2018 Actual MLB Draft Day(s) Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

As we have in recent years, I’ve created a new thread for the actual draft. This way, I can update the original post with all Cubs picks and in the ensuing month, also update with all signings and bonuses. The draft starts today at 6 p.m. CT with the first two rounds and supplemental picks (the Cubs first 4 picks). Tomorrow, we’ll get rounds 3 – 10, starting at 11:30 a.m. CT. Wednesday, we have rounds 11-40, starting at 11 a.m. CT.

 

2018 Bonus Pool: $7,517,100

2018 Bonus Pool Including 5% Overage: $7,892,955

2018 Signings Charged to Bonus Pool: $7,892,500

2018 Bonus Pool Remaining (all top 10 rounds) Including 5% Overage: $455 Under Budget

 

1.24: Nico Hoerner, SS, Stanford - MLB.com rank: 52, BA rank: 42; Signed for $2,724,000 (Pick Value: $2,724,000)

A three-year starter at Stanford, Hoerner played second during his freshman year. He's moved over to the left side of the infield to play short the last two seasons, raising his profile in the process. A strong Cape Cod League with the bat has carried over to solid performance on a top-rated team this spring, increasing his Draft stock in the process. Hoerner has a pretty good track record of performing well for an extended period of time, perhaps saving his best year for the right time in terms of the Draft. He can impact the baseball consistently, with an advanced approach at the plate, and while the numbers don't necessarily reflect it, there is some power for him to tap into. Hoerner runs fairly well, though he isn't overly fluid in his actions. That leads to some questions about his ability to stay at shortstop, with some seeing a return to second base in his future. College hitters who perform typically move up boards as the Draft approaches, and that's exactly what has happened with Hoerner. He's like a slightly less fluid version of Ian Kinsler, with the potential to be an offensive-minded second baseman at the highest level.

2.62: Brennen Davis, CF, Basha HS (Chandler, AZ), committed to Miami (FL) - MLB.com rank: 145, BA rank: 133; Signed for $1,100,000 (Pick Value: $1,060,900)

There are Draft prospects who are polished and show now tools, then there are ones who scouts have to dream on, projecting what tremendous raw tools might become. Davis, a one-time two-sport athlete, fits into the latter category with a high ceiling, but a long way to get there. A former basketball standout who was the Arizona 6A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, Davis gave up the sport to focus on baseball. The result has been a better swing than had been seen previously and a body that's starting to transform because he's had time to spend in the weight room. There is still a crudeness to his offensive game, but there are flashes of the ability to hit for average and with power to come as he continues to add strength to his long, lanky frame. Right now, he has to sell out for that power and has instead focused on improving contact. A 70 runner normally, Davis dealt with a hamstring issue that slowed him some this spring, but that plus speed should allow him to steal bases and cover a ton of ground in center field, where he has a very strong arm. Davis will be a project for any team that tries to sign him away from his Miami commitment. But teams that love raw tools may look off into the future and see an Adam Jones or Lewis Brinson type if it all comes together.

2S.77: Cole Roederer, CF, Hart HS (Santa Clarita, CA), committed to UCLA - MLB.com rank: NR, BA rank: 161; Signed for $1,200,000 (Compensation for Wade Davis - Pick Value: $775,100)

2S.78 (Compensation for Jake Arrieta): Paul Richan, RHP, San Diego - MLB.com rank: 175, BA rank: 164; Signed for $450,000 (Pick Value - $762,900)

As a sophomore at the University of San Diego, Richan began as a reliever, but gained confidence when given the chance to move into the rotation. He's been a weekend starter all year and while he's had some up-and-down results, he's far outperformed fellow Draft prospect Nick Sprengel. Richan has missed a ton of bats this spring, while walking very few, thanks to a solid four-pitch mix. He'll throw his fastball up to 94 mph consistently, complementing it with a pair of breaking balls. His slider will show flashes of being above-average and he'll fold in a fringy curve as well. His changeup continues to develop and could eventually be average when all is said and done. While he has a high strikeout rate, he's also been fairly hittable. Richan is more floor than ceiling, though he does have a solid delivery and a good 6-foot-3 pitcher's frame. His upside is as a No. 4 or 5 starter, one who could come off the board in the top six rounds, which would make him the first San Diego pitcher to be taken that early since David Hill was a fourth-round pick of the Rockies in 2015.

3.98: Jimmy Herron, CF, Duke - MLB.com rank: NR, BA rank: 165 - Signed for $520,000 (Pick Value: $570,600)

Herron has good speed, but the outfielder will need Tommy John surgery on his arm. He had a standout performance in the Cape Cod League last season (.338/.443/.481 with 10 doubles and four home runs in 42 games for the Orleans Firebirds). He shows potential at the plate, but the pop in his bat is a question mark.

