More thoughts on TJ Sikkema, Kameron Misner after Monday’s MLB Draft

Dave Matter posted a good article on TJ Sikkema after the talented lefty was selected by the New York Yankees in the competitive balance round in between rounds one and two on Monday.

This quote from Yankees VP of Domestic Amateur Scouting Damon Oppenheimer jumped out to me:

“He’s got plus stuff, he throws it for strikes, and the guy’s a real ultimate competitor. He really gets after it on the mound. He can probably get to the big leagues quickly as a reliever, but we see him as a starter. When you can get a guy who pitched in the SEC with success, it goes a long way.”

Our own Josh Matejka wrote a very detailed piece projecting both Sikkema and Misner’s potential pro careers, and I especially enjoyed this best-case scenario for Misner that Josh laid out:

Second, Misner’s raw power and batted ball ability explode in the low minors, making him a five-tool player in the mold of Cody Bellinger (though maybe a lite version.) This version of Misner’s career would probably call for more seasoning in the minors, but would likely end with him becoming a lineup mainstay for any franchise, with perennial All Star potential.

Busy day for former Mizzou baseball star Trey Harris

Trey Harris, Mizzou’s former slugging outfielder (and the first person to hit a home run in a game in Atlanta’s SunTrust Park), was announced as a South Atlantic League All-Star and promoted to the Braves’ high-A ball affiliate on Tuesday.

Harris, in his first full season in the Braves’ minor-league system, is having himself quite the start:

Harris, 23, is leading the South Atlantic League with a .366 batting average. He also leads the league with a .437 OBP, a .594 slugging percentage and a 1.031 OPS. His 44 RBI are third-most in the league while his four triples also rank tied for third-best in the SAL. Harris was originally selected by the Braves in the 32nd round of the 2018 draft out of the University of Missouri.

Harris is now regarded as a top-30 prospect for the Braves — but, of course, Atlanta’s outfield situation is awfully crowded right now with Ronald Acuna Jr. and rookie Austin Riley in the majors and 20-year-old Cristian Pache making his way through the minors. If Harris keeps up this stretch, though, he’s going to force his way into the Braves’ plans or become a valuable trade piece.

Yesterday at Rock M

• Projecting Kameron Misner and TJ Sikkema’s careers

More Links:

• This was announced Monday, but it was OFFICIALLY announced Tuesday: Former Mizzou great Justin Smith is on the 2020 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.
• Big blow for West Virginia: first-team all-conference safety Kenny Robinson put his name into the transfer portal on Tuesday. Potentially good news for Missouri!
• While it certainly feels like Missouri’s athletic year is over, that’s not true: Six Mizzou track-and-field athletes begin competition at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which begin Wednesday in Austin. However, the first Mizzou athletes won’t compete until Thursday.
• Busy day on the ‘crootin trail at PowerMizzou.com. They posted interviews with recent commitments Dominique Johnson and Ray Curry, as well as a film breakdown of 2020 QB commit Brady Cook. All articles are premium.
• Looks like a defender got in the way of the Drew Lock hype train in Denver: