2015 Draft Discussion

[UK1679666180]

Damn ... I finally got to trying to read up a lot more on this draft class ... and I can't think of anyone I really want at our pick. I'm leaning towards a save money for later move. I'm actually fine with drafting an arm ... but the problem is, it sure feels like there will be some arms that fall down a bit in the draft and could be available in the 2nd. Now, you don't pass up someone because someone might be there, but no one stands out.

 

I have never been huge on Swanson or Bregman. I think Swanson is fine, but I just feel like he's a bit over-hyped. I guess I sort of think Lindor with him, a guy I like but don't really love. I guess I'm fine if they gamble on Daz Cameron or Kyle Tucker ... but a part of me really likes Cornelius Griffin.

 

Sure feels like this could be a draft where some late risers change the complexion ... or several teams may rate some guys higher than others. In some respects, makes it a more interesting draft, but geesh ... if there was a year where I wished we could trade a top 10 pick ... this would be it.

 

From what I've seen from Kyle Tucker, he's grown on me. Im not sold on the collegiate middle infielders, lower ceiling/ lower floor.

[Guest]

Not that you should ever draft for major league need, but are there any college pitchers who project/could potentially be up in July/August after the draft for bullpen help?

 

There isn't much for that (how rare do you see even someone like Brandon Finnegan?).

 

You could take Carson Fulmer (Vandy) or Tyler Jay (Illinois) and move them to the pen immediately but they'll have thrown a lot of innings already when they're drafted.

 

Amongst college closers, Riley Ferrell (TCU) and Ryan Burr (Arizona State) are the best. Probably more second round guys.

 

I wouldn't bet on any of those four making it to the bigs this season. It's not a good strategy. Wait for Grimm and Ramirez to get healthy, get Rafael Soriano, hope the switch turns on for Edwards/Rivero and/or trade for a pen arm. Lot easier and a lot better usage of your assets.

[Guest]

Damn ... I finally got to trying to read up a lot more on this draft class ... and I can't think of anyone I really want at our pick. I'm leaning towards a save money for later move. I'm actually fine with drafting an arm ... but the problem is, it sure feels like there will be some arms that fall down a bit in the draft and could be available in the 2nd. Now, you don't pass up someone because someone might be there, but no one stands out.

 

I have never been huge on Swanson or Bregman. I think Swanson is fine, but I just feel like he's a bit over-hyped. I guess I sort of think Lindor with him, a guy I like but don't really love. I guess I'm fine if they gamble on Daz Cameron or Kyle Tucker ... but a part of me really likes Cornelius Griffin.

 

Sure feels like this could be a draft where some late risers change the complexion ... or several teams may rate some guys higher than others. In some respects, makes it a more interesting draft, but geesh ... if there was a year where I wished we could trade a top 10 pick ... this would be it.

 

From what I've seen from Kyle Tucker, he's grown on me. Im not sold on the collegiate middle infielders, lower ceiling/ lower floor.

 

Yeah - Tucker is definitely my favorite guy likely to be available around the Cubs pick.

 

Nick Plummer sounds interesting and I'm not sure what to make of Daz Cameron. I can see why Cornelius Griffin would appeal to someone too. Prep bat seems the best way to go.

[shnsajax]

Except he might very well take an offer, as he should. 5'10" successful NFL QB's aren't a common occurrence. Not to mention his uncle works for Boras. He can always go back to play college football with seven figures in his bank account if he fails. Besides he could be a Billy Hamilton who can actually hit in the big leagues.

 

Then, "yay!"

 

If you get him at slot or under, then do it. Screw pitchers and the college bats are all fairly uninspiring. If he chooses football, move on to 2016 with 2 firsts and put all the draft savings this year towards going extra craxy on IFA's in July.

 

His Uncle works for Boras so I'm doubting underslot will happen. His dad is very skeptical of Sumlin at A&M and he should redshirt a year as well. I'm ok paying over slot for him. If the rest of the draft sucks then what are we saving for?

