When do we start talking 2016 Draft?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/hudsonbelinsky/status/730517305176797184[/tweet]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA mock draft: http://bba.am/S6NsVQ

[Regular Show]

LONG long time lurker... Not even a first time poster. Huge Cubs fan (obviously). Made a profile here a long time ago, but I forgot it so I decided to make a new profile lol.

 

Big fan of these posters: Tim (duh), CaliforniaRaisin, Transmogrified Tiger, davell and a few others. Not a big fan of Kyle or whatever he calls himself these days...

 

Anyways, I love following the MLB draft and it's actually on my birthday this yr (June 9th) so I'm excited. Kinda sucks we won't be making any picks on Day 1.

 

These are the draft slots for the Cubs for the top 10 rounds starting with Round 3:

 

104. Cubs: $573,900

134. Cubs: $429,700

164. Cubs: $321,800

194. Cubs: $241,000

224. Cubs: $186,000

254. Cubs: $173,800

284. Cubs: $162,300

314. Cubs: $156,600

 

Total Pool amount: Cubs $2,245,100

 

I say the Cubs save money in rounds 9 & 10 with some cheap Senior picks like in year's past freeing up roughly ~$300K that can be added to the amount at #104 giving them roughly $874K to play with...

 

There are so many players they could target in that range and I feel very strongly they'll be looking at pitchers. Personally, I'm a big fan of Wichita State RHP - S. Tewes. He went down with TJ surgery very recently and is plummeting down draft boards, but I would look at him if the medicals aren't too bad and if he's willing to take a discount. He's listed as 6'5" 200 lbs. with room to fill out a little bit more. Already very strong with a low 90's fastball that touches 94 occasionally. Good mechanics from what I've seen.

 

Anyway I'll post some more once we get closer to the draft

[CaliforniaRaisin]

LONG long time lurker... Not even a first time poster. Huge Cubs fan (obviously). Made a profile here a long time ago, but I forgot it so I decided to make a new profile lol.

 

Big fan of these posters: Tim (duh), CaliforniaRaisin, Transmogrified Tiger, davell and a few others. Not a big fan of Kyle or whatever he calls himself these days...

 

Anyways, I love following the MLB draft and it's actually on my birthday this yr (June 9th) so I'm excited. Kinda sucks we won't be making any picks on Day 1.

 

These are the draft slots for the Cubs for the top 10 rounds starting with Round 3:

 

104. Cubs: $573,900

134. Cubs: $429,700

164. Cubs: $321,800

194. Cubs: $241,000

224. Cubs: $186,000

254. Cubs: $173,800

284. Cubs: $162,300

314. Cubs: $156,600

 

Total Pool amount: Cubs $2,245,100

 

I say the Cubs save money in rounds 9 & 10 with some cheap Senior picks like in year's past freeing up roughly ~$300K that can be added to the amount at #104 giving them roughly $874K to play with...

 

There are so many players they could target in that range and I feel very strongly they'll be looking at pitchers. Personally, I'm a big fan of Wichita State RHP - S. Tewes. He went down with TJ surgery very recently and is plummeting down draft boards, but I would look at him if the medicals aren't too bad and if he's willing to take a discount. He's listed as 6'5" 200 lbs. with room to fill out a little bit more. Already very strong with a low 90's fastball that touches 94 occasionally. Good mechanics from what I've seen.

 

Anyway I'll post some more once we get closer to the draft

 

Even if it isn't your first post, welcome to the board!

[Regular Show]

Eh, thanks. I realized online forums are only as good as the people posting and contributing in them. I feel like I can add some value or contribute in discussions, especially on the draft.

 

I'm no scout, but I've had the good fortune of talking to some over the years. I've seen or met a few ppl over the yrs who have gotten drafted.

 

I realize with the Cubs being so good now the draft is not as exciting, but I agree with Theo completely -- you have to be prepared and productive and try to develop players through the amateur draft. I feel so bad for Mariners' fans lol...

