2017 Draft Thread

[craig]

...Because prep pitchers are ridiculously risky as a whole? It's a big gamble to devote that much of your draft spending pool on the most volatile asset in the mlb draft. There are also injuries, unrefined mechanics, projecting development of secondaries, body types, etc that of course come into play as well. ...

 

Those seem to be arguments that prep pitchers are bad-risk/bad-value picks for $2M. In which case, not sure I see great wisdom in going cheap and compromising quality in the first, in order to make a bad-risk/bad-value expenditure in the 2nd.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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[davell]

...Because prep pitchers are ridiculously risky as a whole? It's a big gamble to devote that much of your draft spending pool on the most volatile asset in the mlb draft. There are also injuries, unrefined mechanics, projecting development of secondaries, body types, etc that of course come into play as well. ...

 

Those seem to be arguments that prep pitchers are bad-risk/bad-value picks for $2M. In which case, not sure I see great wisdom in going cheap and compromising quality in the first, in order to make a bad-risk/bad-value expenditure in the 2nd.

 

But, are you doing that? We got Schwarber way under slot and got to spread his money into Sands, Steele, and Cease, on top of that....You don't do it, unless you truly like Rucker, Gonzalez, or whoever.....But, it also doesn't mean you're going light up front for ONE guy. Spreading that savings out is likely a much higher percentage play, especially in a weak draft.

[Regular Show]

I agree with Craig on being wary of trying to cut deals with picks #27 and #30 to save money to try to allocate that to picks later on. Yes, we did save money in 2014 by being right on K. Schwarber and other teams not properly evaluating talent at the top. That said, I don't trust our scouts in identifying pitching talent in later rounds.

 

Look at 2014, we moved that money we saved and spread it out among Sands, Steele and Cease. We were fortunate Cease fell that far and was willing to sign for $1.5 mil. He fell because he needed TJS and had a strong commitment to Vanderbilt. Everyone knew how talented Cease was and you don't have to employ amazing scouts to scout a talent like that.

 

It's early, but I think we were wrong on Sands and Steele. I don't know who else was available in those rounds (I'd have to go and look again), but that's the problem with waiting to re-allocate the savings you get from underslot deals at the top of the draft -- there isn't enough talent left. I should probably better state that as meaning there are talented pitchers available, but correctly identifying them and signing them becomes incredibly difficult.

 

It's too early to definitively judge the 2014 Cubs draft, but if they go 1/3 for the 3 overslot deals on Sands, Steele and Cease then great -- you'll take that and consider it a success. Again, we were lucky D. Cease fell and was willing to sign. Hypothetically speaking, if Cease wanted more money and as a result the Cubs decided to select some other talented HS pitcher the Cubs might very well have gone 0/3 on those overslot deals from the 2014 draft...

 

Be careful with advocating that strategy (saving money and spreading it on later picks) because sometimes there isn't enough obvious talent to warrant those overslot deals.

[davell]

But, they have that stuff settled prior to them being picked. It doesn't have to be 4, 5, and 6th rounds.....There's tons of configurations. And there's ALWAYS guys that drop due to monetary reasons. At any rate, if the FO decides to go this route, it'll be because they've got lots of options they know are available later and aren't enamored with what's on the board at 27 and/or 30, to begin with.

 

Obviously, I trust the FO and WHATEVER their decisions are, when it comes to the draft. But, in a weak draft, I'd much rather spread my money around, than put it into one or two.

 

I get the other side. But, I'm hoping for some under slotting.

[craig]

..Those seem to be arguments that prep pitchers are bad-risk/bad-value picks for $2M. In which case, not sure I see great wisdom in going cheap and compromising quality in the first, in order to make a bad-risk/bad-value expenditure in the 2nd.

 

But, are you doing that? We got Schwarber way under slot and got to spread his money into Sands, Steele, and Cease, on top of that....You don't do it, unless you truly like Rucker, Gonzalez, or whoever.....But, it also doesn't mean you're going light up front for ONE guy. Spreading that savings out is likely a much higher percentage play, especially in a weak draft.

 

Cubs account is that they liked Schwarber pretty much best. Not sure if that was true, or if it was good scouting. But, that takes the complexity away.

 

If the two guys they like the best are also two underslot guys, duh, win-win no-brainer.

