Prep Baseball Report

First Edison Draft Pick, Blakely Excited To Join Angels


Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Michigan Senior Writer

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First Edison Draft Pick, Blakely Excited To Join Angels

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Werner Blakely

Class of 2020 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: 3B
  • High School: Detroit Edison
    State: MI
  • Summer Team: Midland Tribe
  • Height: 6-3
    Weight: 170lbs
  • Bat/Throw: L/R

Statistics

Position
6.55
60-yard
(03/02/19)
90
INF Velo
(03/02/19)
97
Exit Velo
(02/02/20)
4.26
H-1st
Position
60-yard
6.86
INF Velo
87
Exit Velo
97
Position
60-yard
6.55
INF Velo
90
Exit Velo
92
Position
60-yard
6.97
INF Velo
81
Exit Velo
90
Trackman - Hitting
100.6
Exit Velocity (max)
(02/02/20)
89.1
Exit Velocity (avg)
(02/02/20)
210
Distance (avg)
(02/02/20)
359
Distance (max)
(02/02/20)
Hard Hit %
(02/02/20)
Sweet Spot %
(02/02/20)
Line Drive %
(02/02/20)
Fly Ball %
(02/02/20)
Ground Ball %
(02/02/20)
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
100.6
Exit Velocity (avg)
89.1
Distance (avg)
210
Distance (max)
359
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %

First Edison Draft Pick, Blakely Excited To Join Angels

DETROIT - Angels or Auburn?

It was an easy decision for Werner Blakely, the 111th selection in this month’s Major League Baseball Draft.

“I had to weigh if it was worth going,” Blakely said about the decision to turn pro or go to college to play baseball at the Southeastern Conference school. “I had to take into account my education and I’d have to forfeit that to play pro ball. But I felt that was the best decision. Now I have the money to go back to school if needed.”

The top-rated 2020 player in Michigan received a $900,000 signing bonus, nearly $400,000 more than the slot value for a fourth-round pick.

“It’s what I was looking for,” Blakely admitted. “It was good enough for me to bypass college.”

The18-year-old did not forget Auburn throughout all the excitement.

“I called them as soon as I knew I was getting drafted and thanked them,” Blakely reflected. “They’ve done a lot for my family and I appreciate them a lot. They gave me a scholarship and it means a lot how much they value me.”

But it is off to professional baseball for Blakely, who became the first player to ever be drafted out of Detroit Edison High School.

“I’m very excited about Werner getting drafted,” Edison baseball coach Mark Brown said. “I’m so happy for his mom and dad, they are wonderful people.I’m also happy for the city of Detroit … to have a baseball player from Detroit get drafted is amazing. In Detroit most all kids play basketball and football so, hopefully with Werner getting drafted, maybe more inner city kids will want to play baseball.”

Brown has high expectations when it comes to Blakely, who did not get to play his senior year of high school due to COVID-19 after batting .467 as a junior with five home runs, 44 runs scored and 38 RBIs while going a perfect 16-16 on stolen bases 

“This is just the beginning for Werner,” Brown noted. “He’s a kid who works very hard. I see Werner advancing through the Angels farm system at a rapid pace. I think it's up to him on how fast he gets to the big leagues.”

Aaron Wilson, PBR Michigan Director of Scouting, also has enormous expectations when it comes to Blakely.

“Werner is a high-energy prospect with the ceiling of an MLB All-Star,” Wilson said. “He plays with a major chip on his shoulder and is willing to do everything in his power to succeed. That drive will help carry him at the next level. The Angels landed a great one with a great family!”

The left-handed hitting shortstop, who committed with Auburn back in early 2019, admits it was a special moment being chosen in the draft, which was reduced from 40 rounds to five this year.

“I was with my immediate family,” Blakely explained. “We were all gathered around the TV. It was really exciting for me to have my name called. It was all a process, but I’m so thankful I was able to do it.”

The selection by the Angels was a bit of a surprise.

“There were others I had talked to and thought it might be them,” the 6-3 185-pound Blakely related. “The Angels came in at the last minute. I did have a home visit with them but didn’t know if they would pull the trigger.”

The 199th-ranked 2020 in the country is pleased the American League organization took the chance on him.

“Being drafted by the Angels is a good situation for me,” Blakely said. “I’m happy and I’m where I want to be.”

Plans are to fly out this week to make it all official before returning home to continue working on improvement.

“It’s all about being more consistent,” pointed out Blakely, who is uncertain where and when he will report for instructional work with the Angels’ organization. “I’ve played with high-level guys and I definitely can play with them. It’s just a matter of working hard and staying consistent.”

The aspiration to play professionally is a long time coming for Blakely.

“I’ve wanted to play pro ball since I was a little kid,” Blakely said. “It’s everything I’ve worked for … and a dream come true. But now the work has just started toward the dream of playing in the majors.”

Brown sees Blakely blazing a trail in the neighborhood where he grew up.

“Werner is the first draft pick from our school, but he won’t be the last,” Brown said. “The program is up and coming. We have a lot of potential college players and a few possible draft picks in the program.”

Blakely now looks forward to completing his journey to the big leagues.

“My goals are to keep improving every year in the minor leagues and make it to MLB as quickly as possible,” Blakely concluded.