The case for Jess Todd, second rounder: Probably another reach, but I like him. Unlike roundmate David Kopp, his average-ish low-to-mid 90s fastball manifest itself in some excellent peripherals; he struck out 12.3 per nine innings with a K:BB ratio around five, and he allowed just three home runs in his 93.1 innings pitched. And apparently this is one case where the ever-generous MiLB scouting report was hard on a guy; if you ask these guys, or apparently Baseball America (my subscription lapsed–at the worst possible moment, of course), he’s got an excellent slider. If you ask MiLB, he’s got an average slider. I’ll take the results, especially given the way in which this draft has systematically beaten my expectations into the ground.

The case against: Teams see him as a reliever, because he is short and owns what is characterized as a violent delivery. From the video, it’s odd–compact and quick, a little reminiscent of the way Pedro’s arm looks at the start of his delivery. I think the violent characterization might be colored a little by the speed of his delivery, though; his jump toward the plate is very fast. His slider looked great, but his fastball didn’t seem to have a ton on it.

In conclusion: I like this pick, so long as the Cardinals give him a chance to excel in a starting role before choosing to move him to the bullpen. If he does have to move to the pen, his slider looks positively Kinney-esque.