2014 Draft Discussion

[davell]

I'm pretty disappointed currently. Talent-wise, we've done OK. But to pass on Reid-Foley and all the other HS pitchers that went after our pick really disheartened me.

 

We have almost definitely under slotted both of our picks, so we either have a ton of extra money to play with heading into the 3rd round or PTR is truly broke. I honestly believe it's the first option, so we had better take a few high upside HS pitchers in rounds 3 and 4. Surely the FO has done the research, the legwork, whatever. Knows how much it'll take to get Bukauskas or a few guys like Sands, Cease, Marshall, Johnson, or a few others.

 

Total guess, but we may have 2.5 mill to over slot from this point forward.(1.6 on Schwarber, 500k on Stinnett and over 400k on 5% money)

 

Don't wait til round 11 to take Butauskas or these other guys. Do it now. Because other teams can still take a bunch of seniors and make runs at these guys too. No way we'll know for sure they stay on the board that long. Hell, I'm worried Houston takes one of them to start tomorrow off.

 

Bukauskas makes me happy or a pair of the other high upside guys. But I really hope we start this in round 3 and not round 11.

[toonsterwu]

I think there's a next to zero chance of getting Bukauskus signed. He's been fairly solid that he simply wanted to get to UNC faster. I guess if someone threw a boatload of money at him ... but no one has a boatload to throw around. This feels very similar to Connor Jones last year. Someone will draft him eventually, but my guess would be that it's after the top 10 rounds.

 

That said, yes, I fundamentally agree that if we don't get a couple of intriguing over-slot prep guys (and pitchers would obviously be preferable) in the top 10 rounds with our savings, it'll be, on paper, a disappointing draft. It's a good thing that this draft does have arm depth, though.

[davell]

With 3rd round slot around 700k, I think it's entirely possible we've got the flexibility to offer Bukauskas 3 mill, if we want to. As dead set as he is on UNC(great taste too) I'm not sure he could turn THAT down.

[Guest]

My wife just reminded me that we actually flew to Chicago with Brady Aiken (well, she called him "that UCLA baseball player going to the HS all-star game") when he was going to the Under Armour game last August. The only reason I recognized him was that he was a UCLA commit and he complimented my UCLA College World Series shirt as we boarded. I really wanted to say something saying I recognized him but didn't want to sound creepy (like 17 Seconds).

 

/name drop

[Guest]

Justus Sheffield became the first pick to sign. Signed with the Indians for a little over $100,000 under slot.

[Tyrant]

I gathered up everything I could find about Schwarber and posted it to the front page.

 

The what?

The thing I bothered to update today for the first time in ages.

 

Is the community no longer buzzing with talk about the upcoming season?

[Guest]

I gathered up everything I could find about Schwarber and posted it to the front page.

 

The what?

The thing I bothered to update today for the first time in ages.

 

Is the community no longer buzzing with talk about the upcoming season?

I fear it is not.

 

Well, maybe about 2015.

[Guest]

My wife just reminded me that we actually flew to Chicago with Brady Aiken (well, she called him "that UCLA baseball player going to the HS all-star game") when he was going to the Under Armour game last August. The only reason I recognized him was that he was a UCLA commit and he complimented my UCLA College World Series shirt as we boarded. I really wanted to say something saying I recognized him but didn't want to sound creepy (like 17 Seconds).

 

/name drop

 

Nah, that's not creepy. I'm sure he would have been flattered, especially you being a UCLA fan.

 

I randomly saw Demitri McCamey (Illinois PG a few years ago) the other day on LSD beach and just said hey really quick. Honestly, think it made his day.

[Guest]

Guys I'd be interested in if we're looking for high ceiling arms:

 

RHP Keaton McKinney, HS (IA)

LHP Mac Marshall, HS (GA)

LHP Carson Sands, HS (FL)

RHP Cobi Johnson, HS (FL)

RHP Austin DeCarr, HS (CT)

RHP Bryce Montes de Oca, HS (KS)

RHP Patrick Connaughton, Notre Dame - he's got a fresh arm much like Stinnett

RHP Dylan Cease, HS (GA) - if you're willing to take the >50% chance he needs TJS and you definitely know his price tag

 

Don't touch Zech Lemond.

