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I'm mildly curious why the Angels are betting on Barreto. I mean, I get it, you still hold some intrigue about a guy who was as touted as Barreto was, considering he is only 24, but I probably would've gone after some young arm gambles if the intent was to be competitive soon, and use money to purchase a 2nd baseman in the winter. It's possible in this season, there really weren't young arms being offered, but I don't know ... Barreto seems like such an odd move for them, IMO, if the intent is to competitive soon, and LaStella seemed like one of the more intriguing bats available in this market.

I have big hopes for UVA's 2021 season, and UVA draft potential for 2021 ... but I have my doubts as well. Vasil and McGarry both have big time stuff, but the consistency and command has never been there. McGarry's mechanics can be a mess at times and helped contribute to his problems, and you just sort of feel that if he can get that ironed out, he can take off. I don't have a great feel on Vasil, whose fastball backslid his first year, but was supposedly back last year. If the fastball's back, this was a kid that might've been a first rounder out of HS had he shown a desire to go pro (I believe he had a statement that was something like baseball isn't forever, so I bet that will be hammered repeatedly ... could be thinking of someone else). Truth be told, beyond those two and Abbott, the guy I really have hopes for, that's draft eligible, is Gelof. He started showing more power last year, and if that continues, that's an enticing bat. I mean, Pavin Smith went 7th (on a tangent, very curious how he does this year, had a monster 2nd half, and if he bounces back, gonna be intriguing despite them adding Seth Beer (of course, if universal DH comes in, Beer goes there), and while Gelof doesn't have that level of discipline/approach, I don't know if the power potential is that far off. Of course, what position he plays in the pros is a question. Nic Kent feels like there's some more pop in there, enough to make him intriguing, but he's probably more in that Andy Weber mold (former UVA, current Cub farmhand at last check).

Mildly curious how high on the radar some of these guys were and where they would've gone in a longer draft.

The few mocks that I occasionally checked in on initially had Ed Howard going ahead of us. I don't really think I anticipated Howard sliding to us.

I wonder about how teams go about mixing these taxi squads together. You certainly want guys that you can plug in, but I imagine they might also keep some top prospects active so as to get them some extra work. Don't know ... have they discussed rules on whether or not the taxi squad can be changed during the season, and if so, how often?

Orioles are paying a ton of money on Coby Mayo. I'm a bit surprised how much they are paying him, but it's a product of situation as much as anything. I was excited about Bitsko more because he was a UVA signee (glad Teel dropped out of the draft), but honestly, guys like Moreno and Baumler are still growing into their stuff. That said, with a 5 round draft, I'm going to stunned if there's more than a handful of guys that don't sign (honestly, I'd be surprised if more than 3-4 don't sign). I'm guessing teams have done enough legwork that they know how much it costs. I can see a lot of juniors who didn't get drafted go back to school. They have to be thinking that a full year of work and they might end up in the top 5 rounds with a lot more money secured. That said, there are guys like Abbott whose stock probably can't get higher (unless UVA gave him a rotation slot ... even then, much as the idea is interesting, his pro potential is still in the pen) and that doesn't seem likely with the arms UVA has in place for next year. You think Westburg can pick it that well? Hardy was a far better defensive shortstop then I think was the public perception of him.

Yeah as far as being entertaining, this seems like a win for the MLB. I didn't watch any of Day 2 or most of Day 1 but the website's draft tracker blows everyone else's out of the water...My big thing is that all the wrong people (possibly "people") win if this takes off, and it will once gambling kicks in I don't disagree. All the wrong people win. That said, viewing it as strictly making the draft a big thing (and I remember the draft was a time-delayed, wait on a sheet that they were reading, phone call related program (or something like that) ... the 5 round works. I think they could even push it to the NFL number (7 rounds), but the longer drafts makes it harder to follow, and legitimately, harder to care because of the minors (and the fact that some guys won't sign). I think 5 rounds, pretty much everyone will sign, so some people may care more. Long term, if they want to institute more trading (and trades may be the only way to really make the draft BIG ... I mean, instead of "saving" the pool, imagine the Orioles on the phone trying to build up interest in the 2nd pick), 5-7 rounds works, as it allows for a more controlled dynamic. Of course, that would necessitate a thorough restructuring of the system, and with the international draft likely as a more immediate concern, trading is probably a good 5-10 years off. _____ As for the Orioles and the under-slot/over-slot strategy, I think the things to take away are that you have to have more than 1 option and you have to throw a big enough number out, and it seemed like they really were all-in on Bitsko but threw out a big, but not scary big, number. All that said, getting Haskin/Mayo/Baumler (all three seem likely overslots) might end up being a better move. All that said, Kjerstad isn't a bad pick. If he's a solid RF, then they've potentially got another cornerstone to go with Adley Rutschmann, and they love their two big arms (talked to one of their scouts last year, and the organization is just drooling over Hall). I mean, Martin was the other name, but Vanderbilt hitters, like UVA guys, tend to get a bit over-hyped in recent years, and I just wonder how big that bat is, particularly if he's not at short. Westburg reminds me a bit of Ryan Flaherty (albeit, not handedness) and Servideo gives them a fairly likely utility infielder (as fairly likely as those things can go).

