2010 Indians 20th Round Pick: RHP Burch Smith

In the 20th round of the 2010 Draft, the Indians have selected RHP Burch Smith out of Howard College (TX).

Height: 6'4" Weight: 195 DOB: 04/12/1990 Bats: Right Throws: Right

Note: This is a redraft as he was selected by the Indians in the 49th round last year. He is committed to play at the University of Oklahoma.

Ranks:
Baseball America: 80
PGCrosschecker: 122

Jeff Ellis: In a traditional Indians move they drafted Burch Smith, and the reason this is tradition is we drafted him before with 49th selection. He is currently supposed to attend Oklahoma in the fall, after spending the last 2 years at a junior college. This is not your typical 20th round selection though as Smith is a huge talent this late. He could have been selected as high as the third round and I don’t think most draft fans would have complained. Smith has a fastball that is getting faster and sits in the 92-93 range, and on top of that he has two average pitches in his curve and changeup. The fastball is what makes teams wonder about Smith. He is large at 6’5” and his fastball has kept getting faster, so much so, that some people think it could end up sitting at 95-96 once he adds more muscle to his frame. Smith is a very interesting pitcher and a player who could end up being a first rounder next year. You hate to throw around names, but this pick could be a lot like Lincecum where we drafted him late, failed to sign him, and then the next year he went into the top ten. This one would hurt more though as it would make it two times where we had drafted Smith and failed to lock him up. It won’t be easy or cheap, but I sure hope this time Smith becomes an Indian. Smith is easily our most talented pick since Washington or Pomeranz.

Video:

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2009 Indians Selections 41-50

More details to follow on players as they come in.

41st Round: C Maxwell Muncy, Keller High School (TX), 6'0" 190lbs, DOB 08/25/1990

Max Muncy is signed to play collegiate baseball at Baylor University. His signability in the draft was a main concern for many major league clubs. He played high school baseball at Keller High School in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Max was selected as the Offensive MVP for Texas district 5-5A with a 0.458 batting average, a 1.000 slugging percentage, and a 0.642 on base percentage. He led the all DFW area class 5A teams with 9 home runs. Max went 33 for 72 with 9 home runs, 10 doubles, and 1 triple along with 28 runs and 34 RBI. He also led the area in walks with 37 walks in 109 plate appearances with the majority of those walks being intentional. He has played every position on the field over the last three years. In 2009, he played catcher, pitcher, third base, and shortstop in equal amounts.

Max played summer ball in 2008 with DBAT out of Dallas where former major leaguer Rusty Greer was his head coach. Six players from that team was drafted in the 2009 MLB draft, including first round pick Slade Heathcott (Yankees). With DBAT, Max hit 0.435 with 9 home runs, 16 doubles, 1 triple, 54 runs, and 58 RBI.

Max’s father grew up in Cleveland and many of his aunts, uncles, and cousins still live in the Cleveland area.

42nd Round: RHP Jonathan Kountis, Ohio Dominican University, 6'3", DOB 03/15/1988

43rd Round: UTL Dante Gentile, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 6'2" 215lbs, DOB 08/19/1988

44th Round: C Jose Madrid, Memorial Senior High School (TX), 6'0" 185lbs, DOB 02/26/1991

45th Round: RHP James Jones, John A Logan College (KY), 6'3" 210lbs, DOB 12/16/1988

46th Round: OF Scott Sommerfeld, Parkway South Senior High School (MO), 6'1 190lbs, DOB 06/24/1991

47th Round: RHP Christian Powell, Greenwood High School (SC), 6'5" 210lbs, DOB 07/03/1991

BA listed him as one of the best players left on the 3rd day of the draft

Christian Powell football video

48th Round: LHP Vidal Nuno, Baker University (CA), 5'11" 195lbs, DOB 07/26/1987

49th Round: RHP Burch Smith, Howard College (TX), 6'3", DOB 04/12/1990

Burch Smith stats

50th Round: LHP Tyler Joyner, Northern Nash High School (NC), 5'11" 185lbs, DOB 09/18/1990

Stats
Tyler Joyner video
Article on him being drafted

Coach Partin on Joyner: "He's electric on the mound. He's got an explosive fastball, great delivery and the knack for missing barrels. I love the way he attacks hitters. There is no backing down in Tyler Joyner. He may be the best southpaw the state of North Carolina has seen since Ryan Morris (4th RD, Indians in 2006). He's got command of an action packed arsenal - two types of fastballs, a sharp breakingball and a great change-up. He's got great pitch-ability. Tyler Joyner will help anchor our pitching staff and bring a fearless attitude to our team."

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