- STARTS TODAY AT 7PM - 2016 June Amateur Draft Discussion

[Braves1976]

But you've basically limited it to only 3 players you'd be ok with. While we would obviously have the opportunity to draft at least 1, it seems a little unreasonable to me to be ok with likely only 1 possible player once our pick comes up. After Lewis, Perez, and Puk, the only player you seem to be ok with is...Zack Collins?

We pick at three so unless something changes I'd most likely pick one of those three based on my top three. I am still considering others besides Collins, but gave him an example as someone on my radar of late that had not been before hand. Further, while I am not sold on Senzel I am still watching him and not totally ruling him out either. I'm still undecided on a number of players because only a few really catch my eye and are someone I really like at number three overall.

 

[Russ2dollas]

Collins seems t be a lock to go before our second pick and not in the top 3 in talent. Seems like consensus is he can only play 1b

I feel like most ppl I read have Ray in top 5. Klaw has him one. Not sure the hate here.

Ideally I'd get a rh masher from college. That guy might not exist.

I'm fine with taking someone that needs to go t a corner. Infante mallex Acuna etc...I want the bat more than anything else

That said if groome falls I think I'd have to take him

Puk just feels like we are getting a other 3/4 guy to me.

 

[smootness]

We pick at three so unless something changes I'd most likely pick one of those three based on my top three. I am still considering others besides Collins, but gave him an example as someone on my radar of late that had not been before hand. Further, while I am not sold on Senzel I am still watching him and not totally ruling him out either. I'm still undecided on a number of players because only a few really catch my eye and are someone I really like at number three overall.

I get what you're saying. I'm just saying that unless the Braves absolutely love one of the HS bats, this is the kind of draft where it may make the most sense for them to take a HS arm. I understand that you personally would take Perez, but if our scouts believe differently, it just seems like we can't be too upset if they go HS pitcher given what's available.

 

[smootness]

Collins seems t be a lock to go before our second pick and not in the top 3 in talent. Seems like consensus is he can only play 1b

I feel like most ppl I read have Ray in top 5. Klaw has him one. Not sure the hate here.

Ideally I'd get a rh masher from college. That guy might not exist.

I'm fine with taking someone that needs to go t a corner. Infante mallex Acuna etc...I want the bat more than anything else

That said if groome falls I think I'd have to take him

Puk just feels like we are getting a other 3/4 guy to me.

Ray is a guy that I think will have to play LF, will strike out a good bit, and won't have big-time power in the majors. He has a high floor, but I don't love his ceiling. And I think you're dead wrong on Puk. I probably wouldn't take him even at 3, but it's not because he doesn't have a high ceiling. Pitchers that are destined to be 3/4 do not threaten to go #1 overall.

 

[Braves1976]

I get what you're saying. I'm just saying that unless the Braves absolutely love one of the HS bats, this is the kind of draft where it may make the most sense for them to take a HS arm. I understand that you personally would take Perez, but if our scouts believe differently, it just seems like we can't be too upset if they go HS pitcher given what's available.

I suppose I would see your argument better if we were picking four instead of three. But that probably has to do with differing understanding on ranking players. Honestly, I will admit that ranking young HS and college bats is tougher for me as I'm a former pitcher who thinks more like a pitcher too. My best friend who I most often talk baseball with was a clean-up hitter growing up and has been good at ranking bats more so than me in past MLB drafts. While my track record has been better at ranking the pitchers. He also likes Senzel and thinks I underrate him and should watch him more. So that is partly why I am still so undecided on a number of bats. I want to draft one but I'm also less sure where I'd rank some of them on my list.

 

[smootness]

I suppose I would see your argument better if we were picking four instead of three. But that probably has to do with differing understanding on ranking players. Honestly, I will admit that ranking young HS and college bats is tougher for me as I'm a former pitcher who thinks more like a pitcher too. My best friend who I most often talk baseball with was a clean-up hitter growing up and has been good at ranking bats more so than me in past MLB drafts. While my track record has been better at ranking the pitchers. He also likes Senzel and thinks I underrate him and should watch him more. So that is partly why I am still so undecided on a number of bats. I want to draft one but I'm also less sure where I'd rank some of them on my list.

