BRAVES FINAL DRAFT SIGNING BOARD: Backstrom on board!

[CJ9]

We're seeing the outcome of a draft that leans heavily on a model, and I think that's throwing people off because it's not something this organization has done before. But these models tend to prefer college performers and young high schoolers. That's pretty much what we did in the first round. Langeliers makes sense, especially with the high exit velocities that have been reported and can increase his ceiling. Shewmake is a a college performer with tons of versatility. Both great candidates for these models to be excited about.

If the model says those guys are the best available in that spot, and you can save money on them there, it makes sense to me that we just picked them then and floated the money down. When those 11+ round picks came around, they prioritized youth. I still think the international sanctions had a lot to do with going this route. Less international guys means less lottery tickets that could hit and turn into legitimate prospects. So spread the money through as many young HS players as possible and hope some of them hit to replace the international losses. That seems to be pretty clearly what they prioritized. Whether that was smart or not is up for debate, but in a system where both A ball teams are extremely underwhelming, I get the thought process.

[Chico]

Here's 36th rounder Anthony Hall hitting a home run.

Hopefully his parents gave him the midle name Michael

[Southcack77]

Rutledge, Carroll and Bishop were the high ceiling plays at tha point of the draft. I would have gone with Rutledge, but I've been warming up to Langeliers and the overall approach the Braves took this year.

I think Rutledge has a non-zero chance of being a #1 starter / Cy Young type, though I'm not sure that's really an accurate assessment and I think it's a relatively low chance at that. But still, I certainly see the upside there.


I disagree that Carroll or Bishop were particularly high upside.

[50PoundHead]

We're seeing the outcome of a draft that leans heavily on a model, and I think that's throwing people off because it's not something this organization has done before. But these models tend to prefer college performers and young high schoolers. That's pretty much what we did in the first round. Langeliers makes sense, especially with the high exit velocities that have been reported and can increase his ceiling. Shewmake is a a college performer with tons of versatility. Both great candidates for these models to be excited about.

If the model says those guys are the best available in that spot, and you can save money on them there, it makes sense to me that we just picked them then and floated the money down. When those 11+ round picks came around, they prioritized youth. I still think the international sanctions had a lot to do with going this route. Less international guys means less lottery tickets that could hit and turn into legitimate prospects. So spread the money through as many young HS players as possible and hope some of them hit to replace the international losses. That seems to be pretty clearly what they prioritized. Whether that was smart or not is up for debate, but in a system where both A ball teams are extremely underwhelming, I get the thought process.

Agree. I'm not fully sold on what they did in this draft, but I think there is a logic to it. I understand that the low minors aren't all that important in the big scheme of things, but we have next-to-nothing in serious prospects at the lower levels right now. That being the case, if you take enough developmental guys and a couple of them click, you've accomplished something.

There is a pretty healthy disparity on the assessments of the post-Round 10 guys. Backstrom doesn't show up much of anywhere except at Perfect Game and they love the guy. If there is any consensus, it's on Grissom and Owens.

[50PoundHead]

Hopefully his parents gave him the midle name Michael

He'd be hitting it into the Dead Zone.

[IslandBrave]

DOB says Harris signed

[skillet]

Is the amount for Shea the only that has been reported? What these guys are agreeing to is vitally important to this overall draft. Seems off that only one of several has been revealed.

[nsacpi]

I've seen Manoah signed for slot. That's the only first rounder I'm aware of.

[jpx7]

I've seen Manoah signed for slot. That's the only first rounder I'm aware of.

KC signed Witt Jr for full slot.

[Hudson2]

Donaldson wasn’t having it lol. Bell is a big dude

[rico43]

Big AJC article on Harris. No shock he signed after seeing his graduation photos.

[Russ2dollas]

Thing to remember is these guys on day 3 that people get excited about?

They’re just high upside players in the context of day 3. Not high upside overall for the draft.

They don’t save the draft in any way. How braves fared on first two days and mostly day 1 is probably how this draft will go.

100% false

Read perfect game. Read klaw. Read baseball America. Everyone says there are multiple toolsy guys.

I agree none of them are carroll. These guys are higher risk . But lots of talent. We are going to have talent in a ball again. 90 percent will fail to even reach the league

[CJ9]

Jim Callis on Twitter:

27th-rder Indigo Diaz signs w/@Braves for $125k. Michigan State RHP, struggled this year but up to 95 mph in 2018 at Iowa Western CC. @MLBDraft

[rico43]

Jim Callis reports that 27th rounder Indigo Diaz (Michigan State) signed for $125 K. Reportedly coming off a bad year at Michigan State.

[jpx7]

KC signed Witt Jr for full slot.

Hoese also got full slot.

Seems like a lot of first-rounders are actually getting full slot; makes saving almost a million on Langaliers that much more impressive. Still interested to learn the numbers Shewmake and Phillip receive.

[CJ9]

Braves announce Shewmake signing. Hopefully someone will report the money soon.

[rico43]

Braves have officially announced signing of Shewmake. $$$ number to come.

[nsacpi]

Tampa Bay took Jones one pick after Shewmake. There were several college shortstops who seem to have graded out very similarly. I wonder if the Braves saw them all as very close and went with the one who gave them a discount.

[nsacpi]

Volpe signed over slot with Yankees (2.74M v slot of 2.37M). Not surprising in light of the Vandy scholarship.

[jpx7]

Another full slot: #33 selection Brennan Malone. If both Langaliers and Shewmake sign significantly under slot, it will seem as if the Braves’ modus was a real departure from many other teams this year.