2017 Draft Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

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.

 

Yeah, I really want Hiura to fall to the Cubs. Maybe the threat of TJS will do it. Pearson seems intriguing. Also, interested in David Peterson, Brendon Little and Wil Crowe.

[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.

 

Yeah, I really want Hiura to fall to the Cubs. Maybe the threat of TJS will do it. Pearson seems intriguing. Also, interested in David Peterson, Brendon Little and Wil Crowe.

 

I wonder if that one huge game took Peterson out of reach? I like all of those guys too.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Yikes:

 

[tweet]

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[Tryptamine]

Yikes:

 

[tweet]

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Wow I was just getting bummed out he had no chance to slide to us at 27 and then this happens.

[davell]

Yikes:

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

Wow I was just getting bummed out he had no chance to slide to us at 27 and then this happens.

 

I'm sure they're digging in a bunch on him, but I'd be very surprised if we don't pass(unless he makes it all the way to our 2nd round pick.

[davell]

Anyone have Insider that can tell us who Law had the Cubs taking at 27 and 30, in his first mock today?

[Cubswin11]

Anyone have Insider that can tell us who Law had the Cubs taking at 27 and 30, in his first mock today?

He only went to 27

 

Nick Allen, SS, Francis Parker (San Diego) High School

 

The biggest knock on Allen is his size -- he’s maybe 5-foot-8 and maxed out -- but he’s a true shortstop who has hit everywhere he has played, and scouts love his style of play. He might end up in the second round because of his height and teams’ reluctance to pin their draft class on someone so undersized.

[davell]

Anyone have Insider that can tell us who Law had the Cubs taking at 27 and 30, in his first mock today?

He only went to 27

 

Nick Allen, SS, Francis Parker (San Diego) High School

 

The biggest knock on Allen is his size -- he’s maybe 5-foot-8 and maxed out -- but he’s a true shortstop who has hit everywhere he has played, and scouts love his style of play. He might end up in the second round because of his height and teams’ reluctance to pin their draft class on someone so undersized.

 

Hmm, I could obviously see us doubling down on position players, a tiny SS seems a bit different than I'd think though. Maybe he's a DJ Wilson type of little guy, with pop?

[Cubswin11]

Anyone have Insider that can tell us who Law had the Cubs taking at 27 and 30, in his first mock today?

He only went to 27

 

Nick Allen, SS, Francis Parker (San Diego) High School

 

The biggest knock on Allen is his size -- he’s maybe 5-foot-8 and maxed out -- but he’s a true shortstop who has hit everywhere he has played, and scouts love his style of play. He might end up in the second round because of his height and teams’ reluctance to pin their draft class on someone so undersized.

 

Hmm, I could obviously see us doubling down on position players, a tiny SS seems a bit different than I'd think though. Maybe he's a DJ Wilson type of little guy, with pop?

Yeah, seems kinda like a meh and weird pick for us. FWIW Law has Allen ranked 27th overall in his rankings so maybe he just hasn't heard much on what we are doing/who we are really looking at so he got lazy and went with his overall ranked guy there.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Jim Callis released his second mock and he too had the Cubs going with Allen at 27. http://m.mlb.com/news/article/229743034/jim-callis-mock-projection-2017-mlb-draft/?topicid=151437456

 

27. Cubs: Nick Allen, SS, Parker HS (San Diego)

 

Chicago's braintrust drafted Dustin Pedroia in Boston 13 years ago, so it wouldn't be scared to pop another tiny infielder. In addition to his defensive prowess, Allen also has sneaky-good hitting skills.

 

30. Cubs: Tristen Lutz, OF, Martin HS (Arlington, Texas)

 

Lutz has some of the best right-handed power in the high school crop and may be ascending to the top of the second tier of prep outfielders. That group also includes Waters, Ramos, Quentin Holmes (New York), Conner Uselton (Oklahoma), Garrett Mitchell (California), Daniel Cabrera (Louisiana) and Jacob Pearson (Louisiana).