 

BA's best available:

 

No. 33 Jacob Bukauskas, rhp, Stone Bridge HS, Ashburn, Va.

 

Bukauskas is one of the hardest-throwing prep pitchers in the draft–sitting 93-96 mph, touching 98 at his best–in a class known for its velocity. He sent a letter to teams late in May asking them not to draft him because of his commitment to North Carolina. If Bukauskas gets drafted at this point, it likely won’t be until after the 10th round, when his selection would not put a portion of a team’s bonus pool at risk.

 

No. 45 Michael Cederoth, rhp, San Diego State

 

Cederoth is the highest-ranked college player left on the board. He has premium stuff, with a fastball that can sit 94-97 mph and touch 100. His role has changed from reliever to starter, then back to the pen, where he probably fits long-term. His control (4.9 walks per nine) remains an issue.

 

No. 48 Milton Ramos, ss, American Heritage HS, Hialeah Gardens, Fla.

 

Ramos is the premier defensive shortstop in a class that’s short on true up-the-middle profiles. He has plus speed, has drawn comparisons to Alcides Escobar and is committed to Florida International.

 

No. 53 Carson Sands, lhp, North Florida Christian HS, Tallahassee, Fla.

 

Sands, a Florida State commit, improved significantly as a senior, showing increased velocity, feel for pitching and two offspeed pitches that show at least average potential. After sitting 90-92 mph and touching 95 down the stretch, he showed reduced velocity in his final appearance of the spring at the Florida high school all-star event in Sebring, at 88-91 mph.

 

No. 57 Mac Marshall, lhp, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga.

 

Marshall, who has a curveball and changeup that show above-average potential, showed reduced velocity toward the end of the season, sitting in the high 80s and touching 91-92 mph in some starts. He is considered a tough sign away from his Louisiana State commitment.

 

No. 59 Matthew Railey, of, North Florida Christian HS, Tallahassee, Fla.

 

Railey offers a pure lefthanded stroke, natural hitting ability and at least average power potential. Although he is a plus runner in the 60, some expect him to move to a corner outfield spot, and his below-average arm will play better in left. He is committed to Florida State.

 

No. 61 Brett Graves, rhp, Missouri

 

The second-highest-ranked college player left on the board, Graves is an athletic strike-thrower (1.8 walks per nine) with a fastball that sits in the low 90s with life, touching 95, and a curveball that shows above-average potential.

 

No. 62 Jakson Reetz, c, Norris HS, Firth, Neb.

 

Reetz is the top-ranked prep catcher remaining, in a deep position for this draft. The Nebraska commit has a high-intensity game with hitting ability, athleticism and an above-average arm behind the plate.

 

No. 63 Josh Morgan, ss, Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS

 

The UCLA commit is an instinctive player with passion for the game and a chance to remain at shortstop, with smooth actions and soft hands. He has a contact-oriented righthanded stroke with a chance to hit, while offering average or slightly better speed and arm strength.

 

No. 66 Chris Oliver, rhp, Arkansas

 

Oliver has some of the best velocity from the college ranks, sitting 93-95 mph and touching 97 with downhill plane. His slider shows plus potential. His statistical performance has not matched his raw ability in his first year as a starter, as he struck out 5.7 per nine with a 1.6 strikeout-walk ratio.

