2018 Draft Thread

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Holy horsefeathers, there's a guy from Kirkwood Community College in IC?? Bob and Bobson, go see him

 

http://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/john-mulaney-gif-11.gif

[Cubswin11]

I thought that said Shane Falco for a second and I was ready to be all in

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Holy horsefeathers, there's a guy from Kirkwood Community College in IC?? Bob and Bobson, go see him

CR. I'm only 15 minutes from campus and actually planned on taking in a game or 2 this season.

[Regular Show]

Currently, the Cubs are picking four times in the top 100: 24th (1st round), 63rd (2nd round), 75th (for Wade Davis) and 98th (3rd round).

 

http://m.mlb.com/draft/2018/order

 

Most likely, we'll get another pick once Arrieta signs somewhere for what I'm assuming will be a contract for $50+ million. That pick will also be after the 2nd round. These new rules really suck considering the Cubs would've had two picks after the first round as compensation for losing Davis and Arrieta under the old CBA.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

That's 1.1 material...at least until the TJS:

 

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[Regular Show]

I'm starting to read up on 2018 MLB draft prospects and watch video of them when possible.

 

One pitcher that caught my attention immediately was Kentucky RHP - Sean Hjelle (pronounced "Jelly") who is 6'11"!!! He's crazy tall and lanky, and seems like a good athlete. The weird thing is how consistent and smooth his mechanics are for a pitcher this tall. I'm really impressed with his delivery and overall command. He doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he has room to fill out and hopefully get stronger. He's only ~215 lbs. right now so I think he could add another 20-25 lbs. when he fills out. I'll be curious to see where Fangraphs and Baseball America have him leading up to the draft. Right now he should be available in the late first round/early second round area, but he could rise as we get closer to the draft.

 

Here is a video from last year:

 

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Another video from MLB.com:

 

[bbvideo=560,315]https://www.mlb.com/video/2018-draft-sean-hjelle-rhp/c-1868836083[/bbvideo]

 

Seems like a good kid with great makeup too. I really like this pitcher and hope the Cubs scout him extensively.

[Cubswin11]

Interesting HS bat in 6’2” switch hitting MIF/3B Bryce Reagan:

 

 

He has a rangy and projectable frame, might get to a Zobrist-esque 6’3” 210. Seems like a similar prospect to the SS they signed from Mexico last year.

I like this guy

[Regular Show]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/964152594011770881[/tweet]

 

It's an ESPN Insider article. His list is pretty different from other lists I've seen so far. He has Florida RHP - B. Singer really low at #22, and LHP - S. McClanahan at #13, which also seems too low. He has N. Madrigal way too low for an advanced college hitter. It's really early so it'll change a lot in the coming months.

 

I can't say I really agree with his placement for this group, but I'm no expert and haven't seen these players in person (not sure if he has either). This draft class is kind of weird and skews pretty heavily in favor of pitchers.

[UK]

I forgot to mention that I seen Kelenic at an indoor showcase 2 weeks ago. He's by far the best amateur Ive seen in person.

 

Folty and Odorizzi were 1A and 1B followed by Justin O'Connor (flamed out) and J. Zimmerman.

 

Kelenic is higher than all of them.

 

I have a 59 OFP on him. I had a 56 on Folty coming out of HS.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/964152594011770881[/tweet]

 

It's an ESPN Insider article. His list is pretty different from other lists I've seen so far. He has Florida RHP - B. Singer really low at #22, and LHP - S. McClanahan at #13, which also seems too low. He has N. Madrigal way too low for an advanced college hitter. It's really early so it'll change a lot in the coming months.

 

I can't say I really agree with his placement for this group, but I'm no expert and haven't seen these players in person (not sure if he has either). This draft class is kind of weird and skews pretty heavily in favor of pitchers.

 

Not surprised that one person would rank any of those three lower than consensus. They all have real question marks. I've seen a few others question Singer's stuff compared to the standard pitcher who goes 1st overall. McClanahan is a TJS survivor with a short track record thus far too. Madrigal is a 5'6" second baseman.

[Cubswin11]

Just the tidbits about curveballs from Law and it seeming like the FO likes something about them..... Carter Stewart and Tim Cate would seem to be targets for us

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Some draft lists have him as the top prospect in the draft right now.

 

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[davell]

Some draft lists have him as the top prospect in the draft right now.

 

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We're probably going to have the chance to draft a top 10 talent this year, that falls. Either injury or signing demands.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

More on Hankins:

 

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Another draft pitcher injury:

 

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[CaliforniaRaisin]

Carson's younger brother:

 

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[Regular Show]

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I think LHP - S. McClanahan is definitely going in the top-3 and maybe be considered for 1-1, as long as he remains healthy. Those Chris Sale comps don't seem so crazy anymore.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Oregon State OF Trevor Larnach had a 3.034 OPS this weekend. BA has him ranked 92nd in their draft board rankings but he clearly jumped quite a bit on draft boards this weekend.

[OleMissCub]

Ryan Rolison K’d 12 and gave up a hit in 5 innings in his first start of the year. He threw 24 sliders with 19 of them being strikes.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Texas Tech lefty Stephen Gingery and FSU lefty Tyler Hilton both need TJS.

[Hrubes20]

Am I the only one that missed that Justin Hooper blew out his arm in fall ball? I was really excited to see him this year after his big Cape performance last summer.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Am I the only one that missed that Justin Hooper blew out his arm in fall ball? I was really excited to see him this year after his big Cape performance last summer.

 

I knew about it, but I'm a big UCLA fan. Really disappointed because it sounded like he was going to run away with a spot in the weekend rotation.

[Hrubes20]

Am I the only one that missed that Justin Hooper blew out his arm in fall ball? I was really excited to see him this year after his big Cape performance last summer.

 

I knew about it, but I'm a big UCLA fan. Really disappointed because it sounded like he was going to run away with a spot in the weekend rotation.

 

Yeah, there was finally room for him in there. Molnar isn't back yet, is he?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Am I the only one that missed that Justin Hooper blew out his arm in fall ball? I was really excited to see him this year after his big Cape performance last summer.

 

I knew about it, but I'm a big UCLA fan. Really disappointed because it sounded like he was going to run away with a spot in the weekend rotation.

 

Yeah, there was finally room for him in there. Molnar isn't back yet, is he?

 

Not yet. He had a setback and is expected to miss the first month of the season. He's still expected to go into the weekend rotation when he returns.

[Regular Show]

Here's some good info on draft prospects from K. McDaniels on Fangraphs:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/draft-notes-in-person-scouting-scuttlebutt-galore/

 

Good video of curveball monster RHP Carter Stewart in the article. He's probably moving up draft boards now. I really like him, but I doubt the Cubs get a chance at drafting him.

 

A good video of LHP S. McClanahan is in there too. The Cubs are definitely not getting a chance at drafting him unless he gets hurt or something weird happens.

 

PS -- Fans of Fangraphs here should try to donate if possible. Everything is free, and it seems like they're really making a push to get donations with the banner at the bottom of every article now. It would suck if a lot of their content was behind paywalls.

[Hrubes20]

 

I knew about it, but I'm a big UCLA fan. Really disappointed because it sounded like he was going to run away with a spot in the weekend rotation.

 

Yeah, there was finally room for him in there. Molnar isn't back yet, is he?

 

Not yet. He had a setback and is expected to miss the first month of the season. He's still expected to go into the weekend rotation when he returns.

 

He could be a really good one. Such a strong season as a frosh.