 

Hiura went 22, Peterson at 24 and Pearson at 28.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Chris Crawford's most recent mock: http://m.herosports.com/mlb/baseball-mlb-mock-draft-twins-reds-get-two-way-stars-astros-tab-uvas-haseley-c6c6

 

​27. Chicago Cubs Tanner Houck, RHP Missouri

 

The Cubs are very good at baseball, and don't have any pressing needs on the big-league club. Houck may end up being a reliever, but because of his fastball that can get up to 98 mph and his ability to locate his stuff for strikes (usually) he has a chance to pitch in a rotation.

 

Mock 1.0: Quentin Holmes, OF -- Monsignor McClancy HS (N.Y.)

Mock 2.0: Ricardo De La Torre, SS -- Puerto Rican Baseball Academy

Mock 3.0: Quentin Holmes, OF -- Monsignor McClancy HS (N.Y.)

 

30. Chicago Cubs Drew Waters, OF Etowah HS (Ga.)

 

Waters is an excellent athlete, and he might be a plus runner and plus defender in center. He also can hit a little bit, and both the hit and power tool have a chance to be average. if they get there, he's a future starter.

 

Mock 1.0: Ricky Tyler Thomas, LHP -- Fresno State

Mock 2.0: Calvin Mitchell, OF -- Rancho Bernardo HS (Calif.)

Mock 3.0: Mitchell

 

Little went at 10, Hiura 12, Crowe 17, Peterson 20, Pearson 28.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Reading BA's report on Allen, you can see why this Cubs regime would be interested in him.

 

26 Nick Allen SS Francis Parker School, San Diego

5/8 155 R/R Southern Cal

Allen is a mesmerizing prospect. He shows flashes with every tool. Allen has excellent range at shortstop to go along with plus body control and arm strength. He is a plus runner and flashes sneaky raw power in batting practice. However, Allen is 5-foot-8 and could be one of the smallest prospects ever taken in the first round. Allen’s height leads him to play with a chip on his shoulder and he receives positive reviews for his competitive nature and hustle. Allen has a high baseball IQ and shows natural instincts both as a defender and as a righthanded hitter. Allen has a compact swing with quick hands and he keeps the barrel of his bat through the hitting zone well. He makes a lot of contact and covers the plate well, and he showed the ability to barrel up line drives against good pitching on the showcase circuit. The San Diego native is committed to Southern California. His tools would fit closer to the top of the draft, but pro teams have concerns about how his smaller body will hold up over the course of a full season. Even with those concerns, Allen is likely to be selected on the first day of the draft.

 

Combination of Schwarber's chip on the shoulder, Almora/Bryant's IQ/instincts and Almora's ability to barrel line drives (at least in HS).

[Regular Show]

Reading BA's report on Allen, you can see why this Cubs regime would be interested in him.

 

26 Nick Allen SS Francis Parker School, San Diego

5/8 155 R/R Southern Cal

Allen is a mesmerizing prospect. He shows flashes with every tool. Allen has excellent range at shortstop to go along with plus body control and arm strength. He is a plus runner and flashes sneaky raw power in batting practice. However, Allen is 5-foot-8 and could be one of the smallest prospects ever taken in the first round. Allen’s height leads him to play with a chip on his shoulder and he receives positive reviews for his competitive nature and hustle. Allen has a high baseball IQ and shows natural instincts both as a defender and as a righthanded hitter. Allen has a compact swing with quick hands and he keeps the barrel of his bat through the hitting zone well. He makes a lot of contact and covers the plate well, and he showed the ability to barrel up line drives against good pitching on the showcase circuit. The San Diego native is committed to Southern California. His tools would fit closer to the top of the draft, but pro teams have concerns about how his smaller body will hold up over the course of a full season. Even with those concerns, Allen is likely to be selected on the first day of the draft.

 

Combination of Schwarber's chip on the shoulder, Almora/Bryant's IQ/instincts and Almora's ability to barrel line drives (at least in HS).

