380 replies to this topic

[phragle]

How far do you guys think Bradley Jr. can fall? If we could get him at 36 or 40 I'd be ecstatic.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

How far do you guys think Bradley Jr. can fall? If we could get him at 36 or 40 I'd be ecstatic.

He was slumping big time before the fluke injury, so I don't see it being the reason. Plus, it won't affect his long-term value -- which is a solid-average every day center fielder. I don't believe he makes it to the supplemental round. BA had the Rox taking him before the injury, and I could see Cards or the Rays being on him as well.

[TimScribble]

Saw this blurb about what Susac was doing for the team before his injury:

Susac's loss will be a challenge to cope with, as he leads the team in RBI's and batting average, and is the co-leader in home runs. Berberet is more than serviceable both at bat and behind the plate, but Susac's arm is unquestioned in the Pac-10. So far, only one attempts to steal second has been attempted with Susac behind the plate, and Andrew threw that runner out.

Building the Dam

Frankly, the more I read, the more I just see how stacked this draft is this year. Every suggestion everybody has been posting would be great picks. I'm enjoying all the pre-draft convo that is going on with the draft still over a month away.

[RedOctober3829]

JonathanMayo83
Draft update: Matt Purke diagnosed with bursitis, will return

[TheGoldenGreek33]

No, thanks anyways.



Maybe if he drops to the 3rd/4th round. Maybe.

[phragle]

Frankly, the more I read, the more I just see how stacked this draft is this year. Every suggestion everybody has been posting would be great picks. I'm enjoying all the pre-draft convo that is going on with the draft still over a month away.

Stacked! I think all the pitchers I've discussed are projected to go in the top 15, and probably should. I don't really like any of the college pitchers that are projected to go after 15 enough to draft one at 19. That said I'd love to get Susac at 19.

I think the draft is really exciting this year. It's full of talent, and we have as many picks as we've had since 2005 when we got Ellsbury, Buchholz, and Lowrie. It's also the last draft before the CBA expires so we don't know how that will change things. I expect the FO to go balls to the wall on this draft and easily spend of 10 million.

No, thanks anyways.



Maybe if he drops to the 3rd/4th round. Maybe.

Yeah, no thanks

[TimScribble]

Are these no thanks to Purke because of mechanics are no thanks to Purke because he wears his hat sideways/flat billed and looks goofy?

[Puffy]

Are these no thanks to Purke because of mechanics are no thanks to Purke because he wears his hat sideways/flat billed and looks goofy?

I didn't even notice the hat and glasses. All I can see is his left arm on the verge of being drawn and quartered.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

Take it FWIW from Heyman:

21. Andrew Susac, C, Oregon State. Good-hitting catcher, but one scouting director said, "He's rated too high simply because of the position he plays.'' Out at the moment with a hamate injury.

link

[mabrowndog]

Yeah, I shudder at posting anything from Heyman, but any port in a storm...

One more interesting name who could be drafted high beyond Monday's list of the top 25 draft-eligible prospects is Tyler Marlette, a high school catcher from the Orlando area. Marlette is an excellent catch-and-throw guy, says one scout, and with catchers at a premium he could go within the first two rounds. The Red Sox are showing interest, though he wouldn't solve their immediate catching question.

[Bigpupp]

All the Susac talk reminds me of '09 when most mock-drafts had Max Stassi going to the Sox. The Sox simply won't draft a catcher just because it is a need for them at the moment. This draft I bet they stay away from Susac, but my hope is that Josh Bell drops, and the Sox grab him. After that everything would be gravy.

[gammoseditor]

Yeah, I shudder at posting anything from Heyman, but any port in a storm...

Haven't looked it up yet, but I wonder if this kids agent is Scott Boras.

edit: can't tell after a google search

Edited by gammoseditor, 04 May 2011 - 07:45 PM.

[Brianish]

Theo was apparently on-site to see Matt Barnes, UConn RHP, last night, according to the Hartford Courant.

