2013 Draft Discussion

[Cubswin11]

Courtesy of ABTY7:

 

Appel 'nowhere near' the top of Houston's draft board... Astros have Gray still in the mix however most seem to believe they plan to take a position player at 1... Mocking strictly from info:

 

Astros: Kris Bryant, OF

CUBS: Mark Appel, P

Rockies: Colin Morin, 3B

Twins: Jonathan Gray, P

Indians: Braden Shipley, P

 

I'd be shocked if the Rockies made that pick with Gray available.

:D

[Guest]

He also said this:

Hearing Gray is sending 'Appel 2012' like signals about his signability to certain clubs, the Rockies being one of them. At the same time, his people have let it be known he's willing to sign under slot for either of the top two slots, with Houston apparently being offered a rate that may make it impossible for them to pass... (heard closer to 3rd/4th pick slot money)

 

 

and Marlon Bystro chimed in with this in response to a question about whether Appel would require full slot:

 

Just assume if you draft a Boras guy you are at least paying full slot, if not more. This is why I can't imagine the Astros drafting a Boras guy. They absolutely don't want to pay full slot.

[imb]

im at the stage now where ill be nervous no matter who we draft

[CubsWin]

Courtesy of ABTY7:

 

Appel 'nowhere near' the top of Houston's draft board... Astros have Gray still in the mix however most seem to believe they plan to take a position player at 1... Mocking strictly from info:

 

Astros: Kris Bryant, OF

CUBS: Mark Appel, P

Rockies: Colin Morin, 3B

Twins: Jonathan Gray, P

Indians: Braden Shipley, P

 

I'd be shocked if the Rockies made that pick with Gray available.

It could be his agent telling teams he won't sign with them. I mean, what pitcher wants to go to Colorado? But what about teams thinking he's a risky bet to continue pitching the way he is given his short track record of this kind of success? I'd understand if the Rockies passed on him for those two reasons.

[jersey cubs fan]

Courtesy of ABTY7:

 

Appel 'nowhere near' the top of Houston's draft board... Astros have Gray still in the mix however most seem to believe they plan to take a position player at 1... Mocking strictly from info:

 

Astros: Kris Bryant, OF

CUBS: Mark Appel, P

Rockies: Colin Morin, 3B

Twins: Jonathan Gray, P

Indians: Braden Shipley, P

 

I'd be shocked if the Rockies made that pick with Gray available.

It could be his agent telling teams he won't sign with them. I mean, what pitcher wants to go to Colorado? But what about teams thinking he's a risky bet to continue pitching the way he is given his short track record of this kind of success? I'd understand if the Rockies passed on him for those two reasons.

 

It would make sense to me that Colorado would always lean more heavily on bats than arms at the top of the draft. Elite pitchers are unsafe bets to begin with and may be more susceptible to flaming out in that organization. They might as well try and create elite lineups and go for adequate mediocrity in the arms.

[Tyrant]

It would make sense to me that Colorado would always lean more heavily on bats than arms at the top of the draft. Elite pitchers are unsafe bets to begin with and may be more susceptible to flaming out in that organization. They might as well try and create elite lineups and go for adequate mediocrity in the arms.

 

It'd be fascinating and frustrating to construct a team there. I'd have to agree that this would seem like the most sensible approach.

 

Related to Gray in Colorado, does anyone know if Coors has a measurable effect on velocity?

[sneakypower]

It would make sense to me that Colorado would always lean more heavily on bats than arms at the top of the draft. Elite pitchers are unsafe bets to begin with and may be more susceptible to flaming out in that organization. They might as well try and create elite lineups and go for adequate mediocrity in the arms.

 

It'd be fascinating and frustrating to construct a team there. I'd have to agree that this would seem like the most sensible approach.

