TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays have added another young arm to their arsenal.
The Blue Jays selected right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede with their first pick in Major League Baseball's amateur draft Monday.
The six-foot-four, 200-pound 18-year-old was selected 21st overall out of Lawrence Academy in Massachusetts.
Although Beede is obviously an impressive physical specimen, the Blue Jays were attracted to his solid pitching mechanics.
"It's a really advanced delivery," said Toronto's amateur scouting director Andrew Tannish. "He's a full wind-up guy, he's got great tempo, it's a high leg kick, it's a great stride, long stride down the mound with a real quality follow through."
As a well-rounded athlete -- Beede also played tight end for Lawrence Academy's football team -- there's only room to grow.
"It's an athletic delivery, it's a good arm action," Tannish said. "I think that along with his aptitude we can really project on him taking greater strides down the road."
Beede has also developed an impressive three-pitch arsenal, recently adding an effective curveball.
"It's a pitch that he has a feel for," Tannish said. "Certainly it still needs some work, but he's got good rotation and depth. He can throw it for a strike.
"I believe, in time, he'll have the ability to backdoor it."
One complication in Beede's development is that he has already committed to play for Vanderbilt University and has no plans to go immediately from high school to professional baseball.
According to media reports, Beede sent a letter to scouts in New England before the draft, saying that he intends to honour his commitment to the school and is asking that teams do not contact him.
Toronto's front office is seemingly unconcerned with this apparent hurdle.
"I know what this kid's dreams and goals are, and that's to pitch in the big leagues," Tannish said. "I feel like this is the best route for him, to sign with us and to get his pro career started.
"I believe that he feels the same way, but we need to work through those details over the coming days and weeks."
When asked if the Jays are willing to pay to convince Beede to forego college, Tannish was non-committal.
"We place a certain value on the player," explained Tannish. "Our goal is to sign the player for what we feel the player is worth.
"Will that work? Only time will tell."
Tannish was quick to add that the commitment to Vanderbilt may be an asset.
"It's a quality institution, it's a good program," he said.
Later, Toronto took advantage of its compensatory picks by drafting outfielder Jacob Anderson 35th overall, right-handed pitcher Joseph Musgrove 46th, outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. 53rd and right-handed pitcher Kevin Comer 57th.
