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Post by Bal-Ty-more on Jun 28, 2016 14:06:13 GMT -5
I think I may be one of the firs to finish drafting this year, so I wanted to start the recap thread. I would’ve had the first overall pick this Summer, but I traded it late in the draft last year for the last pick in that draft and a 2nd rounder this year. Although adding Jason Groome to my reserves would have been nice, that last pick last Summer was used on Kyle Lewis, and the 2nd rounder ended up going to Colorado in the Max Scherzer deal. Fun trivia fact, Brian and I could not come to an agreement on whether or not I would send him a 2nd or a 4th in that deal. So we let a Steelers-Broncos game decide it. A late Steelers FG, along with the points I gave him (since we made the bet after the game started) gave him my 2nd round pick. Oh well, I will dry my tears with my Superbowl champions t-shirt.
1.25 - Will Craig - 3B - Wake Forest – Craig offered some of the best hitting and power combination in the draft, as well as a decent floor. There were a couple other hitters I was looking at for this same pick as well, but they were taken before my turn. I don’t expect Craig to stay at 3B, and with Kris Bryant around, I am hoping he doesn’t.
1.26 - Eric Lauer - LHP - Kent State University – Lauer projects more as a #3 than a top of the rotation guy, but he has a pretty high floor. Already commands four pitches and led the NCAA in ERA last season. He did pitch against lesser competition though which normally would drop him on my list, but he also led the Cape Cod League in strikeouts last Summer, which shows he could’ve succeeded against better competition in college.
2.01 - Joey Wentz - LHP - Shawnee Mission East High School, KS – Wentz dropped in the draft due to bonus demands, but Atlanta was able to scoop him up due to taking Ian Anderson early and saving money. Wentz has top of the rotation stuff and also a better command of two secondary pitches, which you don’t see in many high schoolers. He is a good athlete and could’ve been drafted early for his hitting, so if he doesn’t pan out as a hitter, there are back up option.
2.05 - Joe Rizzo - 3B - Oakton HS – Another 3B who I don’t expect to stick at 3B. Scouting reports said that he has some of the better power among high schoolers this year, so no matter where he ends up defensively, his power should play. He was drafted to hit, so hopefully that’s what he does.
2.16 - Kevin Gowdy - RHP - Santa Barbara HS – A pre-season top high school pitching prospect, Gowdy has good size and still can add a little muscle and gain some velocity on his fastball. His change up is already ahead of where most high school pitchers are and his delivery is said to be clean.
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Whitesox
AAA
I'm just here for the free kool-aid
Posts: 773
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Post by Whitesox on Jul 6, 2016 13:52:11 GMT -5
White Sox 2016 Summer Draft Crop
1.3 - CF. Mickey Moniak - #1 overall pick in the MLB draft, despite his lack of power and average arm the rest of his tools should all be above average.
1.16 - SS. Aledmys Diaz - Looks like a very solid major league ready short stop for next season.
1.30 - RHP. TJ Zeuch - 21st overall pick in the MLB draft, huge guy with a nice arm slot, has a good fastball and a promising curve/slider combo.
2.3 - RHP. Justin Dunn - 19th overall pick, shot up draft boards this year, has a very solid arsenal and a "young" arm.
2.4 - RHP. Daniel Mengden - Looks like hes breaking out this year, velocity bump and tons of improvement on his breaking stuff, hopefully I can use him next year.
3.3 - RHP. Peter Lambert - Biggest knock on him is his youth and his current organization, hopefully he bucks the Rockies SP dilemma although he's at least a few years away.
3.16 - RHP. Cody Ponce - Another huge body with a powerful fastball, if his secondary pitches improve he could be a good starter, a dominant reliever may be his floor.
3.30 - CF. Andrew Stevenson - Great defensive center fielder with good speed, he's a pure contact hitter and has a good enough eye to make him a solid contributor.
