2014 Draft Discussion

[Guest]

Patrick Mooney[/url]"]• The Houston Astros play things close to the vest, but Brady Aiken could become the first prep pitcher to go No. 1 overall since 1991. It’s difficult to envision a scenario in which the 17-year-old lefty from San Diego’s Cathedral Catholic High School is still there for the Cubs.

 

• Depending on how the dominos fall, the Cubs could get a shot at Carlos Rodon, especially if the Miami Marlins pass on the North Carolina State lefty at No. 2. Rodon probably would have been the consensus No. 1 overall pick before the season started, but could slip amid questions about his workload and consistency.

 

• Tyler Kolek might be the most talented player in the draft, as well as the biggest risk up top. The Cubs appear to be backing away, given the history of high school pitchers. Kerry Wood could have seen his mirror image in Texas while scouting the 6-foot-5 right-hander with 100 mph heat. Kolek might not fall past the White Sox at No. 3 anyway.

 

• Oregon State outfielder Michael Conforto is in the mix as a left-handed hitter who got on base more than 50 percent of the time this season. The Pac-12’s two-time player of the year is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, college baseball’s Heisman Trophy.

 

• There’s a growing sense the Cubs could have a “mystery player” on their radar: Kyle Schwarber. A CBSSports.com mock draft first identified them taking the Indiana catcher/outfielder, who might be the most powerful college bat in this draft class. It’s harder to see Schwarber, who’s listed at 6-foot-0, 240 pounds, sticking behind the plate, but the left-handed hitter has definitely emerged as an option.

 

• Nick Gordon comes out of Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla., fitting the profile as an athletic, up-the-middle player with great bloodlines. His father, Tom/Flash, lasted 20-plus years in the big leagues and his half brother, Dee, plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

• Max Pentecost would have to be a “conviction pick.” The Kennesaw State catcher has a strong defensive foundation, a low-maintenance style that should work on the next level. This would address the farm system’s biggest weakness, but his bat might not justify going fourth overall.

 

• The Cubs have mixed feelings about LSU’s Aaron Nola, recognizing the two-time SEC pitcher of the year is a winner who could be on a fast track. But a 6-foot-1, 196-pound frame and the three-quarter arm slot create concerns about how he would carry 200 innings, making him an awkward fit with the organization’s philosophy.

 

• Despite media speculation, the Cubs don’t appear to be in on Alex Jackson, who’s been loosely linked to the Marlins if they don’t take a pitcher. There are questions about where the catcher/outfielder would play once he leaves Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego.

 

• North Carolina State leadoff guy Trea Turner has been on the fringes of the conversation, but there are doubts he will stick at shortstop and it’s a stretch to think the Cubs would actually take him at No. 4.

[ScrubMD]

Pentecost, Gordon or Nola. I am ok with any of these 3 guys. I refuse to believe that tweet that lumped Conforto and Gordon together. Gordon easy by far in that scenario.

 

I know you don't draft at #4 based on need, but with our depth at middle infield, I really hate the idea of drafting someone who might not be able to hit. I love the idea of being able to add Schwarber/Conforto/Pentecost to a 2016 lineup that already includes Rizzo, Castro, Bryant, Baez, Soler. I would be an awful scout/general manager.

[jersey cubs fan]

Pentecost, Gordon or Nola. I am ok with any of these 3 guys. I refuse to believe that tweet that lumped Conforto and Gordon together. Gordon easy by far in that scenario.

 

I know you don't draft at #4 based on need, but with our depth at middle infield, I really hate the idea of drafting someone who might not be able to hit. I love the idea of being able to add Schwarber/Conforto/Pentecost to a 2016 lineup that already includes Rizzo, Castro, Bryant, Baez, Soler. I would be an awful scout/general manager.

Don't care about the organizational depth, the lack of hitting is bothersome.

[Guest]

The infield/middle infield depth is mostly at high levels though, so if you think Gordon will hit, you aren't really adding to the logjam since Penalver(mediocre/bad at Kane Cty) and Torres(never played a pro game, Boise-bound at best) are the only ones at lower levels, and as a HS pick Gordon will not be on the fast track.