 

What I'm saying is that *IF* (hypothetically) they really liked Conforto better, but he'd have demanded an extra $500K and cost them Carson Sands, it's not so obviously a win-win no-brainer.

 

If the two guys they like best are the cheapest, sure underslot them. If it's a have-no-clue-there-are-a-bunch-of-equal guys, then may as well take the cheapest. But if there are one or two guys who you really scout as better, I think I might just go after my two favorite guys in round one, even if it derives me of a chance for Carson Sands or D.J. Wilson later on. I'd be pretty hesitant to settle for a lesser guy in round one in order to save up for later rounds.

 

If it's a thin draft, that may be all the more reason to get the best guys that are available while they're still there.

 

Not to be overly shortsighted, but perhaps selecting Schwarber, who's a career .207 hitter and is hitting .162 this year, and is a fringy LF/DH, maybe won't turn out to be quite as genius as the story assumes?

[toonsterwu]

In the category of the only person that really cares is me, UVA does have two seniors that could be nice senior sign types if we need to go cheap somewhere. Robbie Coman is a bat-first catcher, the type of stick that should find a role in a system for a little bit. I don't have any thoughts that he'll be a big leaguer, despite having a good bat for the ACC. Alec Bettinger actually has some "stuff" - 91-93 with some late action and a solid slilder, a middle relief profile. He struggled as a starter at UVA, was inconsistent as the closer, and settled this year into a fireman's role of sorts, where he was quite successful and found improved command. For those that remember him, think Alessandro Maestri with more action, less velocity on the fastball.

 

Only UVA non-senior guy I could really see us drafting is Tommy Doyle (maybe Ernie Clement, but I don't know if they need to draft a college middle infielder relatively high.

 

Anyhow, I note the seniors because I don't think we need to do anything too fancy with those two picks. I'd stick with the guy they like the best on the board, and if necessary, fill in some spots with senior signs. With the rawness of the youngsters in the lower levels, and the need for many of those guys to get reps and opportunities ... I just don't see a need to get too fancy, and if there's a guy that falls and they really want at 27 and they want to over-slot it ... I'd be open to that as well.

[davell]

Craig, I agree with basically everything you said. Until the Schwarber part, where in no way, shape, or form, do I think this is anything other than a slump. Plus, he's already helped us win a World Series. As far as I'm concerned, its a hell of a pick no matter what he does going forward. But, I truly do think he's going to be just fine anyway.

[Regular Show]

Craig, I agree with basically everything you said. Until the Schwarber part, where in no way, shape, or form, do I think this is anything other than a slump. Plus, he's already helped us win a World Series. As far as I'm concerned, its a hell of a pick no matter what he does going forward. But, I truly do think he's going to be just fine anyway.

 

Yup. I personally think it's blasphemy to say and/or think Schwarber is a mediocre player unworthy of being taken so high [-( .

 

He's struggling no doubt. I don't believe Schwarber has ever struggled like this before. He'll bounce back and in a few years we'll forget about his struggles in 2017. He's going to be fine.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Keith Law's final draft board is out. It's premium content but I thought the intro (which isn't premium) with more details on just where this draft is weak was interesting: http://www.espn.com/blog/keith-law/insider/post?id=7154

 

You’ve probably heard by now, from me or from others who cover the draft, that this year’s class is weaker than normal. I still believe this is true, perhaps even more today than I did a month ago, now that I’ve spent more time looking at the talent likely to be available in the second and third rounds (and beyond, for a few names).

 

The class is just fine at the top, although it lacks a standout, lead prospect like a Bryce Harper or even a Gerrit Cole. Teams drafting 2-5 will probably be perfectly happy with whom they get. But the crop of players for teams’ second and third picks is definitely worse than it was a year ago.

 

It’s not a huge high school pitching crop, but since there aren’t many up-the-middle prospects in the collegiate or high school ranks, the few good prep arms available should fly off the board before we get far into Round 2. And there just aren’t as many good college starting pitchers, even if we’re generous about whom we call a starter (that is, plenty of these guys look like future relievers), which removes an avenue of safety for a lot of teams who like to default to that group, often as a means of portfolio balancing: "Hey, we took a risky high school kid with our first pick, let’s balance him out with a nice safe college starter."