 

Related to Gray in Colorado, does anyone know if Coors has a measurable effect on velocity?

i've linked to it before, but this is still the best study i've seen on the effects of Coors' thin air:

http://wooden-feather.com/?p=33

 

The fastball, on the other hand, is a completely different pitch in the mountains. It loses more than a mile per hour less on the way to the plate, but it does so at the expense of extremely reduced movement. More than three and a half inches of fastball movement, its life, are lost. It is a much flatter and a little bit faster fastball.

[imb]

It would make sense to me that Colorado would always lean more heavily on bats than arms at the top of the draft. Elite pitchers are unsafe bets to begin with and may be more susceptible to flaming out in that organization. They might as well try and create elite lineups and go for adequate mediocrity in the arms.

 

It'd be fascinating and frustrating to construct a team there. I'd have to agree that this would seem like the most sensible approach.

 

Related to Gray in Colorado, does anyone know if Coors has a measurable effect on velocity?

i've linked to it before, but this is still the best study i've seen on the effects of Coors' thin air:

http://wooden-feather.com/?p=33

 

The fastball, on the other hand, is a completely different pitch in the mountains. It loses more than a mile per hour less on the way to the plate, but it does so at the expense of extremely reduced movement. More than three and a half inches of fastball movement, its life, are lost. It is a much flatter and a little bit faster fastball.

 

I wonder if that's why "just get a bunch of ground ball pitchers and some good defense" hasn't been a viable practice there

[Guest]

I'm getting fired up. I love the draft, as long as they don't go way off the reservation I don't care. I don't know enough to have a real strong opinion anyway. I like the potential of good prep hitters, but I'd like to see the Cubs be good soon too.

 

A Mark Prior situation can't happen again can it?

[Guest]

The youngest and oldest prospects in this year's draft: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/youngest-oldest-prospects-in-2013-draft/

 

The Rany Jazayerli articles from last year on the correlation between a hitter's draft age and big league success are linked in the BA link above and I highly recommend reading them if you haven't.

[Guest]

I'm getting fired up. I love the draft, as long as they don't go way off the reservation I don't care. I don't know enough to have a real strong opinion anyway. I like the potential of good prep hitters, but I'd like to see the Cubs be good soon too.

 

A Mark Prior situation can't happen again can it?

Neither Appel nor Gray are close to what Prior was in college.

[Guest]

Jim Callis[/url]"]Neither Jonathan Gray (Oklahoma) nor Mark Appel (Stanford) had one of their best outings of the spring over the weekend, but they remain the leading candidates to go to the Astros and Cubs with the first two picks in the draft. I asked four top-level scouting executives, none of whom will get a shot at Gray or Appel, which college righthander they prefer. Here’s what they said:

 

American League scouting director: “I would probably take Appel only because of the track record, but I saw Gray so good this spring. He touched 98 [mph] and the slider was very good. He was dominating. In the fourth inning I realized, ‘I don’t need to be here.’ You could get either one and be thrilled.”

 

AL executive: “I’d take Appel. Appel has a little more secondary stuff. The only factor is you have to look a little deeper into his makeup. Gray is a warrior. I’m not sure on Appel. Stuff-wise, Appel has a changeup now and two breaking balls that he throws for strikes. That’s more versatile than Gray’s power slider.”

 

National League executive: “I’d take Appel because of his pitchabilty. I think he’s a better pitch-maker than Gray. Their stuff is very similar. Appel does it better than Gray does it. I’d take [Kris] Bryant over both of them. You don’t get too many chances at a special bat.”

 

NL executive: “I’d take Gray over Appel. The difference right now is that Appel’s delivery is more refined but Gray is a better athlete. Gray kind of has been a late developer and he still has got to get better with his breaking ball. Appel presently has a better breaking ball, but Gray’s has as good or more bite when it’s on. Gray has a bigger arm velocity-wise. In the end, I’m going with the guy I think will have better stuff and better makeup, and that’s Gray.”

[Elwood]

I know the farm system needs pitching, but I'm really hoping for Kris Bryant.

 

As unlikely as it may be, the chance to have our very own Mike Stanton is just too tempting.

