2018 MLB Draft Uber-Thread

uk_sox_fan

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ESPN with surprisingly nice things to say about Boston's history in the draft:

No team has drafted better than the Boston Red Sox, which is especially noteworthy since the Red Sox have drafted in the top 10 just six times, and their highest pick since 1967 has been seventh (three times). They've succeeded in the first round and the lower rounds. Here are their best picks, all players with 20-plus career WAR:

First round: Roger Clemens (1983), Carlton Fisk (1967, January), Ellis Burks (1983, January), Jim Rice (1971), Nomar Garciaparra (1994), Bruce Hurst (1976), Jacoby Ellsbury (2005), Mo Vaughn (1989), Bob Stanley (1974, January), Rick Burleson (1970, January), Trot Nixon (1993), Aaron Sele (1991)

Second round: Curt Schilling (1986, January), Dustin Pedroia (2004), Fred Lynn (1973), Jon Lester (2002)

Third round: John Tudor (1976, January), Mike Greenwell (1982)

Fourth round: Jeff Bagwell (1989), Jonathan Papelbon (2003)

Fifth round: Dwight Evans (1969), Amos Otis (1965), John Valentin (1988), Mookie Betts (2011)

Sixth round: Cecil Cooper (1968), Anthony Rizzo (2007)

Seventh round: Wade Boggs (1976)

Eighth round: Kevin Youkilis (2001)

Later rounds: Brady Anderson (10th, 1985), Ben Oglivie (11th, 1968), Josh Reddick (17th, 2006), David Eckstein (19th, 1997), Bill Lee (22nd, 1968)

Undrafted free agent: Bob Ojeda (1978)
edit: and they could have added: Ninth round: Travis Shaw (2011)
 

uk_sox_fan

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Also interesting that of the current Top 5 position players in WPA, 4 were drafted by the Sox (and the 5th, Segura, was an international FA):

Code:
 Rank  Player    WPA  Year  Rnd Pick
  1.  Betts      2.60 2011  5th  172
  2.  Benintendi 2.31 2015  1st    7
  3.  Lowrie     1.82 2005  1st   45
  4.  Segura     1.80
  5.  Shaw       1.75 2011  9th  292
 

TimScribble

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When:
June 4th. Pre-coverage 6 p.m. Draft starts at 7 p.m. - rounds 1-2.
June 5th. 1 p.m. - rounds 3 - 10.
June 6th. 12 p.m. - rounds 11 - 40.

Where to watch:
MLB Network and MLB.com

Tonight is the first and second round of the 2018 MLB draft. After making the post season last year, the Red Sox will be picking #26.

A few of the names that have been attached to the Red Sox at pick 26.

Seth Beer - Clemson, OF/1B
Most likely a DH in the pros. Has shown flashes of power and plus hitting tool.

Ryan Rolinson - Mississippi, LHP
Low 90s fastball with deception and curve. Some delivery concerns. Draft eligible sophomore, could cost more.

Steele Walker - Oklahoma, OF
Improved each year offensively. Only 5’11, could end up at a corner infield spot.

Brice Turang - Santiago HS, SS
Came into year as a potential top 5 pick. Took a step back this year.

Jeremy Eierman - Missouri St, SS
Has plus speed, plus arm and power. Took a step back this year.

Triston Casas - American Heritage HS, 1B
Huge Power potential. Could be Beer but with defense.

Ethan Hankins - Forsyth Central HS, RHP
Could go in the top 10. Had a shoulder injury after his junior year.

Jordan Groshans - Magnolia HS, 3B
Big Bat out of HS


**Took names and recaps from Masslive.com, MLB.com, CBSSports.com
 

burstnbloom

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Casas is the guy I can't help but drool over. Most mocks have him going in the teens, unfortunately, but hopefully he falls. Turang was the guy this time last year but the publications seem more sour on him now. I'm not sure why, having never seen him play.

I am hoping for a high school bat at this point. None of the college arms that will be around appear all that exciting and the college bats have lots of warts. That's probably not the right move with a system so thin, but the heart wants what it wants.
 

ehaz

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Ew. If we draft Beer, I don’t want “flashes” of power and a good hit tool. I realize it’s a late first but Jesus, anything below hitting his comp and he’s near useless as a 21 year old already limited to DH.
 

