davell

Junior Lake HR

Iowa's rained out. Baez was HBP and scored for Peoria.

Damnit.

My list at this point as far as preference is Appel, Gausman, Correa, Buxton, Zimmer, and that's as far as I can go. If Giolito takes slot, I'd move him to 1. But if he won't, he's basically off my list. Between Zunino, Almora, and Fried? I think I'd be happy enough with any of them. Pitching is much deeper than hitting in this draft, so I may would lean hitter at 6, because of that alone. Then draft pitching with my next 4 picks possibly. If we wind up with Soler, I think I'd prefer Zunino over Almora, mainly because we are solid organizationally OF-wise. If we don't think we're getting Soler though, I think Almora is my pick. Although, I'm drafting for need, which isn't very smart.

Getting a decent ceiling, high floor Catcher at 6 is about the lowest ceiling guy we're probably considering. And he's probably the safest bet of anyone to be an All Star of anyone in the draft. I don't care as much about 6, as I do 43,56,67, and 101. Those are what's making or breaking our draft. We're getting a good guy at 6.

Oh my God. If we can get that, it needs to be done NOW.

Confirmed: Kyle is a wiccan?

I thought the wind was coming in? Are they crushing the ball?

I'd never looked at LaRoche's stat line closely. He's got a career .818 OPS. I'd say that puts him middle of the road for starting 1B. I guess it's just a lot harder to be a high WAR guy at 1B, because everyone produces decently? Looking at his stats I would have guessed him to average around 3 WAR a season or so. But, if he's basically league average at his spot, I can see why it's lower.

It may be his dad holding teams hostage here. The rumors has been San Diego is his landing spot. Maybe he takes slot at 7, but tells everyone else he wants much more? No clue. His dad was an actor/producer at one point. It doesn't appear as if they're needing money anyway.

He hasn't pitched off a mound since he's been hurt. He's had a throwing session and it doesn't look like he's throwing off a mound for teams prior to the draft. Granted, teams have his medicals in front of him, but that's all they're going off of. And there have been some rumors that certain teams have more info than others, regarding him. Again, just rumors, and I'm not even sure it's legal to withhold info, if a team requests it anyway. My problem though, is the possible pricetag. If he wants 5 mill, that's around 1.400 mill we're going to have to underslot other picks, assuming we take the penalty and go over budget by 5% or less. So, is he worth taking and ALSO taking lesser talent than we could get, at 43 and 67, for instance? I hate saying it, but I think it's too much of a risk, unless his pricetag falls more in line with slot, or just a tad above.

What are they saying?

I have asked everyone whether or not Giolito's going to throw off a mound before the draft and no one's answered, other than KG said it doesn't look like it. If that's the case and if his pricetag IS 5 mill or so, I hate to say it, but I think I have to pass, at this point. Maybe if his medicals look totally clear? I really want us to draft him, but I find it hard to do so, if we've got nothing concrete to go on and his price tag is high enough that it's going to make us take 2-3 seniors early on just to sign him. I guess I'm saying Zimmer/Almora/Fried/Zunino(obviously anyone else we're thinking is top 9, just don't see them getting to us)+regular picks made at 43,56,67, and 101 is > unsure Giolito+lesser picks made with at least 2 of those selections.

How about a quarter season list? Probably not going to be fun to look at, considering the struggles some of our guys have had. Anyway, here's my current top 10. 1- Rizzo Obvious call, farm takes a hit when he loses his eligibility in a month or so. But he's done nothing to show he's not ready. 2- Javy Baez Basing everything off of AZPhil reports, but he's the upside type we need to have many more of. Can't wait to see what his numbers look like after a month or so in Peoria. 3- B Jackson K's are troubling to say the least, but everyone seems to think of it as an adjustment time and he'll come out of it. We may even get to keep him on this list for next year, depending on when we bring him up. My guess is late July, which would eliminate his prospect status. 4- Szczur The added plate discipline has really been a bright spot this season. Same with the steals. I'm starting to think he's a guy that could all of a sudden just "click" and get it all together at once. 5- McNutt Big drop off for me after 4, McNutt needs to be much more economical with his pitches. I'm really starting to look at him as a back end of the pen guy than as a starter. 6- Candelario Again, basing everything off AZPhil's reports, but it looks like his bat is for real, just need to find him a position. Hopefully, he gets a shot at Peoria later on. 7- Lake Is the plate discipline real or not? My guess is no, but he's still got tools and is making enough contact to warrant getting a little excited about at least. 8- Alberto Cabrera Moving him back to Tennessee and using him in the pen has certainly agreed with him. I think we'll see him in the majors by August and with his stuff, he could easily become a quality set up guy. 9- Vitters Wish there was more plate discipline, but he's hitting. I doubt he gets a callup this year, but he is just 22, so while I'm not as high on him as most, he definitely has time. 10- Michael Jensen I'll throw him up here because he's been excellent. Unsure what he's throwing right now, but his K rate is decent anyway and I hope he gets moved up at midseason to give us a better feel for what we've got here. Honorable Mentions Kyler Burke, Arismendy Alcantara, Marco Hernandez, Dillon Maples, Ben Wells, Austin Kirk, Dan Vogelbach, Ronald Torreyes, Robert Whitenack, Kevin Rhoderick. That's my next 10, no clue as to what order, other than Burke shows up at 11 right now.

We're working Correa out today at Wrigley.

He's a solid player. But not one you want to pay thriugh his arb years, in all likelihood. Now's probably as good a time as any to trade him. Detroit is looking for a 2B already, I think he'd bring a pretty solid return personally. If not, he's still more of an ideal backup than a starter, at least until he proves this can continue for the entire season. His issue last year was supposedly keeping weight on.

You think they'd take him over Buxton? Tim, do we need to be worried if/when Buxton goes off the board before we pick?

I think the FO takes Zunino in that scenario, I think I'd flip a coin.

It's a tough call honestly.

According to AZPhil, Gioskar Amaya hit for the cycle today.

Buxton is going to make it to us. He'll go 2 to Minnesota or 3 to the M's. If this IS the case, I guess the Orioles take one of Gausman or Zimmer and the Royals take the other. Pretty much gives us Zunino, unless we surprise with Giolito.

According to Gammons(via PSD, didn't hear this myself) Astros will take Appel and Correa won't make it past the Mariners at 3.

So what happened? Did they ask him to leave or something?

Wait, what? Did they actually kick him out of the booth or something?

Law has us taking Fried at 6, with Zimmer and Almora on the board. He left Giolito off completely.