[The-Kris-Bryant]

Im gonna go with the top five being

 

1. Aiken

2. Jackson

3. Rodon

4. Pentecost

5. Kolek

[Guest]

@keithlaw: Might go 7 or 8 rather than top 3. “@Strike4YourOut: @keithlaw can you explain what's going on with Kolek?”

[StarlinOnYou]

Gordon seems like he would be the best trade bait a year or two from now.

 

I'd love Gordon. Premium position who is a lock to be a + defender.

[Guest]

i think i kind of want conforto

[CuseCubFan69]

Are the Cubs looking at any HS pitchers in the first or second round? Just curious because I have a player (Scott Blewitt) that could be a possible that I coached and hell it would be more of a dream for me than him if he got picked by the Cubs! Any thoughts about Scoot from you draft gurus here?

[bukie]

I've been all in on Rodon since the start of the year, and things have just about lined up perfectly for the situation where he's there for the Cubs, so go on that scenario.

 

EDIT: My top 4 choices: Rodon, Aiken, Jackson, Kolek

[Deeg]

Are the Cubs looking at any HS pitchers in the first or second round? Just curious because I have a player (Scott Blewitt) that could be a possible that I coached and hell it would be more of a dream for me than him if he got picked by the Cubs! Any thoughts about Scoot from you draft gurus here?

 

Don't know that much about him personally, except the usual "low 90s fastball" you hear about 90% of HS pitching prospects this time of year. MLB.com has him listed at #55 FWIW, so he could go in the second round quite easily.

Edited June 5, 2014 by Deeg

[CuseCubFan69]

Are the Cubs looking at any HS pitchers in the first or second round? Just curious because I have a player (Scott Blewitt) that could be a possible that I coached and hell it would be more of a dream for me than him if he got picked by the Cubs! Any thoughts about Scott from you draft gurus here?

 

Don't know that much about him personally, except the usually "low 90s fastball" you hear about 90% of HS pitching prospects this time of year. MLB.com has him listed at #55 FWIW, so he could go in the second round quite easily.

 

Thanks Deeg.....they project him going around there here as well and he does hit the mid 90's plus the frame to add a few feet on it as he matures. Great kid as well.

[Guest]

Are the Cubs looking at any HS pitchers in the first or second round? Just curious because I have a player (Scott Blewitt) that could be a possible that I coached and hell it would be more of a dream for me than him if he got picked by the Cubs! Any thoughts about Scoot from you draft gurus here?

 

Probably not in the first but in the second, yeah, the Cubs will probably be looking at HS P. I wouldn't be shocked if they were interested in Blewitt at pick 45 and it does sound like he could still be available then.

[CuseCubFan69]

Are the Cubs looking at any HS pitchers in the first or second round? Just curious because I have a player (Scott Blewitt) that could be a possible that I coached and hell it would be more of a dream for me than him if he got picked by the Cubs! Any thoughts about Scoot from you draft gurus here?

 

Probably not in the first but in the second, yeah, the Cubs will probably be looking at HS P. I wouldn't be shocked if they were interested in Blewitt at pick 45 and it does sound like he could still be available then.

 

Thanks Raisin and I hope all is well!

 

That's what I figured where he'd go if it were the Cubs since he would not be a top 5 pick. He'd be the highest pick from Baldwinsville since Jason Grilli.

[Fro]

Why are people now putting Schwarber on their personal top list. Is it only because our FO is rumored in on him? Someone sell me on this guy. So he's a very very bad defender. It's kinda like getting a college Vogelbach or is he just that much better of a hitter? For me to be comfortable with him (on top of severe underslot) he just has to be an insanely good hitter. I mean like low KO and high BB guy with great bat speed, high contact rate, insane power, all that stuff. In other words, he has to be a waaaaay better hitter than Vogelbach.

 

Is he?

First off, he is way more athletic than Vogelbach.

 

He has the best left handed power in the draft and is the best college power bat in the draft period.

 

He has an advanced approach and good hit tool.

 

 

What turned me on him as hearing that he may have a slim chance to stick behind the plate, but should be okay in LF (though never great) through his prime years.

 

Yeah, again I'm biased as an Indiana grad but I think the floor for Schwarber is he's an avg cost-controlled LF who can be a serviceable emergency 3rd catcher.

