BRAVES FINAL DRAFT SIGNING BOARD: Backstrom on board!

[Heyward]

Getting Backstrom in the system is huge, nice job AA.

[Southcack77]

Of a sudden we have a plethora of power hitting first basemen

I was asking about this. DH anticipation? Freddie protection? Willingness to explore reduced defense in cOF?

[Southcack77]

I wonder if this approach will continue when we don't have multiple first round picks.

I am all for 'throwing away' our first pick and focusing on high school kids later in the draft.

I’m definitely not. First rounders do better than fourth rounders.

[thethe]

I’m definitely not. First rounders do better than fourth rounders.

I'd rather be able to get 4 wild cards on day 3 then put all my eggs in the basket of a low first rounder.

[jpx7]

Backstrom signing is the Stroman on top of this draft. This IFA penalties are frustrating, but this year’s draft strategy feels like the lemonade from those lemons.

[chop2chip]

Backstrom signing in the Stroman on top of this draft. This IFA penalties are frustrating, but this year’s draft strategy feels like the lemonade from those lemons.

This.

I wouldn’t be surprised that this draft approach is one and done. Personally, I still prefer a more standard approach of targeting BPA rather than playing the slot game.

[Southcack77]

I'd rather be able to get 4 wild cards on day 3 then put all my eggs in the basket of a low first rounder.

I think that’s probably a bad bet, but I’m certainly ok with signing as many high upside guys as possible. Just not at the expense of punting a first rounder.

I guess what they did was take lesser guy with first pick and then punt the second rounder and it will just depend mostly on how good Langeliers and Sheenake turn out to be in all probability.

But the wildcards are interesting.

[nsacpi]

I was asking about this. DH anticipation? Freddie protection? Willingness to explore reduced defense in cOF?

Trade chips if they turn out to be any good.

[jpx7]

I think that’s probably a bad bet, but I’m certainly ok with signing as many high upside guys as possible. Just not at the expense of punting a first rounder.

I guess what they did was take lesser guy with first pick and then punt the second rounder and it will just depend mostly on how good Langeliers and Sheenake turn out to be in all probability.

But the wildcards are interesting.

I don’t think the Braves feel they punted any pick—though Phillip was obviously an underslot target. At the very least, I think they believe they got upside with their first two picks.

[Southcack77]

I don’t think the Braves feel they punted any pick—though Phillip was obviously an underslot target. At the very least, I think they believe they got upside with their first two picks.

To clarify I think Langeliers has upside but he was very underslot. Maybe they all were at that spot.

[ball4life32]

“18th rd @MLBDraft pick Mahki Backstrom signed w/@Braves for $397.5K ($272.5K counts vs. bonus pool). 6-5 HS OF/1B is athletic LHH with raw power. @FresnoStateBSB commit.”

A little surprised they didn’t use the rest of the money on Backstrom. Still have 115k left (not including bonus) to spend correct?

[nsacpi]

Have the $$ to sign Grant Mathews! Must get this done! Could be yuge!

[CJ9]

Could we make another run at the UGA third baseman?

[rico43]

Is there enough for Grant Mathews?

[Jaw]

“18th rd @MLBDraft pick Mahki Backstrom signed w/@Braves for $397.5K ($272.5K counts vs. bonus pool). 6-5 HS OF/1B is athletic LHH with raw power. @FresnoStateBSB commit.”

A little surprised they didn’t use the rest of the money on Backstrom. Still have 115k left (not including bonus) to spend correct?

I wonder if the math is off somewhere else. It seems odd that it would take so long to sign Backstrom if it wasn't to max out.

[BeanieAntics]

I wonder if the math is off somewhere else. It seems odd that it would take so long to sign Backstrom if it wasn't to max out.

I'm sure they are trying to make a run a Mathews. They can still offer him 240k so they could still reel him in.

[Super]

I'm sure they are trying to make a run a Mathews. They can still offer him 240k so they could still real him in.

you reelly think so?

[BeanieAntics]

Good call

[rico43]

The Mathews non-signing is a puzzle. He has a year of eligibility left, but next June he will be 24 years old.