[toonsterwu]

I'm still a little stunned how Connor Jones has slipped off the first round radar. The talk all year has been that he changed his approach because he knew the staff was thin (with Derek Casey and Evan Sperling unable to go) and that he needed to go deep almost every start out. So, instead of going to his 4-seamer or breaking balls as much, he's been pounding the two-seamer in there, and rather effectively as well. I think he'll go back to a more balanced arsenal once he's in the pros. I think he's far more advanced and ready than Danny Hultzen coming out of college ... and Hultzen was really polished.

 

Now, I understand there's a level of concern on the stance (since UVA pitchers are taught to go in that crouch), and Jones did that back in HS. Still ... off of the first round? Not sure I see that.

 

_____

 

I get why Puk is 1 ... but dang if I don't like it. More that I'm somewhat wary of Puk.

[UMFan83]

LONG long time lurker... Not even a first time poster. Huge Cubs fan (obviously). Made a profile here a long time ago, but I forgot it so I decided to make a new profile lol.

 

Big fan of these posters: Tim (duh), CaliforniaRaisin, Transmogrified Tiger, davell and a few others. Not a big fan of Kyle or whatever he calls himself these days...

 

Anyways, I love following the MLB draft and it's actually on my birthday this yr (June 9th) so I'm excited. Kinda sucks we won't be making any picks on Day 1.

 

These are the draft slots for the Cubs for the top 10 rounds starting with Round 3:

 

104. Cubs: $573,900

134. Cubs: $429,700

164. Cubs: $321,800

194. Cubs: $241,000

224. Cubs: $186,000

254. Cubs: $173,800

284. Cubs: $162,300

314. Cubs: $156,600

 

Total Pool amount: Cubs $2,245,100

 

I say the Cubs save money in rounds 9 & 10 with some cheap Senior picks like in year's past freeing up roughly ~$300K that can be added to the amount at #104 giving them roughly $874K to play with...

 

There are so many players they could target in that range and I feel very strongly they'll be looking at pitchers. Personally, I'm a big fan of Wichita State RHP - S. Tewes. He went down with TJ surgery very recently and is plummeting down draft boards, but I would look at him if the medicals aren't too bad and if he's willing to take a discount. He's listed as 6'5" 200 lbs. with room to fill out a little bit more. Already very strong with a low 90's fastball that touches 94 occasionally. Good mechanics from what I've seen.

 

Anyway I'll post some more once we get closer to the draft

 

Please stick around and contribute! Ignore the thread about this site blowing.

[Regular Show]

Don't worry...I wouldn't have posted something if I thought this site sucked lol. I don't even understand the point of that thread :-k

 

On Connor Jones, I get the drop. I really didn't like him and think some pitchers have passed him by. University of Virginia pitchers have a bad rep and I remember reading something by K. Law about why that might be the case.

 

I think we can all agree this draft class is pretty bad especially if you have a high-draft pick. Thank God we don't, but the depth is there in high school and college pitching.

 

Honestly, I'm big on RHP - Z. Burdi and would try to make him a starter. The chances aren't super great that he'll stick as a starter. Still, if that doesn't work out I think he can develop into a pretty dominant relief pitcher, maybe even turn into a dominant closer if the command gets better and the slider improves. I mean he can hit triple digits somewhat regularly and he makes it look easy like Chapman! I would take him before C. Jones though the separation between the two isn't that large.

 

Also, D. Hultzen had much better command of his repertoire in college. Not really fair to compare C. Jones to D. Hultzen IMO

[Regular Show]

I'm a Burdi fan too. Some crazy arm strength in that family...That's the college arm I'd love to be available for the Cubs at 104.

 

I might transfer my compliments towards Avery Tuck to William Benson. Doesn't really matter since neither is a possibility for the Cubs, but Benson is a specimen on par with myself. This is probably something more for minorleagueball but it seems like there's been an uptick in young, black talent entering the draft this decade - a goal of the MLBs for some time now.

 

Yeah, good genes in the Burdi family. I'm still very disappointed with the number of young African-American participation compared to the past. I mean I'm a Millennial (I wish I wasn't because I hate this social media driven generation) and I can tell how little significance MLB has in that community. It's crazy how much the NBA and the NFL dominate in popularity among African-Americans.

