2014 Cubs Pick Discussion

[Guest]

Cubs Pitching selections:

 

10 of the top 12

14 of the top 19

15 of the top 26

 

 

It looks like they picked a couple overslot position players to try to get some additional quality on the field. Let's hope they are able to fit all these guys into the budget.

[Guest]

BA had Gilliam at 118:

 

The Parkview High pipeline of talent looked primed to produce another prospect for the 2015 draft, as Gilliam caught scouts' eyes, but that changed in March when he was ruled eligible for the 2014 draft shortly before the National High School Invitational. That gave high-level decision-makers a key look at Gilliam, whom they had little history with. He’s one of the youngest players in the draft and is not yet 18. A switch-hitting, 6-foot-2, 215-pounder with broad shoulders and a strong build that has drawn physical comparisons to Bobby Bonilla, Gilliam's meal ticket is his bat. He has above-average bat speed with an easy stroke and plus raw power to all fields. He puts on an impressive display in batting practice and has made solid contact in games. His approach has a ways to come, as do his swing mechanics because he does not use his legs effectively from an upright, open stance. He occasionally reverts back to his natural right side in same-side matchups. A below-average runner, he played third base until this season before moving to first, where he likely fits best in the long term. He moves well for the position and runs enough to try the corner outfield and has average arm strength. Gilliam is committed to Chipola (Fla.) JC and is something of a wild card, but his pure talent warrants consideration in the top three rounds.

 

Scout.com had him at 285 but Kiley listed him as a LF, not even a 1B/LF.

[Guest]

Round 27:

 

Graves, Calvin Franklin Pierce University (NH) CF R/R SR

5'9" 170lbs DOB: 03/18/91

[cubsclapp]

By the way, Martarano was a HS Senior last year and turned down an offer from the Phils. Big, big power but is playing football at Boise. Redshirted, was defensive freshman of the year on their freshman squad as a LB. Boise doesn't have a baseball program. My guess is he's a near impossible sign.

Not so fast, my friend.

 

@murphsturph · 1h

Martarano's dad told me pre-draft: "The Ideal situation would be the Cubs take him. ... We're crossing our fingers for that deal."

 

@murphsturph · 18m

Harsin on Martarano: "This is a unique situation, but Joey Martarano is a special athlete. ... (1/?)

 

@murphsturph · 17m

Harsin: "We're proud to have him as a member of the Boise State football team, and we want to see him achieve his dreams. (2/3)

 

@murphsturph · 17m

Harsin: "If that includes baseball, Joey knows we are here to support him." (3/3)

 

@KTVBSportsGuy · 12m

Gary Van Tol, the @BoiseHawks manager, told me he congratulated Joey Martarano over text. Van Tol said Joe was thankful and excited.

[Guest]

Round 28:

 

Niggemeyer, Jacob Olentangy Liberty HS (OH) RHP R/R HS

6'5" 205lbs DOB: 11/30/95

[Guest]

Perfect Game commentary:

 

Jake Niggemeyer is a 2014 RHP/1B with a 6-5 215 lb. frame from Powell, OH who attends Olentangy Liberty HS. Large athletic build, good present strength, mature physically. Slow paced leg raise delivery, compact arm action, high 3/4's arm slot, good arm speed, could extend better out front, some drift to delivery. Upper 80's fastball, topped out at 89 mph, mostly straight. Shows good bite to 80 mph slider, late with good 2-plane shape, quality second pitch. Did not see a change up. Works quickly and throws strikes with both pitches. Developing fastball movement and a change up will be key. Right handed hitter, good lower half use, pretty short to the ball with quick hands, has some power. Verbal commitment to Ohio State.

[Guest]

By the way, Martarano was a HS Senior last year and turned down an offer from the Phils. Big, big power but is playing football at Boise. Redshirted, was defensive freshman of the year on their freshman squad as a LB. Boise doesn't have a baseball program. My guess is he's a near impossible sign.

Not so fast, my friend.

 

@murphsturph · 1h

Martarano's dad told me pre-draft: "The Ideal situation would be the Cubs take him. ... We're crossing our fingers for that deal."

 

@murphsturph · 18m

Harsin on Martarano: "This is a unique situation, but Joey Martarano is a special athlete. ... (1/?)

 

@murphsturph · 17m

Harsin: "We're proud to have him as a member of the Boise State football team, and we want to see him achieve his dreams. (2/3)

 

@murphsturph · 17m

Harsin: "If that includes baseball, Joey knows we are here to support him." (3/3)

 

@KTVBSportsGuy · 12m

Gary Van Tol, the @BoiseHawks manager, told me he congratulated Joey Martarano over text. Van Tol said Joe was thankful and excited.

