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

[rico43]

Creating a new thread for talk about the June amateur draft of American players.

Currently, the Braves have the 3rd, 40th, 44th and 80th picks in the draft. If that sounds slightly different than what you've heard before, note that the Orioles have now given up the 14th overall pick for signing Gallardo. They might move up yet another spot should Dexter Fowler sign with anyone other than the Cubs.

This will be the thread to place results from mock drafts, prospect injury news, or players declaring their intention to stay amateurs.

On Feb. 12, the site Draft Utopia (Chris Ransom) staged a mock draft.

With the third pick, the Braves acquired Alec Hanson of Oklahoma. He's 6-7, 235, "Hansen displays a 94 mile per hour 4-seam fastball along with a 97 MPH 2-seam fastball and possesses incredible velocity with his pitches maxing out at 99 miles per hour. Like Gerrit Cole coming out of UCLA, mastering the command and accuracy of his pitches will be the biggest transition Hansen has to make in order to succeed in the MLB.
Hansen also has a 65 mile per hour slider and a 55 mile per hour changeup as secondary pitches to compliment his fastball. Hansen reminds me of Zach Greinke with his facial appearance and could be a special pitcher in the MLB. Hansen may struggle with his command, but his upside is incredible"

NOTE: I have major issues with some of this content, but I was quoting the author of the mock draft. I had to correct several elementary typos, so I suggest this is far from the best authority we'll see.

Farther down, has Braves taking HS shortstop Spencer Steer from Calif. Indication is he would be a "steal" in the second round.

Anything beyond the top 15 needs to be taken with a big grain of salt, methinks.

[praeceps93]

In his recent start, Hansen got up to 98 MPH but didn't really have any control over it. I'd rather not add a college guy with low control, even if he throws hard; there are plenty of those guys bouncing around the minor leagues. My current wishlist is:

1) Jason Groome, LHP, HS. If he falls to us (linked to the Phillies currently), I would find it really hard to pass him up. Ace upside from the left side, good control, mid 90s already.
2) Kyle Lewis, OF, College. Starting off the year right with a 5 for 12 streak, dominated lower competition and the Cape Cod League last year. Getting Heyward comps. Another big year and I'll be a believer.
3) Blake Rutherford, OF, HS. Smooth swing, probably destined for RF but could be a CF, at least 3 plus tools and solid in his defensive ones. Currently probably the best HS hit tool, though that could definitely change this season.
4) AJ Puk, LHP, College. Good velocity and curve from the left side, but has some control issues. Could be ready to contribute soon.
5) Delvin Perez, SS, HS. Getting Correa comps, has an increasing chance of going top 5. Very smooth swing, defense is superb. Only reason I'm this down on taking him is Dansby and Ozzie.

Honorable mentions/they need good seasons: Buddy Reed, Corey Ray, Will Benson, Riley Pint, Mickey Moniak, Alec Hansen

[CJ9]

I like Corey Ray. The one knock on him is power questions. He hit 11 homers last year, and he hit two this weekend.

I'm mostly just mad that there aren't many star hitters in this draft. Just bad luck for us.

[zbhargrove]

I like Corey Ray. The one knock on him is power questions. He hit 11 homers last year, and he hit two this weekend.

I'm mostly just mad that there aren't many star hitters in this draft. Just bad luck for us.

With what we are doing in the international market we don't really need a star hitter with our pick. It's probably better to get a super high ceiling arm.

[CJ9]

With what we are doing in the international market we don't really need a star hitter with our pick. It's probably better to get a super high ceiling arm.

No question I'm excited about the international stuff, but I'd like some more offense before Maitan and company make it to the big leagues in 2020 at the absolute earliest.

[smootness]

A 99-mph fastball to go along with a 55-mph changeup would be quite the arsenal indeed...

I remember reading that write-up a while back and just cracking up. Jason Groome has 8 pitches, apparently.

[Hudson2]

Hansen is super talented but has some injury concerns. I'm hoping a big bat emerges (Rutherford or possibly Ray) but if it doesn't then I hope Puk is there at 3. With the offense coming along with Swanaon, Albies, Riley, and the international guys I feel we could still use a bonafied ace.

[nsacpi]

Here's a list of #3 overall picks since 1990.

Brendan Rodgers, Carlos Rodon, Jon Gray, Mike Zunino, Trevor Bauer, Manny Machado, Donavan Tate, Eric Hosmer, Josh Vitters, Evan Longoria, Jeff Clement, Philip Humber, Kyle Sleeth, Chris Gruler, Dewon Brazelton, Lou Montanez, Eric Munson, Corey Patterson, Troy Glaus, Braden Looper, Jose Cruz, Dustin Hermanson, Brian Anderson, B.J. Wallace, David McCarty, Mike Lieberthal

[smootness]

Here's a list of #3 overall picks since 1990.

