MLB Draft: Mets’ First Eight

The first five rounds of the Major League amateur draft were completed on Thursday, and the draft will resume today at 11:30 am.

So far, the Mets selections are:

(#42): Edward Kunz, RHP, Oregon State U.
(#47): Nathan Vineyard, LHP, Woodland HS, GA
(#77): Scott Moviel, RHP, St. Edward HS, OH
(#93): Brant Rustich, RHP, UCLA
(#99): Eric Niesen, LHP, Wake Forest U.
(#123): Stephen Clyne, RHP, Clemson U.
(#153): Richard Lucas, 3B, Wolfson HS, FL
(#183): Zach Lutz, 3B, Alvernia College, PA

With all the college picks thus far, it appears that the Mets are intent on choosing players who are easier to project, and easier to sign — not unlike the Billy Beane strategy of drafting.

Unlike Beane, the Mets seem to have an affinity for large-framed pitchers, evidenced by their selections of Kunz (6’5″, 250 lbs.), Moviel (6’11”, 245 lbs.), and Rustich (6’6″, 225 lbs.).

Their fifth-round choice, Zach Lutz, was named the Division III Player of the Year by the National College Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA) as well as by D3Baseball.co — so he’s either too good for D3 or a legitimate prospect (or both).