MLB Day 2 Draft Link Dump
by laxtonto on Jun 7, 2010 10:32 PM CDT
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I figured since I will be up for a while still tonight, I can go ahead a dump all of the links that come across twitter tonight for everyone tomorrow.
Just as a recap of the Ranger selections on the first day:
15 Jake Skole HS OF
22 Kellin Delgan HS C
45 Luke Jackson HS RHP
49 Mike Olt JR 3B UCon
Texas has the 72nd pick tomorrow with the draft slated to start at 11 and go to round 30.
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2010 Draft: Best Of What's Left
BP top 10 guys who are left and why they are still around
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Fangraphs writeups from those that weren't selected on day 1
Some inside baseball on our draft preparation here at FanGraphs — Marc Hulet and I split up a bunch of names before the draft, and wrote snippets on them that you saw appear live as the picks happened tonight. However, we were left with a bunch of names that weren’t taken. I don’t want those to go to waste, so here they are — reference away as they are picked on Tuesday.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Now that I've had time to cool off
I can sort of work up something resembling optimism with some of these guys. It was just so damn hard because each pick was seemingly juxtaposed against a much better pick that a team with money was able to make (Skole vs Sale being a case in point).
Skole is apparently a toolbag, but I hope he develops a swing that generates more power, because the swing in the video looks like he slapping and hitting off his front foot.
Delgan is probably our best pick, but he’s a HS catcher, which is about as risky as a first round pick can get. Still, Andy says his bat is legit, especially as a catcher.
Jackson is another raw toolbag with a big arm and little experience. His development will be especially contingent on our ability to develop him, as his command and offspeed stuff needs work. Still, for a guy who hasn’t had much coaching and who only started pitching four years ago, he could have some stout unlocked potential. In my mind he’s our pitching version of Skole.
Olt is the least sexy pick, and his power bat/contact issues bring to mind Mendonca, but his power sounds legit and he sounds like a great defender with a great arm. I liked Segedin, but this club hates OBP college types like Dirk hates consensual coitus.
Because of that, I doubt, even if he somehow slips, the team would take my personal cheeseball, Jedd Gyorko. Maybe Cecchini would be in play, but since he might actually want to get paid, I doubt it.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Jun 7, 2010 11:03 PM CDT reply actions 5 recs
being broke does suck
Feliz says his greatest thrill was striking out Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, one of his heroes. Yet, when he called to tell his parents, his mother had a request: Strike out New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, too.
"So when I did that," Feliz says, "I told my mom, 'There you go. There's your present. Don't ask me to strike anyone else out, OK?'
I appreciate your arriving this morning with a balanced view of each pick, and I mostly agree
Jackson seems like the kind of kind who could thrive under our minor league pitching teachers.
Last night I saw a comment, but I can’t remember where, that said Olt would have been much sexier and much more well known as a draft prospect had he been playing at a school in the SEC or Big 12 or other major baseball conference. But cold weather schools tend not to be sexy draft producers, so maybe our scouts just snuck up and found something no one else was looking for.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Ranger Tweets
Kevin_Goldstein
Solid but unspectacular? RT @coolaid0: @kevin_goldstein thoughts on the Rangers draft?
JeffWilson_FWST
Skole has told Georgia Tech no, is close to terms http://bit.ly/91AiGZ
ProfessorParks
@lonestarball Fans are the best and worst thing about baseball; I respect the passion of most, but fear and loathe the ignorance of others.
espn_durrett
Rangers sign Deglan, close on Skole – http://tinyurl.com/22pwe9g
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
thank you for doing yeoman's work
its kinda taking the sting out of some of this knowing at least the kids they’re picking are signing. At least that’s what I’m telling myself as I shake my head at Mendonca Part II.
good to know we get them early at least
i’ll be interested to see what we give skole
Feliz says his greatest thrill was striking out Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, one of his heroes. Yet, when he called to tell his parents, his mother had a request: Strike out New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, too.
"So when I did that," Feliz says, "I told my mom, 'There you go. There's your present. Don't ask me to strike anyone else out, OK?'
I too am somewhat relieved by the fact that these kids will come in early
and get the whole summer to work with our guys in AZ.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Yup, that cannot be overstated
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Yeah it can, watch
Our draft was SOOOOO AWESOME because the picks get the whole summer to work with our guys in AZ.
Hahaha, nice
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
I wonder whose ignorance the great professor is loathing.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Good stuff, thanks
Love the signing stuff already and I like KG’s analysis. Solid but unspectacular is good for a club that doesn’t HAVE to hit a bunch of home runs in the farm system right now. We’re not trying to restock overnight, we’re just trying to continue the stream of developing high-end talent.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
A Ha!