TimScribble

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Yeah, a lot of the reports say he regressed each year.
 
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Merkle's Boner

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Not good at the embedding thang but Keith Law tweeted that he’s hearing Casas to the Marlins at 13.
 

grimshaw

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Casas is the guy I can't help but drool over. Most mocks have him going in the teens, unfortunately, but hopefully he falls. Turang was the guy this time last year but the publications seem more sour on him now. I'm not sure why, having never seen him play.
Fangraphs has him falling down to us. https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-mlb-mock-draft-v-3-0/

I'd like to see catcher addressed early though I guess there is a big drop off after Bart. Maybe Will Banfield?
https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=418536
 
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PaulinMyrBch

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MYRTLE BEACH!!!!
Yeah, a lot of the reports say he regressed each year.
I’ve seen a lot of Beer. Monster year as a freshman. Was pitched much more carefully the last two years and still posted OPS north of 1000 all years. His power is legit, he’s mainly pull but has power to opposite field. K/BB is great. Short controlled stroke. Has ability to drive all types of pitches, isn’t a dead red hitter.

But the defensive side of things is complicated. Just a weird un-athletic looking runner for someone that has the size and frame to move much better. I’d say he’s in the defensive ability and movement range of JD Martinez. Makes basic plays in OF, not going to run things down. Clemson tried to convert him to a corner infielder the last two falls and he ended up in RF every year.

But the hit tool is legit.
 

RedOctober3829

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deep inside Guido territory
I’ve seen a lot of Beer. Monster year as a freshman. Was pitched much more carefully the last two years and still posted OPS north of 1000 all years. His power is legit, he’s mainly pull but has power to opposite field. K/BB is great. Short controlled stroke. Has ability to drive all types of pitches, isn’t a dead red hitter.

But the defensive side of things is complicated. Just a weird un-athletic looking runner for someone that has the size and frame to move much better. I’d say he’s in the defensive ability and movement range of JD Martinez. Makes basic plays in OF, not going to run things down. Clemson tried to convert him to a corner infielder the last two falls and he ended up in RF every year.

But the hit tool is legit.
I want Beer. He has the chance to be a fast riser in the system.
 

nvalvo

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Pitching pitching pitching. But do we know who to pick? We haven't been very good at that.
So that either means we should pick pitchers until we hit on one, or it means we should pick the kinds of athletic CF types that we clearly have an organizational competency in identifying and developing, and then trade them for pitching, as we've done with Josh Reddick, Manuel Margot, Luis Alexander Basabe, etc., etc.
 

strek1

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So that either means we should pick pitchers until we hit on one, or it means we should pick the kinds of athletic CF types that we clearly have an organizational competency in identifying and developing, and then trade them for pitching, as we've done with Josh Reddick, Manuel Margot, Luis Alexander Basabe, etc., etc.
Quite a quandry isn't it?
 

RedOctober3829

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deep inside Guido territory
Weird, MLB has him at #36 overall. Must be a below slot deal but usually that's not for two-sport athletes?
He's never dedicated himself to baseball so Oakland is banking on him making a big improvement once he is finished with football. He's a stud athlete who has really good power and speed. Picking him in the top 10 is basically paying for him to give up football.
 

nvalvo

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Quite a quandry isn't it?
Giants fans regularly complain that they haven't drafted and developed an All Star outfielder since Chili Davis.

edit: hell, one of the best non-Bonds OF seasons they've had in that span came from Ellis Burks.
 

strek1

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What's with all the High Schoolers being taken? Do Some of these teams know they can't pay enough to sign a ready to go prospect so they're trying for a long shot? (I don't mean long shot talent -wise, but a hardship kid they might talk out of college who could agree to take less cash right away?)
 

ehaz

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The Rays got a freaking steal in Liberatore. #2 overall BA, #4 overall MLB. Scouting reports, polish, and size remind you a lot about Bumgarner.
 
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oumbi

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How long does a team have to make a pick in the first round?
 

oumbi

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MFY now have possession of Seigler. Was ranked #46 according to MLB.