2018 Draft Thread

Hrubes20 · May 7, 2018

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/993552879490359298?s=21

Well, we can take solace in the fact that we're probably not one of the teams that's contacted him. I don't know why a team would contact him or consider drafting him.

I hope you're right.

Regular Show · May 7, 2018

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/993552879490359298?s=21

Well, we can take solace in the fact that we're probably not one of the teams that's contacted him. I don't know why a team would contact him or consider drafting him.

I hope you're right.

I'm biased and I know that, but this Cubs regime really stresses the concept of "makeup" and having good character. This organization is much more likely to draft someone like Chris Singleton (who is a very impressive young man) than take a chance on someone with questionable makeup like Heimlich.

CaliforniaRaisin · May 7, 2018

Well, we can take solace in the fact that we're probably not one of the teams that's contacted him. I don't know why a team would contact him or consider drafting him.

I hope you're right.

I'm biased and I know that, but this Cubs regime really stresses the concept of "makeup" and having good character. This organization is much more likely to draft someone like Chris Singleton (who is a very impressive young man) than take a chance on someone with questionable makeup like Heimlich.

Stressing good character?

Regular Show · May 7, 2018

I hope you're right.

I'm biased and I know that, but this Cubs regime really stresses the concept of "makeup" and having good character. This organization is much more likely to draft someone like Chris Singleton (who is a very impressive young man) than take a chance on someone with questionable makeup like Heimlich.

Stressing good character?

Lol, well I was referring to the draft and stressing how important makeup is when they're who deciding who to draft and setting up their big board.

I don't like Chapman, but the calculus (talent > makeup concerns) was decided and the trade was necessary for the Cubs to win it all in 2016. I will grant you trading for Chapman doesn't look good when you purport to value high character and makeup as an organization.

Regular Show · May 8, 2018

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CaliforniaRaisin · May 8, 2018

BA mock. Not crazy about drafting a prep catcher: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/mlb-mock-draft/

24
Anthony Seigler Cartersville (Ga.) HS C
VIDEO
Notes:
Seigler has done a lot to raise his stock this spring, hitting with authority from both sides of the plate and playing solid defense behind the plate. At this point he should be the first prep catcher off the board aside from Noah Naylor (who many teams might prefer to push as a third baseman) and several teams sound interested in this range.

Rodriguez went 10, Larnach 21, Rocker 22, Casas 23, Weathers 25, Eierman 26, Scott 27, and Denaburg 32. Jonathan India went 4!

Regular Show · May 8, 2018

BA mock. Not crazy about drafting a prep catcher: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/mlb-mock-draft/

24
Anthony Seigler Cartersville (Ga.) HS C
VIDEO
Notes:
Seigler has done a lot to raise his stock this spring, hitting with authority from both sides of the plate and playing solid defense behind the plate. At this point he should be the first prep catcher off the board aside from Noah Naylor (who many teams might prefer to push as a third baseman) and several teams sound interested in this range.

Rodriguez went 10, Larnach 21, Rocker 22, Casas 23, Weathers 25, Eierman 26, Scott 27, and Denaburg 32. Jonathan India went 4!

Yeah, I'm not big on taking a HS catcher in the first round. Too risky and recent history says it's a bad idea. Where did Carter Stewart and Cole Winn go?

Named After Maddux · May 8, 2018

BA mock. Not crazy about drafting a prep catcher: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/mlb-mock-draft/

24
Anthony Seigler Cartersville (Ga.) HS C
VIDEO
Notes:
Seigler has done a lot to raise his stock this spring, hitting with authority from both sides of the plate and playing solid defense behind the plate. At this point he should be the first prep catcher off the board aside from Noah Naylor (who many teams might prefer to push as a third baseman) and several teams sound interested in this range.

Rodriguez went 10, Larnach 21, Rocker 22, Casas 23, Weathers 25, Eierman 26, Scott 27, and Denaburg 32. Jonathan India went 4!

Rodriguez is definitely a big helium guy, but someone I'd love in the 2nd is Adam Kloffenstein. He has a bit of a Grayson Rodriguez starter package.

Kloffenstein from MLB Pipeline:

Kloffenstein can work in the low 90s with heavy sink on his two-seam fastball and hit 96 mph with his four-seamer. He has advanced feel for a breaking ball, showing the ability to morph his sharp slider into a bigger-breaking curveball or a harder cutter. He also has a deceptive changeup with tumble that lacks consistency but also can be his best pitch at times.

At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Kloffenstein has a frame built for durability and also the room to add some more strength. He's athletic and repeats his delivery well, allowing him to throw strikes. He's a tough competitor who can get overly animated on the mound, but the only real knock against him is that he may difficult to sign away from Texas Christian.

