2012 Draft Discussion

[RammyFanny]

Churchill:

The buzz on the prep scene is that Harvard-Westlake right-hander Lucas Giolito, who started a throwing program last week, may be able to pitch from a mound for clubs prior to the draft and that the results of those sessions could catapult the flamethrower back into the conversation for the top five or six picks There is one club in the National League that appears to prefer Giolito's teammate Max Fried over the top three college pitchers, and was among those impressed by the showing of infielder Carlos Correa in Puerto Rico last week. "Honestly, we don't know what we're doing," said the club's assistant GM. "We're going to let out [scouts] continue to compile information for us and then we'll come up with something by draft day. It's a long process and we're all looking forward to the final meetings."

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

That exec sounds very Cub-by....Stack info for as long as possible then get bitches..eerr draft talent.

 

I still really wish I could see what everyone sees in Fried (besides that sick nasty curve).

[davell]

Projectability. He can certainly put some weight on. If he amps up his velo a tad, he could turn into a Kershaw type talent.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Projectability. He can certainly put some weight on. If he amps up his velo a tad, he could turn into a Kershaw type talent.

 

See but the first time I saw Kershaw's HS stuff (pre draft) he jumped out at me. Kershaw was also hitting 96 his senior year.

[davell]

I think Fried is topping out at 94 right now himself. I have no idea what kind of weight Kershaw had on him as a high school senior, but he's got to be 215 or 220 now. Fried is at 170 or so, unless I'm mistaken. Yeah, he's much less refined and using a comp of possibly the best pitcher in baseball is probably going a bit overboard, but I can at least see where it's plausible they see more upside than in the big 3 college arms.

[davell]

Law has a new top 100 out. His top 10, in order, are Buxton, Correa, Gausman, Zunino, Fried, Appel, Almora, Zimmer, Giolito, and Courtney Hawkins.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

I think Fried is topping out at 94 right now himself. I have no idea what kind of weight Kershaw had on him as a high school senior, but he's got to be 215 or 220 now. Fried is at 170 or so, unless I'm mistaken. Yeah, he's much less refined and using a comp of possibly the best pitcher in baseball is probably going a bit overboard, but I can at least see where it's plausible they see more upside than in the big 3 college arms.

 

Body wise I'm 99.9% sure Kershaw was bigger/thicker. Built maybe more like Guierri, the Rays pick last year.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

I'll say this about Fried...The mannerisms of a big leaguer are there with the little I've seen...I bet his work ethic and makeup will impress. He's skinny but the size is there if/when he fills out...raw arm strength is better than Virant...his stuff moves but I still say but in my head. I can see some Skaggs in him though...Throws everything harder coming out of HS.

 

Kaprielian from Irvine Beckmann looks interesting for later. UCLA commit with a curveba of doom. Funnily enough reminded me of Anibal Sanchez, though maybe its because I spent a chunk of yesterday talking about Sanchez here.

[Guest]

I'll say this about Fried...The mannerisms of a big leaguer are there with the little I've seen...I bet his work ethic and makeup will impress. He's skinny but the size is there if/when he fills out...raw arm strength is better than Virant...his stuff moves but I still say but in my head. I can see some Skaggs in him though...Throws everything harder coming out of HS.

 

Kaprielian from Irvine Beckmann looks interesting for later. UCLA commit with a curveba of doom. Funnily enough reminded me of Anibal Sanchez, though maybe its because I spent a chunk of yesterday talking about Sanchez here.

 

Mannerisms of a big leaguer?

 

Kaprielian has tons of helium though thankfully he's considered a tough sign.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Mannerisms of a big leaguer?

 

Ugh yeah the equivalence of "good face"...Just meant that I like how he carries himself somewhat...probably should have just said that....I'm excitable.

 

I don't know how hard Kaprielian throws, but That curveball looks nasty.

 

I need to find out who the Vandy recruits are as well...

[Guest]

Mannerisms of a big leaguer?

 

Ugh yeah the equivalence of "good face"...Just meant that I like how he carries himself somewhat...probably should have just said that....I'm excitable.

 

I don't know how hard Kaprielian throws, but That curveball looks nasty.

 

I need to find out who the Vandy recruits are as well...

 

85-88, tops out at 90.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Thanks. Damn figured it wasn't a high velocity pitch.

