2024 MLB Draft Thread

[Tryptamine]

Completely random thought while I was looking up the history of 1st round catchers. Damn, the Cardinals completely destroyed the 2020 MLB draft. At #21 they got Jordan Walker, who despite early struggles still has big offensive upside. They got an all star in the making in Masyn Winn at #54, A top 30 prospect in Tink Hence at #63 and an everyday regular in Alec Burleson at #70.  

[CaliforniaRaisin]

2 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Completely random thought while I was looking up the history of 1st round catchers. Damn, the Cardinals completely destroyed the 2020 MLB draft. At #21 they got Jordan Walker, who despite early struggles still has big offensive upside. They got an all star in the making in Masyn Winn at #54, A top 30 prospect in Tink Hence at #63 and an everyday regular in Alec Burleson at #70.  

Thank goodness they seemingly no longer get those competitive balance picks that especially helped them in 2020.

[Outshined_One]

MLB's Combine Day 2 Writeup

Some notables:

Quote

Dennis Colleran, RHP, Northeastern (unranked)
Colleran had trouble harnessing his stuff while running his fastball up to 100 mph this spring, posting a 7.97 ERA at Northeastern. He showed off his premium arm strength at the combine, throwing the three hardest pitches of Day 2, topping out at 99.2 mph and averaging 98.1. He also averaged 90.7 with a trio of cutters.

Quote

Hunter Hines, 1B, Mississippi State (No. 174)
Hines led the Cape Cod League with 13 homers last summer and ranked fourth all-time at Mississippi State with 54 in three seasons, though his stock dipped when he slumped through his junior season. His power was on display again in the morning on Day 2, when he smashed five 400-foot blasts, including the longest of the session at 441.7 feet. His peak exit velocity of 111.4 mph ranked sixth.

Quote

Cade Townsend, RHP, Santa Margarita HS, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (No. 150)
Townsend registered six of the nine highest spin rates, including the two best at 3,265 and 3,132 rpm, though his curveball and slider broke so much that he had difficulty placing them in the strike zone. He also ran his fastball up to 96.6 mph.

 

[Outshined_One]

MLB Pipeline with a new mock

Quote

14. Cubs: James Tibbs, OF, Florida State (No. 16)
Callis: “They need pitching more than hitting, but you take the best guy and I think they're going to go James Tibbs. ... I don't think he's necessarily going to get [to the Cubs' pick]. One of the best hitters -- and has power as well -- in the college ranks.”

Next three picks were Cam Smith, King, and Benge.  Christian Moore went 12.

[Bertz]

I just got around to Kiley's mock from earlier this week.  I did not know anything about Waldschmidt prior to that but he actually sounds really fun.  I wonder of you could get him at 14 and push some money to day 2.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

He followed it up with a 100 just now.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

In a battle of future pros, Chris Cortez gets Christian Moore on a 4-3 groundout after hitting 101.

Cubs should draft both.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Christian Moore just led off the bottom of the first in the deciding game of the CWS with a HR:

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[Jason Ross]

To add, FG did a list of notable combine performances and listed Kellen Lindsey, who's gotten some connections to the Cubs, as the first player listed who stood out in a positive way. Got some Trea Turner comps. He's a fast riser.

I'm guessing as it sets up today that the Cubs take a college hitter up top; the draft is college heavy, and specifically in the mid-range, college-hitter heavy unless Ysevege makes it to #14 (which seems unlikely). But I suspect after their college hitter, the Cubs go heavy pitching. 

Speaking of the FG article, guy I'm keeping tabs on now and doing homework on is PJ Morlando. He had an awesome display out there, looks like a 2nd round overslot prep-bat. He's filled out at 6"3, 200lbs already. Big power in the bat. Someone is going to get a really good corner bat/1b bat in the 2nd there. Different profiles, but similar in how I felt to Owen Caissie in 2020: that's a bat you want in your system if you can make it work. Especially in a prep-weak class.

[CubinNY]

12 hours ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

 

I don't know what that means. He's smart? Well, he went to Stanford. What does that have to do with his skills as a baseball player? 

[Jason Ross]

54 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

I don't know what that means. He's smart? Well, he went to Stanford. What does that have to do with his skills as a baseball player? 

Malcom Moore is a catcher. It's likely not that he is smart, it's likely how he talks about and understands the game. Moore's defensive game has been questioned. So it could be that Moore was very capable of of discussing things such as a strong understanding of his own game, his changes needed, or more likely even than that, a really strong understanding of pitch calling, pitch mixes, game flow, etc...the types of things that catchers are largely in charge of at higher and higher levels of playing. 

