2012 Draft Day Thread + Cubs Picks Discussion

[Guest]

There are as of now 6 first rounders still unsigned:

4. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles

8. Mark Appel, RHP, Pirates

9. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Marlins

16. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals

25. Richie Shaffer, IF, Rays

30. Ty Hensley, RHP, Yankees

 

Surprisingly enough, only Giolito and Hensley are HS kids with the leverage of a college commitment. The new CBA has really sped up the process of high picks signing (probably the only nice thing you can say about the new CBA).

[jersey cubs fan]

I would be stunned if Appel returns to Stanford. I expect he'll pitch in an independent league, a la Luke Hochevar.

 

What would be the reason for that? College ball is too risky?

[bukie]

There are as of now 6 first rounders still unsigned:

4. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles

8. Mark Appel, RHP, Pirates

9. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Marlins

16. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals

25. Richie Shaffer, IF, Rays

30. Ty Hensley, RHP, Yankees

 

Surprisingly enough, only Giolito and Hensley are HS kids with the leverage of a college commitment. The new CBA has really sped up the process of high picks signing (probably the only nice thing you can say about the new CBA).

I'm not sure how much of that is the slot system and how much of that is the signing deadline.

[17 Seconds]

almora is on twitter retweeting literally everybody who congratulates him

[davell]

I would be stunned if Appel returns to Stanford. I expect he'll pitch in an independent league, a la Luke Hochevar.

 

What would be the reason for that? College ball is too risky?

 

Maybe so. I doubt an independent league team is going to let him throw 149 pitches in a game.

[Guest]

I would be stunned if Appel returns to Stanford. I expect he'll pitch in an independent league, a la Luke Hochevar.

 

What would be the reason for that? College ball is too risky?

That's one of the reasons. Stanford has plenty of disregard for pitch courts, Appel threw 149 earlier this year. Also, he can concentrate on baseball/working out full time and ignore academics.

[Guest]

There are as of now 6 first rounders still unsigned:

4. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles

8. Mark Appel, RHP, Pirates

9. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Marlins

16. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals

25. Richie Shaffer, IF, Rays

30. Ty Hensley, RHP, Yankees

 

Surprisingly enough, only Giolito and Hensley are HS kids with the leverage of a college commitment. The new CBA has really sped up the process of high picks signing (probably the only nice thing you can say about the new CBA).

I'm not sure how much of that is the slot system and how much of that is the signing deadline.

Sorry - I didn't mean to imply I was crediting the hard slot system as much as the earlier signing deadline, though I do believe that helped guys like Zimmer and Fried sign so early.

[tgkimmel]

I would be stunned if Appel returns to Stanford. I expect he'll pitch in an independent league, a la Luke Hochevar.

 

What would be the reason for that? College ball is too risky?

That's one of the reasons. Stanford has plenty of disregard for pitch courts, Appel threw 149 earlier this year. Also, he can concentrate on baseball/working out full time and ignore academics.

Also, if he enters a four-year school he cannot re-enter the draft for three years. If he goes to a Juco or independent league he can re-enter next year.

[davell]

Appel would be a Senior at Stanford next year.

[Guest]

I would be stunned if Appel returns to Stanford. I expect he'll pitch in an independent league, a la Luke Hochevar.

 

What would be the reason for that? College ball is too risky?

That's one of the reasons. Stanford has plenty of disregard for pitch courts, Appel threw 149 earlier this year. Also, he can concentrate on baseball/working out full time and ignore academics.

Also, if he enters a four-year school he cannot re-enter the draft for three years. If he goes to a Juco or independent league he can re-enter next year.

That only applies for HS draftees. Appel is a college junior so he'd be eligible for next year's draft even if he returned to Stanford.

[tgkimmel]

I would be stunned if Appel returns to Stanford. I expect he'll pitch in an independent league, a la Luke Hochevar.

 

What would be the reason for that? College ball is too risky?

That's one of the reasons. Stanford has plenty of disregard for pitch courts, Appel threw 149 earlier this year. Also, he can concentrate on baseball/working out full time and ignore academics.

Also, if he enters a four-year school he cannot re-enter the draft for three years. If he goes to a Juco or independent league he can re-enter next year.

That only applies for HS draftees. Appel is a college junior so he'd be eligible for next year's draft even if he returned to Stanford.

Or, I could be an idiot with no idea what he's talking about, either way. :blush:

[El Duderino]

i hope almora is at wrigley on friday taking bp or something. although maybe I'd rather have him playing in an azl game :-k

[Tryptamine]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/gausman-unlikely-to-sign-with-orioles.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

 

Likely a negotiating ploy, but I can't fathom him going before 3 or 4 in the next draft. I can't imagine the risk of playing another year is worth that.