 

I honestly know very few Black friends around my age who have a remote interest in baseball. It's sad. I mean Chris Rock explains it really well in a video he made for HBO's Real Sports:

 

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/4/22/8471165/chris-rock-hbo-baseball-video

[Regular Show]

Keith Law's first mock draft for 2016:

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/mlb-draft/insider/post?id=2618

[toonsterwu]

I'm not too enthused with Zach Jackson. Stuff is too inconsistent. That said, yeah, in the midrounds, if he's there, it's a good gamble for a home run. My hunch is that someone pops him before he falls to us, but tough to figure right now.

[Regular Show]

Yeah I think whoever we like as a draft prospect will most likely be selected before the Cubs pick in the 3rd round. I forget who said it, but I think they were hoping RHP - A. Hansen might fall to the 3rd round and now I'm seeing him get selected in the 1st round in some mock drafts.

 

I guess the Cubs will have to target college pitching prospects that are willing to sign for slot since we can't really go over slot this yr. I'm pretty disappointed with the Cubs selections among college pitchers in year's past. Skulina, Stinnett, S. Frazier, R. Zastryzny, and even P. Johnson have all been disappointing. Hopefully this yr will be different...

[toonsterwu]

To the extent that those guys haven't developed, I'm disappointed in some of the arms as well. That said, some of those arms were very solid picks at their spots in the draft.

 

___

 

On a side track, for all the talk earlier in this thread about Collins being a sign of a Cubs effect, I actually think Matt Thaiss may end up being a bigger indicator on an increased valuation in bats. If someone guarantees him a first round spot ... I think that'll be very telling in regards to whether or not some teams may be changing approaches to the draft. Collins, much as I like Thaiss, probably has a better shot at sticking behind the plate, and his overall offensive profile is better. Thaiss is very disciplined, but I still question how much power he'll have, and I think there's a very, very slim chance he sticks behind the plate. That profile at first base (really have a hard time seeing him in the OF) seems debatable for a first round pick.

[toonsterwu]

That's my point exactly. Much as I am a UVA fan ... I just don't see a top bat in Thaiss to justify a first round pick ... but it seems like mocks are leaning that way, with suggestions that he may have a deal worked out. Even if a team is saving money, Thaiss, by virtue of going in the first, would likely (I guess depending on which team, it's possible there could be weird machinations at play that would negate this, but that probability is less than the opposite) make more than he would later on.

 

If Alec Hansen finishes strong, I figure some team with a big pool will pop in that late first/supp range and roll the dice.

 

I feel like there should be a decent group of college arms in that range at 104, and that's my preference. To be quite honest, I wonder where Mike Sharawyn falls coming off a down season. I wasn't high on him as a first rounder entering the year, but off a down season, he might make sense if he falls there.

 

That said, if the Cubs want to load up and say scrap together the money for two big moves and go with senior signs to round out the top 10 rounds ... I'd be fine with that as well. A lot of ways they could play this.

[Tryptamine]

I reeeeaaaaallly like Puk, so rare even (especially?) with his birthing hips, but still feel Philly should go with a bat. I believe Collins or Kyle Lewis should be the pick.

 

I wonder where Anfernee Grier goes? He's a Mike Cameron starter kit. Maybe the first or supp?

 

Oh yeah, I hope the Cubs redraft Kilichowski from Vanderbilt. Does not have to be at 104, probably hasn't had that type of year, but should be much more signable than last year. Other struggling college arms I would like to draft are LHP Matt Krook, RHP Zach Jackson, and LHP Garrett Williams.

 

For me this is best case scenario, assuming no one does any type of crazy slide based on demands or whatever. God I sure would love for the Cubs to get a go at fixing Hansen though. I pray he's not there for the Cardinals at 23.

