2021 MLB Actual Draft Day(s) Thread

[craig]

...heh heh, it would still be fun if Avitia would sign; slot plus college tuition is still a pretty good package, and being in the Cubs system with his brother might be fun.

 

In that vein, I wonder if they have a chance with Cunningham since he's committed to the University of Chicago.

 

I'm almost surprised the University of Chicago even has a baseball team, but they do, in Division 3.

 

Chicago actually has a somewhat unusual academic calendar. (My nephew goes there.). They are on quarters, rather than the more traditional fall-spring-summer semesters. Their winter quarter ends start of March; fall quarter doesn't start till the end of September.

 

Remotely unlikely, but some kinda cool scholar-athlete setup might be creative, and might be more do-able than normal thanks to Chicago's unusual quarter system?

 

Most semester-system schools, pro-baseball prohibits both spring and summer semesters, and also interferes with the fall. So a guy who really does want the college experience can't, really.

 

But Cunningham could fully fit the fall and winter quarters, keep his academic program moving rather well, and experience campus life and stuff in a normal way. And being in Chicago, he could be doing workouts and pitch lab and all that stuff even during his academic quarters.

 

It's really expensive, and the scholarship support for national merit scholars isn't that good. *IF* his family isn't wealthy enough to cover his expenses without pause, perhaps the Cubs could be adding a VERY valuable and substantial amount of college money on top of the 125K base?

[SouthernmostCubFan]

It is kinda weird that he thought carrying one single $80-100K bullet into Day 3 would put him in position to get a guy he evaluated as a 3rd-round guy. Thinking one $200K offer could get some HS guy who Kantro scouted as being a 3rd-round or even 2nd-round level talent.

 

He says that's "coming to fruition right now". Will be interesting to see who gets the $200K bullet.

 

At one point he says at least one $200K bullet over to Day 3

[SouthernmostCubFan]

...heh heh, it would still be fun if Avitia would sign; slot plus college tuition is still a pretty good package, and being in the Cubs system with his brother might be fun.

 

In that vein, I wonder if they have a chance with Cunningham since he's committed to the University of Chicago.

 

I'm almost surprised the University of Chicago even has a baseball team, but they do, in Division 3.

 

Chicago actually has a somewhat unusual academic calendar. (My nephew goes there.). They are on quarters, rather than the more traditional fall-spring-summer semesters. Their winter quarter ends start of March; fall quarter doesn't start till the end of September.

 

Remotely unlikely, but some kinda cool scholar-athlete setup might be creative, and might be more do-able than normal thanks to Chicago's unusual quarter system?

 

Most semester-system schools, pro-baseball prohibits both spring and summer semesters, and also interferes with the fall. So a guy who really does want the college experience can't, really.

 

But Cunningham could fully fit the fall and winter quarters, keep his academic program moving rather well, and experience campus life and stuff in a normal way. And being in Chicago, he could be doing workouts and pitch lab and all that stuff even during his academic quarters.

 

It's really expensive, and the scholarship support for national merit scholars isn't that good. *IF* his family isn't wealthy enough to cover his expenses without pause, perhaps the Cubs could be adding a VERY valuable and substantial amount of college money on top of the 125K base?

 

He doesn’t really rate that highly. I think I read where PBR had him among the last of the top 500 lefties in his class. Though he did grow like 4 inches in the last year so he’s likely still growing into his body. But I’m not sure why you pick him unless you think you can talk him into playing real baseball while still attending Chicago. He’s a math whiz so maybe the Cub’s pitching resources will appeal to his intellect. There’s always hope and the lack of early news out there might be an indicator that it’s still possible.

[craig]

Yeah. In the thorough Kantro interview posted yesterday, he kinda said that they only spend Day 3 picks on guys they viewed as both worthwhile prospects; AND as guys they have intel on, suggesting they could have a 50-50 chance of signing, or better. He also mentioned protecting a single $200K bullet, while selecting several guys who might be worth that or might take it, so that it doesn't get wasted.

 

So, even if PBR didn't rate him high, and he wasn't good enough to make his HS team's rotation, and he throws in the 80's (perhaps mostly low 80's) now; evidently the Cubs saw something different and did see Cunningham as a worthwhile prospect. And they obviously had some intel to suggest that he was potentially signable; whether that 50-50-type chance was for the $125 slot, or more if they elected to use their $200K bullet on him who knows.

 

Lots of teams scout and draft long-shot projectability picks. Cunningham won't be the first who probably won't sign and who probably won't ever be a good pro pitcher whether he signs now or later. But he'd seem to be a fun project for the pitch-lab coaches if he did.

[SouthernmostCubFan]

Yeah. In the thorough Kantro interview posted yesterday, he kinda said that they only spend Day 3 picks on guys they viewed as both worthwhile prospects; AND as guys they have intel on, suggesting they could have a 50-50 chance of signing, or better. He also mentioned protecting a single $200K bullet, while selecting several guys who might be worth that or might take it, so that it doesn't get wasted.

 

So, even if PBR didn't rate him high, and he wasn't good enough to make his HS team's rotation, and he throws in the 80's (perhaps mostly low 80's) now; evidently the Cubs saw something different and did see Cunningham as a worthwhile prospect. And they obviously had some intel to suggest that he was potentially signable; whether that 50-50-type chance was for the $125 slot, or more if they elected to use their $200K bullet on him who knows.

