2017 Draft Thread

[OleMissCub]

For comparison sake, this is what Schwarber did his final year at Indiana against (for the most part) inferior pitching.

 

.358/.464/.659, 14 HR, 16 doubles, 6 triples, 48 RBI

 

It's rare to see hitters be truly dominant in the college game since the introduction of the BBCOR bats.

[Cubswin11]

For comparison sake, this is what Schwarber did his final year at Indiana against (for the most part) inferior pitching.

 

.358/.464/.659, 14 HR, 16 doubles, 6 triples, 48 RBI

 

It's rare to see hitters be truly dominant in the college game since the introduction of the BBCOR bats.

And we got two of them (maybe 3, don't remember Happ's stats) in Schwarbs, Bryant and Happ.

[OleMissCub]

For comparison sake, this is what Schwarber did his final year at Indiana against (for the most part) inferior pitching.

 

.358/.464/.659, 14 HR, 16 doubles, 6 triples, 48 RBI

 

It's rare to see hitters be truly dominant in the college game since the introduction of the BBCOR bats.

And we got two of them (maybe 3, don't remember Happ's stats) in Schwarbs, Bryant and Happ.

 

Happ's final season:

.369/.492/.672, 14 HR, 18 doubles

 

Bryant's:

.329/.493/.820, 31 HR, 13 doubles, 3 triples

 

God knows how many HR's Bryant hits (and fatalities he causes) if they were still using the old aluminum bats when he played.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

For comparison sake, this is what Schwarber did his final year at Indiana against (for the most part) inferior pitching.

 

.358/.464/.659, 14 HR, 16 doubles, 6 triples, 48 RBI

 

It's rare to see hitters be truly dominant in the college game since the introduction of the BBCOR bats.

And we got two of them (maybe 3, don't remember Happ's stats) in Schwarbs, Bryant and Happ.

 

Happ's final season:

.369/.492/.672, 14 HR, 18 doubles

 

Bryant's:

.329/.493/.820, 31 HR, 13 doubles, 3 triples

 

God knows how many HR's Bryant hits (and fatalities he causes) if they were still using the old aluminum bats when he played.

 

Bryant played his home games in one of the most pitcher-friendly stadiums in college baseball.

[OleMissCub]

And we got two of them (maybe 3, don't remember Happ's stats) in Schwarbs, Bryant and Happ.

 

Happ's final season:

.369/.492/.672, 14 HR, 18 doubles

 

Bryant's:

.329/.493/.820, 31 HR, 13 doubles, 3 triples

 

God knows how many HR's Bryant hits (and fatalities he causes) if they were still using the old aluminum bats when he played.

 

Bryant played his home games in one of the most pitcher-friendly stadiums in college baseball.

 

Here's what Harper did at age 17 at the little college he played at while using the old bats

 

.443/.526/.987, 228 AB's, 31 HR, 23 2b, 4 3b, 98 RBI

 

So ya, give Bryant those old bats and holy cow.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Scout.com's mock draft: http://www.scout.com/mlb/scouting/story/1770985-2017-mlb-draft-mock-draft-10

 

27. Chicago Cubs - Clarke Schmidt, RHP, South Carolina

 

The Cubs have no issues with size and Schmidt reminds me of a better version of last year's third round pick, Thomas Hatch. Schmidt is almost universally a top 20 player in this draft. The only reason he would end up going later is if there are concerns about his height. Cubs won't care and the rich get richer. I would bet that, by this time next year, Schmidt will be one of the Cubs top five prospects, with a chance he would be considered the top arm in the system, depending on Cease’s development.

 

30. Chicago Cubs - Brady McConnell, SS, Merritt Island HS (FL)

 

Theo Epstein and crew have continually ignored any alternatives to prospects and gone after the best available player. That leads to Brady McConnell, who has the knock of already being 19-years-old by draft time, which we saw become a problem for Blake Rutherford last year. Regardless of how old he is or isn't, McConnell is a player who should hear his name in top-15 conversation. He will stick it out at shortstop, with plus-plus speed and some ability to hit for average. There's always a kid who teams kick their rear ends over when they see them at the Majors years later, and McConnell could easily be that player and blessing for any team that nabs him from the nay-sayers about age.

[Agony and Ivy]

 

Happ's final season:

.369/.492/.672, 14 HR, 18 doubles

 

Bryant's:

.329/.493/.820, 31 HR, 13 doubles, 3 triples

 

God knows how many HR's Bryant hits (and fatalities he causes) if they were still using the old aluminum bats when he played.