 

Sorry, Charlie, but that’s not going to work this year either.

 

Doesn't sound like the type of draft you want to rely on a late overslot signing since there won't be many of those candidates and you could be easily poached.

[davell]

Keith Law's final draft board is out. It's premium content but I thought the intro (which isn't premium) with more details on just where this draft is weak was interesting: http://www.espn.com/blog/keith-law/insider/post?id=7154

 

You’ve probably heard by now, from me or from others who cover the draft, that this year’s class is weaker than normal. I still believe this is true, perhaps even more today than I did a month ago, now that I’ve spent more time looking at the talent likely to be available in the second and third rounds (and beyond, for a few names).

 

The class is just fine at the top, although it lacks a standout, lead prospect like a Bryce Harper or even a Gerrit Cole. Teams drafting 2-5 will probably be perfectly happy with whom they get. But the crop of players for teams’ second and third picks is definitely worse than it was a year ago.

 

It’s not a huge high school pitching crop, but since there aren’t many up-the-middle prospects in the collegiate or high school ranks, the few good prep arms available should fly off the board before we get far into Round 2. And there just aren’t as many good college starting pitchers, even if we’re generous about whom we call a starter (that is, plenty of these guys look like future relievers), which removes an avenue of safety for a lot of teams who like to default to that group, often as a means of portfolio balancing: "Hey, we took a risky high school kid with our first pick, let’s balance him out with a nice safe college starter."

 

Sorry, Charlie, but that’s not going to work this year either.

 

Doesn't sound like the type of draft you want to rely on a late overslot signing since there won't be many of those candidates and you could be easily poached.

 

 

Hmm, if anything, it hints you should over slot guys at 27 and 30. Not sure how the process works, what's legal and not....But, finding a top 15 guy and telling him to raise his asking price to where he falls to you seems like a decent idea....That's if you want to try the one impact talent route.

 

But yeah, waiting on guys to drop to the middle rounds may not even be feasible.

[Hrubes20]

The RHP, Michael Mercado, linked to the Cubs in the FanGraphs mock committed to Stanford as a sophomore. If he really wants to be a ML pitcher and came up in a baseball world where Appel's bombed out of Stanford, Quantrill had TJ missing most of 2 seasons, and Beck missed all his junior year - maybe it's a really good idea to go pro. Sounds like there is plenty to work with, and despite thinking it is a good idea to skip Stanford if he wants to pitch the commit itself is impressive.

 

Oh, and Trevor Rogers the HS LHP is turning 20 this year.

 

Yuck. I knew he was a bit old for the class, but I didn't think he was quite that old.

 

Also, the more and more I read about Drew Waters, the more I want him. Switch hitter that reportedly plays good CF defense and is a plus athlete. The reports make is seem like he has a much better hit tool than the likes of Adell or Beck and that he has a good eye at the plate, but he doesn't have their power or really any true standout tool. Kind of sounds like Dexter Fowler a bit.

[UK]

1. Minnesota Twins | Brendan McKay, lhp/1b, Louisville

At this point the Twins are being linked to three players most heavily, in McKay, Hunter Greene, and Kyle Wright; with a little buzz surrounding other names like Virginia's Pavin Smith. This pick is likely not going to be decided for awhile yet, so for now the Twins go with McKay, a relatively safe mid-rotation starter, who might hit as well.

 

 

2. Cincinnati Reds | Hunter Greene, rhp/ss, Notre Dame HS (Calif.)

The Reds have been very heavy on both McKay and Wright at varying points this spring; but it seems overwhelmingly likely at this point that if Greene is there at No.2; he'll be a Red. They really like Kyle Wright as well, so if the Twins take McKay as I predicted above; they'll have a harder choice to make that many expect.

 

 

3. San Diego Padres | Royce Lewis, ss/cf, JSerra HS (Calif.)

This is where it starts to get a little weird, because in this scenario, Kyle Wright is still on the board. Hunter Greene is mostly likely No. 1 on the Padres board and they would take him if he was available, but if he goes at No. 2; it seems more likely that the Padres go with Lewis or potentially prep lefty MacKenzie Gore.