4.3 - LHP. Brett Martin - Young projectable lefty with a live fastball that experts think can add on a few ticks, a big curveball and good command.
ACKNOWLEDGE
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Post by Texas GM on Jul 7, 2016 10:04:38 GMT -5
After having done well in the 2015 draft (Austin Barnes, Amir Garrett, Alex Verdugo, Miguel Andujar), I was anxious to repeat that in 2016. Overall, I like the 4 picks I made, but this draft feels like more of a total crap shoot than any I've been part of to date. I'm just hoping that I get a couple of future MLB players out of it.
My 4 picks with industry analyst comments.
ROUND 1 - PICK 1:24 - Chris Paddack - RHSP- just dealt to San Diego in the Fernando Rodney trade- *per Minor League Ball - The 6'4" righthander gets it done with command and control of a three-pitch mix. Paddack's heater sits in the low 90's but has been clocked* as high as 95, and part of what makes him so enticing is he could tack on velocity as he fills out. He has an athletic, repeatable delivery that lends itself to pumping strikes with his primary offering and setting up his improving secondaries.
ROUND 2 - PICK 2:24 - Anthony Banda - LHSP- Diamondbacks - * per Baseball Prospectus - It’s too early to say that he’s something; however, Banda owns a 2.57 ERA in 63 innings with Double-A Mobile. That comes with a 25.0 percent strikeout rate and stuff that had reportedly taken a step forward in the spring—meaning, he found more velocity with his fastball, touching the mid-90s rather than the low-90s that we regularly saw in 2015. He pairs it with a good curveball and a decent-enough changeup. Banda isn’t a name that’s owned in fantasy leagues. He may be a trendy pick as he nears the big leagues over the next 12 months—as big strikeout rates with quality ERAs gain plenty of attention—so it’s probably wise to invest now. He’s only for deeper dynasties, as the lefty probably won’t be more than a back-end rotation option for the Diamondbacks, but I’m beginning to hope that there’s something more in the tank. He’s one of my favorite speculative grabs of the summer.
ROUND 3 - PICK 3:01 - Akil Baddoo - CF - Twins via Salem HS - * per Baseball Prospectus - Baddoo is an excellent athlete with plus speed, and he's shown some power potential from the left side with good bat speed. Consistency isn't his friend and the swing has to be cleaned up, but there's a lot of upside in his left-handed bat.
ROUND 4 - PICK 4:4 - Anderson Franco 3B/SS - Nationals - *per John Manuel - Baseball America - "Franco shows incredible promise because he has already displayed a good all-around game from an early age. “To me, he is kind of the next breakthrough candidate because you do see the tools,” Manuel said. “The tools sound pretty intriguing.”
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Post by raysgm on Jul 8, 2016 14:53:54 GMT -5
The 2016 Tampa Bay Rays Summer Draft Class
1 – Pick 22 (1.22) - Ronald Acuna - Outfield - Atlanta Braves
 Young speedy outfielder who shows good bat control and developing power to go along with plus defensive chops in center. I originally tried to trade up to take Delvin Perez, and then was planning on taking Mitch Keller, only to have him go right before me.
2 – Pick 52 (2.22) - Marcos Diplan - RH Starting Pitcher - Milwaukee Brewers
 Pick 1.22 came down to deciding between Acuna and Diplan and I ended up taking Acuna. Thankfully, Diplan lasted 30 picks and made it to me at 2.22. A short but powerful pitcher tearing up class-A, he was the main piece in the Yovanni Gallardo MIL-TEX trade. Harnessing his control will be the key step in his development.
3 – Pick 57 (2.27) - Juan Hillman - LH Starting Pitcher - Cleveland Indians
 I had considered Hillman in the winter draft and was excited he made it to me at 2.27. He lacks the top of the rotation ceiling that I have customarily drafted, but I like his pitchability much in the same way I liked Jose Berrios's when I drafted him a few years ago. He's currently performing well in lo-A for the Indians.
