2014 Draft Discussion

[jersey cubs fan]

I think this pick will send strong messages about how soon we are looking to be competitive.

I don't think that is even the least bit true.

Edited June 4, 2014 by jersey cubs fan

[Cubswin11]

I think this pick will send strong messages about how soon we are looking to be competitive.

I don't that is even the least bit true.

Yeah looking at what they have done in the past I don't know how you conclude anything less than they are picking who they feel the best player available is regardless if he plays a position of strength or weakness and/or if that guy projects to be up in 1 year or 3 years+.

[neely crenshaw]

I guess it's just my worry.

Some of that stems from the Shark situation. I think he will be traded, and not for any pitching that is near ready to be an ace.

So looking at that, if do not try to draft one here, I don't see how we can buy or trade for 1. Which leaves us with a huge hole to fill and no one even close to being there.

 

Now we have done a nice job of finding arms, but we have also had the luxury of already having Shark, Garza, Dempster and now Wood, so we only had to patch together the back end. If we deal Hammel and Samardzija, We are looking at Arrieta as potentially our best, and then Wood who has slipped a bit, then Jackson, Mcdonald, Hendricks or Villanueva. Not exactly awe inspiring.

 

It's probably just my Cubs fan negativity showing up, but I don't like the idea of HS position player being added at #4. No matter the comparisons Jackson is not Harper. Harper already left HS early, played a year at a top Juco, and hit like 30 bombs using a wood bat there. Not saying he won't be as good, I'm just saying he is not coming to Wrigley anywhere near as soon as Harper made it to Washington.

[davell]

You're wanting something that's not even a possibility.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's probably just my Cubs fan negativity showing up, but I don't like the idea of HS position player being added at #4. No matter the comparisons Jackson is not Harper. Harper already left HS early, played a year at a top Juco, and hit like 30 bombs using a wood bat there. Not saying he won't be as good, I'm just saying he is not coming to Wrigley anywhere near as soon as Harper made it to Washington.

 

So Jackson is, or is not, Harper?

[RynoRules]

I've seen Conforto mocked to the Cubs in a few different places now. Does this strike the resident draft experts as a cost-saving move if that's how it goes down?

[jersey cubs fan]

I've seen Conforto mocked to the Cubs in a few different places now. Does this strike the resident draft experts as a cost-saving move if that's how it goes down?

 

as a non-expert it strikes me as a way to underslot and then overslot later. Under the old system it would be a cost cutting move that many loser teams got ridiculed for.

[Guest]

@JonHeymanCBS: indiana u. c-of Kyle Schwarber moving up boards. cubs at 4 rox at 7 could target. will go in 1st half of 1st round.

[Guest]

I've seen Conforto mocked to the Cubs in a few different places now. Does this strike the resident draft experts as a cost-saving move if that's how it goes down?

 

as a non-expert it strikes me as a way to underslot and then overslot later. Under the old system it would be a cost cutting move that many loser teams got ridiculed for.

 

That's the way I see it too. Ditto for Pentecost, though I think he might be more costly. Normally I am not a fan of underslotting to spread out dollars for later overslots but I don't mind it as much this year since there seems to be a decided gap between the top couple of prospects and the next tier and everyone seems to be ranking the players in the next tier differently. I'll take the safer bat like Conforto (or Schwarber) over the high risk, high ceiling arm like Kolek.

[toonsterwu]

I'm just skimming, but neely, one could argue that this might be a great year to wait on pitching. There's so many arms with, particularly college arms, with ... intriguing potential ... who have questions, for one reason or another, so if scouting, something Theo and Jed have emphasized as being critical now, is on the money, they should be able to find some good arms after the first (perhaps moreso last year ... I'm still not really enthused with the crop of arms we added from 2013, much as I try to talk myself into liking it). The thing is, with that high of a pick in the first, much as I want pitching, you simply have to take the best talent available as it fits your draft strategy, and it's somewhat debatable if that arm is there to justify the move. I really wanted Gray last year, and I think there was a case for it, but there's simply a lot more flaws with the pitchers on the board, particularly if Aiken/Rodon are off when we pick.

 

It's a tough call, and ... I'm not sure what the right answer for the pick would be, but it'll be fun to see how the decision this brain trust makes and to look back in a few years and see how it pans out. It's the sort of draft where, I feel like, in the immediate reaction afterwards, it's going to be awfully hard to harshly critique the brain trust, as it's just a ... mishmash of talent in some respects (while I'm not enthused about Kolek ... if for some odd reason, they went that route, I'd be somewhat intrigued). It's strange, a year ago, the idea of Rodon/Trea Turner and others had this draft looking strong, and a year later, it's really tamped down. I just hope this is more 2011 McLeod than 2010 McLeod (I'll excuse the Spangenberg pick for the Padres that year, as that was a pick as a result of not signing Whitson ... I don't think anyone would even claim that Spangenberg was a top 10 talent that year, much as the Padres tried to sell it.) Find us a Wisler, and I'll be happy (granted, he's scuffling in AAA right now).

Edited June 4, 2014 by toonsterwu

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

28. Bukauskas - He asked teams not to be drafted and has said all along the reason he re-classified from the 2015 class was to get to UNC quicker, so teams believe he's truly unsignable at any number and thus he may go undrafted through all 40 rounds despite 1st round talent

 

Let's draft this guy so we can get two top 5 picks next year.

