Harriton Baseball Star Drafted By Los Angeles Angels

BRYN MAWR, PA — The 2019 MLB Draft got underway this week and a talented kid from Harriton High School was selected. Rounds 1 and 2 were completed Monday night in Secaucus, New Jersey, with 78 players selected.

Out of Harriton, Jack Kochanowicz was selected in the third round, 92nd overall, by the Los Angeles Angels. Kochanowicz, who stands 6 feet, 6 inches tall, hits left-handed and throws right-handed.

Here’s what the experts have to say about Kochanowicz:

One of the taller and more projectable pitchers in the 2019 high school class, Kochanowicz performed well while hitting most of the major stops on the showcase circuit last summer. Like most prep arms from the Northeast, he's far from a finished project, but his potential is obvious. If he follows through on his commitment to Virginia, he could develop into a first-rounder in the 2022 Draft.

Kochanowicz has an 89-93 mph fastball that tops out at 95 with riding life up in the strike zone. His 6-foot-6 frame and high-three-quarters arm slot provide plenty of downhill plane, and his size also creates extension that adds to the quality of his fastball package. He has high spin rates and good depth on his mid-70s curveball, which could be a hammer once he gains more velocity.

Kochanowicz has some sink on his changeup and while it's often too firm, it should improve as he throws it more often. Many tall, young pitchers have trouble keeping their deliveries in sync, but he repeats his mechanics well and provides strikes.

Drafted No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Orioles, Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman joined notable past players such as Carlos Correa, Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, David Price, Gerrit Cole, Justin Upton, Joe Mauer, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, and, of course, Alex Rodriguez to earn the distinction.

Rutschman, a switch-hitter, was the “consensus” best prospect in the draft, according to MLB.com. He can hit for average and power and knows the strike zone well, drawing many walks. He’s also “quality” on defense.

“He now becomes the face of the franchise,” MLB.com wrote.

Here are the top 10 players selected and their schools:

1. Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman, catcher, Oregon State
2. Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr., shortstop, Colleyville, TX, Heritage High School
3. Chicago White Sox: Andrew Vaughn, first baseman, California
4. Miami Marlins: JJ Bleday, outfield, Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
5. Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene, outfield, Hagerty High School, Oviedo, FL
6. San Diego Padres: CJ Abrams, shortstop, Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, Roswell, GA
7. Cincinnati Reds: Nick Lodolo, pitcher, Texas Christian, Fort Worth, TX
8. Texas Rangers: Josh Jung, third baseman, Texas Tech, Lubbock, TX
9. Atlanta Braves: Shea Langeliers, catcher, Baylor, Waco, TX
10. San Francisco Giants: Hunter Bishop, outfield, Arizona State, Tempe, AZ

The draft was to continue Tuesday afternoon with rounds three through 10, then again on Wednesday with rounds 11 through 40. MLB.com was to livestream coverage of the rounds.

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.