Deglan grew up playing defensemen in hockey. Hicks just went 2-for-1 on his teams. Now THAT’s how to stretch a budget.
Okay, after reading a bit more on Olt
Apparently his strikeouts are not quite the Mendonca variety (swinging at everything), but more of the Jack Cust variety.
Im not sure how reassuring that is
but I’ll take it were I can get it
Feliz says his greatest thrill was striking out Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, one of his heroes. Yet, when he called to tell his parents, his mother had a request: Strike out New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, too.
"So when I did that," Feliz says, "I told my mom, 'There you go. There's your present. Don't ask me to strike anyone else out, OK?'
I'm very intrigued by Olt
He’s the 49th pick of the draft – - I don’t mind taking a risk on the guy. Guys around #50 typically have a 10% chance of making an impact as it is. He’ll probably fail and we’ll forget his name in 2 years. But there are enough little intriguing things about him that make me think that it’s an okay pick.
I’ll note that the Rangers once took a large-set guy at the end of a supplemental round who had an ugly (for college) 3.87 ERA, split between starting and relieving. People didn’t much like that pick either.
Go Rice Owls!
seeing as how we tend to draft "types" of players
don’t be surprised if we snag his version 2.0 at some point early today.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Seems like he has a TON
more power.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
The AJC on Skole: http://tinyurl.com/3ahxo86
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Jorge Alfaro lol's at Chruchill
Churchill: Deglan is an athletic catcher with the chance to hit for good average and some power, and the Rangers’ system is void of such talent.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
JC has already interviewed Deglan. Wow - pretty sharp for barely 18.
Been using wooden bats up in canada – no aluminum for canuck baseball.
I like to hear that
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
My take
I’m unhappy, but for the most part part it stems from our hamstrung status, not a general ineptitude when it comes to spotting talent.
Skole’s justifiable at 15. He’s obviously not an optimal situation; nobody really knows anything about the dude. But he’s evidently got serious upside and may have been a diamond in the rough. I tear up thinking that we could have had Josh Sale, but thus is the situation.
Deglan at 22 was definitely a reach. Here’s where I thought we’d go out and spend; talent was there, most prominently Zach Cox. The pick-and the ensuing announcement that he’d already signed- were perfectly emblematic of the day. The front office knew serious limitations had been placed and thus were shopping in the bargain bin.
At that point, I more or less lost any designs on grabbing a dude like Allie or Zach Lee. The truly premium guys simply aren’t going to be available. And It’s a shame that we’ve squandered this opportunity. I can see why JD and co. like Jackson; the fastball is there, he’s got a lot of learning potential, and Andy’s reported his curve can be occasionally nasty. Would I have preferred Tyrell Jenkins? Fuck to the yeah. But my anger and indignation has simmered to a resigned sigh.
We’ll make good picks tomorrow, people. Our scouts are reportedly top-tier and the Daniels regime has drafted well throughout the extent of his reign. But don’t expect to be blown away; there won’t be a Scheppers or a Stassi in this year’s crop. We’ll have to cross our fingers and hope to hit on a projectable wildcard.
Incidentally, I lied about the anger abating to the point of stoic frustration. I’ve got to throw things at the wall now. Peace.
http://oursaviorchuck.ytmnd.com/
I was a little harsh on our scouting dept last night
but I don’t quite understand how they got this “best in the biz” rep around here. Our drafts, taken as a whole over the past five years, have been about as fruitful as any other team drafting in our position. Drafts are not black magic, and their success is usually contingent on a team’s allotted budget. It isn’t like we are going to take a bunch of sliding HS today, and if we do, we won’t sign them.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Can he run?
I’ve read strangely conflicting reports; for one thing, he’s a highly-recruited college safety and supposedly quite athletic… then again, he’s projected as a corner outfielder.
http://oursaviorchuck.ytmnd.com/
I think I read he supposedly went 4.48 in the 40.
"I’m not in the meetings and not part of the discussions; it’s not my responsibility. . My responsibility is to go out and win tonight. My focus is to win tonight. The club has to look at more than just this year." -Michael Young
A tremendous athlete who was timed at 3.79 to first and 6.54 in the 60...
(from Jamey’s report)
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
where did you read corner?
I’ve definitely heard CF all the way. My qualm with him in the limited info we have on him is his swing, not his athleticism.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
He’s seen by the vast majority of scouts here as a corner outfielder. He has plus speed when healthy, but his reads are raw, and he projects a lot for strength/filling out to slow him down to Hamilton-like closing speed in center. Speed isn’t everything for playing the outfield anyway.
Andy, did you see the note about Olt below?
Have you heard anything about this swing adjustment?
one and one and one is three
Reading over the live draft discussion thread and saw this gem...
