2014 Cubs Pick Discussion

[Tyrant]

Sigh. This [expletive] sucks.

 

does it?

[davell]

Sigh. This [expletive] sucks.

 

does it?

 

It does if you want pitching.

[Guest]

Personally I preferred Grayson Greiner amongst college C at this level but I know his size turns some people off.

 

@Clint_BA: 4 straight COL players to start round 3. CWS draft LHP Jace Fry. Cubs go C Mark Zagunis- plus athlete, plus run. controls the zone

 

@Clint_BA: Zagunis showed very well in a DH in Rodon's last start. Running at least plus to 1b 3 times. stealing base and hitting HR. Strong body

[jersey cubs fan]

Sigh. This [expletive] sucks.

 

does it?

 

It does if you want pitching.

 

It's been underwhelming, but that seems standard for baseball drafts.

[Guest]

Sigh. This [expletive] sucks.

 

does it?

 

It does if you want pitching.

 

Well, they've followed the exact pattern as last year so far - college bat, college arm, college bat. Then they took pitchers galore.

[Guest]

Dave (Chicago) Do you buy Theo's Line "Schwarber was number 2 on our board." I can't believe they wouldn't take Rondon if he fell.

 

Klaw (1:28 PM) Yes, I believe him. That speaks to the subjective nature of the entire process.

[jersey cubs fan]

Dave (Chicago) Do you buy Theo's Line "Schwarber was number 2 on our board." I can't believe they wouldn't take Rondon if he fell.

 

Klaw (1:28 PM) Yes, I believe him. That speaks to the subjective nature of the entire process.

 

As a player, I do not believe it. As a total package, including price/signability, sure.

[RynoRules]

Zagunis pick surprises me, but I also hear people saying he has a weak bat. His college stats don't seem to bear that out, unless I am missing something.

[Guest]

MLB.com:

 

A three-year starter at Virginia Tech and a Johnny Bench Award semifinalist, Zagunis is an athletic catcher who has performed in one of the better college conferences in the nation. The ACC standout has shown a propensity for putting the ball in play and hitting for average, albeit from a slightly unusual setup. He's shown some extra-base pop in the past, though not as much in 2014. He runs extremely well for a catcher and has shown that his athleticism plays well in the outfield. His arm is average but on target, and his other skills say he could stay behind the plate full-time. The team that believes he can continue to hit might think he has the chance to be an everyday backstop in the future, and it will draft him accordingly. At the very least, Zagunis' versatility provides a team with options if catching doesn't work out.

[A New Era]

Dave (Chicago) Do you buy Theo's Line "Schwarber was number 2 on our board." I can't believe they wouldn't take Rondon if he fell.

 

Klaw (1:28 PM) Yes, I believe him. That speaks to the subjective nature of the entire process.

 

As a player, I do not believe it. As a total package, including price/signability, sure.

 

Ahhh, DERP on me. I didn't think of that. Yeah when you add the unspoken things it makes sense.

[A New Era]

So far we haven't popped that high upside type. But we didn't do that last year until round 4 with Skulina. However I still like the top of our draft, I love Schwarber.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Sigh. This [expletive] sucks.

 

does it?

 

It does if you want pitching.

 

It's been underwhelming, but that seems standard for baseball drafts.

 

Pretty much. Other than the 0-3 big time draft prospects per year, if the handful of posters who seem to really know their amateurs seem happy about it, I'm happy about it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Zagunis pick surprises me, but I also hear people saying he has a weak bat. His college stats don't seem to bear that out, unless I am missing something.

 

Career 160 IsoD.

 

Only 2 HR in 2014 and an IsoD under 100.

 

I know nothing of college stats, but I think that's a little on the underwhelming side. Schwarber had an IsoD of 300 this year. Obviously that might be the strongest bat in college, but I think the point is that real prospects really hit amazing in college.

[Guest]

BA's 111th best player:

 

Zagunis’ father, a high school assistant coach, moved him behind the plate in high school in south Jersey, and he is still trying to prove to scouts that he can be an everyday backstop. He started 28 of 62 games behind the plate for Virginia Tech’s 2013 regional team, while also playing the corner outfield spots. He has been the regular catcher this year as well as the team’s leading hitter and No. 2 basestealer. A successful high school quarterback, Zagunis shows more athleticism than the average college catcher, with plus speed to go with his powerful 6-foot, 212-pound frame. He’s not afraid to take a walk and has a line-drive approach that should allow him to hit for average. His slugging percentage has declined by 100 points this season with less protection in the lineup, with just two homers after 14 his first two seasons. Teams still recognize his overall offensive track record, however, and see an impressive power/speed combination. Zagunis’ receiving and defense remain below-average. He needs reps receiving and blocking, and his above-average arm strength hasn’t translated to throwing out basestealers; he has thrown out less than 20 percent for his career.