[Regular Show]

Tomthebombadil wrote:

Yeah, I think Krook is a legitimately good fit in this org. Would love to fast track him as a reliever - thanks TJ surgery - and in time maybe he earns a shot at starting. A power lefty would be a really, really nice add. I'd say he stacks with Lawson as one of my favorites for 104.

 

Again, I seriously doubt Krook reaches us at #104 also. Probably goes somewhere in the 2nd round or early 3rd round most likely. There will be good draft prospects around in the 100s, but unfortunately we can't offer enough $$$ to get some HS prospects that fall to sign unless they really want to skip school and enter the pros.

 

They need to change the system in the future for FA compensation. I have no problem with FA compensation, but make the team signing the FA get penalized by losing the draft pick(s) without losing the pool amount associated with the pick(s). I believe our spots would've been #27 (~$2 million) and #68(~$950K) if we hadn't signed J. Lackey and J. Heyward. Not only did we lose the ability to select players at those spots, but the pool amount that we could've reallocated to draft picks later in the draft. At least that's my idea on adjusting the FA compensation.

 

Also, yes the Qualifying Offer system needs to be adjusted as well and will be changed or replaced in the next CBA.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Yeah I think whoever we like as a draft prospect will most likely be selected before the Cubs pick in the 3rd round. I forget who said it, but I think they were hoping RHP - A. Hansen might fall to the 3rd round and now I'm seeing him get selected in the 1st round in some mock drafts.

 

I guess the Cubs will have to target college pitching prospects that are willing to sign for slot since we can't really go over slot this yr. I'm pretty disappointed with the Cubs selections among college pitchers in year's past. Skulina, Stinnett, S. Frazier, R. Zastryzny, and even P. Johnson have all been disappointing. Hopefully this yr will be different...

 

I'm the one who was hoping for Hansen. Since then, he's put together two dominating starts out of three. Can't see him escaping the first at this point.

 

Tomthebombadil wrote:

Yeah, I think Krook is a legitimately good fit in this org. Would love to fast track him as a reliever - thanks TJ surgery - and in time maybe he earns a shot at starting. A power lefty would be a really, really nice add. I'd say he stacks with Lawson as one of my favorites for 104.

 

Again, I seriously doubt Krook reaches us at #104 also. Probably goes somewhere in the 2nd round or early 3rd round most likely. There will be good draft prospects around in the 100s, but unfortunately we can't offer enough $$$ to get some HS prospects that fall to sign unless they really want to skip school and enter the pros.

 

They need to change the system in the future for FA compensation. I have no problem with FA compensation, but make the team signing the FA get penalized by losing the draft pick(s) without losing the pool amount associated with the pick(s). I believe our spots would've been #27 (~$2 million) and #68(~$950K) if we hadn't signed J. Lackey and J. Heyward. Not only did we lose the ability to select players at those spots, but the pool amount that we could've reallocated to draft picks later in the draft. At least that's my idea on adjusting the FA compensation.

 

Also, yes the Qualifying Offer system needs to be adjusted as well and will be changed or replaced in the next CBA.

 

I agree that I just can't see Krook at 104. He reminds me of Manaea from his draft year; someone with the pool money who thinks they can fix him will grab him.

 

The whole draft sucks. The bonus system was just fine before the new CBA and didn't need to be fixed. Now they have a mess on their hands. Internationally too.

[Regular Show]

TomtheBombadil wrote:

FA compensation shouldn't exist. That FA compensation exists AND there's a limit on spending on the draft is just more [expletive] anti-labor travesty. Hell, that the draft exists is pretty disgusting in itself, but the 2012 CBA made it worse than ever in seemingly every way possible.

 

That is a strange response :-s ...I agree the system needs to change, but FA compensation should definitely exist. The draft absolutely needs to exist. I don't get you "Anti-draft" nuts who want to abolish the system. The draft serves a purpose and prevents big market teams from buying all the best amateur talent. I know K. Law and other writers have proposed other systems for allowing amateur talent to enter MLB, such as allowing teams to bid as much as they deem a prospect to be worth, but I'm more worried by that system. Allowing players to choose where they sign will most likely lead to more signings with big market teams. Yes, the Cubs would do well in that system, but that doesn't make it fair.

