2017 Actual MLB Draft Day(s) Thread

[davell]

I think my preferred scenario is better than getting Enlow. If you get Estrada AND a guy like Strider, Lacy, Rutledge, Drohan, or some other HS arm with upside, you're better off than just getting Enlow.

 

Again, its hopeful, on my end. Don't know if its possible or not. But, I'd take Estrada, plus another 500-600ishK type over Enlow.

 

Ah, I'm not sure about this since we don't know how much Estrada is demanding, but I don't think the Cubs have enough to sign Estrada and a $500-$600K HS pitcher.

 

I like Estrada and who really knows what will happen? Maybe Estrada will develop into a solid #3 starter and Enlow never makes it to the big leagues. Maybe neither one will make it to the big leagues...

 

Just right now at this moment I wish the Cubs had drafted Enlow in the 2nd round + some pitcher in the 6th round over taking Estrada in the 6th + C. Abbott in the 2nd.

 

Yeah, I can't really disagree with that. It'll be fun watching the bonuses play out, see what our actual options were.

[bauermj]

Enlow signed for 2M

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/06/twins-expected-to-sign-third-rounder-blayne-enlow-to-over-slot-deal.html

[davell]

[Hrubes20]

Enlow signed for 2M

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/06/twins-expected-to-sign-third-rounder-blayne-enlow-to-over-slot-deal.html

 

That's what I figured. Can't imagine Estrada getting anywhere near that. I'd honestly be surprised if he even took the $1.5 million that Cease got.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Enlow signed for 2M

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/06/twins-expected-to-sign-third-rounder-blayne-enlow-to-over-slot-deal.html

 

That's what I figured. Can't imagine Estrada getting anywhere near that. I'd honestly be surprised if he even took the $1.5 million that Cease got.

 

He's certainly not the prospect pre-draft (TJS or not) that Cease was.

[bauermj]

Its really interesting....Truly hard to guess at what we've got guys agreed to monetarily.....Here's my guesses.

 

Little-2.2 As a soph, he's got a little negotiating power.(173,300 under)

Lange-2.0 (184,300 under)

Abbott-.500 (401,900 under)

Thompson-slot Would have said less, but Boras....

Uelman- .300(82,300 under)

Velazquez- .250(35,800 under) Wouldn't have said this, but he doesn't have a college commitment)

Estrada- Literally no idea, but I'd guess a mill+

Thomas- .150 (25,500 under)

Filiere-slot

Carrier-.050 (87,500 under)

Glowicki-.050(81,300 under)

 

This is a prediction, but also an exercise, to see where we may be at.....971,900 under, plus 372,700 overage.....That'd leave a total of 1,344,600 to play with. Estrada has a slot of 222,600.

 

In this scenario, we could give him a tad over 1.5. Hopefully, its closer to the 1-1.2 range, which would still give us between 300-500k for 11-40.

 

Obviously, a complete guess. Little and Lange may be getting slot, but I'm hoping this is close. I guess there's a slim chance Estrada is agreeing to 700-800k.

 

At any rate, even if he decided against signing, we should be in pretty good shape to grab some backup plans tomorrow, even if we'd lose his slot. In a perfect world though, is we can get him AND still have room for a Clifton level over slot tomorrow.

If those guesses are remotely accurate, the Cubs could have/should have taken Enlow at the end of round 2. He was taken 8 picks later by the Twins who everyone knew still had plenty of money to play with after taking Lewis 1st overall because they could underslot him.

 

I don't know what Enlow's demands are so perhaps the math wouldn't have worked out and the Cubs knew it. But, damn, Little, Lange and Enlow would've been a nice haul...

 

Enlow would have been interesting with the Round 2 pick but you would have needed to find 1.1M extra to get to 2M. In davell's exercise he is projecting 400k+ savings from slot on the Abbot pick so you have to throw that away in the Enlow scenario. So if you were only saving ~350k in surplus funds from picks #1 & #2 it was going to be very difficult to find another 750k in savings in rounds 3-10. I guess you could have punted your round #3 pick and the round 6 or 7 picks to SRs to come up with the coin, but then no money for rounds 11-40 fliers either.

Interesting scenarios for sure.

[Hrubes20]

Rollie Lacy, RHP - Creighton - Stop me if you've heard this, but he has Cape Cod experience.

