2010 draft discussion

[toonsterwu]

I don't really want Vitek. I'm not sure he has the bat for the corner OF and I'm not sure he has the range for CF.

 

What I really want is upside, regardless of position. I'm really on board the Justin O'Connor train, considering that the system really has a hole in regards to high level catching talent. Wouldn't mind drafting him and being patient. Athletic, up the middle kid with power. Sweet.

 

It's much easier for me to see the Cubs gambling on a HS positional player than it is for me to see them go HS pitching. I wouldn't mind a high upside HS arm (I think I like the Florida kids more than I like Covey, and I think I like Whitson more than Cole), but I just wonder if they go that route.

 

I still think the Cubs will ponder Ranaudo if the medical reports are good.

 

You know who really strikes me as a Wilken type of guy? Bryce Brentz. Seems much too high for 16, though.

[UK1679666180]

What I really want is upside, regardless of position. I'm really on board the Justin O'Connor train, considering that the system really has a hole in regards to high level catching talent. Wouldn't mind drafting him and being patient. Athletic, up the middle kid with power. Sweet.

 

He's very signable, there's almost no chance he sets foot in Fayetteville again.

[toonsterwu]

Here's hoping, then. I admittedly don't follow amateur baseball and the baseball draft that much, but picking in the mid-first seems like one of those, eh situations, that you often find in the early 20's of an NFL draft. Difference between a mid-first and a mid-2nd doesn't seem like much to me this year. O'Connor is admittedly the only guy that superbly intrigues me. There doesn't seem to be a shortstop that's likely to be of value. Don't really want a 2nd baseman or a corner OF that lacks big time power, and I don't know if I love Castellanos enough. I don't know if I really love those 2nd tier arms that much more than the arms you could find in the 2nd/3rd, but again, don't follow it as much.

[toonsterwu]

Don't know how good Heyman's been with draft mocks in the past, but he mocked Josh Sale to the Cubs, with AJ Cole, Dylan Covey, Ranaudo, Eibner, Vitek, Whitson, Brentz, O'Connor and others on the board.

[StarlinOnYou]

I am hoping for one of the high school kids at this point.

 

Cole, Sale, Covey, O'Conner, Whitson, or Castallanos. All those work for me.

[davell]

Reading through the profiles of all these kids on BA has me thinking this as far as the first 5 rounds go......In order of my preference.

 

1st round- Allie/J Sale/Covey/Cole/Whitson/O'Conner

I think we have solid pitching depth throughout the system, but adding a high schooler with the potential to be a staff ace would be very nice. Sale probably won't be there, but if he is, he's VERY tempting, as we also need to add some power bats to the system. O'Conner would be a decent pickup as well, since we have no catching prospects whatsoever in the lower levels.

 

2nd round- Tago/J Parker/Solis/Deshields Jr/Sanchez/Cecchini

I wouldn't want to take Tago or Sanchez unless we took a hitter or a college pitcher with our first pick and same with Solis, except in reverse(don't want him unless our first pick is either a hitter or a high school pitcher), since he's a fairly projectable lefty who seems like a safe college pick. That said, it's likely neither of them will be there. I'd love to see Parker fall to us and think that it's at least a possibility anyway. Deshields Jr seems like he has some decent pop and is very toolsy with great bloodlines obviously, so if he's there, it'd be surprising, but I'd be very happy if we got him. Cecchini has been hurt, but has good projectability at 3B, but he's going to have to be someone we overslot pretty decently, if we take him.

 

3rd round- Ficociello/Jaffe/Perkins/Cunningham/Cisco/Rasmussen

Ficociello is one of the more intriguing guys out there for me, as he has the potential to have a very heavy bat. And he's a 3rd baseman, which is something we're not all that strong at too. I'm leaning towards ALOT of high school pitchers with Jaffe and Cisco in this group as well. Along with a decent amount of toolsy OFers, with Perkins on here as well. That said, Rasmussen actually SEEMS like a Wilken type pick here, being a college lefty.

