2018 MLB Draft Thread

[nsacpi]

I’m admittedly a no-nothing when it comes to amateur ranks, but the risks seem awfully high with Gorman, and I’m correspondingly anxious so many mocks have him going to the Braves.

BA's notes on us taking Gorman:

The Braves could be hoping that one of the players already off the board falls to this spot, but they’ve long been linked to the premier upside slugger of the class in Nolan Gorman. Florida righthander Carter Stewart continues to be brought up in this range as well. Some industry sources believe that the Braves will go for a high school player at No. 8 with big upside and then focus on college players afterwards. Popping Gorman here is quite literally a swing for the fences.

[CJ9]

It’s so hard to figure out who will be there at 49, but if we are going college, I wonder if Griffin Conine could be the pick. He has recovered some from a brutal start to the year and has a long track record before this spring.

[Heyward]

Considering how well recent drafts have gone for the Braves, I'm quite happy to have whomever they take with the first two picks.

I really didn't completely realize just how bad the drafts during the Wren era were...

2008 - Brett Devall when Wade Miley, Brandon Crawford, and Dee Gordon were available. (Did back into Kimbrel in the 3rd Round.)
2009 - Mike Minor when A. J. Pollock and Trout were available. David Hale when Wil Myers was available. Robby Hefflinger when Dallas Keuchel was available. Kyle Rose when Paul Goldschmidt was available.
2010 - Matt Lipka when Noah Syndergaard was available. Chasen Shreve when Joc Pederson was available. (Did back into Simmons and Gattis.)
2011 - Sean Gilmartin when Blake Snell was available.
2012 - Lucas Sims when Jose Berrios was available. Josh Elander when Jake Lamb was available. (Backed into Alex Wood.)
2013 - Jason Hursh when Aaron Judge was available.
2014 - Braxton Davidson when Jack Flaherty was available.

Looking backwards at drafts with the benefit of hindsight is always easy, but that's a LOT of talent Wren's crowd missed on - even in the early rounds when it's supposed to be easier.

Hindsight is 20-20, but thats pretty damn bad to say the least.

[nsacpi]

Hindsight is 20-20, but thats pretty damn bad to say the least.

same game could be played with other drafts...2016 for example...Bo Bichette currently BA #7 prospect in all of the minors...taken after Anderson, Wentz and Mueller

i don't think this is a particularly good way to evaluate a draft...you can always find a few guys taken relatively late who turn out to be very good

the way I would evaluate drafting acumen is to look at the expected value of a pick and how you did relative to that (this controls for draft position and number of picks)...sum it up over multiple years...one year is probably not going to be very useful...but 3-5 years probably will be...its a lot of work...but that's the way to do it

[CJ9]

Fangraphs has us taking Gorman and North Carolina Hs RHP Owen white in the second round. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-...k-draft-v-3-0/

[CJ9]

If Gorman is the pick, he better come underslot because no one behind us is a serious threat for a few picks.

[clvclv]

I’m admittedly a no-nothing when it comes to amateur ranks, but the risks seem awfully high with Gorman, and I’m correspondingly anxious so many mocks have him going to the Braves.

The other way to look at those mocks consistently linking us with Gorman is that the Braves have seldom taken who the same pundits have expected them to - there's no guarantee that this will continue under AA, but he hasn't suddenly changed all the scouts and Brian Bridges will still likely be the voice he listens to the most. Can't remember if Bridges has ever been part of drafting anybody that ANY of the main draft info sites expected us to.

[Hudson2]

We will no doubt have a chance for a really good player. One of Gorman, Madrigal, Liberatore will be there so I’d go highest ceiling of whoever is there.

[nsacpi]

The other way to look at those mocks consistently linking us with Gorman is that the Braves have seldom taken who the same pundits have expected them to - there's no guarantee that this will continue under AA, but he hasn't suddenly changed all the scouts and Brian Bridges will still likely be the voice he listens to the most. Can't remember if Bridges has ever been part of drafting anybody that ANY of the main draft info sites expected us to.

BA had us choosing Anderson. They reported our interest months before the draft.