[Guest]

Sickels and Matt Garrioch added a Supplemental Mock to their 4/24 1st Round Mock

 

Cubs picks:

6 - Correa

43 - Dylan Baker, RHP Western Nevada

56 - Travis Jankowski, OF Stony Brook

[Cubswin11]

Sickels and Matt Garrioch added a Supplemental Mock to their 4/24 1st Round Mock

 

Cubs picks:

6 - Correa

43 - Dylan Baker, RHP Western Nevada

56 - Travis Jankowski, OF Stony Brook

Fwiw, mlbtraderumors says Law has Correa ranked #2 in his top 100 for the draft. I really want to take a pitcher at 6, but you can never have too much depth up the middle (especially at SS) and if we build up some good depth there it could free us up to trade a guy or two and acquire the big time arm.

[davell]

I'm actually starting to sour on Appel and Zimmer a bit personally, so if we wind up taking Correa, I'm on board totally. His upside is huge and we could find plenty of high upside pitching with our supplementals and second round picks.

[Cubswin11]

I'm actually starting to sour on Appel and Zimmer a bit personally, so if we wind up taking Correa, I'm on board totally. His upside is huge and we could find plenty of high upside pitching with our supplementals and second round picks.

Agreed, we should still be taking BPA. Just because our system is lacking pitching doesn't mean we should use 6 to address a need if Correa is the BPA and his upside is that much greater than any of the pitchers available.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

I couldn't get into Zimmer in the first place, but whats wrong with Appel?

[davell]

I couldn't get into Zimmer in the first place, but whats wrong with Appel?

Nothing is wrong with him honestly. If we take him, I'm sure I'd be happy about it. But I am kind of falling into the camp of wondering why he doesn't miss more bats than he does, with his stuff. Probably some over thinking, but if Correa has Machado type upside then he'd be perfectly fine with me. Honestly though, while I have zero feel for who may take him, I think I'd feel comfortable laying some cash down that he doesn't make it to us.

[Guest]

Appel's strikeout rate has improved nicely this year. He is still hittable but it seems to my untrained eye, it's because he's around the strike zone/high in the zone too much (the high in the zone comment was confirmed by a scout quoted by Keith Law). That's something pro coaches should be able to correct.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Appel's strikeout rate has improved nicely this year. He is still hittable but it seems to my untrained eye, it's because he's around the strike zone/high in the zone too much (the high in the zone comment was confirmed by a scout quoted by Keith Law). That's something pro coaches should be able to correct.

 

This. He'd still be an absolute coup at 6.

 

Correa is a good prospect but do have to consider that middle infield upside is actually the closest thing to a strength in the system. Plus I'm not sure he's a Machado level talent, as MM was a consensus top 3 pretty much the whole time.

Edited May 9, 2012 by PriortoTheoIhadWood

[davell]

Yeah, like I said, I'd cetainly be happy if we got him, but this just seems like a draft that the best pitcher longterm winds up being someone we may have a shot at in the supplemental round or even later. The threesome of Appel, Gausman, and Zimmer would all be nice, but I don't think any of them end up being the best pitcher out of this class. Doesn't mean they're not worth us taking obviously, because for now, they do have much more value than a Lucas Sims, Zach Eflin, Duane Underwood, or whoever else may wind up being the best of this class longterm. Someone's going to take a giant step forward, kind of like Carlos Rodon has this season at NC State.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Gotta disagree there too...fully expect the best pitcher from this draft will come from Gausman, Appel, and I'll throw in Giolito.

[davell]

Oh, I could absolutely see the best pitcher from this class being Giolito, in fact I guess I'd say he's my odds on favorite to be. But, for now anyway, until he pitches for teams again, I doubt he's truly in consideration for us at 6. In fact, if he impresses us enough to take him at 6, I figure it means he's impressed other teams as well and he doesn't make it to us anyway.

[Guest]

David Yuen (Portland, OR): With a higher pick(6th) than last year(9th) but not as deep of a talent pool, will the Cubs be able to get a prospect better, as or worse than last years pick in Javier Baez?

 

Jim Callis: Comparable, really.

 

Scott (Pittsburgh): Do you think Giolito, Fried, or Correa make it to the #8 pick?

 

Jim Callis: Giolito is a total wild card until teams know more about his health and bonus expectations. As of right now, yes, I think he'd last that far. Correa is the most likely to be gone, because I could see the Cubs or Padres taking him at 6 or 7. Fried probably gets to No. 8 and could be the Pirates' guy if he does.

[iowahawkeyes89]

I see Richie Shaffer is #10 on scouting baseballs top 100.

 

Everything I've read about him makes me wish there was a way the Cubs could get him anywhere but 6th.

 

Great bat speed, great approach, huge power.