 

4th round- Duke/Brantly/C Lewis/Barbato/Gibson/Goodrum

Once again, the guys who intrigue me are high schoolers, as this entire group, other than Brantly, fit the bill. Barbato and Duke throw hard and have solid control, while Gibson is another projectable lefty. Goodrum is a 6'4 SS, who's very toolsy and will likely wind up in the OF and Lewis a very solid hitting 3B who projects to have solid power.

 

5th round- Rosin/Peavey/Buckel/Stanley/Southall/Longmire

Rosin and Peavey are both big, solid college pitchers and I could see them being Wilken type picks here. Buckel is another high schooler that I just liked his profile. Advanced and throws 94ish. Stanley is a solid small college catcher that doesn't do anything great, but doesn't really have any glaring weaknesses either. Another Wilken type guy. Southall is a toolsy high school OFer and Longmire is a toolsy college OFer.

 

Most of these guys are probably not Wilken types, but I'd like to see us take some chances this year. It's a fairly weak draft, according to most, and we've got plenty of future relievers, backup infielders, and some 5ish type starters in our system as it is, so I hope we take a few shots on some guys with this draft. If our system was stacked differently, I'd have a different approach, but with what's out there, I'd really like some high ceiling types and obviously quite a few of them are high schoolers.

 

As far as positions go, I know it's impossible to say what you're looking for, as you usually take the best available anyway, but if we could find a High School pitcher, a College pitcher(preferrably one lefty and one righty), a corner infielder with pop, a catcher, and a high ceiling OFer fairly early on, it's what I'd like to see addressed at least. Assuming guys are out there that fill these needs......

[Guest]

Don't know how good Heyman's been with draft mocks in the past, but he mocked Josh Sale to the Cubs, with AJ Cole, Dylan Covey, Ranaudo, Eibner, Vitek, Whitson, Brentz, O'Connor and others on the board.

 

Sale doesn't play an up-the-middle spot and isn't a great athlete - not really Wilken's style. I'd LOVE to see the Cubs draft him though, especially considering the system doesn't have a good power hitter and is weak at 1B (if he ends up there).

 

O'Conner seems like a perfect Wilken pick - athletic, up-the-middle guy (SS/RHP projected to be a C) plus at a position that is a major hole for the Cubs' system

 

Some of the HS arms are pretty intriguing too.

[Guest]

Reading through the profiles of all these kids on BA has me thinking this as far as the first 5 rounds go......In order of my preference.

 

1st round- Allie/J Sale/Covey/Cole/Whitson/O'Conner

I think we have solid pitching depth throughout the system, but adding a high schooler with the potential to be a staff ace would be very nice. Sale probably won't be there, but if he is, he's VERY tempting, as we also need to add some power bats to the system. O'Conner would be a decent pickup as well, since we have no catching prospects whatsoever in the lower levels.

 

2nd round- Tago/J Parker/Solis/Deshields Jr/Sanchez/Cecchini

I wouldn't want to take Tago or Sanchez unless we took a hitter or a college pitcher with our first pick and same with Solis, except in reverse(don't want him unless our first pick is either a hitter or a high school pitcher), since he's a fairly projectable lefty who seems like a safe college pick. That said, it's likely neither of them will be there. I'd love to see Parker fall to us and think that it's at least a possibility anyway. Deshields Jr seems like he has some decent pop and is very toolsy with great bloodlines obviously, so if he's there, it'd be surprising, but I'd be very happy if we got him. Cecchini has been hurt, but has good projectability at 3B, but he's going to have to be someone we overslot pretty decently, if we take him.

 

3rd round- Ficociello/Jaffe/Perkins/Cunningham/Cisco/Rasmussen

Ficociello is one of the more intriguing guys out there for me, as he has the potential to have a very heavy bat. And he's a 3rd baseman, which is something we're not all that strong at too. I'm leaning towards ALOT of high school pitchers with Jaffe and Cisco in this group as well. Along with a decent amount of toolsy OFers, with Perkins on here as well. That said, Rasmussen actually SEEMS like a Wilken type pick here, being a college lefty.