 

Thanks for sharing. I guess I'm coming around on Nick Allen. It still feels underwhelming if we did decide to select him with one of our top two picks. I mean how many true impact players are there at that size or shorter? J. Altuve and D. Pedroia...I'm sure there are many others, but it's not a deep list. This whole draft class feels underwhelming so maybe he is worthy of being taken that high I guess. I'd rather go after H. Ramos or M. Vientos, if those two are still available at pick #27.

[javy knows my name]

Reading BA's report on Allen, you can see why this Cubs regime would be interested in him.

 

26 Nick Allen SS Francis Parker School, San Diego

5/8 155 R/R Southern Cal

Allen is a mesmerizing prospect. He shows flashes with every tool. Allen has excellent range at shortstop to go along with plus body control and arm strength. He is a plus runner and flashes sneaky raw power in batting practice. However, Allen is 5-foot-8 and could be one of the smallest prospects ever taken in the first round. Allen’s height leads him to play with a chip on his shoulder and he receives positive reviews for his competitive nature and hustle. Allen has a high baseball IQ and shows natural instincts both as a defender and as a righthanded hitter. Allen has a compact swing with quick hands and he keeps the barrel of his bat through the hitting zone well. He makes a lot of contact and covers the plate well, and he showed the ability to barrel up line drives against good pitching on the showcase circuit. The San Diego native is committed to Southern California. His tools would fit closer to the top of the draft, but pro teams have concerns about how his smaller body will hold up over the course of a full season. Even with those concerns, Allen is likely to be selected on the first day of the draft.

 

Combination of Schwarber's chip on the shoulder, Almora/Bryant's IQ/instincts and Almora's ability to barrel line drives (at least in HS).

 

Thanks for sharing. I guess I'm coming around on Nick Allen. It still feels underwhelming if we did decide to select him with one of our top two picks. I mean how many true impact players are there at that size or shorter? J. Altuve and D. Pedroia...I'm sure there are many others, but it's not a deep list. This whole draft class feels underwhelming so maybe he is worthy of being taken that high I guess. I'd rather go after H. Ramos or M. Vientos, if those two are still available at pick #27.

 

This is so so weird...you get that, right?

[Regular Show]

Reading BA's report on Allen, you can see why this Cubs regime would be interested in him.

 

 

 

Combination of Schwarber's chip on the shoulder, Almora/Bryant's IQ/instincts and Almora's ability to barrel line drives (at least in HS).

 

Thanks for sharing. I guess I'm coming around on Nick Allen. It still feels underwhelming if we did decide to select him with one of our top two picks. I mean how many true impact players are there at that size or shorter? J. Altuve and D. Pedroia...I'm sure there are many others, but it's not a deep list. This whole draft class feels underwhelming so maybe he is worthy of being taken that high I guess. I'd rather go after H. Ramos or M. Vientos, if those two are still available at pick #27.

 

This is so so weird...you get that, right?

 

Why? J. Altuve is 5'6" and Pedroia is 5'8" I believe. Great players, especially for how short they are. I mention those two players because the vast majority of position players at that height (or shorter) do not make it to the big leagues or fail to develop into impact players. It's just really hard to hit for power when you're that size. I seriously doubt N. Allen is the next Altuve or Pedroia...

[Regular Show]

Also, M. Vientos and H. Ramos have higher upsides. Like much higher upsides. Ramos has great tools and a good chance at sticking in CF. M. Vientos has been talked up and followed by scouts for years. His stock is down, but he still has good tools and should develop into a quality third-baseman. Both of them have higher upsides than N. Allen. I guess maybe Allen has the higher floor though -- the scouting reports say he'll definitely stick at SS.

[Regular Show]

Also, M. Vientos and H. Ramos have higher upsides. Like much higher upsides. Ramos has great tools and a good chance at sticking in CF. M. Vientos has been talked up and followed by scouts for years. His stock is down, but he still has good tools and should develop into a quality third-baseman. Both of them have higher upsides than N. Allen. I guess maybe Allen has the higher floor though -- the scouting reports say he'll definitely stick at SS.

