2019 MLB Draft Thread

[Enscheff]

A few teams had head scratching drafts...

The DBacks used 5 of their 7 picks on arms. Pretty sure they don't understand how pitcher attrition rate affects overall prospect value.

The Pirates taking Gorski at 57 is as odd as the Braves taking Philip at 60.

After SD took Abrams at 6, they took 2 unranked guys at 48 and 73.

SF taking Wyatt at 51 also seems like a bad pick.

The FG rankings represent a cross section of how all MLB teams view these guys. Clearly, there will be outlier opinions on guys, and time will tell which teams are smarter than others.

[nsacpi]

The DBacks used 5 of their 7 picks on arms. Pretty sure they don't understand how pitcher attrition rate affects overall prospect value.

What would be your strategy for acquiring pitchers assuming you were running a mid-market team like the Braves or DBacks.

[Deester11]

I find it interesting that others are having an issue with others whining about the draft. I'll speak up and say that other than Shea possibly, the draft wasn't good. It's an opinion. There are numerous scenarios that I thought of for this draft...and the last two picks of the first day weren't in any of them. Maybe they turn out to be better than suggested but these don't seem like slot players to me and were drafted too early. I'm hoping the upside play is today. There's still a chance....

[Enscheff]

What would be your strategy for acquiring pitchers assuming you were running a mid-market team like the Braves or DBacks.

My strategy would be to correctly weigh the attrition rate in the overall player ranking, similar to what FG did when they re-calibrated their prospect lists about a year ago and almost all pitchers took a half grade hit. These rankings would reflect expected future value, and pitcher attrition rate makes them less valuable overall.

I find it highly unlikely a projection system that properly took pitcher attrition into account would have spit out a ranking that results in 5/7 picks being arms in the Top 75 of a draft that is supposedly weak on pitching.

[50PoundHead]

What's your favorite Yogiism?

Mine is probably "it got late early"

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded." and "You have to go to other people's funerals or they won't come to yours."

[Enscheff]

I find it interesting that others are having an issue with others whining about the draft. I'll speak up and say that other than Shea possibly, the draft wasn't good. It's an opinion. There are numerous scenarios that I thought of for this draft...and the last two picks of the first day weren't in any of them. Maybe they turn out to be better than suggested but these don't seem like slot players to me and were drafted too early. I'm hoping the upside play is today. There's still a chance....

Irony: whining about people whining about people whining about the draft.

[Deester11]

Irony: whining about people whining about people whining about the draft.

Lmbo. Yeah. That.

[Carp]

And then you get called out by 5 different posters, all of whom realize you are a total buffoon.

LOL...love it!

Um, that's only 4 different posters. Whose the buffoon now?!?!?

Score one for Carp.

[nsacpi]

Tampa Bay took a nice diversified approach:

At #22 they went with Greg Jones. The Braves had been linked to him but preferred Shewmake. I don't have a strong opinion as to their relative merits. There are doubts about both sticking at short.

At #36 they went with JJ Goss, a HS RHP

At #40 they went with Seth Johnson, a college RHP. This draft is supposed to be weak in pitching but TB clearly believed that it was appropriate to mix in some pitchers with their early picks.

At #61 they went with John Doxakis, a college LHP. Since they pick just after us it will interesting to see how their picks line up with ours.

[jpx7]

I know we’re trying to avoid complaining, but this draft strategy just reminds me of Matt Lipka.

[nsacpi]

I know we’re trying to avoid complaining, but this draft strategy just reminds me of Matt Lipka.

I remember Wren saying they needed more athletic players and cited the fact Lipka had played receiver on his HS football team.

I think that draft turned out ok. Didnt we take Simmons and Gattis that year.

[Carp]

Langeliers, I'll admit, is by far the most justifiable pick. He went a couple spots higher than most had him ranked but that stuff happens on draft day. My only point was it wouldn't have shocked anyone if he'd gone 18. Langeliers seemed to be more in the 10-20 range of the draft. Still, I can live with this pick.

Shewmake made much more sense if we'd gone overslot in the second round. He was not where most thought he would go. The Braves definitely jumped on him sooner than the majority. There might have been another team or two that had him in their 20's but the consensus was second rounder. Somewhere between 40 and 60. So not a shock to go at 21 but well sooner than expected.

Shewmake ranked # 32 by MLB.com. Rated as high as 27th in other lists. And of course, we know some individual teams had him ranked in the 20's as well. He was drafted right in the range he was expected to go. Just stop.

[Jaw]

Tampa Bay took a nice diversified approach:

At #22 they went with Greg Jones. The Braves had been linked to him but preferred Shewmake. I don't have a strong opinion as to their relative merits. There are doubts about both sticking at short.

At #36 they went with JJ Goss, a HS RHP

At #40 they went with Seth Johnson, a college RHP. This draft is supposed to be weak in pitching but TB clearly believed that it was appropriate to mix in some pitchers with their early picks.

At #61 they went with John Doxakis, a college LHP. Since they pick just after us it will interesting to see how their picks line up with ours.

People often talk about the need to act like the Dodgers. I think the Rays do a far better job of obtaining value. With our payroll we should probably try to imitate both to an extent.

[msstate7]

The braves seem to be doing a pretty good job of obtaining talent themselves

[Jaw]

I really only see three paths forward playing out today and tomorrow:

1) We spend one of our picks today or early tomorrow on a prep guy that’s a questionable sign that would require a 7 figure bonus. If this happens, it would likely signify we went underslot earlier and would set up an interesting few weeks wondering if we can sign the player if we waited this long.

If this is the path, why not just take that guy at 60? The compensation pick would be better that way if he doesn't sign.

[Jaw]

The braves seem to be doing a pretty good job of obtaining talent themselves

Yeah. I'm certain that this idea and many smarter ones occurred to Anthopolous long before it did to me. My point was more that we fans should frame our evaluations and criticisms with that thinking.

[Deester11]

The braves seem to be doing a pretty good job of obtaining talent themselves

While I agree with this, who picked the groceries? This is Dana's first as Scouting Director. Jury is out for 3-5 years of deliberation though...

[CJ9]

Third round getting underway now. Listen/watch live here: https://www.mlb.com/video/2019-mlb-d...-2-c2525313883

[msstate7]

What about drake fellows this next pick? Vandy guy that I've always liked

[JxnMissFan]

Several people threw out a Markakis comp on Shew. That made me look back at where Markakis was drafted. He was the 7th overall pick in 2003. Whats even more interesting is he is one of the top five players from his draft class in my opinion. Goes to show the draft is just a crap shoot. No one here was dreaming of the Braves drafting the next Markakis