Rays stockpile pitching on Day 1 of draft

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays rounded out the opening day of this year’s MLB draft by selected a trio of intriguing pitching prospects after first-rounder Greg Jones.

They took Houston-area high-school right-hander J.J. Goss with the 36th overall pick and Campbell College right-hander Seth Johnson at No. 40. The Rays selected Texas A&M left-hander John Doxakis at No. 61 overall in the second round.

Goss was 11-2 with a 0.64 ERA in his senior year at Cypress Ranch High School. Goss, whose fastball reached 96 mph during his senior season and is complemented by a strong swing-and-miss slider and changeup, committed to Texas A&M during his sophomore season.

“Athleticism, arm speed, three-pitch mix, ability to use that stuff,” Rays scouting director Rob Metzler said of Goss.

Johnson struggled offensively as a junior college shortstop and took quickly to a transition to the mound. He recorded a 4.61 ERA with the Camels, but struck out 81 in 66 1/3 innings. His velocity continued to improve, peaking at 98, and his ability to develop secondary pitches — a slider and changeup —- suggests high upside once he builds more innings.

“He has a shorter track record, this is his first year of full-time pitching, but in terms of his arm action, delivery, body type, he really fulfills all the things we’re looking for in a young starting pitching prospect,” Metzler said of Johnson.

Doxakis was 7-4 with 2.06 ERA with 115 K in 104 2/3 innings during his junior season with the Aggies.

“He’s a tested, strong SEC left-hander,” Metzler said. “Size, really good command, ability to pitch to both sides with weapons. Fastball, slider, changeup,”

Goss was ranked the 24th-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline and 33rd by Baseball America. Campbell was Baseball America’s 28th-best prospect and the 31st by MLB Pipeline. Doxakis was ranked the 53rd-best prospect by Baseball America.

The fact that the Rays had so many early picks gives them flexibility to tweak some of the signing bonus money in order to sign all three players.

Goss would appear to be the player with the most signability concern since he's committed to Texas A&M and expressed interest in going to college going into the draws.

The Rays have $10,333,800 in allotted bonus pool money for selections in the top 10 rounds, as well as anything over $125,000 to later picks, with penalties for going over.

First-round pick Greg Jones has a slot value of $3,027,000 at No. 22. Goss is slotted for $2,045,400 at No. 36 and Thompson $1,856,700 at No. 40. Doxakis has a slot value of $1,129,700 at No. 61.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

Loading...

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

“I think they’re all unique cases,” Metzler said. “We’re optimistic about getting these guys all in the organization. I guess it helps to have flexibility. It helps to have the bonus. But at the same time, my phone was ringing quite a bit trying to get everything tidied up. It’s not easy. You have a bunch of balls in the air and you’re trying to pick the right one and have the deal secure is a challenge for sure.”

Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard.