2013 Draft Discussion

[KingCubsFan]

Hoyer told Bowden they've had people at every Appel and Gray start this year. Also said they've expanded their consideration past those two recently.

Could just be bluffing, but I'd assume this means Bryant.

They're probably trying to get Appel to fall to #2. By telling Gray he's no guarantee to go #2, maybe he's willing to a smaller offer from the Astros at #1.

[imb]

LSU (2014's Aaron Nola) at Texas A&M will be on ESPNU Thursday at 8 pm CT.

 

Jonathan Gray will be pitching on ESPNU Friday at 7 pm CT vs Oklahoma State.

 

North Carolina's whole weekend series will be available - Friday and Saturday on ESPN3, Sunday on ESPNU.

It looks like Gray is pitching on Saturday. Damn

So much for going to that game.

 

Dammit, I was gonna try and go tomorrow, but I'm not driving to OKC.

[Guest]

BA is expecting to release their first mock draft this afternoon.

 

Keith Law said his first one will come out next week.

[Guest]

BA's first mock: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/jim-callis-mock-draft-1-0/

 

1. ASTROS: Houston, which has the top selection for the second straight year, says it’s still evaluating seven players. Most industry sources believe Houston’s decision will come down to Appel, whom it strongly considered a year ago before taking Carlos Correa, and Gray. While Appel has less leverage this time around because he’s now a college senior, Houston won’t be able to take as much of a discount as it did with Correa, who signed for $4.8 million. The Astros’ pick is valued at $7.8 million, and whichever arm they pass on likely will be snapped up by the Cubs ($6.7 million) or the Rockies ($5.6 million).

 

PROJECTED PICK: MARK APPEL.

 

2. CUBS: Chicago has had scouts at every one of Appel’s and Gray’s starts this spring. While the Cubs insist they haven’t narrowed their focus to just the two pitchers, it will be an upset if they don’t choose whichever one the Astros leave on the board.

 

PROJECTED PICK: JONATHAN GRAY.

[davell]

Kiley posted his a few days ago and in his chat, said there was like a 25% chance Appel doesn't go 1st.

[SABR Gamer]

I will be disappointed if we don't get Appel. Gray would be a great addition to the farm, but I am really hoping Appel falls to us. I just see him as the better and safer player. I'm not adding anything profound here, just feeling out how many others would also be as disappointed as I would be to not get Appel.

[Tryptamine]

I will be disappointed if we don't get Appel. Gray would be a great addition to the farm, but I am really hoping Appel falls to us. I just see him as the better and safer player. I'm not adding anything profound here, just feeling out how many others would also be as disappointed as I would be to not get Appel.

 

Appel is probably significantly safer, but I still believe Gray has the higher upside and probably comes at a significantly lower cost. I'm not going to complain either way, but I think my slight preference is Gray right now.

[pitchcs]

I think I prefer Gray as well, although I've only seen video's and scouting reports so the difference in strength between their opponents is something I'm not all that familiar with. Will be very happy we are adding a potential ace to the system either way.

[CubsWin]

I think there is a big enough difference between Appel and Gray to make Appel the clear winner. Appel's longer history of performance at a high level, he's got a third above average pitch. His velo is a couple ticks below Gray's but still 95+. He's closer to major league ready as a starter than Gray. I want Appel. That said, Gray is a great fallback, I wouldn't complain, though I would be slightly disappointed.

[Guest]

As a senior, doesn't Appel have until around the following March or April to sign? I'm concerned that Boras would hold the Cubs hostage and screw up signing our other picks.

[davell]

As a senior, doesn't Appel have until around the following March or April to sign? I'm concerned that Boras would hold the Cubs hostage and screw up signing our other picks.

You'd have to take a hard stance with him, agree prior to the draft. Not sure HOW you can do that, but it'd need to be done. Or else play it safe and just take slot guys throughout and insure you won't get penalized.

[davell]

Local kid, Connor Jones is heading to UVA, told teams he's sure. He was a very solid, late 1st type pitcher.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

As a senior, doesn't Appel have until around the following March or April to sign? I'm concerned that Boras would hold the Cubs hostage and screw up signing our other picks.

 

I don't think so. Didn't the new CBA made the deadline much sooner. I think this year it's July 15.

[davell]

As a senior, doesn't Appel have until around the following March or April to sign? I'm concerned that Boras would hold the Cubs hostage and screw up signing our other picks.

