The Arizona Diamondbacks came away on Day 1 of the 2011 MLB Draft with a bevy of top pitching talents. At No. 3 overall, the Snakes drafted UCLA RHP Trevor Bauer, considered by some unnamed scouts to be better than teammate Gerrit Cole (the No. 1 overall pick). Bauer is likened to San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum for being short of stature, so to speak, for a pitcher, but having a mid-90s fastball. Bauer could move quickly through the D'Backs system.
At No. 7, the D'Backs took Oklahoma HS RHP Archie Bradley. He already has a 98 mph fastball to go with a curveball. Developing a changeup in the minors, Bradley could also emerge as a frontline starter down the road. They also took Kent State LHP Andrew Chafin, who came back from 2010 Tommy John surgery. His future could be in the rotation, but being a dominant closer is also projected.
The Dodgers took Stanford LHP Chris Reid with the 16th overall pick. He's apparently made strides and reached the lower- to mid-90s on his fastball, but he was a reliever for the Cardinal. The Dodgers will likely try him as a starter in the minors.
The Padres had five picks. With the 10th overall pick they took Cory Spangenberg, the player with perhaps the best bat in the draft, but no clearly defined position. His defense in the infield is questionable and he may wind up in center field. They selected RHP Joe Ross, brother of Athletics pitcher Tyson. Not quite the size of his brother, Joe still can reach the mid-90s and is committed to UCLA. They took HS RHP Mike Kelly, HS C Brett Austin and McNeese State SS Jace Peterson with their other selection.
The Giants took St. John's SS Joe Panik with the 29th overall pick and followed that with Texas HS RHP Kyle Crick with the 49th selection. Panik may have been a reach, but Crick has the potential to be a top starts. He is just learning to be a pitcher.