For someone like Moore who, as stated, has questions about his defensive work, not only being able to articulate these things well, but seemingly, incredibly well, would likely be able to convince teams that he's far more capable of sticking at catcher than previously believed. As a catcher, Moore is stud considering the belief is that he will hit well at the next levels. Which is what I'll assume Doyle means when he says "he made himself a lot of money". 

[CubinNY]

There is a piece in Moneyball where Lewis is recalling a story Bean tells him about the difference between Billy and Lenny Dykstra.

"Physically, Lenny didn't belong in the same league with him. He was half Billy's size and had a fraction of Billy's promise - which is why the Mets hadn't drafted him until the 13th round. Mentally, Lenny was superior, which was odd, considering Lenny wasn't what you'd call a student of the game. Billy remembers sitting with Lenny in a Mets dugout watching the opposing pitcher warm up. 'Lenny says, "So who's that big dumb ass out there on the hill?" And I say, "Lenny, you're kidding me, right? That's Steve Carlton. He's maybe the greatest left-hander in the history of the game." Lenny says, "Oh, yeah! I knew that!" He sits there for a minute and says,

"So, what's he got?" And I say, "Lenny, come on. Steve Carlton. He's got heat and also maybe the nastiest slider ever." And Lenny sits there for a while longer as if he's taking that in. Finally he just says, "horsefeathers, I'll stick him." I'm sitting there thinking, that's a magazine cover out there on the hill and all Lenny can think is that he'll stick him.'"

The point about Lenny, at least to Billy, was clear: Lenny didn't let his mind screw him up. The physical gifts required to play pro ball were, in some ways, less extraordinary than the mental ones. Only a psychological freak could approach a 100-mph fastball aimed not all that far from his head with total confidence. "Lenny was so perfectly designed, emotionally, to play the game of baseball," said Billy. "He was able to instantly forget any failure and draw strength from every success. He had no concept of failure. And he had no idea where he was. And I was the opposite."

[Jason Ross]

While a fun anecdote provided by Billy Beane, it's simply an anecdote. I also don't think it necessarily applies here; Malcom Moore may have that same mental understanding at the plate but defensively, may a greater understanding of the game or a far better way to articulate that understand versus his peers; an important quality for catcher that other positions simply don't need to have. I think it's counter productive and silly to think any one sitting behind our computers knows exactly what Moore said to impress teams. I can also say from years of watching the draft, most fans (and this is directed at no one in particular, yourself included CubinNY) have no idea what they're talking about at the draft. They throw fits when the Cubs take guys like Cade Horton because they think teams are making snap judgements based on two starts at the end of the year (when they're picks that have been in the making for years) and pine over players who fail. I'm guilt of not liking Jordan Wicks and a few other draft picks who look like good baseball players, myself. Nature of the beast!

Point is, if good drafting baseball teams think that Malcom Moore said something really important in those interviews, it's probably fair to believe what he said mattered. Considering he "blew away" the "entire industry", the assumption is that very well run teams do think that. What he said? I don't know and Doyle didn't really say. But it's probably worth noting that Moore is doing an saying everything right and that's not nothing. If you had him and Walter Janek, for example, neck and neck in terms of catching prospects...this may give the edge to Moore. 

[Tryptamine]

I really hope we're not facing a scenario where none of Tibbs, Yesavage or Christian Moore are there for the Cubs. I'd still be ok with Cam Smith, but he doesn't excite me like the others. If Cam was gone too, I guess I just swing for the fences with Honeycutt.

[Jason Ross]

11 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

I really hope we're not facing a scenario where none of Tibbs, Yesavage or Christian Moore are there for the Cubs. I'd still be ok with Cam Smith, but he doesn't excite me like the others. If Cam was gone too, I guess I just swing for the fences with Honeycutt.

If I was guessing today I think the Cubs will be looking at: Tibbs. Yesavage, Smith, Waldschmidt, and Lindsey and both Moores (Malcom and Christian). I think Christian and Tibbs will be off the board, as will Yesavage. I would be surprised if the Cubs went with Honeycutt based on the Cubs previous first round college bats. They tend to prefer guys who model really well (which Honeycutt does) but also guys who go hit over power, which Honeycutt does not. 

So my early betting would be on Waldschmidt, Malcom Moore, Smith and Lindsey. 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1 hour ago, CubinNY said:

There is a piece in Moneyball where Lewis is recalling a story Bean tells him about the difference between Billy and Lenny Dykstra.

