2014 Draft Discussion

[Guest]

@TGold_PG: #USFDons OF Brad Zimmer makes hitting look easy. 3-for-4 day facing Justin Garza & Phil Bickford. #MLBDraft

 

Those are some elite 2015 and 2016 arms Zimmer is facing.

 

@aaronfitt: Lots of scouting heat here in Miami for premier Sunday matchup: LHP Andrew Suarez & Karsten Whitson. Suarez 91-94 in 1st but squared up–4 ER

 

@aaronfitt: Whitson's velo is climbing after it was way down in fall. He sat 91-92 in 1st,touched 93, with 84 slider and 81-83 change. #mlbdraft

 

@kileymcd: Gators RHP Karsten Whitson was 90-93 and used three pitches but still looks a little tentative w/offspeed and can't locate FB consistently.

 

@aaronfitt: Whitson hung a slider that didn't move, Dale Carey hammered it for solo HR. Slider used to be wicked; haven't seen that today. 90-92 thru 3.

 

@aaronfitt: Whitson is done after 3. Certainly, he's not back to where he was pre-surgery, but he touched some 93s and a 94, arm strength is coming.

[Guest]

Interesting guy. Looks like he's had a velocity spike this season:

 

@KendallRogersPG: #Washington RHP Jeff Brigham w/ clean first and he has scouts buzzing back here. Sat 92-94, touched 96 and 98 w/ gd command. #mlbdraft

 

@KendallRogersPG: #Washington RHP Jeff Brigham has nice downer action on his FB, inducing a lot of ground balls. Sat 94-96 FB, 89-92 2-seam in 2nd. #mlbdraft

 

@KendallRogersPG: Really like @UW_Baseball RHP Jeff Brigham. Still sitting 94-96 w/ FB in the third, mixing in an 85-86 SL, nice 2-seamer as well. #mlbdraft

 

@KendallRogersPG: #Washington RHP Jeff Brigham had command slip a bit last inning, but rebounded. He’s holding mid-90s velocity. Very impressive. #MLBDraft

[Guest]

Chris Crawford's first draft board of the season: http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/02/the-board-2014-volume-i/

 

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

2. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

3. Alex Jackson, C/RF/3B, HS (San Diego, CA)

4. Tyler Kolek, RHP, HS (Shepherd, TX)

5. Jacob Gatewood, SS, HS (Clovis, CA)

6. Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt

There was never a question about Beede’s stuff, but he’s been absolutely dominant in his first two outings, and if he continues to throw strikes, look out.

12. Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State

I’m lower on Turner than most, but I certainly respect his abilities as a shortstop with 80 speed and potentially above-average defense. But the swing is awkward, and there’s very little chance he hits for power at the next level.

18. Brandon Finnegan, LHP, TCU

Finnegan has dominated in his first two outings — albeit against terrible competition — and has touched the mid 90′s with his fastball, but there are still concerns about his size and many still believe he’s a reliever long-term.

25. Michael Gettys, OF, HS (Gainesville, GA)

There’s no denying Gettys’ athletic ability, and he has one of the strongest throwing arms in the entire class and some power potential; but that doesn’t mean much if Gettys’ can’t hit, which is still very much in doubt.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Please keep it up, Beede.

 

And they have Alex Jackson as a possible 3B now? When did that happen?

[Guest]

Please keep it up, Beede.

 

And they have Alex Jackson as a possible 3B now? When did that happen?

 

I think that's just Crawford skyballing potential new positions for Jackson. RF is still the most obvious place for him if he won't stick at C.

 

It should be noted that Crawford was more down on Beede than others like BA.

[sneakypower]

i didn't see this posted, but BA did a Best Tools for HSers List which i found informative:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/early-draft-preview-high-school-best-tools/

 

Gettys has to have freakish upside defensively, if these are remotely accurate

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

BEST FASTBALL: Tyler Kolek, Shepherd (Texas) HS. With minimal effort, Kolek can run his fastball into the upper 90s and touch 99 mph.

CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Kolek. Workhorse build, premium fastball and excellent makeup could allow Kolek to move quickly for a high school hurler.

Starting to feel really good about what choices the Cubs will have at this very moment. Too bad it's February.

[bukie]

Just want another 3 players to play themselves into discussion for the first 3 picks. That's all. just convince Houston to pick someone below slot, and Florida and the White Sox to not spend overslot on Rodon.

 

Too much to ask?

[Guest]

 

skyballing

 

That's a deep reference for NSBB

[Hairyducked Idiot]

BEST FASTBALL: Tyler Kolek, Shepherd (Texas) HS. With minimal effort, Kolek can run his fastball into the upper 90s and touch 99 mph.

CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Kolek. Workhorse build, premium fastball and excellent makeup could allow Kolek to move quickly for a high school hurler.

Starting to feel really good about what choices the Cubs will have at this very moment. Too bad it's February.

 

I know sometimes they turn into Verlander, but I always assume we'll get a Wood at best.