4.128: Ethan Roberts, RHP, Tennessee Tech - Signed for $130,000 (Pick Value: $426,100)

5.158: Andy Weber, 2B, Virginia - Signed for $400,000 (Pick Value: $317,600)

6.188: Kohl Franklin, RHP, Broken Arrow HS (Broken Arrow, OK), committed to Oklahoma - Signed for $540,000 (Pick Value: $245,600)

7.218: DJ Artis, CF, Liberty U (VA) - MLB.com rank: 136, BA rank: 149 - Signed for $250,000 (Pick Value: $192,500)

A three-year starter at Liberty, Artis has probably had his worst season, statistically, in this, his junior season. But the speedy outfielder has shown enough where teams that covet college performers will still have interest in the top five rounds It's not that Artis, a two-time Cape Cod League player, has been bad this spring; it's just that he set the bar high by winning the Big South Conference's Freshman of the Year in 2016 and then Player of the Year in 2017. He's proven he can really hit, albeit from an unorthodox crouch from the left side of the plate. There is some raw power, but he doesn't tap into it consistently, focusing on line-drive contact and drawing a lot more walks than strikeouts. He's a plus runner who can handle center field with below-average arm strength, one who could one day hit near the top of a big league lineup. Even in his "down year," Artis has gotten on base at an impressive clip and stolen bases. That skill set, not to mention his track record, has kept him fairly high on Draft boards.

8.248: Zach Mort, RHP, George Mason U - Signed for $140,000 (Pick Value: $159,100)

9.278: Derek Casey, RHP, Virginia (senior) - Signed for $130,000 (Pick Value: $145,100)

10.308: Luke Reynolds, 3B, Southern Mississippi - MLB.com rank: NR, BA rank: 404 - Signed for $125,000 (Pick Value: $137,600)

11.338: Riley Thompson, RHP, Louisville - MLB.com rank: NR, BA rank: 219 - Signed for $200,000 ($75,000 counts to the cap)

12.368: Cameron Sanders, RHP, LSU - MLB.com rank: NR, BA rank: 475 - Signed for $125,000

13.398: Ezequiel Pagán, CF, Pro Baseball HS & Academy (Gurabo, PR), committed to Broward College - Signed for $125,000

14.428: Riley McCauley, RHP, Michigan State - Signed for $125,000

15.458: Tyler Durna, 1B, UC San Diego - Signed for $100,000

16.488: Josh Sawyer, LHP, Texas - Signed for $125,000

17.518: Jake Reindl. RHP, Arkansas - Signed for $100,000

18.548: Jake Slaughter, SS, LSU (sophomore) - Signed for $100,000

19.578: Layne Looney, RHP, Richmond

20.608: Chris Allen, LHP, Marin CC (Kentfield, CA), committed to Hawai'i - Signed for $150,000 ($25,000 counts to the cap)

21.638: Carlos Vega, RHP, Southeast Missouri St (senior) - Signed for $5,000

22.668: Jaime Galazin, CF, St John's (senior) - Signed for $3,000

23.698: Hunter Taylor, C, South Carolina (senior)

24.728: Blake Whitney, RHP, South Carolina Upstate (senior) - signed for $3,000

25.758: Dalton Hurd, CF, Seattle (senior) - signed for $3,000

26.788: Julian Boyd, OF, St. John Bosco HS (Bellflower, CA)

27.818: Niels Stone, RHP, Indian River State JC (Fort Pierce, FL) - signed for $75,000

28.848: Mitchell Parker, LHP, Manzano HS (Albuquerque, NM), committed to San Jacinto JC (changed his commitment from Tennessee during the draft) - MLB.com rank: NR, BA rank: 281

29.878: Levi Jordan, SS, Washington (senior) - signed for $3,000

30.908: Drew Wharton, OF, Clemson (senior) - signed for $3,000

31.938: Clayton Daniel, 2B, Jacksonville St (senior) - Signed for $1,000

32.968: Jack Patterson, LHP, Bryant (senior) - signed for $5,000

33.998: Tyler Ras, RHP, Middletown North HS (Middletown, NJ), committed to Alabama- MLB.com rank: 197, BA rank: 188

34.1028: Miguel Pabón, SS, Leadership Christian Academy - signed for $50,000

35.1058: Edmond Americaan, OF, Chipola College (Marianna, FL) - signed for $208,500 ($83,500 counts to the cap)

36.1088: Jacob Campbell, C, Craig HS (WI), committed to Illinois - MLB.com rank: 154, BA rank: 155

37.1118: Henry Villar, SS, Westminster Christian School (Palmetto Bay, FL), committed to Miami (FL)

38.1148: Chase Hanson, OF, Edison HS (Huntington Beach, CA)

39.1178: Pierson Gibis, C, No School

40.1208: Itamar Steiner, RHP, Niles North HS (Skokie, IL)

 

Only bonuses of $125,000 count towards the bonus pool on all picks from rounds 11-40. The Cubs total bonus pool this year is $7,491.700. The signing deadline is 7/15.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA's updated mock has the Cubs taking Jackson Kowar.

