LOS ANGELES — The Toronto Blue Jays selected 18-year-old Brandon Barriera of Hollywood, Fla., on Sunday with the first pick and 23rd overall in the Major League Baseball first-rounder draft.
The six-foot-two, 180-pound Barriera is a left-handed pitcher who plays varsity ball at American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida. Barrier regularly touches 96 mph on the radar gun and tops out at 98-99. He has an electric four-pitch combination — fastball, changeup, curveball and slider. He has committed to attend Vanderbilt.
“He’s the best pitcher we’ve ever had here,” American Heritage head coach Mike Macy said of Barriera. “I don’t even dare to say that. I think that’s pretty obvious.
“He’s the only pitcher we’ve ever had that you would consider a first-round guy. He has the most buzz around him.”
With their second pick and 60th overall, the Blue Jays took Josh Kasevich, 21, of Palo Alto, Calif., a 6-foot-2 shortstop from the University of Oregon Ducks who is also one of the best forwards and defensemen on the Waterloo Bucks in the Northwoods League.
Scouts say Kasevich’s arm is above average and accurate, but he needs to work on his speed as a runner.
Jackson Holiday and Drew Jones, sons of MLB All-Stars Matt and Andrew, were taken by Baltimore and Arizona with the first two picks in the amateur draft.
Holliday, whose father is a former hitting champion, was drafted by Baltimore ahead of Jones in somewhat of a surprise.
“Tough decision,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. “I would liken it to deciding what to order at a five-star restaurant.”
The draft continues tonight with the completion of Round 1, two first-round compensatory picks, Round A competitive balance, Round 2, Round B competitive balance and six second-round compensatory picks.
The Blue Jays will make two additional selections tonight, with picks No. 77 and No. 78. The draft will continue Monday with rounds 3-10 and conclude Tuesday with rounds 11-20.
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