OK...Cal Ripken Jr....Alan Trammell Or, more unrealistically, Andrelton Simmons Troy Tulowitzki Miguel Tejada but with walks If the bat never really takes off, I could see Jay Bell, sort of. Another lower MLB comp that isn't as bad as it might initially sound might be JJ Hardy. I can also see Xander Bogaerts.

Hope you are right. I love Howard, so if he pans out, that's all that will really matter. I like Carraway just fine, although the idea that he's safe overshadows that there's still some risk on him developing into a top late inning arm. Nwogu's bat is really going to have play up. Little's a big guy with a big frame with mechanical worts. I know, I defended Bryan Hudson's developmental time several years ago, so calling that out is a bit hypocritical, but my point isn't that everything's going south ... we took two pen arms and a LF whose bat has to really play but most reports indicate he still struggles recognizing breaking stuff. It could work out well, but it is a fairly risky draft. I am intrigued with Moreno ... makes me roughly think of Kohl Franklin a few years back. At the end of the day, this draft is about Howard. If he develops, it's all good. ____ I do like the 5 round draft a lot more than I thought I would. If MLB ever hopes of making the draft a big thing (it'll never be as big as the NBA or NFL draft as college and prep baseball aren't followed as heavily as CBB and CFB), the shorter draft does help as the focus is more on college guys that they can showcase a bit more. It also creates a higher likelihood of picks being traded at a higher level at some point. Dunno, thought I'd hate it, but it's not bad. ____ At first glance, I really like the Dodgers and Nationals drafts. Nationals keep stacking power arms in their system, and while diversity is nice, they need as many options as possible to eventually start replacing their starters. I think Beeter is going to be one of the more intriguing arms to follow out of this draft. If that stuff holds up ... ____ Very surprised Andrew Abbott didn't get picked at all. The gap between Carraway and Abbott isn't that great (although the idea of Abbott as a late inning arm is not something I really bought). Hope he goes back to UVA ... could really set UVA up as one of the favorites next year. ____ going to be curious on some guys decisions on UDFA or back to college.

Abbott seems a bit high in the 2nd, at least, for where the Cubs are picking. Not unreasonable, but much as I like him, just seems a touch high. I think he'll be an interesting case. I could see a team drafting him and seeing if he can get some junk innings in the majors out of the pen this year, and then send him back to A/AA and see if he can develop as a starter. There was a train of thought that UVA should've given him a rotation spot this year (and it's possible that he could've gotten one as the season progressed), but the raw arm talent of some of the guys there, plus Abbott being used out of the pen before, probably tilted the discussion. ____ If Howard doesn't get slot, he seems likely to get close to slot. I'm going to be mildly surprised if they pop another upside HS pick, but I'd certainly be fine with it.

Jared Kelley is still on board. I could see guys like Cade Horton or Carson Montgomery in the mix - both have commitments that could require big money to buy out. There's a few others. I actually like the idea of Cade Horton to the Orioles with one of their picks. Tanner Witt's still on board. There's a lot of HS guys that could need big dollars to not go to college.

I'd put him behind Davis, Hoerner, Marquez and Amaya and would probably put him behind Hernandez when Christian signs. But those first four guys are generally (but not universally) considered top 100 prospects. I really like Amaya, but I would slide Howard in ahead of him. It's a tough call, but Howard's ceiling seems high enough to jump past any polish that Amaya has on him. I'd even agree with the idea that Howard ahead of Marquez might not be that unthinkable. I don't think I would just yet - Marquez's ceiling and his late-season run last year was strong enough.

I am immensely pleased with this pick. Arguably, this might be the most intrigued and excited I've been about a pick in ... a long time, considering the state of the ML team, the state of the system. It's a high upside pick up the middle, in a draft where there will be pitching options later. I gotta think it's almost all college in the final four rounds, which is fine. We need some college guys that could fill some gaps in the system. A bit disappointed, but not surprised, that Bitsko went off the board to the Rays. Oh well, UVA pitching was improving anyways. I'm very curious on some college juniors that may go undrafted. I could imagine some guys deciding to take the chance, with so many uncertainties on next season.

It's a devastating group, if they all develop. I wonder what the plan with Martin is ... I'm thinking long range 3rd. That said, they probably didn't expect him there.