Is this the practice round? Thought it started at 7
by Mike E on Jun 7, 2010 4:41 PM PDT reply actions
How many of you really wish this were true?
"He thinks f***ing people pay to watch him f***ing umpire."--Ozzie Guillen in regards to Joe West
"A win is a win. Kinda like banging a hogger on Spring Break. You’re glad hardly anybody saw you do it but at the end of the day you got laid."-- Josey Wales
I found...
this link and it is hilarious.
Skole is going to be in Double-A by July? What?
by ghostofErikThompson on Jun 8, 2010 4:32 AM CDT reply actions
I'm sold
How could you not trust this guy’s judgement?
"I think it's funny because everybody wants Ozzie Smith range," Young said. "I want people to show me a guy that has turbo range like that."
by LSJ on Jun 8, 2010 5:38 AM CDT up reply actions
And
Jackson is considered a wild pitching project who has not harnessed command and developed secondary pitches. Like this guy who was traded from Montreal to Seattle as a throw-in for Mark Langston back in 1989..[Link to Randy Johnson]
I think Luke Jackson’s obvious comp is Randy Johnson
Awesome
When you want hard-hitting draft analysis, you definitely go to the Spokane Examiner.
I can’t wait until this guy scouts Profar.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
I didn't realize Olt was already 24 years old
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Weird - his UConn profile page sez 11/24/1985.
The MLB.com scouting report on him sez 8/27/1988.
Rotowire sez 8/27/1988.
The MLB.com draft tracker sez 1988-08-27.
88 would make more sense
for a college junior. I hope that’s correct.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
I was born in 88 just finished my junior year
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
his bio says he had an older brother who played at UConn in 07-08
his school bio says 85 at the top and 88 in the body, so I am starting to think they may have used his brother’s birthday at the top and have the correct one (8-27-88) at the bottom.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
My take
At 15 I dont mind Skole at all. Im hearing from Goldstein, et al that he is all but signed. He is obviously extremely athletic and i dont think there is a lot on him so if the Rangers have scouted him extensively then ill just have to trust their judgement. Also, rumors were floating around last night that the Braves REALLY wanted him. They tend to have very good reads on guys in their backyard.
At 22, Deglan is not a bad pick at all IMO. I was hoping the pick would be Cox but considering that the budget and that Deglan is already signed pretty much then im okay with it. An athletic catcher who hits lefty and projects to stay behind the dish is fine with me. Andy comments that he is more of an average type than a power type which is rare.
At 45, Im actually ecstatic about Jackson. This is a guy that was rumored to some teams in the 1st round. I like Jackson’s projectability. He has also been pitching for 3-4 yrs and hits 96. He has inconsistency with his CB but that is to be expected. He just needs more reps. I really really like this pitch.
At 49, Olt is the most curious pick to me. I thought there were some better guys. Yeah he may have a strikeout problem but it doesnt seem to the level of Mendonca.
Maybe im too optimistic or giving the Rangers’ scouting team too much credit. Perhaps they went safe on the first day because they are planning on going overslot multiple times in the next few rounds.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
I didn't realize the Braves' first pick was #35.
They picked Lipka… Tit for Tat?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Perhaps haha
Didnt really think about that. Kind of funny…
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
I'm not as optimistic as you.
But, I’m also not nearly as bummed about it as last night.
I actually like Jackson’s mechanics better than Whitson’s. If he really does have a plusy curveball, I’m happy with the pick.
Skole, I’m still not sold on him, as he seems like a KC Herron pick, but if the Braves were on him, I’m willing to give the Rangers some slack on that one. Skole might not have Sale’s power potential, but Skole has the better swing of the two.
Deglan… good dude. Sometimes good things happen to good folks. His swing is smooth. It maybe a bit long, but if he learns to pull the ball over the next couple of years, he has the bat speed to take quite a few out of RBiA. Seems mature with a good head for baseball. So, as risky as this pick is, the risk has also been mitigated about as much as possible.
Olt… Why do the Rangers keep drafting Travis Metcalf?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Yeah the Olt
pick is the one that im trying the hardest to reconcile in my head.
This draft is like that really hard class that has a tough final at the end. You are a usual A/A- type of student and you study really really hard for it. Grade comes back and you get an 83 or 84. You cant be too upset by that because the class is really hard however you hate not getting that 90-92.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
Also, on Deglan...
This is a much better pick than Scott Heard (who is mentioned below), because Delgan can hit.
OTOH, Delgan reminds me, physically and his swing, Billy Killian.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
I agree with the entirety of this post
Like you, maybe I’m too optimistic, and admittedly I tend to be a glass half-full kind of guy, but I like what these picks have to offer.