4 – Pick 82 (3.22) - Justin Maese - Toronto Blue Jays
 Maese was not high on my radar before the season, but the more I read about him, I fell in love with his ceiling. He received D1 interest to play quarterback, but instead focused on pitching and I'm hopeful that the combination of shear athleticism and power can lead him to the top of a rotation some years down the road.
5 – Pick 95 (4.05) - Kevin Padlo - Third-baseman - Tampa Bay Rays
 All Padlo has done since being drafted in 2014 is hit (save for a 100 plate appearance cameo in class-A last year). After being traded in the Jake McGee-Corey Dickerson trade this offseason, he started quite slowly, but has really picked it up as the season has progressed.
6 – Pick 110 (4.20) - Felipe Rivero - LH Relief Pitcher - Washington Nationals
 I believe this is the first time I've drafted a relief pitcher, and a lot of the reason was the 121 ERA+ he is projected for this year. With my team in the middle of the playoff race, I plan on using Rivero this year and hopefully he can solidify my pen down the stretch. |
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Post by KC Royals Nate on Jul 9, 2016 17:36:17 GMT -5
Royals Recap:
1.10 Blake Rutherford - OF - some HS in Cali - wanted to get a top 2016 draft prospect, was pretty well picked over by #10. Still pleased to get Rutherford, who was ranked around the #6-#10 guy talent wise from everything I read. This pick came down to Blake vs. Chris Shaw, and went with the young guy. I don't know a ton about him since I have a strict policy of avoiding reading about young boys on the Internet.
Round 2 - no pick!
3.10 - Steven Duggar - OF - SF Giants- hit well in Rookie league after being drafted in round 6 last year. Picked up where he left off this year in High A and added some power. Just promoted to AA right around when I picked him, the Giants are obviously fast tracking him now. Fun fact about Steve Duggar: he has never heard a 26 kids and counting joke. And he always has to explain his brother Josh was not THAT Duggar.
4.10 - traded to get 4.22 and Jeff Beliveau
4.22 - Josh SporZ, P, LA Dodgers - Reliever in college, has been starting for the Dodgers farm. Good numbers , looks to limit BB and has 3 above avg pitches from what I read. IP being limited rest of the way in order to save him for my team in the future. Brother Jay had a MLB career ERA of 67.50, Josh looks to improve on that number.
I usually will just roll off top prospect lists for drafts like this, but went a little off board with my picks. Duggar and SporZ were mostly absent from preseason lists. Still glad to add close to MLB guys who from all accounts will be moving up lists this offseason. Was debating Sborz and Duggar at 3.10, took the bat. Would have taken Sborz at 4.10, but glad to add another piece in Beliveau, who Id love to see come up and contribute to Baltimore's pen this year.
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Post by bluejaysgm on Jul 11, 2016 18:13:15 GMT -5
Toronto Blue Jays Draft Recap
2.30: Buddy Reed, OF, University of Florida
Taking a gamble. I know he has his warts but I couldn't let him drop any more. Hopefully he will find consistency in his approach now that he is in the minors.
3.12: German Marquez, RHSP, Colorado Rockies Organization
21 and in AA, Great Hit and BB rate as well as nearly a K per inning. I know, it is Colorado but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping he does well.
3.13: LaMonte Wade, OF, Minnesota Twins Organization
Hitting .289/.407/.401 between A and Hi-A. Like the OBP and the slugging percentage has gone up (SSS) since moving up to Fort Myers. Not going to be a star but I can see a quality mid-level starter if things work out.
4.12: Yeudy Garcia, RHSP, Pittsburgh Pirates Organization
Love the high strikeout rate, walk rate is improving as well the last few starts. I'm guessing PIT keeps him at Hi-A all season but would love for him to get a couple of starts at the end of the season in AA.