I usually have one or two players that I really want us to take (Lewis) but then a few other guys that I'm ok with us taking. Because there's a pretty good chance our scouts will see things slightly differently than I do.

So I get that if you were in charge, you would get 1 of your 3 guaranteed. But if 2 of the 3 are already gone, it seems strange to be upset if we take anybody but Perez. That's all I'm saying. And if you list anyone else besides Perez you'd be ok with us taking, then it just about has to be a HS pitcher because the talent of other HS bats, college pitchers, and college bats just isn't really good enough.

 

[Braves1976]

I usually have one or two players that I really want us to take (Lewis) but then a few other guys that I'm ok with us taking. Because there's a pretty good chance our scouts will see things slightly differently than I do.

So I get that if you were in charge, you would get 1 of your 3 guaranteed. But if 2 of the 3 are already gone, it seems strange to be upset if we take anybody but Perez. That's all I'm saying. And if you list anyone else besides Perez you'd be ok with us taking, then it just about has to be a HS pitcher because the talent of other HS bats, college pitchers, and college bats just isn't really good enough.

I never said anything about being upset, I just told you what I'd prefer and why. I'm also not as decided as you seem to be on the comments you made that I've bolded above so that's why I didn't go there.

 

[smootness]

I never said anything about being upset, I just told you what I'd prefer and why. I'm also not as decided as you seem to be on the comments you made that I've bolded above so that's why I didn't go there.

It just seems like you're dead set against HS pitching, and after Puk and Lewis (again, assuming our scouts don't grade Perez as highly as you do), it just seems like you're going to have to reach to find a talent that isn't a HS pitcher worthy when the best talents remaining are HS arms.

 

[Braves1976]

It just seems like you're dead set against HS pitching, and after Puk and Lewis (again, assuming our scouts don't grade Perez as highly as you do), it just seems like you're going to have to reach to find a talent that isn't a HS pitcher worthy when the best talents remaining are HS arms.

I think it's more you have a decided opinion on the latter whereas I am still not so decided. But there are HS arms I like, I'm just not leaning towards taking any of them at number three.

 

[Enscheff]

I am not sold on Senzel either and my ranking on bats have Lewis and Perez at the top, which also partly explains my exception on him. If we don't take a college bat I'd want a college arm rather than a HS arm. But I am still hoping we draft a college bat instead. Zack Collins is a college bat catcher that has caught my eye. But I am not saying I'd want to take him with our first pick. Just another on my own personal radar.

What if signing Senzel at 3 to an under slot deal allows the Braves to sign two top 25ish guys over slot at 40 and 44? I think I would prefer that to drafting a HS pitcher like Groome and definitely prefer it to Pint.

 

[Braves1976]

What if signing Senzel at 3 to an under slot deal allows the Braves to sign two top 25ish guys over slot at 40 and 44? I think I would prefer that to drafting a HS pitcher like Groome and definitely prefer it to Pint.

If we can make that work then yes I'd prefer that to drafting a HS pitcher at number three.

 

[smootness]

What if signing Senzel at 3 to an under slot deal allows the Braves to sign two top 25ish guys over slot at 40 and 44? I think I would prefer that to drafting a HS pitcher like Groome and definitely prefer it to Pint.

This is where it just becomes hard for me to even say what I'd prefer, because it all comes down to scouting. If the Braves feel like Groome or Pint is far more talented than Senzel, then it's worth it to draft the HS arm, even if it means we can't go under slot much. But if the Braves feel like a lot of the talent available at 3 is pretty comparable, then it makes more sense to go under slot and try to get over slot guys later.

But I've said this before...there are other teams who will be looking to do the under slot/over slot package, like the Reds and Padres, who are in better position than us to do it. So it's going to be pretty tough to pull it off successfully.

I would generally rather us take the guy we think is the BPA at 3 and let the rest sort itself out after that.

 

[Enscheff]

This is where it just becomes hard for me to even say what I'd prefer, because it all comes down to scouting. If the Braves feel like Groome or Pint is far more talented than Senzel, then it's worth it to draft the HS arm, even if it means we can't go under slot much. But if the Braves feel like a lot of the talent available at 3 is pretty comparable, then it makes more sense to go under slot and try to get over slot guys later.