Peter Gammons said last night, and I’ve heard it before, that Georgia is probably the most talent-rich baseball state in the country. There’s a reason why the Braves scour their back yard for draft picks and it’s not just for hometown popularity.
Skole’s story reminds me of Heyward’s – Georgia prep kid who gets taken in the mid-first, higher than expected, because one team was high on him while other teams didn’t scout him (Skole because of injury, Heyward because he never saw pitches to hit). I’m not trying to say Skole is the next Heyward. The point is, though, that it’s entirely realistic to think that overdrafting a toolsy Georgia prep kid is a shrewd move by our scouts and our club.
The fact that the Braves were ready to hop on him with their first pick should allay some concerns about him not being a good pick.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Am I missing something regarding heyward?
At no point in time was Atlanta ever passing on him in that draft and remember hoping that he more than just about anyone else in that draft slid to us. He was a big time prospect with gobs of tools who went right where he was supposed to go.
Charter member of the Dutch bandwagon
His talent, though, clearly should have had him going higher
But he never saw pitches to hit during his senior season and because their scouts couldn’t get a good analysis of him, a lot of the teams drafting ahead of Atlanta moved on to someone else. But Atlanta knew him very very well and couldn’t care less what his senior stats said.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Trying to remember that draft offhand
Didn’t atlanta pick 7th? Could have been lower like 9th I suppose, but that’s very high for a hs hitter.
Charter member of the Dutch bandwagon
He was selected 14th overall
FWIW, the list of players selected ahead of him:
1. David Price, LHP, college
2. Mike Moustakas, SS, HS
3. Josh Vitters, 3B, HS
4. Daniel Moskos, LHP, college
5. Matt Wieters, C, college
6. Ross Detwiler, LHP, college
7. Matthew LaPorta, LF, college
8. Casey Weathers, RHP, college
9. Jarrod Parker, RHP, HS
10. Madison Bumgarner, LHP, HS
11. Phillippe Aumont, RHP, HS (Canada)
12. Matt Dominguez, 3B, HS
13. Beau Mills, 1B, college
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
fair enough
here is hoping skoale one pick later at 15 can hold a candle to him
Charter member of the Dutch bandwagon
Ugh
looking back, this draft feels eerily similar to the one we had ten years ago.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Was that Melvin's handiwork?
That was a truly awful draft. Ed Encarnacion, Virgil Vazquez, Nick Masset, and Laynce Nix are the best you can do? Geeze louise…
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
That's a reminder that sometimes teams make bad decisions and sometimes they make good decisions that just don't work out
Such is life in baseball prospectdom.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
I trust a consensus among the scouting community
and I don’t trust HS catchers
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
The Sawx and Rays had KILLER first days
I like everyone of their picks. Very impressed. The Rays have to be considered one of the model franchises in baseball dont they?
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
Undoubtedly
IMO, I think they’re better than the Sox.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
One of the more hopeful things I've seen about Olt here
Olt adjusted his stance midway through this season and the results sent his draft stock soaring. He still struggles with pitch recognition and balls on the outer half, but Olt’s fluid swing and power potential make him a possible middle-of-the-order run producer.
one and one and one is three
Good stuff
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
I wonder if Delgan starts for Spokane
With Alfaro already in the AZL
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
If Profar can start in Spokane, I think Delgan can. He's mature enough, just don't know if his bat will hold up.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Stassi did this last year with the A's.
Not unheard of at all.
The 40 trumps all!
Don’t throw a party for vengeance. It will turn on you. Like your wife, after your kid has fallen into a quarry.
by thedirkatron on Jun 8, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I wondered that as well.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
I'd probably be a little more upset...
about this draft if I knew as much about some of the players as some others here.
But honestly, given the teams financial situation, I didn’t expect a very good draft and haven’t really spent any significant amount of time reading about most of these kids.
As with most drafts, we shall have to wait a few years to see how it really turns out.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I'm hoping they have the wherewithal to go after a couple of big J2 guys, like a $3M type and a few $1M types.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
I hereby pledge $5 in order to help sign some players like that
"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor."-Capote
Doubt it.
I’m thinking one, maybe two 1M guys. That can work, it just makes it harder…
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jun 8, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
After sleeping on it.......
I would have been ok with this draft if we would have used the 22 to grab a great overslot talent……like Zach Cox.
If we failed to sign him, at least we would get the pick back next year in a possibly deeper draft.
…but we went cheap and signable the whole way through.
Luke jackson isn’t a terrible pick, but I do not like the Olt pick at all.
