Dodgers announce selections from first day of 2015 Draft
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced their first four selections in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft, picking Vanderbilt University right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler with their first pick (24th overall), University of Louisville right-hander Kyle Funkhouser in Compensation Round A (No. 35 overall, compensation pick for Hanley Ramirez), Plano (Texas) Senior High School outfielder Mitchell Hansen in the second round (No. 67 overall) and University of Virginia right-hander Josh Sborz in Competitive Balance Round B (No. 74 overall, obtained in trade with Baltimore).
Buehler, a 6-foot-2, 175-pounder, has gone 4-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 14 starts this season for Vanderbilt, which is heading to the College World Series. Buehler, 20, was rated by Baseball America as the third-best pitcher in the 2015 draft and has struck out 81 against only 25 walks in 78.2 innings this year. During the course of his three-year college career, Buehler, a junior, is 20-7 with a 2.88 ERA (78 ER/244.0 IP) in 49 games (39 starts), striking out 249 against only 83 walks.
Buehler was scouted by Dodger area scout Marty Lamb and originally selected by the Pirates in the 14th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky.
"He's an accomplished college pitcher with three plus pitches," said Dodger Director of Amateur Scouting Billy Gasparino. "He's athletic and he's got power to everything he does. More importantly, he's a great human being and from a quality family. We're really excited to add him to the organization."
With their second pick, the Dodgers selected University of Louisville right-hander Kyle Funkhouser, who was rated by Baseball America as the fifth-best pitcher in the draft. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior went 8-5 with a 3.20 ERA in 17 starts for the Cardinals this year, limiting opponents to a .228 batting average with 104 strikeouts in 112.1 innings. The 21-year-old was also scouted by Lamb.
As a sophomore in 2014, Funkhouser earned First Team ABCA All-America, Second Team Louisville Slugger All-America and Third Team Baseball America All-America honors, setting a school record with 13 wins (13-3) and posting a 1.94 ERA in 18 starts. Following the season, he was selected to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and went 1-2 with a 1.27 ERA (4 ER/28.1 IP) in six games (five starts) during the club's summer tour. The Oak Forest, IL native opened his college career by being named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American after going 5-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 22 games (six starts).
"He's an advanced college pitcher and was the ace on a really good team," said Gasparino. "He's big, physical and has got a really good arm action delivery. He throws up to 95 with a quality mix of secondary pitches."
In the second round, Los Angeles selected 19-year-old Plano (Texas) Senior High School outfielder Mitchell Hansen. The left-handed hitter was selected as a 2015 Perfect Game 1st Team All-American and batted .432 with two home runs and 18 RBI this season. The 6-foot-4, 197-pound Stanford commit was a member of the 2014 USA Baseball 18U squad and scouted by Dodger scout Josh Herzenberg.
"He's five-tool corner outfielder and a smart kid from a good home," said Gasparino.
With their fourth pick of the night, Los Angeles drafted University of Virginia right-hander Josh Sborz, a 2015 Second-Team All-ACC selection. Sborz has gone 4-2 with an ACC-leading 14 saves (T-1st) and 1.95 ERA this season, while limiting opponents to a .164 batting average in 60.0 innings for Virginia, who advanced to the College World Series. In 187.0 career innings, the 21-year-old has allowed just 128 hits while striking out 171 and holding opponents to a .195 batting average. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior was scouted by Dodger scout Clair Rierson.
"He's an accomplished right-hander, who started last year and transitioned to a closer role this year," said Gasparino. "He has a plus fastball with a really good curveball and, this year, he added a slider to his mix."