 

Yes, there should be a lottery system for the worst teams who are trying to get as high a pick as possible in the draft. Yes, FA compensation should be changed. There should be other changes to the draft as well like allowing teams to trade drafts picks -- any draft pick (not just a small # of picks after the 1st round). Still, I believe most people inside baseball want the draft to continue including our front office. They just want the system to change for the better...

[Regular Show]

Listen I'm Pro labor and Pro unions. I don't support pure capitalism and actually like "Obamacare" even though its screwed up and has some bad features...I don't want owners to pocket profits. No one wants that, but the thing is amateur players aren't part of the players union. The player's union agreed to the draft slotting system that limits how much amateur players can get! Amateur players haven't really "proven" anything yet and a good number of them end up being busts.

 

I don't mind paying them what the free-market says they are worth I guess in theory, but MLB isn't a free-market economy. There are big market teams that can spend way more than small market teams creating inequality and an unequal playing field. I mean we were lucky in the past that teams like the Dodgers and Yankees didn't bother spending ridiculous amounts of cash on the amateur draft buying loads of talented prospects in later rounds without fear of penalty. Teams are smarter now and investing in young prospects is generally way more cost effective than buying FAs.

 

Listen, I like the draft and WANT to see young players get paid a fair amount of cash. I just don't want big market teams dominating the process like you see in European Football leagues where Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate every yr. Yes, Leicester City won the Premier League this yr, but it's usually dominated by the big boys (Chelsea, Man U). I don't want any major American sport to morph into that...

[Hrubes20]

Has there been any recent news on the TJS recoveries of Wil Crowe or Cal Quantrill? Not sure either would make it to our pick, or that they would be affordable even if they did, but I certainly wouldn't hate to roll the dice on either.

[Regular Show]

That's fine. I mean I'm fine with agreeing to disagree on this matter. I just believe you anti-draft dreamers don't realize the unintended consequences of abolishing a system that works pretty well for the most part. Yes, it sucks that amateur players kind of get ripped off and should make more I guess, especially when Cubans and other Hispanic players can get so much more than players subjected to the MLB amateur draft. That is unfair. Absolutely...

 

Still, I think there is a way to make the draft work and be fair to amateur players and compensate them fairly. Again, I don't believe in pure capitalism and MLB again does NOT follow free-market economic principles. Lets be real here, they have an Anti-Trust exemption...

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I honestly don't know why you're still trying to convince me. Take solace that I am not changing anything with my opinion posted on a message board.

 

 

We can do without this type of additional commentary. They weren't attacking you or your viewpoint in that post but just explaining that opinion in more detail, which has utility beyond convincing you to join a particular side. No need to make it adversarial, if you've already agreed to disagree, just let it be.

[PetermanRealityTour]

Any Chicago-Area Prospects worth a high pick?

 

Usually like to go to a couple playoff games with the top guys throwing

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Has there been any recent news on the TJS recoveries of Wil Crowe or Cal Quantrill? Not sure either would make it to our pick, or that they would be affordable even if they did, but I certainly wouldn't hate to roll the dice on either.

 

Neither is pitching yet. Preseason, I had read that both were hoping to throw bullpen sessions before the draft. I've seen Quantrill in the back half of the first round in mocks but BA didn't even list Crowe in their top 100.

[Regular Show]

Transmogrified Tiger wrote:

We can do without this type of additional commentary. They weren't attacking you or your viewpoint in that post but just explaining that opinion in more detail, which has utility beyond convincing you to join a particular side. No need to make it adversarial, if you've already agreed to disagree, just let it be.

 

Thanks. Yeah, I don't wish to argue or start anything here. I definitely try to avoid making anything personal and/or insult anyone. It's just a discussion to me and I don't mind people disagreeing with me or whatnot. I just find it strange how people are opposed to some change or vehemently stick to a stance (any stance). Very few things in this world are absolute. I keep an open mind and try not to brush off someone's suggestion or input whether it come via message board, literature, random text, bumper sticker, or wherever...