[Cubswin11]

Not that you should ever draft for major league need, but are there any college pitchers who project/could potentially be up in July/August after the draft for bullpen help?

 

There isn't much for that (how rare do you see even someone like Brandon Finnegan?).

 

You could take Carson Fulmer (Vandy) or Tyler Jay (Illinois) and move them to the pen immediately but they'll have thrown a lot of innings already when they're drafted.

 

Amongst college closers, Riley Ferrell (TCU) and Ryan Burr (Arizona State) are the best. Probably more second round guys.

 

I wouldn't bet on any of those four making it to the bigs this season. It's not a good strategy. Wait for Grimm and Ramirez to get healthy, get Rafael Soriano, hope the switch turns on for Edwards/Rivero and/or trade for a pen arm. Lot easier and a lot better usage of your assets.

That's what I figured, but since we are good I wanted to be a little optimistic

[UK1679666180]

I think Cameron is going to project more like a college player would than a typical HS position guy. He developed so quickly it was obvious at 15 he was clear #1 pick with that polish and current skill set. Two years, it hasn't progressed. He's not stronger, faster, better arm strength and already advanced, not much down the road. He's safe in a similar manner as Almora.

 

I do see similarities in Tucker to Colvin.

[Guest]

@longenhagen: Dillon Tate is back on the mound tonight in Hawaii after missing last week's start with a strained trap.

[toonsterwu]

Oops, I meant to say Cornelius Randolph from Griffin.

 

The clips of Plummer's swing online are intriguing. Seems short and compact, and gets through the zone very quick. Looks like he might have a nice power stroke to him (that said, online clips are an awful way to guess at things). With the full acknowledgment that clips don't tell much ... I also like what is online for Ke'Bryan Hayes. On the flip side ... does Chris Betts swing look sort of long to anyone? I really wanted to like Betts ... wouldn't mind another catching prospect in the system.

[Guest]

I think Cameron is going to project more like a college player would than a typical HS position guy. He developed so quickly it was obvious at 15 he was clear #1 pick with that polish and current skill set. Two years, it hasn't progressed. He's not stronger, faster, better arm strength and already advanced, not much down the road. He's safe in a similar manner as Almora.

 

I do see similarities in Tucker to Colvin.

 

The Almora comparison makes sense. Today, BA compared Daz to another recent safe prep prospect in Nick Gordon.

 

Baseball America[/url]"]Other clubs will prefer Daz Cameron out of Georgia, the son of ex-big leaguer Mike Cameron, who seems to suffer in comparison to his tooled-up father. Cameron is more of a well-rounded prospect with good but not great tools, somewhat resembling 2014 first-rounder Nick Gordon, in that his savvy can be underrated and his tools overrated at times.

[Guest]

Callis and Mayo did a mock top ten today: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/121103208/jim-callis-jonathan-mayo-project-top-10-picks-in-2015-draft

 

9. Cubs

Callis: Jon Harris, RHP, Missouri State. Chicago's first four picks in each of the last four Drafts has been a position player (Javier Baez, Albert Almora, Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber), but there may not be one worthy of this selection if Rodgers, Swanson and Bregman are gone. So the Cubs might address a greater need for pitching with the best college starter left on the board.

 

Mayo: Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt. There are two Vanderbilt arms, and three Vandy players total, who could go in the top 10. Some fear Fulmer's effort in his delivery points to the bullpen, but he has been as good as any college pitcher as the spring has unfolded.

 

In Callis' mock, Daz Cameron was gone but Kyle Tucker was available.

[Guest]

@jimcallisMLB: Wonder how high he could go w/strong finish. @MJ_Baumann: FWIW, I love Harris at 9. He blew me away when I saw him vs. DBU. @MLBDraft

[Gilby]

If Tucker's gone, I think my next choice would be Ian Happ out of the realistic options. His Cape stats are really impressive.

 

Law has Happ ranked pretty highly, I want to say 6th or so.

[CubsWin]

Mike Nikorak intrigues me. Happ is growing on me if he can stick at 2B.

