MLB draft: Scouting reports on the last Arizona Wildcats remaining from the 2016 national runners-up

Time flies when you’re having the time of your life.

If all goes according to plan in this week’s MLB draft, which begins Monday, no Wildcat who played for Arizona’s 2016 College World Series runner-up will be left on the roster.

That was less than two years ago. Now — poof! — they’re about to be gone.

“That’s crazy,” said catcher Cesar Salazar, one of four UA juniors expected to be drafted this week, most likely on Tuesday. “We’re the last guys standing. It feels like it was three months ago. I can still picture myself in Omaha, messing around with Gibby (Zach Gibbons) and (Cody) Ramer.”

Gibbons and Ramer were seniors on that team. Salazar, Alfonso Rivas III, Cody Deason and Michael Flynn were freshmen. All but Flynn played sizable roles in Arizona’s unforgettable postseason run.

They became the nucleus of the past two UA squads, which posted a 72-43 record and made the NCAA Tournament in 2017. The Wildcats barely missed this year, landing among the field’s “first four out.”

It all happened “very, very fast,” Flynn said shortly before the tournament began. “Especially this season. I feel like we should still be flying out to Minnesota (or elsewhere) this weekend and just getting started.”

UA coach Jay Johnson believes the past three years — which Salazar described as “the best three years of my life by far” — have prepared the draft-bound juniors for what lies ahead. They experienced just about everything during their time in Tucson, from the high of making it to Omaha to the low of missing out on the postseason.

“I have no doubts about their readiness and maturity to attack a professional career,” Johnson said. “I’m totally at peace with it because of who they are as people and their physical ability. It doesn’t always go that way.”

One other member of the class, pitcher Randy Labaut, redshirted in 2016. He is expected to return to Arizona next season after missing much of this past one because of a leg injury.

As for the four who most likely are moving on, here’s what they will offer as pro baseball players, according to Johnson, the scouting community and the players themselves:

RHP CODY DEASON

Key 2018 stats: 6-5 record, 2.87 ERA, 6.9 H/9, 8.2 K/9, .216 opp. avg.

Baseball America 500 ranking: 113

BA scouting report: “Despite his success as a starter this year, Deason is viewed by most talent evaluators as a likely reliever in pro ball. His delivery has effort, and while he has a four-pitch mix, he is most effective when using his fastball/curveball combo. Deason’s average fastball sits in the low 90s, touching 94-95 mph. His best out pitch and most consistent offering is a 12-to-6 curveball that he can really spin. Deason is expected to go off the board early on Day 2 of the draft.”

Salazar: “Cody has a lot of confidence in his stuff. He attacks hitters. He’s not going to spot up every fastball, but he’s going to be around the zone. His curveball is one of the best if not the best I’ve caught.”

Johnson: “He’s made great strides in his development over three years as a pro. Big fastball. His curveball is a major-league pitch. I could see him going either way (starter or reliever), but I could also see him coming out of a major-league bullpen within a few years.”

Rivas: “Cody has very good life on his fastball. It kind of rises a little bit. Very good curveball. He competes on the mound. Closer mentality out there.”

RHP MICHAEL FLYNN

Key 2018 stats: 6-5 record, 4.89 ERA, 8.4 H/9, 8.8 K/9, .242 opp. avg.

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BA 500 ranking: 193

BA scouting report: “His 89- to 95-mph fastball has good life, and he locates it well to both sides of the plate. Flynn added a change-up last year and the pitch, which has late movement, was his best offering earlier this season. Recent improvements give Flynn a better chance to stick in a starting rotation as a pro. He shows advanced feel and throws all of his pitches for strikes. His delivery is a little rough as he strides short and throws downhill, but he’s able to repeat it.”

Flynn: “Just coming to college in general was a big steppingstone for me — growing up, getting a lot bigger, more mature. It’s a body of work. It’s a body in motion. It’s a never-ending process.”

Salazar: “Michael just has stupid-good stuff. His fastball moves everywhere. He’s a true four-pitch guy. When he’s on, he can throw all four. He has a lot of (guts) too. He’s not afraid of anything.”

Rivas: “His change-up fades; that keeps hitters off balance. He’s extremely athletic off the mound. He can field his position like an infielder.”

Johnson: “Scouts really like his potential and rightfully so. He’s a terrific athlete. He’s a pitcher you’d stick on the bases or in the outfield in an emergency situation. There’s a lot to like about his fastball. Professional people are excited about his projection and what’s to come.”

1B-OF ALFONSO RIVAS III

Key 2018 stats: .342 avg., 7 HR, 52 RBIs, 48 R, 15 2B, .425 OBP, .529 SLG, 5-5 SB-ATT

BA 500 ranking: 123

BA scouting report: “Observers have no doubt that Rivas will hit, with most evaluators putting a plus future grade on the hit tool. Rivas is a left-handed hitter with outstanding makeup. He has excellent knowledge of the strike zone and a short swing, giving him the ability to handle off-speed pitches and regularly hit the ball to the opposite field. The biggest question is whether Rivas will develop enough power to profile at either first base, which is his best defensive position, or a corner outfield spot.”

Salazar: “Alfonso is a polished hitter, a pure hitter. He was born to hit. He just has such a smooth swing. It’s pretty to watch, fun to watch. With all the talent he has, he works his butt off. He’s always trying to find a way to get better. This year he worked a lot on his speed, which made him the most complete player (on the team).”

Johnson: “He’s an unbelievably pure hitter. He has a very good feel for what he is and what he’s doing at the plate. He hits high-level pitching very well and is incredibly consistent. I expect him to perform well with the bat in pro ball. He’s beyond adequate at first base and both corner outfield spots.”

C CESAR SALAZAR

Key 2018 stats: .339 avg., 4 HR, 42 RBIs, 11 2B, .432 OBP, 57.1 caught-stealing pct.

BA 500 ranking: 277

BA scouting report: “He has made big strides at the plate this year by adding strength, but he is still regarded as a defense-first catcher. He blocks and receives well and knows how to manage a pitching staff. His fringe-average arm plays up because his quick hands and feet allow him to get rid of the ball quickly. Salazar’s intangibles allow all of his tools to play up. He’ll be drafted in the top 10 rounds, primarily because of his leadership and skills behind the plate.”

Johnson: “Tremendous catcher. He’s almost like a good umpire back there — you don’t notice him because things always go right. He gets your pitchers additional pitches for strikes. His catch and release is really advanced. His leadership skills and his handling of the pitching staff are well documented. And I think he developed tremendously offensively between the first two years and this year.”

Rivas: “Very mature. Leadership. His passion for the game, his defensive skills are off the charts. He has quick feet, a quick transfer and a good arm. At the plate, he has great discipline. He stays through the ball, through the zone, and has some pop. Very good all-around baseball player that understands the game, loves the game and will help someone win.”

Salazar: “This is what I always say: I’m not going to be the best player on the team or the most talented guy, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to win. I’m going to manage the pitching staff, and you’re going to have the best chance to win a game with me behind the plate.”