Brendan Rodgers, Carlos Rodon, Jon Gray, Mike Zunino, Trevor Bauer, Manny Machado, Donavan Tate, Eric Hosmer, Josh Vitters, Evan Longoria, Jeff Clement, Philip Humber, Kyle Sleeth, Chris Gruler, Dewon Brazelton, Lou Montanez, Eric Munson, Corey Patterson, Troy Glaus, Braden Looper, Jose Cruz, Dustin Hermanson, Brian Anderson, B.J. Wallace, David McCarty, Mike Lieberthal

Based on that list, you're best chance is going with a hitter, and probably a college one.

On the discussion of hitter vs. pitcher for us, we will have 3 waves of talent coming over the next several years. The first wave will come soon (Blair, Swanson, Newcomb, Albies, Sims, Mallex, etc.). The second wave will come in around 2-4 years, though some could come earlier (Fried, Riley, Allard, Toussaint, Soroka, Davidson, Sanchez, etc.). And the third wave will consist of primarily last year's and this year's international signees (Maitan, Gutierrez, Pache, Cruz, Armenteros?, etc.).

While that third wave is light on pitching, the first 2 are strongest in pitching, and this year's draft pick will likely join one of the first two waves, depending on whether it's a college or HS guy. Because of that, I think it's best to go with a bat if talent level is equal. I expect us to then use most of our top picks in the 2017-2018 drafts on young pitching to join that third wave with the international bats.

[praeceps93]

Based on that list, you're best chance is going with a hitter, and probably a college one.

On the discussion of hitter vs. pitcher for us, we will have 3 waves of talent coming over the next several years. The first wave will come soon (Blair, Swanson, Newcomb, Albies, Sims, Mallex, etc.). The second wave will come in around 2-4 years, though some could come earlier (Fried, Riley, Allard, Toussaint, Soroka, Davidson, Sanchez, etc.). And the third wave will consist of primarily last year's and this year's international signees (Maitan, Gutierrez, Pache, Cruz, Armenteros?, etc.).

While that third wave is light on pitching, the first 2 are strongest in pitching, and this year's draft pick will likely join one of the first two waves, depending on whether it's a college or HS guy. Because of that, I think it's best to go with a bat if talent level is equal. I expect us to then use most of our top picks in the 2017-2018 drafts on young pitching to join that third wave with the international bats.

That's why I want Kyle Lewis, if he continues to produce this year like he has in years past. Big right-handed power, outfielder, Atlanta connections, solid speed, solid arm, and as a college bat he'd probably progress pretty quickly. Hit .300 in the Cape Cod League with 7 homers. Only real knock I have on him is his level of competition at Mercer, but he was putting up video game numbers there last year.

[msstate7]

Yeah...what's up with the 65 mph slider and 55 mph changeup...those can't be right.

I might can match those... Braves can take me in the 10th round and I'll be happy

[CJ9]

I thought the scouting reports were that Rutherford couldn't stick in center and didn't have enough power to play a corner. That doesn't sound like someone I want at 3.

[cajunrevenge]

I thought the scouting reports were that Rutherford couldn't stick in center and didn't have enough power to play a corner. That doesn't sound like someone I want at 3.

There are "maybes" and "ifs" with every prospect.

[clvclv]

There are "maybes" and "ifs" with every prospect.

And mid-February is far too early to be narrowing down draft preferences. We're going to get 3-4 more talented kids with high ceilings to add to the (ever-growing) pile. I'll let the next three months play out a bit and see who separates themselves before deciding on preferences. Several of the ones we've already got came out of nowhere much later than this point in the early spring of last year.

[Hudson2]

Corey Ray was 5-6 today with another homerun. His stock is goin sky high.

[smootness]

Corey Ray was 5-6 today with another homerun. His stock is goin sky high.

That is not poor.

[rico43]

Corey Ray was 5-6 today with another homerun. His stock is goin sky high.

One sweet swing!

[CJ9]

Coppy mentioned again today that he would prefer a college bat, saying we are loaded with arms and the track record for college hitters is good.

I really think Corey Ray could be a good fit for us, but it got me thinking about next year. We are still going to be loaded with pitching then. As of now, which I admit is WAY too early, the top two college bats in next year's draft appear to be Vanderbilt OF Jeren Kendall and Florida C JJ Schwarz -- two big need positions. Pretty exciting to think about the future.

[Enscheff]

Coppy mentioned again today that he would prefer a college bat, saying we are loaded with arms and the track record for college hitters is good.

I really think Corey Ray could be a good fit for us, but it got me thinking about next year. We are still going to be loaded with pitching then. As of now, which I admit is WAY too early, the top two college bats in next year's draft appear to be Vanderbilt OF Jeren Kendall and Florida C JJ Schwarz -- two big need positions. Pretty exciting to think about the future.

One good thing about a college bat is they often sign for less than slot, which would allow the Braves to draft and sign someone at pick 40 for mid-first round money.

[Hudson2]

Ray is goin off so far. 4 homers in the first 7 games. If he hits around 20 and keeps his average high then he'll definitely go in the top 3. Hopefully the Reds pass.