Official pre-Draft thread

[smootness]

Apparently it's so players can't dictate where they'll be drafted by saying "If the Braves draft me, I won't sign and thus go to school unless you trade the pick."

Players still have that leverage to some degree (at least high school players), but MLB doesn't want a lot of trading due to signability concerns.

I think it has more to do with the fact that every organization has an entire minor league system to fill. It's sort of a way to ensure a team doesn't trade all their picks and leave their low minors screwed.

Also, I don't think they want a team to be able to add so much in pool money they can just dictate all the top players they want.

[bravesfanMatt]

I think it has more to do with the fact that every organization has an entire minor league system to fill. It's sort of a way to ensure a team doesn't trade all their picks and leave their low minors screwed.

Also, I don't think they want a team to be able to add so much in pool money they can just dictate all the top players they want.

I think the last point is the biggest. teams picking in the 20's are generally good.. They would easily trade that future lottery ticket for something of value today. so a rebuilding team could literally get 4 1st round picks and really manipulate the draft, even if 3 of those picks are 20+..

[sturg33]

I think it has more to do with the fact that every organization has an entire minor league system to fill. It's sort of a way to ensure a team doesn't trade all their picks and leave their low minors screwed.

Also, I don't think they want a team to be able to add so much in pool money they can just dictate all the top players they want.

The reason I described was the official reason Manfred gave during an interview I was listening to months ago

[bravesfanMatt]

The reason I described was the official reason Manfred gave during an interview I was listening to months ago

Well there you go then.

[TheBravos]

I still don't like it. Put trade rules in place to cut down on that, but let them trade.

[clvclv]

Bukauskas impressive again (as usual) as Heels take down Tiggers in game one of a BIG series in the ACC...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/colle...jCXvQO2JjJz.97

[smootness]

The reason I described was the official reason Manfred gave during an interview I was listening to months ago

If that's their main reason, then it's dumb. Football players who say that aren't trying to force a trade...they're just telling that team not to pick them. If there are signability concerns, you just pick somebody else. Why would the signability concerns with a player, why would that make you trade your pick?

[cajunrevenge]

Anyone remember what Francoeur did in the draft?

[CJ9]

MLB.com's first mock: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227685...icid=151437456

They both have McKay going first and Greene second with Wright/Royce Lewis going third and forth in different orders.

Both have Gore to Atlanta at 5.

[Hudson2]

Lewis or Gore at 5 would be amazing to add to our system. Gore has been fast rising. 1 of these 2 should fall to 5..hopefully.

[clvclv]

MLB.com's first mock: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227685...icid=151437456

They both have McKay going first and Greene second with Wright/Royce Lewis going third and forth in different orders.

Both have Gore to Atlanta at 5.

While I think we all understand the point some like to make about Bukauskas' size, it's pretty interesting that Mayo pointed out the J. B. - Sonny Gray comp.

[CJ9]

Also, Baseball America saw Gore throw over the weekend and wrote this report with video: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft...re-strikes-14/

[smootness]

MLB.com's first mock: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227685...icid=151437456

They both have McKay going first and Greene second with Wright/Royce Lewis going third and forth in different orders.

Both have Gore to Atlanta at 5.

I would love that top 4. Getting either Beck or Gore would be great. As I've said, I personally prefer Beck due to the fact that he's a hitter and I believe his ceiling is astronomical, but I love Gore, too.

[CJ9]

I would love that top 4. Getting either Beck or Gore would be great. As I've said, I personally prefer Beck due to the fact that he's a hitter and I believe his ceiling is astronomical, but I love Gore, too.

It seems like that's kind of the consensus top four right now. I've seen BA and MLB have that, and Longenhagen said in his Fangraphs chat today that he'd have that as his top four and Gore fifth. I keep crossing my fingers for a way Lewis could fall to 5, but it doesn't look likely at all.

I'm preparing for Gore to be the pick, and I'm mostly fine with it. Still want some hitters, but he looks like a really good prospect.

[smootness]

It seems like that's kind of the consensus top four right now. I've seen BA and MLB have that, and Longenhagen said in his Fangraphs chat today that he'd have that as his top four and Gore fifth. I keep crossing my fingers for a way Lewis could fall to 5, but it doesn't look likely at all.

I'm preparing for Gore to be the pick, and I'm mostly fine with it. Still want some hitters, but he looks like a really good prospect.

And for me personally (obviously all won't agree), if that ends up as the top 4, then I'm not upset we're at 5 instead of 2...the only caveat to that would be that I might rather have Greene than Gore or Beck if he doesn't go #1. But my top 3 at this point are probably Greene, Beck, and Gore.

[CJ9]

And for me personally (obviously all won't agree), if that ends up as the top 4, then I'm not upset we're at 5 instead of 2...the only caveat to that would be that I might rather have Greene than Gore or Beck if he doesn't go #1. But my top 3 at this point are probably Greene, Beck, and Gore.

Yeah, I can't agree with that simply because of the draft pool money but I understand your point.

But if Greene goes 1, I don't think I'd want McKay if we were picking second. I'm just not really excited about him.

[smootness]

Yeah, I can't agree with that simply because of the draft pool money but I understand your point.

But if Greene goes 1, I don't think I'd want McKay if we were picking second. I'm just not really excited about him.

Yeah, the draft pool effects are still there, you're right. Was just talking about the talent we can grab with the top pick.

[Hudson2]

I'm still holding out hope for a CB pick trade.

[CJ9]

Baseball America's updated rankings: http://bba.am/F9bU5G

[clvclv]

Baseball America's updated rankings: http://bba.am/F9bU5G

Vientos down to #38 - maybe he could start floating a crazy signing bonus demand and drop to our second round slot. Taking whichever of Gore/Beck/Bukauskas will sign for the least with the #5 pick and nabbing him without having to land a Competitive Balance pick would be awfully nice.