The one thing I'll say on that Meyer pick is that he sort of seems to fit the mold of athletic arms that they've tried to go after. It's entirely possible that they are pinching pennies, as with the Marlins, it's show me before anyone buys it, but I can sort of rationalize in my head that they thought he fit their mold and his strong showing this year was enough as an upside nod. This isn't to say I love it, but I can sort of see an upside nod here. Hancock doesn't particularly fit their mold, and I don't know, but I never really got on board the Asa Lacy hype (partly because I don't follow as much as before). If they wanted an arm, it sort of makes sense.

Wasn't that a late rumor, though? That Kjerstad could be in the mix to save money to spend big later?

Honestly, I'd love a Bitsko gamble, as much as a part of me hopes he somehow slips out of the first round and heads to UVA. That said, I'm not really expecting it. Don't know if I really buy this sudden switch to HS picks, particularly this year. Also, I don't recall Kantrovitz's run in St. Louis as being heavy on HS upside early. I could see them go with someone who comes cheaper, maybe Foscue, and trying to take a gamble in the 2nd. That said, I don't know who my preference is in the first. I actually sort of like the Pete Crow-Armstrong nod, and Kantrovitz was in charge when the Cardinals picked Flaherty from Harvard-Westlake. Dunno, I wonder if they end up going for a college arm, maybe someone like Beeter.

No one knew what Trea Turner's ultimate position was going to be and most scouts had doubts he could stick at SS. Yeah, some similarities for sure. Turner is the better athlete, but Mitchell is also very good athletically. I don't know if the Padres or Nats did anything to his swing or if he just got stronger naturally? I'd have to ask. Off the top, I don't recall a huge swing change for Turner. I'm sure there's been tinkering, but I think the biggest change was that he made a concerted effort to improve his approach and discipline at his plate. I recall a few articles about that. Reading some of the reports on Mitchell and youtube clips, it's an odd comparison, but the first thought (since I follow the program a bit more) is a more disciplined Jarrett Parker, who had a similar gap approach due to Davenport. Of course, a more disciplined Jarrett Parker opens the door to other comparisons. Parker, with the Giants, tried to adjust for power, and struggled, but his struggles were due to the awful discipline that led to K rates at around 30%. I'd be fine with Garrett Mitchell, but don't love it.

24th seems reasonable. I haven't really paid much attention to other farms in awhile, particularly with what's going on in the world, but I figured they would be in the lower third, and it'd be an eye of the beholder type thing (that is, anywhere from 19-27 seemed reasonable depending on who you liked). The idea that the system is trending up, IMO, without having read that ESPN article, seems like it's based somewhat on internal adjustments and developments, but also heavily on a very limited number of guys. I think there's enough depth and potential that it seems unlikely we'd fall back to that bottom of the majors level (that is, 28-30). I mean, if we're blunt about it, Davis/Marquez were both ahead of the expected curve a bit, so even if they stagnate, our system shouldn't tumble as a result. I think about the only chance that I could see this as a top 10-12 system next year is if a lot of dominoes just fall our way - Brennen Davis becomes a top 50, if not higher prospect, Brailyn Marquez shows his late streak last year is legitimate, Amaya shows some offensive development, an arm or two make a move up the ladder (Franklin/Gallardo?) additions made in IFA and the draft to bolster it up. I just think it's too thin right now to really think this system can take a huge leap up in one year..

Been a couple seasons since I could really get excited about UVA baseball, or at least intrigued. Lost the season opening series to Oklahoma, but a nice homestand has given me some hope. The down last two years have been for a variety of reasons, including the loss of some impact talent to the draft, but mostly, pitchers not panning out after that Kirby/Waddell/Sborz/Jones years, for one reason or another. This year, though, there's tons of arm talent. Mike Vasil was one of the top arms who passed on the draft last year to go to UVA. He struggled a bit, but the raw talent's there, and so far, so good to start the year. Griff McGarry is the Friday night starter, and the upside's there, but command and consistency isn't at times. Nate Savino was supposedly a lock to go high in the 2020 draft, but graduated early to come to UVA. He doesn't have a weekend rotation spot, as he's on a pitch count. I suspect he probably won't. One of last year's more intriguing freshmen was Brandon Neeck, but he missed the year due to injury and is back. There's loads of arm talent . Andrew Abbott might be the top collegiate pen arm in the country ... maybe (and in many other schools, he'd probably grab a weekend rotation spot this year ... I'd be surprised if a team didn't try Abbott out in the rotation in the minors for a bit). It'll be up to new pitching coach Drew Dickinson to get the most out of them. While they've recruited arms well, they've missed on some bats in recent years, and honestly, I was as concerned about the lineup entering the year. Chris Newell looks like he's a good one, though. Love the early plate discipline he's shown, and he's got power and speed. They keep saying Derek Fisher, but Newell seems to be more athletic. Zack Gelof and Nic Kent should help anchor the lineup, but some guys need to step up to give the lineup some depth. I'd be a bit shocked if UVA went three years outside the tournament. Team's got too much raw talent for me to think they miss again this year, particularly with the experience the arms will have had. Draft wise, Abbott should go in the top 5 rounds. I'd be a bit surprised if he got to the third. Besides that, the only high level guy is McGarry, and it'll depend on how he gathers himself over the course of the year. I could see him edge into that 2nd round mix perhaps.

