2012 Draft Discussion

[davell]

Appel has thrown 150 pitches tonight. Gave up 10 hits, K'd 13. Tied at 1 after 9. Hopefully, he's not coming out for the 10th.

[TruffleShuffle]

Appel has thrown 150 pitches tonight. Gave up 10 hits, K'd 13. Tied at 1 after 9. Hopefully, he's not coming out for the 10th.

 

hopefully his manager has the ability of time travel and can rewind about 2 innings and remove him from the game then.

[El Duderino]

Appel has thrown 150 pitches tonight. Gave up 10 hits, K'd 13. Tied at 1 after 9. Hopefully, he's not coming out for the 10th.

 

can't believe this crap still goes on.

[Guest]

150 is way too much, especially when you're that hittable. But remember that college pitchers only take the mound once a week, and they don't need to exert 100% effort to get outs(or even K's) of many guys that show up in a college lineup.

[Guest]

He didn't go out for the 10th and Stanford's pen gave up 3 and ended up losing in 10.

 

Appel was going 97-99 in the 1st per Keith Law.

[davell]

He was at 97 on pitch 140. Giolito's dad gave an OMG on Twitter, when he found out the PC. Probably puts a little doubt in anyone's mind about sending your kid to college.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

How can Appel be so hittable sometimes? I feel like he'll get drafted, some minor tweak will be made, and he'll take off. What a weird elite arm strength prospect...

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

 

Some Gausman video...The long limbs and his mechanics remind me of a bigger, RH, harder throwing Cole Hamels. I do just say things sometimes though. Also think he kind of telegraphs his curveball, but it looks like it can be nasty. The fastball looks like no fun to hit against.

 

Still my #1 choice at 6.

[Guest]

Zimmer's velocity was down for the 2nd straight start this weekend.

[UK1679666180]

Zimmer's velocity was down for the 2nd straight start this weekend.

 

Its so tough to say, this might be the collegiate time for a dead arm, combined with more effort this year pitching to the gun or the worst case scenario.

[Guest]

@Jaypers413 (IL): Worried about Zimmer's velo drop? Would you still consider him to be an overall Top 5 pick?

 

Aaron Fitt: His velocity was down this weekend—I was at that LMU game, and Zimmer topped out at 94 in the first, then settled into the 89-91 range by the middle innings, pitching mostly at 90 mph. I don't think it's too much of a cause for concern — it's a long season, and pitchers will have ups and downs — but it's something to monitor going forward. I do still see him as a top five pick, but I feel more wary about that prediction now than I did a week ago. His curveball was still really good—he used it as the putaway pitch on all five of his strikeouts—and I actually thought he showed decent feel for the slider and changeup at times, but his fastball command wasn't great Friday. The top of this draft is still really wide open, I think.

 

Joel (KCK): Could you help shed a little light as to why Kevin Gausman isn't being mentioned in the same group with Appel, Zimmer, and Wacha? From what I've seen Mark Appel gets hit a lot more frequently than someone with his kind of stuff should, Wacha doesn't miss enough bats for my liking, and Zimmer routinely faces weaker competition so he's hard to gauge. I personally hope Gausman with his combination of size, stuff, numbers and competition, falls to my Royals at #5. Thanks!

 

Aaron Fitt: I think Gausman is mentioned right in that same group. In fact, we had Gausman No. 5 in our midseason Top 60 update last week, one spot behind Appel and two behind Zimmer — and if I had to revise that list today, I might move Gausman past those other two (in light of Zimmer's lackluster outing at LMU). Gausman's stuff is dynamite, he performs against top-level competition, he has great makeup — I really wouldn't be surprised if he solidifies himself as the top college pitcher in this draft by season's end.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Gausman probably should be acknowledged as the top college pitcher considering he's got the total package. That said, I think that hype should start after he falls to 6.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Bullpen Banter did a write up on Zimmer's mechanics:

 

http://www.bullpenbanter.com/rtmenu/746-kyle-zimmer-video-a-breakdown

 

I don't usually like late risers but hes really really interesting.

 

Any interest in Stoman from Duke here? I love the arm but have to say no for the Cubs. Really want one of Gausman, Zimmer, or Appel.

[davell]

If we were picking at 8 or so, I'd give Stroman serious consideration. The guys I think are clearly ahead of him are Appel, Zimmer, Gausman, Zunino, Buxton, Giolito and Correa. He falls in with Wacha, Fried, and maybe a few others I can't think of off the top of my head.

[Guest]

In deference to Theo, I believe that all other teams should pass on Buxton.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

In deference to Theo, I believe that all other teams should pass on Buxton.

 

How does he compare to say a Jason Heyward as a prospect? First little clip of Heyward had me thinking stud, and I'm not sure I see the same for Buxton. I'm not even sure I like him as much as Starling, BUT I'll admit my feel is off on the HS guys this year.

[Guest]

Kiley McDaniel compared David Dahl to Colby Rasmus: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=mlb_draft&id=7829246&_slug_=mlb-draft-prep-star-david-dahl-drawing-comparisons-colby-rasmus&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dmlb_draft%26id%3d7829246%26_slug_%3dmlb-draft-prep-star-david-dahl-drawing-comparisons-colby-rasmus

[Guest]

In deference to Theo, I believe that all other teams should pass on Buxton.

 

How does he compare to say a Jason Heyward as a prospect? First little clip of Heyward had me thinking stud, and I'm not sure I see the same for Buxton. I'm not even sure I like him as much as Starling, BUT I'll admit my feel is off on the HS guys this year.

