Cards Draft Jim Klocke

I'll be back to cover more of the guys I like from the 2009 MLB Draft, which took place the past three days, but I need to make special mention of SEMO junior Jim Klocke, who was drafted by the Cards in the 46th round.

Usually late round draft picks are just blurbs on the radar, but this pick has some special significance because Klocke is not only a Southeast Missouri State University student (where I also attend) but also a graduate of St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis, where he was part of two state champion teams.

Klocke isn't a significant pick just because of his ties to the St. Louis area, either. He can play. At 6'0, 195 lbs, Jim has the size to stick as either a catcher or pitcher, as he has played both this year. With his bat, though, his most position will likely be catcher, where he has a collegiate .359 batting average and 1.001 OPS.

Seeing him live a couple times, Klocke has really been the one player that looks the most like a potential farmhand on the SEMO team, with a smooth lefthanded stroke that has gap power. On the con side, his speed is below average, and his arm isn't exceedingly strong. From inside the batter's box, bat speed and plate coverage are two of the attributes that really stick out.

As has been said on other Cardinals blogs, late rounds aren't where you find "toolsy" players. Here, you find players that may have strong numbers but don't have the total package. With Klocke, his strength is definitely with the bat, and it will be interesting to see 1.) if he signs with the Cards and 2.) how well he can translate that aluminum success to wooden bats.

The OVC (Ohio Valley Conference) is no league of pushovers, mind you. Last year, pitcher Christian Friedrich of Eastern Kentucky was selected in the first round, largely regarded as one of the studs of the 2008 class. This year, Eastern Illinois pitcher Tyler Kehrer was taken by the Angels with the 48th pick and the Twins selected Jacksonville State pitcher Ben Tootle with the 101st pick. Overall, nine players from the OVC were drafted this year, including Klocke.

Do I think he has the potential to move up the farm system? I think, if he can get his bat going, it will take him up a few ranks, possibly onto the normal circuit of A-, A, A+ ball. How well he can develop into the catching position defensively, however, will truly judge how well he performs in the system. A light-hitting catcher with doubles power is probably the ceiling on him, but that's not to say that isn't a pretty useful player.

This is an exciting pick because it's someone who I have written about before, asking for the Cardinals to take a look at. They have, and it'll be fun to potentially have both a St. Louis native and SEMO student in the farm system. Congrats, Jim!

I'll be back later today to have a much-needed farm update and a look at some of the other significant draft picks.