[Bertz]

BA's updated mock has the Cubs taking Jackson Kowar.

 

I don't know that there are any pitchers I want at #24, but I feel like that is a pick I could be alright with. His scouting report basically reads like Michael Wacha's when he was coming out.

 

I really like Connor Scott, who Keith Law tied us to in his last mock. Give me great athletes who can hit all day.

[davell]

I'd be fine with Kowar or Gilbert. I'd take a shot on McClanahan, if he fell to us too.

 

But, I fully expect a High School hitter.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

https://amp.mlb.com/279764934-final-2018-mock-drafts-from-callis-and-mayo.amp.html#click=https://t.co/I29rptFnN7

 

Final MLB.com mock:

 

24. Cubs

Callis: Anthony Seigler, C, Cartersville (Ga.) HS

Mayo: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi

[TomtheBombadil]

Just to be super duper safe all these guys should probably do at least one more mock in this last hour

[TomtheBombadil]

BA's updated mock has the Cubs taking Jackson Kowar.

 

I don't know that there are any pitchers I want at #24, but I feel like that is a pick I could be alright with. His scouting report basically reads like Michael Wacha's when he was coming out.

 

I really like Connor Scott, who Keith Law tied us to in his last mock. Give me great athletes who can hit all day.

 

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=159655

 

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=197520

 

I think Kowar is an interesting enough non-first player as a projectable college pitcher but his performance is uninspiring.

[TomtheBombadil]

Wishlist at 24:

 

Rocker

Weathers

Meadows

Casas

Groshans

Edwards

Scott

J. Adams

 

Interesting enough:

 

Hankins - Easily in that first group if healthy

Naylor

Siegler

Torres Jr.

 

Obviously with the whole cushion that Kris Bryant is on the big league club so anything the FO chooses to do works.

[davell]

FG just did a last minute draft(43 picks) and had Cubs with Steele Walker. Gotta admit, that would be fairly deflating to me. Even if I suspect he winds up a solid player.

[imb]

Draft stream in case any of you cord-cutting millenials want to watch

 

http://grandmastreams.live/mlbn.html

[Tryptamine]

MLB.COM spoiling their own "live" stream. The ticker above it had the #2 pick listed 30-60 seconds before it came up on the stream.

[Regular Show]

Draft stream in case any of you cord-cutting millenials want to watch

 

http://grandmastreams.live/mlbn.html

 

Thanks. I am indeed a cord-cutting millennial. We can't afford nice things like cable TV anyway...

[UK]

Can't wait to see what the Sox do, for their sake, I hope it's not Singer.

[UK]

Can't wait to see what the Sox do, for their sake, I hope it's not Singer.

 

 

Very good pick by the Sox.

[Agony and Ivy]

The only thing I am rooting for is the Cardinals to take the child molester.

[Regular Show]

Can't wait to see what the Sox do, for their sake, I hope it's not Singer.

 

Man at this rate we aren't getting to the Cubs pick till like closer to 8? Maybe 7:30? Another nice feature when the Cubs had top 10 picks in the past...

[UK]

Liberatore or India would be good picks for Cincy.

[UK]

Can't wait to see what the Sox do, for their sake, I hope it's not Singer.

 

Man at this rate we aren't getting to the Cubs pick till like closer to 8? Maybe 7:30? Another nice feature when the Cubs had top 10 picks in the past...

 

I miss when it was done in one day with DF&Es.

[davell]

The interview asking Bohm which NL East stud pitcher he wants to take deep first was cringe worthy. If they want to grow this, they've got so much work to do......

[UK]

Do the Mets take a high ceiling HS arm or go collegiate OF.

 

My guess is Swaggerty, although I like Liberatore, Stewart, and Kelenic more.

[Tryptamine]

Do the Mets take a high ceiling HS arm or go collegiate OF.

 

My guess is Swaggerty, although I like Liberatore, Stewart, and Kelenic more.

 

I don't think the Mets have learned their lesson yet so I see them taking Liberatore. Time to run out and buy some arm insurance.

[UK]

Congrats to Kelenic, he deserves it. In my 13 years of scouting the Midwest (before resigning last Fall) he's the best I've seen.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Do the Mets take a high ceiling HS arm or go collegiate OF.

 

My guess is Swaggerty, although I like Liberatore, Stewart, and Kelenic more.

 

I don't think the Mets have learned their lesson yet so I see them taking Liberatore. Time to run out and buy some arm insurance.

 

They've actually gone a lot more college recently.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ohhh...Weathers at 7.

 

There are going to be some well regarded prep arms still available at 24 and Tom is going to be pissed when the Cubs pass on them because they don't have San Diego, Kansas City or Tampa money.

[UK]

Weathers over Liberatore is a surprise. Knowing that is David Weathers kid, makes me feel old.