If you missed our last two endeavors, we are recapping an offseason MiLB draft of the man who generates the most thought provoking tweets when putting together power rankings, Craig Goldstein. This league has had some interesting picks over the years and this week we’ll be looking at the first half of the second round, picks 21-30. After seeing newly signed Dodger Hector Olivera taken in front of them with the 20th overall pick, the team with the 21st pick selected a future San Diego Padre Washington National:
21. Baltimore  – Trea Turner (SS, Washington Nationals)

In a typical draft, you’d be pretty excited about getting an up the middle talent who ranked as the 9th best available this year, but with the available player pool in this draft, Turner ‘falls’ to number twenty one. Turner was targeted in many drafts this winter due to the feeling that he may be next in line at SS in Washington if Ian Desmond departs via free agency as expected at the end of the year. Turner’s speed makes him a nice value pick outside of the top twenty.

22. Chicago – Adrian Rondon (SS, Tampa Bay Rays)

After taking Yasmany Tomas with their first pick, Chicago grabs another high ceiling talent with the player Baseball America ranked as the best available July 2nd signee. Rondon signed for $2.95 million and is at least four years from contributing to a big league roster. However, his advanced approach and comparisons to Starlin Castro could lead to Rondon becoming a nice trade chip for dynasty league owners in short order.

23. Cincinnati – Kyle Freeland (SP, Colorado Rockies)

The Rockies continue to take college pitchers with their high draft picks, despite the overwhelming evidence that it’s not a good idea.  Dynasty league owners continue to make the same mistake by taking recently drafted Rockies college pitchers higher than they should. For every promising arm like Jon Gray or Eddie Butler, I’ll give you three Greg Reynolds. How is Freeland different? Well the odds are that he’s probably not, but unlike other highly drafted arms that the Rockies have previously whiffed on (hello Casey Weathers) Freeland already has much experience pitching at altitude.

24. Houston – Michael Conforto (LF, New York Mets)

Houston gets another college bat that will most likely move quickly – and end up in left field. Conforto should reach Queens in 2016, most likely after an injury to Michael Cuddyer.

25. Tampa Bay – Daniel Robertson (SS, Tampa Bay Rays)

Another name that is probably off the board in most other deeper leagues, Tampa takes a gamble that Robertson will pass his upcoming Double-A test and stick at shortstop long term.

26. Colorado – Aaron Blair (SP, Arizona Diamondbacks)

Blair may have a tough time garnering a rotation spot over the next couple of years, but who the hell knows what the long term plan in Arizona is. Blair is another guy you’re probably not getting with the 26th pick in your draft, but it’s hard to pass on somebody who posted an ERA under two in eight Double-A starts in 2014.

27. San Diego – Andy Ibanez (2B, Free Agent)

In a quest to make an even bigger head-scratcher with their second round pick, San Diego takes another Cuban infielder. I’m baffled how Ibanez is available to be drafted, since he most likely won’t sign with anybody until July 2. Another terrible value pick with all of the other available talent on the board.

28. NY Mets – Brandon Drury (2B/3B, Arizona Diamondbacks)

My love for Drury has been covered in these parts, and that was before Drury opened eyes with his hitting – and his ability to handle second base – this spring. My pick for the most undervalued fantasy prospect in baseball is a steal here at pick number 28.

29. Atlanta – Grant Holmes (SP, Los Angeles Dodgers)

Bret had Holmes as the second best high school arm available, so when the first one goes fifth overall, you would think the second one would go before pick number 29, but with the depth of available talent, Atlanta finds itself with somebody they probably didn’t expect to be available.

30. LA Dodgers – Forrest Wall (2B, Colorado Rockies)

Just as taking Rockies pitchers early is never a good idea, taking Rockies hitters early is usually a good one, you usually only have to weed through a few Ian Stewarts to find a few Corey Dickersons and Nolan Arenados. Despite Wall’s likely second base only profile, the speed potential in an up-the-middle Coors package is enticing.