2014 Draft Discussion

[Cubswin11]

Would a Conforto/Schwarber even be in our top 10 prospects?

 

Definitely. There's a major drop off after the top 5.

Yeah I'd think either would come in ahead of Vogelbach, Villanueva, Candelario, etc.

 

None of those three are in my top 10 anymore and I'd take a guy like Conforto/Schwarber over Edwards, Johnson and Tseng (injury questions), Vizcaino (injury history/relief profile), Torres (no pro history) and Hendricks.

I was just saying those guys are all top 10 in our NSBB rankings and they'd definitely be ahead of those 3

[Guest]

rudeboy (Albany, NY)

Heard the Cubs were looking at Max Pentecost back in May, any chance they grab him at #4 well below slot and then pay over slot for a pitcher in the second round?

Klaw 1:30 PM ET

They were but I don't think he's their guy.

 

Kevin Rudd (Australia)

You mentioned Joey Gatto in your latest Mock but then you do not have him ranked in your Top 100, why the disconnect?

Klaw 1:52 PM ET

My rankings are my opinions on players (culled from seeing guys, watching video, talking to lots of scouts/execs). I see a guy who looks the part but doesn't have the command or feel and whose best pitch, the CB, comes and goes.

 

 

OptimisticKyle (Wrigleyville)

Would you approve of the Cubs picking Conforto, or is it a reach even as an underslot?

Klaw 1:57 PM ET

I approve, but it all depends on what they do afterwards.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Whatever happened to Derek Fisher?

[Guest]

Whatever happened to Derek Fisher?

 

Probably going in the 20s. Lost half his season to injury but is healthy and playing well now.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Conforto is definitely the possible pick that I know the least about. What's the scouting report on him? Does he have much power? How is his defense?

[Guest]

Navin (Pasadena, CA) [via mobile]

You mentioned the Cubs are the floor for Aiken. About how likely would it be he falls to 4?

Klaw 2:06 PM ET

20%.

 

Nick (Pittsburgh) [via mobile]

Rodon still have ace potential?

Klaw 2:07 PM ET

Yes. Needs some delivery help - might actually throw harder and certainly should command the fastball better. Got to lengthen him out.

[Fro]

ANDY: Jeff:

 

Saw a report last night that had Kyle projected at No. 4 to the Cubs (a fate I wouldn't wish on anybody)

 

Andy can go [expletive] his own face

 

lol, he's a huge Cardinals fan, so that jab at the Cubs doesn't surprise me.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Rodon looks like a linebacker who pitches.

[Cubswin11]

Would Nick Swisher be a decent comp for Conforto? Maybe a little less power?

[RammyFanny]

Here's to hoping Conforto becomes the next Choo at the plate if we take him.

 

Navin (Pasadena, CA) [via mobile]

You mentioned the Cubs are the floor for Aiken. About how likely would it be he falls to 4?

Klaw 2:06 PM ET

20%.

I'd take those odds at this point.

[HendryWallet]

Conforto is definitely the possible pick that I know the least about. What's the scouting report on him? Does he have much power? How is his defense?

 

Notes I got:

 

On base machine that lacks speed. Very nice pop from left side...gets hands started early. Gets pull happy sometimes. Can struggle inside with high velo. Defense is average at best but will stick in LF because of his bat. Could go quickly through minors

[KingCubsFan]

Conforto is definitely the possible pick that I know the least about. What's the scouting report on him? Does he have much power? How is his defense?

 

Notes I got:

 

On base machine that lacks speed. Very nice pop from left side...gets hands started early. Gets pull happy sometimes. Can struggle inside with high velo. Defense is average at best but will stick in LF because of his bat. Could go quickly through minors

A guy that gets on base a ton would be very useful to have in the system.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Conforto is definitely the possible pick that I know the least about. What's the scouting report on him? Does he have much power? How is his defense?

 

Notes I got:

 

On base machine that lacks speed. Very nice pop from left side...gets hands started early. Gets pull happy sometimes. Can struggle inside with high velo. Defense is average at best but will stick in LF because of his bat. Could go quickly through minors

A guy that gets on base a ton would be very useful to have in the system.

 

Thanks!

[Guest]

We kinda have one already.

[A New Era]

Conforto is definitely the possible pick that I know the least about. What's the scouting report on him? Does he have much power? How is his defense?

 

Notes I got:

 

On base machine that lacks speed. Very nice pop from left side...gets hands started early. Gets pull happy sometimes. Can struggle inside with high velo. Defense is average at best but will stick in LF because of his bat. Could go quickly through minors

 

Yuck. Why spent a precious #4 pick on someone like that? I'm sure there are good bat free agents that can only play LF we could sign to a reasonable contract. You gotta spend the 4 pick on someone like Kolek, Rodon, Gordon, etc. .

[Guest]

btw - a bit off topic, but Bryant has had four stops in the minors so far (> 10 PA) and has had isoP's of:

.338 - Boise

.386 - Daytona

.364 - AFL

.348 - Tenn

 

That's kinda nuts

[KingCubsFan]

We kinda have one already.

He's not human. That's like saying Mike Trout is a guy with some speed.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Conforto is definitely the possible pick that I know the least about. What's the scouting report on him? Does he have much power? How is his defense?

