Rockies take Clemson 1B in 3rd round
The Rockies added a left-handed-hitting first baseman, Benjamin Paulsen from Clemson, in the third round of the draft.
Here’s Baseball America’s report:
Paulsen’s father Tom Riginos is Clemson’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, and Paulsen has made him proud by being the Tigers’ best hitter this season.
He’s more of a hitter in the Mark Grace mold, with a smooth lefthanded swing. He uses the whole field and ranked second in the ACC (behind only Dustin Ackley) in hits.
Paulsen’s ultimate value is tied to his power. He is an average defender and is limited to first base. His lack of patience at the plate works against him in terms of getting to his power, as at times he doesn’t work himself into power hitter’s counts.
Teams that focus on his strong Cape Cod League performance (.290/.335/.497, eight home runs) could pop Paulsen as high as the third round. Skeptics will recall Michael Johnson, a Clemson first baseman drafted 54th overall in 2002 whose slider bat speed made him a 4-A player.
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