Most frequent comp I've seen is Justin Upton. I've also only seen him compared favorably to Starling.

 

The only knock I've seen on Buxton so far is his level of competition.

[OleMissCub]

sad. projected first rounder killed himself

 

http://m.wkrn.com/default.aspx?pid=2705&wnfeedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wkrn.com%2Fstory%2F17324521%2Fpitcher-stephen-gant-dead-of-apparent-suicide%3Fclienttype%3Drssstory&ref=nf

 

A Tennessee high school baseball standout is dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

 

Stephen Gant, 19, was a star pitcher at Riverside High School in Decaturville, just south of Parsons and about two hours southwest of Nashville.

 

Perry County Chief Deputy Nick Weems told Nashville's News 2 dispatchers received a 911 call around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday that Gant was walking along Godwin Road in Linden with a gun and threatening suicide.

 

Gant was a projected to be a first round pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft but planned to instead attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

[Guest]

As of last check, Buxton had 0 HRs this year despite playing against weak competition. Certainly a red flag.

[Guest]

As of last check, Buxton had 0 HRs this year despite playing against weak competition. Certainly a red flag.

That's very surprising. I wonder how badly he's getting pitched around.

[Guest]

Steve S (Sarasota FL): Jim Where do you see Marcus Stroman landing in the draft, and do you see him as a SP or RP in the future?

 

Jim Callis: It's easy to say RP because he's small, but he's athletic and that arm is special, so I wouldn't rule out that he becomes a starter. He's one of those guys who it really would surprise me how high he went because he has been so good this spring (and in the past). I think he settles in the No. 6-10 range.

 

Chuck (Wichita): Who do think will be the best college pitcher available when the Royals pick at 5?

 

Jim Callis: Kyle Zimmer or Michael Wacha. And while there are few sure things in this draft, I do think the Royals taking a college pitcher is close to a lock, both with their needs and how the picks in front of them will unfold.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

In deference to Theo, I believe that all other teams should pass on Buxton.

 

How does he compare to say a Jason Heyward as a prospect? First little clip of Heyward had me thinking stud, and I'm not sure I see the same for Buxton. I'm not even sure I like him as much as Starling, BUT I'll admit my feel is off on the HS guys this year.

Most frequent comp I've seen is Justin Upton. I've also only seen him compared favorably to Starling.

 

The only knock I've seen on Buxton so far is his level of competition.

 

Iunno an Upton comp is high praise (I've read it too somewhere)...J Upton as a HS prospect was considered in the AROd/Griffey class of prospect...Probably one of the most well scouted and known HS players ever, and one that was a no doubt #1 overall...Not sure I get that vibe from Buxton but I certainly couldn't complain if he was the Cubs' pick.

 

From just the clip I saw I'm not even sure I liked him as much as Austin Wilson or even Josh Bell out of HS, and I already mentioned Heyward. Not even sure if he's quite the athlete Starling is/was. Maybe I severely underrate...it's entirely possible considering I'm just some dude working off of YouTube clips...which btw as a side went from overrated to underrated when it comes to checking out draft talent in any sport for the amateur.

 

Still prefer the pitchers if they fall but I always will...since Baez is the only really electric bat in the system and runs are so scarce nowadays I can see where the want for a super athletic big upside bat talent comes from.

 

Who are the hitters who'd be interesting at 43? The Miami C? Preston Tucker as a LF bat prospect? Is there a chance the two interesting Stanford position guys are there?

[Guest]

In deference to Theo, I believe that all other teams should pass on Buxton.

 

How does he compare to say a Jason Heyward as a prospect? First little clip of Heyward had me thinking stud, and I'm not sure I see the same for Buxton. I'm not even sure I like him as much as Starling, BUT I'll admit my feel is off on the HS guys this year.

Most frequent comp I've seen is Justin Upton. I've also only seen him compared favorably to Starling.

 

The only knock I've seen on Buxton so far is his level of competition.

 

Iunno an Upton comp is high praise (I've read it too somewhere)...J Upton as a HS prospect was considered in the AROd/Griffey class of prospect...Probably one of the most well scouted and known HS players ever, and one that was a no doubt #1 overall...Not sure I get that vibe from Buxton but I certainly couldn't complain if he was the Cubs' pick.

 

From just the clip I saw I'm not even sure I liked him as much as Austin Wilson or even Josh Bell out of HS, and I already mentioned Heyward. Not even sure if he's quite the athlete Starling is/was. Maybe I severely underrate...it's entirely possible considering I'm just some dude working off of YouTube clips...which btw as a side went from overrated to underrated when it comes to checking out draft talent in any sport for the amateur.

 

Still prefer the pitchers if they fall but I always will...since Baez is the only really electric bat in the system and runs are so scarce nowadays I can see where the want for a super athletic big upside bat talent comes from.

 

Who are the hitters who'd be interesting at 43? The Miami C? Preston Tucker as a LF bat prospect? Is there a chance the two interesting Stanford position guys are there?

 

Buxton definitely is an athlete on Starling's level.

 

The Miami catcher Peter O'Brien might be there at 43. Tucker should be there but I'm not a big fan of his. I assume the Stanford position guys you are referring to are Stephen Piscotty and Kenny Diekroger. Piscotty should go in the teems and I can't imagine he'd be there at 43, Diekroger probably will be available.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Yep, thats who I meant. Definitely heard some good things about Piscotty but there goes that. I like O'Brien more than Diekroger just on the numbers, but at 43 Diekroger becomes interesting because of the talent and all powerful P word.

 

How do you think Buxton compares to those other pretty big name HS OF prospects?Do you think that long term he's a CF?