 

 

4. Tampa Bay Rays | Kyle Wright, rhp, Vanderbilt

Wright is No. 2 on my board behind Greene, and if he were to fall to No. 4 it's likely that the Rays would do cartwheels in the draft room and sprint to the podium. It seems just as likely; however, at this point that Wright goes No. 1 overall--which would, of course, throw this whole projection out the window. There's also been a relatively consistent rumor this spring of SoCal prep bat Nicholas Pratto in play here.

 

 

5. Atlanta Braves | MacKenzie Gore, lhp, Whiteville HS (N.C.)

The Braves are known to covet Kyle Wright, and had been linked to prep outfielder Austin Beck earlier this spring--though that has died down substantially. Gore is getting play as early as potentially No. 1 overall at the moment; and it's well-known at this point that the Braves like him a lot. They'd be pleased with this pick at this spot.

 

 

6. Oakland Athletics | J.B. Bukauskas, rhp, North Carolina

The Athletics are still considering both prep and college players; with Bukauskas, Pavin Smith, Adam Haseley, Gore, and Austin Beck all getting buzz with the A's. Bukauskas has the best pure stuff in the college class; with a mid-90's fastball and plus-plus slider; though he's undersized and his delivery/arm action raise some concerns.

 

 

7. Arizona Diamondbacks | Adam Haseley, of, Virginia

Haseley is getting some buzz in lots of spots all across the draft board, but he fits what Mike Hazen and Amiel Sawdaye like to do from a draft perspective and therefore is a good fit here to Arizona. Haseley is a big time collegiate performer with legitimate tools as well; and would slide right into the top spot in the D'Back's org.

 

 

8. Philadelphia Phillies | Pavin Smith, 1b, Virginia

The Phillies have been tied to both Smith and fellow UVA'er Adam Haseley for awhile now; with Austin Beck also getting some buzz here. Smith offers what might be the highest floor in the draft--he can really hit, with an outstanding approach and above average power as well.

 

 

9. Milwaukee Brewers | Jordon Adell, of/rhp, Ballard HS (Kent.)

One of the louder buzzes all spring has been the Brewers tied to toolsy prep outfielders, with Jordon Adell, Austin Beck, and even Drew Waters generating some noise at this pick. They've also been tied to college pitching, though it's a bit harder to see anyone worthy of No. 9 right now. For now, they go with Adell.

 

 

10. Los Angeles Angels | Alex Faedo, rhp, Florida

Faedo has been steadily good this spring; though the rumored velocity jump from the fall never really did show up. He pitches at 90-94 mph with a plus slider and average changeup; with a certain amount of safety given his track record and present stuff. The Angels have been tied to prep bats, especially Adell, but with him gone, Faedo is the pick right now.

 

 

11. Chicago White Sox | Jeren Kendall, of, Vanderbilt

If Kendall didn't swing and miss as much as he does, we'd likely be calling him a slam-dunk 1:1 selection--the other tools are just that good. He's got plus raw power from the left side with plus-plus speed, a plus arm, and a chance to be plus in center field. The only question is just how much the whiffs will impact his hit tool.

 

 

12. Pittsburgh Pirates | Austin Beck, of, North Davidson HS (N.C.)

Several teams have been linked with Beck ahead of this pick (as well as several after); as the prep outfielder has as loud of tools as anyone in the class, but the lack of performance history due to a torn ACL last year has led to some concerns with evaluators. Regardless of those concerns, this is a good fit here.

 

 

13. Miami Marlins | Shane Baz, rhp, Concordia Lutheran HS (Texas)

While having been linked to several prep players, including both of the premier lefties remaining (Trevor Rogers and D.L. Hall), the Marlins go with Baz here. He's been up to 98 mph this spring with a host of potentially impact offspeed pitches. Baz is firmly committed to TCU, so, similar to Nick Lodolo last year, we'll see if that has any kind of impact.

 

 

14. Kansas City Royals | Trevor Rogers, lhp, Carlsbad HS (N.M.)

Rogers has been rumored as high as No. 3 overall to the Padres, though that smoke died down quickly. He's also been tied to a bunch of other places, but it's well-known in the industry that the Royals are very heavy on the prep lefty from New Mexico, who has drawn comparisons to a young Andrew Miller.

 

 

15. Houston Astros | David Peterson, lhp, Oregon

"Dominant" doesn't even begin to describe how David Peterson has been for Oregon this spring; as the huge lefthander has had no trouble whatsoever in the PAC-12. He works 90-94 mph on most nights with a potentially plus slider and plus command, and looks to be a pretty safe mid-rotation piece at this point.