So I have a totally "weird" thought about the revised trade ... I think the Red Sox did better ... AND I think the Dodgers did better. I think the only loser is whatever reason that Angels/Dodgers trade fell through. The Twins part is fine - solid starting pitching arm for a team trying to make a run for a mildly risky pitching prospect. I think the Red Sox did better. Jeter Downs is a solid infield prospect who has a good bat. It's definitely less risky than Graterol and often times, in mega trades as such, less risky isn't necessarily a bad thing. I don't know if I see Jeter Downs as some great stud 2nd base type ... I think he could perhaps be a solid starter. So therein lies why I like this for the Dodgers as well. As intriguing as Downs is, they can afford to move a guy like him. To me, Downs is the type of guy that you should be able to find similar production from on the market. I've got a tough time seeing him explode as an impact monster bat. A very good offensive profile? Perhaps. Superstar? I just don't see it yet. The Dodgers have the organizational/system depth and overall star power to withstand such a loss (not on the same offensive talent level, but Omar Estevez is a decent talent). In Graterol, they get an arm that could help them now in the pen, and potentially help in the rotation. The fact that Graterol's stuff could make an impact this year is what sort of tips me into thinking they did better in the revised trade as well.

I like it. Hey, it's a Minor League/NRI. Not that it means much, but he is a lifelong Cubs fan. He's definitely slowing down, but I wonder if he just needed time to heal and readjust. He was banged up a few years back, and IIRC, vaguely remember articles or chatter on blogs about his swing being out of whack. I don't think he'll ever be what he was ... but I do wonder if he can still be a solid starting caliber 2nd baseman. Considering I have my questions on Hoerner, and think Bote is more of a utility option, adding another option to the mix is a plus. At worst, it's just some wasted time. Most likely scenario? Cheap, useful bench option that provides leadership and work ethic.

I'd be stunned if there was a KB trade now. Now that a final big domino has fallen, who out there is going to make a swap, knowing that they might be the only team really bidding? I think the Cubs are likely to bring the remainder of the band back and see how the start of the year goes. It was always a realistic option, and not a bad option, but would be curious if it ever leaks what the Cubs internal thinking/plan was this off-season. Just seemed like they could never find anything to get going.

I think the big winner in all of this are the Angels and Twins. It looks like Pederson, a starter, and a youngster for Rengifo? This isn't a slight at Rengifo, who could be a nice top of the order hitter with some pop while displaying a good glove. Still, his ceiling isn't that high, and moving on from him to upgrade the lineup in the short term AND add another pitcher, while getting a prospect? I think it's clearly worthwhile. Twins are clearly win now, and Maeda is a good SP upgrade for them at the cost of a somewhat risky, high upside pitching prospect. As for the Dodgers, it's quite simple. It's a good deal for them, but at the end of the day, it's very simple - win the WS and keep Betts around. For Red Sox fans, this is obviously disappointing. Still, Verdugo can hit, and I like Graterol a bit more than most. This may seem an odd comparison, but I sort of think a young Bartolo Colon could be there in Graterol. I mean, no one is going to say giving up Betts for this is great, but they backed themselves into a corner with their spending to the point that John Henry seems to be ordering this. ___ With such a limited set of teams that could legitimately make big splashes left, it's hard to really imagine who the Cubs are making big swaps with, and I'm more inclined to think we're bringing back the remainder of the band and hoping to see how the start of the year goes.

I quite like the Diamondbacks system, actually, but more from a upside/depth perspective. Considering the shambles it was in, Hazen and Co. have done a fantastic job. All that said, I don't see them trading away Gallen, and the problem with that system is that there is a lack of upper level quality, prospects to build a trade around. There's a lot of depth there, and there's loads of upside, so if they managed to swing a move for a different asset to headline a deal, then I'd be more excited. Even then, if they were willing to offer, say, 4 of their guys for Bryant, you'd at least have to ponder it. The problem is, their best arm is arguably out for the year. A package of say, Duplantier/Kelly/Robinson/Perdomo would be fascinating, but likely too risky. ____ I'm a bit surprised there's been little on the Rangers and Bryant, considering they are supposedly on the fringes of Arenado. That'd be a team that Id have some fascination with, although like the Diamondbacks, the lack of upper level quality talent makes it tough to see a deal.