T. Epstein, holding radar gun himself, is getting eyeful from Barnes. He has a no-hitter through five innings, seven strikeouts.

http://twitter.com/#!/AmoreCourant/statuses/67013119519633408

[TheGoldenGreek33]

BA Top 30 CCL Prospects:

3. Matt Barnes, rhp, Wareham (Jr., Connecticut).
Barnes showed arm strength but not much else in his first Cape stint last year. The 6-foot-4, 203-pounder was a more complete package in his encore, with more velocity on his fastball and a more reliable curveball and changeup. His secondary pitches, command and mechanics all need more work, but his performance with Wareham and Team USA put him in the mix to be an early first-round pick in 2011. "He was 90-92 as a freshman here, but he was inconsistent," Wareham manager Cooper Farris said. "This summer, he was 94-95 every fastball, and it was real easy. He's dominant when his curveball and changeup are on."

BA Top 20 Team USA Prospects:

4. Matt Barnes, rhp (Jr., Connecticut)
Barnes was on the scouting radar in high school for his loose arm and projectable frame, but he has vaulted into the ranks of the elite prospects in two seasons at UConn, as his velocity has jumped and his feel for pitching has improved. He had a standout summer for Team USA, going 3-0, 1.42 with 26 strikeouts and five walks in 19 innings. Barnes' bread-and-butter is a lively 92-95 mph fastball with excellent downward angle. Some scouts think he has a chance for a plus fastball and three average secondary pitches. His 78-80 mph curveball is sharper than his 81-83 slider and has a chance to be a plus offering. He also flashes a promising changeup at 82-83, though it's still a work in progress. Barnes has a prototypical, lean pitcher's frame at 6-foot-4, 203 pounds, and his delivery has minimal effort, but he's still mastering his mechanics. He sometimes struggles to repeat his release point, and he is working on generating more leverage when he pitches out of the stretch. Barnes projects as a solid mid-rotation starter in the big leagues, with a chance to become better than that as he matures.

KLaw's 'Future 50':

14. Matt Barnes, RHP, Connecticut
Analysis: The final pitch for Barnes last Friday was 97 mph and the curveball is there, but command and lack of a third pitch push him below some other top college arms.

ESPN:

Summary : Barnes had a chance to establish himself as a top-10 or top-5 pick coming off an impressive summer with Team USA, but command problems have pushed him below a half-dozen other college arms who've come out throwing more and better strikes. Barnes has a plus fastball at 93-95 and holds his velocity pretty well, mixing in an occasional low-90s two-seamer. His curveball is the eye-opener, 75-78 with depth and two-plane break, but he's been throwing a well below-average slider this spring, 79-81, flat and hittable. Barnes doesn't command the fastball and tends to miss up with the pitch, the worst place to leave your fastball. He also doesn't repeat his delivery well, with many aspects varying from pitch to pitch -- his stride length (usually moderate, occasionally long), his movement off the mound (he's usually drifting off as he starts, but occasionally stays over it longer), and the timing of his elbow pronation. In that last area he can let his pitching elbow drift up fairly high, putting some stress on his shoulder and lengthening his arm action more. Barnes' combination of size, velocity, and a strong second offering all make him a likely top-20 pick, but those delivery and command issues will probably steer a few teams up top in another direction.

Edited by TheGoldenGreek33, 08 May 2011 - 12:02 PM.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

Sickels has the Sox taking Susac and Beede at 19 and 26.

editADD: Also, Meo at 36 and Esposito at 40.

Edited by TheGoldenGreek33, 09 May 2011 - 12:43 PM.

[TimScribble]

Has anyone read any reports on how far people think Susac would be from getting to the majors?

Edited by TimScribble, 09 May 2011 - 11:50 AM.

[phragle]

Sickels has the Sox taking Susac and Beede at 19 and 26.

Beede at 26 seems like a stretch, I'm not sure if his ceiling is high enough. Good to see they are scouting Barnes though, incase he makes it that far.

I'm pissed Josh Osich managed to make the list at 27. He is a power lefty coming off TJ. He seems too risky to me to be taken in the first round. I'm hoping he makes it to the supp. round.

Edit: Alex Meyer at 22 is pretty funny. I watched him pitch a few innings against LSU and he looked awful. He had no idea where the ball was going, topped out at 94 and his breaking ball was a soft floater.

