The '版 Ohtani of the United States' is about to enter the system! Should I nominate Cleveland's first choice for the University of America 'Jacktani'? "I studied everything about Otani"
Jul 02, 2024
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As a player expected to be the top pick in the first round, third-year left-handed pitcher and first baseman Jack Caglianone of Florida University is drawing attention. In this draft, he is considered a prospect along with Oregon State University second baseman Travis Bazana, Georgia University outfielder and third baseman Charlie Condon, and West Virginia University infielder JJ Weatherholt.
ESPN published an article on the 2nd (Korea Standard Time) focusing on Caglianon and another prospect for pitching and hitting, Mississippi High School shortstop and pitcher Connor Griffin. While both players are considered to have the best qualities in both pitchers and batters, interest is rising in how many picks they will receive in the first round of the draft.
ESPN analyzed the recent increase in the number of pitching and hitting players in high school and college baseball as 'Otani Shohei phenomenon'. Ohtani, who entered the Major League in 2018, has been named MVP twice since 2021, executing a full-time pitching and hitting, and after moving to the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, he takes a short break as a pitcher, but is showing off his peak hitting sense enough to challenge for MVP as a designated hitter.
ESPN said, `Every year in high school and college, MLB draft prospects are catching the attention of each club with their ability to hit and throw.' `This year is no different. Jack Caglianon and Conor Griffin, two top first-round picks, are excellent pitching and hitting players, enticing clubs to make decisions,' he said.
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Caglianon, a college player, is more likely to be nominated than Griffin. Caglianon, who was born in February 2003, is already being introduced as the second Ohtani.
ESPN reported, `Caglianon is the most famous college baseball player in the U.S. and earned the nickname Jctani for his outstanding pitching and hitting skills in the best college league in the U.S. and his ability to hit the ball at bat is above average. He also has the potential to throw a 100-mile-long ball and become a true starting pitcher in the Major League.
Caglianon topped the list of future prospects last year, batting .323 with 33 homers, 90 RBIs with an OPS of 1.126 in 71 games as a second-year hitter and a 3.78 ERA in 16 games as a pitcher. Immediately after entering college, he received Tommy John Surgery and did not throw as a pitcher in 2022.
In 66 games as a batter this season, he has a batting average of 0.419 with 35 home runs, 72 RBIs, OPS of 1.419 and a 5-2 record with a 5.38 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 16 games as a pitcher. Now, it can be said that he stands out as a batter rather than a pitcher.
The order of first-round draft picks this year is Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox. However, ESPN predicted that Caglianon will not be selected as the first overall pick in the first round. The reasons were largely explained in two ways.
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At the same time, he also said that he is a pitcher of the second to third rounds. ESPN said, `He deserves to be seen as a second or third-round prospect considering his triple-digit speed on the mound, completeness as a starter, pitching form, durability, and three or more pitches that allow him to throw strikes freely. Off-speed ball control is slightly higher than average, and his ball control and game management are good, he said.
In fact, Pittsburgh Pirates fastball starter Paul Skins also pitched at the same time as a pitcher at the Air Force Academy, but he almost gave up hitting after transferring to Louisiana State University. However, Caglianon has no intention of giving up the double play of pitching. In an ESPN interview last year, he said, `If the club doesn't encourage me to give up one thing in the future or make another decision, there can be no giving up on the sideline of pitching. It is not my concern to give up on anything"
Caglianon "I think it's very cool to play all the pitching. I've always done two things in parallel. I also planned it when I entered college. I studied everything he did while watching the Ohtani game carefully. He also expressed his respect for Ohtani, saying, "I really want to be who I want to be."
ESPN said the 15-year-old Caglianon was impressed by Otani's pitching performance in 2018 when he entered the Major League. The charm he felt in Ohtani wasn't just in the game. He aspired to be a player like Ohtani.
jhno@sportschosun.com
