2012 Draft Day Thread + Cubs Picks Discussion

[Butterscup1679666578]

I approve.

[davell]

It's the right call, since Appel's going to want crazy money, I guess.

[Guest]

I'm good with this pick.

 

Now let's get some upside pitching with the supplementals.

[El Duderino]

Right on

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If the Cardinals or Brewers get Appel, I'm going to the nearest pet store to start hurling kittens at the wall.

 

They'll be putting their entire draft on one shoulder. Let them.

[Guest]

all these guys are big dorks. it is crazy to think about what the minor leagues do to people to change them into the sorts of tools they are by the time they get to the majors.

It's the bonus money.

[CUBZ99]

Wow, can't believe they passed on Appel. :banghead:

[Guest]

Wow, can't believe they passed on Appel. :banghead:

I'm glad they did. Not sold on Appel being a difference maker.

[Tryptamine]

Wow, can't believe they passed on Appel. :banghead:

 

Why take Appel and destroy the rest of your draft when you can get Almora and still pick up some nice players?

[davell]

Tim, I gotta admit now I feel more comfortable with Almora than I would have Buxton.

[Guest]

Given the "lock" status of this pick for a while now, who else thinks we might have a below-slot deal worked out already?

[Irrelevant Dude]

We can only wonder what the Cubs would have done under last year's draft rules. Would they have taken Appel if they had an unlimited draft budget? Edited June 4, 2012 by Irrelevant Dude

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Anyone have a full scouting report on Almora, i.e. 20-80 tools?

 

I've read "elite" CF defense, but does he really have 80 defense on a pro scout's scale? They tend to be pretty stingy with the 80s.

[CUBZ99]

Wow, can't believe they passed on Appel. :banghead:

 

Why take Appel and destroy the rest of your draft when you can get Almora and still pick up some nice players?

 

Because the system needs pitching and he would have instantly become the best pitching prospect in the system.

[Guest]

Tim, I gotta admit now I feel more comfortable with Almora than I would have Buxton.

I can understand that. I would have been much more excited about Buxton's ceiling, though.

[TheDude]

Hard not to like Almora.

[Cubswin11]

We can only wonder what the Cubs would have done under last year's draft rules. Would they have taken Appel if they had an unlimited draft budget?

If they had an unlimited budget again this year I think you take Giolito at 6 if he's there.

[davell]

Given the "lock" status of this pick for a while now, who else thinks we might have a below-slot deal worked out already?

I do. Probably 2.8ish or so.

[Guest]

Wow, can't believe they passed on Appel. :banghead:

 

Why take Appel and destroy the rest of your draft when you can get Almora and still pick up some nice players?

 

Because the system needs pitching and he would have instantly become the best pitching prospect in the system.

I'd be surprised if they don't go heavy pitching with the next few picks.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Given the "lock" status of this pick for a while now, who else thinks we might have a below-slot deal worked out already?

 

*raises hand*

 

But he's also a very Epstein style pick. The FO have talked a lot about being "less wrong" than everyone else in the draft. To me, Almora has all the floor you could want without sacrificing ceiling. No defensive concerns, no hit tool concerns, no makeup concerns, no competition concerns. The only thing you've given up is elite power potential.

[cubweiser03]

all these guys are big dorks. it is crazy to think about what the minor leagues do to people to change them into the sorts of tools they are by the time they get to the majors.

 

MLB draftees are so much the biggest dorks. Then you got bud who doesn't think today is all that special to get some nice threads on that fit him. King dork.

 

Cubs have CF of their future!. Where have I had that before and no this is not a dig on the curre t draftee.

[mookie]

Scouting Report: Albert Almora (OF)

Posted on 11 May 2012

BLUF: Polished high school player with long track record and tools across the board.

 

The Player: Albert Almora (OF, Mater Academy) – Longtime standout member of the USA baseball circuit. Has played impressively on the international circuit over the last 4-5 years. Committed to the University of Miami.

 

Basis of Report: Industry Contacts

 

Scouting Report

 

Body (6-2, 170): Very lean athlete. Needs to add some strength, and should as he reaches physical maturity. Good coordination and lots of fast-twitch ability. Well-proportioned. Very good athlete. Not a premium frame but has enough to carry his tools and project well.

Hit: Very polished approach to hitting for his age. Natural feel for contact with ability to adjust to the ball in flight. Uses the whole field. Generates line drives with a fairly generic swing. Has consistent moderate leg kick that he uses for timing. Hands can get out of sync with his leg kick, but typically work well together. Handles premium velocity well, despite lacking strength to consistently drive the ball with authority. Potential high-average hitter. Grade – 30/70

Power: Lacks power now but has room in frame for added strength and increase power output. Generally projects for average home run power with plenty of doubles. Swing doesn’t have tons of bat speed or loft, but both could increase in time. Power could end up weakest tool down the road, but still approach average. Grade (raw power) – 30/50

Arm: Shows above average to plus arm strength. Good throwing mechanics with consistent, quick release. Good accuracy on throws helps natural arm strength play up. Can add more zip to throws with increased strength. Grade – 50/60

Fielding: Very good defender right now. Plus-plus instincts for his age. Gets good jumps on the ball and takes proper routes. Aggressive defender that can chase it down from gap to gap. Potential elite defender up the middle with more experience, and easily projects for well-above-average glove. Grade – 60/70

Speed: Average or better runner right now that shows consistent above-average running ability once underway. Body type gives him projection to maintain speed and instincts should let it play in game situations. Above-average speed should be more consistent at maturity. Grade – 50/50

 

Summation: Very polished player for his age. Instinctual player in the field, at the plate and on the bases. Has potential to be 15-homer, 15-20 steal type that hits for a good average and plays outstanding defense up the middle. Needs improved physicality to reach his ceiling. Polish could move him fairly quickly through a system, but will have to catch up physically. May need some tweaks to timing mechanism at the plate to be more consistent against pro pitching, but that’s a minor change. Potential above-average up the middle player that contributes across the board.

 

Relative Risk: High. Lots of projection required with the body, power and even long term hitting ability. Polish is impressive, but still a risky prospect.

 

Draft Projection: Polish and track record on international stage may be pushing him up draft boards more than warranted. Easy first round pick, but top ten talk is a stretch for some scouts.

[davell]

We can only wonder what the Cubs would have done under last year's draft rules. Would they have taken Appel if they had an unlimited draft budget?

If they had an unlimited budget again this year I think you take Giolito at 6 if he's there.

Yeah, I think we would have went with Giolito. Don't think Appel would have been there if rules hadn't changed.

[Cubswin11]

Can't wait for a few years when we have Jackson/Almora/Soler as our LF/CF/RF!

[17 Seconds]

pitchability?