[jpx7]

BA had us choosing Anderson. They reported our interest months before the draft.

Publications likely would’ve had them tied to Wright, as well, if it wasn’t assumed he’d be off the board.

[clvclv]

BA had us choosing Anderson. They reported our interest months before the draft.

Interest, sure. We have and have been reported to have "interest" in tons of guys that we haven't taken. Haven't often taken many of them.

We've been linked to just about everyone expected to be available at #8 this spring, but it's going to be interesting to see who's right - if anyone is. The Anderson stuff wasn't really reported as "solid" until (of all people) Gammons mentioned it pretty late that day IIRC.

[ixiXSolidXixi]

Any players to look forward for the second round?

[rico43]

I'm a little more anxious this year about the picks because of losing a key pick and being another year removed from having Kiley McDaniel's exclusive information. But seeing how Wright fell to them last year, I have faith that these crummy teams drafting ahead of the Braves have a few second-rate scouting systems as well and a premium player will fall to the Braves again. The only question is will we accept the gift or keep to the program to draft a high school phenom.

[clvclv]

Any players to look forward for the second round?

Would love to see either Georgia-boy Catcher slide a little - Banfield or Siegler.

[Southcack77]

BA's notes on us taking Gorman:

The Braves could be hoping that one of the players already off the board falls to this spot, but they’ve long been linked to the premier upside slugger of the class in Nolan Gorman. Florida righthander Carter Stewart continues to be brought up in this range as well. Some industry sources believe that the Braves will go for a high school player at No. 8 with big upside and then focus on college players afterwards. Popping Gorman here is quite literally a swing for the fences.

Combing through picked over college talent in second round isn’t exciting either.

[rico43]