 

 

16. New York Yankees | D.L. Hall, lhp, Valdosta H.S. (Ga.)

Hall is the No. 3 prep lefty on our draft board, one spot behind Trevor Rogers, though it's well within reason that the hyper-athletic southpaw is higher on other boards. He shows mid-90's heat with a plus curveball and quality changeup, along with the athleticism to eventually have good command as well. Yankees have also been linked heavily with Nick Pratto and Austin Beck, along with UCLA righthander Griffin Canning.

 

 

17. Seattle Mariners | Griffin Canning, rhp, UCLA

The Mariners have been consistently tied to college pitching all spring, and Canning is the best available remaining college arm. He's not flashy but has a quality collection of above average pitches with a plus breaking ball and a fastball that can touch 95-96 mph; and he's really performed this spring as well.

 

 

18. Detroit Tigers | Nicholas Pratto, 1b, Huntington Beach HS (Calif.)

The Tigers have been tied to their typical collection of hard-throwing righthanded arms, but we've also heard them linked with prep outfielder Drew Waters, Oregon's David Peterson, and Nicholas Pratto. Considered by some to be the best prep bat in the class, Pratto would provide a significant boost to the Detroit farm system, which is really lacking in pure hitters at the moment.

 

 

19. San Francisco Giants | Logan Warmoth, ss, North Carolina

The Giants haven't been necessarily specifically tied to Warmoth, the shortstop from UNC who has really popped this spring due to increased power in his game, but it almost makes too much sense to tie the two parties together at this point. The Giants love prep catcher Luis Campusano, but this may be a touch high for him.

 

 

20. New York Mets | Nate Pearson, rhp, College of Central Florida (JC)

A mountain of a righthander flamethrower, Pearson has been the No. 1 JC prospect on PG's list dating back to last fall. With a fastball that has touched 101-102 (depending on the gun you saw at his recent bullpen); Pearson pitches at 93-98 mph and will show an above average curveball along with delivery components to start.

 

 

21. Baltimore Orioles | Evan White, 1b, Kentucky

The Orioles love college bats at this point, with White, Logan Warmoth, Jake Burger, and Keston Hiura all being tied here at various points and intensities this spring. In this scenario they go with White, who can definitely hit and is a tremendous defender at 1st base, but lacks a ton of home run power.

 

 

22. Toronto Blue Jays | Jake Burger, 3b/1b, Missouri State

Burger has been the preeminent collegiate power bat over the last two years (though Iowa's Jake Adams has him beat this season); smashing 20+ HR's each of the last two seasons. He seems likely to slide over to first base, but offers plus plus raw power along with good feel to hit.

 

 

23. Los Angeles Dodgers | Bubba Thompson, of, McGill-Toolen Catholic (Ala.)

The Dodgers have been continually linked with the dual-sport superstar who is committed to Alabama to play strictly baseball. Thompson offers the type of high-impact athletic upside that few others in this class can, with the chops to be plus in the outfield long term and seriously advanced hitting tools.

 

 

24. Boston Red Sox | Keston Hiura, 2b, UC-Irvine

The Red Sox don't shy away from drafting seemingly "unconventional" 1st rounders, and the concerns over both Hiura's future defensive home and his potentially needing Tommy John surgery put him in that mold. However, no one questions Hiura's ability to hit--he absolutely rakes--and there's potentially impact power there too.

 

 

25. Washington Nationals | Tanner Houck, rhp, Missouri

Houck and LSU righthander Alex Lange are viewed somewhat similarly at this point, as SEC righthanders with big fastballs, quality breaking balls, and reliever concerns. Houck gets the nod in this mock, and he's been up to 98 mph with plus-plus fastball life to go with a potentially plus slider; though Lange is a name here as well.

 

 

26. Texas Rangers | Matthew Sauer, rhp, Righetti HS (Calif.)

Perhaps the biggest single riser on draft boards this spring, Sauer's velocity took a big jump up from the 88-92 mph he mostly pitched at last summer/fall to the 93-96 mph he's pitched at this spring. He's got excellent physicality as well; with some remaining projection and a dynamic breaking ball that has earned plus grades. The Rangers are tied to him heavily at one of their two picks in the late 20's.

