- STARTS TODAY AT 7PM - 2016 June Amateur Draft Discussion

[smootness]

That's pretty cool. What's Moniaks stats look like so far? Any power?

http://usatodayhss.com/2016/mickey-m...lsbad-baseball

This article from today says he is hitting .523 with 6 HR, 4 2B, and....12 3B. Apparently his home field is pretty huge (and weird - 400 to center and 415 in the gaps), so he's hit a bunch in the gaps and got to running. He also just turned 18 last week, so he's young for this class, a full year younger than Rutherford.

Obviously that's not a ton of power for a HS hitter, but considering the field and his age, it's certainly possible he continues to gain more as he fills out.

[Hudson2]

12 triples wow. If the field was normal size he'd probably have double digit homers. Gap hitters normally hit for more power as they mature. Moniak is super intriguing.

[smootness]

There are a lot of things to like and a few things not to love about just about every player at the top of this year's draft. I've talked myself into being ok with just about any of the guys ranked near the top. I still far prefer Lewis to anyone else, but assuming we don't get him, I'll likely be ok with whoever we take.

[Hudson2]

I agree. Lewis is my #1 choice and has been for a long time. If he is gone then Moniak, Groome, Rutherford, or Senzel works for me.

[KB21]

Anyone know if Moniak plays other sports? The Braves tend to like players who are well rounded and play more than just baseball.

[CJ9]

A few things I've seen today:

Keith Law has his first mock out with Puk and Lewis going with the first two. He has us taking Groome at 3 but still linked to Corey Ray.

Frankie Piliere covers the draft for d1baseball and is doing a chat. He said that the Reds and Lewis is the strongest connection in the first round. He also said that even if Lewis fell to 3, he still thinks we would take a pitcher. He says he's pretty confident at this point of Groome being the pick.

Piliere was asked about picks 40 and 44, and he gave two names -- Texas HS LHP Kyle Muller (http://www.perfectgame.org/Players/P...aspx?ID=379895) and NJ LHP Adam Laskey (http://www.perfectgame.org/Players/P...aspx?ID=342465). He did admit that 40 or 44 might be a little early for Laskey.

[KB21]

A few things I've seen today:

Keith Law has his first mock out with Puk and Lewis going with the first two. He has us taking Groome at 3 but still linked to Corey Ray.

Frankie Piliere covers the draft for d1baseball and is doing a chat. He said that the Reds and Lewis is the strongest connection in the first round. He also said that even if Lewis fell to 3, he still thinks we would take a pitcher. He says he's pretty confident at this point of Groome being the pick.

Piliere was asked about picks 40 and 44, and he gave two names -- Texas HS LHP Kyle Muller (http://www.perfectgame.org/Players/P...aspx?ID=379895) and NJ LHP Adam Laskey (http://www.perfectgame.org/Players/P...aspx?ID=342465). He did admit that 40 or 44 might be a little early for Laskey.

Great stuff! If you listened to the podcast that had Coppy on for over an hour, he basically said that the Braves philosophy is to draft young players with upside. Now, you can take that for whatever, but he very clearly intimated that they focus on young, high school talent that has high upside over the college talent with a lower floor and lower upside.

I like Piliere. Law is a smart ass. Even with Groome being mentioned, I still wouldn't rule out Riley Pint or Mickey Moniak at this point.

Coppy also stated that the Braves don't believe in drafting with the idea that the player will be ready in 2 years.

[Tapate50]

I can get on board with Groome

[KB21]

I like both Jason Groome and Riley Pint.

[Hudson2]

Groome, Pint, Moniak, or Rutherford would be fine with me too. We can't assume that somebody will fall to us at 40. We have to take the BPA regardless of the money or position.

[striker42]

Definitely a big fan of Groome. Think of having him and a healthy Allard in the same system.

[smootness]

One thing the Braves seem to specifically target is HS players who are young for their class. Allard, Soroka, and Riley were all very young last year, either 17 or just barely 18. And Groome falls in line with that philosophy. He's 17 and won't be 18 for another few months, and he's almost a full year younger than Pint.

So you would think if we're going HS, that would lean more toward Groome or Moniak and less toward Rutherford or Pint.

[Russ2dollas]

I'd be very excited about groome. For those that want a bat another pitcher means maybe we can move another arm for a bat.

[nsacpi]

I've gone back and forth a bit. Right now my top 3 are: Senzel, Lewis and Groome. In that order.

[VOLracious]

Listening to Jim Callis on a certain middle GA host's program. He thinks the Phils are hot on Puk at 1. Compared him to Sean Newcomb. Top college pitcher in draft. If he closes well Phils grab him. Phils not interested in HS arms. Central GA radio host thinks Phils go Lewis. Not much talk on Reds. I didn't get a feel for who they might take. Said the Braves draft Lewis if he's there and thinks he will be. Best floor/ceiling combo in draft. Won't stick in CF. Will outgrow. All Star RF. Said Braves would draft Pint over JG if they went that direction. Mentioned maturity issues with Groome. Groome not as good as Brady Aiken. I've seen Groome described as best HS pitcher since Kershaw. Said Braves really like Josh Lowe. There was another guy Calais said the Braves hoped would be there at 40. Said he was best GA HS pitching spect since Wainwright. Sorry cant recall the names. Was driving no notes. Moniak is hot commodity right now has mo. Probably won't get past Rockies. My thoughts are that if the draft is that good on HS pitchers I culd see the Braves grab Lewis and target the HS pitchers at 40 and 44. Braves definitely looking at hitters.

[Hudson2]

Lewis will absolutely be the pick if he is there.

[KB21]

Listening to Jim Calais on a certain middle GA host's program. He thinks the Phils are hot on Puk at 1. Compared him to Sean Newcomb. Top college pitcher in draft. If he closes well Phils grab him. Phils not interested in HS arms. Central GA radio host thinks Phils go Lewis. Not much talk on Reds. I didn't get a feel for who they might take. Said the Braves draft Lewis if he's there and thinks he will be. Best floor/ceiling combo in draft. Won't stick in CF. Will outgrow. All Star RF. Said Braves would draft Pint over JG if they went that direction. Mentioned maturity issues with Groome. Groome not as good as Brady Aiken. I've seen Groome described as best HS pitcher since Kershaw. Said Braves really like Josh Lowe. There was another guy Calais said the Braves hoped would be there at 40. Said he was best GA HS pitching spect since Wainwright. Sorry cant recall the names. Was driving no notes. Moniak is hot commodity right now has mo. Probably won't get past Rockies. My thoughts are that if the draft is that good on HS pitchers I culd see the Braves grab Lewis and target the HS pitchers at 40 and 44. Braves definitely looking at hitters.

Alex Speas?

He's generally considered to be the top GA pitcher.

[Oklahomabrave]

So many conflicting reports have no idea who goes in what order of the top three. Hoping Lewis/Groome/Moniak

[KB21]

I'm a big believer in the Paul Snyder philosophy where if the arm and the bat are equal, you take the arm.

[VOLracious]

Alex Speas?

He's generally considered to be the top GA pitcher.

It was Josh Lowe that scout told Callis was best GA HS pitching spect since Wainwright