[craig]

Heh heh, who needs such a big scouting-staff budget, if all you need to do is scout the Cape Cod League? :):):)

[craig]

.....I like Estrada and who really knows what will happen? Maybe Estrada will develop into a solid #3 starter and Enlow never makes it to the big leagues. Maybe neither one will make it to the big leagues...

 

Just right now at this moment I wish the Cubs had drafted Enlow in the 2nd round + some pitcher in the 6th round over taking Estrada in the 6th + C. Abbott in the 2nd.

 

Yeah. But yes, who knows what will happen? Maybe Abbott will end up being better than Estrada or Enlow! Who knows?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

26th rounder: Bryce Bonnin, RHP, Barbers Hill HS (Mont Belvieu, TX)

 

MLB.com rank #74:

 

Entering his high school senior season, there was some question as to whether Bonnin was better as a position player or a pitcher. Arkansas lists him as a shortstop among its incoming recruits, and he does display arm strength, athleticism and offensive potential. But he might not make it to the Razorbacks because he came out firing fastballs up to 95 early in the year and could go in the top three rounds as a pitcher. Bonnin's heater settled at 90-92 mph at times later in the spring, though he should have consistent plus velocity once he focuses on pitching and gets a little stronger. His slider has similar upside, usually arriving in the low 80s with sharp, late action and looking like a wipeout pitch when he runs it into the upper 80s. He rarely throws a changeup because he hasn't needed it against high school competition. Bonnin throws across his body and with effort and a long arm. He has no problems finding the strike zone, but his mechanics and relatively small stature lead some scouts to project him as a reliever. Others think his athleticism gives him a chance to refine his delivery and make it as a starter.

 

BA #73:

 

Bonnin primarily did his damage with his bat in his first three years of high school, but once Bonnin got a chance to pitch more regularly, he quickly established himself as one of the best pitchers in Texas. Bonnin's athleticism is apparent on the mound, and he has a special arm, one that fires off 90-95 mph sinkers. Bonnin attacks hitters with that sinker and a hard slider that flashes plus, but is inconsistent. At its best it's an 86-87 mph offering with bite and two-plane break, but it sometimes gets loopier and softer. The Arkansas signee's delivery is less than ideal--he has a long arm path in the back and he's more rotational than direct to the plate. Bonnin is shorter than scouts like for a righthander at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, but he has the makings of two plus pitches and natural athleticism. He's also an accomplished hitter who should be a two-way star if he makes it to Arkansas, but in pro ball, he'll be a power pitcher.

[davell]

If I'm not mistaken, he's the first guy we've taken today to even be on BA's top 500. I guess he's possible Estrada insurance? If we were planning on signing him, I'm sure we'd have taken him earlier.

[craig]

If I'm not mistaken, he's the first guy we've taken today to even be on BA's top 500. I guess he's possible Estrada insurance? If we were planning on signing him, I'm sure we'd have taken him earlier.

 

Yup, backup-plan insurance pick for sure.

[davell]

2B Jared Young seems like a really solid pick in the 15th. Hughes seems like a nice get in the 16th too. Chris Singleton had a down year, but seems like a decent pick. And an easy guy to pull for.(his mom was killed in the 2015 SC church shooting)

[davell]

CF Kier Meredith is a Clemson signee, ranked 215 by BA. He was also recruited by Clemson at RB. So he's another guy that'd be insurance on Estrada.

[Hrubes20]

I can find nothing online about 14th rounder Luis Vazquez, other than he's from Puerto Rico, and somebody made a terrible video of him working out.

[Post Count Padder]

Is it odd we haven't drafted a single catcher or corner infielder yet?

[davell]

https://twitter.com/AdamRHouston/status/874611945739104257

 

Good article on Meredith. Seems like he'd definitely turn pro for the right money. Doubtful we'll have enough, but it'd be really nice to find a way.

[davell]

Is it odd we haven't drafted a single catcher or corner infielder yet?

 

8th rounder is that 3B from MIT. But yeah, shocked no C's.

[davell]

Just took RHP Hunter Ruth, in the 32nd. HS kid recovering from TJS. Nice upside type, Florida commit. If only we had money.....