 

Notes I got:

 

On base machine that lacks speed. Very nice pop from left side...gets hands started early. Gets pull happy sometimes. Can struggle inside with high velo. Defense is average at best but will stick in LF because of his bat. Could go quickly through minors

 

Yuck. Why spent a precious #4 pick on someone like that? I'm sure there are good bat free agents that can only play LF we could sign to a reasonable contract. You gotta spend the 4 pick on someone like Kolek, Rodon, Gordon, etc. .

Would much rather have Conforto than Gordon.

[RammyFanny]

Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG 14m

 

Hearing a lot of buzz that #OregonState OF Michael Conforto will either go 4 to the #Cubs or 10 to the #NYMets. We’ll see. #MLBDraft

[Guest]

@jimcallisMLB: Looking forward to talking @WhiteSox, @Cubs & @MLBDraft w/@WaddleandSilvy on @ESPN1000 in Chicago at 3 pm CT.

[apete6]

Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG 14m

 

Hearing a lot of buzz that #OregonState OF Michael Conforto will either go 4 to the #Cubs or 10 to the #NYMets. We’ll see. #MLBDraft

 

They should dangle him over the field tonight in a cage and the winner gets him AND the other team's pick. Loser gets canceled Bernie Madoff checks and a landmark commission hearing. Might actually get decent attendance for that.

[Guest]

@TGold_PG: The Perfect Game #MLBDraft chat room is open for business, start getting those questions in now: http://t.co/U2WgsULkby

[Guest]

GrinnellSteve (Grinnell): I saw three different mock drafts this morning that had the top 3 the same and in the same order: Aiken, Rodon, and Kolek. Each of the three had a different player going to the Cubs? Are the Cubs that much of a wild card in this process? Or is there absolutely no consensus after the top 3 players and any team in the fourth spot would be sending out schizophrenic signals about several equal candidates?

 

Draft Day Chat with Nick J. Faleris: I'd argue there is no consensus anywhere, even if all the folks mocking seem to be reaching the same conclusions. To me, there are three elite talents, but the fall-off to that second tier is small enough that, depending on the opportunities you have later in the draft (where you picks are located) you could make a case for seven or so guys worthy of top three consideration.

 

Ace (PA): Thoughts on Joe Gatto?

 

Draft Day Chat with Nick J. Faleris: Write-up from my positional preview piece (tinyurl.com/2014PosRev-RHP)

 

Gatto is another cold weather arm who could entice teams looking for prep pitchers that haven�t been chewed up by year-round throwing. The body is a pro body already, with additional room to add strength. His fastball currently sits in the 90 to 92 mph range, touching 94, but the arm is quick and easy and could see a bump in velo as the body continues to mature.

 

He�ll show an above-average low-70s curve with downer action, as well as feel for an changeup in its early developmental stages. Gatto has the present stuff and projection to warrant first round selection, and could be good value if he manages to slip to the second.

 

Myrick (Charleston, SC): Name 5 players expected to be drafted that have the highest hit tool/power combo?

 

Draft Day Chat with Nick J. Faleris: Braxton Davidson (TC Roberson (Asheville, NC))

Kyle Schwarber (Indiana)

Alex Jackson (Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, CA))

Derek Fisher (Virginia)

Michael Chavis (Sprayberry (Marietta, GA))

 

Conforto lacks the hit for me and Zimmer the pop.

[davell]

Rodon seems a lock at 2 now, according to Sharma.

 

Kiley says his bonus demands are 6 mill+. Honestly, the Marlins are equipped to give it to him. Plus, he's from Miami, has Cuban roots.... Starting to look like 4 is definitely a bat.

[Guest]

James (South Bend): Is Max Pentecost's bat first round worthy if he had to move off catcher? Is he athletic enough to make a Craig Biggio-like transition to second base and how would the bat play there? Thanks.

 

Draft Day Chat with Nick J. Faleris: Yes, especially when taking position into account. He is athletic enough to find a new home if he needs to, though my guess is that would be more a result of the rigors of catching 130+ games a year than an inability of Pentecost to handle the position defensively. I'd be fine with the bat at second base, but it drops his aggregate value.

 

Shawn (Office): Who is someone that will be popped in the late 1st/sandwich rd that in 3-4 years we won't believe how he lasted that long?

 

Draft Day Chat with Nick J. Faleris: It's a long list considering the tight clustering of talent and team-to-team variation on the boards. Some of my favorite talents that I don't see readers often asking about (which I take to mean they aren't getting big national pub) are Michael Kopech (RHP, Mt. Pleasant (TX)), Mitch Keller (RHP, Xavier (IA)), Alex Blandino (3B/2B, Stanford), Chase Vallot (C, St. Thomas More (LA)), Carson Sands (N. Florida Christian (FL)), and Sean Reid-Foley (Sandalwood (FL)).

 

If by chance Touki or Chavis fall, that could be a steal, as well.

 

Shawnykid23 (CT): How would you compare the top 3 arms in this year's draft to last year's? Basically, ignoring MILB performance, only coming into the draft how would you rank Appel, Gray, Stewart, Aiken, Rodon, and Kolek?

 

Draft Day Chat with Nick J. Faleris: I'd strike Kolek and add Nola as third best arm in this class. Then give me Gray, Aiken, Rodon, Appel, Nola, Stewart. I could be talked into arranging the last three in basically any order. Also I could be talked into Aiken over Gray without much effort. How's that for hedging my bets?