Jump to content
Join us for a livestream as we discuss the red-hot Cubs, starting at 4pm Central time! ×
North Side Baseball

2014 Draft Discussion

CaliforniaRaisin
 Share
Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
Steve (Dallas): One college player who is actually hitting is OF Bradley Zimmer. Could he push his way into the Top 10 in the draft?

 

Aaron Fitt: He’s a very good all-around player with one of the most well-rounded tool sets in this draft class, but we’re not hearing his name too much in the top 10 mix. Probably more of an 11-25 guy somewhere. Somewhere around No. 15 feels about right to me.

 

Scott (San Luis Obispo): Brandon Finnegon and Matt Imhof have very similar numbers so far. I know Finnegon throws a little harder but how would you compare these two players overall? Which player do you think might have the better professional career?

 

Aaron Fitt: Neat question—two lefthanders who rank among the nation’s leaders in strikeouts and both could be first-round picks, but they are very different. Finnegan is shorter but he’s so strong, and he holds his velocity deep into games, and his breaking ball is a wipeout pitch—I think he’s got better pure stuff than Imhof. But Imhof has plenty of velocity too–he’ll be 89-94, while Finnegan is 91-96. Neither of them use their changeups much, but Imhof has a more traditional starting pitcher profile because of his size, while some scouts see Finnegan as more of a Billy Wagner closer type. I think both of them start, though, and I would probably lean toward Finnegan long term. Incidentally, we’ll be running profiles of both guys in our next issue, along with fellow lefty Harrison Musgrave of West Virginia.

 

Ben (Leland Grove): Time for your weekly Rodon check-in - is he falling down your draft board any at this point?

 

Aaron Fitt: My conviction is wavering a bit—the reports from this weekend were not encouraging. He’s certainly no longer the slam-dunk No. 1 guy on the board he was heading into the season. He could still be the No. 1 guy, but we’re six weeks into the season now. It’s time to get going. And I do know there are some scouts who really don’t love some of his mound histrionics and question his maturity. That could also impact his stock, frankly. He’s always been an emotional guy and an in-your-face competitor, but there is a line between emotional and immature, and I think he needs to prove to some evaluators that he’s on the right side of that line. When Gerrit Cole was a junior, he had a pretty frustrating year—he went 6-8 even though he pitched pretty well. He just didn’t get any breaks whatsoever. But he never expressed frustration with his teammates, and he handled himself with grace all the way through, on the field and in his dealings with the media. I think that is the model for Rodon to follow.

  • Replies 2.5k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

KingCubsFan ACL Cubs

KingCubsFan

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
Kolek is the HS kid with triple digit stuff correct?

 

I know alot of top HS arms bust but my admittedly hazy memory has been that most were 93 to 97 mph fireballers not the guys with triple digit type heat.

 

Has there been multiple notable HS guys with a 100mph fastball that were drafted in the top ten that have turned out busts in the last 15 years.

 

 

Really the only guys I'm thinking of with legit 100mph fastballs drafted recently were Wood, Beckett, Burnett, and out of college Strasburg & Jonathan Gray.

 

Kolek is the one who has hit 100 (though there are unconfirmed reports than Grant Holmes has too). There are way more than that. Off the top of my head, Gerrit Cole, Lucas Giolito (was a top 10 talent), Dylan Bundy hit 100 in HS, Mark Rogers of the Brewers. And the latter three have all had surgery.

Colt Griffin

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
Are there any expert opinions on Zimmer's swing out there? I sought out some video on him since I desperately want there to be a viable college bat option at 4, and while the numbers are there, his swing seems, I dunno, short-armed?
jersey cubs fan GOAT

jersey cubs fan

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Are there any expert opinions on Zimmer's swing out there? I sought out some video on him since I desperately want there to be a viable college bat option at 4, and while the numbers are there, his swing seems, I dunno, short-armed?

 

I'm not swing expert but it's hard to tell on one swing from that angle, although the pitch seemed to be low and inside. When pausing it his front arm was fully extended on contact and didn't seem odd to me.

pitchcs ACL Cubs

pitchcs

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Are there any expert opinions on Zimmer's swing out there? I sought out some video on him since I desperately want there to be a viable college bat option at 4, and while the numbers are there, his swing seems, I dunno, short-armed?

 

It doesn't look like much of an issue to me...think a Marlon Byrd type swing. He is essentially just cocking early and using tremendous bat speed and arm strength to make up for a lack of a "wind-up". I actually like that he has quiet hands and body.

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted

As much as I would prefer a big college bat, I also don't want to reach just to avoid a pitcher.

 

Hell, I'm about as anti-HS pitcher as they come but I would be doing cartwheels if Kolek fell to us.

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
I really don't want them drafting a high school pitcher at 4 unless it's a no brainer by comparison to what's available.
Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
@DanMKirby: Must watch. RT @JohnDreker: @DanMKirby Touki Toussaint's start w/ be streamed online if you didn't know. Starts in 20 http://t.co/uQVw7AYvVz

 

Game started about 30 mins ago.

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
@jjcoop36: Touissant's first 13 pitches all fastballs 93-94. Three up three down. Did break out his bball to the third batter. #NHSI14

 

@FPilierePG: Cold doesn't seen to bother Touki Toussaint. 92-94, 95 in the first #nhsi

 

@NathanRode: RHP Touki Toussaint consistently 93-94 in first. Deep counts to first 2 hitters but backwards K finishes a perfect inning. #mlbdraft #NHSI14

 

@Clint_BA: Touki 92-94 mph in 1st w/ glove side run. One BB at 74. 1 SO

 

@kileymcd: Vandy commit RHP Touki Toussaint sat 93-94 with heavy life and some of the better command I've seen from him in the first.

 

@kileymcd: Touki's curveball just literally made some scouts say uhhh. I did them a favor and punctuated it with a nananana.
imb MVP

imb

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
got ahead of that guy then was nowhere near the zone the next three pitches for a 3-2 walk.

 

what guy

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
The North Side Baseball Caretaker Fund
The North Side Baseball Caretaker Fund

You all care about this site. The next step is caring for it. We’re asking you to caretake this site so it can remain the premier Cubs community on the internet. Included with caretaking is ad-free browsing of North Side Baseball.

Become a Caretaker

  • Member Statistics

    6,796
    Total Members
    13,056
    Most Online
    MushroomTaco
    Newest Member
    MushroomTaco
    Joined
×
×
  • Create New...