Baseball America Mock Draft 3/16

[CJ9]

Surprised we still don't have a draft thread, but here's Baseball America's first mock draft. It's the earliest they've ever put one out: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2017-mock-major-league-baseball-draft-first-ten-picks/#r7j2Twk0iGyrxPd1.97


5. Atlanta Braves

Austin Beck, of, North Davidson High, Lexington, N.C. : It’s a banner year in North Carolina with lefty McKenzie Gore and Bukauskas drawing in cross checkers and scouting directors by the dozen, but they’ve been wowed by Beck, who has returned from a torn ACL to show premium tools, with potential 70 power, speed and defense with a plus arm. Beck has had a couple of “Roy Hobbs” performances where he’s made the game look ridiculously easy, and the Rays are in heavy at No. 4 as well. Beck is the draft’s fastest riser but also could slide back down the draft as teams fret about his lack of wood-bat track record, after missing last summer and fall with his knee injury. That casts some doubts on his true hitting grade.


Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2017-mock-major-league-baseball-draft-first-ten-picks/#yGz5iblWCvD77mR0.99

[smootness]

You knew there would be some guys start to emerge that hadn't received attention yet. Beck looks like a mega-toolsy guy, which means there's probably a good chance he's not there at 5 if he shows out this year. That would obviously be a fantastic pick for us.

[CJ9]

It is funny how much stuff changes. I've really wanted Faedo and Jeren Kendall and been convinced neither would get to us because of all the rankings that have come out before this. Now the first mock by a credible source has both going past our pick. It's going to be an interesting three months.

[smootness]

I definitely want a bat, and I don't believe enough in the college bats to want to take one at 5. So I want us to take a HS bat, and up to this point I've liked Adell the most. Beck could change that. But it would be nice if there were at least 2 legit options in that group so that we could feel confident about one of them falling to us.

I assume we'll either go college pitcher or HS hitter, just based on the talent available this year, unless/until some others emerge.

[CJ9]

Adell and Beck sound pretty similar to me so far. Great athletes who can stick in center with plus arms who can hit the ball a long way. But significant questions about the hit tool. It seems like everything else is huge for those two except the hit.

[nsacpi]

It is early days, but the two hitters that interest me so far are Beck and Royce Lewis. I'm not opposed to picking a pitcher if the hitters we want are gone. This happened last year with Moniak and Senzel.

[UNCBlue012]

I currently live in Greensboro, NC, which is only about 15-20 minutes from Lexington. I've heard good things about him from sports guys at the station I work at!

[Enscheff]

Interesting not to see Adell in the first 10 selections. I guess I need to start researching this Beck kid a bit!

[CJ9]

Interesting not to see Adell in the first 10 selections. I guess I need to start researching this Beck kid a bit!

This is probably a good place to start: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/austin-becks-stock-rise-torn-acl-heals/.

In-depth article about him from last month with video of his swing.

[clvclv]

Interesting not to see Adell in the first 10 selections. I guess I need to start researching this Beck kid a bit!

Have to be an idiot to not already have known who Beck is.

[bravesfanMatt]

Have to be 'A Loser, baby' to not already have known who Beck is.

missed opportunity there Clv..

[smootness]

Interesting not to see Adell in the first 10 selections. I guess I need to start researching this Beck kid a bit!

They mention him in the intro. He's not a consensus top pick yet, but he could pretty easily end up there. Personally, I'm hoping his stock lags behind a bit.

[jpx7]

Have to be an idiot to not already have known who Beck is.

For real. He's been a staple since "Loser" dropped in '94.

[Enscheff]

Have to be an idiot to not already have known who Beck is.

I chuckle every time you comment on someone's intelligence. Coming from the guy who doesn't see a difference between Folty and Wisler...riiiight.

Now run along, back to the trailer park to drum up real estate business. Those fliers aren't going to hand themselves out you know!

[KB21]

This is probably a good place to start: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/austin-becks-stock-rise-torn-acl-heals/.

In-depth article about him from last month with video of his swing.

It's batting practice, but his bat speed is insane!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_RLa65-VNo

[striker42]

Beck's bat speed is impressive. He'll need to calm down his swing a little and shorten that step but that's not uncommon among kids.

Keep an eye on DL Hall (an unfortunate name for a baseball player). Lefty prep pitcher from in state. It would be a classic Braves move. I wouldn't be excited about adding another pitcher but I get the feeling the Braves don't feel that way.

[jpx7]

Beck's bat speed is impressive. He'll need to calm down his swing a little and shorten that step but that's not uncommon among kids.

Keep an eye on DL Hall (an unfortunate name for a baseball player). Lefty prep pitcher from in state. It would be a classic Braves move. I wouldn't be excited about adding another pitcher but I get the feeling the Braves don't feel that way.

I'm glad someone's keeping tabs on players this front-office might actually select.

[Enscheff]

His first movements include some bat wrap when he loads, which I hate to see. I don't think the leg kick is excessive at all though.

[smootness]

His first movements include some bat wrap when he loads, which I hate to see. I don't think the leg kick is excessive at all though.

It's not really pronounced at all, should be easily corrected if you want to. For guys with ultra-quick bat speed, though, it can actually help you stay back a la Gary Sheffield.

[50PoundHead]

Beck is recovering from ACL surgery last summer. Here's another article about him with some video of him hitting in a cage. I don't put much stock in hair, but it looks like he has more party in the back than business in the front.

Link: https://www.fanragsports.com/mlb/mlb-draft-prospect-austin-beck-back-on-track-after-torn-acl/

[Hudson2]

I've been big on Beck and Adell since last year. I'm hoping they both stay healthy this season bc I want one of them at 2. The top 5 is loaded in this class.

[buck75]

It's batting practice, but his bat speed is insane!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_RLa65-VNo

Acuna-type sound when he barrels it up.

[jimsnores]

Interesting that he usually follows through with both hands, but occasionally doesn't, even with what seems to be similar contact. Lots of movement, but lots of batspeed, at least to my untrained eye.

[Hudson2]

He generates a ton of power!

[clvclv]

It's batting practice, but his bat speed is insane!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_RLa65-VNo

No need for that - Enscheff knew everything about him already.