2014 Draft Discussion

[Guest]

Conforto just feels like Markakis to me. No thanks.

 

I'm on board with Schwarber I think. Him or Nola if Rodon/Aiken are gone.

[Guest]

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

 

This year's crop is underwhelming. No one in this year's draft would be taken ahead of last year's top three.

 

Taking a guy to save money is actually a great strategy in this year's draft since most people rate guys from 4-25 very evenly but in different orders. Take the savings in round 1 and use it on the draft's one strength, high ceiling pitching with late round 1-round 2 grades.

[HendryWallet]

My guy still thinks we are definitely in on Jackson. Notes on schwarber--Everything the cubs need: Professional approach, Elite power from left side, ability to work counts, good make up..only thing that hurts him is no certain position. If they take him will most likely start him out at catcher for this year

[Guest]

Kiley McDaniel:

 

20. Kyle Schwarber, C/1B, Indiana

6'0/240, L/R, 21.25 on Draft Day

Hit: 55/50, Power: 65/70, Run: 40/40, Field: 45/45, Throw: 50/50

Scouting Report: Schwarber put on a power display this summer, hitting balls well up the batter's eye greenery in AAA Durham's park and forcing the Chatham Fire Department to close it's garage doors for the first time due to his mammoth BP shows on the Cape. He's got legit 30 home run power and has the approach and looseness at the plate to be a 50 bat or better and get to that power in games. He isn't a great runner but is a solid athlete for his size, as a D1 middle linebacking prospect in high school. Schwarber catches a lot right now and is fringy back there with an average arm, but makes the most of his tools and is good enough to catch once a week in the big leagues, enhancing his positional value and versatility for the club.

Take A Step Back: The best power in the draft comes from the left side, with enough bat to get to it in games, a track record of production and some defensive value as well. The upside isn't enormous and you'll have to monitor the body, but this is an easy prospect to like.

Projected Role: Above Average Regular, 55 FV

[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

 

This year's crop is underwhelming. No one in this year's draft would be taken ahead of last year's top three.

 

why wouldn't we take best available at 4?

[jersey cubs fan]

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

 

This year's crop is underwhelming. No one in this year's draft would be taken ahead of last year's top three.

 

why wouldn't we take best available at 4?

 

Because best available at 4 may only be incrementally better than 24 but will cost a hell of a lot more than 24. Under the new system it may be more useful to take the cheaper guy.

[HendryWallet]

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

 

This year's crop is underwhelming. No one in this year's draft would be taken ahead of last year's top three.

 

why wouldn't we take best available at 4?

 

As you said the top of draft is underwhelming. Taking a solid guy that comes in under slot will save you money to get more quality players later in the draft.

[RammyFanny]

Bystro:

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.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Taking Schwarber could be a prelude to a Rizzo trade at the deadline.

[Guest]

BA on Schwarber:

 

Recruited by some Big 10 Conference schools to play middle linebacker, Schwarber instead brought his fierce physicality and power to the middle of the diamond, anchoring Indiana’s lineup for the last three seasons. His 18 homers in 2013 ranked third in the country and helped the Hoosiers become the first Big Ten team to reach the College World Series since 1984. Listed at 6-feet, 240 pounds, Schwarber has made considerable improvement defensively over the course of his Indiana career, carrying over some hard-learned lessons when he struggled handling velocity with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer. He still stabs and boxes too many balls, and a long transfer can sabotage his solid-average arm strength, but he’s thrown out 33 percent of basestealers this season after nabbing just 19 percent in 2013. His leadership qualities have been evident with the Hoosiers and he has a strong, durable body for catching, but he’ll never be more than a fringe-average defender. Schwarber fits in the first round for his bat. He’s a smart hitter who studies pitchers and has tremendous strength to punish pitches to all fields. He’s thick and could be quicker on pitches inside with a trimmer physique. He’s a better athlete than he looks and is even a fringy runner with the aggressiveness to have stolen eight bases this spring, second on Indiana’s team. His athleticism gives him a chance to shift to left field if catching doesn’t work out.

[Tryptamine]

Taking Schwarber could be a prelude to a Rizzo trade at the deadline.

 

The haul would have to be enormous and near major league ready for me not to be pissed off.

[davell]

Taking Schwarber could be a prelude to a Rizzo trade at the deadline.

 

The haul would have to be enormous and near major league ready for me not to be pissed off.

 

Even Kyle was kidding there.

