2017 Actual MLB Draft Day(s) Thread

[davell]

Wrong Thompson.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Another curveball guy

 

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[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA #124:

 

A native of Cullman, Ala., Thompson is old for the class as he missed his junior year last spring due to Tommy John surgery. He's been Auburn's de facto ace since stepping on campus as a freshman in 2014, during which he played both ways as a pitcher and first baseman, posting a rotation-best 2.01 ERA. Injury limited Thompson somewhat his sophomore year before his torn UCL wiped out his junior year entirely. But Thompson has bounced back nicely this spring, going 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA and 66 strikeouts to just 16 walks in 85.1 innings to anchor the Tigers' rotation. Thompson missed a couple of weekends on the mound, and his stuff hasn't come all the way back, at times sitting 87-90 mph, while other times working 90-93. While Thompson isn't as explosive as he was early in his college career, he has plus pitching feel and poise as well as above-average command. He shows a plus breaking ball and has feel for his changeup, throwing all of his pitches for strikes. Thompson could be a quick mover at the pro level due to his age and polish, but there's risk with his injury history.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Wrong Thompson.

 

He's actually very talented but the injuries have already sapped some of his stuff. Another guy who could end up being an strong reliever if he can't hold up as a starter and another guy with a plus curve.

[Hrubes20]

Keegan Thompson, RHP from Auburn.

 

Meh.

[davell]

Wrong Thompson.

 

He's actually very talented but the injuries have already sapped some of his stuff. Another guy who could end up being an elite reliever if he can't hold up as a starter and another guy with a plus curve.

 

I was making fun of myself for mentioning Jake. The BA guys really like this pick. I think he was highly ranked coming out of HS too.

[davell]

Keep forgetting about Toffey. He would have been nice.

[jersey cubs fan]

[davell]

4 college pitchers in 4 picks. Honestly, didn't expect that and probably should have.

[davell]

Tristan Beck must have an insane number.

[Cubswin11]

I wonder what it is about the curveball, or if it will ever even come out, what they like about it so much or what they've found out about it? Do they feel a plus curveball in college carries over to MLB the best of all secondary pitches/is the easiest secondary pitch to scout? Is it a pitch they feel will play up in the current MLB environment and moving forward? Do they feel it's a pitch that has less injury risk as the main secondary pitch? Do they feel the can groom it the best/easiest in the minors?

[Hrubes20]

horsefeathers. Thompson looks like he may have been the overslot. Boras client.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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[jersey cubs fan]

I wonder what it is about the curveball, or if it will ever even come out, what they like about it so much or what they've found out about it? Do they feel a plus curveball in college carries over to MLB the best of all secondary pitches/is the easiest secondary pitch to scout? Is it a pitch they feel will play up in the current MLB environment and moving forward? Do they feel it's a pitch that has less injury risk as the main secondary pitch? Do they feel the can groom it the best/easiest in the minors?

I'd bet that is close to the truth.

[davell]

horsefeathers. Thompson looks like he may have been the overslot. Boras client.

 

Isn't he a 4th year Junior? It'd be really tough, if he is.....

[CaliforniaRaisin]

horsefeathers. Thompson looks like he may have been the overslot. Boras client.

 

Isn't he a 4th year Junior? It'd be really tough, if he is.....

 

Correct. And his redshirt year was due to TJS.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

There goes to Jake Thompson to Boston.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

4th rounder: Erich Uelmen, RHP, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

[CaliforniaRaisin]

MLB.com #160:

 

Uelmen has gone from a reliever as a freshman to weekend starter as a sophomore to Friday-night ace in his three years at Cal Poly. While he may have thrown a bit harder during a strong showing in the Cape Cod League last summer, he was pitching effectively enough to warrant consideration in the top five founds. On the Cape, Uelmen was up to 93-95 mph with his fastball, but that was typically earlier in his starts there. As a starter this spring, he's lived generally in the 89-91 mph range, though it plays up because of the terrific two-seam movement he gets on it from his low three-quarters slot, generating a ton of ground-ball outs. The right-hander has average secondary offerings, with a decent slider he uses to get people to chase and feel for a changeup. He's more control over command, but he largely stays in the strike zone. Largely because he shows better velocity in shorter stints, there are some who feel he might be better suited for the bullpen, where he could be a rally-killing ground-ball machine. A team that takes him early will likely at least give him the chance to start at the next level.

 

Baseball America #273:

 

Uelmen has the durable size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and sinker command to be a durable, back-of-the-rotation starter. He's posed more than 190 innings the last two seasons at Cal Poly, relying heavily on a sinker that earned one comparison to Derek Lowe. He'll sit at 90-94 mph with his two-seamer, using a fast arm to get heavy late sink. His breaking ball, a slurvy slider, gives him an average secondary pitch. Uehlmen had improved his strikeout rate significantly, from 6.8 last year to 9.2 in 2017, while still keeping his walks low. He has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter and could go out as high as the fourth round.

[Hrubes20]

Erich Uelman. Another collegiate pitcher with Cape Cod League experience. Another meh pick overall, unfortunately.

 

5 straight college pitchers to start the draft. Someone go check on the FO to make sure they weren't kidnapped!

[davell]

[Transmogrified Tiger]

25 of the Cubs' last 32 Top 10 round picks have been pitchers. 39 of 52 in the Front Office's tenure.

[Tryptamine]

Maybe I'm seeing something where there is nothing, but Theoyer is making it seem they're pretty desperate to get some quick moving arms into the system. Does this mean they're not going to be in on the FA pitchers this year and next?

[Hrubes20]

 

Well that's good news that he already got his degree. Hopefully he takes slot. He's not the type of guy I would be happy paying overslot for.

[jersey cubs fan]

Maybe I'm seeing something where there is nothing, but Theoyer is making it seem they're pretty desperate to get some quick moving arms into the system. Does this mean they're not going to be in on the FA pitchers this year and next?

 

I wouldn't think so, rather it's more of an "address the issue from multiple angles" kind of thing. What they don't want to do is be in a situation where they are virtually forced to give huge deals to multiple free agents and relievers just to fill out a roster.