I don't think I have a star in this group at this time but hoping I can get 2-3 and I'd love if all 4 become useful parts for me in a few years. This was probably the least amount of studying I put into a draft since the beginning of the league. Hopefully that doesn't come back to bite me.
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Post by Cubbies on Jul 12, 2016 13:54:18 GMT -5
I love how Jimmy has gone through and "liked" every write-up except Tracy's, which is new, and Mark. Yes, yes, Jimmy... let the hate flow through you.
Like my last couple drafts, I've tried to focus on upside more than floor in this draft. My pitchers are starting to far outnumber my hitters, but I've just found more pitchers with upside that I like more. I do need to get some more hitting prospects though. Of my 24 reserve players on my roster when I entered the draft, only 10 were hitters. I do have five XXX, 1st, or 2nd year hitters on my active roster though, and only two pitchers who are pre-6th year. I guess it goes in waves.
1.29 - Carter Kieboom - SS/3B - High School - Kieboom was the top target on my list of reasonable expectations that might fall to me. The Corey Seager comp may have had a lot to do with that, but I wanted to get an athletic defender who could likely play seven different defensive positions as long as the bat progressed. I have some talent on the left side of my infield with Arenado, Bregman, and Gallo all playing significant time at 3B, and Kieboom may end up there too, but that's an issue for four years down the road. Carter's brother Spencer is also in the Nats' farm system, but isn't hitting well. But as Hayes told me when he drafted Bo Bichette in the MLBSA, the fact that one brother sucks makes the odd that the other won't even better. I am now calling that The Griffey Corollary.
2.15 - Brock Stewart - RHP - Triple A - While this may end up being a floor pick, Stewart has put up great BB and K numbers through his short minor league career. Because he is still so new to pitching, I don't think we can accurately gauge his ceiling, but it's likely that he can pitch for my Cubbies as early as next season once I lose Lincecum, Lee, and Leake and Ryu has to possibly be relegated to Spot duties.
2.29 - Francisco Rios - RHP - High A - Rios absolutely killed A ball to start the season with a 5:1 K:BB ratio and both an ERA and FIP of 1.61 or lower. He got moved up to HiA, and while he still is pitching well, his K-rate has dropped in half. His BB-rate has lowered a little as well, but the reduction of strikeouts does worry me some. But he is still young (just turned 21 in May) and it's his first time through HiA so I will grant him some leeway. I haven't looked up the reason for the recent drop of strikeouts, but I am guessing that he was getting by on just a great heater and now he has to use more offspeed and breaking pitches. If that's the case, then it's good that he is working on those and still staying productive.
3.29 - Lucas Erceg - 3B - Community College - Erceg was seen as a pretty good prospect his first couple years of college, but had a reputation as a bad attitude. This culminated in him being kicked off his college team and enrolling at a community college for his junior year. The talent is definitely there though. Defense, power, batting, etc. I don't question if he has the skills to develop into a good hitter, just the head for it. I don't want an Elijah Dukes on my roster. But hopefully we can chalk this up to youthful exuberance and he'll develop into a star.
4.29 - Jared Horn - RHP - High School - Horn was likely the top rated pitcher in the draft that won't sign and will instead go to college. Drew Mendoza, who Sean stole from me, was the same for hitters. Likely a second round (he was drafted in the 20th) right now, he is still pretty new to pitching full-time. He was also on the school's football and basketball teams. I am hoping that three years of concentrating on just pitching, and refining his mechanics, can push Horn high into the 2019 Draft. I read that he currently has a #2 ceiling, and a #3 is very realistic. I'm hoping that college helps him reach those goals. With the abolition of drafting underclassmen, I am hoping this allows me to bypass that
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Post by Pirates GM on Jul 12, 2016 18:45:40 GMT -5
I love how Jimmy has gone through and "liked" every write-up except Tracy's, which is new, and Mark. Yes, yes, Jimmy... let the hate flow through you. That was random. I didn't "like" Ty's either. How does he fit into the hate matrix? JIm |
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Post by Cubbies on Jul 12, 2016 19:27:03 GMT -5
I love how Jimmy has gone through and "liked" every write-up except Tracy's, which is new, and Mark. Yes, yes, Jimmy... let the hate flow through you. That was random. I didn't "like" Ty's either. How does he fit into the hate matrix? JIm Right about here apparently: - I won the first two games in 10 innings. Rick Porcello was injured in this game and only lasted 3 innings, but his ERA did drop to 2.38. How you like that, Jim? I don't like that at all, actually. I consider you on my short list of supreme NSBL nemesises, and actively fantasize about your undoing. Scoundrel, JIm |
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Post by Pirates GM on Jul 12, 2016 19:31:12 GMT -5
This is some weak stuff, Joe. Even for you.
