In the second round with #51, Sox select CJ Chatam, a SS out of FAU.
Chatam is an older (will be 22 in December) college junior who doesn't project much.
Baseball America had him ranked #101.
As a college junior, he has some negotiating leverage, but I kind of assume this is his high water mark in terms of draft position. i.e. if he goes back for his senior year, he probably won't increase his stock, and he will have less leverage. But who knows. The point is, this seems like a below-slot pick and that some of this slot money may be reserved to make up the Groome over-slot pick. It's also a nice balance to Groome in terms of being a high floor guy to build minor league depth (I am kind of assuming they think he'll be able to stay at SS) rather than a high ceiling/high risk guy. He's also a candidate for conversion to pitching (I'd call this a real long shot, but if it looks like he's going to washout after a couple years, I would not be surprised to see him give it a go).
Chatam is an older (will be 22 in December) college junior who doesn't project much.
Baseball America had him ranked #101.
MLB Pipeline had him better, #63.A product of Fort Lauderdale's American Heritage High (alma mater of such major leaguers as Eric Hosmer and Deven Marrero), Chatham has been a three-year starter for Florida Atlantic, leading the Owls to the regular-season Conference USA title as a junior as he led the league with a 1.017 OPS. His swing can be long but there's leverage in his swing and solid-average power, if not a tick more. He's got a knack for making contact and some grit, having played through a bone chip in his right wrist this spring that caused him to get off to a slow start. Chatham's defense is the subject of debate, as he's tall and rangy for a shortstop at a listed 6-foot-4, 185 pounds. However, he has a true plus arm, solid instincts and feel for the middle infield. He may have to move off it eventually, bu his first-step quickness, game clock and aptitude may allow him to stick at short, at least in the near-term. He's likely to be drafted in the first three rounds.
As a college junior, he has some negotiating leverage, but I kind of assume this is his high water mark in terms of draft position. i.e. if he goes back for his senior year, he probably won't increase his stock, and he will have less leverage. But who knows. The point is, this seems like a below-slot pick and that some of this slot money may be reserved to make up the Groome over-slot pick. It's also a nice balance to Groome in terms of being a high floor guy to build minor league depth (I am kind of assuming they think he'll be able to stay at SS) rather than a high ceiling/high risk guy. He's also a candidate for conversion to pitching (I'd call this a real long shot, but if it looks like he's going to washout after a couple years, I would not be surprised to see him give it a go).
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