 

 

27. Chicago Cubs | Nick Allen, ss, Francis W. Parker HS (Calif.)

We at Perfect Game have made no apologies for our affinity for Nick Allen over the years, as the undersized shortstop is the best defender overall in the class with a headiness for the game not seen often from a prep player. He's not going to offer much power, but he can hit, run, and will be a premium defender for years at SS.

 

 

28. Toronto Blue Jays | Brendon Little, lhp, State College of Florida-Manatee (JC)

Little is the second of the two-headed Florida JuCo pitcher monster with Nate Pearson; though more concerns about a future bullpen move have pushed him back a bit from his JC counterpart. Little works with a plus fastball and curveball from the left side, and could pitch in the majors quickly if moved to the 'pen immediately.

 

 

29. Texas Rangers | Alex Lange, rhp, Louisiana State

The Rangers are well-known to love prep upside, so I considered a prep bat like Jeter Downs or Drew Waters here, but having taken a boom-or-bust candidate at 26, they go a bit safer with Lange here. Many think Lange is a reliever long term, but the massive righty pitches in the mid-90's with the best true curveball in the class, so at worst he profiles as a lockdown late-innings reliever.

 

 

30. Chicago Cubs | Heliot Ramos, of, Leadership Christian Academy (PR)

Though the Cubs went with a prep bat in their first pick, it was more of a safer selection given Allen's defensive prowess; so they go upside here with toolsy Ramos, an outfielder from Puerto Rico. There are lots of plus grades on Ramos' scouting report; though the rawness is pretty severe and makes him a boom-or-bust type of selection.

 

 

31. Tampa Bay Rays | Jeter Downs, ss, Monsignor Pace HS (Fla.)

The Rays pick at 4, 31, and 41; so expect them to get creative with their selections, though in this projection they have Kyle Wright fall into their laps at No. 4. If that happens, it's possible they go with prep upside here with a guy like Downs, Drew Waters, or Minnesota prep arm Sam Carlson. Downs has had a fantastic spring, pushing him up boards by showing more power than he'd shown on the circuit along with the tools to stay at shortstop.

 

 

32. Cincinnati Reds | Drew Waters, of, Etowah HS (Ga.)

Cincinnati has been linked to Waters all spring long either here or at No. 38, and while it's well within reason that the switch-hitting center fielder is gone before now, the Reds would likely be ecstatic to get him here. Waters can hit from both sides with the tools to stay in center field long term. Plus, the Reds went with a toolsy prep OF from Georgia as their second pick last year in Taylor Trammell, so why not do it again with Waters?

 

 

33. Oakland Athletics | Seth Romero, lhp, Houston

Romero was getting light buzz as a potential 1:1 candidate prior to being dismissed from the team at Houston for off the field incidents, and had even drawn a few comparisons to Carlos Rodon. This could be a landing spot for him here, though it's impossible to say with any certainty. Makeup aside, Romero offers mid-90's heat from the left side along with one of the best breaking balls in the class; so the upside is hard to ignore even still.

 

 

34. Milwaukee Brewers | Clarke Schmidt, rhp, South Carolina

Schmidt was looking like a possible top-20, even top-15 type of pick prior to injuring his elbow and needing Tommy John surgery last month. Even with the surgery, this looks like a good potential landing spot for him after going for upside with Adell earlier. At his best, Schmidt works in the 91-95 mph range with a plus slider; and if he recovers fully could look like a steal at No. 34.

 

 

35. Minnesota Twins | Sam Carlson, rhp, Burnsville HS (Minn.)

This is a bit too close to a Hollywood ending, as the Twins select Minnesota native Sam Carlson with their second choice. After going safer (with upside) at No. 1 overall in Brendan McKay, the Twins go for upside with Carlson here. The physical righthander has been up to 97 mph this spring with a future plus changeup; and he's shown better feel for spinning his slider as well.

 

 

36. Miami Marlins | Corbin Martin, rhp, Texas A&M

Typically speaking, after going for prep upside at No. 13 in Shane Baz, a good pairing here at No. 36 would be a college bat. However, the draft gets awful light on college bats at this point; so the Marlins go for a college arm here in Corbin Martin of Texas A&M, who has really flourished since joining the Aggie rotation at the start of conference play.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm gonna be pretty sad if Hiura and Houck go at 24 and 25.