 

4th round- Duke/Brantly/C Lewis/Barbato/Gibson/Goodrum

Once again, the guys who intrigue me are high schoolers, as this entire group, other than Brantly, fit the bill. Barbato and Duke throw hard and have solid control, while Gibson is another projectable lefty. Goodrum is a 6'4 SS, who's very toolsy and will likely wind up in the OF and Lewis a very solid hitting 3B who projects to have solid power.

 

5th round- Rosin/Peavey/Buckel/Stanley/Southall/Longmire

Rosin and Peavey are both big, solid college pitchers and I could see them being Wilken type picks here. Buckel is another high schooler that I just liked his profile. Advanced and throws 94ish. Stanley is a solid small college catcher that doesn't do anything great, but doesn't really have any glaring weaknesses either. Another Wilken type guy. Southall is a toolsy high school OFer and Longmire is a toolsy college OFer.

 

Most of these guys are probably not Wilken types, but I'd like to see us take some chances this year. It's a fairly weak draft, according to most, and we've got plenty of future relievers, backup infielders, and some 5ish type starters in our system as it is, so I hope we take a few shots on some guys with this draft. If our system was stacked differently, I'd have a different approach, but with what's out there, I'd really like some high ceiling types and obviously quite a few of them are high schoolers.

 

As far as positions go, I know it's impossible to say what you're looking for, as you usually take the best available anyway, but if we could find a High School pitcher, a College pitcher(preferrably one lefty and one righty), a corner infielder with pop, a catcher, and a high ceiling OFer fairly early on, it's what I'd like to see addressed at least. Assuming guys are out there that fill these needs......

 

From what I've heard, someone from the Cubs has been to see Rasmussen and/or Dan Klein quite a bit and must like one of them.

[davell]

Now that Eibner appears to be wanting to play in the field, instead of pitch, what's everyone's thoughts on him at 16?

[Outshined_One]

Now that Eibner appears to be wanting to play in the field, instead of pitch, what's everyone's thoughts on him at 16?

 

Intrigued, but iffy. He sounds like he has the tools to be a very good RF, possibly even a CF, but as a hitter, I'm a bit concerned with the reports about his pitch recognition and discipline. My impression is that he has more polish as a pitcher and a higher ceiling compared to the OF. Depending on who's available, I'd probably pass on Eibner if he refused to pitch. Bryce Brentz would be a better pick if the Cubs are searching for a corner OF, imo.

[davell]

I'm really expecting there to be some "out there" type picks in the 1st round, from what i'm reading. Grandal could really drop some, if he truly is wanting more money than Posey got, which is rumored to be the case. The guy on Fanhouse has said the Royals WILL do something crazy, like maybe Kvasnicka at 4 overall. I'm starting to see guys like Deglan and DeShields Jr show up in 1st round mocks too. Not to mention guys like Vitek and O'Conner looking more and more like they won't even be around for the Cubs, if we are interested in them.

 

I really think we're going to see alot of the guys like Allie/J Sale/Cole/Whitson/Covey available and I don't want to see us take Wimmers or Colon or some other college guy that has a relatively low ceiling.

[Tony Thomas]

Keith Law's new mock

 

 

Chicago Cubs

Justin O'Conner, C, Cowen High School, Muncie (Ind.)

 

Also hearing them on DeShields.

 

I like the idea of getting DeShields and getting a serious base stealer.

[Outshined_One]

Jonathan Mayo published his mock recently.

 

16. Chicago Cubs: Asher Wojciechowski, RHP, The Citadel

The Cubs are liable to do just about anything, from a high school bat like O'Conner to a college arm. Wojciechowski's got good stuff raw stuff and could be like an Andrew Cashner, redux.