[Guest]

Manaea's stock taking a nose dive:

 

@keithlaw: Indiana State LHP Sean Manaea was pulled from today's game due to injury before throwing a pitch.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Wow. Could he end up falling to the supplemental round?

[Guest]

Manaea's stock taking a nose dive:

 

@keithlaw: Indiana State LHP Sean Manaea was pulled from today's game due to injury before throwing a pitch.

 

second rounder!

 

or get that KC pick!

 

 

 

(kidding)

[A New Era]

We were linked to Mannea in early rumors and comparing the situation to Pierce Johnson who Hoyer had said was a first round talent that fell. IF Mannea is there at our second pick, I have no doubt we will take him. So the question is not will we take him it's will he fall enough.

[Guest]

We were linked to Mannea in early rumors and comparing the situation to Pierce Johnson who Hoyer had said was a first round talent that fell. IF Mannea is there at our second pick, I have no doubt we will take him. So the question is not will we take him it's will he fall enough.

 

Well, it all depends on the extent of his injuries. Pierce Johnson was able to return from his injury and pitch well in the MVC tournament.

[mul21]

We were linked to Mannea in early rumors and comparing the situation to Pierce Johnson who Hoyer had said was a first round talent that fell. IF Mannea is there at our second pick, I have no doubt we will take him. So the question is not will we take him it's will he fall enough.

 

I'm okay with that unless it's a shoulder problem. If it is, I want no part of that whatsoever.

[sneakypower]

Jim Callis[/url]"]Neither Jonathan Gray (Oklahoma) nor Mark Appel (Stanford) had one of their best outings of the spring over the weekend, but they remain the leading candidates to go to the Astros and Cubs with the first two picks in the draft. I asked four top-level scouting executives, none of whom will get a shot at Gray or Appel, which college righthander they prefer. Here’s what they said:

 

American League scouting director: “I would probably take Appel only because of the track record, but I saw Gray so good this spring. He touched 98 [mph] and the slider was very good. He was dominating. In the fourth inning I realized, ‘I don’t need to be here.’ You could get either one and be thrilled.”

 

AL executive: “I’d take Appel. Appel has a little more secondary stuff. The only factor is you have to look a little deeper into his makeup. Gray is a warrior. I’m not sure on Appel. Stuff-wise, Appel has a changeup now and two breaking balls that he throws for strikes. That’s more versatile than Gray’s power slider.”

 

National League executive: “I’d take Appel because of his pitchabilty. I think he’s a better pitch-maker than Gray. Their stuff is very similar. Appel does it better than Gray does it. I’d take [Kris] Bryant over both of them. You don’t get too many chances at a special bat.”

 

NL executive: “I’d take Gray over Appel. The difference right now is that Appel’s delivery is more refined but Gray is a better athlete. Gray kind of has been a late developer and he still has got to get better with his breaking ball. Appel presently has a better breaking ball, but Gray’s has as good or more bite when it’s on. Gray has a bigger arm velocity-wise. In the end, I’m going with the guy I think will have better stuff and better makeup, and that’s Gray.”

i keep reading these write-ups for the two and am reminded of Josh Johnson for Gray and Homer Bailey for Appel and with the hypothetical that we'd be waiting 2-3 years for Gray and maybe 1 for Appel i still feel more inclined to prefer Gray

 

but Raisin or whoever can tell me if that's really off-base or if those comparisons aren't really accurate

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Not sure I get the comp. Johnson and Bailey were both raw high school guys.

[Cubswin11]

I could see the Yankees using one of their late 3rd round picks on Manaea if it's not a bad injury

[sneakypower]

i'm speaking specifically to the types of pitchers both have been in the bigs, not their status as draft prospects way back when

[Guest]

I could see the Yankees using one of their late 3rd round picks on Manaea if it's not a bad injury

why wouldn't we pick him before that?

[Cubswin11]

I could see the Yankees using one of their late 3rd round picks on Manaea if it's not a bad injury

why wouldn't we pick him before that?

I meant to type "one of their 3, late, first round picks." Typing too fast at work...