JIm
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Post by Bal-Ty-more on Jul 12, 2016 20:23:33 GMT -5
This is some weak stuff, Joe. Even for you. JIm Translation: Joe won this round. |
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Post by Texas GM on Jul 12, 2016 20:56:30 GMT -5
Boy, I tell Jim one time that he looked fat in his black fishnets and I just can't get any love from him since.
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Post by DodgersGM on Jul 13, 2016 7:56:16 GMT -5
1.18 - Harrison Bader: I really like this kid's skill set. He's well rounded, doesn't do anything exceptional but does a lot of things well. He made the AA transition to an .841 OPS and 28 extra base hits in 73 games and played really well in CF. The K/BB ratio is a little bad at 4-1, but I expect the K's to drop and walks to increase as he gains experience.
2.18 - Bryan Reynolds: Another guy that has a well rounded skill set, one of the more polished college hitters available in this year's real life draft. He should fast track through the minors and be a usable sim player in 2-3 years with a shot to be much more than that.
3.27 - Bo Bichette: Bichette was one of my favorite HS players in this draft. He has a chance to stick at SS, but a move to 2B is likely. I'm OK with that, I think the bat will play well there. As a pro so far in the GCL he's put up a .370/.400/.648 line in 14 games and playing good D at both SS and 2B. It's a small sample size but it's very encouraging.
4.27 - Nick Neidert: I expected Neidert to be gone sometime in the 4th or before but he just kept hanging around. I was going to wait until winter to take him but I wasn't sure he'd be there so I traded up to snag him. Most sites had him as a fringy top 10 guy in Seattle's organization. Sickels was a little more bullish on him as their #5 prospect. There's a lot to like, mid 90's fastball mixed with an above average curve and change up and a slider that he started throwing this year. If he progresses he has a shot at being a mid rotation starter. If durability becomes an issue maybe he's an asset in the bullpen.
I'm pretty happy with my draft. I didn't think any of the four guys I took would be there when I picked. I think it's a good mix of upside and high floor/solid contributors.
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Post by sanfran on Jul 14, 2016 19:24:28 GMT -5
It took 8 years, but I may have finally figured out the draft. I love last year's (ss Orlando Arcia, P Kolby Allard, OF Trenton Clark, P Antonio Senzatela). This year I continued to grab a couple more high upside players.
w.2 Espinoza, Anderson RHP super elite prospect. Exploded on scene, top 50 talent. 18Yo. Oh and he was just traded by prospect hater Dombrowski (what's with unloading the entire farm system, as if that wasn't predictable!)
1.2 Pint, Riley RHP one of top 2-3 HS pitchers. Throws 100. needs to work on repeating mechanics. What HS doesn't. Already has good second pitch.
2.2 Stewart, Christin OF first rounder previous year, having great season, lots of power, good speed
2.10 Mahle, Tyler RHP High A doing well, 3 pitch mix, all solid. Plus FB. Mid-rotation ceiling. Standard mid quality pitching prospect
3.2 Raudes, Roniel RHP Betting on Boston pitching. Undersized, great feel, multiple pitches 19yo in A. Good floor to progress, but a long way away.
