2014 Cubs Pick Discussion

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I like the Sands pick.

[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.

 

Meet ya there.

 

I'll be the one saying "May the schwarbertz be with youaaahaha what a world what a world".

[jersey cubs fan]

quieting a head whack,

 

favorite sentence of the week.

[Guest]

@kileymcd Cubs take one of my suggested overslot arms from last night's Liveblog #smallvictories. LHP Carson Sands should cost about double the slot.

 

Slot is $480,600.

[Guest]

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?

 

Last year's 4th rounder went to Kent State (Skulina).

[Guest]

@Clint_BA 3m

 

Cubs drafted LHP Carson Sands in 4th. Really improved this spring. 90-92, t95 late in process w/ at least avg CB, CH. 88-91 at Sebring

 

@NathanRode 4m

 

#Cubs get LHP Carson Sands. Lean frame. One of the top available HS arms. 88-91, low 70s CB. #mlbdraft

[RynoRules]

Looks like a nice high upside arm, unless I am missing something? Please don't start him in Boise. Not a great place for a young pitcher to build confidence.

[davell]

Finally. Wish we knew how much under slot we went on Schwarber and Stinnett. This basically takes the 5% money.

[Guest]

Looks like a nice high upside arm, unless I am missing something? Please don't start him in Boise. Not a great place for a young pitcher to build confidence.

 

Definitely has some upside. Confused on the bold part - why isn't Boise a great place for a young pitcher?

 

He'll probably sign late and stay in Mesa with maybe a cup of coffee in Boise this season. Then it'll be up to him to earn a spot at Kane County next year as opposed to Boise.

[ScrubMD]

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?

 

Should have money for at least a couple more.

[RynoRules]

Looks like a nice high upside arm, unless I am missing something? Please don't start him in Boise. Not a great place for a young pitcher to build confidence.

 

Definitely has some upside. Confused on the bold part - why isn't Boise a great place for a young pitcher?

 

He'll probably sign late and stay in Mesa with maybe a cup of coffee in Boise this season. Then it'll be up to him to earn a spot at Kane County next year as opposed to Boise.

 

Maybe I have this wrong, but isn't Boise sort of the Coors Field of the Rookie League?

[jersey cubs fan]

Round 4 coming to an end, Round 5 is coming up very soon.

[Guest]

Looks like a nice high upside arm, unless I am missing something? Please don't start him in Boise. Not a great place for a young pitcher to build confidence.

 

Definitely has some upside. Confused on the bold part - why isn't Boise a great place for a young pitcher?

 

He'll probably sign late and stay in Mesa with maybe a cup of coffee in Boise this season. Then it'll be up to him to earn a spot at Kane County next year as opposed to Boise.

 

Maybe I have this wrong, but isn't Boise sort of the Coors Field of the Rookie League?

 

It has gone pitcher-friendly (as has the whole NWL) the last few years. The NWL is kind of weird since it's such a mish mash of young, raw but high ceiling guys and older, savvy college guys with low ceilings.

[Guest]

Cubs are up again...

[jersey cubs fan]

Cubs take Justin Steele, LHP from a MS high school

[Guest]

LHP Justin Steele, George County HS, Lucedale, MS:

 

MLB.com (#122):

 

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

 

Not since 1999, when the Braves took Matt Butler in the second round, has a Mississippi high school pitcher signed out of the first five rounds of the Draft. A lefty with a loose, quick arm, Steele should end that drought this June.

 

Steele baffled scouts at the East Coast Professional Showcase last summer, when he ran his fastball into the low 90s but later dipped to the mid-80s. He has done a better job of holding his velocity this spring, working at 88-92 mph and reaching back for 94-95 on occasion. He's better when he throws with less effort in his delivery and gets more quality life on his heater.

 

Steele's curveball used to stick out more for its shape than its velocity, but he has boosted it from the upper 60s to the low 70s as a senior. His changeup has some movement, but the Southern Mississippi recruit tips it off by slowing his arm speed and doesn't trust it much. Though he's athletic, his lack of size and true command could have him destined for the bullpen.

[ScrubMD]

Someone tell me what feelings I should have about this guy.

[Guest]

Kiley had him at 154. BA at 121.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Kiley had him at 154. BA at 121.

Doesn't look like much of an overslot then.

[davell]

Not overwhelmed with this one, hopefully he's just a minor overslot.

[Guest]

BA's web site is down. Sweet.

[TruffleShuffle]

Not overwhelmed with this one, hopefully he's just a minor overslot.

 

it's the 5th round; if it's not a major overslot then you're not going to be overwhelmed by whoever is drafted.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Not overwhelmed with this one, hopefully he's just a minor overslot.

 

it's the 5th round; if it's not a major overslot then you're not going to be overwhelmed by whoever is drafted.

That may be true, but I know I expect to see a few more major overslots based on yesterday's picks.

[Guest]

Not overwhelmed with this one, hopefully he's just a minor overslot.

 

it's the 5th round; if it's not a major overslot then you're not going to be overwhelmed by whoever is drafted.

That may be true, but I know I expect to see a few more major overslots based on yesterday's picks.

 

Assuming they have $1-$1.5 million in savings from yesterday and that they will use $500,000 of that on Sands and maybe $100,000 on Steele (just guessing he would want money closer to where MLB ranked him than where he was picked), they still have about $400,000 - nearly a million to spread out.

[craig]

"Major" overslot is a little vague. But I'd not be surprised to see them just keep chipping away at more limited overslot guys. Extra $400 Sands, extra $200 Steele, etc.. Keep getting projectable developmental guys, guys who might sign for 3rd/4th round money but might not sign for 6th-11th round money?

 

Steele said he had a number of teams talk to him about 3rd round, 4th round, some maybe 2nd round. And he's definitely singable.

 

He's another older guy, turns 19 next month.