 

Lots of teams scout and draft long-shot projectability picks. Cunningham won't be the first who probably won't sign and who probably won't ever be a good pro pitcher whether he signs now or later. But he'd seem to be a fun project for the pitch-lab coaches if he did.

 

I understand the $200K thought but like Rodriguez, who only wanted $125K, there are kids that like that offer too. With Cunningham you can offer him the opportunity to attend the college of his choice with some financial assistance and pitch baseball at a level that affords him some possibility of a professional career. It’s a win - win in my mind but he may not share the same priorities.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[SouthernmostCubFan]

Yeah. In the thorough Kantro interview posted yesterday, he kinda said that they only spend Day 3 picks on guys they viewed as both worthwhile prospects; AND as guys they have intel on, suggesting they could have a 50-50 chance of signing, or better. He also mentioned protecting a single $200K bullet, while selecting several guys who might be worth that or might take it, so that it doesn't get wasted.

 

So, even if PBR didn't rate him high, and he wasn't good enough to make his HS team's rotation, and he throws in the 80's (perhaps mostly low 80's) now; evidently the Cubs saw something different and did see Cunningham as a worthwhile prospect. And they obviously had some intel to suggest that he was potentially signable; whether that 50-50-type chance was for the $125 slot, or more if they elected to use their $200K bullet on him who knows.

 

Lots of teams scout and draft long-shot projectability picks. Cunningham won't be the first who probably won't sign and who probably won't ever be a good pro pitcher whether he signs now or later. But he'd seem to be a fun project for the pitch-lab coaches if he did.

 

Oops. Perfect Game has him as the 498th rated left hander in the country with max velocity of 83. Obviously he’s still growing so how relevant this is is questionable?

Edited July 21, 2021 by SouthernmostCubFan

[SouthernmostCubFan]

So that pretty much should wrap it up, eh? Rodriquez and Olivo slot, Hambric the extra bullet.

 

heh heh, it would still be fun if Avitia would sign; slot plus college tuition is still a pretty good package, and being in the Cubs system with his brother might be fun.

 

I haven’t seen one comment here about Avita’s brother, David, signing with the Cubs as an UDFA and if that has any meaning for him?

[Named After Maddux]

So that pretty much should wrap it up, eh? Rodriquez and Olivo slot, Hambric the extra bullet.

 

heh heh, it would still be fun if Avitia would sign; slot plus college tuition is still a pretty good package, and being in the Cubs system with his brother might be fun.

 

I haven’t seen one comment here about Avita’s brother, David, signing with the Cubs as an UDFA and if that has any meaning for him?

 

I wouldn’t expect Daniel Avitia to sign. I was curious about that too. Maybe just laying the groundwork down the line though I have no information on that.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

https://twitter.com/savermetrics/status/1417649983688376324?s=21

[SouthernmostCubFan]

So that pretty much should wrap it up, eh? Rodriquez and Olivo slot, Hambric the extra bullet.

 

heh heh, it would still be fun if Avitia would sign; slot plus college tuition is still a pretty good package, and being in the Cubs system with his brother might be fun.

 

I haven’t seen one comment here about Avita’s brother, David, signing with the Cubs as an UDFA and if that has any meaning for him?

 

I wouldn’t expect Daniel Avitia to sign. I was curious about that too. Maybe just laying the groundwork down the line though I have no information on that.

 

His family is apparently big supporters, fans of Grand Canyon U so I tend to agree with your assessment. Cubs can’t offer enough to make him and them forget their fandom.

[Savermetrics]

8-)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

https://twitter.com/savermetrics/status/1417677079450062853?s=21

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CubinNY]

What are the odds of signing the 2nd pick?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

What are the odds of signing the 2nd pick?

 

Triantos? 100%

[JeffH]

What are the odds of signing the 2nd pick?

 

The 2nd round pick? Virtually 100%.

 

The 2nd Day 3 pick? Virtually 0%.

[CubinNY]

What are the odds of signing the 2nd pick?

 

Triantos? 100%

Great. It just seems to be taking a lot of time.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

What are the odds of signing the 2nd pick?

 

Triantos? 100%

Great. It just seems to be taking a lot of time.

 

Sometimes, timing is an issue for some of these kids. He needs to get to Chicago or Mesa for a physical before he can sign and most overslot guys also need all the other guys to officially sign first to make sure the appropriate overslot funds have been opened.

 

Like most all top 10 round picks, they had a verbal agreement in place before they picked him, so I wouldn't worry. I've seen hints/rumors it should be done by the end of the week.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Per BA, Murray got $125k and Olivo only signed for $75k.

[craig]

Obviously the other undesirable source for a delay would be a physical that was taken but showed some yellow or red flags. Hope not.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Erian is official

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

https://twitter.com/savermetrics/status/1418387392331874306?s=21

 

[Bertz]

 

$2.1 mil!

[craig]

$2.1M is the slot value for pick 35. $820K above Triantos's actual pick-56 slot. We know they didn't draft him for his speed, or his SS/CF defense; they picked him for his bat. So it's kinda fun that they liked his bat so much, enough for that large of an overslot commitment. Coming up with good hitters is the hardest thing there is. Sure hope the scouts are right on this one.