[Clem Fandango]

Kevin Gausman, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft is unlikely to sign with the Orioles because his heart is still with Louisiana State University, writes Albert Buford of the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

 

"This is turning out to be a tough decision, but as of now my heart is still with LSU," Gausman said. "There are still things for me to accomplish as a Tiger. I still want to play in and win the College World Series, and with a lot of guys coming back next year I believe we can do it."

 

Gausman was the first pitcher taken in this year's draft, going ahead of fellow college righties Kyle Zimmer (Royals) and Mark Appel (Pirates). Earlier today, it was reported that Appel is also leaning toward returning to college for another season, rather than signing in Pittsburgh.

 

Electing to return to LSU would mean forgoing a sizeable bonus for Gausman. MLB's recommended bonus for the fourth overall pick in the draft is $4.2MM. If he does decide to return to LSU, the decision won't have as much to do with the Orioles as it would a desire to leave his mark on LSU baseball, writes Buford.

[UMFan83]

Kevin Gausman, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft is unlikely to sign with the Orioles because his heart is still with Louisiana State University, writes Albert Buford of the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

 

"This is turning out to be a tough decision, but as of now my heart is still with LSU," Gausman said. "There are still things for me to accomplish as a Tiger. I still want to play in and win the College World Series, and with a lot of guys coming back next year I believe we can do it."

 

Gausman was the first pitcher taken in this year's draft, going ahead of fellow college righties Kyle Zimmer (Royals) and Mark Appel (Pirates). Earlier today, it was reported that Appel is also leaning toward returning to college for another season, rather than signing in Pittsburgh.

 

Electing to return to LSU would mean forgoing a sizeable bonus for Gausman. MLB's recommended bonus for the fourth overall pick in the draft is $4.2MM. If he does decide to return to LSU, the decision won't have as much to do with the Orioles as it would a desire to leave his mark on LSU baseball, writes Buford.

 

Gonna really suck if he needs TJ surgery randomly next year and watches $4.2 million turn into $500,000

[davell]

Still posturing. I think Appel's serious. Not so much with Gausman. Gotta wonder what Boras tried to do with Appel, the day of the draft? I guess he turned down 6 mill from Houston, which was a blessing for them. But whete did Boras want him going, because he was obviously pissed when the Pirates took him. Did he have a team lower ready to take the penalty for him? It's all I can think of.

[Guest]

Still posturing. I think Appel's serious. Not so much with Gausman. Gotta wonder what Boras tried to do with Appel, the day of the draft? I guess he turned down 6 mill from Houston, which was a blessing for them. But whete did Boras want him going, because he was obviously pissed when the Pirates took him. Did he have a team lower ready to take the penalty for him? It's all I can think of.

 

There were rumors on draft day that once Appel fell, Boras was trying to get him to the Nationals.

 

I guess I could see Gausman wanting to return to LSU partly because he only pitched 2 years there. But one of the reasons he went to college was because he could turn pro in 2 years.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

From Pro Sports Daily forums

 

You are correct. Also there was never any doubt that Almora was the guy. They really did have him number 1 on the board. In addition to this Boras apparently had a team later in the draft willing to go well over 4 million for him. Boras told the other teams not to draft him and unfortunately Boras always wins somehow. He also had a ton of leverage over the Cubs. There was no way they were going to let him walk with this year being an embarrassment already.

 

I just wish Scotty would have had a heart and left a slight piece of the pie for Hickman. He was very signable up until this deal got struck.

 

Morale of the story......Boras>Super friends Front Office

[craig]

I'm going to randomly guess that the Cubs will still sign two more players before the deadline strikes. (I'm just an optimist, what can I say.)

 

Anybody else want to throw out a number for a guess, and anybody else guess the number will exceed zero?

[davell]

I think we're done. Don't see anyone left that takes what little we've got left.

[Guest]

Sure, I'll guess 1 guy signs for ~$120,000. That's more than Austin Urban got last year at the signing deadline (and more than Trey McNutt got a few years ago).

[17 Seconds]

albert almora ‏@albertalmora

 

Officially a #Cub.. Starting my career tomorrow! So excited!!!

[craig]

albert almora ‏@albertalmora

 

Officially a #Cub.. Starting my career tomorrow! So excited!!!

 

Heh heh, sure sounds like he would have said no at $3.5, eh? Heh.

[bukie]

albert almora ‏@albertalmora

 

Officially a #Cub.. Starting my career tomorrow! So excited!!!

 

Heh heh, sure sounds like he would have said no at $3.5, eh? Heh.

And that is why players hire agents.

[Guest]

albert almora ‏@albertalmora

 

Officially a #Cub.. Starting my career tomorrow! So excited!!!

 

Heh heh, sure sounds like he would have said no at $3.5, eh? Heh.

And that is why players hire agents.

 

Ahem. Advisers.