RHP Ben Abram, 37th round (1,101st overall) - San Diego Padres
With their 37th round (1,101st overall) pick, the San Diego Padres have selected RHP Ben Abram.
Hometown: Georgetown, Ont.
Bats/Throws: R-R
Height/Weight: 6’ 8,” 240 lbs.
College Commitment: Oklahoma
Teams: Ontario Terriers, Canadian Junior National Team
Coaches: Dean Dicenzo (Smithtown, Ont.), Scott Vandevalk, Greg Hamilton
Scout: Murray Zuk (Souris, Man.)
Past Teams: Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team, DBacks Langley Blaze, Georgetown Eagles
Past coaches: Matt O’Brien, Doug Mathieson, Jamie Bodaly, Ian McLaughlin
Most influential person in my baseball life would be: “My coaches since bantam and Greg Hamilton.”
Good Genes: Mom, Sandy, played volleyball (middle) for the Durham Lords and dad, Brett, was an offensive lineman (guard and centre) for the University of Western Ontario Mustangs.
Twitter Handle: @ben_abram8
Scouting Report
Perfect Game
Abram has received plenty of looks this spring from the scouting community that has been closely following Abram’s potential first round teammate on the Canadian National 18u team, Noah Naylor. The 6-foot-8 Abram has worked mostly in the 88-90 mph range, occasionally touching higher, with a pretty smooth set of mechanics for a big, young pitcher. He also throws an 80 mph slider that shows good tilt and spin and a developing changeup. With his size, athleticism and quick, loose arm, Abram is extremely projectable and could take a big step forward over the next few years.
2018 season: Dominican Summer League trip with Junior National Team (JNT): Was 0-0, 6.50 ERA, walked four, struck out 24 in 18 inningss ... Pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing four runs -- two earned -- on seven hits and a walk, while striking out eight facing DSL Pirates ... Allowed six runs on six hits (two homers) against DSL Yankees ... Extended Spring with JNT: Worked three scoreless facing the Astros pros, allowing two hits and striking out five ... Three perfect innings against first and second-year Astros pros, Was 89-91 with four strikeouts ...Spring with JNT: Three scoreless innings facing first and second year Blue Jays allowing three hits, striking out six, hit 90 mph ... Worked three innings against the Blue Jays, allowed a lead-off walk to Cavan Biggio two-run homer to Bo Bichette (Ranked eighth best prospect by Baseball America) and a walk to Vlad Guerrerro (Third prospect by Baseball America) in first inning. Then, a double to Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.), plus run-scoring singles to Biggio and Bichette in second inning ... Allowed a Guerrero single, a Dwight Smith double ... Gave up six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits and three walks, while striking out McGregory Contreras ... Three walks, seven strikeouts in six innings ... At The Baseball Zone scout day workout: Clocked at 89 MPH.
2017 season: Fall Disney trip with JNT: Seven scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk, as he struck out six ... At Perfect Game WWBA World championship in Jupiter: Pitched four scoreless allowing one hit, walking two and striking out five East Cobb Astros, fastball clocked at 89 MPH ... At World Cup 18U with JNT: Pitched 9 1/3 innings allowing six runs on 12 hits and four walks, while striking out 11 ... JNT Selection camp at Ajax: Pitched six innings giving up six hits and three runs, as he fanned three ... Dominican trip with JNT: Gave up solo home run to the Astros in two innings ... Pitched six innings allowing three earned runs on 10 hits, while striking out six ... Tossed a perfect ninth for save against the Jays ... Extended Spring with JNT: Allowed two unearned runs vs. Braves ... Worked eight innings, allowing seven hits, zero earned runs while fanning five ... Spring with JNT: Pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs on nine hits and two walks, while striking out six ... Finished his four-inning outing against Jays by retiring the last eight hitters, allowed an unearned run.
Honours
2017 Honours: Earned Perfect Game WWBA World championship all-tournament team honours ... Preseason Underclass All American High Honorable Mention.
Abram brings impressive resume to final T12 appearance