Griffin Jax

The son of a former NFL offensive lineman, Jax was picked by the Phillies in the 12th round after concluding his high school career in 2013, instead choosing to enroll in the Air Force Academy. Jax would be a sure bet to go in the top two or three rounds this year pending a decision by the Air Force regarding a possible deferral of his military commitment. The 6-foot-2, 195 pound righthander has been the Falcons' top starter this year, with a sterling 8-2, 1.91 mark with 76 strikeouts through 81 innings. While still a bit inconsistent, Jax has the best arm strength of any starter in the West, with a quick arm delivering a fastball that sits around 92 and gets up to 94-95 mph. His three secondary pitches are all average offerings at their best, with a focus on his mid-80s slider and low-80s changeup. The question as to what it will cost to get Jax away from his service commitment, assuming he is ready to choose professional baseball as his avocation.