Rodriguez from MLB Pipeline:

Like Forrest Whitley two years ago, Rodriguez is a Texas prep right-hander who could land in the first round after improving his physical conditioning and seeing his stuff and stock take a significant step forward. He led Central Heights (Nacogdoches) to the Texas state 3-A title as a two-way star in 2017, then consistently worked in the low 90s on the showcase circuit. This spring, he repeatedly has topped out at 97 or 98 mph.

Rodriguez's fastball sits at 92-94 mph with heavy life that should turn wood bats into kindling. He has an array of promising secondary pitches, with most scouts preferring his low-80s slider to his mid-70s curveball, though the latter has nice shape. He hasn't had much need for a changeup but shows the potential to have an average one.

Rodriguez is a decent athlete who uses a controlled delivery that allows him to provide strikes on a regular basis. His 6-foot-5 frame and high-three-quarters slot create steep downhill plane with his pitches.

We definitely have a bit of room to take some HS talent in the first couple rounds.

CaliforniaRaisin · May 8, 2018

BA mock. Not crazy about drafting a prep catcher: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/mlb-mock-draft/

24
Anthony Seigler Cartersville (Ga.) HS C
VIDEO
Notes:
Seigler has done a lot to raise his stock this spring, hitting with authority from both sides of the plate and playing solid defense behind the plate. At this point he should be the first prep catcher off the board aside from Noah Naylor (who many teams might prefer to push as a third baseman) and several teams sound interested in this range.

Rodriguez went 10, Larnach 21, Rocker 22, Casas 23, Weathers 25, Eierman 26, Scott 27, and Denaburg 32. Jonathan India went 4!

Yeah, I'm not big on taking a HS catcher in the first round. Too risky and recent history says it's a bad idea. Where did Carter Stewart and Cole Winn go?

Winn went 11, Stewart 15 and, you didn’t ask but Hankins went 17.

Regular Show · May 8, 2018

BA mock. Not crazy about drafting a prep catcher: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/mlb-mock-draft/

Rodriguez went 10, Larnach 21, Rocker 22, Casas 23, Weathers 25, Eierman 26, Scott 27, and Denaburg 32. Jonathan India went 4!

Yeah, I'm not big on taking a HS catcher in the first round. Too risky and recent history says it's a bad idea. Where did Carter Stewart and Cole Winn go?

Winn went 11, Stewart 15 and, you didn’t ask but Hankins went 17.

Thanks. So we might have a chance at one of them if they start sliding or other players start rising, but it looks doubtful right now.

Regular Show · May 9, 2018

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I've been hearing Cole Wilcox is moving up fast -- like consideration for a top 10 pick now. I didn't know he had a plus changeup. Keith Law wrote a pretty glowing review of Wilcox from their matchup too. He was down on Kumar Rocker and I believe his stock is falling.

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davell · May 10, 2018

Juan

2:53 Is there a legitimate chance that the Cubs go with a high-upside prep guy in the 1st round to stimulate their system?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:53 I doubt it.

That's the only Cubs tidbit from the FG or Law chats this week.

Hopefully this means position player, I can't see an upside college pitcher at 24 that I like enough.

davell · May 10, 2018

Juan
2:53 Is there a legitimate chance that the Cubs go with a high-upside prep guy in the 1st round to stimulate their system?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:53 I doubt it.

That's the only Cubs tidbit from the FG or Law chats this week.

Hopefully this means position player, I can't see an upside college pitcher at 24 that I like enough.

I tried doing a mock draft and ended up with Zach Watson from LSU to the Cubs at 24.

The FG guys mentioned Rocker was being looked at by the Blue Jays in the 2nd. Literally nothing else was said, so don't know if that's them EXPECTING he'll be there, if they're going cheap in the 1st, or any other myriad of questions that statement can bring up.

Regular Show · May 10, 2018

Juan
2:53 Is there a legitimate chance that the Cubs go with a high-upside prep guy in the 1st round to stimulate their system?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:53 I doubt it.

That's the only Cubs tidbit from the FG or Law chats this week.

Hopefully this means position player, I can't see an upside college pitcher at 24 that I like enough.

I tried doing a mock draft and ended up with Zach Watson from LSU to the Cubs at 24. Rocker to the Twins and Weathers to the Yankees

I'm confused.

Is there a website or simulator you use to do this mock draft or are you just scratching one out on paper? I mean I remember trying to do this for fun many, many years ago and I sucked at it. It's really hard. To do a somewhat realistic mock draft you need good sources and lots of info. I mean good luck in trying to hammer one out I guess.

Zach Watson to the Cubs is ... a curious choice.