4.2 Socrates Brito OF good defense, ready now, high floor – great value here.
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Post by Pirates GM on Jul 15, 2016 17:14:49 GMT -5
 ESPN's Linda Cohn interviews white hot Pirates' GM Jim Krug in the wake of an action-packed draft for Pittsburgh...Linda Cohn: So, despite many considering you a polarizing presence in the league, you still managed to pull off THREE draft trades with 3 different GMs, which lead the league this year. How do you manage to have such appeal with your co-workers despite your antics? Jim Krug: Well Linda, some of it is power. Some of it is sexual. But most of it is that I'm damn fun to deal with in trade. Trading with me is like watching the unreleased Kill Bill vol. 3 while driving a Ferrari down the Autobahn, while trading with some guy like (Orioles' GM) Ty is like watching the extended edition director's cut of Little Women. It's all about the experience. LC: But won't it ever catch up with you? I'm told that you were escorted by security out of the NSBL Winter Meetings in Duluth, MN after threatening to take all of (Red Sox' GM) Thomas Vancho's framed wedding photographs, throw them in a pillow case, and then beat on it with a shovel. JK: Hey. Vancho and I just made a big trade. We are enemies, but respect each other. We take turns measuring up each other in our webcams- all of each other- and then throw down. This is how grown men make trades, Linda. LC: So let's get to the picks, shall we? 2.23 RP Kyle Barraclough, MarlinsResearch level: shallowJK: I'll be honest here, Linda. This trade caught me at a bad time. We were leaving for the beach. The internet there was awful. I was hammered for most of it. But a 15.0 K/9 is 2nd in all of MLB to our own Andrew Miller, so I stand by this pick, dammit. LC: It seems the critiques from (White Sox GM) Hoppy got to you. JK: When Barraclough is on our MLB roster next year, and we visit Comiskey, the Pirates have already offered to cover his fines if he accidentally uncorks a fastball into the owner's box. Enough said. 3.23 SP Conner Greene, Blue JaysResearch level: SO deepJK: I wouldn't normally take a guy like this. The K/9 isn't there. But he's was the BP #100 prospect, and Toronto's #2 prospect, so if that slips through the cracks to the late 3rd round, I guess you take it. LC: How do you feel about his 8.68 ERA since his promotion to AA? JK: Damn you, Linda Cohn. Damn you. 4.07 C Andrew Yerzy, DiamondbacksResearch level: mid-range deepJK: I wanted a prospect catcher, and even though there were 2 left from most preseason Top 10 lists, I wasn't happy with either of them. I know the real-life draft less than all 29 other GMs, but this guy was next in line to be autopicked from Round 2, and was arguably the best high school power bat of the draft. See you in 2020, Yerzy. 4.10 SP Patrick Weigel, BravesResearch level: bathymetrically deepJK: Probably would've made it to my original slot without trading up, but you know how you really start to look into a guy until you obsess about him? That happens to me both on eHarmony and fantasy baseball, and it happened here. Get to know this stud. His plus-plus 99mph fastball is going to continue to molest Sally League batters until the Braves decide his molesting is done, and it's time to molest High-A. 4.23 SP Dietrich Enns, YankeesResearch level: somewhat deepJK: I know this lefty is just an organizational arm. I know it! I also know these types of guys have burned me in the past, because they have no ceiling or projection. But at the end of the day, this 19th round pick owns a cumulative minor league statline of: 21-12, 1.83 ERA, 320 K in 305 IP. And the MLB Yankees' rotation is hot garbage, so he's going to get a shot. Hey, it's the 4th round. Why not? 4.26 OF Dylan Cozens, PhilliesResearch level: fairly shallowJK: I think this guy was just an organizational bat who attained some relevancy by destroying the AA Eastern League as a 22-year old. The L/R and home/away splits are ghastly, but every time I overlook a pick because he's not "textbook" in appearance (Jose Altuve, Tony Cingrani), it torches me. Give me more Cozens. LC: Isn't it true that you tried to work out a 4th trade with (Brewers GM) Sean to get another very different OF at the end of the draft? JK: Linda, you would think Sean is like the Captain of the Junior High Math League Team, who is so happy to have another boy talking to her that she'll do whatever. But in reality, he's like a fierce 58-year old cougar, who so knows exactly what she wants that she'll spit out anything not to her liking, even if it's really good for her. My man is still there in the draft, so hopefully will be this Winter. I plan on picking late again, so #acknowledge JIm |
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Whitesox
AAA
I'm just here for the free kool-aid
Posts: 773
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Post by Whitesox on Jul 16, 2016 11:31:28 GMT -5
"When Barraclough is on our MLB roster next year, and we visit Comiskey, the Pirates have already offered to cover his fines if he accidentally uncorks a fastball into the owner's box. Enough said."