 

@JSully12: Top available:Schwarz,Bonfield, Marshall, Decarr, Fisher, Loehr,Cease, Kel, Skoug, Hurst, Godfrey, Mckinney, Ryan, Deichmann, Cooley,Ockimey

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Law's Best Available:

 

Best available (based on their top 100 ranking)

 

29. Jake Bukauskas, RHP, Stone Bridge (Va.) HS

32. Bryce Montes de Oca, RHP, Lawrence (Kan.) HS

36. Zech Lemond, RHP, Rice

38. Jackson Reetz, C/OF, Hickman (Neb.) HS

47. Mac Marshall, RHP, Parkview (Ga.) HS

48. Dylan Cease, RHP, Milton (Ga.) HS

59. Brett Graves, RHP, Missouri

61. Jeren Kendall, OF, Holmen (Wis.) HS

62. Bobby Bradley, 3B, Harrison Central HS (Gulfport, Miss.)

 

Bukauskus, Montes de Oca and Kendall are probably all unsignable/massive over-slot guys at this point, although I expect all three will get calls tonight from teams looking to see if $1.5-2 million is enough to buy them out of their college commitment.

 

Lemond came back from missing time with a sore elbow that resulted directly from misuse at Rice, and teams are afraid to take a Rice pitcher to begin with. But Lemond has shown he's healthy and represents great value at this point. Cease has an elbow injury but opted for platelet-rich plasma treatment rather than surgery, and could still be signable for a team willing to take on the risk that he'll need Tommy John surgery down the road. Graves' stock wasn't helped by playing for a miserable team that missed the SEC tournament, but I think he'll go in the third round as one of the few good college starters left on the board.

[Guest]

Law's Best Available:

 

Best available (based on their top 100 ranking)

 

29. Jake Bukauskas, RHP, Stone Bridge (Va.) HS

32. Bryce Montes de Oca, RHP, Lawrence (Kan.) HS

36. Zech Lemond, RHP, Rice

38. Jackson Reetz, C/OF, Hickman (Neb.) HS

47. Mac Marshall, RHP, Parkview (Ga.) HS

48. Dylan Cease, RHP, Milton (Ga.) HS

59. Brett Graves, RHP, Missouri

61. Jeren Kendall, OF, Holmen (Wis.) HS

62. Bobby Bradley, 3B, Harrison Central HS (Gulfport, Miss.)

 

Bukauskus, Montes de Oca and Kendall are probably all unsignable/massive over-slot guys at this point, although I expect all three will get calls tonight from teams looking to see if $1.5-2 million is enough to buy them out of their college commitment.

 

Lemond came back from missing time with a sore elbow that resulted directly from misuse at Rice, and teams are afraid to take a Rice pitcher to begin with. But Lemond has shown he's healthy and represents great value at this point. Cease has an elbow injury but opted for platelet-rich plasma treatment rather than surgery, and could still be signable for a team willing to take on the risk that he'll need Tommy John surgery down the road. Graves' stock wasn't helped by playing for a miserable team that missed the SEC tournament, but I think he'll go in the third round as one of the few good college starters left on the board.

 

Reetz sounds like he might be a tough sign (wow, Nebraska getting elite baseball recruits?) but his reports sound very interesting. My favorite position player of they go that way.

 

Didnt realize Montes de Oca was a tough sign.

[davell]

According to Cotillo, Mac Marshall has decided to go to LSU.

[jersey cubs fan]

what's the delay?

 

Astros are ready, we are ready, they are ready...

 

Houston selects Davis 3B from Cal State Fullerton.

[Guest]

old school conference calls for these rounds.

[jersey cubs fan]

UM's favorite team takes a 2B from Arkansas.

[jersey cubs fan]

white sox take Fry LHP from oregon state

[jersey cubs fan]

Mets take Kyle's favorite, the SS that can play defense at the major league level right now.

[davell]

Lemond gone.

[davell]

High upside P Austin DeCarr to the Yankees. Extremely low mileage on his arm too.

[Guest]

Austin Cousino is a personal favorite of mine and he just went.

[Guest]

There goes Greiner. And Jordan Luplow, another college position player who I liked. And then Brett Graves, Mizzou SP, who was high on BA's top remaining prospects list.

[davell]

Connaughton to the O's in the 4th.

[Guest]

There go some interesting college Ps in Connaughton and Sobotka.

[Guest]

Damn, hope the Astros have bad intel on Nix. Was expecting him to fall to round 11; he's supposed to be UCLA's toughest sign amongst their big commits.

[Guest]

There goes Poncedeleon. He should have signed with us last year.