 

Bryant played his home games in one of the most pitcher-friendly stadiums in college baseball.

 

Here's what Harper did at age 17 at the little college he played at while using the old bats

 

.443/.526/.987, 228 AB's, 31 HR, 23 2b, 4 3b, 98 RBI

 

So ya, give Bryant those old bats and holy cow.

 

Harper played with wood bats and the Scenic West Conference is right up there with D1 conferences in terms of top end talent.

Edited April 18, 2017 by Agony and Ivy

[Cubswin11]

Are there any Cease or Giolito type guys in this draft, that would've been top 10ish picks but will go later due to TJS?

[davell]

Are there any Cease or Giolito type guys in this draft, that would've been top 10ish picks but will go later due to TJS?

 

Nope. Been a healthy year for draftees. Seth Romero is a top 10ish talent, that got kicked off his team. Its not even the 1st time for him, I doubt we'd consider him, since makeup is super important to us.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA mock draft: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mock-draft-2-0-brendan-mckay-hunter-greene-lead-still-wide-open-draft/#YzzHKG0S7qX9TipI.97

 

27. Cubs

 

Chicago’s draft leaned heavily toward pitching last year, when it didn’t pick in the first two rounds, and is expected to again at least at the top to supplement a young, dynamic big league lineup. Righty Tanner Houck was expected to be a top 10 pick coming into the season but his stock has fallen with his fastball velocity, which now sits 90-92 mph. According to scouts, his arm action and delivery have changed for the worse since his freshman year, when he projected as the top pitcher in this draft class with a lightning-quick arm and 97 mph heater.

 

Pick: Tanner Houck, rhp, Missouri

 

30. Cubs

 

Looking for fastball velocity? Try Florida juco Nate Pearson, whose fastball has hit triple digits. Rival Florida juco Brendon Little, whom Pearson squared off against in February, also could be a fit here.

 

Pick: Nate Pearson, rhp, Central Florida JC

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Clarke Schmidt, who has been mocked in the area of the Cubs picks, left tonight's South Carolina game with an injury:

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[toonsterwu]

I've actually been somewhat stunned at Adam Haseley's meteoric rise up the charts. At one point last year, I really wondered if he would be a better pitcher than a hitter, but now, he's supposed to be the top college OF? I get why (the numbers are stunning this year, but most importantly, the power development), but it's been a huge shock. I'm not absolutely convinced that he's a CF at the next level (long term that is, could see it in his youth perhaps).

[Regular Show]

I've actually been somewhat stunned at Adam Haseley's meteoric rise up the charts. At one point last year, I really wondered if he would be a better pitcher than a hitter, but now, he's supposed to be the top college OF? I get why (the numbers are stunning this year, but most importantly, the power development), but it's been a huge shock. I'm not absolutely convinced that he's a CF at the next level (long term that is, could see it in his youth perhaps).

 

Not a lot of advanced college bats this yr besides B. McKay (who might go as a LHP) so I think that helps explain it? I like A. Haseley too, but it is a little weird that he is the top college OF. Definitely get some T. Crowe vibes and reminds me of other advanced college bats that were 'tweeners. He should end up being better than T. Crowe (I think).

 

I don't like the hitting prospects on either the HS or college side in this draft class. Actually the one hitter who has really impressed me is A. Toral, who I believe is committed to U of Miami. Great swing, but he's a first baseman all the way meaning he has to hit. I doubt this current Cubs FO would value HS 1B/DH prospects like D. Vogelbach or A. Toral that highly since that demographic is so risky.

 

I do like N. Pearson and D. Tillo as pitching prospects at the Juco level. Pearson is really impressing me, but I didn't know he was rising all the way into 1st round consideration. That would be a great choice.

[davell]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I would gladly take Schmidt in the 2nd round. Wouldn't risk 27 or 30, though.

 

Two-way player Brendan McKay, who is a likely top 5 pick, hit 4 HRs today for Louisville. Sounds like more teams prefer him as a pitcher.

[Cubswin11]

Law's top 50 came out today, any names/capsules anyone wants posted of guys we might take?

[Regular Show]

I would gladly take Schmidt in the 2nd round. Wouldn't risk 27 or 30, though.

 

Two-way player Brendan McKay, who is a likely top 5 pick, hit 4 HRs today for Louisville. Sounds like more teams prefer him as a pitcher.

 

Man I can't recall a college player who hit this well and teams still decided to select them as a pitcher. Insane. Well, you'll always have a really good fallback plan if he doesn't work out as a pitcher.