It says something when we have 4 picks in the top 50…..and the highest pick we got was at #51 on BA’s top prospects.
by death of the cool on Jun 8, 2010 9:55 AM CDT reply actions
Getting Skole and Delgan for under slot pre-draft deals is fine
if you use the supplemental picks on similar talents. Jackson was fine, a live armed kid committed to Miami, but Olt was odd. Something tells me that if they had used that pick on a kid like Smelter, just that one little edit would have changed a lot of opinions about last night’s draft because the narrative (high upside prep players who will sign) would have been consistent.
Instead the narrative was mostly that we are poor as hell.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Jackson is my favorite pick, by far.
Skole… I’m intrigued by the rumor of Braves’ interest, but still would’ve rather seen that pick lower down, but I acknowledge that the guys I would rather have taken there are tougher signability picks. And, I’m much less unhappy with Skole than Workman and maybe Wimmers.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Skole, Jackson and Deglan are all fine. Olt needs to be lit on fire and sent to fucking Iran.
The 40 trumps all!
Don’t throw a party for vengeance. It will turn on you. Like your wife, after your kid has fallen into a quarry.
by thedirkatron on Jun 8, 2010 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I thought that
Olt’s didn’t have the K problem that Tommy M had?
"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor."-Capote
Olt has a K problem comes more from working deep into the count than dealing with a massive hole in his swing.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Ok thats what I had thought
but everyone has been making comps to Tommy and him having a massive hole in his swing.
"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor."-Capote
I think that was just a quick and dirty old college 3B w/ power and lots of Ks comp that was made in a hurry last night
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Here is a really interesting note from Newberg on financial implications of picking Skole:
Incidentally, Skole won’t need to actually play college football for the five-year amortized bonus we discussed yesterday to be available. The league has to approve the five-year option for two-sport players, and apparently it’s a near-certainty for players like Skole with demonstrable two-sport opportunities, even if they never play the second sport.
If that’s the case, I would think there could be enough money around for the Rangers to pop a tough signability guy in the 2-4 rounds. Stetson Allie? Probably too high on the unsignability link, but someone in that mold.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
i am going to consider any pick that seems above slot, even a little, to be a pleasant surprise
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
I prefer to get my hopes up. I don't really see the point of being engaged in something without having high hopes.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
I suppose you're right
but man, those hopes sure did make last night sting
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Dirkatron has summed it up nicely.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Those clever Royals:
College shortstop Christian Colon was always the Royals’ top choice at #4, writes Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. The Royals told Dutton that links to Yasmani Grandal and Chris Sale were a smokescreen.
per mlbtraderumors.com
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Maybe these last few years have all been a smokescreen by Dayton to lure us into a false sense of security
The rest of the world thinks he’s incompetent and they don’t take him seriously and then BAM, he sneaks up and wins the AL pennant 17 years in a row.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
That's what I'm thinking, but now they've made a nice pick with Eibner in the second.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Whoa...
51. Sammy Solis
52. Stetson Allie
High-risk, high-reward picks going like it’s actually the first round.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Rangers still overdrafting?
79. Cody Buckel
BA’s top 200 take:
157. Cody Buckel, rhp, Royal HS, Simi Valley, Calif. R/R 6-0 170 18 10 1 0.54 11 0 65 26 14 104
He’s so projectable and already has an 88-93 mph sinker.
Some quotes from something called baseball beginnings:
Buckel pitched with the fastball at 89-93 with occasional cutter and frequent sinking action, averaging 92 in the early innings, a notch up from averaging 91 as he routinely did over the summer. The curveball at 72-75 showed shape and modest power in the early innings. He threw his change-up at 75 with deception and a slider at 87-89.
Buckel’s real weapons were on display here. The first thing you would notice is the arm speed, which is above average. Though he’s just around 6-0, Buckel’s balance and coordination show in his closed windup. He generates a great deal of torque from his core. In this respect he resembles Orel Hershiser.
Buckel’s lean and wiry frame offers signs that there is more room for additional power to come from his chest and legs, and the fact that he’s a notch taller than he was last summer suggests that he could gradually add one more notch of power.
No matter what velocity Buckel winds up pitching at in his 20s, this look showed that his awareness and use of his fastball command and fastball movement are what will allow him to maximize his secondary pitches. Buckel’s overall array is competitive, but on the pro scale, he lacks a signature pro side knock out secondary pitch. Conversely, how he pitches with his fastball movement and location are naturally geared toward missing bats. When he puts the fastball where he wants to, as he did for the first five innings in this start, Buckel is shrewd enough on the mound to be able to bring in his secondary pitches and create more deception than he has stuff.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Short projectable high school right hander - sounds like he's the final piece of a Ross-Erlin-Buckel trifecta
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Trying to capture a market weakness in drafting/scouting?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
I tend to think they are
BA has admitted Erlin was a first-round talent if he was taller.
