2017 Draft Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hey, the Cubs might have a day one pick next year.

 

Baseball America[/url]"]

• Here is a list of 11 prospects who have the potential to fit at the top of this class, in no particular order:
   
  • Hunter Greene, RHP/SS, Notre Dame HS (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Tristan Beck, RHP, Stanford
  • Alex Faedo, RHP, Florida
  • Jordan Adell, OF/RHP, Ballard HS (Louisville, KY)
  • Alex Lange, RHP, LSU
  • Tanner Houcke, RHP, Missouri
  • JB Bukauskas, RHP, North Carolina
  • Quentin Holmes, OF, McClancy Memorial HS (New York, NY)
  • Connor Uselton, OF, Southmoore HS (Moore, OK)
  • Ricardo De La Torre, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (Gurabo, PR)
  • Kyle Wright, RHP, Vanderbilt

 

The strength of the draft are prep outfielders and college pitchers. 2017 is supposed to be much better than the 2016 draft. Lot more potential high draft picks in the BA link (but it's premium content).

 

Keith Law is very high on Vanderbilt OF Jeren Kendall and has said he could be a potential 1.1 pick too.

[toonsterwu]

There's some Sonny Gray in Bukauskas, I think, but I can't help shake the feeling that I don't buy him as a next level, top end starting pitcher. Nothing to really ... point to right now, though. Just a feeling.

 

I'll be curious how this class turns out in a year. A year ago, the 2016 draft didn't look that thin at the top, but it really flat0-lined. Going to be curious if all these pieces hold up.

 

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UVA's going to have a nice crop next year. Pavin Smith has one of the best bats in the country, a sweet lefty stroke with power. Feels like he should go at least in the top 3 rounds. My hunch is Adam Haseley is going to end up being drafted as a pitcher if he can keep adding a little more velocity and sit low 90's. Feel like his ceiling as a pitcher is higher than his ceiling as CF, but he does have a good approach and a nice swing. Feels like a top 5 round or so guy either way. Tommy Doyle has a good fastball/breaking ball combination, but his ceiling probably is that of a middle relief/borderline setup guy unless something really clicks.

 

That said, the two most interesting guys to me are Ernie Clement and Derek Casey. I think Clement moves to shortstop next year, although that's to be determined. If he moves to short and continues to show a nice approach and gets on base, could be an interesting guy up the middle. I even think there might be a bit more pop in there.

 

Casey had electric stuff out of the prep ranks. Fastball topped out at 95 back then. He got off to a good start his freshman year before going down with TJ. Going to be curious how he comes back ... could really jump up the ladder.

 

Wouldn't surprise me if UVA's run of first round picks continued next year - Smith the most likely, Casey a possible darkhorse.

[jersey cubs fan]

• Connor Uselton,

 

Uselton was one of Pawnee's rival cities, right?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

So Darren Baker is a 2B/OF playing in the Area Code Games who will be eligible for the 2017 Draft. You know, Dusty's son, who was last seen in JT Snow's arms during the 2002 World Series.

[CubInOK]

So Darren Baker is a 2B/OF playing in the Area Code Games who will be eligible for the 2017 Draft. You know, Dusty's son, who was last seen in JT Snow's arms during the 2002 World Series.

I'm assuming he's been told all his life that taking walks is bad because he clogs the basepaths when he takes a walk.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA's College National Team Top 20 Prospects: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/pitchers-set-collegiate-national-team-pace/#g1pbVxBjqcIVHZR8.97

 

1. Alex Faedo, rhp, Florida

2. J.B. Bukauskas, rhp, North Carolina

3. Brendan McKay, 1b/lhp, Louisville

4. Jeren Kendall, of, Vanderbilt

5. Kyle Wright, rhp, Vanderbilt

6. Alex Lange, rhp, Louisiana State

7. Tanner Houck, rhp, Missouri

8. Dalton Guthrie, ss, Florida - Mark Guthrie's son

9. Keston Hiura, 2b, UC Irvine

10. Seth Beer, of, Clemson - draft eligible in 2018

11. Evan Skoug, c, Texas Christian

12. David Peterson, lhp, Oregon

13. T.J. Friedl, of, Nevada (SIGNED: Reds as a NDFA)

14. Taylor Walls, ss/2b, Florida State

15. Jake Burger, 3b, Missouri State

16. Ricky Tyler Thomas, lhp, Fresno State

17. K.J. Harrison, 1b/of/c, Oregon State

18. Tyler Johnson, rhp, South Carolina

19. Evan White, of/1b, Kentucky

20. Mike Rivera, c, Florida

[CaliforniaRaisin]

MLB.com's 10 Cape Cod League prospects: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/198892670/top-10-cape-cod-league-draft-prospects/?topicid=151437456

 

1. Brady Singer, RHP, Florida - draft eligible in 2018

2. Pavin Smith, 1B, Virginia

3. Corbin Martin, RHP, Texas A&M

4. Colton Hock, RHP, Stanford

5. Kevin Smith, SS, Maryland

6. Michael Gigliotti, OF, Lipscomb

7. Justin Hooper, LHP, UCLA - draft eligible in 2018

8. Joe Dunand, 3B, North Carolina State

9. Peter Solomon, RHP, Notre Dame

10. Brendon Little, LHP, State JC of Florida

 

BA's list: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/cape-cod-league-top-30-prospects-3/#A24BRF7AAb6rLWPz.99

 

1. Brady Singer, rhp, Florida (2018)

2. Colton Hock, rhp, Stanford

3. Pavin Smith, 1b, Virginia

4. Dylan Busby, 3b/1b, Florida State

5. Justin Hooper, lhp, UCLA (2018)

6. Peter Solomon, rhp, Notre Dame

7. Brendon Little, lhp, State JC of Florida

8. Joe Dunand, 3b, North Carolina State

9. Michael Gigliotti, of, Lipscomb

10. Zach Rutherford, ss/2b, Old Dominion

[Outshined_One]

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I wish I could dig up an old post I made back around 2004 when I predicted Darren would be a future Hall of Famer.