 

Totally agree on taking Schmidt in the 2nd round too. I wonder if he would fall that far or still be willing to sign for that amount. Maybe we'd have to offer more than slot value?

[davell]

Honestly, I doubt he'd make it to pick 67. There will be teams saving a bit of money off there 1st round slots, that'll be willing to grab him in the 2nd. Probably a team in the 37-50 range, as the slot values seemingly allow for teams to slightly under slot in the 1st.

 

I'd be shocked if Schmidt doesn't still get 1.5-2 mill. If he was expected to be top 15ish, he'd have gotten 3+ prior to the injury. His figure may drop a bit, but teams would certainly be willing to take that chance, in my opinion.

 

IF he'd take 1.5ish, I'd be willing to gamble at 30 on him and give pick 67 an additional 5-600k to play with. Might be a way for us to land 3 top 40ish talents, instead of just 2.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Honestly, I doubt he'd make it to pick 67. There will be teams saving a bit of money off there 1st round slots, that'll be willing to grab him in the 2nd. Probably a team in the 37-50 range, as the slot values seemingly allow for teams to slightly under slot in the 1st.

 

I'd be shocked if Schmidt doesn't still get 1.5-2 mill. If he was expected to be top 15ish, he'd have gotten 3+ prior to the injury. His figure may drop a bit, but teams would certainly be willing to take that chance, in my opinion.

 

IF he'd take 1.5ish, I'd be willing to gamble at 30 on him and give pick 67 an additional 5-600k to play with. Might be a way for us to land 3 top 40ish talents, instead of just 2.

 

We have a very similar example of a player who didn't get that 7-figure bonus and ended up returning to college just last year. Schmidt's teammate Wil Crowe was pegged to go in the same area last year, had TJS around the same time and tumbled to day 3. Crowe didn't get enough bonus money, returned for his RS junior year and his stock has rebounded to around pre-injury levels.. Obviously each player's level of interest in turning pro is different but Schmidt (like Crowe) isn't an Tommy John-ed potential top 10 pick like Hoffman/Fedde/Giolito/Cease/Quantrill so teams might be more hesitant to pony up.

[davell]

Honestly, I doubt he'd make it to pick 67. There will be teams saving a bit of money off there 1st round slots, that'll be willing to grab him in the 2nd. Probably a team in the 37-50 range, as the slot values seemingly allow for teams to slightly under slot in the 1st.

 

I'd be shocked if Schmidt doesn't still get 1.5-2 mill. If he was expected to be top 15ish, he'd have gotten 3+ prior to the injury. His figure may drop a bit, but teams would certainly be willing to take that chance, in my opinion.

 

IF he'd take 1.5ish, I'd be willing to gamble at 30 on him and give pick 67 an additional 5-600k to play with. Might be a way for us to land 3 top 40ish talents, instead of just 2.

 

We have a very similar example of a player who didn't get that 7-figure bonus and ended up returning to college just last year. Schmidt's teammate Wil Crowe was pegged to go in the same area last year, had TJS around the same time and tumbled to day 3. Crowe didn't get enough bonus money, returned for his RS junior year and his stock has rebounded to around pre-injury levels.. Obviously each player's level of interest in turning pro is different but Schmidt (like Crowe) isn't an Tommy John-ed potential top 10 pick like Hoffman/Fedde/Giolito/Cease/Quantrill so teams might be more hesitant to pony up.

 

Any idea on what Crow was asking last year? I don't have any memory of it. Obviously, I'm speculating on Schmidt too. Just kind of like any opportunity that could potentially net us 3 top 40ish guys.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Oregon LHP David Peterson, who has been mocked in the area of the Cubs' picks at 27 and 30, struck out 20 today in a complete game shutout.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/oregons-david-peterson-strikes-20/

[Regular Show]

Oregon LHP David Peterson, who has been mocked in the area of the Cubs' picks at 27 and 30, struck out 20 today in a complete game shutout.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/oregons-david-peterson-strikes-20/

 

Wow. Very, very impressive performance. Wish he didn't throw 123 pitches though...

[Regular Show]

He's probably moving up draft boards now. I doubt he'll be there when the Cubs get to select someone. Hopefully some good college pitchers will be available at #27.

[davell]

 

BA top 200. At some point soon, we'll start hearing about bonus demands and probably get a feel for who we're looking at in the early rounds.

[davell]

 

Pearson seems like a great guy to take a chance on early. Especially if we took pitching at both 27 and 30. Hiura would be such a great get, if he fell that far, I just don't see it happening.

 

Pearson, Schmidt, and an extra 5-600K to use on pick 67 seems like my favorite realistic scenario right now.