 

I don't think so. Didn't the new CBA made the deadline much sooner. I think this year it's July 15.

As a senior, that date doesn't apply to him.

[Guest]

As a senior, doesn't Appel have until around the following March or April to sign? I'm concerned that Boras would hold the Cubs hostage and screw up signing our other picks.

 

I don't think so. Didn't the new CBA made the deadline much sooner. I think this year it's July 15.

As a senior, that date doesn't apply to him.

 

Correct. Though Tim is wrong on the exact date - the signing deadline for college seniors is the week before the next draft.

[Guest]

Local kid, Connor Jones is heading to UVA, told teams he's sure. He was a very solid, late 1st type pitcher.

 

He wrote a letter to all 30 teams asking them not to draft him but didn't pull out of the draft completely like Nathan Kirby did last year so he's still fair game as a late round flyer. Some players have written these letters and followed through (Sonny Gray) but Josh Bell famously wrote a similar letter asking teams to not draft him and ended up signing with Pittsburgh. Of course that was under the old CBA.

[Guest]

Jake (Chicago): Do you think the Cubs will be able to go below slot for Appel or Gray?

 

Jim Callis: Not too much. The Rockies at No. 3 likely would jump on one of those guys, so they aren’t going to have to take less than Colorado would offer. The Cubs really need pitching, so I don’t anticipate them trying to get cute.

 

Andrew (Chicago): With the Cubs dearth of starting pitching, who are a couple of 2nd round arms that they could target?

 

Jim Callis: I’ll list several college candidates: Bobby Wahl (Mississippi), Ryan Eades (LSU), Aaron Blair (Marshall), Alex Balog (San Francisco), Alex Gonzalez (Oral Roberts), Andrew Thurman (UC Irvine), Tom Windle (Minnesota), Corey Knebel (Texas), Trey Masek (Texas Tech), Andrew Mitchell (TCU), Jason Hursh (Oklahoma State), Kevin Ziomek (Vandy). Some HS names: Devin Williams, Blake Taylor. They will have several attractive options.

[Guest]

As a senior, doesn't Appel have until around the following March or April to sign? I'm concerned that Boras would hold the Cubs hostage and screw up signing our other picks.

 

You have to assume the Cubs, especially with this brain trust, will have done their homework and know what Appel is looking for. Hope that he was signable last year for top-3 pick money and would remain that way this year. And while Boras could hold the Cubs hostage, by July 15th, everyone will know how much money the Cubs have to sign him because the Cubs aren't forfeiting a probable top-10 pick in 2014.

[Guest]

As a senior, doesn't Appel have until around the following March or April to sign? I'm concerned that Boras would hold the Cubs hostage and screw up signing our other picks.

 

You have to assume the Cubs, especially with this brain trust, will have done their homework and know what Appel is looking for. Hope that he was signable last year for top-3 pick money and would remain that way this year. And while Boras could hold the Cubs hostage, by July 15th, everyone will know how much money the Cubs have to sign him because the Cubs aren't forfeiting a probable top-10 pick in 2014.

The Cubs would also hold the leverage of getting the #3 pick in a deeper draft in 2014, unless they've changed that part of the CBA.

 

I'm not as worried about a deal getting done as I am about Boras pushing the deadline, as usual. That would not only potentially impact the signing of other other players, but would also impact Appel's development by losing those two months getting his feet wet.

 

It's not a big concern, but is something I'd consider in the overall comparison between Appel and Gray.

[illiniguy]

So with two guys so similar am I wrong to think we have it good being in the second spot here and just have to pick who is left?

[Guest]

So with two guys so similar am I wrong to think we have it good being in the second spot here and just have to pick who is left?

I'd rather have the first pick and the extra million dollars.

[Guest]

So with two guys so similar am I wrong to think we have it good being in the second spot here and just have to pick who is left?

 

Easy? Maybe. Good? Not really.

[imb]

Yeah, it's good if Appel falls and we can get him cheaper, I guess. But he's clearly the No. 1 guy at this point.

[illiniguy]

So with two guys so similar am I wrong to think we have it good being in the second spot here and just have to pick who is left?

I'd rather have the first pick and the extra million dollars.

Good point. I have to get used to this pool stuff.

[illiniguy]

Yeah, it's good if Appel falls and we can get him cheaper, I guess. But he's clearly the No. 1 guy at this point.

I want Gray. I love velocity.