The short pitcher is an undervalued asset due to perceived mechanical problems associated with lack of height. If you can find guys who you think might defy that conventional wisdom, gobble up as many as you can.
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
Nolan might have noticed this comment in the mlb draft preview:
He’s got some arm strength and likes to throw a lot
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Does any understand this pick?
This is the first real head-scratcher. I’m even OK with the Olt pick. I didn’t like passing on Workman and Allie for Deglan, Jackson, but I understand the picks. ( Harold Reynolds was throwing around Mauer comps for Degaln last night, which proabably means he’s doomed.)
Northern Virginia's greatest Ranger fan.
What makes you scratch your head? He's Ross/Erlin-like
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
The first scouting reports I read
Later ones contradicted them, however. Most reports seem to regard him as highly projectable, and he may very well grow much taller, probably unlike Erlin and Ross
Northern Virginia's greatest Ranger fan.
Love me some projectable pitchers
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
It might be a cost-saving move, given that the bonus can be amortized over 5-years.
I’ve seen something about Buckel begin a two-sport guy also, but I haven’t seen a college scholarship commitment to him for another sport.
Buckel has a Perpperdine commitment for baseball.
Akins has a UCF commitment to play both baseball/football.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
A few things on Jordan Akins.
Jordan Akins, McDonough (Ga.) Union Grove
ATH, 6-3, 185
The Buzz: Akins is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound dual-sport athlete who would like to play both baseball and football in college. The promising outfield also is expected to be selected in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft. Akins earned scholarship offers from Connecticut, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Jacksonville State, Maryland, Ole Miss and Western Kentucky despite the strong possibility he might take advantage of his pro baseball options. Akins narrowed his list of finalists to UCF and Georgia, with both schools offering to let him play football and baseball. He waited until signing day to make his final announcement. Akins did it all for Class 5A Union Grove High (9-3) his senior season, playing quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner.
Perfect Games has him ranked as the #172 draft prospect. He isn’t in the top 200 for BA.
Don’t know if he plays CF, but he’s described as a potential 5-tool guy, not surprising considering the description of his athletic ability above.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
BA blog entry on Skole and Akin, dated Apr 26, 2010.
This year, doing Georgia, the state was go good that new names kept popping up, or names that I had early information on proved to be outdated a month later. So if Jake Skole or Jordan Akins go out in the first 100-150 picks, don’t be surprised or think they were over-drafted just because they weren’t on our Top 200.
Both have Division I football scholarships, Skole to Georgia Tech, Akins to Central Florida. Both have athleticism that sticks out, even in a loaded year for athletes in Georgia. And both have shown enough with the bat to merit Top 200 inclusion. Skole has shaken off an early-season ankle injury and cemented his spot in the first three rounds with a pair of hits in a matchup with Georgia’s top prep player, Kaleb Cowart. That was almost a disappointment for Skole, who had homered six times in his first six playoff games. That’s the definition of late helium.
Akins, who earns physical comparisons to Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, has shown he can hit velocity, turning around 90-plus mph fastballs and showing well-above-average tools across the board. He’s similar to Niko Goodrum, who is No. 154 on our list, in many ways, but some scouts believe he has more upside offensively than Goodrum.
Their football commitments may cloud their signability, but they also may make them easier signees in that clubs can spread their money out over five years as two-sport athletes. But their talent is definitely Top 200 worthy.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
I'm officially behind the 2010 Rangers draft
After sleeping on it and seeing these early Day 2 picks, I like what they have done.
Baseball is a threshold sport. You get no bonus points for drafting players who manage to find their way onto BA’s top 100, but then stall out in AAA. The only valuable draftee is one who becomes a good major league player. Other than high confidence first rounders, like Smoak, we really only care about guys who exceed their expectations. Most every guy drafted, even in the first round, will be at best a mediocre major league player. Actually, most of the names we heard yesterday we’ll never hear again.
Since there were almost no sure things in this draft outside the top 5 or so, the Rangers did the best thing they could with a bunch of picks in the top 50: they’ve taken guys who are all high variance players who have a low (even microscopically low) chance of being very good. But that is far better than taking low ceiling college players who beat up the Big XII yet have no long term room to grow.
As for not getting the most expensive high risk high school kids – who cares? They’re all 10% +/- 5% chances of making the majors anyway. If you’re investing in a guy hoping the tail of his probability , you don’t want to pay extra money just because his median outcome is slightly higher. The median outcome for all these guys is wasted money. We only care about the tails. We only care about the best case scenarios. For all these guys that means the holes in their swings go away, the projected power actually develops, the 3rd pitch actually gets learned.
Go Rice Owls!
That's an argument for high ceiling players...
