Bertz

Probably the small market teams Yeah, it's probably the small market owners, with maybe a few of the especially crotchety ones (e.g. Lerner or Reinsdorf) who are offended that the players grew a backbone. We call him PTR for a reason. As horsefeathers as he and his family are the Cubs will still make money this season and so that's gonna override anything else.

:shock:

I still lean towards this all mostly being posturing. I'd guess the owners want that extra playoff TV money more than anything else, and the players are clearly fine with 70-something games at pro rated salaries.

Good on the players for not (yet) folding. I'll be honest I figured the owners would cave in exchange for the extra playoff $. Really does seem they're in a "can't let the players win" uber alles kinda zone right now. Fine, cut off your nose to spite your face.

I don't remember seeing any mock drafts that had us selecting Nico in 2018? That came as a complete shock to me and I was angry initially. Like I'm sure Red Sox fans felt the same way this year lol. It wasn’t the name that was mocked, but Nico was mentioned in the blurb after the mock pick. I remember thinking how boring that pick would be if it was him. I didn’t expect that pick either, but someone had made the connection leading up to the draft. Yeah, this is how I remember it too. I remember thinking "I hope they mean for our 2nd pick"

A GM, I believe Jon Daniels, was interviewed about this. They weren't sure about how much change was going to be allowed to, but it sounded like he was expecting a minimal amount. Because of that he said that the extra spots are mostly going to go to guys who you'd be cool getting into a MLB game rather than top prospects. So for us, Marquez and Abbott are obvious ads, as some of our top prospects and close enough to be legitimate depth for this year (particularly as relievers). Despite their limited pro track records, I'd imagine Jensen and McAvene will be at least considered. And Carraway is definitely getting added after signing. Beyond that it's probably going to be guys who were ticketed for Iowa. On the position player side, I imagine it's going to be the Giambrones of the world. I do imagine they add Brennen Davis though. You absolutely do not want him in an MLB game this year, but as one of our top 4 I think it's worth not having him sit a full year.

So yeah, I really really like this draft class. - Howard wasn't my guy, but is a great pick. He is someone who in a normal year would be a top 10 talent. He wasn't because A) this was an exceptionally strong draft and B) because of the lack of looks this spring college guys with longer track records all understandably got moved up the board - Carraway was arguably the best reliever in the draft, in advance of a season that will feature ~15 man bullpens. You are sacrificing some upside for just a reliever, but they grabbed plenty of upside later - Nwogu is boom or bust, but he could be so so so fun. The system desperately needed some power and he provides it. And coming from a big time college program I'm guessing they've got all kinds of analytics on him. I'm also assuming he'll end up in center rather than left... my understanding is that if you have the requisite athleticism center is actually the easiest from a skill perspective. So while it sounds like Nwogu's a bit of a doofus out there currently, he should be able to make it work with more reps and coaching. I mean isn't the list of fast guys who couldn't eventually make CF work basically Carl Crawford? - Little's probably less exciting than the 105 MPH headlines, but he's exciting. I have no problem with the Cubs being the team that corners the market on LH velocity - If we had had skimped elsewhere to pay for Moreno I'd have been a little pissed, but getting him in the fifth while generally playing the draft straight is super exciting. Good arm to add to our decent stock at the lower levels One of the other things I like about this draft is I think these guys are better suited than a lot of prospects would be to there not being a minor league season. Carraway is obviously going to be on the 50 man roster and part of the bullpen taxi squad. Nwogu and Little have mechanical issues to work on. Howard and Moreno as HS guys likely wouldn't get into real games until next year anyways. I'm sure it wasn't the primary consideration when picking them, but it's a nice bonus. Also agreed on the viewer experience piece. It sucks because I liked this A LOT more. Because it was shorter it was more digestable, and I liked that essentially everyone picked had a real scouting report. Obviously the reasons for the draft being shortened are gross and nefarious, but the result is admittedly kind of nice.

Assuming they sign everyone I horsefeathering love this draft

There's a school of thought that a guy's top end exit velo is a good proxy for their offensive upside. And 110 MPH is pretty special.

Keith Law Time for Justin Stone to earn that paycheck

You'd have to think between Marquez, Carraway, and Pelham at least one of them will be capable of high leverage work this year

Honestly pretty much that entire chunk from the Cubs through the Rangers looks pretty solid

So what are we expecting for the next pick? A super safe college starter like a Logan Allen or a Nick Swiney? Or do they double up on HS kids, knowing that slot at #51 is still probably enough to afford one without having to punt a pick later?

Of course the Rays took Bitsko

Here's Keith Law

Very nonplussed by this. He wasn't my guy but isn't someone I will complain about a bit. I'm used to either being thrilled or pissed when the Cubs pick.

Nah, there was some weirdness at the top of the draft, arguably the top guy went 5th, but at this point the board looks about how it was supposed to.

I don't like any of the catchers, so glad the Giants are taking Bailey One of Abel, Bitsko, or Mitchell is now guaranteed to make it to the Cubs, so already preparing myself for the idea they won't take any of them.

The Cubs used to be super predictable. I think Jim Callis in particular was super chummy with Wilkin and is super chummy with McLeod. But the last few years I don't think they've been that accurate. I think there was a little bit of smoke for Nico Hoerner, but I don't think there's been a pick we were pretty sure about beforehand since Schwarber.

I uhhhh hope he's wrong Two weeks ago, he said in a chat there was no chance the Cubs take a prep arm. :roll: Yeah, I think it's pretty clear that people don't have a peg on the Cubs. The local guys said Mitchell and 5 High Schoolers. The national guys are primarily saying college with a few high schoolers mixed in. And there appear to be different opinions on how willing they are to do an arm. I do hope if we go for a less fun college guy like a Foscue or a Loftin, that it's to let us get a HS player who falls. I'd prefer where we pick to just play the draft straight, but I could understand thinking something like Foscue at 70% of slot is better than the other options.

Keith Law's last mock: I uhhhh hope he's wrong

He lists Mitchell, Ed Howard, Austin Hendrick, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nick Bitsko, and Mick Abel as the names to watch. I'm a little weary of Hendrick's age but could get behind any of these

I've put a lot less research into this draft than I typically do when we're picking this high, but I think Garret Mitchell is my guy. Mitchell seems pretty likely to net out as a Brett Gardner type, but it sounds like there's enough raw power in there for something a little more Granderson-ian. And for anything you can say about our FO, they tend to get the most out of college bats. If they take Mitchell I'll be less worried about any mechanical messiness than I rightfully should be. Otherwise I think I want a HS arm, Bitsko slightly over Abel. I'm really wondering if all the new technology for measuring pitches makes it more viable to nab a HS arm this high. Get a guy with high end velo and spin, refine his efficiency in the lab, and basically once you've built up his innings he's ready to go. And since the technology makes grips and pitch types less of a trial and error deal, if they have clean mechanics whether they'll develop decent command should be less of a wildcard than it has been traditionally. If by some fortune Hancock or Meyer are available for us they would be my picks, but over the last few weeks that possibility has seemingly gone from unlikely to impossible.