We’re a bit more than two weeks away from the 2017 draft, and rumors surrounding the top of the draft figure to pick up steam in the coming weeks. Some of the latest draft chatter…
- Bill Shanks of the Macon Telegraph reports that the Braves are seriously considering North Carolina prep outfielder Austin Beck with the No. 5 overall pick. GM John Coppolella and scouting director Brian Bridges have held private workouts with Beck, who could sign an under-slot deal with Atlanta, giving the club more freedom to spend aggressively further down the draft board. The Braves went a similar route with the No. 3 overall pick last season when selecting high school righty Ian Anderson and signing him for about $2.5MM under slot. According to Shanks, the Braves have also met with other prep stars like Hunter Greene, Shane Baz, Nick Pratto and Royce Lewis, but Beck is perhaps the favorite to go with the fifth pick (Greene and Lewis are widely expected to be off the board before Atlanta’s pick).
- Baseball America’s John Manuel published his latest mock draft over the weekend and once again has the Twins selecting Vanderbilt right-hander Kyle Wright with the top overall pick. Minnesota has also considered Louisville left-hander/first baseman Brendan McKay extensively and seems to like him more as a hitter, writes Manuel, but Wright represents “the best combination of upside and modest risk.” Manuel’s mock draft is free to the public and runs through the supplemental round, so it’s an interesting look for any fan.
- In his latest inbox column, MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo notes that the Reds seem to prefer McKay as a pitcher rather than a hitter, though he goes through a couple of different hypothetical scenarios to illustrate that it’s not a lock that Cincinnati will select McKay even if he is available with their pick. Manuel, it should be pointed out, hears a bit differently, suggesting that the Reds are leaning slightly toward McKay as a hitter and adds that Cincinnati will take either McKay or Greene.
- BA’s Carlos Collazo recently listed five high school talents whose stock is on the rise as the draft approaches and offers an explanation on each from an unnamed front office executive. Per Collazo, righty Caden Lemons, outfielder Mason House, right-hander Tommy Mace, left-hander Brendan Murphy and right-hander Jackson Rutledge have all worked their way into BA’s Top 200.
Regardless of who fits Minnesota the best, is there a consensus #1 prospect because I’m hearing several different guys
The assumption made in that article that Beck would take a big cut at 5 is a poor one, he’ll get near slot. Anderson was going to go early teens and third instead, Beck is a tools guy that’s going top 10 regardless. Taking someone like Trevor Rodgers would be going down the Ian Anderson route
BA has beck at 26 in their latest mock. Im not sure i agree with him that low, but im not sure I would lock him in the top 10 either.
This might be the toughest year to mock that ive seen in a long time.
What’s your profession?
If he’s showing around 20-25, at best 15, I’d be willing to bet he takes below slot at #5.
Same was said last year about Anderson.
yea its an interesting draft i think after greene gore wright mckay and maybe lewis not much separates 6-20 and then 20-35
I hope that mock for the Phillies is wrong. Sounds like I’m going to struggle not to Go Postal.
My board for the Phillies 1st round:
1) Jo Adell
2) Keston Hiura
3) Mark Vientos
NO pitchers!
Faedo went into the year as a consensus top 3 pick and then only pitched very well instead of dominating against very high level college competition in the SEC. The SEC produces the most MLB players of any conference. He would be a good pick.
Padres should take him then.
The Phillies need one of the position talents I noted and the Phillies need to out-tank San Diego for that 1st pick next year which they will use to take the best position player in the draft.
Will the Phillies need one of those position players in 4 years? Probably not. So they should take the best player on the board regardless of position. if they end up with Faedo then they got a good pick.
“Will the Phillies need one of those position players in 4 years?Probably not ”
1) Are the Phillies going out of business in four years?
2) Are the Phillies already planning their ___next___ rebuild?
For your assertion to be true one of those two I listed must be true.
The Phillies are rebuilding because their lineup got old and their farm system was bereft of position talent. That’s the only reason any big market team would ever rebuild, no position talent.
The Phillies had Hamels and could have easily signed Greinke and Scherzer if they were what they needed.
A lineup is eight guys. Almost every position player is old at 30 now. Even really good ones are basically done at 35.
The Phillies will need position players in 4-5 years. Will they still have a dire need? No one can know. You are right that the best thing to do in the draft is to take the best player regardless of the position they play. You don’t know who will make it and you optimize your chances by taking the best player, not a position of need.
I see the top five like this:
1- Wright
2- McKay
3- Greene
4- Gore/Lewis
5- Beck
Just my opinion, but I’ve been solid with this thought for a few weeks now.
Adell is way better than Beck.
Austin is a tools only guy. Hit tool is not working. More of a late 1st round-supplemental pick.
College pitchers are the biggest waste in the draft.
Gore is interesting. I would definitely take him over the college pitchers.
I would love to know how college pitchers are the biggest waste in the draft. If you want to talk about backend guys that are drafted in later rounds, then sure, I can see your point. But high upside college arms (like the guys taken at the top of the draft) are not a waste at all… They have a better chance of making it than a lot of these high school pitchers that are only getting drafted that high because they can hit triple digits with their fastball.
Ever hear of Baseball-Reference? Look up the draft and go year-to-year for the 1st round and look at those top of the first round college pitchers.
Kershaw’s 2006 draft year is a fun read.
You do the same and look at all the failed high school pitchers.
Count me in the group that wants Beck at 5 for Atlanta. And he is also better than Adell (see we can both do this its fun right)?
Also, for a tools only guy, who’s tools are not working he must have absolutely amazing non-working tools. Beck finished this season batting .590/.700/1.218 with 12 home runs. He hit 3 home runs in his final playoff game and drove in all 4 of his teams runs in a 4-5 loss (vs a Vandy commit pitching).
At least put forth some effort to back up such an opinionated statement with some facts or else you just come across as a lame troll. Its cool you have an opinion different than ours, but stating an opinion as fact is lazy.
And Gore is interesting. I would want Atlanta to take him if they don’t get Beck. So Beck/Gore in that order for me but would be happy with either one. And if ATL does an underslot deal again (which I doubt they will b/c draft pool money) I would like to get Bukauskas if he would take a small cut.
i am just not sold on lewis maybe its the twins fan in me not happy about buxtons and raw tools for hs outfielders. but i am a big fan of pavin smith and shane baz he has 5 pitches all seem to be at least average or better
I agree on Baz, but cant get behind pavin smith that early. A bat first guy without big time power that is mostly limited to first base.