..which we all agree with. But you’re crazy if you think that the extra money doesn’t buy you higher ceilings or a great chance of reaching those ceilings.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
sure, the extra money increases your odds of hitting the ceilings
but is it worth 500K to raise those chances from 5% to 6%? Well, if you are the Red Sox, then sure. But if you’re the Rangers, probably not.
It is crazy that the same fans who are saying (aside from the prospects it would take) the Rangers shouldn’t trade for Roy Oswalt because of his salary when he clearly raises the playoff odds of the team by multiple percentage points are the same fans crying foul when the team takes Skole over Sale when you’re talking about probably $1million + difference in signing bonus for probably a few percentage points advantage in ever reaching the majors, to say nothing of actual playoff probabilities.
If the Rangers can nab a bunch of slightly higher risk but still high ceiling picks and save a few million for use in solidifying their roster this year, then by all means do it.
Go Rice Owls!
This is an angle most never think of, or don't allow themselves to think
Yep, 90% of the guys we’ve spent two days carping about will never see the Majors.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
And probably a higher percentage
of this draft class.
"No, I'm not a pessimist. At some point the world shits on everybody. Pretending it ain't shit makes you an idiot, not an optimist."-https://twitter.com/shitmydadsays
Andy's write up on the kid
Steve McKinnon is a large, durable right-handed pitcher from Cowichan Secondary School in Duncan,
British Columbia, a small town near Victoria on Vancouver Island. McKinnon is known for his size and
strength for a high school pitcher, and he’s quite polished considering his cold-weather location, as well.
However, there isn’t a lot of projection left in his frame, so a lot of what is left to do with his pitching is
cleaning him up mechanically and hoping that a little more natural velocity can creep up to the surface.
As it stands, though, scouts believe he can possibly be an innings-eating number four starter, and his
stuff isn’t necessarily too shy of that level to expect that there’s a good chance he’ll reach that ceiling
compared to a lot of prep arms. He starts off his arsenal with an average 88-91 mph fastball that
occasionally touches 93, and he commands that pitch quite well when his mechanics are in sync. He
needs to work on staying downhill with the pitch, as he doesn’t quite take advantage of his large frame
enough. He complements his fastball with an average to slightly above-average curveball that gets good
late break, but he telegraphs it at times with a different release point. He doesn’t throw a lot of
changeups yet, but he flashes average with that pitch. At this point, he’s a solid prospect without a lot of
room to grow, but he gets interest in the eighth to fifteenth round range. He doesn’t have a college
commitment as of now, but if he doesn’t like the money, he could end up at a two year college such as
Connors State in Oklahoma.
This is Perfect Game's little burb about the kid
John Lieske is a 2010 RHP with a 6’2’’, 185 lb. frame from Machesney Park, IL who attends Harlem HS. Athletic frame, good projection. Simple turn/throw delivery, some effort on release, fairly compact arm stroke. Mid to upper 80’s FB, touched 89 in the Metrodome. Flashes hard CB spin, inconsistent release point on CB, but still throws it for strikes. Developing change up. His best years are still ahead of him. Needs to be followed. Good student. Verbal to Illinois State.
In a Chicago Tribune article about Mike Foltynewicz
Their little blurb on other Illioinos draft elgible players had this comment about the kid.
ISU recruit consistently clocks in over 90.
I study/teach at ISU
I teach freshmen comp, so if this guy doesn’t sign, and he ends up in my class, I’ll wear my Rangers hat in class to mock him.
Then do rapes on him.
The 40 trumps all!
WWMOD?
by thedirkatron on Jun 12, 2010 6:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Andy's scouting report on the OF
John Pustay is a small, speedy outfield from Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Pustay’s name has been around on lists for a couple years now, but he’s generally stayed more toward
the middle of follow lists rather than moving up, and that’s almost certainly due to his below-average
size. He’s a solid overall player with some upside, but scouts typically think that he needs to prove
himself more at the college level before they trust what his tools can do. He’s the best outfield bat in the
Colorado high school class, which isn’t saying a lot, but he’s been around long enough to believe that
there is some upside there and there is also a team that likes him more than others do. He profiles best
as a potential fourth outfielder, though he could prove he’s more than that in school. At the plate, he’s a
solid-average hitter with below-average power, but he builds his offensive game around his wheels,
which are above-average. He has learned how to spray the ball around the field, and he’s good at
adapting to what the defense and pitcher are giving him. He has all the struggles that cold-weather and
high school hitters deal with, but he’s good enough now to see him being solid in the future. In the field,
he’s a solid-average defender with an average arm, and he should be able to hold down center field in
the long run. He’s a good enough prospect to possibly be picked in the eighth to fifteenth round range,
where he’ll likely be unsignable and will head to San Diego State.
