2011 Draft Discussion

[Guest]

Jim Callis' 3rd of 4 mock drafts should be up this afternoon.

[soonercub]

I have been reading a lot of information on the draft and it seems people have the Cubs favoring Starling, A. Bradley, Gray, Springer or Lindor and possibly Mahtook.

 

As of right now I am leaning toward A.Bradley. Seems the Cubs really don't have a potential #1 starter in the organization right now. I am getting kinda scared of the Starling pick. His price tag will be very high and his hit tool is to questionable. We also seem to have several CF prospects in the minors right now. I sure wish this was like other drafts and you could trade down and pick up some extra picks. I really like the Josh Bell kid. Everything screams middle of the order bat that switch hits. Not a great athlete, but probably no worse than Chili Davis. Our system seems bare of corner outfielders that can flat out hit and do so with power.

 

I have seen comps of Starling=Drew Stubbs, but Starling with a little higher ceiling. Bell=Heyward, Heyward with a higher ceiling, but Bell can do it from both sides of the plate.

 

Bell has also done all the travel circuits and his bat plays well against high level pitching. Starling is kinda unknown.

 

What are some of your thoughts?

[Guest]

For my non-expert opinion, Starling scares me. I know HS hitters are inherently risk/reward, but Starling seems riskier than most and I don't really trust our system to maximize his potential given the "success" they've had with guys like Harvey and Vitters. Plus he intentionally pledged to spend time around Bo Pelini, so he's got a low IQ as well.

[Guest]

Tranny outlined my concerns with Bubba. I feel he's too big a risk but I won't complain if the Cubs take him since this system is so lacking in star potential. I don't want Springer due to the strikeouts/supposed hole in his swing. I would prefer one of the college pitchers with ace potential or Archie Bradley.

 

FYI, Josh Bell sent a letter to MLB asking teams not to pick him because he will be honoring his college commitment. It could be posturing for bigger bonus demands, but there are easier ways to let your demands be known (as Starling, Bundy, A. Bradley and Norris have shown).

[Rob]

Frankie Piliere seems to believe the Nats have zeroed in on Bubba at #6.

 

I would probably want us to draft Bubba if he falls to us, but I think I'll be relieved if he's off the board by then. There's a lot of risk there and our track record doesn't bode well for his success.

[craig]

Tranny outlined my concerns with Bubba. I feel he's too big a risk but I won't complain if the Cubs take him since this system is so lacking in star potential. I don't want Springer due to the strikeouts/supposed hole in his swing. I would prefer one of the college pitchers with ace potential or Archie Bradley.

.....

 

1. I'm not sure exactly how risky Starling is. But it's hard to believe the risk for a highly regarded position player can compare to the risk associated with a pitcher. It seems so uncommon for a young power pitcher to hold up.

 

2. Totally agree on Springer. A HS who might perhaps have a contact problem eventually, that's one thing. Going for a guy who's certain to have a contract problem and be a K-king, that's another.

[TruffleShuffle]

1. I'm not sure exactly how risky Starling is. But it's hard to believe the risk for a highly regarded position player can compare to the risk associated with a pitcher. It seems so uncommon for a young power pitcher to hold up.

 

it's really not uncommon. high draft pick pitchers are normally more successful (and throw harder), just like high draft pick hitters.

[imb]

Tranny outlined my concerns with Bubba. I feel he's too big a risk but I won't complain if the Cubs take him since this system is so lacking in star potential. I don't want Springer due to the strikeouts/supposed hole in his swing. I would prefer one of the college pitchers with ace potential or Archie Bradley.

.....

 

2. Totally agree on Springer. A HS who might perhaps have a contact problem eventually, that's one thing. Going for a guy who's certain to have a contract problem and be a K-king, that's another.

 

MIght as well just trade for billy rowell

[davell]

To me, at this exact stage, I think pitching should be a no-brainer. Our major league staff has 2 high paid guys who are decent but not long term answers for us in Z and Dampster. It has a very average pitcher in Wells(who some are going to say is better than that) and Garza, who's about the only guy I have any confidence in, as far as even being here 2 years from now.

 

Cashner has yet to prove anything, Simpson needs more time, but hasn't shown nearly enough for anyone to feel confident that he's going to be a frontline starter. McNutt hasn't been able to stay healthy this year and Whitenack is heading towards TJS.

 

The draft is pitching heavy to begin with and it appears as if it's our biggest need too. No brainer to me, at this point.

[jersey cubs fan]

1. I'm not sure exactly how risky Starling is. But it's hard to believe the risk for a highly regarded position player can compare to the risk associated with a pitcher. It seems so uncommon for a young power pitcher to hold up.

 

it's really not uncommon. high draft pick pitchers are normally more successful (and throw harder), just like high draft pick hitters.

 

I think you guys are talking about two different things.

[Guest]

Any ESPN Insiders want to help out on Keith Law's most recent mock?

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/2011/insider/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&page=LawMockDraft3.0&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fdraft%2f2011%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dlaw_keith%26page%3dLawMockDraft3.0

 

ETA: Never mind, he has the Cubs going Mahtook. Ugh.

