2013 Draft Discussion

[Guest]

if we got bryant we could have the most handsome 3-4 in baseball in a couple years

[Little Slide Rooter]

if we got bryant we could have the most handsome 3-4 in baseball in a couple years

 

If Taiwan Easterling somehow blossoms into a big league regular, we may have to have women sign consent forms before entering Wrigley.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

http://www.bbprospectreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Kris-Bryant-225x300.jpg

 

Joe Mauer's little brother?

[Guest]

Keith Law's first mock: http://klaw.me/13p0YV4

 

Any insiders wanna help a brother out with the top two picks?

[jersey cubs fan]

1Jonathan GrayPOS: RHPHT: 6-4WT: 239School: Oklahoma

Analysis: The industry thinking is that the Astros will try to cut a deal with Gray for less than it would cost to sign Mark Appel, then applying the savings to later picks where they might sign players to bonuses that exceed MLB's recommendations.

 

There is one hot rumor this week that has the Astros on UNC third baseman Colin Moran, one of the top statistical performers in this draft and someone likely to rate at or near the top of Houston's internal analytics.

 

Besides Gray and Moran, Mark Appel and perhaps Kris Bryant all seem to be in consideration, and maybe (but probably not) Clint Frazier. If last year is any guide, the Astros won't make a final decision until a few hours or even minutes before the pick.

 

2Mark AppelPOS: RHPHT: 6-5WT: 215School: Stanford

Analysis: This is Appel or Gray, assuming one of them goes first, with Appel the preference. The Cubs are in the catbird seat in this draft -- they don't have to pay the premium that comes with picking first overall but are guaranteed to get one of the two huge arms in the class.

 

3Kris BryantPOS: 3B/OFB/T: R/RHT: 6-5WT: 215School: San Diego

Analysis: I've only heard them on bats so far, including Bryant, Dominic Smith and Austin Meadows. However, if Gray ends up here, I think the Rockies would take him.

 

4Kohl StewartPOS: RHPHT: 6-3WT: 190School: St. Pius X (Houston)

Analysis: They've been very heavy on Stewart over his last few outings, and he's an ideal fit for a system that needs high-upside pitchers, with Stewart offering the athleticism the Twins have always favored in position players.

 

There is a persistent rumor that the Twins will cut a deal with prep catcher Reese McGuire for less than MLB's recommended bonus, which would allow them to apply those savings later in the draft. But Stewart is clearly the better choice and appears to be higher on their internal board, below only the three players who I project to go in the top three.

[Guest]

Thanks!

[Guest]

Jonathan Mayo's first mock also has Gray going 1.1 and Appel going to the Cubs.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130515&content_id=47666630&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_47666630

[Guest]

Jason McLeod took in Kris Bryant's game last night.

[Guest]

i still really want appel

[RammyFanny]

I have a feeling Stanek falls to the cards and he becomes their next Shelby, pixie dust and all.

[RammyFanny]

Nick D. (Atlanta)

 

 

Barring injury, is there any chance the Cubs reach outside of Gray and Appel at #2?

Klaw

(12:06 PM)

 

 

I believe there is zero chance of that.

[Cubswin11]

Nick D. (Atlanta)

 

 

Barring injury, is there any chance the Cubs reach outside of Gray and Appel at #2?

Klaw

(12:06 PM)

 

 

I believe there is zero chance of that.

IDK if Law has inside info but he has been very adamant that the Cubs are taking one of Appel or Gray (especially if Appel falls to us) for quite a while now. So maybe he's right and has talked to the right people or this late Bryant interest is real and it's just Law sticking to his guns and being stubborn moving his stance like he usually is.

[RammyFanny]

I've ridden the Kris Bryant high for a week or so, but I think i'm back at Appel/Gray. Contact/hit tool issue scares me a bit much given his average bat speed. Scared that it will get worse facing consistent lower-mid 90's pitching.

 

Edit: I kinda wish we could watch a lot more of him, like we can with Appel and Gray, cause sometimes I feel a little silly making claims based solely off statistics and others opinions.

 

Just saw this popup by the way:

[toonsterwu]

I'm still a Gray guy if we had the choice between the two. The raw power stuff is too tantalizing for a system that sorely lacks SP prospects with that type of potential. I'm curious about the idea that Gray would take less to go with the Astros - he's largely thought as a top 2 prospect in this draft, it's generally thought he won't fall below 2 or 3, and he's a junior. How much can they really save with Gray?