Sounds pretty committed to college but if he gets money...
There isn’t much doubt that when the 2010 Major League baseball draft rolls around, Pine Creek outfielder and three-year captain John Pustay will hear his name called. Currently ranked No. 258 on the Perfect Game top 500 prospect list — combining all eligible college juniors and seniors, junior college players and high school players nationwide — Pustay, the No. 3 high school prospect in Colorado is projected to be drafted later on in the top 10 rounds of this year’s 50-round draft.
He will then have a decision to make. Go pro now? or give college a shot?
This scenario gets played out all across the country every year as high school ballplayers with big league dreams have to decide whether or not now is the time to chase that dream, or whether they should instead attend the school for which they have already signed at to play collegiate ball.
For Pustay, who signed last fall to play college ball at San Diego State University under Hall-of-Famer Tony Gwynn, the decision most likely will not be an easy one.
"There are a lot of pro teams interested, so hopefully he makes it here, and if he does, hopefully he has a great career," said Gwynn.
Snippets on a few HS kids
Baseball beginnings had these blurbs on a few of our draftees
Jake Cole, RHP, 6-3, 220 (Sahuaro HS, Tucson, AZ)
Good balance and extension, easy life, room for projection. FB 88-90.
Cody Buckel, RHP, 6-1, 170 (Royal HS, Simi Valley, CA)
FB 90-91, gets downhill despite height, aggressive, power lower half. Makes most of it.
Chris Roglen, RHP, 6-3, 200 (Rocky Mountain HS, Fort Collins, CO)
Has projection in arm and frame, FB 89-91 w/life, CB 71, SL 77, can be HS draft
More from Baseball Beginnings
Right-hander Chris Roglen (Fort Collins, Colo.) pitched three innings and showed the makings of a four-pitch starter who would be draft quality out of high school or very desirable for a Division I college program. At about 6-3, Roglen isn’t a giant, but his long legs and compact delivery combine to allow him to pitch with his fastball at 89-91, with a useable slider at 77 and a decent curveball at 71. Based on his body and arm action, Roglen has some projection and is worth watching.
Perfect Game
Outstanding athletic body, plus strength for age. Athletic tools, 6.98 runner, very good raw arm strength, good OF reads/range. Line drive swing, likes to pull, solid pull contact, fights off good pitches, can get more power out of swing/body. Impressive tools if bat comes.
He’s committed to Santa Barbara City College.
Wonder if he’d forgo that for pro ball. That’s hardly a baseball mecca.
small schools
A lot of draft prospects play their way to scholarships at bigger schools. I think a high schooler would still need to be paid a decent amount to forego that opportunity and the chance at an education.
But yeah, I do think it would be easier to buy him out. I hope we do sign…who is that exactly?
Round 46
Daryl Norris Position: RHP School: Fairhope HS State: AL Height: 6’1’’ Weight: 210
Commitment: Mississippi State
Andy's take
Daryl Norris is a strong right-handed pitcher from Fairhope High School in Fairhope, Alabama, a
southern Alabama town on Mobile Bay. Norris has become a solid prospect over the past twelve
months, turning from a potential college pitcher to a potential pro pitcher, and that transformation has
had nothing to do with projectability. His frame is already solid and filled out, and he’s added velocity
through cleaning up his mechanics and also succeeded by firming up his breaking ball and working on his
conditioning. A strong two-way player currently, he’s had to stay limber in order to play in the field, but
his future is undoubtedly on the mound, where he projects as a potential number four starter if given
the right amount of time to develop. His arsenal starts with an average fastball that usually sits 88-91,
touching 93, and there’s hope that as he moves off a position that he can bump that velocity into the
above-average range, perhaps sitting 90-93, touching 95. That’s no guarantee, but it does happen to a
number of two-way players every draft season. He complements his fastball with a potential above-
average to plus curveball that he commands rather well, and it has really come a long way in the last
year. His changeup is only a potential average pitch, but that’s graded off just a few looks, so he could
surprise with some work against advanced hitters. He has the talent to go in the seventh to tenth round
range, but he will be eligible for the draft again in just two years at Mississippi State, so he might be a
tough sign in that range.
I don't think they buy out an SEC scholarship
unless they pay and the kid doesn’t want to go to school.
Speaking as an Ole Miss alum...
I’d rather be in Surprise and Spokane for 3 years than Starkville for 2.
The women aren't great there?
It’s a college town in a pit of a state with the exception of Oxford. I wouldn’t either but well a college education is good…then again its Miss State, is that worth anything?
we drafted Jackie Moore's son, Jonathon, from HBU
he put up decent offensive numbers for a defense first catcher, so he may actually play a bit.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
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