Hey, Barraclough will be throwing in the owners box when he tries to paint the corners of the strike zone, not when told to. Might want to extend the nets behind home plate at PNC when he's on your team.
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Post by Pirates GM on Jul 17, 2016 20:55:49 GMT -5
 Your insult has been forwarded by the Pirates' organization onto Barraclough's personal e-mail account. He has taken note of your slight. JIm |
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2016 8:50:22 GMT -5
Round 1:
Gavin Lux - Everyone knows I love to draft toolsy shortstops. Here is BA's write-up pre-draft.
In a draft lacking in true shortstops, Lux impresses because he's one of the few high school shortstops in the draft class with a solid chance to remain at the position. A quick-twitch athlete with the hands, actions and a little of the flash that shortstops often have, Lux lacks only ideal arm strength. It's solid average and it's accurate with a quick release, but many teams like to see shortstops have a plus arm. He's an above-average runner, though his feet move quickly. At the plate, Lux has a pretty lefthanded stroke that has shown improved power as he's matured and added weight and strength over the past year.
Round 2:
Yu-CHeng Chang - Continuing the trend of shortstop selections Chang has come on this season to post +.800 OPS at Hi-A as a 20 year old. Again, from BA:
As he has advanced to Lynchburg this season, Chang has done a better job of tapping into his raw power, setting new career highs in doubles, triples and home runs in the first three months of the season. He’s also showing a more disciplined approach at the plate, while cutting down on some of his miscues in the field.
Round 3:
Angel Perdomo - As Blue Jay pitchers were going off the board fast and furious I was relieved to see my guy was overlooked. After the buzz he generated in the Futures Game I doubt that remains the case. Stealing this time from MLB:
Few players in the Jays system have as great a difference between their present ability and future potential than Perdomo, who was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. He has spent four consecutive years in Rookie ball because he's still raw on the mound, though his 2015 campaign was his best so far. Making 14 appearances (12 starts) between Rookie-level Bluefield and Class A Short Season Vancouver, Perdomo went 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA and a career-best 1.18 WHIP. Perdomo is a 6-foot-6 left-hander with a fastball that already reaches 94 mph and features nice life. And with room to add even more strength to his large frame, some scouts believe he will eventually sit in the mid-90s. He has a chance to have two average secondary pitches, with his changeup currently grading better than his slider. Pedromo's control and command are still very much works in progress, but he has enough deception and natural movement to generate whiffs and weak contact even when he missed a spot. As a southpaw who could grow into a mid-90s fastball, he'll get plenty of opportunity to prove himself as a starter. At the same time, it doesn't take much effort to envision how his stuff might play out of the bullpen.
