2012 Draft Day Thread + Cubs Picks Discussion

[Outshined_One]

Not a bad pick. Should be an overslot, given his commitment, but there's definite upside.

[Guest]

Not a bad pick. Should be an overslot, given his commitment, but there's definite upside.

Yeah, he's a guy that's going to need some development, but he's got good potential.

[17 Seconds]

so did we do good?

[El Duderino]

KG on the score coming up.

[ctcf]

Ryan Franklin looks rough.

[Outshined_One]

so did we do good?

 

Good enough; we didn't knock our draft out of the park, but none of the picks were head-scratchers or awful. There's intriguing upside with the pitchers taken in the supplemental 1st, plus Almora was a really solid pick at 6.

[TruffleShuffle]

It's like Jim Hendry is still running the team. Just what the Cubs needed, another potential back of the bullpen arm.

 

do you ever know what the [expletive] you are talking about?

[Cubswin11]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

[Little Slide Rooter]

So i take it we shouldnt expect a ton of excitement tomorrow and beyond? I guess we can draft whoever we want, but getting them, to sign wthout the overslt money is another story.

[Vanilla Ice]

How does Blackburn compare to Maples or Wells?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

 

They mentioned Blackburn is a pretty strong college commit, so he may take some money to get away.

[ChiCubsFan]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

 

Punted meaning drafted with no intention of signing them? Blackburn is going to be a tough sign, so maybe.

 

I wouldn't mind getting pick #57 next year. Really wish we would have gotten Weickel.

Edited June 5, 2012 by ChiCubsFan

[El Duderino]

KG really likes the Blackburn pick. Not a great ceiling, but higher floor. Johnson a lottery ticket. Edited June 5, 2012 by El Duderino

[ctcf]

KG really liked the Blackburn. Calls Pierce Johnson a lottery ticket.

[Outshined_One]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

 

Johnson is the most likely bet for under slot, but as an injury guy, who knows? He could opt to go back for his senior season (or transfer), make it through the season, and up his stock enough to be a potential Top 20ish guy.

 

Blackburn has a strong college commitment; I'll be surprised if he signs for slot.

[TruffleShuffle]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

 

you're really unlikely to draft a guy widely considered to have TOR upside when you're not in the first round. sometimes guys drafted later turn into TOR pitchers, but that's as much luck as it is anything else.

[Guest]

Blackburn is a guy who is already at 90-94 and has three potential plus pitches. I don't expect him to move fast, but he's the kind of kid that could develop into something more.

[davell]

The guys I had on my mind were Smoral, Weickel, and Hunter Virant. He's still out there anyway. Johnson can stick as a starter or certainly will be given every shot to do so. I love Blackburn. Projectable, hits 94, has really good control and may wind up with 3 plus pitches. Excellent pick and I can see why they went with Johnson, to leave a little extra money towards Blackburn.

[Cubswin11]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

 

you're really unlikely to draft a guy widely considered to have TOR upside when you're not in the first round. sometimes guys drafted later turn into TOR pitchers, but that's as much luck as it is anything else.

I totally agree and I didn't mean it as a knock on the picks both seem like they could at least be bullpen/back rotation filler at least one day.

[Cubswin11]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

 

Punted meaning drafted with no intention of signing them? Blackburn is going to be a tough sign, so maybe.

 

I wouldn't mind getting pick #57 next year. Really wish we would have gotten Weickel.

Yeah, maybe they figure punt one of the supplemental picks by taking a guy who is known to be a tough sign and requite over slot to keep so it doesn't seem like an obvious punt and go over slot on guys rounds 2-4 if they really like some guys that they think will be around.

[davell]

As far as Smoral went, he's going to be a very significant overslot. Toronto had two firsts and three supplemental picks. Much easier for them to absorb his demands than us.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

 

you're really unlikely to draft a guy widely considered to have TOR upside when you're not in the first round. sometimes guys drafted later turn into TOR pitchers, but that's as much luck as it is anything else.

I totally agree and I didn't mean it as a knock on the picks both seem like they could at least be bullpen/back rotation filler at least one day.

 

I've already got "reliever" in mind for Johnson. And not in a bad way. It's just that "touching 94" usually means "working 90-91" by the time they hit the majors as a starter. Putting him in the bullpen can keep that FB as a plus pitch and not just an average one.

 

Not that he shouldn't get every chance to stick as a starter first, of course.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

 

Punted meaning drafted with no intention of signing them? Blackburn is going to be a tough sign, so maybe.

 

I wouldn't mind getting pick #57 next year. Really wish we would have gotten Weickel.

Yeah, maybe they figure punt one of the supplemental picks by taking a guy who is known to be a tough sign and requite over slot to keep so it doesn't seem like an obvious punt and go over slot on guys rounds 2-4 if they really like some guys that they think will be around.

 

If you don't sign the guy, you lose his slot money. The way to punt on a pick is take a guy who is a super easy, cheap sign.

[Cubswin11]

Really excited about Almora, don't really know anything about the pitchers neither seem to have huge upside though (I'm talking top of the rotation upside). Any chance either of the Sup picks we punted to save money later knowing that one of the guys won't sign for around slot?

 

Punted meaning drafted with no intention of signing them? Blackburn is going to be a tough sign, so maybe.

 

I wouldn't mind getting pick #57 next year. Really wish we would have gotten Weickel.

Yeah, maybe they figure punt one of the supplemental picks by taking a guy who is known to be a tough sign and requite over slot to keep so it doesn't seem like an obvious punt and go over slot on guys rounds 2-4 if they really like some guys that they think will be around.

 

If you don't sign the guy, you lose his slot money. The way to punt on a pick is take a guy who is a super easy, cheap sign.

Didn't know that, though you were just allowed to spend what you were given however you want. Then penalties kick in if you go over.

[Guest]

BA:

 

Pierce Johnson (32nd best prospect)

 

Few colleges can match Missouri State's recent track record for producing pitchers. Since 2001, the Bears have had three hurlers drafted in the first or sandwich rounds and sent a total of seven to the big leagues. The next in line is Johnson, who started to come on at the end of his sophomore season a year ago and ranked sixth in NCAA Division I in strikeouts per nine innings (11.5) in mid-May. The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder misses bats with a lively 92-93 mph fastball that reaches 96 mph and a hard three-quarters breaking ball. He'll mix in an 86-87 mph cutter a few times per game and has improved his feel for his changeup. While scouts have no quibbles with Johnson's stuff, they do have some concerns, most notably his health. He missed two starts this spring with a forearm strain, an issue that also cropped up in high school and during the fall of his freshman year. He wasn't as sharp in his first three starts after his layoff, which could drop him from the first round to the supplemental first. He also dislocated a knee while warming up in the bullpen last summer in the Cape Cod League, and missed much of his high school senior season after breaking his hand on a comebacker. Johnson has just decent control and command, though he has improved in both regards this year. He also can fall in love with his breaking ball a bit too much.

 

Paul Blackburn (57th best prospect)

 

Blackburn stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 180 pounds. He is a good athlete and shows a clean delivery that he repeats well. His fastball sits in the 90-92 mph range and tops out at 94. Scouts can still project on Blackburn. His curveball and changeup show promise and he could eventually have three plus pitches. Because of his athleticism and smooth mechanics, scouts believe he will also eventually pitch with above-average control and command. He shows good feel and poise on the mound, too. Blackburn has consistently pitched well throughout the spring and is interested in professional baseball, so scouts don't believe he'll wind up at Arizona State, where he has committed.

 

Blackburn is definitely over slot but with his injury problems (he probably doesn't want to go back to school and risk a more severe injury and tumble in '13), I think you can slightly underslot Johnson.