 

If he sticks at C he could be an all-star there with his bat. He's said his favorite player is Joey Vottoand he's got the same type of approach at the plate.... really the prototypical approach Theo/Hoyer like to look for in guys.

 

Very good character and a leader. Indiana's baseball program was a joke before he came here and he's been a huge part of that turnaround. Given his experience in Bloomington with that being a huge college party town, I don't think he's going to freak out at the Lakeview bar scene. I think those intangibles are what may push him above some of the other college bats we're looking at.

[mike2482]

Is A.J. Reed from Kentucky in this draft or next year. He is from my hometown, and he has been awesome as a pitcher and a hitter this year. Where do you think he would go (this year or next)?

[Guest]

Is A.J. Reed from Kentucky in this draft or next year. He is from my hometown, and he has been awesome as a pitcher and a hitter this year. Where do you think he would go (this year or next)?

 

He's in this year's draft and is expected to go in the second round (as a position player).

[wekim81]

Lets spend our 4th overall pick on another Darwin Barney!

[Guest]

John Manuel has the Cubs picking Michael Conforto with Alex Jackson and Nick Gordon still available in the final BA mock draft: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mock-draft-5-0-aiken-looks-like-no-1/

 

1. ASTROS: The Astros were floating deals to players such as North Carolina State lefty Carlos Rodon, Louisiana State’s Aaron Nola and Orlando prep shortstop Nick Gordon. One scouting source in the top 10 believed both San Diego prep players, Aiken and Rancho Bernardo’s Alex Jackson, were falling to the back of the top 10 due to signability questions. While that rumor had yet to be corroborated, the more conventional wisdom was that the Astros were sleeping on it and were going to spend Thursday working the phones for deals but would end up back at Aiken.

Projected Pick: LHP Brady Aiken

 

2. MARLINS: While the scouting department favors preps such as Jackson, the Marlins are believed to be interested in cutting a deal at No. 2 with the top Cuban-American on the board, who also happens to be the top college pitcher in the draft. This spot would make Carlos Rodon, who was born in Miami, and his family very happy.

Projected Pick: LHP Carlos Rodon

 

3. WHITE SOX: The White Sox are believed to be deciding between Texas prep righty Tyler Kolek and Nola, who would be a fast-moving righthanded complement to ace Chris Sale. Past Sox selections indicate a preference for college arms such as Nola, but Kolek is the kind of player who breaks molds.

Projected Pick: RHP Tyler Kolek

 

4. CUBS: This may be where the draft really starts. The Cubs want Aiken or Rodon to fall to them, and in a different draft system, they could make it happen with a giant bonus promise. In this system, they might be reduced to seeing who’ll take a cost-saving bonus at No. 4 that would allow them to pay above-slot bonuses later to high-ceiling high school pitchers such as Jack Flaherty, Michael Kopech or Joey Gatto. If Nick Gordon will take a haircut, he makes more sense than the college bats in the mix such as Michael Conforto and Kyle Schwarber. But Gordon would likely fall only one spot, while Conforto and Schwarber won’t go higher than eight if they don’t go at four.

Projected Pick: OF Michael Conforto

[Guest]

@jessespector: Draft day, when you can moan about your team getting a guy you’ve never seen play baseball instead of a guy you’ve never seen play baseball.

[Guest]

The final Perfect Game/Baseball Prospectus mock has the Cubs taking Nick Gordon, after Aiken, Rodon and Kolek go 1-2-3:

 

NICK GORDON - SS - Olympia (Fla.) HS

In an ideal world, the Cubs would have a chance to take either Aiken or Rodon, and they may have a chance at Rodon should the Marlins select Alex Jackson. Recent word indicates that they've focused their attention on Nick Gordon, which may indicate they know how the top of the draft is going to shake out.

[UK1679666180]

My fav. day of the year. Didn't do as much as I'd like with the weather. Cant wait to see where Skoug goes, hopefully with the Cubs in the 3rd, tomorrow.

[Guest]

Gordon seems more like a Hendry type pick to me.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Gordon seems more like a Hendry type pick to me.

 

So did Almora.

[Guest]

Gordon seems more like a Hendry type pick to me.

I'm curious why you would say that.