Regular Show · May 10, 2018

I was just fumbling around because I had time and didn't feel like reading. I actually lost that first mock so here's another completely made up one. I'm a poster on a message board, it's fodder:

1 - Tigers: Alec Bohm - This should surprise no one if they choose the college bat but will anyway for reasons
2 - Giants: Casey Mize - Great fit for their park, I like the Tanaka comp in multiple ways but think he'll just do better
3 - Phillies: Matthew Liberatore
4 - White Sox: Jonathan India - Makes sense to me since he didn't break his wrist, did mash, and offers them an IF bat prospect to go with Robert and Collins in the OF and at catcher
5 - Reds: Kyler Murray - The first real surprise. They're willing to gamble drafting 6 next year when the org direction will be more decisive. He's made big gains this spring, they've put a premium on tools, and have had some success with football athletes (Taylor Trammel) in the draft
6 - Mets: Nick Madrigal - The Mets get lucky but Mets lucky where the drafted hitter broke his wrist(?) draft year
7 - Padres: Jared Kelenic
8 - Braves: Joey Bart -Deep in pitching the Braves take the best C in the draft
9 - Atheltics: Travis Swaggerty - A's aren't shying away from his track record and tools because of some swing and miss
10 - Pirates: Carter Stewart - Spin obsessed org gets their guy
11 - Orioles: Nolan Gorman
12 - Blue Jays: Grayson Rodriguez
13 - Marlins: Tristan Casas - They're very hard to mock with a new FO, I go home state kid with the big bat
14 - Mariners: Cole Wilcox
15 - Rangers: Ethan Hankins
16 - Rays: Connor Scott
17 - Angels: Brady Singer
18 - Royals: Jordan Groshans - This is all about his frame and the potential to mash while staying in the IF
19 - Cardinals: Tristan Pompey - Dexter Fowler starter kit. I was also thinking Nander de Sadas with their recent HS bat run
20 - Twins: Kumar Rocker - They've taken the dive on premium tools from Georgia before, park is a great fit
21 - Brewers: Greyson Jenista - They pounce on the proven college bat still on the board
22 - Rockies: Jordyn Adams
23: Yankees: Ryan Weathers - Another team sprinting to the podium
24: Cubs: Shane McClanahan - Hey, things work out as the team could use a power LH that might move fast

Cubs' other picks:

63: Jameson Hannah - Three year college bat that also hit in the Cape

76: Xavier Edwards

77: Brett Hansen

98: Steven Gingery - Two pre-injured college pitchers!

So I'm not going to critique your mock draft that much, but I don't think the Cubs could afford Xavier Edwards at #76 unless they went way overslot. I actually think he's going to college or he'll be selected at the beginning of the second round.

Shane McClanahan probably isn't falling all the way to #24, but it'd be awesome if he did.

I do think you're right about Tristan Casas going to the Marlins. That's an industry rumor and it makes sense.

Last thing, Casey Mize is going #1 unless he fails a physical or something weird happens. I like Alec Bohm, but he isn't going #1. I think Mize can move quickly and fits the Tiger's draft philosophy pretty well.

davell · May 11, 2018

Respect for the time and effort. I'd take that Cubs draft and run. But, I don't see McClanahan dropping THIS far. If he DID, as a RS Soph, I bet he's still looking for way over slot.

MAYBE Hannah comes in slightly under slot, but I figure that's in range for him, so I'd be a bit surprised. Edwards is too tough. Vandy commit and his parents are teachers. If you get him, it's for 1st round money probably.

Gingery is a nice pick. Personally, I'd bet he goes closer to Hannah's spot, but I'd be very happy with him.

I like Hanson. But again, I'd suspect he might want top 30-50 money, as a Vandy guy. Plus, he's a Mormon and I'm not sure how the mission thing affects him and his draft positioning. Or if he's even taking one.

At any rate, I would love that grouping. But, I think we'd have already spent past our entire draft budget.

CaliforniaRaisin · May 11, 2018

Man, that’s a lot of helium on Kyler Murray.

davell · May 11, 2018

We're hearing about all these guys that are moving up. But, who is moving down? There's only 15 spots for top 15 guys and it seems like there's 25 of them to me.

Regular Show · May 11, 2018

We're hearing about all these guys that are moving up. But, who is moving down? There's only 15 spots for top 15 guys and it seems like there's 25 of them to me.

There have to be some guys moving down for other guys to move up and overtake them in the draft rankings. Off the top of my head, I'd say Griffin Conine, Brice Turang, Luken Baker, Tim Cate, Tristan Pompey and Brady Singer (he's still highly rated) have fallen in the rankings to some degree.

Mason Denaburg seems like the big one among the highly rated prep arms that have fallen.

davell · May 11, 2018

We're hearing about all these guys that are moving up. But, who is moving down? There's only 15 spots for top 15 guys and it seems like there's 25 of them to me.

There have to be some guys moving down for other guys to move up and overtake them in the draft rankings. Off the top of my head, I'd say Griffin Conine, Brice Turang, Luken Baker, Tim Cate, Tristan Pompey and Brady Singer (he's still highly rated) have fallen in the rankings to some degree.