Here are Baseball America's rankings of Georgia draft candidates:
1. Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech (BA Rank: 5)
4YR • 6-3 • 225 • R-R •
2. Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS, Bogart, Ga. (BA Rank: 13)
HS • 6-4 • 240 • R-R •
3. Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central HS, Cumming, Ga. (BA Rank: 18)
HS • 6-6 • 215 • R-R •
4. Cole Wilcox, RHP, Heritage HS, Ringgold, Ga. (BA Rank: 37)
HS • 6-5 • 220 • R-R •
5. Anthony Seigler, C, Cartersville (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: 41)
HS • 5-11 • 200 • B-B •
6. Will Banfield, C, Brookwood HS, Snellville, Ga. (BA Rank: 49)
HS • 6-0 • 200 • R-R •
7. Parker Meadows, OF, Grayson (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: 56)
HS • 6-4 • 195 • L-R •
8. Luke Bartnicki, LHP, Walton HS, Marietta, Ga. (BA Rank: 112)
HS • 6-3 • 210 • L-L •
9. Taj Bradley, RHP, Redan HS, Stone Mountain, Ga. (BA Rank: 146)
HS • 6-3 • 215 • R-R •
10. Austin Cox, LHP, Mercer (BA Rank: 212)
4YR • Jr. • 6-3 • 205 • L-L •
11. Justin Wrobleski, LHP, Sequoyah HS, Canton, Ga. (BA Rank: 215)
HS • 6-2 • 180 • L-L •
12. Kendall Logan Simmons, 3B/SS, Tattnall Square Academy, Macon, Ga. (BA Rank: 226)
HS • 6-3 • 190 • R-R •
13. Cooper Stinson, RHP, Norcross (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: 229)
HS • 6-6 • 240 • R-R •
14. Christopher Williams, OF/LHP, River Ridge HS, Woodstock, Ga. (BA Rank: 258)
HS • 6-1 • 195 • L-L •
15. Keegan McGovern, OF/1B, Georgia (BA Rank: 282)
4YR • Sr. • 6-2 • 220 • L-R •
16. Lawrence Butler, OF, Westlake HS, Atlanta (BA Rank: 332)
HS • 6-4 • 192 • L-R •
17. Reese Olson, RHP, North Hall HS, Gainesville, Ga. (BA Rank: 336)
HS • 6-1 • 155 • R-R •
18. Carter Raffield, RHP, Bleckley County HS, Cochran, Ga. (BA Rank: 341)
HS • 6-4 • 215 • R-R •
19. Ben Harris, LHP/OF, Milton (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: 364)
HS • 6-1 • 185 • L-L •
20. Kelvin Smith Jr., SS, Redan HS, College Park, Ga. (BA Rank: 368)
HS • 6-0 • 185 • R-R •
21. Jarrett Ford, SS/2B, Decatur HS, Decatur, Ga. (BA Rank: 377)
HS • 5-10 • 170 • R-R •
22. Isaiah Byars, SS, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga. (BA Rank: 380)
HS • 6-1 • 180 • R-R •
23. Caberea Weaver, OF, South Gwinnett HS, Snellville, Ga. (BA Rank: 393)
HS • 6-3 • 180 • R-R •
24. David Hollie, OF/1B/3B, Cross Creek HS, Augusta, Ga. (BA Rank: 400)
HS • 6-3 • 210 • R-R •
25. Tristin English, 1B/RHP, Georgia Tech (BA Rank: 415)
4YR • RS-So. • 6-3 • 214 • R-R •
26. Brian Eichhorn, RHP, Georgia Southern (BA Rank: 417)
4YR • Jr. • 6-0 • 205 • R-R •
27. Michael Curry, OF/DH, Georgia (BA Rank: 420)
4YR • Jr. • 5-11 • 212 • R-R •
28. Connor Pavolony, C, River Ridge HS, Woodstock, Ga. (BA Rank: 429)
HS • 6-0 • 185 • R-R •
29. Ryan Bliss, SS, Troup County HS, LaGrange, Ga. (BA Rank: 450)
HS • 5-9 • 165 • R-R •
30. Robert Broom, RHP, Mercer (BA Rank: 453)
4YR • Jr. • 6-1 • 180 • R-R •
31. Davis Sharpe, RHP/3B, Mill Creek HS, Hoschton, Ga. (BA Rank: 479)
HS • 6-4 • 205 • R-R •
32. Kevin Smith, LHP, Georgia (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • 6-5 • 224 • L-L •
33. Noah Bryant, RHP, Georgia Highlands JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • 6-3 • 200 • R-R •
34. Nick Gatewood, C, Georgia State (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • •
34. Grant Williams, 2B, Kennesaw State (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • 5-9 • 155 • L-R •
35. Joey Demasi, SS, Georgia Highlands JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • •
36. Kel Johnson, OF/1B, Georgia Tech (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • •
37. Mark Mixon, RHP, South Georgia State JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • So. • •
38. Cameron Hearn, OF, Georgia Highlands JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • •
39. Wade Bailey, INF, Georgia Tech (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • •
40. Jared Drayton, RHP, Montreat (Ga.) (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • •
41. A.J. Moore, RHP, Kennesaw State (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • 6-4 • 210 • R-R •
42. Zackary Miller, OF, Georgia Highlands JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • •
43. Keyshawn Askew, LHP, McEachern HS, Powder Springs, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
44. Drew Hamrock, C, Milton (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
45. Will Shirah, LHP/OF, Fannin County HS, Blue Ridge, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
46. Jonathan Hughes, RHP, Georgia Tech (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • RS. So. • •
47. Devin Warner, SS, Cartersville (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
48. Makenzie Stills, RHP/MIF, Fayette County HS, Fayetteville, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
49. Jared Hart, OF, Lassiter HS, Marietta, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
50. Nick Swanson, RHP/C/1B, Mount Paran Christian HS, Kennesaw, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
51. Andrew Moore, RHP, Jackson (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
52. Bay Witcher, RHP/1B/OF, Loganville (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
53. Tanner Green, OF, Loganville (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
54. David Smith, C, Allatoona HS, Acworth, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
54. Trevon Flowers, SS, Tucker (Ga.) HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
55. Jack Alexander, C, Mount Paran Christian HS, Kennesaw, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
56. Hayden Milling, OF, King's Ridge Christian HS, Alpharetta, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
57. Jaree Pledger, OF, Georgia Highlands JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • •
58. Michael Wein, 3B/OF, Kings Ridge Christian HS, Alpharetta, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
59. Holton McGaha, LHP/OF, Madison County HS, Danielsville, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
60. Jack Friedman, RHP, Paideia HS, Atlanta (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
61. Kennedy Norton, RHP/3B, Home schooled (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
62. Logan Cerny, C, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •
63. Michael Trautwein, C, Northview HS, Johns Creek, Ga. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS •

[clvclv]

Combing through picked over college talent in second round isn’t exciting either.