 

Not much to argue with since Woj features a fastball-slider combo that's pretty effective, although he's got more work to do in terms of becoming a dependable rotation arm than Cashner did out of TCU.

 

As for DeShields, I like him, although he might be a bit of a reach a 16. He could have four above average to plus tools (with a fringy arm), but he needs a good deal of polish. If the Cubs are thinking of nabbing a guy out of Georgia with baseball bloodlines, I also like Cam Bedrosian and Aaron Shipman as second round options.

[Tony Thomas]

I think we need to either get a guy with serious power or speed. That's why I like Choice or Sale if they drop or take someone like DeShields.

[davell]

I'd be fine with Wojociechowski, if alot of the high schoolers are gone. I like him much more than Wimmers anyway. DeShields Jr DOES seem like a reach at 16, but I read somewhere the Astros are on him at 19. I am really starting to doubt O'Conner is there for us, Oakland at 10 seems to be gaining lots of steam.

[davell]

Looks like Yasmani Grandal has a deal in place with the Royals at 4.

[Tony Thomas]

Looks like Yasmani Grandal has a deal in place with the Royals at 4.

I'm surprised I didn't think that he would be going that early in the top 10 especially with the bonus demands he made. Didn't he want more money than Posey?

[Outshined_One]

Looks like Yasmani Grandal has a deal in place with the Royals at 4.

I'm surprised I didn't think that he would be going that early in the top 10 especially with the bonus demands he made. Didn't he want more money than Posey?

 

I read somewhere that Grandal denied those rumors. I want to say it was Frankie Piliere's twitter account, but I could be wrong.

[Outshined_One]

Latest BA mock:

 

16. CUBS. Two players repeatedly get mentioned with Chicago: O'Conner and Whitson. Wojciechowski and Wimmers are back-burner options.

 

PROJECTED PICK: JUSTIN O'CONNER.

 

BA also mentioned that Grandal's bonus demand rumors might be a ploy by the Red Sox to get him to drop to them. Whoops.

[Tony Thomas]

I have a hard time believing that the Royals would give over 6.5 million (what Posey got) to a player that is borderline top 7 player.

[Tony Thomas]

Latest BA mock:

 

16. CUBS. Two players repeatedly get mentioned with Chicago: O'Conner and Whitson. Wojciechowski and Wimmers are back-burner options.

 

PROJECTED PICK: JUSTIN O'CONNER.

 

BA also mentioned that Grandal's bonus demand rumors might be a ploy by the Red Sox to get him to drop to them. Whoops.

It looks like every mock is in agreement that we will probably take O'Conner if he is there. I'm wondering where Law heard that we are connected to DeShields, because i haven't heard that from any other site.

[Outshined_One]

It looks like every mock is in agreement that we will probably take O'Conner if he is there. I'm wondering where Law heard that we are connected to DeShields, because i haven't heard that from any other site.

 

Probably educated guesswork. BA has DeShields going to the Blue Jays at 11 in their latest mock, so maybe he's managed to vault himself into consideration for teams in the first half of the first round?

[Guest]

What's the schedule for the draft in terms of when the rounds are taking place? All MLB.com says is June 7-9.

[Outshined_One]

What's the schedule for the draft in terms of when the rounds are taking place? All MLB.com says is June 7-9.

 

1st round and supplemental 1st round are going to be on June 7th. June 8th and June 9th will cover the remaining rounds, although I can't find anything on how the rounds will be split on those days.

[Outshined_One]

Please no.

 

16. Chicago Cubs: The Cubs are very hard to predict, as some rumors have them focusing on tooly upside high school talent like Allie and O'Conner, but there's also pressure from above to get something that can help quickly. After McGuire, Wimmers is arguably the most polished college arm, and his plus fastball, average curve, and plus-plus change is a combination that could rocket through the minors.

 

Pick: Alex Wimmers, RHP, Ohio State

 

:doh: