2014 Draft Discussion

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I like nice safe college guys who are almost certainly going to provide some value. But I hate all the squeeing that fans will do over getting a catcher to fill in our 2019 All-Prospect Lineups.

[RammyFanny]

Ok, I'm a bit more interested if he's doing this around pitch 110.

 

@aaronfitt: Aaron Nola still pounding 93-94 in the 8th inning. I mean, what more do you want? Plenty firm, and he holds it. #mlbdraft #lsubaseball

 

Still want a hitter, of course.

Aaron Fitt ‏@aaronfitt 17h

 

#LSU wins 7-2. Aaron Nola was a treat to watch. I'm all-in on that guy as a prospect; I reached the same point with Kris Bryant last year.

[imb]

I like nice safe college guys who are almost certainly going to provide some value. But I hate all the squeeing that fans will do over getting a catcher to fill in our 2019 All-Prospect Lineups.

 

I dont like drafting a catcher, because the odds that a college catcher you draft in the first round is worth a [expletive] any time in the next 10 years are lower than the odds that some fat international player you sign for scraps ends up being acceptable to good for a few years, a la soto or castillo.

[jersey cubs fan]

I like nice safe college guys who are almost certainly going to provide some value. But I hate all the squeeing that fans will do over getting a catcher to fill in our 2019 All-Prospect Lineups.

 

I dont like drafting a catcher, because the odds that a college catcher you draft in the first round is worth a [expletive] any time in the next 10 years are lower than the odds that some fat international player you sign for scraps ends up being acceptable to good for a few years, a la soto or castillo.

 

Are college catchers a problem?

[Guest]

I like nice safe college guys who are almost certainly going to provide some value. But I hate all the squeeing that fans will do over getting a catcher to fill in our 2019 All-Prospect Lineups.

 

I dont like drafting a catcher, because the odds that a college catcher you draft in the first round is worth a [expletive] any time in the next 10 years are lower than the odds that some fat international player you sign for scraps ends up being acceptable to good for a few years, a la soto or castillo.

 

Are college catchers a problem?

 

Yeah I hadn't heard that

 

and I'm not sure the fat international being decent thing isn't just some bias based on those guys he mentioned...that might be a thing though, who knows.

[Guest]

I like nice safe college guys who are almost certainly going to provide some value. But I hate all the squeeing that fans will do over getting a catcher to fill in our 2019 All-Prospect Lineups.

 

I dont like drafting a catcher, because the odds that a college catcher you draft in the first round is worth a [expletive] any time in the next 10 years are lower than the odds that some fat international player you sign for scraps ends up being acceptable to good for a few years, a la soto or castillo.

 

Soto was drafted. Out of HS, but still.

[Guest]

I like nice safe college guys who are almost certainly going to provide some value. But I hate all the squeeing that fans will do over getting a catcher to fill in our 2019 All-Prospect Lineups.

 

I dont like drafting a catcher, because the odds that a college catcher you draft in the first round is worth a [expletive] any time in the next 10 years are lower than the odds that some fat international player you sign for scraps ends up being acceptable to good for a few years, a la soto or castillo.

 

Soto was drafted. Out of HS, but still.

 

That's right. He's Puerto Rican.

[jersey cubs fan]

That's right. He's Puerto Rican.

 

What are Puerto Ricans, Mexican? (true quote)

[RammyFanny]

Yeah, i'm pretty sure the awful track record is with prep catchers, not necessarily college, although i'm sure there's your typical misses there as well.

[Guest]

Jim Callis has the best track record amongst the draft prognosticators. His first mock: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/mock-draft-astros-might-take-prep-pitcher-aiken-no-1?ymd=20140523&content_id=76511650&vkey=news_mlb

 

1. Astros: Brady Aiken, LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (San Diego)

Houston likely will choose between the top three pitchers and Jackson, and is believed to prefer the two left-handers. The Astros may save money versus the $7,922,100 assigned pick value to spend later in the Draft but won't compromise on talent at No. 1.

 

2. Marlins: Alex Jackson, C/OF, Rancho Bernardo HS (San Diego)

Miami is looking at the same players as Houston, with talk that ownership could dictate a Rodon selection. Recent word has senior club officials enamored with Jackson, the best bat and position player available.

 

3. White Sox: Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

Chicago almost certainly will take a pitcher, with a preference for college arms and Rodon No. 1 on its list. If Rodon is gone, the White Sox could pass on Aiken and Kolek and opt for Louisiana State right-hander Aaron Nola.

 

4. Cubs: Nick Gordon, SS, Olympia HS (Orlando, Fla.)

Though Chicago needs and wants pitching, it could spend a top-10 choice on a position player for the fourth straight year. If Aiken and Rodon aren't available, there's a growing sense that the Cubs would pass on Kolek in favor of Gordon or Jackson. A healthy Hoffman would have been the obvious choice here, and if Chicago doesn't see an obvious fit, it could cut a deal with Kennesaw State catcher Max Pentecost and save money to spend elsewhere.

