Yep. If somehow they can save enough money to convince him. But doubtful.I know that rankings are just a (very) general guidepost beyond the top 15-20 players, but the 13th round HS SS (Kilen) had a rank of 100 on mlb.com. Sox taking a flier with a low probability of signing?
https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/7/19/6-standout-draft-classesI’ll kick this off by saying what I’m thinking out loud. I’m not sure if/how Boston will afford some of these prep talents, but if they pull it off, bravo. Mikey Romero was one of my favorite prospects in this draft class in terms of on-field ability and off-field makeup. A fantastic under-slot in round one. Couple that pick with Cutter Coffey, a prep shortstop I was higher on than most, and we’re off and cooking. Coffey has better feet and actions around the ball than I believe most give him credit for. The industry agrees, however, the bat is going to play. The Red Sox were able to continue diving into the prep shortstop pool as the days went on selecting Travis Sanders and Gavin Kilen in later rounds. We’ll see if all four are attainable. Elsewhere on the bluechip market, outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Brooks Brannon are both offense-first preps with big power and a feel for hit. All of these could conceivably blossom into Top 100 prospects over time. On the college level, I love Dalton Rogers. That’s a highly decorated lefty with a whippy arm and undervalued stuff. He’s a big leaguer. Noah Dean, Alex Hoppe and Jonathan Brand all have appealing data and a carrying pitch that, if developed well, make for Role 4 types on a big league roster. Chase Meidroth hits absolutely everything, and while he doesn’t slug and is fringy at second base, he’s got a super-utility, Quad-A hit-only floor. A budget Adam Frazier. Hayden Mullins can be an explosive reliever with a good slider if Boston can get him in the strike zone. There may not be another class in this draft with the upside the Red Sox were able to acquire.
I think he's Brooks Brannon insurance. They have extra money to spend from some underslot picks early and if BB says no they spend it on Kilen.Yep. If somehow they can save enough money to convince him. But doubtful.
yeah I really like the strategy. I would guess they had a 1st round grade on Mikey Romero and knew they could sign him for less. And I'd guess they also had close to a 1st round grade on Roman Anthony so with the money saved were essentially able to turn pick 24 into two 1st rounders. Kinda like the MLB version of trading down in the draft.Didn't Brannon's dad say something about wanting to end up in Boston?
This is looking to be a really good draft, at least on paper.
I had to check to make sure that 32 BB wasn't a typo, and it's not. A 4.5 ERA with 11 earned runs off 5 hits sure is something.The kid drafted in the 20th round, Connor Butler, had the following stats in college last season: 22 IP, 5 hits allowed, 32 BB and 47 Ks. And 2 of the 5 hits he allowed were in the same game.
Reminds me of Jason Neighborgall, who the Sox failed to sign. He gave up 81 earned runs on 40 hits throughout his career.I had to check to make sure that 32 BB wasn't a typo, and it's not. A 4.5 ERA with 11 earned runs off 5 hits sure is something.
"succeeded in not signing."Reminds me of Jason Neighborgall, who the Soxfailed to sign. He gave up 81 earned runs on 40 hits throughout his career.
Yeah, If I remember right, he was demanding 5 million+. He was the 5th ranked prospect on BA and only fell to the 7th round for his contract demands. Of course, the draft was different back then. He ended up signing for $500k in 2005."succeeded in not signing."
The really underslot picks in this strategy kind of don't matter, but you can see the thought process for sure in taking college relievers. Basically you are still trying to capture some MLB upside with those picks even as you save money. It's a position that is inherently less valued since a guy who can't hack it as a reliever has nowhere else to go, but after the first couple rounds basically any hit is a big win.yeah I really like the strategy. I would guess they had a 1st round grade on Mikey Romero and knew they could sign him for less. And I'd guess they also had close to a 1st round grade on Roman Anthony so with the money saved were essentially able to turn pick 24 into two 1st rounders. Kinda like the MLB version of trading down in the draft.
And they managed to do it again (I think with underslot picks in rounds 3-4) to save money for Brannon--essentially giving them an extra 2nd/3rd round pick.
Consider Neighborgall's college stats: https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/42094/Yeah, If I remember right, he was demanding 5 million+. He was the 5th ranked prospect on BA and only fell to the 7th round for his contract demands. Of course, the draft was different back then. He ended up signing for $500k in 2005.