If you're going to "swing for the fences" at #8, take Hankins and that fastball and "Ace" ceiling in the 1st and the best high school bat at #49 - not like we need to rush anyone at this point.

[rico43]

Here are Baseball America's Tennessee draft prospects, ranked:

1. Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto (Tenn.) HS (BA Rank: 16)
HS • 6-2 • 210 • R-L •
2. Ryder Green, OF, Knoxville Christian Academy (BA Rank: 98)
HS • 6-2 • 205 • R-R •
3. Reid Schaller, RHP, Vanderbilt (BA Rank: 152)
4YR • DE-So. • 6-3 • 210 • R-R •
4. Zach Linginfelter, RHP, Tennessee (BA Rank: 166)
4YR • 6-5 • 215 • L-R •
5. Patrick Raby, RHP, Vanderbilt (BA Rank: 190)
4YR • 6-3 • 235 • R-R •
6. Ethan Smith, RHP, Mount Juliet (Tenn.) HS (BA Rank: 210)
HS • 6-3 • 200 • R-R •
7. Connor Kaiser, SS, Vanderbilt (BA Rank: 211)
4YR • Jr. • 6-4 • 205 • R-R •
8. Jonathan Bowlan, RHP, Memphis (BA Rank: 230)
4YR • Jr. • 6-6 • 237 • R-R •
9. Ethan Paul, INF, Vanderbilt (BA Rank: 324)
4YR • 5-10 • 185 • L-R •
10. Andy Rivera, RHP, Middle Tennessee State (BA Rank: 427)
4YR • Jr. • 6-2 • 210 • R-R •
11. Hunter Wolfe, SS, Walters State (Tenn.) JC (BA Rank: 432)
JC • R-So. • 6-0 • 185 • R-R •
12. Alex Hayes, RHP, Walters State (Tenn.) JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • So. • 6-3 • 205 • R-R •
13. Reed Schaller, RHP, Vanderbilt (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • R-Fr. • 6-3 • 210 • R-R •
14. Stephen Scott, OF/C, Vanderbilt (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • 5-11 • 190 • L-R •
15. Chandler Day, RHP, Vanderbilt (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • 6-5 • 180 • R-R •
16. Chase Chambers, 1B, Tennessee Tech (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • 6-1 • 250 • L-L •
17. Hayden Lehman, RHP, Walters State (Tenn.) JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • So. • 6-1 • 205 • R-R •
18. Austin Henry, 2B, Walters State (Tenn.) JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • RS-So. • 6-0 • 200 • R-R •
19. Paxton Stover, LHP, Vanderbilt (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • 5-11 • 190 • L-L •
20. Tate Kolwyck, SS, Arlington (Tenn.) HS, (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-0 • 190 • R-R •
21. Alonzo Jones, 2B/OF, Vanderbilt (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • 5-10 • 195 • B-R •
22. Dylan King, RHP, Belmont (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • 6-4 • 215 • R-R •
23. Duncan Pence, 3B, Walters State (Tenn.) JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • So. • 6-3 • 200 • R-R •
24. Andrew Benefield, SS, Siegel HS, Murfressboro, Tenn. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-3 • 200 • R-R •
25. Andrew Swanson, OF, Dyersburg (Tenn.) JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • So. • 6-4 • 220 • R-R •
26. Kevin Stroschein, OF, Tennessee Tech (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. •

[Russ2dollas]

Can we call Bart and say we will pay 7 million for him? Oversign at 2 then senior pen arms

[bravesfanMatt]

Can we call Bart and say we will pay 7 million for him? Oversign at 2 then senior pen arms

only if we can slide a new car under the table as well....