[CaliforniaRaisin]

28th rounder Kier Meredith (BA #215):

 

The conversation about Meredith starts with his speed--he's a true 80 runner on the 20-to-80 scale, capable of reaching first base in 3.9 seconds from the left side and running the 60-yard dash in less than 6.5 seconds. That speed fits in center field, where Meredith shows advanced instincts and routes; he has a chance to be a plus defensive outfielder. Meredith is a lefthanded hitter with a contact-oriented approach that pairs well with his dynamic speed. Meredith showed limited power with a wood bat on the summer showcase circuit, but his pure hitting improved as he saw more advanced arms and he showed a knack for making contact and driving the ball to the gaps. He has natural timing and athleticism in the batter's box and he added more thump as he got stronger and added more separation to his swing in the spring. Meredith is a natural leader and an extremely hard worker. He is young for the class and won't turn 18 until September. He is committed to Clemson.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

32nd rounder Hunter Ruth.

 

BA #135:

 

Ruth was trending up toward the top of the class this spring before tearing his ulnar collateral ligament and having to undergo Tommy John surgery. The Gainesville-based righty showed advanced stuff early in the season, including a fastball that sat in the mid-90s and touched 97 mph. In addition, his slider showed the makings of a plus pitch at its best, and following the 2016 East Coast Pro Showcase, some scouts thought his changeup was among the best of high school righthanders. Top everything off with the fact that he was showing improved command (just three walks in 17.1 innings) and the only reason he's not a top 50 prospect is because of the uncertainty that comes with any pitcher who's had Tommy John.

 

MLB.com #151:

 

After a successful summer showcase circuit tour that included participating in both the Perfect Game All-American Classic and UnderArmour All-American Game, Ruth looked like the type of high school right-hander who could move up boards with a strong spring. Instead, he went down with an elbow injury that needed Tommy John surgery, leaving his stock a bit up in the air. When healthy, there's a lot to like in Ruth. There's a ton of arm strength, with Ruth getting the heater up to 95-96 mph at times. He'll often live off of his fastball, but he'll show a really good breaking ball and a feel for a changeup as well. There is some effort in his delivery, which is a bit unorthodox. That arm action along with elbow injury, does leave some wondering if he's more of a reliever in the future. It's hard to figure out where good talent that has gone down with TJ surgery in high school should go in the Draft. Based on ability, Ruth definitely belongs in the top five rounds, with some scouts thinking he could have snuck into the conversation of high-upside high school players being discussed at the back end of the first round. If a team doesn't want to sign and rehab him, Ruth can stay home and head to Florida to get healthy there.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

16th rounder Michigan State OF Brandon Hughes - BA #240:

 

A three-year starter at Michigan State, Hughes has shown modest but steady improvement at the plate to go with a middle-of-the-diamond defensive profile. He's a plus runner who is an average defender in center. Hughes switch-hits and gets caught out on his front foot too frequently from both sides of the plate. He makes it work in college thanks to quick hands, but it leads some scouts to question how well he'll hit against tougher competition. Despite his size (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) he has below-average power, focusing more on getting on base than driving the ball.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

31st rounder Long Beach St 3B Ramsey Romano - BA #494:

 

Romano was an All-State quarterback in addition to baseball star in high school, and he spent his freshman year at Michigan as both an infielder and a backup quarterback on Jim Harbaugh's football team. After one year Romano dropped football and transferred to Yavapai (Ariz.) JC, where he led the Roughriders to the 2016 Junior College National Championship. Romano continued his championship ways at Long Beach State, leading the team with an .338 average out of the cleanup spot in the regular season to help the Dirtbags win their first Big West Conference title since 2008. Romano is an excellent athlete able to drive mid-90s velocity and take extra bases with his above-average speed. He is a solid defender at third base with an above-average arm and can stick at the position. Romano doesn't hit for much power and is a bit of a free-swinger, but his contact and defense profile works well with his athleticism and championship pedigree.

[davell]

We took a HS SS Ben Ramirez, ranked 199 by MLB and 259 by BA. 35th round. USC commit.

 

We also took Junior RHP Andrew Karp, of FSU, in the 34th. He's ranked 253 by BA. Odd that he'd still be there this late.

 

37th round, we took a HS lefty, Alex Cornwell, ranked 498.

[davell]

38th round is a 6'9 HS LHP Russell Smith, ranked 455 by BA.