[davell]

I think I'd take risks, if the board shook out that way.....Carlson and Schmidt. And hope for Gonzalez, Rooker, Fairchild, or Miller in the 2nd.

 

That said, I'd expect Allen(and be pretty happy) at 27. But, I could definitely see him paired with one of Schmidt or Carlson.

[Hrubes20]

I think I'd take risks, if the board shook out that way.....Carlson and Schmidt. And hope for Gonzalez, Rooker, Fairchild, or Miller in the 2nd.

 

That said, I'd expect Allen(and be pretty happy) at 27. But, I could definitely see him paired with one of Schmidt or Carlson.

 

It would be interesting to see how they would go at 30, if all 3 of Schmidt/Carlson/Romero were there. I tend to think they wouldn't touch Romero, due to the off-the-field stuff, but I can't say that I would be disappointed if they took the gamble.

[davell]

I think I'd take risks, if the board shook out that way.....Carlson and Schmidt. And hope for Gonzalez, Rooker, Fairchild, or Miller in the 2nd.

 

That said, I'd expect Allen(and be pretty happy) at 27. But, I could definitely see him paired with one of Schmidt or Carlson.

 

It would be interesting to see how they would go at 30, if all 3 of Schmidt/Carlson/Romero were there. I tend to think they wouldn't touch Romero, due to the off-the-field stuff, but I can't say that I would be disappointed if they took the gamble.

 

Oh, if they actually took him, I'd quickly think he's just misunderstood.

[davell]

UK, what happened with Schwarz, that his stock fell THIS much?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

UK, what happened with Schwarz, that his stock fell THIS much?

 

No longer a catcher and the bat regressed massively with holes in his swing being easily exploited.

[Tryptamine]

I just don't get it, what is McKay's appeal? He sits like 88-91 without overwhelming secondaries and on the 1B side my understanding is that he got fat on a lot of weaker competition. Taking him at #1 over Kyle Wright, I just can't fathom it.

[Regular Show]

I just don't get it, what is McKay's appeal? He sits like 88-91 without overwhelming secondaries and on the 1B side my understanding is that he got fat on a lot of weaker competition. Taking him at #1 over Kyle Wright, I just can't fathom it.

 

McKay might not be as appealing as a LHP now, but he's considered the best collegiate bat in this draft. Either him or K. Hiura. No one questions the hit or power tool. Unfortunately, he is only capable of playing 1B. Not a super high upside, but maybe the highest floor in the draft? I think he's the safest pick in this draft class.

[davell]

 

 

Wow. Levine is fairly plugged in, says we want pitching at BOTH 27 and 30. Names Lange, Romero, Sauer, and Rogers as guys of interest.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

 

Wow. Levine is fairly plugged in, says we want pitching at BOTH 27 and 30. Names Lange, Romero, Sauer, and Rogers as guys of interest.

 

Romero is interesting. We know they tend to avoid off-field issues with amateur talent but this regime famously drafted Clay Buccholz (with disagreement between Theo and Jed) despite his off the field issues.

[Tim]

How much can we trust Levine when he gets the basics of what he's discussing wrong?

That 27th pick is compensation for the Cardinals signing Dexter Fowler in free agency last offseason. The 30th pick, of course, is the final pick of the round that goes to the previous season’s World Series champion.

Nope. Switch that around, Bruce.

[Regular Show]

 

 

Wow. Levine is fairly plugged in, says we want pitching at BOTH 27 and 30. Names Lange, Romero, Sauer, and Rogers as guys of interest.

 

Romero is interesting. We know they tend to avoid off-field issues with amateur talent but this regime famously drafted Clay Buccholz (with disagreement between Theo and Jed) despite his off the field issues.

 

That's a good point. I personally don't want the Cubs to draft Romero (unless he falls to the later rounds) because on top of the poor makeup I've read conditioning and staying in shape are problems for him.

 

Everything I've read about this Cubs regime is how much they stress character and makeup. They value it and want their scouts to show examples of good character before drafting that player. I doubt they'd be willing to risk a high draft pick on a player kicked off his college team who also has a bad body/conditioning issues.