Five Thoughts On Draft’s Fourth Round

The fourth round is where teams were willing to take chances on inconsistent college players who have shown tools and often better performance earlier in their college careers.

• Kyle Funkhouser’s long wait to hear his name called ended when he was picked in the fourth round by the Tigers. Funkhouser was picked 35th overall in last year’s draft by the Dodgers but gambled by returning for his senior season, turning down significant money for a chance to be chosen higher this year. Even with a strong finish to the season, Funkhouser’s inconsistency appears to have cost him. He might win a national title at Louisville, but financially the decision to come back to school has cost him.

• The Red Sox picked Bobby Dalbec, a third baseman whose power thrust him into first-day consideration after an excellent summer in the Cape Cod League. But Dalbec struck out in 31 percent of his plate appearances this spring and struggled to get to his power. Dalbec is also a strong-armed reliever, so he does have a fall-back position.

• The Nationals’ pick, outfielder Nick Banks, was a likely first-round pick when the year began but after an early-season back injury, Banks struggled at the plate for the majority of the season. Banks looked much better with Team USA’s Collegiate National Team last summer, so Washington has some track record to look back on.

• The Giants took a bet on a great arm in Oregon lefthander Matt Krook. Krook was a supplemental first-round pick out of high school who didn’t sign with the Marlins after he failed his physical. He’s had Tommy John since and he’s yet to throw strikes consistently upon returning. He walked 48 in 53 innings this year but he did finish the season with back-to-back strong outings and his fastball and slider still earn plus grades.

• The Reds added a promising arm with a lengthy medical record in Florida’s Scott Moss. Moss missed much of the past two seasons with the Gators thanks to Tommy John surgery, but was excellent during the Southeastern Conference tournament and he has a plus fastball/slider combo that project well.