 

The second bold sentence puts the first one into question. That Allen blows them both out of the water defensively, at SS to boot, gives him a huge leg up. From there it's just a matter of whether you're high on the bat or not. If he can put the ball into the air consistently already vs the normal groundball heavy profile of these speed/defense guys he could conceivably be one of the highest ceiling players in the draft. I'd imagine in the Cubs' system he would see time at SS, 2B, CF, and LF.

 

Ramos and Vientos seem liked they'd have more swing and miss in their game. I was very high on Vientos early, but it does seem like he is having a terrible year. I would rather not draft a HS position player struggling their senior year unless he was an outright top of the draft guy, Vientos is not that.

 

Jake Eder's interesting. 6'4" HS LHP with possibly premium fastball command. Vanderbilt recruit

 

Well, upsides and ceilings (for the most part) have to do with how well you think their bats develop. It's pretty rare that a player has a high upside due to incredible defense at a premium position like C, SS or CF if the bat is sub-par or average (A. Simmons). I guess maybe N. Allen could conceivably have a higher ceiling than Vientos and Ramos if scouts really are sold on him being a perennial GG-contender/above-average defender at SS.

 

If we're talking about theoretical ceilings/upsides and best outcomes for just these three players I think most scouts would list it H. Ramos, M. Vientos and then N. Allen. If we're talking about chances of actually reaching their respective floors then I think you would list it as N. Allen, H. Ramos and then M. Vientos. This is just my opinion (I could be wrong). We'll see how this all shakes out once we get closer to the draft.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Heliot Ramos' profile does not match the type of profile this regime normally picks in the first round. In fact, the first player I thought of when reading his scouting report was Javy Baez coming out of high school and Jed Hoyer wasn't interested in Baez when he was with the Padres.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

Thanks for sharing. I guess I'm coming around on Nick Allen. It still feels underwhelming if we did decide to select him with one of our top two picks. I mean how many true impact players are there at that size or shorter? J. Altuve and D. Pedroia...I'm sure there are many others, but it's not a deep list. This whole draft class feels underwhelming so maybe he is worthy of being taken that high I guess. I'd rather go after H. Ramos or M. Vientos, if those two are still available at pick #27.

 

This is so so weird...you get that, right?

 

Why? J. Altuve is 5'6" and Pedroia is 5'8" I believe. Great players, especially for how short they are. I mention those two players because the vast majority of position players at that height (or shorter) do not make it to the big leagues or fail to develop into impact players. It's just really hard to hit for power when you're that size. I seriously doubt N. Allen is the next Altuve or Pedroia...

 

I know you capped it at Allen's 5'8" but Mookie Betts is listed at just an inch taller, very short for MLB standards and is an absolute star (and, like Pedroia, a Theo draft pick). Pedroia was drafted in the 2nd, Betts in the 5th round and we're talking Allen at 27 or 30, so the risk isn't as bad as a top 10 pick. And despite the height, there are distinct positives for Allen that make him a viable pick at 27/30.

[Regular Show]

 

This is so so weird...you get that, right?

 

Why? J. Altuve is 5'6" and Pedroia is 5'8" I believe. Great players, especially for how short they are. I mention those two players because the vast majority of position players at that height (or shorter) do not make it to the big leagues or fail to develop into impact players. It's just really hard to hit for power when you're that size. I seriously doubt N. Allen is the next Altuve or Pedroia...

 

I know you capped it at Allen's 5'8" but Mookie Betts is listed at just an inch taller, very short for MLB standards and is an absolute star (and, like Pedroia, a Theo draft pick). Pedroia was drafted in the 2nd, Betts in the 5th round and we're talking Allen at 27 or 30, so the risk isn't as bad as a top 10 pick. And despite the height, there are distinct positives for Allen that make him a viable pick at 27/30.

 

Is Mookie Betts really 5'9"? Wow, well I guess it doesn't matter if he's a couple inches taller or not. He is in the same ballpark in terms of height. The Red Sox took Betts in the 5th round though so they obviously liked him, but I don't know if they liked him enough to take him with a top-30 draft pick. I'm fine with taking him in the second round or later, but he probably won't make it that far. I trust this scouting department (for the most part) and if they really like N. Allen and decide to take him at #27 or #30 then I'll come around.