[Guest]

BEST FASTBALL: Tyler Kolek, Shepherd (Texas) HS. With minimal effort, Kolek can run his fastball into the upper 90s and touch 99 mph.

CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Kolek. Workhorse build, premium fastball and excellent makeup could allow Kolek to move quickly for a high school hurler.

Starting to feel really good about what choices the Cubs will have at this very moment. Too bad it's February.

 

I know sometimes they turn into Verlander, but I always assume we'll get a Wood at best.

 

Verlander was drafted out of college.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Then I give up completely. Never draft a high school pitcher.

[Guest]

Then I give up completely. Never draft a high school pitcher.

 

Kershaw?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Some pitchers that never went to college, and I won't even count the international guys:

 

Clayton Kershaw

Greg Maddux

Steve Carlton

Nolan Ryan

Roy Halladay

Fergie Jenkins

Tom Glavine

Don Sutton

Jim Palmer

Andy Pettitte

CC Sabathia

Chris Carpenter

Jake Peavy

Zach Greinke

Cole Hamels

Matt Cain

[Guest]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

[Guest]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

I understand the sentiment. But at this point, what hitter would you draft over hoffman/rodon?

[pitchcs]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

I understand the sentiment. But at this point, what hitter would you draft over hoffman/rodon?

 

This is pretty much exactly my feeling. Granted, I know next to nothing about Gatewood but Trea Turner just doesn't do it for me.

[sneakypower]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

no, that policy already cost us Jon Gray

[Guest]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

I understand the sentiment. But at this point, what hitter would you draft over hoffman/rodon?

 

The one they think is the best. It's February, I'm not allowed to have an opinion on specific draft prospects.

 

EDIT: For reference, you can copy/paste this to last year and replace the names with Appel/Manaea to get the same general sentiment.

[pitchcs]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

no, that policy already cost us Jon Gray

 

No, it gained us Kris Bryant.

[ctcf]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

no, that policy already cost us Jon Gray

 

lol what a terrible mistake

[Bilbo161]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

I understand the sentiment. But at this point, what hitter would you draft over hoffman/rodon?

 

The one they think is the best. It's February, I'm not allowed to have an opinion on specific draft prospects.

 

EDIT: For reference, you can copy/paste this to last year and replace the names with Appel/Manaea to get the same general sentiment.

 

The Cubs do seem to be sticking to that mantra. Can't say I blame them considering the injury risk on the pitching side, but there has to be a pitcher good enough that they would make an exception. Maybe not in this draft but there has to be a profile that would just be too good to pass up. It will be fun watching the candidates try this year.

[jersey cubs fan]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

I understand the sentiment. But at this point, what hitter would you draft over hoffman/rodon?

 

The one they think is the best. It's February, I'm not allowed to have an opinion on specific draft prospects.

 

EDIT: For reference, you can copy/paste this to last year and replace the names with Appel/Manaea to get the same general sentiment.

 

The Cubs do seem to be sticking to that mantra. Can't say I blame them considering the injury risk on the pitching side, but there has to be a pitcher good enough that they would make an exception. Maybe not in this draft but there has to be a profile that would just be too good to pass up. It will be fun watching the candidates try this year.

 

Not sure it would be a pitcher good enough to make an exception but rather a lack of hitters good enough to justify passing up the arms. I wouldn't make it such a hard and fast rule, but something more like, when in doubt, take the bat. I take Bryant 100 times in a row with Grey or any arm on the board. You can't just arbitrarily pass on the best arm in the draft to take the 10th best bat that is clearly a step or three down from the pitcher.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

You can't just arbitrarily pass on the best arm in the draft to take the 10th best bat that is clearly a step or three down from the pitcher.

 

Sure I can.

[Bilbo161]

Pretty close to a "No pitchers in the Top 10, not this year, not ever" policy myself.

I understand the sentiment. But at this point, what hitter would you draft over hoffman/rodon?

 

The one they think is the best. It's February, I'm not allowed to have an opinion on specific draft prospects.

 

EDIT: For reference, you can copy/paste this to last year and replace the names with Appel/Manaea to get the same general sentiment.

 

The Cubs do seem to be sticking to that mantra. Can't say I blame them considering the injury risk on the pitching side, but there has to be a pitcher good enough that they would make an exception. Maybe not in this draft but there has to be a profile that would just be too good to pass up. It will be fun watching the candidates try this year.

 

Not sure it would be a pitcher good enough to make an exception but rather a lack of hitters good enough to justify passing up the arms. I wouldn't make it such a hard and fast rule, but something more like, when in doubt, take the bat. I take Bryant 100 times in a row with Grey or any arm on the board. You can't just arbitrarily pass on the best arm in the draft to take the 10th best bat that is clearly a step or three down from the pitcher.

 

Sure, that makes perfect sense. We'll see how the bats perform this season. There may not be a "Bryant" this year. I wouldn't mind a lefty bookend to him but don't see any yet.