2015 & 2016 Draft progress

[bravesfanMatt]

I did one of these last year so it was pretty easy this time around. But I like to just get a good picture of how the Draft classes are performing. So I created a simple excel spreadsheet listing each class by tab and some very basic stats for each year. We really are pitching deep, even the BP looks like some very interesting pieces coming up and some of those guys will be fast movers.

Here are some off the top of my head thoughts on these guys.

2015:
Custred (rd 31) -- age 23, so I hope they move him faster. put together two very solid years.
Phillips (rd 17) -- age 22. moved all the way to Carolina this year.
Lewis (rd 9) -- almost 24, moved to Carolina this year. two solid years.
Weigel (rd 7) -- I didn't realize he was a 7th rounder and that he had 135 Ks in Rome
Withrow (rd 6) -- K machine, needs to get walks down.
Just really appreciate Soroka/Riley/Minter. Those numbers are really good.

2016:
Our HS did great in the GCL.. Wentz needs to drop the BB.
We will need to remember Brandon S white.. he had a good year.
Watts is a goofy looking fellow, but had a good rookie campaign.
Clouse is just insane
James might be a watch list next year.




https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing

[rico43]

Cumberland had a decent below the radar start to his career. He drove in 30 runs in 45 games and threw out 27 percent of would-be base stealers.

[nsacpi]

2015 was a really outstanding draft for us.

[smootness]

I know the purpose of this is to track performance and begin to evaluate, but I really don't get why so many seem to think that a pitcher walking a pretty high # of guys at a young age early in his pro career is a bad thing.

I mean, yes, eventually Wentz needs to get his BB rate down below 5 per 9...and he's got 4-5 years to do it.

He's 18. This was an excellent year for him.

[Hudson2]

We've had 2 really good drafts back to back. We should get another top 3 pick this year before we get ready to compete so we should be able to set ourselves up in a really great position for the next 7-10 years.

[bravesfanMatt]

I know the purpose of this is to track performance and begin to evaluate, but I really don't get why so many seem to think that a pitcher walking a pretty high # of guys at a young age early in his pro career is a bad thing.

I mean, yes, eventually Wentz needs to get his BB rate down below 5 per 9...and he's got 4-5 years to do it.

He's 18. This was an excellent year for him.

I agree. Wentz was just the most notable with the most extreme walk rate. I think all 5 of our top HS pitching selection had a great start to their pro careers.

I was really impressed with how the 2015 class performed last year, which made me want to do it again this year. I liked how a lot of the strong performers backed it up with good years this year. And then a few emerged with breakout seasons (Weigel,Phillips). The 2016 class had some pitching studs show up. I am looking forward to watching how those guys perform in their sophomore season.

[Tapate50]

I placed it in the top 30 prospects thread, but BA writer said that Weigel was a top 100 guy, no doubt.

[Chico]

I placed it in the top 30 prospects thread, but BA writer said that Weigel was a top 100 guy, no doubt.

We could have 4 top 100 prospects from that draft in Allard, Soroka, Riley, and Weigel. That's not too shabby of a draft

[bravesfanMatt]

We could have 4 top 100 prospects from that draft in Allard, Soroka, Riley, and Weigel. That's not too shabby of a draft

Do you think Riley gets in? If he does, that would be 8 if Swanson doesn't get 135 Abs..

Swanson, Ozzie, Newcomb, Allard, Soroka, Kevin, Weigel, and Riley.. All deserving IMO..

Also, Swanson is in the 2015 draft class.. just not by the Braves..

[mqt]

Cumberland had a decent below the radar start to his career. He drove in 30 runs in 45 games and threw out 27 percent of would-be base stealers.

Eh, he was a college player in Danville. I was expecting better from him this year.

[smootness]

I don't think Riley will be in. But he and Wentz won't be far out. Add Anderson from this year in the top 100 and that is a phenomenal early return, especially given how many were HSers.

[Managuarantano's Volunteers]

Eh, he was a college player in Danville. I was expecting better from him this year.

It's funny because the main question about him when he was drafted was defense.

[zbhargrove]

Eh, he was a college player in Danville. I was expecting better from him this year.

Yah, Cumberland was actually a huge disappointment for me in his first year. I'm still hopeful he can turn it around next year, though.