Round 1, Pick 7 (Portland Panthers): SP Matt LaChappa (Chula Vista High School)
Portland already has a top 3 farm system, with an insanely young CBL team, so taking the best available prospect in the draft is a risk they can take. LaChappa has an elite fastball, with a slider/changeup combo that is at least well above average, if not elite. He also has very good command of his pitches, which is needed as he barely hits 90 mph. He is young, and has a projectable build, so his velocity should climb as he fills out.
Cobi Johnson is a decent comparison, both tall pitchers using a 3 pitch combo led by a fastball and strong command. If LaChappa can gain velocity and get better bite on his slider, he could become as dominant as Johnson is, but if not he will still be a very good pitcher.
Fastball: 75 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 65 | Overall: 65
