Kieschnick is a potential five-tool corner outfielder who could hit for power and steal a few bases. He plays a fearless outfield, getting to plenty of balls and showing off a good arm at times. The one knock is an issue with his mechanics at the plate that concerns some about his hitting ability at the next level. Still, an aggressive college outfielder -- in a weak class of outfielders -- who has those tools should get plenty of interest.
Apparently not, I guess a lot of teams were scared off that his mechanics. There could also be a problem with money, we don't know his demands.
Here is the full Jonathan Mayo profile (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2008/reports_popup.jsp?popup=yes&content=kieschnick):
- Hitting: Kieschnick has some rigidness to his swing that makes him a little pull conscious, but he does keep his bat through the zone. He has excellent raw power, mostly to the pull side because of his swing path. He has above-average speed. An aggressive base runner, he could be the type to steal 10 to 15 bases per year at the next level.
- Defense: He showed an average arm in this series, but it's been plus in the past. He has the potential to be an above-average right fielder. He gets good breaks and angles on balls and is very aggressive in the outfield.
- Description: Kieschnick is a big, athletic left-handed hitter who reminds some of Mark Teahen.
- Strengths: Raw power, good speed, aggressiveness in all facets of the game.
- Weaknesses: The rigidness to his swing and lack of firmer base at the plate leads to some wondering whether he'll hit enough at the next level.
Other notes:
- Baseball America had him ranked as the 44th best prospect this season, so the Giants by that ranking really had a great selection. He was ranked just behind Issac Galloway and Allan Dykstra, two players mock drafts had the Giants selecting.
- SaberScouting had him ranked 52nd. They wrote on him earlier (April 28th) that he was a player seemingly with helium right then.
- John Sickel did not list him, but in the mock draft he ran with select members, he was selected with the 57th pick overall in the 2nd round.
- Keith Law had him 51st: Kieschnick has first-round ability, but his approach and his results will push him down to the second round. He can run, has a good arm, and plays right field very well. He has some raw power and the strength to hit for more if he learns to keep his weight back better and get his lower half involved when he makes solid contact. Contact, however, is a problem, as his swing isn’t consistent and he’s on his front foot early. He’s an upside play for a team willing to take a shot at handing him to player development to clean him up, but there’s a good chance he turns into a fourth outfielder because he doesn’t hit enough to profile in a corner despite all his other skills.
- BP Goldstein noted: "How about Roger Kieschnick - did the Giants go 3 for 3?" Also: (when asked who has the best draft) "I haven't had time to digest it all, but as weird as this sounds, I really like the Giants draft."
Obviously, there is not as much info on the later picks as the earliest ones. I was able to find some information from other sources on McCovey Chronicles's posts on the draft. I also think he is related to that utility player/reliever Brook Kieschnick somehow, should be noted later somewhere.
Looks like a great pick for the Giants in that they got talent who was considered a round better than they selected, but remember, the odds of finding a good player from even the third round is not that great, somewhere around 1-2% success rate in finding a good player. So enjoy the success while you can, he faces a long hard road ahead. Still, he could be that unopened Willy Wonka Chocolate candy bar which might hold the golden ticket, so there's always that, particularly if he is a five-tool candidate, but you have to wonder what it is about him that caused him to fall down a round in the draft, according to the expert's thoughts on where he would land.
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