Edited by phragle, 09 May 2011 - 12:29 PM.

[amfox1]

Has anyone read any reports on how far people think Susac would be from getting to the majors?

Susac is recovering from hamate surgery. However, he should be able to play this summer. Defensively, he is considered nearly major league ready. He has a major league arm and his receiving is improved. Offensively, he profiles as an average major league catcher. My guess is he would spend 2012 in high-A and AA and 2013 in AA and AAA and could be ready by the end of 2013, best case.

Tony Sanchez, the top college catcher from the 2009 draft, is currently in AA. Both top catchers from the 2008 draft, Buster Posey and Jason Castro, are in the majors (Castro is on the DL and likely out for the year).

Edited by amfox1, 09 May 2011 - 12:37 PM.

[ehaz]

26 seems high for Beede. I live about 10 minutes from where he goes to school and I have a lot of friends who go to school there and know him... He's committed to college and will probably fall in the draft for signability reasons. I'm sure if the Sox really want him they'd have a chance in later rounds.

[TimScribble]

Wow, Sickels has Purke all the way at 38.

[phragle]

Where are you guys seeing 36, 38, and 40? Meo would be awesome at 36 by the way.

[amfox1]

26 seems high for Beede. I live about 10 minutes from where he goes to school and I have a lot of friends who go to school there and know him... He's committed to college and will probably fall in the draft for signability reasons. I'm sure if the Sox really want him they'd have a chance in later rounds.

Everything I read has Beede drafted in the 25-40 range. Of course, if he tells everyone he is unsignable, he will drop.

[amfox1]

Where are you guys seeing 36, 38, and 40? Meo would be awesome at 36 by the way.

http://www.minorleag...round#storyjump

36. Meo
38. Purke
40. Esposito

In my latest mock at soxprospects, I have the Red Sox taking Susac at 19, Bell at 26, Meo at 36 and Story at 40. Sickels has them at 19, 18, 36 and 41, respectively.

[TimScribble]

Do you have a link for your latest mock? The work internet doesnt work well at soxprospects if I just try and surf it, but if I click on a direct link it works fine.

[LeftyTG]

Do you have a link for your latest mock? The work internet doesnt work well at soxprospects if I just try and surf it, but if I click on a direct link it works fine.

amfox does good work. One of my favorite posters.

amfox mock draft

[phragle]

http://www.minorleag...round#storyjump

36. Meo
38. Purke
40. Esposito

In my latest mock at soxprospects, I have the Red Sox taking Susac at 19, Bell at 26, Meo at 36 and Story at 40. Sickels has them at 19, 18, 36 and 41, respectively.

Thanks. Yeah I saw your mock, and I'm a big fan of it. It's similar to Sickles as far as the Sox picks, but I like Bell a lot more than Beede. I love Meo at 36, and Story is good too, and better than Exposito IMO. I'd really like to see one of the power lefties at 40 though. Josh Osich, Adam Conley, or Andrew Chafin, in that order. Conley might be there in the second round (81), though I doubt it.

Do you have a link for your latest mock? The work internet doesnt work well at soxprospects if I just try and surf it, but if I click on a direct link it works fine.

http://forum-soxpros...ns#reply-267096

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

Take this for what it's worth (not much) a friend I have with the Norwich bulletin sports section told me that Theo spoke easily as much... if not more about Springer than about Barnes. This was when he was at the Uconn game in Norwich. Although it was written that Theo exclusively was there for Barnes, it was rumored that he sought out info on Springer.

Maybe the interest in Barnes (personally holding the radar gun etc.) is a smokescreen and he is high on Springer? There's probably a greater chance that Springer falls to 19 than Barnes would. Although I bet both are gone before 19...

Of course Theo would check out both players, stupid not to... just the buzz was the above comment.

[Montana Fan]

I'd love to see us get Springer. I was friends with his dad as a kid and played a lot of baseball with him. I'd have to reconnect if George Jr. is drafted by the Sox.