[Guest]

Zagunis pick surprises me, but I also hear people saying he has a weak bat. His college stats don't seem to bear that out, unless I am missing something.

 

Career 160 IsoD.

 

Only 2 HR in 2014 and an IsoD under 100.

 

I know nothing of college stats, but I think that's a little on the underwhelming side. Schwarber had an IsoD of 300 this year. Obviously that might be the strongest bat in college, but I think the point is that real prospects really hit amazing in college.

 

You do have to consider how the new BBCOR bats have brought down offense.

[Bruno7481]

Just listened to an interview with Schwarber on an Indianapolis station. The Cubs told him he would start in Boise.

[RynoRules]

Zagunis pick surprises me, but I also hear people saying he has a weak bat. His college stats don't seem to bear that out, unless I am missing something.

 

Career 160 IsoD.

 

Only 2 HR in 2014 and an IsoD under 100.

 

I know nothing of college stats, but I think that's a little on the underwhelming side. Schwarber had an IsoD of 300 this year. Obviously that might be the strongest bat in college, but I think the point is that real prospects really hit amazing in college.

 

Didn't see those peripherals. Point taken.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cubs on the clock and take..., Sands, Carson, LHP from North Florida High School

[Guest]

There's your high ceiling prep arm.

[RynoRules]

Just listened to an interview with Schwarber on an Indianapolis station. The Cubs told him he would start in Boise.

 

Smart. If he's killing it there for two or three weeks he can always go to Kane Cnty.

[A New Era]

Just listened to an interview with Schwarber on an Indianapolis station. The Cubs told him he would start in Boise.

 

Smart. If he's killing it there for two or three weeks he can always go to Kane Cnty.

 

I would def go to watch him play. Hope he makes it there this year.

[Guest]

Carson Sands ranked #53 by both BA and MLB.com, #64 by Kiley McDaniel (and I defer to Kiley when it comes to Florida).

 

BA:

 

Sands, who is old for the class at 19 years old, has been known since he was an underclassman on the showcase circuit, showing intriguing potential against older competition and winning a Gold Medal on the 2012 18-and-under USA Baseball national team (as one of two rising juniors on the team). But evaluators felt some prospect fatigue as he remained a similar player over the showcase circuit last year, with some belief that he may have plateaued. But he has come on strong this spring, especially once the weather began to warm. He went from sitting 88-90 mph, touching 91, to sitting 90-92, touching 94 and 95. Sands, who has a quick arm, has also reduced the effort in his delivery, quieting a head whack, and throwing more strikes. His delivery offers deception, downhill plane and at least average glove-side run to his fastball. Sands’ breaking ball has improved significantly, and has at least average potential, flashing above-average. Scouts also like the way he throws his breaking ball for strikes. The Florida State commit showed better feel for his changeup last summer, and the offering has at least average potential. The lean, 6-foot-2, 205-pound Sands has a good pitcher’s build with room to get stronger. Sands’ younger brother Cole has a low-90s fastball and has followed in his brother’s footsteps as an underclassman who has drawn notice on the showcase circuit. He will likely be a priority follow for the 2015 draft.

 

MLB.com:

 

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

 

Along with Matthew Railey, his North Florida Christian teammate and fellow Florida State commit, Sands has seen his stock increase this spring.

 

Sands' rise has been partly attributable to the strength gains he has made over the past year. That led to a jump in his fastball velocity, and he now throws the pitch in the low 90s, regularly touching 94 mph. He also throws a solid 12-to-6 curveball and has a good feel for his changeup. He repeats his delivery well, allowing him to throw strikes with all three of his pitches.

 

Sands' strong season, size, stuff and projectability have helped push him up Draft boards as more scouts see him pitch.

[RynoRules]

Just listened to an interview with Schwarber on an Indianapolis station. The Cubs told him he would start in Boise.

 

Smart. If he's killing it there for two or three weeks he can always go to Kane Cnty.

 

I would def go to watch him play. Hope he makes it there this year.

 

Meet ya there.

[jersey cubs fan]

Zagunis pick surprises me, but I also hear people saying he has a weak bat. His college stats don't seem to bear that out, unless I am missing something.

 

Career 160 IsoD.

 

Only 2 HR in 2014 and an IsoD under 100.

 

I know nothing of college stats, but I think that's a little on the underwhelming side. Schwarber had an IsoD of 300 this year. Obviously that might be the strongest bat in college, but I think the point is that real prospects really hit amazing in college.

 

You do have to consider how the new BBCOR bats have brought down offense.

 

Yeah, again, I know nothing of college stats. A different bat and a fulltime move from LF to C probably combines to make the difference.

[A New Era]

There's your high ceiling prep arm.

 

Yep, somewhat similar to last year.

 

1 college bat

2 college arm

3 college bat

4 upside HS arm

 

Sands was universally ranked somewhere in the top 60's wasn't he? Think they have a bit more money in the tank for 1 or 2 more of these types?