 

9. Chicago Cubs   Mikie Mahtook, OF, LSU   

 

If Starling isn't here, they're now leaning Mahtook over Javier Baez after George Springer didn't fare well in front of their crew last weekend. They really like Sonny Gray but are locked in on bats, figuring the first eight picks will plow through the top pitchers in the draft.

[javy knows my name]

Well, that would definitely be the worst thing they could do.

 

There will be NOTHING to talk about if the Cubs [expletive] up the draft this badly.

[imb]

Well, that would definitely be the worst thing they could do.

 

There will be NOTHING to talk about if the Cubs [expletive] up the draft this badly.

 

I actually really like Mahtook. What am I missing, what's not to like? If the top 8 falls like that I'd be ecstatic that we take a guy like mahtook instead of lindor or something like that.

[JeffH]

"Mikie Mahtook", Cajun for "Matt Murton".

[javy knows my name]

Well, that would definitely be the worst thing they could do.

 

There will be NOTHING to talk about if the Cubs [expletive] up the draft this badly.

 

I actually really like Mahtook. What am I missing, what's not to like? If the top 8 falls like that I'd be ecstatic that we take a guy like mahtook instead of lindor or something like that.

 

Well, I personally have never seen him projected to go higher than like 16. What I've read about him is that he recently showed some unexpected power but is mostly just an athletic CF with contact issues. He seems like a pretty low-ceiling, safe, up-the-middle Wilken vanilla pick.

[javy knows my name]

"Mikie Mahtook", Cajun for "Matt Murton".

 

Oh and also, not this at all.

[imb]

"Mikie Mahtook", Cajun for "Matt Murton".

 

If the top 8 goes like that, who would you rather take?

 

Murton never had a season even approaching what Mahtook did this year, and he had the advantage of not using the weaker bats that college guys used this year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

ST. LOUIS -- Could the Cubs have a Gretzky on the roster?

 

Wayne Gretzky's son Trevor will work out in Arizona for Cubs scouts on Saturday in advance of the First-Year Player Draft on Monday.

 

During an interview Friday on a radio station, Wayne said his son would work out for the Cubs as well as the Dodgers prior to next week's Draft. Trevor batted .341 with two home runs and 33 RBIs his junior year at Westlake Village Oaks Christian High School (Calif.). He suffered a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder in the third game in September and was limited to DH duties his senior year. Last October, he signed a letter of intent to play college baseball at San Diego State.

 

"To be drafted is one of my dreams since I saw my dad holding up jerseys when he was traded," Trevor said in February when he took part in a scouting combine. "To be in a moment like that would be amazing."

 

 

It would be pretty sweet to have him in the system, but I really hope that they dont waste our top pick in doing so.

[imb]

Well, that would definitely be the worst thing they could do.

 

There will be NOTHING to talk about if the Cubs [expletive] up the draft this badly.

 

I actually really like Mahtook. What am I missing, what's not to like? If the top 8 falls like that I'd be ecstatic that we take a guy like mahtook instead of lindor or something like that.

 

Well, I personally have never seen him projected to go higher than like 16. What I've read about him is that he recently showed some unexpected power but is mostly just an athletic CF with contact issues. He seems like a pretty low-ceiling, safe, up-the-middle Wilken vanilla pick.

 

.383/.496/.709 41/32 BB/KK 29 steals and 14 homers in a year where college power was way down. Wouldn't he immediately jump into our top 3?

[jersey cubs fan]

.383/.496/.709 41/32 BB/KK 29 steals and 14 homers in a year where college power was way down. Wouldn't he immediately jump into our top 3?

 

I would hope anybody they draft cracks the top 3 just by default.

[imb]

Right, so what's the problem with Mahtook?

[JeffH]

"Mikie Mahtook", Cajun for "Matt Murton".

 

If the top 8 goes like that, who would you rather take?

 

Murton never had a season even approaching what Mahtook did this year, and he had the advantage of not using the weaker bats that college guys used this year.

 

I'm not an ESPN insider. I saw just the top 5. Who does Law have going 6-7-8? Starling is one, obviously.

[jersey cubs fan]

"Mikie Mahtook", Cajun for "Matt Murton".

 

If the top 8 goes like that, who would you rather take?

 

Murton never had a season even approaching what Mahtook did this year, and he had the advantage of not using the weaker bats that college guys used this year.

 

I'm not an ESPN insider. I saw just the top 5. Who does Law have going 6-7-8? Starling is one, obviously.

 

starling bradley ross

 

barnes, lindor, jungmann going right after

Edited June 3, 2011 by jersey cubs fan

[imb]

"Mikie Mahtook", Cajun for "Matt Murton".

 

If the top 8 goes like that, who would you rather take?

 

Murton never had a season even approaching what Mahtook did this year, and he had the advantage of not using the weaker bats that college guys used this year.

 

I'm not an ESPN insider. I saw just the top 5. Who does Law have going 6-7-8? Starling is one, obviously.

 

Starling, Archie Bradley, Joe Ross.

[jersey cubs fan]

Right, so what's the problem with Mahtook?

 

I don't know, was just noting that anybody should be top 3, so just because a guy goes there doesn't make him best available.

 

He seems to be a decent option, a little on the safe and boring side but not completely devoid of star potential.