Rays 2nd Round Pick - 79th Overall: Derek Dietrich

Infielder.

BaseballAmerica:(rated #69)
Dietrich is one of three unsigned 2007 Astros draft picks—Arkansas' Brett Eibner and Texas Tech's Chad Bettis are the others—who figure to go in the first two rounds this year. Dietrich was the highest pick, a third-rounder, and could still fall to that round despite having his best college season. He's a difficult player for scouts to judge because he doesn't fit an obvious pro profile. His lefthanded bat brings value, as do his strong arm and developing power, and he tied his career high with 14 homers this spring. He plays hard and has been a serviceable college shortstop defensively. Scouts believe he lacks the footwork or athletic ability in his 6-foot-1, 196-pound frame to stay at short, though, and wonder if his footwork can improve enough for him to play at second. Most doubt that and believe third base is his best fit with the glove, and he may not produce enough power to profile as a regular there. He also could prove to be a versatile big leaguer in the mold of Geoff Blum or Scott Spiezio, who both had the advantage of switch-hitting.

Andy Seiler:
Derek Dietrich is a well-known shortstop from Georgia Tech. Dietrich came to Georgia Tech from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was an excellent overall prospect. Unlike many top college players in this class, he didn’t go unnoticed in the draft out of high school, and didn’t slide due to signability concerns. He actually went in the third round to the Astros that year, but they failed to sign him in what was a disastrous draft class that left 2010 draft prospects Brett Eibner, Chad Bettis, Chad Jones, and Brian Fletcher unsigned after the signing deadline. Dietrich has turned out to be the third best of the unsigned picks so far, though he’s put in his best season at Georgia Tech this spring. Currently a shortstop, most scouts predict that he’ll become a third baseman in short order due to limited range, and the worry then becomes how much power he really has. He is very strong through his wrists and forearms and has plus bat speed, but fails to use the whole field at times, instead relying on turning out pitches that are actually away from him. He does have the potential for an average hit tool, and his raw power is above-average. His speed is below-average, though, and that’s not really a part of his game. He has a plus arm, which should be an asset at third, and he has the potential to start at the Major League level. He should go in the second or third round, where he will be signable.

Rays take two slot guys in the 2nd round, which I speculated would happen. Don't have a problem with it.