2014 Cubs Pick Discussion

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

79th on BA's top 500:

Norwood has followed an atypical road to the draft, hailing from New York City’s All Hallows High in the Bronx and then attending Saint Louis, which never has produced a first-round pick. Last year was the first time since 1982 that a Billikens player went in the first 10 rounds, and Norwood has a chance to be the school’s first second-rounder since 1976. He also could be its first big league alum in the draft era thanks to a strong body at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and a plus fastball. A reliever as a freshman, Norwood saw an elbow strain end his sophomore year in March and he didn’t pitch in summer ball. However, he touched 97 last fall and has continued to do so this spring, usually sitting 93-95 mph with his fastball when he’s at his best. He sinks the pitch and gets some arm-side run as well. Previously considered an arm-strength future reliever, Norwood has shown better pitchability this season, throwing solid fastball strikes and mixing in a curveball, cutter-type slider and changeup. Some scouts like his changeup while others prefer his curveball as his better secondary pitch. Norwood needs innings and experience most to help determine if he can be a future No. 3 or No. 4 starter or if he has to move to a bullpen.

[Elrhino]

The extended spring training staff is going to be sick once these guys get their TJS out of the way.

[Guest]

I'm irrationally excited about Cease. If it hadn't been for the TJS (I know, a big "if") he looks like a guy who could have been selected in the 2nd.

His ranking was knocked down because of the injury. He could have been late first/supplemental based on the stuff he was showing early spring.

 

He had actually snuck into Keith Law's top 10 when he got hurt. Found this while searching the board on Cease, from March:

 

Dylan Cease, ranked 10th by Keith Law skipped NHSI because of a sore elbow. An MRI revealed he has a small tear of the UCL and he might need TJS. He's a Vanderbilt commit.

 

http://minors.mlblogs.com/2014/03/27/draft-update-more-bad-news-on-dylan-cease/

Grab him in the 2nd or 3rd and overslot him if he falls.

[davell]

are there any other notable unsignables left besides Bukauskas?

 

The guy I just mentioned, David Peterson, is a LHP(HS) that broke his leg early in the season, but had generated a bit of 1st round buzz.

[Tyrant]

The extended spring training staff is going to be sick.

 

being a cubs fan is terrible

[Guest]

Ha! Nice (the post by Raisin)

[davell]

Damn, Norwood is a very solid get in the 7th.

[Guest]

Yeah, I'm quite happy now

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

what's the deal with Mac Marshall? BA has him as 57 but he's still available.

[Guest]

are there any other notable unsignables left besides Bukauskas?

 

The guy I just mentioned, David Peterson, is a LHP(HS) that broke his leg early in the season, but had generated a bit of 1st round buzz.

 

Still a fan of Mac Marshall and Keaton McKinnie but I'm not sure how much $$ there is with 4 straight HS arms. Both would require 7 figures.

[Guest]

what's the deal with Mac Marshall? BA has him as 57 but he's still available.

 

$$ demands don't necessarily meet his draft stock (he was better regarded earlier and still expects to get paid like that).

 

ETA: From Kiley McDaniel -

 

Marshall faded down the stretch and apparently won't be an easy sign even if he goes in the top 50 picks as it sounded like he might a month or two in the past. He went so far as to say publicly that he'd only sign if taken in the first round. Some scouts turned him in as a 3rd-4th rounder and buzz is building that he'll get to LSU.

[weis21]

Mac Marshall's Twitter:

 

#OMAHA2015 TIGER NATION LETS GO!!!!!!! Ready to get to work with my boys this summer!! #LSU #TIGAHSSS

[TruffleShuffle]

http://www.slubillikens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27200&ATCLID=209339035

 

Saint Louis junior RHP James Norwood has impressed MLB Draft experts who are projecting him as one of the top MLB Prospects in the country.

 

Norwood was recently named the No. 61 prospect in the country by Baseball America. Earlier this year, Perfect Game projected him as the No. 66 prospect. Perfect Game also listed Norwood at 45 on their list of the Top College Draft Prospects.

 

lasted a long time for a college junior with a lot of top 75 buzz coming into the year (and not bad results during 2014).

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Any interesting college bats left?

[davell]

are there any other notable unsignables left besides Bukauskas?

 

The guy I just mentioned, David Peterson, is a LHP(HS) that broke his leg early in the season, but had generated a bit of 1st round buzz.

 

Still a fan of Mac Marshall and Keaton McKinnie but I'm not sure how much $$ there is with 4 straight HS arms. Both would require 7 figures.

 

I think we're done with bigger name signings. Can't imagine we've got room for another unless Schwarber went for 3 or under and Stinnett went for 500K or less. The college guys would have to go for slot, and Sands/Steele/Cease sign for 1.5 over slot combined. That'd leave us 6-700k plus the 5% money.

[davell]

Any interesting college bats left?

 

 

Pankake

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Pankake? Must take based on name alone.

[weis21]

Tigers just chose Pankake. I wonder if he does well for him if they will flip him?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Tigers just chose Pankake.

damnit.

[Guest]

Pankake? Must take based on name alone.

 

I'm a fan if he can stick at 3B. Also like his teammate Tannger English as a CF. Is Greg Allen gone (San Diego State CF)? If not, he's probably my favorite bat out there.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

@BenBadler 2m

The Tigers just drafted Joey Pankake. Bold, with Handsome Monica still on the board.

[davell]

Pankake? Must take based on name alone.

 

I'm a fan if he can stick at 3B. Also like his teammate Tannger English as a CF. Is Greg Allen gone (San Diego State CF)? If not, he's probably my favorite bat out there.

 

Allen went in the 6th. Fenway Parks hasn't been drafted yet. Handsome Monica is a HS C evidently.

[TruffleShuffle]

braves just took lenny dykstra's son. hopefully he doesn't give his signing bonus to his dad to invest.

[RynoRules]

Norwood looks like he could be Kyle Farnsworth if he can find a slider or change-up.

[Guest]

AJ Vanegas should make for a quick moving power reliever and cheap senior.

 

Jordan Brink (Fresno St jr) would be a good pick too, though he's probably strictly a reliever now.