 

Wonder if this would be like Ricky Williams, etc. I can see why the Cubs would be ideal; he could play minor league baseball in his college town.

[Guest]

@EricKolenichRTD Hanover P Derek Casey said he turned down a 3rd or 4th round draft offer from the Cubs. Looks like he's headed to UVA. #hsxtra

 

BA had him rated at 193.

[Guest]

By the way, Martarano was a HS Senior last year and turned down an offer from the Phils. Big, big power but is playing football at Boise. Redshirted, was defensive freshman of the year on their freshman squad as a LB. Boise doesn't have a baseball program. My guess is he's a near impossible sign.

Not so fast, my friend.

 

@murphsturph · 1h

Martarano's dad told me pre-draft: "The Ideal situation would be the Cubs take him. ... We're crossing our fingers for that deal."

 

@murphsturph · 18m

Harsin on Martarano: "This is a unique situation, but Joey Martarano is a special athlete. ... (1/?)

 

@murphsturph · 17m

Harsin: "We're proud to have him as a member of the Boise State football team, and we want to see him achieve his dreams. (2/3)

 

@murphsturph · 17m

Harsin: "If that includes baseball, Joey knows we are here to support him." (3/3)

 

@KTVBSportsGuy · 12m

Gary Van Tol, the @BoiseHawks manager, told me he congratulated Joey Martarano over text. Van Tol said Joe was thankful and excited.

That's pretty cool if it will work out.

[Guest]

Niggemeyer seems like a big, projectable righty.

 

Round 29:

 

Zayas, Gianni Seminole State (FL) RHP R/R J2

6'2" 200lbs DOB: 04/18/94

[Guest]

Zayas was very well thought of heading into this year. Not sure why he slipped so much.

 

from BA on November 12, 2013:

 

Righthander Gianni Zayas, who went to high school in New Jersey, attended North Carolina State, where he threw two innings as a freshman.

 

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Zayas, who has a solid, well-developed build with a strong lower half, sits 91-93 mph and touches 94 with his fastball.

 

“He has a chance to be a true four-pitch guy,” Updike said. “He has a good, solid fastball and he has movement with a four and two-seamer.”

 

His 77-80 mph curveball with 11-5 tilt showed plus potential, to go with a slider. Developing his low-80s changeup, which he throws from a lower arm slot, has been a key development for Zayas.

 

“We went a split-change grip with pressure on the ring finger just so he could have the idea of a different grip in his hand while he accelerates,” Updike said. “He did that for two or three weeks and it started to show. In the last few weeks he has went back to a traditional changeup grip but the idea of the straight changeup has taken hold. It is starting to develop.”

 

Zayas, who walked 18 in 24 innings in the Atlantic Summer College League, will also look to improve his control.

 

These two hurlers will be priority viewing for Florida scouts next spring. Seminole State has a strong track record in the draft (especially pitchers), having produced five big leaguers since the 2006 draft. Seminole State’s pitching alumni include a pair of All-Star hurlers, Ryan Franklin and Bobby Thigpen, as well as Robert Person. It has also produced single-digit round selections in the last two drafts, 2013 Angels righthander Garrett Nuss (seventh) and 2012 Marlins righthander Daniel Oliver (eighth).

[Guest]

Zayas was apparently disappointed that he didn't get picked yesterday.

 

Versace @GianniZayas · 22h

This feeling sucks.

[Guest]

Round 30:

 

Cantu, Michael Foy H. Moody HS (TX) C R/R HS

6'3" 225lbs DOB: 08/28/95

 

Another ranked prospect (#161 by BA)...

 

The position-player crop in Texas is exceptionally thin in 2014, from the colleges down through the high schools. The Lone State State may not have a hitter taken in the top three rounds for the first time since 1981. The best candidate is Cantu, who offers intriguing power potential and raw arm strength. Cantu can put on a batting-practice show that rivals anyone's in this year's high school class, though his long all-or-nothing swing leads to swings and misses in game action. He has a strong arm, but he often records fringy pop times because his footwork and transfer are slow. Scouts love Cantu's makeup and leadership skills, which were also on display when he quarterbacked the Moody football team, coached by his father Mike. While he has two captivating tools, there are enough questions about his bat and his agility that he may not get drafted high enough to lure him away from a commitment to Texas.

