2007 Player Draft: Pitchers Picked Later

As expected, the Indians drafted a high school pitcher on the first day of the 2007 draft. Only they waited until their second selection, No. 137 overall to do it instead of using their first-round pick. They went for slugger Beau Mills with the 13th overall selection -- then came back to add an 18-year-old left-hander and a right-hander with plenty of relief experience in his college career.

T.J. McFarland got an early birthday present when he got the call that the Indians had selected him in the fourth round with the 137 pick overall. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound lefty turns age 18 Friday.

“T.J. McFarland is a big-bodied athlete with a loose arm," said John Mirabelli, the Indians' assistant general manager, scouting operations. "He has a potential out-pitch breaking ball and we really like his upside as a starting pitcher in our organization.”

McFarland moved up draft lists this spring with a good senior season at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Heights, Ill. His fastball regularly hit 90-93 mph this year and he threw a decent curve for strikes. He has planned to play at the University of Missouri, but may forego college to start his pro career later this month in the Indians organization.

In the fifth round, the Indians took Jonathan Holt, a 6-2, 210-pound right-hander who had a sensational 2007 season at the University of Tampa, leading the Spartans to the NCAA II Championship.

In 31 games, including two starts, he went 4-2 with 19 saves and a 1.64 ERA. In 66 innings, he allowed 42 hits and only four walks while striking out 79.

“Jonathan is a strike-throwing machine who closed in college," Mirabelli said. "He has above average command of a sinking fastball and can hit the corners on both sides of the plate. His slider is also an above average pitch for him.”

Holt pitched exclusively in relief during the regular season, then was twice called upon to start in the playoffs.

In the Regional Final against Florida Southern on May 20, he allowed four hits and one run over the first four innings of an 8-5 win. He then won the national championship game June 1 against Columbus State in spectacular fashion. He pitched a complete game, striking out eight without a walk and allowing six hits and one earned run over nine innings in a 7-2 victory. That gave the Spartans their second consecutive title and fifth in school history.

Holt played two years at Seminole Community College before transferring last year.

The Indians have one pick in each of the remaining 45 rounds.