[UK]

I just don't see any college arms in the 20-35 range minus Canning I like. Maybe if they draft Schmidt on the cheap at 30, let him recover from TJS and go from there.

 

With that said, I really like Ramos at 30 if he's there.

 

I also have a soft spot for Hans Crouse but there's a better chance of the Bulls drafting him in June than the Cubs.

[Regular Show]

I just don't see any college arms in the 20-35 range minus Canning I like. Maybe if they draft Schmidt on the cheap at 30, let him recover from TJS and go from there.

 

With that said, I really like Ramos at 30 if he's there.

 

I also have a soft spot for Hans Crouse but there's a better chance of the Bulls drafting him in June than the Cubs.

 

Yeah, I don't see a lot of college arms in that 25-35 range that I like and want the Cubs to take. So many of the college pitchers have the statement "may end up being a setup guy or reliever" in their scouting reports. There are some pitchers I like in the Juco ranks like RHP N. Pearson. If he's available and the Cubs think he can improve his breaking ball (slider or curveball) enough to get big league hitters to chase/strike them out then I'm on board. He's got great size and a blazing fastball that can hit the mid-90s consistently. I really like LHP B. Little but he'll probably be taken before the Cubs get a chance to select him.

 

I want absolutely NOTHING to do with LHP S. Romero and wonder how far he'll fall. This Cubs regime really stresses high makeup and character so I doubt they'll even have him on their draft board. No way are we taking a chance on him with one of our top picks.

[Regular Show]

Also, G. Canning will most likely be taken before the Cubs get a chance. Probably somewhere in the teens/mid-first round. Kinda sucks picking at the end of the first round, but hey, this is infinitely better than last year!

[davell]

Was curious, after seeing the talk of college pitching options not being great for 27 and 30. So, I looked at the past draft history of the FO, since they've been in Chicago.....

 

8 out of 25 picks have been High Schoolers, inside the first 5 rounds. In rounds 6-10, its just 2 of 25. Makes sense, with college senior signs and such. The 2 being Cease and Charcer Burks actually.

 

So, this doesn't tell us a ton. But, I'd bet we take one college guy, at least, between our top two picks.

 

Out of those 50 top 10 round picks, we've taken 37(!) pitchers and 13 position players.

 

But, of the 13 position players, they were a 1st, 7th, and 9th round pick in 2012. Almora, in the 1st, Stephen Bruno in the 7th, and Chadd Krist(senior sign) in the 9th. In 2013, its KB in the 1st, Hannemann in the 3rd, and Burks in the 9th. In 2014, it was Schwarber in the 1st and Zagunis in the 3rd. In 2015, it was Happ in the 1st, Dewees in the 2nd, DJ Wilson in the 4th, and Vismael Machlin(senior sign) in the 10th. In 2016, it was just Michael Cruz in the 7th.....

 

So, that does tell us that if we take position players at all inside the top 10 rounds, its going to be early obviously. Because those 13 breakdown to 4 1st rounders, a 2nd, 2 3rds, and a 4th. The other 5 being 2 7ths on regular college signees, ONE HS kid(Burks, not an over slot either) and 2 college seniors(Machlin and Krist)

 

I'm really starting to suspect a guy like Allen or Holmes at 27. Then, a guy like Canning, Schmidt, Houck, Pearson, Lange, Little, or Crowe, at 30. Then, popping a single HS pitcher at some point in rounds 2-5, along with 2 other pitchers, and a position player.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I just don't see any college arms in the 20-35 range minus Canning I like. Maybe if they draft Schmidt on the cheap at 30, let him recover from TJS and go from there.

 

With that said, I really like Ramos at 30 if he's there.

 

I also have a soft spot for Hans Crouse but there's a better chance of the Bulls drafting him in June than the Cubs.

 

I also like David Peterson amongst the college arms in the that range. But it sounds like both Canning and Peterson will be gone by 27, though.

 

Like Regular Show, I'm intrigued by the top two JC arms.