[UK1679666180]

Mike Nikorak intrigues me. Happ is growing on me if he can stick at 2B.

 

I should be more interested in Nikorak but with his rapid drops velo despite a strong core and solid mechanics as well as the lack of a 3rd pitch and a consistent 2nd pitch scares me.

[Guest]

@kileymcd: Multiple teams in the top 10 are on Cameron hard. Two scouts just texted me asking how in the world he's a 1st rounder. Call it a split camp

Sounds just like this year's NFL Draft.

[CubsWin]

Mike Nikorak intrigues me. Happ is growing on me if he can stick at 2B.

 

I should be more interested in Nikorak but with his rapid drops velo despite a strong core and solid mechanics as well as the lack of a 3rd pitch and a consistent 2nd pitch scares me.

I hadn't heard of any rapid drop in velocity. That is concerning.

[Guest]

Comment From Baseball Fan: Any rumors about who the Cubs are targeting in the draft?

 

Kiley McDaniel: Tied to Daz Cameron and Kyle Tucker, among others

[Guest]

[expletive] pitchers!

[Guest]

Comment From Baseball Fan: Any rumors about who the Cubs are targeting in the draft?

 

Kiley McDaniel: Tied to Daz Cameron and Kyle Tucker, among others

 

Nice.

[Guest]

BA released their top 100 prospects today: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/top-100-draft-prospects/

[Guest]

Kiley McDaniel says the Diamondbacks appear to be planning on going well underslot at 1.1 and passing on the consensus top two prospects, Brendan Rogers and Dillon Tate: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/dbacks-plans-for-the-first-overall-pick-come-into-focus/

[davell]

I feel confident Stewart will bomb the draft no matter what direction he takes.

[Guest]

Kiley put up a mock draft for the first 13 picks of the first round this morning.

 

1. Arizona: Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt

2. Houston: Brendan Rogers, SS, Lake Mary HS (FL)

3. Colorado: Dillon Tate, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

4. Texas: Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville

5. Houston: Daz Cameron, CF, Eagle's Landing Chrisian HS (GA)

6. Minnesota: Alex Bregman, SS, LSU

7. Boston: Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt

8. White Sox: Tyler Jay, LHP, Illinois

9. Cubs: Trenton Clark, LF, Richland HS (TX), Texas Tech commit

The Cubs have been tied to a number of players at this pick, either college pitchers (RHP Jon Harris, RHP Carson Fulmer, RHP Walker Buehler) or prep hitters (Cameron, Tucker, Clark). The buzz is a little stronger that they go bat here and the Clark rumor has been around for awhile, but I hear they really like Harris as well.

 

Of course he tweeted this soon after:

 

@kileymcd: Sent it around for thoughts last night & a couple picks changed (like #1). There's also dope about who was at the UF-Vandy game last night.

[Guest]

BA did their first mock today too. They'll be doing one every Friday going forward (side note: I think BA has been a lot worse on this front since Jim Callis left): http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mlb-mock-draft-2015-version-1-0/

 

1. Arizona: Dillon Tate, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

2. Houston: Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt

3. Colorado: Brendan Rogers, SS, Lake Mary HS (FL)

4. Texas: Jon Harris, RHP, Missouri State

5. Houston: Kyle Tucker, OF, Plant HS (FL)

6. Minnesota: Daz Cameron, OF, Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (GA)

7. Boston: Alex Bregman, SS, LSU

8. White Sox: Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville

9. Cubs:

The Cubs have zigged where others expected them to zag for the last two drafts, going for impact bats with Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber. If Bregman were to slide here, expect Chicago to pounce, but there are few other impact bats available. Instead, a team looking to win sooner than later could gamble on Fulmer, who would fit at the back of a bullpen if he proved to have too much effort in his delivery to start over a 162-game schedule.

 

Selection: Carson Fulmer, rhp, Vanderbilt

[Guest]

@aaronfitt: Asked 2 scouts last night what they think Fulmer's future role is. Both said they give him a chance to start, but "gun to my head," bullpen.