[RedOctober3829]

conorglassey
Oregon State's Andrew Susac is working hard and there's a very good chance he plays in some capacity for the Beavers this weekend. #mlbdraft

[phragle]

Josh Osich (LHP, Oregon St.) 6’3” 225 is a hard throwing lefty and Tommy John survivor. In 2009 he pitched 26.1 innings with 1 start, striking out 34 with a 2.05 ERA. He missed all of 2010 recovering from TJ surgery.

His velocity is on its way back up. In 2009 he sat 93-95 and could get it up to 98. He threw a fastball and a slider most of the time, but also threw a change-up, and curveball. Until his last start he was only cleared to throw his fastball and change. All of his pitches have good life, though he hasn’t thrown a slider this year. I love his delivery, it’s smooth, athletic, and he uses his whole body.

More pics:

Spoiler

Ten days ago Osich out pitched Trevor Bauer and threw a complete game no-hitter, walking only one, and striking out thirteen. Osich allowed only three balls out of the infield with nine groundouts and a pair of pop-ups to the first baseman. His fastball sat at 90-93 and he mixed in his change at 80-83. He was also cleared to throw his curveball for the first time since surgery. He threw a career high 121 pitches, mixing in 6 to 10 curveballs. He said he felt fine after the game.

Here is the video of the last few outs:

[TheGoldenGreek33]

I'm a fan of Osich, as well. It'll be interesting to see how the breaking ball develops. But, I'd love to see the Sox take him in the supplemental, if available.

[phragle]

I'm a fan of Osich, as well. It'll be interesting to see how the breaking ball develops. But, I'd love to see the Sox take him in the supplemental, if available.

I'd take him at 26 if we had to. Sickles is the first one to put him in the first round.

[phragle]

Jim Callis first round mock: http://www.baseballa...11/2611735.html

I'm not sure I agree with much of it.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

KG has his Top 20 draft prospects out. Who is number one, you ask? Dylan Bundy.


Bold, but I like it.

[phragle]

KG has his Top 20 draft prospects out. Who is number one, you ask? Dylan Bundy.


Bold, but I like it.

Bundy is incredible, but KG has read some different scouting reports than I have. I don't think he is as good a prospect as Rendon or Cole, but he is up there.

Bauer still depresses me at 5. Hopefully he will hit the bench with a little case of elbow soreness..

He says Jungmann hasn't missed many bats with his 8.34 K/9, but fails to mention his +60% GB rate.

Jed Bradley is better than 12th.

Edited by phragle, 18 May 2011 - 12:00 AM.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

Yeah, maybe that's why the article was available to the public instead of sub-only... although the sub-only stuff sucks too. Does anybody here still pay for that crap?

BA dropped some bits of draft heaven today:

Position Player Ranking + Scouting Reports

Updated Top 60

Pretty cool feature on Mahtook

Pitcher Ranking + Scouting Reports

Edited by TheGoldenGreek33, 18 May 2011 - 02:20 PM.

[phragle]

MLB.com finally has their ranking and scouting reports up. There is 18 days until the draft. Last year it seemed like they had it up 2 months before the draft.

http://mlb.mlb.com/m...011/#list=draft

[Tyrone Biggums]

Not to derail this at all, but is anyone else nervous about the fact that the Rays have a ton of selections in the first 2 rounds? That organization is stacked and will be even further after the draft.

Bundy is good...but he never scored 4 touchdowns in 1 game like another famous Bundy.

The Sox if I remember correctly got Bentz only because of an injury during the season that dropped his stock. Reynuldo was the same, as I remember anyways. I think if there is one thing this organization is excellent at doing its evaluating talent in the draft.

Edited by Tyrone Biggums, 18 May 2011 - 09:48 PM.

[phragle]

Not to derail this at all, but is anyone else nervous about the fact that the Rays have a ton of selections in the first 2 rounds? That organization is stacked and will be even further after the draft.

Bundy is good...but he never scored 4 touchdowns in 1 game like another famous Bundy.

The Sox if I remember correctly got Bentz only because of an injury during the season that dropped his stock. Reynuldo was the same, as I remember anyways. I think if there is one thing this organization is excellent at doing its evaluating talent in the draft.