[davell]

I'm trying to remember.....Just about everyone had us with Almora and Bryant, right? Our guys aren't known for smoke screens in the 1st at all, correct?

[jersey cubs fan]

Gordon doesn't hit, right? A high school SS that is not a big hitter is not the least bit exciting to me.

[Guest]

I'm trying to remember.....Just about everyone had us with Almora and Bryant, right? Our guys aren't known for smoke screens in the 1st at all, correct?

 

Bryant picked up steam as a rumor at the end but I wouldn't say there was anything even close to a consensus on that.

 

Leading up to it, at first it just looked like Appel and Gray were in play. Then Bryant snuck into the mix as we got closer.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Ugh, I'll vomit if we pick Gordon. Especially over Kolek or even Nola. Edited May 23, 2014 by Tangled Up in Plaid

[Guest]

I'm trying to remember.....Just about everyone had us with Almora and Bryant, right? Our guys aren't known for smoke screens in the 1st at all, correct?

 

Everyone had Almora but last year, the predictions were all over the place between Appel, Bryant and Gray.

[Gilby]

I wasn't huge on the idea at first, but I've really warmed up to Nola.

 

Also, if I remember right, it was either Theo or Jed who said they weren't thrilled that everyone knew they were picking Almora so they'd try to hide their intentions a little better in the future.

[Guest]

Gordon doesn't hit, right? A high school SS that is not a big hitter is not the least bit exciting to me.

 

BA:

 

Nick Gordon, Olympia HS, Orlando

 

Gordon is talented enough that he could have followed in his father Tom’s footsteps as a pitcher or his brother Dee’s footsteps as a shortstop. The quality of this year’s draft class is held back by the dearth of up-the-middle position players, so Gordon, who is the consensus best middle-of-the-diamond player, looks like he will go in the top 10 picks. Gordon has potential to be a rare lefthanded-hitting domestic shortstop who contributes offensively and defensively. He added more than 10 pounds to his wiry 6-foot, 180-pound build over the offseason and this additional strength helped in many facets of his game. Gordon has a chance to be an above-average hitter with a loose, quick stroke that works inside the ball. He has strong bat-to-ball skills, and while he has more doubles power presently, scouts believe he could also have at least average power down the road once he learns to pull the ball, and maybe even above-average. Opinions on his defense differ, ranging from average to well above-average. He has soft hands, easy actions and natural instincts for the position. Gordon has the best arm in the high school class and it is at least plus. Despite being a plus runner in the 60, Gordon’s speed plays closer to average out of the box. Scouts have conviction about Gordon’s makeup, which is among the best in the draft, and say he has top-of-charts instincts. Gordon also has a solid backup option as a pitcher who can run his fastball up to 94 with an above-average curveball.

[Guest]

@jimcallisMLB 13m

Guy who falls. Fedde? Blewett? Promise Hoffman big $? @mqmoody: If the @Cubs DO go Pentecost, who are they targeting in Round 2? #mlbdraft

 

@jimcallisMLB 13m

Still think that's a backup plan. They want to fall in love with someone at 4. @Jon_Theuer: Odds @Cubs end up with Pentecost? #mlbdraft

 

@jimcallisMLB 5m

Wouldn't say don't like him, just don't seem to be on him at 4. @Tvbona: Interesting. Why do the @Cubs not like Kolek? #mlbdraft

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Shortstop, left-handed Almora

[jersey cubs fan]

Gordon has potential to be a rare lefthanded-hitting domestic shortstop who contributes offensively and defensively.

 

Were they that desperate to hit a word quota that they had to comment on how many LH hitting shortstops are from the US versus abroad?

[jersey cubs fan]

I just read another one that was pretty similar, but talked about the potential for him not sticking at shortstop.

 

 

 

Do guys generally "learn" to pull the ball if they can't do it in high school?

[Guest]

@jimcallisMLB 5m

Very comparable at same stage of career. @SUMOPDX: @MLBDraft Jackson's power and hit tool compared to Kris Bryant?

[Guest]

@jimcallisMLB 5m

Very comparable at same stage of career. @SUMOPDX: @MLBDraft Jackson's power and hit tool compared to Kris Bryant?

 

But Bryant was an 18th rounder at that stage of his career, so how the [expletive] are they very comparable?

[A New Era]

I think I'd be fine with any one of Jackson, Gordon, Pentecost, or Nola. And of course Aiken if he dropped.

[davell]

@jimcallisMLB 5m

Very comparable at same stage of career. @SUMOPDX: @MLBDraft Jackson's power and hit tool compared to Kris Bryant?

 

But Bryant was an 18th rounder at that stage of his career, so how the [expletive] are they very comparable?

 

No. He was a 1st rounder that fell strictly due to an extremely strong commitment. Toronto offered him 3 mill and he still went to school.