Yandy Diaz - I complained out loud about drafting Diaz. I didn't want to but my inability to pass up on players on the left side of the infield coupled with his ability to get on base left me in a box from which I couldn't escape. He should be ready to contribute to the NSBL Mets as early as next season. Again, stealing from MLB:
In his two seasons since signing for $300,000 as a Cuban defector, Diaz has proven to be one of the best and most disciplined hitters in the Indians system. He made his stateside debut the following year at Class A Advanced Carolina before breaking out at Double-A Akron in 2015, when he hit .315 in 132 games and paced the Eastern League with 78 walks and a .412 on-base percentage. He finished the year in Triple-A, and then gained even more valuable experience in the Arizona Fall League. Diaz is a truly disciplined hitter who never ties to do too much and rarely expands his zone. He makes a lot of contact with his compact right-handed swing, while his flat path through the zone produces line drives across the whole field. The drawback to Diaz's mature approach is that it keeps him from tapping into his raw power, as he's accrued just 41 extra-base hits through his first 212 pro games. The Indians believe the power will come once he learns to drive the ball, although some scouts question whether he has the necessary bat speed to generate useable pop in games. After he primarily played second base in Cuba, Diaz has quickly developed into an above-average defender at third base, where his range, soft hands and strong arm are all clean fits. While he has yet to play elsewhere in pro ball, the Indians believe that he has the athleticism and overall defensive chops to play anywhere in the infield.
I'm happy with the draft. It was prototypical for me with SS, 3B and LHP filling up the ledger. At some point I may need to branch out to the right side of the infield, but that time has not yet come.
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Post by LA Angels GM on Jul 20, 2016 10:17:51 GMT -5
I held off on writing this because I was really hoping to trade back into the draft. That, and I've been traveling the last month. But school starts for us next week, so you're all stuck with me being on here daily once again.
Anyway, before I get into the two new members of the Angels organization, I want to offer the disclaimer that I put almost zero time into scouting. I just didn't have the time this summer. I think with both of these picks, I started scouting just a couple picks before my pick was due. I bet that comes back to bite me in the ass, at a time when I can't afford to waste draft picks. Oh well. I knew I wanted to go all pitching this draft, so at least I got two guys who stand on the mound and throw the ball towards the plate. Yup. That's about the depth of my scouting this year.
Pick # 1.7 - Matt Manning, Detroit
I knew that with this pick, I was going to take one of the top pitchers from the real draft. Did I take the best one available? I have no idea. But I was looking at him a couple of days before the real draft began, then when he got taken by my real-life favorite team, that sealed the deal. Off to a statistically interesting start to his pro career. In 3 starts (8.1 innings), he's sporting a 7.56 ERA and 1.560 WHIP. BUT - he's also rocking a 15.1 k/9 and a 7/1 K/BB ratio. With only looking at stats, I'm going on the hope that the defense behind him in the Gulf Coast League just plain out sucks.
Pick # 2.7 - Dane Dunning, Washington
My scouting here consisted of going to a Nashville Sounds game earlier this year, watching Daniel Mengden, and saying, "Huh. I think I'll draft him this year." I was hoping to get him late, but when he got called up to Oakland and pitched well, I knew I would have to take him here. Apparently, I wasn't the only who thought that, so it was time to bust out my laptop and see who else was out there. I had been following Brock Stewart since last summer's draft, and considered taking him here, but wanted more upside with this pick. There was also a hitter I considered here, but he's crazy young and has yet to figure out the low minors. I'm keeping him on my watch list, because every scouting report I see says that the talent is there, he just hasn't tapped into it yet. I'm sure he's on everyone's watch list, though.
So I went back to my 1st round strategy of finding a recently drafted pitcher. Honestly, I can't remember my thought process for taking Dunning, but I do know that it was a hasty decision made quickly. In his first 2 pro starts, he hasn't disappointed. 5 innings, 1 hit, 4 K's, 0 walks, 0 runs. And another guy who stands on the mound and throws the ball towards the plate.
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Post by BrewCrewGuru on Jul 22, 2016 0:30:50 GMT -5
I made Joe mad by drafting college committed Drew Mendoza. I'll call this draft a win!
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