[Bruno7481]

@JonHeymanCBS: indiana u. c-of Kyle Schwarber moving up boards. cubs at 4 rox at 7 could target. will go in 1st half of 1st round.

 

That would be interesting. If the Cubs are focusing on cornering the market on power, that would make sense. He is more than just a power hitter though, very good approach.

 

Defensive position is always the question mark. I have seen him play often and he is a lot more athletic than you might think. He's a competent runner, but none of that guarantees him to stick at catcher.

[Guest]

@JonHeymanCBS: indiana u. c-of Kyle Schwarber moving up boards. cubs at 4 rox at 7 could target. will go in 1st half of 1st round.

 

That would be interesting. If the Cubs are focusing on cornering the market on power, that would make sense. He is more than just a power hitter though, very good approach.

 

Defensive position is always the question mark. I have seen him play often and he is a lot more athletic than you might think. He's a competent runner, but none of that guarantees him to stick at catcher.

 

With the way this organization values defense, he just won't stick at C. If he can play a competent COF (has the arm for RF, obviously, but the range for either COF position?), I'd rather have his bat than Conforto's.

[Bruno7481]

He played some LF this year for Indiana at times. I am sure it would be an adjustment, but like you said, the bat is very impressive. I'm inclined to say taking him at #4 might be a bit high, but if you believe in the bat and can save a little $ to use later on I think it makes a lot of sense.

[neely crenshaw]

It's probably just my Cubs fan negativity showing up, but I don't like the idea of HS position player being added at #4. No matter the comparisons Jackson is not Harper. Harper already left HS early, played a year at a top Juco, and hit like 30 bombs using a wood bat there. Not saying he won't be as good, I'm just saying he is not coming to Wrigley anywhere near as soon as Harper made it to Washington.

 

So Jackson is, or is not, Harper?

 

He is being compared to Harper because of being a good offensive- athletic catcher, who is also likely switching to OF. I think people see that comparison and think he'll be ready just as soon. Jackson may end up being just as good long term, he just won't be here anytime soon.

I am not against him as a player for our organization, I just am hoping we don't use this draft spot on a kid who might not be here until 2019 or 2020 unless it's a potential TOR arm (because we have to develop our own pitching sooner or later).

Looking back at drafts most of the college pitchers from the top of the draft of 2010 and 2011 are in the bigs or at least knocking on the door, a lot of the HS kids are still in high A ball 3 and 4 years later.

I guess I'm hoping for some help we might see soon, like Bryant from last year. Right now there isn't much else to hope for.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's probably just my Cubs fan negativity showing up, but I don't like the idea of HS position player being added at #4. No matter the comparisons Jackson is not Harper. Harper already left HS early, played a year at a top Juco, and hit like 30 bombs using a wood bat there. Not saying he won't be as good, I'm just saying he is not coming to Wrigley anywhere near as soon as Harper made it to Washington.

 

So Jackson is, or is not, Harper?

 

He is being compared to Harper because of being a good offensive- athletic catcher, who is also likely switching to OF. I think people see that comparison and think he'll be ready just as soon.

 

Where are you getting this from?

[RammyFanny]

I think this pick will send strong messages about how soon we are looking to be competitive.

These early picks are also some of our biggest trade chips. Pick BPA, and by next June you might talk about this pick being one of the main chips for Stanton or some other attractive trade target.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

his butt. No one on the planet has made any comparisons to Harper.

[Tryptamine]

If Theoyer is nearly certain that Schwarber can stick as a COF then he easily becomes my favorite underslot option. College bat with a giant ceiling, yes please.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

if his bat is that good then just draft him unless he's going to be adam dunn-level bad in the OF.

[Guest]

his butt. No one on the planet has made any comparisons to Harper.

There was an article posted that specifically referenced Harper. However, it was talking about them being in a similar situation positionally rather than comparing them as prospects.

[Guest]

his butt. No one on the planet has made any comparisons to Harper.

There was an article posted that specifically referenced Harper. However, it was talking about them being in a similar situation positionally rather than comparing them as prospects.

 

Yes, Jackson has been compared to Harper and Wil Myers specifically with regards to catching vs playing OF, the latter saving his body and speeding up the time it will take him to get to the big leagues.

 

I can't kmagine anyone is taking that to mean Jackson is on Harper's level, if he were, the Astros would have locked in on him at 1.1.

[Tryptamine]

Marlin-

Yes I think Schwarber is definitely in the mix if Rodon/Aiken are gone. They want and the organization needs a left handed bat bad. Obviously Conforto is right there as well.

[sliceofpie]

I love the draft and the anticipation but it feels like this years crop is underwhelming and the fact that we are thinking about taking a guy to save money is disappointing. Apparently we are losing at the big league level to get top picks...and it has worked out with Bryant. But "tanking" to end up with guys like Pentecost, Conforto, and Schwarber isnt exciting

[Bruno7481]

Kiley McDaniel also hearing Schwarber buzz

 

From Twitter:

 

"The Cubs at 4 are still the biggest mystery for tomorrow morning's final mock draft. Now I'm hearing Kyle Schwarber is in their mix, too."