With the 62nd pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, the Seattle Mariners picked Brad Miller, a shortstop out of Clemson. Miller earned All-American accolades at Clemson for a junior year that included a .403 batting average, 0.506 on-base percentage and 0.571 slugging percentage. Miller is far from the picture of power, hitting only five home runs this past season, but he did show the ability to get on-base.
Miller also drew 40 walks to just 34 strikeouts in 191 at bats, which is something. At this point in the draft, we have no real idea how these guys are going to pan out, and like much of the MLB Draft, it's a bit of a crap-shoot. Miller is quick on the basepaths, nimble in the field and seems to have the skillset to succeed in the middle infield, but who knows.
So there you have it: A pitcher in the first round and shortstop in the second. Seattle went against the grain and grabbed Danny Hultzen at No. 2 overall, and followed it up by grabbing Miller at No. 62. After the second round, the drafting hits high gear, and prospects come flying off the board. Hang on, it'll be a wild ride.
We'll be tracking the day's events and will have more on the Mariners' picks in our 2011 MLB Draft StoryStream. For a local look at what the Mariners are planning, head over to SB Nation's Lookout Landing.