2013 Draft Discussion

[SABR Gamer]

If you believe the Cubs' brass liked Almora more than any prospect in the 2012 draft, then Appel would rank 4th.

 

Well Cubs' brass doesn't do our prospect rankings. We can disagree with them. Not saying we should, but I don't think it's crazy to think Appel over either Almora or Soler.

[Guest]

If you believe the Cubs' brass liked Almora more than any prospect in the 2012 draft, then Appel would rank 4th.

 

Well Cubs' brass doesn't do our prospect rankings. We can disagree with them. Not saying we should, but I don't think it's crazy to think Appel over either Almora or Soler.

At this point, Appel still hasn't translated his stuff into elite performance against college bats. I'd put him right there with Vizcaino at 4/5.

[Guest]

If you believe the Cubs' brass liked Almora more than any prospect in the 2012 draft, then Appel would rank 4th.

 

Well Cubs' brass doesn't do our prospect rankings. We can disagree with them. Not saying we should, but I don't think it's crazy to think Appel over either Almora or Soler.

 

Sure, we definitely can disagree with Epstein and co.

 

I'd take Baez, Soler and Almora over Appel since Appel projects more as a #2 than an ace, pitchers are volatile and he is older than the trio of hitters.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'd probably want to have Appel at No. 2, and that's assuming Baez doesn't struggle with A+.

[pitchcs]

I don't want to go back through the whole thread, but am I the only one who is "meh" on Appel? Or is that a common stance on this board?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I don't want to go back through the whole thread, but am I the only one who is "meh" on Appel? Or is that a common stance on this board?

 

I waffle. I've read some meh reports, but I don't know if they are real or just nitpicking.

[Redfoot]

I like Appel a lot. He has everything you look for in a pitcher. Size, arm strength, good mechanics and pitchability. Sure he has some things to work on but it's nothing that a little professional instruction won't fix. Appel is going to be a very good pro pitcher.

[Guest]

I don't want to go back through the whole thread, but am I the only one who is "meh" on Appel? Or is that a common stance on this board?

 

It's actually a common stance across the prospect world.

 

He's got great stuff but his results, even in his junior year, have yet to match the stuff. I assume he'll improve with professional coaching but Stanford actually has a good pitching coach (I know Keith Law rags on Stanford's pitching coach but his complaints are more of a pitch calling thing) so it's a bit disappointing he hasn't improved at a more accelerated level.

[davell]

Personally, I think Appel would slot into BA's overall top 25. That means he'd fall anywhere from 1-4 for us, at this time next year. My main reason for wanting him is strictly due to him being ready very soon. Stanek is probably my favorite, at the moment, but not by much. Appel's probably a bit safer though(for a pitcher) and if he's a legit 3 almost immediately, I'd be perfectly happy with that.

[RammyFanny]

Personally, I think Appel would slot into BA's overall top 25. That means he'd fall anywhere from 1-4 for us, at this time next year. My main reason for wanting him is strictly due to him being ready very soon. Stanek is probably my favorite, at the moment, but not by much. Appel's probably a bit safer though(for a pitcher) and if he's a legit 3 almost immediately, I'd be perfectly happy with that.

Not that I have a particularly keen scouting eye, but the few times I saw Stanek I was slightly underwhelmed. Which kind of sucked since I loved the writeups on him. I might chalk it down to me watching on a very peculiar camera angle that I wasn't used to, though. Maybe it made his offspeed stuff look a bit flat.

[RammyFanny]

ABTY:

If draft was today and all players were available, team would draft Sean Manaea... Told at this point it's not even particularly close in their eyes... Astros have been paying an awful lot of attention to Jeremy Martinez...three different scouts have told me that if the Stros were drafting anywhere south of 3, Martinez would be a lock and may still get consideration...

[Guest]

Here's a nice profile of Manaea: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/10/9/3451152/2013-draft-profile-sean-manaea-lhp-indiana-state

 

85/7 K/BB in 51.2 IP in the Cape Cod league.

[Redfoot]

That's the first I've heard Martinez being thought of that highly. This draft has some pretty good prep catchers (McGuire, Denney, Ciuffo). It's interesting that Martinez has not only jumped to the front of the line of catchers but also possibly the top prep position player ahead of Meadows and Frazier.

[Guest]

That's the first I've heard Martinez being thought of that highly. This draft has some pretty good prep catchers (McGuire, Denney, Ciuffo). It's interesting that Martinez has not only jumped to the front of the line of catchers but also possibly the top prep position player ahead of Meadows and Frazier.

 

Sure, we have yet to hear of Martinez in the elite circle but prep guys are always more volatile and more likely to quickly move up.

[CubsWin]

ABTY:

If draft was today and all players were available, team would draft Sean Manaea... Told at this point it's not even particularly close in their eyes... Astros have been paying an awful lot of attention to Jeremy Martinez...three different scouts have told me that if the Stros were drafting anywhere south of 3, Martinez would be a lock and may still get consideration...

Cool. That's the guy I've been wanting for about 6 months now.

[A New Era]

If the Astros like Martinez that much I'm hoping they go for the daily double like they did last year. I'm just worried they will steal Mannea away from us and I'm fixated on him since abty said our FO favors him. It's just that I trust our scouting so much I feel if they like him that much, then he is leaps and bounds the better choice over either Appel or Stanek.

[Guest]

A lot can change between now, I'd be surprised if Appel, Stanek and Manea are the top 3 prospects in the draft by June. Pitchers are fickle, any or all of them can get hurt or pitch ineffectively.

[Guest]

Garrioch's first mock draft: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/1/6/3819658/2013-mlb-mock-draft-version-1

 

I don't really like it, but it's interesting. Houston takes LA-area prep high school shortstop Chris Rivera (weird) #1 overall, Cubs take Meadows, Manea goes 4, Stanek 5, Frazier 6, Whitson 7, Wilson 10, Stewart 12 and Appel 13.

[davell]

Yeah, I can't see us having our choice of pitching, but going with a high risk OFer.

[Redfoot]

I also don't think the Cubs will take Meadows #2 but I don't consider him a high risk outfielder. Matt's issue with his contact rate is more than a little overblown.

[Tryptamine]

Meadows would really make me unhappy. I really believe Clint Frazier is the guy to have, even though the Cubs are supposedly enamored with Manaea.

[CubsWin]

Don't know the bonafides of this site, but here's is the latest mock to be posted on the net. For all of those worried the Cubs will take Meadows (or any non-pitcher for that matter), this one has the Cubs taking my personal favorite at this point, Sean Manaea.

 

http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/2013-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-january-5-2013/

[CubsWin]

Here's an article discussing the strengths of the upcoming draft from Perfect Game. Patrick Ebert thinks Manaea has the makings of a true number one and compares him to David Price. Not equates, but compares...

[Cubswin11]

Here's an article discussing the strengths of the upcoming draft from Perfect Game. Patrick Ebert thinks Manaea has the makings of a true number one and compares him to David Price. Not equates, but compares...

I'd really be happy with any of Manea, Appel, Stanek, and even Whiston to a lesser extent (if we take him 2 I assume he takes a big leap this year/turns potential into actual results). But if Manea is there at 2 that's who I want the most. LHP with his kind of stuff don't come by everyday.

[Guest]

I hope Manaea's stock doesn't end up so high that he goes #1.