"Physically, Lenny didn't belong in the same league with him. He was half Billy's size and had a fraction of Billy's promise - which is why the Mets hadn't drafted him until the 13th round. Mentally, Lenny was superior, which was odd, considering Lenny wasn't what you'd call a student of the game. Billy remembers sitting with Lenny in a Mets dugout watching the opposing pitcher warm up. 'Lenny says, "So who's that big dumb ass out there on the hill?" And I say, "Lenny, you're kidding me, right? That's Steve Carlton. He's maybe the greatest left-hander in the history of the game." Lenny says, "Oh, yeah! I knew that!" He sits there for a minute and says,

"So, what's he got?" And I say, "Lenny, come on. Steve Carlton. He's got heat and also maybe the nastiest slider ever." And Lenny sits there for a while longer as if he's taking that in. Finally he just says, "horsefeathers, I'll stick him." I'm sitting there thinking, that's a magazine cover out there on the hill and all Lenny can think is that he'll stick him.'"

The point about Lenny, at least to Billy, was clear: Lenny didn't let his mind screw him up. The physical gifts required to play pro ball were, in some ways, less extraordinary than the mental ones. Only a psychological freak could approach a 100-mph fastball aimed not all that far from his head with total confidence. "Lenny was so perfectly designed, emotionally, to play the game of baseball," said Billy. "He was able to instantly forget any failure and draw strength from every success. He had no concept of failure. And he had no idea where he was. And I was the opposite."

Nice story and all but it has nothing to do with what is required of the modern major league catcher defensively, especially since most amateur catchers don't get the chance to call games.

[CubinNY]

5 minutes ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

Nice story and all but it has nothing to do with what is required of the modern major league catcher defensively, especially since most amateur catchers don't get the chance to call games.

Do minor league catchers call their own game? 

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

Do minor league catchers call their own game? 

Yes. But college catchers, like Malcom Moore, do not. Almost all teams are using pitchcom currently, and the calls are being made from the dugout, relayed to both catcher and pitcher via their watch.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Quote

14. Cubs: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina (No. 11)
Yesavage would be a nice addition to what has become a hitter-heavy Cubs system. Tibbs, Moore and Smith would be leading hitting contenders, with King, Waldschmidt and Stanford catcher Malcolm Moore also getting looks.

 

[Jason Ross]

Most recent BA Mock from Calazzo has the Cubs going with James Tibbs at 14 over Yesevage (15), Smith (17), Waldschmidt (24), Moore (30), and Lindsey (31). 

What's interesting is that in the writeup portion who's name pops up again? Malcom Moore. This seems to be a reoccurring theme recently, where Moore's name keeps getting connected to the Cubs. Just back pocket stuff, but I'd keep that name on a shortlist of "guys the Cubs might draft" in a few weeks if I were you!

[CubinNY]

22 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Most recent BA Mock from Calazzo has the Cubs going with James Tibbs at 14 over Yesevage (15), Smith (17), Waldschmidt (24), Moore (30), and Lindsey (31). 

What's interesting is that in the writeup portion who's name pops up again? Malcom Moore. This seems to be a reoccurring theme recently, where Moore's name keeps getting connected to the Cubs. Just back pocket stuff, but I'd keep that name on a shortlist of "guys the Cubs might draft" in a few weeks if I were you!

They could do the patented underslot deal with him. 

[Tryptamine]

19 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

They could do the patented underslot deal with him. 

While I wouldn't be particularly upset with this because it can be argued that more bullets gives you a better chance, but what the Cubs need is that one elite player to be the franchise cornerstone and I want them taking BPA to achieve that.

[Jason Ross]

8 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

They could do the patented underslot deal with him. 

This draft feels like the kind of draft you underslot and try to save $700K - $1m in the first. The Cubs have recent history with this type of a draft (2022 with Horton - Ferris) which turned out really well. Malcom Moore fees like he has some...Horton to him? You look at the numbers and you come away a little underwhelmed compared to others, but he apparently models really well and turned it on down the stretch. Made huge improvements on approach this year.

[Jason Ross]

11 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

While I wouldn't be particularly upset with this because it can be argued that more bullets gives you a better chance, but what the Cubs need is that one elite player to be the franchise cornerstone and I want them taking BPA to achieve that.

Drafting 14th this year, there's no obvious elite talents. It'd be one thing if the Cubs were drafting sixth and you could grab, like, Hagen Smith or Chase Burns? Yeah I wouldn't underslot...take those arms and be happy. Between the guys the Cubs will be picking from, I don't see a single guy you'd look at and say "that guys is so good he's a franchise cornerstone". Not today, at least. There are some nice prospects, it's not like they're drafting garbage, but I don't think there's going to be anyone at 14 that is going to stand out so well that underslotting a similar type prospect won't make sense. Cubs' internal scouting may tell a different story (like maybe they love Cam Smith or something) but that'd be an internal thing we just wouldn't know about. Outside looking in, I don't see anyone so good at 14 that I have to have 'em which makes BPA really hard. I'm not sure there will be any obvious BPA.