Nervous that the have 10 of the first 60 picks? Can they even afford all those picks? They will have to go conservative at just about every pick.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

"We have planned in advance for this Draft and the expected financial outlay for this many players in the top of the Draft," Friedman said. "We will approach it no differently than we have in the past, and we should have no issues signing the guys that genuinely want to start their professional careers."

link

[phragle]

link

Yeah I'm aware. They can't just say the will have to draft conservatively because they don't have the funds. They spent over 7 million last year and if they could spend upwards of 12, even 15 million this year. I'll eat my hat if they give somebody like Josh Bell or Archie Bradley 3-4 million, or if they give Matt Purke 2 million in the supplemental round.

[gammoseditor]

Yeah I'm aware. They can't just say the will have to draft conservatively because they don't have the funds. They spent over 7 million last year and if they could spend upwards of 12, even 15 million this year. I'll eat my hat if they give somebody like Josh Bell or Archie Bradley 3-4 million, or if they give Matt Purke 2 million in the supplemental round.

But they're not going to have to spend that kind of money on too many players. Do you know how many guys got over $3 million last year? Seven. Do you know how many got $2 million or more? 17. And all but six of them were top 12 picks. You're only eliminating a couple of players the Rays won't take if they aren't willing to spend that much money, and they may feel the players aren't worth it anyway.

[phragle]

But they're not going to have to spend that kind of money on too many players. Do you know how many guys got over $3 million last year? Seven. Do you know how many got $2 million or more? 17. And all but six of them were top 12 picks. You're only eliminating a couple of players the Rays won't take if they aren't willing to spend that much money, and they may feel the players aren't worth it anyway.

They are just examples of players that are going to demand over slot money, and therefore are not conservative picks. Plus this is an much different draft than last year.

[SoxScout]

Gammons and Law have both said they expect the Rays to go over $12M and for he Red Sox to probably break the spending record this year in the draft.

Also found this interesting, Dylan Bundy and Trevor Bauer have told teams that won't let them long toss (PIT, KC) not to draft them.

Edited by SoxScout, 20 May 2011 - 10:18 AM.

[Shelterdog]

Nervous that the have 10 of the first 60 picks? Can they even afford all those picks? They will have to go conservative at just about every pick.

Plus they're due for a few Jason Places. I simply don't believe TB (or anyone) has a sustainable ability to outdraft other teams if they have the same salary restrictions.

[gammoseditor]

They are just examples of players that are going to demand over slot money, and therefore are not conservative picks. Plus this is an much different draft than last year.

There is no question this is a better draft than last year, and one of the best talent pools recently, but that can mean a lot of things. When people say it's deep, it seems like there are 15 guys that a lot of years you'd be happy to get in the top 5. But is this really a deep draft for first/second roudn talent past that? I'm not so sure.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

If the Rays, or any small-market team for that matter, can't afford to spend ~$12-15m this year in the draft, then they really just need new owners. They get close to $40m a year in revenue-sharing. There is absolutely no reason for a small-market team to be cheap in the draft.

[phragle]

Mayo's Mock 1.0

http://mlb.mlb.com/n...raftcentral2011

19. Boston Red Sox: Blake Swihart, C, Cleveland HS, N.M. Swihart is one of the better high-school hitters, but word is he'll come with a big price tag. So, naturally, everyone thinks this spot, with this team, makes sense.


26. Boston Red Sox: Andrew Susac, C, Oregon State
A broken hamate bone shelved the draft-eligible sophomore, but he's got some pop, something that's always a hot commodity among catchers.

[phragle]

Gammons and Law have both said they expect the Rays to go over $12M and for he Red Sox to probably break the spending record this year in the draft.

Also found this interesting, Dylan Bundy and Trevor Bauer have told teams that won't let them long toss (PIT, KC) not to draft them.

Bundy also said he wants 30 million

@jimcallisBAJim CallisSticker shock: Teams being told asking price on Dylan Bundy is 6 yrs, $30 million. For Archie Bradley, 5 yrs and $20 million. #mlbdraft

[TheGoldenGreek33]

They may get a fourth of that.