I think Boras ended up costing him quite a lot of money because the Sox were definitely trying. I can't remember how much the offer was but it was substantial. . He was a huge bust.
Yeah that makes sense. And in this case I think they said they’re going to try both as starters—so maybe trying to capture a market inefficiency of a guy undervalued because previous team didn’t end up starting himThe really underslot picks in this strategy kind of don't matter, but you can see the thought process for sure in taking college relievers. Basically you are still trying to capture some MLB upside with those picks even as you save money. It's a position that is inherently less valued since a guy who can't hack it as a reliever has nowhere else to go, but after the first couple rounds basically any hit is a big win.
Sox Prospects has you covered.Is there a place to see all of the picks and their signed/not-signed and how much status? I know we've had that in this thread in previous years. I'm on mobile at work so I can't compile it right away but if it's still not there when I get home from work I'll make it.
Nolan Ryan 19 yo in minors:I had to check to make sure that 32 BB wasn't a typo, and it's not. A 4.5 ERA with 11 earned runs off 5 hits sure is something.
Was there a reason he wasn't drafted? Did the commitment completely scare off teams?
There is no max for UDFA bonuses but anything over $125k counts against the bonus pool.”
His 2007 stats in A ball are nuts:Consider Neighborgall's college stats: https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/42094/
It's all there. Neighborgall always gave up plenty of hits to go along with the walks. And the wild pitches!
His 2007 stats in A ball are nuts:
Yakima: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 25 walks
South Bend: 1 IP, 3 H, 12 walks (12 walks in 1 inning spread over 5 games)
Combined: 6.2 IP, 8 H, walks
Yep, I remember that guy. The thing with Neighborgall is that he NEVER put up good numbers. Ever. He walked 113 in 101 college innings.Former #1 overall pick by the Yankees, Brien Taylor, after his arm injury - https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=taylor002bri
1995 - 40 Innings, 54 BB, 16 Wild Pitches, 6.08 ERA
1996 - 16.1 Innings, 43 BB, 17 Wild Pitches, 18.73 ERA
1997 - 27 Innings, 52 BB, 13 Wild Pitches, 14.33 ERA
Taylor or Neighborhall works for Merrill Lynch?Yep, I remember that guy. The thing with Neighborgall is that he NEVER put up good numbers. Ever. He walked 113 in 101 college innings.
Seems he's done okay for himself--he's a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch.
Neighborgall.Taylor or Neighborhall works for Merrill Lynch?
Ah, good for him. I went to a Cape League game years ago when he was one of the teams and he came around the stands selling raffle tickets. He seemed very personable.Neighborgall.
Hope they don’t have second thoughts.
So they won't be signing. . .
Agreed. I am looking forward to seeing them in the starting lineup today.Why wouldn't they given the holes on this ballclub- one can move up fast.
Weird that Brannon isn't listed in the top 60. I would think he'd be between Anthony and Rogers.FanGraphs has added our draft picks to the farm rankings.
They have Romero ranked #10 in our system (45 FV), Coffey and Anthony #31-32, Rogers and Meidroth #44-45, Dean #50 and Hoppe #55 (all 35+ FV).
Other 2022 draftees in their top 100: Arizona's Druw Jones (#11), Baltimore's Jackson Holliday (#18, one slot above Mayer), Minnesota's Brooks Lee (#25), Pittsburgh's Termarr Johnson (#26), LAA's Zack Neto (#60), NYM's Kevin Parada (#84) and San Diego's Dylan Lesko (#86).
Good point. He seems to have signed a few days ago from what I can tell? Figure he'll be added soon.Weird that Brannon isn't listed in the top 60. I would think he'd be between Anthony and Rogers.
Eric Longenhagen wrote separately about Brannon.Weird that Brannon isn't listed in the top 60. I would think he'd be between Anthony and Rogers.
If there is still room for the likes of Durbin Feltman among the 35+, I expect that Brannon will be added to Fangraphs’ Board before long.North Carolina high school catcher Brooks Brannon’s (9) swing isn’t sexy but he moves the barrel around. He has strong breaking ball recognition and strength-driven power, and must prove he can actually catch.