[Cubswin11]

2017 Draft Order, FWIW

 

1. Twins (59-103)

2. Reds (68-94)

3. Padres (68-94)

4. Rays (68-94)

5. Braves (68-93)

6. Athletics (69-93)

7. Diamondbacks (69-93)

8. Phillies (71-91)

9. Brewers (73-89)

10. Angels (74-88)

11. Rockies (75-87)

12. White Sox (78-84)

13. Pirates (78-83)

14. Marlins (79-82)

15. Royals (81-81)

16. Astros (84-78)

17. Yankees (84-78)

18. Mariners (86-76)

19. Cardinals (86-76)

20. Tigers (86-75)

21. Giants (87-75)

22. Mets (87-75)

23. Orioles (89-73)

24. Blue Jays (89-73)

25. Dodgers (91-71)

26. Red Sox (93-69)

27. Indians (94-67)

28. Nationals (95-67)

29. Rangers (95-67)

30. Cubs (103-58)

[Bilbo161]

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Is this the kid that had to be saved from being trampled at home plate by a scoring runner when Dusty was managing the Giants in the playoffs many years ago?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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Is this the kid that had to be saved from being trampled at home plate by a scoring runner when Dusty was managing the Giants in the playoffs many years ago?

 

Yeah - saved by JT Snow.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

This draft is going to make us all feel old. Amaury Telemaco!

 

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[Tim]

crap.

[CubsWin]

Per AZ Phil:

 

With the Fowler signing, the Cubs now have a compensatory pick which will wind up likely 36th overall or possibly 37th if a team that has already given up their 1st round pick signs another QO'd FA. With the Cardinals losing their 1st rounder, the Cubs 1st round selection is now 28th. If the remaining 5 QO'd FAs all sign with teams other than their 2016 club and teams drafting outside the top 10, their pick could go as high as 23rd overall.

[Bruno7481]

Cardinals received a competitive balance pick today, #74. Good for them.

[davell]

 

28 of the top 50 are pitchers, 15 are college guys. Considering the drafts strength is supposed to be college arms, I could see us using both our 1st and comp pick on pitching this year.

[CubsWin]

 

28 of the top 50 are pitchers, 15 are college guys. Considering the drafts strength is supposed to be college arms, I could see us using both our 1st and comp pick on pitching this year.

That would be to my liking. One college arm and one higher upside prep arm please. Or the best 2 college arms with 2018 fast approaching...

[CubsWin]

LH college starter Seth Romero (25th) and RH prep starter Shane Baz (40th) profile nicely.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

LH college starter Seth Romero (25th) and RH prep starter Shane Baz (40th) profile nicely.

 

Clarke Schmidt and Griffin Canning fit their college pitcher type. Wil Crowe does too but he had TJS in 2015.

[CubsWin]

LH college starter Seth Romero (25th) and RH prep starter Shane Baz (40th) profile nicely.

 

Clarke Schmidt and Griffin Canning fit their college pitcher type. Wil Crowe does too but he had TJS in 2015.

True. Especially if they want to go better control but slightly lower upside.

[UK]

During this year of arms, I find it odd that I love Pavin and Skoug with 1A and 1B.

 

I doubt Smith would fall to 28.

[toonsterwu]

Pavin has such a smooth stroke, and there should be good power. I tend to think that he could play the OF just fine, and isn't limited to first, but he's a solid defensive first baseman.

 

In any other year, I'd think there's an outside chance at Pavin getting to the late first, due to position, but the college bat class seems so weak ... I saw one early mock had him early-mid first, which I think is unlikely, but hey ... Angels drafted Matt Thaiss for first base (granted, every draft is unique to itself), and Pavin is a superior hitter, IMO (although Thaiss' power was ahead of Smith's, and I think Smith will eventually develop that pop).

 

I really can't think of many quality college bats this year. Guys will emerge, but it's such a weak crop.

 

I think I like Skoug better than Thaiss, but I mainly want to see a team spend at least a year seeing if they will stick behind the plate. I hated the idea of shifting Thaiss right away without seeing if he could hack it behind the plate. I actually thought Thaiss had a decent chance to not be terrible behind the plate, and maybe below average, which would've been fine if the bat held.

[UK]

Skoug isn't a fluid athlete by any stretch, defensively in the 3 years I seen him at Libertyville HS, he has enough arm strength but he'll be a liability. He's better than Schwarber was at IU. He grades higher defensively than Schwarber but less as a hitter and raw power.

[CubsWin]

As it stands right now, the Cubs have the 27th and 30th picks to go along with their 2nd and 3rd round picks, currently 67th and 105th.