2014 Draft

[clvclv]

With all 14 Qualifying Offers rejected, the draft order is set - Braves will get picks 29 and 40 when Mac signs elsewhere (Texas evidently putting the full-court press on today). Could very well put us in position to draft two high-upside bats for once.

BA's early rankings have Braxton Davidson at # 29. He's a left handed hitting 1B/OF with pop and a good feel for hitting. Young for his class. Goes to the same high school (T. C. Roberson) that produced Cameron Maybin (Asheville, NC - about 30 miles from me).

BA's got Michael Chavis from Marietta at # 42. A right handed hitting 3B described as having "all-around skills with plus bat speed, contact ability, and above average raw power to go with above average wheels and arm".

Would be nice to have two kids with their kind of upside moving through the system together like Freeman and Heyward did IMO.

[nsacpi]

Braxton Davidson is one who caught my eye from that list.

If he slides Mac Marshall would dovetail nicely with the Braves tendency to use their first pick on pitching and local players.

[clvclv]

Davidson just signed with UNC today BTW.

[nsacpi]

Max Pentecost at Kennesaw State would be another interesting local player.

[Enscheff]

Assuming about half those FAs sign with other teams, the Braves should be picking in the low 20s.

[skillet]

Yea picks 29 and 40 will end up somewhere around 20-22 and 31-33.

[Jay212033]

Most people are sleeping on Alec Grosser from last year's draft but this kid is gonna be good. Didn't get a lot of hype cause he pitched in a cold weather area(Virginia) but he can run it up to 95 and has a good feel for his curve already.

[Jay212033]

So I must say, I saw a mock that has us getting TiQuan Forbes. I must say, hell yeah. Kid is fast (6.4 60) has a strong arm and at 6'4 has room to grow into a complete player.

Sounds like Fernelys Sanchez

[Enscheff]

I'd rather the Braves find a kid that can actually hit and isn't pure projection.

[KB21]

I'd rather the Braves find a kid that can actually hit and isn't pure projection.

If they want to get a college hitter, then a guy like DJ Davis from Oregon State or his teammate Michael Conforto woudl be great. Conforto has more swing and miss potential and less defensive skills. Davis has touched 97 off the mound and profiles as a right fielder with his arm. He's a better contact guy than Conforto.

Derek Fisher from Virginia is good as well, but he will go higher than the Braves pick.

Things will likely change a lot between now and next June, but if the draft boards don't vary much, I think we are looking at a couple of high school arms with the first two picks. Obviously, signability will be an issue.

[skidlee]

With the new draft rules signability isn't really an issue anymore.

[KB21]

With the new draft rules signability isn't really an issue anymore.

There are still certain draft prospects that will want a lot more money up front than their slot calls for, and the Braves have tended to avoid these players.

[Jay212033]

I'd rather the Braves find a kid that can actually hit and isn't pure projection.

Same here sir.