[weis21]

If not Aiken or Rodon, I think Schwarber has moved to the top of my list. I'd be happy with Pentecost, too, assuming he takes a little under slot.

[Tryptamine]

Taking Schwarber could be a prelude to a Rizzo trade at the deadline.

 

The haul would have to be enormous and near major league ready for me not to be pissed off.

 

Even Kyle was kidding there.

 

Too hard to tell. Half the time I think the doom bonering is a joke, but it turns out it's not.

[davell]

I'm hoping we're making life hell on the 3 teams above us. If we let Boras know we'll pay up for Rodon, he could help facilitate him falling to us. I can't see us outbidding Houston on him, their slot is too much. But the Marlins and White Sox could easily be scared off, in my opinion.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'm hoping we're making life hell on the 3 teams above us. If we let Boras know we'll pay up for Rodon, he could help facilitate him falling to us. I can't see us outbidding Houston on him, their slot is too much. But the Marlins and White Sox could easily be scared off, in my opinion.

 

Definitely this. Let it be known to top two or three guys on our board that we're willing to burn multiple picks worth of slots.

[Guest]

Conforto just feels like Markakis to me. No thanks.

 

I'm on board with Schwarber I think. Him or Nola if Rodon/Aiken are gone.

 

You say Markakis like it's a bad thing.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Taking Schwarber could be a prelude to a Rizzo trade at the deadline.

dear lord I hope this was a joke.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

what do people here think the likelihood actually is that Aiken or Rodon is actually available at 4? I say 0% for Aiken and maybe 20% for Rodon. assuming they're gone and reports are true that Cubs will not draft Jackson or Kolek, what's your board?

[jersey cubs fan]

Taking Schwarber could be a prelude to a Rizzo trade at the deadline.

dear lord I hope this was a joke.

 

Yeah, you have to trade Rizzo first, otherwise your trading partners will have you over a barrel.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Taking Schwarber could be a prelude to a Rizzo trade at the deadline.

dear lord I hope this was a joke.

 

Yeah, you have to trade Rizzo first, otherwise your trading partners will have you over a barrel.

 

That's a good thought, but I'm not sure Epstein and/or Hoyer will think of it.

[Guest]

what do people here think the likelihood actually is that Aiken or Rodon is actually available at 4? I say 0% for Aiken and maybe 20% for Rodon. assuming they're gone and reports are true that Cubs will not draft Jackson or Kolek, what's your board?

 

I'd definitely say there is a non-0% chance of Aiken at 4 (say, 1. Rodon, 2. Jackson, 3. Kolek) but it's probably lower than 5%. I think you're a bit too high on Rodon, maybe closer to 10%.

 

EDIT: Didn't notice the other part. Hopefully Jackson is high on their list. If he isn't, I'd go: 1. Gordon, 2. Conforto (definitely can play LF unlike Schwarber), 2. Schwarber, 3. Pentecost and 4. Zimmer.

[Guest]

what do people here think the likelihood actually is that Aiken or Rodon is actually available at 4? I say 0% for Aiken and maybe 20% for Rodon. assuming they're gone and reports are true that Cubs will not draft Jackson or Kolek, what's your board?

 

In order:

 

Whoever the FO likes best of Jackson/Schwarber/Conforto/Pentecost

2nd Best

3rd Best

No, seriously, take a hitter

Aiken

Kolek/Nola

Rodon/Freeland

 

 

To your specific question, I'd prefer Conforto with Schwarber as 1a, then Pentecost.

[Guest]

Honestly, I really hope we don't end up with Rodon. I'm terrified of his usage and shoulder history. Not to mention his lack of efficiency even at the college level. Too many games at 100 pitches in the sixth against inferior competition. Even if he's sitting there at #4 with promises of signing right away for slot, I'd still rather go with other options. There's probably at least 10 guys I'd pick before Rodon.

 

All that said, if we take him I'll smile and say a quick prayer each night to keep his arm attached.

[Guest]

Whoever the FO likes best of Jackson/Schwarber/Conforto/Pentecost

2nd Best

3rd Best

No, seriously, take a hitter

Aiken

Kolek

Rodon/Freeland

That is pretty close to my board, but I'd probably go like this right now with the top 4 being close to interchangeable:

 

Jackson

Schwarber

Pentecost

Conforto

 

Aiken

 

Nola

Freeland

 

Hoffman

Rodon

 

 

Really, I want to trade down to about #10 and get one of these guys plus whatever we could get for the move.