[Guest]

Round 31:

 

Deppermann, Brad East Lake HS (FL) RHP R/R HS

6'0" 175lbs DOB: 06/15/96

[Guest]

Round 32:

 

Ely, Andrew U Washington (WA) 2B L/R JR

5'10" 180lbs DOB: 01/23/93

[Guest]

From Ely's bio:

 

WASHINGTON

2014: Was bestowed the following honors: All-Pac-12, All-Pac-12 Defensive and Second-Team All-Pac-12 Academic ... one of four Huskies to play in all 59 games, making 58 starts at second base ... led nation with 26 sacrifice bunts ... led Pac-12 turning 45 double plays and second basemen with .993 fielding pct, second behind teammate Erik Forgione with 191 assists ... offensively, ranked T9th in Pac-12 with 28 walks and 5th with 268 plate appearances ... 14 multi-hit games ... hit .453 (24x53, 29 RBI) with runners in scoring position ... career average .311 in 115 games

 

I added the bolding and underlining.

 

We're set now.

[Guest]

It's official:

 

@jimcallisMLB: 3rd-rder Mark Zagunis, @Cubs agree on $615k ($714,900 pick value). Va Tech C, athletic, LD bat, strong arm, needs work on D. @MLBDraft

[Guest]

Martarano sure seems set to play:

 

Joey Martarano @JoeMartarano_2 · 23m

Big thank you to cubs organization for giving me this awesome opportunity. #blessed

 

 

 

 

Joey Martarano retweeted you

5m: @JoeMartarano_2 Congrats on being drafted by the #Cubs! Seems like a great opportunity to play with the #BoiseHawks and BSU

[Guest]

Round 33:

 

Bass, Brad Lincoln-Way Central HS (IL) RHP R/R HS

6'6" 215lbs DOB: 02/15/96

 

Scouts were excited about Bass' projectability and gave him a chance to pitch his way into the top three rounds this spring. He hasn't lived up to those hopes, however, as he played basketball during the winter and wasn't in peak baseball shape when the spring began. It's still easy to dream on Bass, but whether he'll go high enough in the Draft to be lured away from a Notre Dame scholarship remains to be seen. He's lean and athletic, with plenty of room to add strength in the future. He'll show a 91-mph fastball early in games, though his velocity tapers off to the mid-80s in later innings. Bass' slider has the potential to become an out pitch. It has some bite and reaches the low 80s at times, and he commands it well. His changeup needs a lot of work, and some scouts aren't enamored of his delivery.

[Guest]

By the way, Martarano was a HS Senior last year and turned down an offer from the Phils. Big, big power but is playing football at Boise. Redshirted, was defensive freshman of the year on their freshman squad as a LB. Boise doesn't have a baseball program. My guess is he's a near impossible sign.

Not so fast, my friend.

 

@murphsturph · 1h

Martarano's dad told me pre-draft: "The Ideal situation would be the Cubs take him. ... We're crossing our fingers for that deal."

 

@murphsturph · 18m

Harsin on Martarano: "This is a unique situation, but Joey Martarano is a special athlete. ... (1/?)

 

@murphsturph · 17m

Harsin: "We're proud to have him as a member of the Boise State football team, and we want to see him achieve his dreams. (2/3)

 

@murphsturph · 17m

Harsin: "If that includes baseball, Joey knows we are here to support him." (3/3)

 

@KTVBSportsGuy · 12m

Gary Van Tol, the @BoiseHawks manager, told me he congratulated Joey Martarano over text. Van Tol said Joe was thankful and excited.

 

@murphsturph: @bronc84 Yes he has permission from Boise State to play both sports.

[Guest]

I missed it earlier on Deppermann, but he was ranked 192 by BA:

 

In a deep year for Florida high school pitching, the athletic Depperman was late to the scene, drawing considerable attention after a strong showcase outing in Jupiter, Fla., last fall when he was still uncommitted. He has since committed to North Florida, and while he has present stuff and strike-throwing ability, as an undersized righthander he might end up in college. Depperman has maintained 89-92 mph velocity all spring, touching 94 with late life from an easy delivery, though his fastball can be somewhat flat because of a lack of plane. He has multiple breaking balls, a slider that can touch 85 mph and a mid-70s curveball, with his slider flashing above-average. He also mixes in a changeup and is a strike-thrower with the potential for average control. The right team might be willing to look past his height because of his stuff and buy him out of college

[Guest]

BTW - the whole thing about "short" pitchers has always cracked me up. The slope change from a 6'0 guy to a 6'3" guy 60 ft away is: 0.0041322314.

 

It's negligible. There can be a much bigger difference based on arm slot.

[Guest]

Round 32:

 

Ely, Andrew U Washington (WA) 2B L/R JR

5'10" 180lbs DOB: 01/23/93

 

Good college bat. He had a frustrating as hell Alex Cora vs Matt Clement AB last year vs UCLA (think it was against potential 2015 first rounder James Kaprielian).

[Guest]

Round 34:

 

Kane, Steven Cypress College (CA) RHP R/R J3

6'4" 205lbs DOB: 05/28/93

[Guest]