Mason Denaburg seems like the big one among the highly rated prep arms that have fallen.

Denaburg may be more likely to go to school now. Was Baker ever THAT high? I don't remember seeing him go before our pick at any point this year. Singer has dropped, but is he even dropping outside the top 10?

I think there's a good chance a top 10-12 talent is available to us at 24. Just don't know who.

Regular Show · May 11, 2018

We're hearing about all these guys that are moving up. But, who is moving down? There's only 15 spots for top 15 guys and it seems like there's 25 of them to me.

There have to be some guys moving down for other guys to move up and overtake them in the draft rankings. Off the top of my head, I'd say Griffin Conine, Brice Turang, Luken Baker, Tim Cate, Tristan Pompey and Brady Singer (he's still highly rated) have fallen in the rankings to some degree.

Mason Denaburg seems like the big one among the highly rated prep arms that have fallen.

Denaburg may be more likely to go to school now. Was Baker ever THAT high? I don't remember seeing him go before our pick at any point this year. Singer has dropped, but is he even dropping outside the top 10?

I think there's a good chance a top 10-12 talent is available to us at 24. Just don't know who.

Oh, I was just stating draft prospects whose stock has fallen. Singer should still go in the top 10. I don't know who will be available to the Cubs at 24, but yeah we should be getting a good player. There really isn't much separation between 13-40 in the draft rankings in my opinion.

If he falls all the way to 24 I could see the Cubs taking RHP Logan Gilbert. He seems to be flying under the radar a little bit.

davell · May 11, 2018

There have to be some guys moving down for other guys to move up and overtake them in the draft rankings. Off the top of my head, I'd say Griffin Conine, Brice Turang, Luken Baker, Tim Cate, Tristan Pompey and Brady Singer (he's still highly rated) have fallen in the rankings to some degree.

Mason Denaburg seems like the big one among the highly rated prep arms that have fallen.

Denaburg may be more likely to go to school now. Was Baker ever THAT high? I don't remember seeing him go before our pick at any point this year. Singer has dropped, but is he even dropping outside the top 10?

I think there's a good chance a top 10-12 talent is available to us at 24. Just don't know who.

Oh, I was just stating draft prospects whose stock has fallen. Singer should still go in the top 10. I don't know who will be available to the Cubs at 24, but yeah we should be getting a good player. There really isn't much separation between 13-40 in the draft rankings in my opinion.

If he falls all the way to 24 I could see the Cubs taking RHP Logan Gilbert. He seems to be flying under the radar a little bit.

He'd make me happy enough, I guess. I'm trying to play process of elimination, on who might be there for us.

These guys will be off the board for sure, by what I can tell.....

RHCP- Mize, Singer

LHCP- McClanahan, Rolison

HSRHP- Stewart, Winn, Wilcox, Rodriguez

HSLHP- Liberatore, Weathers,

CPP- Madrigal, Swaggerty, Bart, India, Bohm, Larnach

HSPP- Kelenic, Gorman, Scott, Turang, Naylor

That's 21 guys I think are extremely likely, most being locks, to be off the board, by the time we pick.

The non locks being Rolison, Larnach, Scott, and Naylor?

The guys I'm NOT mentioning as LOCKS to go before we pick are Rocker, Hankins, Vasil, and Casas.

So, if those guys ARE off the board and we go with a college guy, what's there for us?

Position Players- Eierman, Jenista, Walker, Hoerner, Watson, which seems to be reaches, in most of these instances.

College Pitchers- Kowar, Gilbert, Beck, Hjelle, Knight

Again, this is only if we DO take a college guy in the 1st. Which, I guess think I'd prefer going the HS route, after looking this over.....

CaliforniaRaisin · May 11, 2018

We're hearing about all these guys that are moving up. But, who is moving down? There's only 15 spots for top 15 guys and it seems like there's 25 of them to me.

Yeah, some interesting and good draftable prospects look to be falling into the 20s. Hopefully a couple of these guys make it to the Cubs and past teams like the Yankees who are picking just in front of them.

Hrubes20 · May 11, 2018

Callis with the mock draft to make Tom's day:

https://www.mlb.com/news/college-players-lead-in-mlb-mock-draft/c-276190214?tid=151437456

I do love that he links us solely to higher upside prep players though. As a Cubs fan, it seems Callis generally has at least an inkling of the types of players the Cubs are going after.

Hrubes20 · May 11, 2018

24: Cubs: Shane McClanahan - Hey, things work out as the team could use a power LH that might move fast

63: Jameson Hannah - Three year college bat that also hit in the Cape

76: Xavier Edwards

77: Brett Hansen

98: Steven Gingery - Two pre-injured college pitchers!

Yes, please. I would love that draft, as I'm a big fan of both Edwards and Hansen.

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