 

That said, there's a part of me that really wonders if we look back on this draft a decade from now and wish we took a prep player. Ball fascinates me, but obviously not at 2. Stewart is too risky there, and you'd have to sold that Frazier was simply that elite to take him over a needed arm. Bryant's intriguing, but unless he's a clear notch above Gray/Appel, and he really shouldn't be, I don't think you can afford to take him when there's good, collegiate power pitching to fill the system's main need.

 

This draft really sets up well for us in that, it sure looks like there should be, on paper, some solid arms to pick from at 41 and 75, so we should be able to add some much needed pitching quality to the system.

[Guest]

I'm still a Gray guy if we had the choice between the two. The raw power stuff is too tantalizing for a system that sorely lacks SP prospects with that type of potential. I'm curious about the idea that Gray would take less to go with the Astros - he's largely thought as a top 2 prospect in this draft, it's generally thought he won't fall below 2 or 3, and he's a junior. How much can they really save with Gray?

 

That said, there's a part of me that really wonders if we look back on this draft a decade from now and wish we took a prep player. Ball fascinates me, but obviously not at 2. Stewart is too risky there, and you'd have to sold that Frazier was simply that elite to take him over a needed arm. Bryant's intriguing, but unless he's a clear notch above Gray/Appel, and he really shouldn't be, I don't think you can afford to take him when there's good, collegiate power pitching to fill the system's main need.

 

This draft really sets up well for us in that, it sure looks like there should be, on paper, some solid arms to pick from at 41 and 75, so we should be able to add some much needed pitching quality to the system.

 

Man, I agree with you on Ball. I love the video I've seen of him and the scouting reports I've read.

[imb]

These draft flashbacks on baseball america are fascinating

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/top-100-draft-flashback-naming-names/

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/primary-major-league-positions-for-top-draft-talents/

[Cubswin11]

ABTY on PSD, who has some sort of source(s) attached to the Cubs had this to say.

 

Hearing Bryant to the Astros is more than 60/40 at this point... Cubs FO is split on Appel and Gray; if Astros go Bryant and Cubs go Gray, Appel may drop as low as 7 but likely stops at Cleveland at 5... That said, 'Appel to Cubs' is already sounding a lot like 'Almora to the Cubs' did last year (i.e. just simply to damn much smoke to ignore)

[Guest]

BA's top 250 is out: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2013-top-250-draft-prospects-may-17-jonathan-gray-takes-top-spot/

[RammyFanny]

Gray with 5 scoreless on 3 hits and 3 K's so far. 1 walk 2 HBP. Facing #22 K-State.

[RammyFanny]

KSU put up a 3 spot in the 6th.

[Guest]

@ProductiveOuts is in Berkeley for Appel's game. Worth a follow, they're perched right by radar guns.

 

@ProductiveOuts Watching Austin Wilson take BP. Looks like a man among boys, routinely smacking bombs off the building beyond the LF wall.

 

@ProductiveOuts Appel thru 2: sitting 95, touched 97. SL control is poor, but still managed 3Ks with it. 1 H, 1 BB.

 

@ProductiveOuts Appel allows a leadoff 2B, then an RBI single. Stanford lead cut to 3-1. Breaking ball control still spotty, FB very straight.

 

‏@ProductiveOuts LF drops easy flyball behind Appel to load the bases. Next hitter singles home 2. Let's see how he responds.

 

@ProductiveOuts Knapp homers to lead off B5 and give Cal the lead. After getting roughed up by OSU last week, Appel looks mortal again tonight.

[Guest]

Appel has started giving up a lot of hits the last two times out, a la last season.

 

@ProductiveOuts Slider command is at least part of Appel's problem. Devastating when it's down, but leaving it up and hittable far too often.

[Guest]

Chris Anderson: 10 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 128 pitches

 

Can't even complain about the 128 pitches, that's not a season high for him.

[pitchcs]

I've ridden the Kris Bryant high for a week or so, but I think i'm back at Appel/Gray. Contact/hit tool issue scares me a bit much given his average bat speed. Scared that it will get worse facing consistent lower-mid 90's pitching.

 

Edit: I kinda wish we could watch a lot more of him, like we can with Appel and Gray, cause sometimes I feel a little silly making claims based solely off statistics and others opinions.

 

Just saw this popup by the way:

 

They are listening to Jagged Edge/Nelly, "Where the party at?"

[Tryptamine]

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.