The Philadelphia Phillies selected Sandberg in the third round with the draft’s 89th overall pick, and it appears he will forgo college – he had signed to play football at Mississippi State – to take a stab at professional baseball.

Sandberg said he and the Phillies agreed on a signing bonus of $775,000 plus the equivalent of four years of school at Mississippi State. He has until next month to sign.

“My mindset is I’m going to try to become a major-leaguer,” Sandberg said moments after his name was read on MLB.com, where the draft is being streamed live. “I’m just going to go out there and play some baseball.”

Monda is a projectable college outfielder who hits for average and should add power down the line. Monda, out of Washington State, has shown that he can handle center but might have to move to a corner as he fills out, a place where his glove could be plus. He has average speed on the basepaths but possesses great instincts that allow his speed to play up. If Monda can add power, then he could become a solid everyday player in the Majors.

A solid high school prospect a year ago, Williams was taken in the 11th round of the 2012 Draft by the Cardinals, but didn't sign. Instead of heading to Pepperdine, where he committed, he went to Junior College of the Canyons, right in his backyard. The son of former big leaguer Eddie Williams, Trey is big and strong, he's shown a solid approach at the plate, one that should allow him hit for some average and plenty of power. He has a very strong arm and good enough hands to stay at the hot corner. His baseball instincts, like is often the case with the sons of former players, have been honed very well.

The commitment to Pepperdine is no longer an issue so his play this spring will likely be the major influence in his draft position in the 2013 draft. It could be as high as the 15th pick and as low as not getting drafted.

He's physically mature and has good baseball instincts. Williams could be a future middle of the order hitter with a good glove. That is a potential star.

thephan wrote:

TenuredVulture wrote:
Isn't it pretty common that guys who play catcher at one level simply can't do it at the majors for one reason or another?

I think catcher is about a billion times harder at the speed of the professional game and the ability to mentally call a solid game is much more difficult when you see teams and players repetitively. As a catcher you build very portable tools: Strong arm, accurate throws, good game sense, etc. which are attributes across the game. The fat kid is not just stuck behind the plate anymore. You can, and teams have, plug that in all over the place. I think that shortstop and center field might be the most unlikely landing zones for an ex-catcher, but everything else is potentially on the table.

J_Poyer14
My dude @benwetzler28 gonna join me in philly.. Congrats bro.. See you on the east coast

BigEd76 wrote:Round 9 = Shane Martin, RHP, SW Oklahoma State

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