lyricist, beginning with his 6'6 ", 190-pound build. Exceptionally for a high school pitcher, he has a rather fast and relatively advanced reperatory, which is featured in the video above, taken from a Perfect Game tournament in March, where he showed a very nice and tight power curve.

Overall, Williams seems to have the basics to get started. His fast ball speed is not irresistible in today's game, but it is not surprising that a little more comes, or that he is able to sit constantly at the top of the range over the next few years to fill and mature. The power curve certainly has potential as a secondary secondary weapon, with an apparent sensation of change and slider (although I have none in the videos).

Perfect Game started in early April at a major tournament, the INSN North Carolina:

He also worked in a complete arsenal of land out of reach, all at least average. The curveball is his favorite breaking ball, launched in the 70s with a shape of 12 to 6 to 11 to 5, showing the depth of power and rotation when he is above. It's a pitch that could be projected as more in the long run. His change of direction was actually better than the curved ball for much of his time on the mound, projected at a speed of 81 to 84 km / h with an exceptional tumbling action and a weakening of the side of the arms. He launches the field with conviction and confidence, which largely explains the highs and lows that he caused that day. There were also slider flashes, a tone he'd been trying to control for a while now and that seemed to have found a grip he liked and in which he feels good. This is not yet as consistent as the rest of the arsenal, but it broke a couple with a steep incline and a firmer velocity of its curve.

The video below is from this beginning and, unfortunately, I do not see any changes or sliders, I see what they meant about the curve, because it was more of a get-over offer that the strong swing-and-miss offer in the first video.

Ironically, I looked at what must be one of his worst performers in terms of results in recent years last June, when he participated in the American Baseball Star Tournament and that ### 39, he was scored for six earned runs in 3.1 innings. I did not take detailed notes, but I remember being impressed by the fastball / broken ball combo, he just had some problems locating as well as unplayed plays on the field. It was much better to start 4.1 without a score a week later in the 18U trials, which I also think I have visited, but which I do not remember with the slightest detail.

The Blue Jays have a recent and varied history regarding players engaged in Vanderbilt. In 2011, the Blue Jays failed to get Tyler Beede to finish 21st (Marcus Stroman was rewarded with a consolation prize), but they managed to get Kevin Comer, 57th in the 1.65 total. $ million. Four years later (and four years ago), the Jays managed to attract Reggie Pruitt with a bonus of $ 500,000 in the 24th round.

The Jays were unable to sign the last high school pitcher they had drafted in the second round, when Brady Singer eventually went to Florida after not having liked anything in the medical field. He has been in perfect health since and has just moved to AA after being selected in the first round last year. The clearing choice that the Jays received was used to select J.B. Woodman, who is no longer in affiliate baseball.