But I've said this before...there are other teams who will be looking to do the under slot/over slot package, like the Reds and Padres, who are in better position than us to do it. So it's going to be pretty tough to pull it off successfully.

I would generally rather us take the guy we think is the BPA at 3 and let the rest sort itself out after that.

Agreed, and I haven't seen anything that suggests the Braves are considering some sort of plan like that. Just a hypothetical.

 

[Preacher]

Id rather not get too cute at #3, playing slot games can work out really well, but we have a pretty deep system right now.

I want the highest impact player at 3, I think that's going to be either Lewis/Groome/Puk/Pint.

I'm thrilled with any of these.

 

[KB21]

I'm not real sure why Nick Senzel is not seen as a top bat among the college hitters, if not the top overall bat among them. The guy is a great contact guy, but he brings some pop as well. He has a .245 ISO in the SEC this year, and this is after leading the Cape Cod League in almost every offensive statistic and earning the designation as the league's top overall prospect. He has a short, compact swing with quick hands that he uses to hit the ball to all fields.

Yes, I would prefer Kyle Lewis, but I think Senzel and Collins are the next best hitting prospects. I'm not down on Corey Ray as much as I am not sure he should go 3rd overall.

Baseball America has updated their top 200 prospects.

The college hitters:

#4 -- Kyle Lewis, OF, Mercer
#6 -- Nick Senzel, 3B, Tennessee
#7 -- Corey Ray, OF, Louisville
#16 -- Zack Collins, C, Miami
#29 -- Bryan Reynolds, OF, Vanderbilt
#31 -- Buddy Reed, OF, Florida
#34 -- Matt Thaiss, C, Virginia
#45 -- Will Craig, 1B, Wake Forest
#46 -- Austin Hays, OF, Jacksonville
#47 -- Heath Quinn, OF, Samford
#48 -- Anfernee Grier, OF, Auburn
#53 -- Chris Okey, C, Clemson
#54 -- Ronnie Dawson, OF, Ohio State
#65 -- Sean Murphy, C, Wright State
#66 -- Jamison Fisher, OF, Southeastern Louisiana
#67 -- Jake Fraley, OF, LSU
#73 -- Ryan Boldt, OF, Nebraska
#78 -- Bobby Dalbec, 3B, Arizona
#81 -- Bryson Brigman, SS, San Diego
#82 -- Nick Banks, OF, Texas A&M
#88 -- Logan Ice, C, Oregon State
#92 -- Jake Rogers, C, Tulane
#109 -- Kel Johnson, OF, Georgia Tech

 

[Russ2dollas]

I'm not real sure why Nick Senzel is not seen as a top bat among the college hitters, if not the top overall bat among them. The guy is a great contact guy, but he brings some pop as well. He has a .245 ISO in the SEC this year, and this is after leading the Cape Cod League in almost every offensive statistic and earning the designation as the league's top overall prospect. He has a short, compact swing with quick hands that he uses to hit the ball to all fields.

Yes, I would prefer Kyle Lewis, but I think Senzel and Collins are the next best hitting prospects. I'm not down on Corey Ray as much as I am not sure he should go 3rd overall.

Baseball America has updated their top 200 prospects.

The college hitters:

#4 -- Kyle Lewis, OF, Mercer
#6 -- Nick Senzel, 3B, Tennessee
#7 -- Corey Ray, OF, Louisville
#16 -- Zack Collins, C, Miami
#29 -- Bryan Reynolds, OF, Vanderbilt
#31 -- Buddy Reed, OF, Florida
#34 -- Matt Thaiss, C, Virginia
#45 -- Will Craig, 1B, Wake Forest
#46 -- Austin Hays, OF, Jacksonville
#47 -- Heath Quinn, OF, Samford
#48 -- Anfernee Grier, OF, Auburn
#53 -- Chris Okey, C, Clemson
#54 -- Ronnie Dawson, OF, Ohio State
#65 -- Sean Murphy, C, Wright State
#66 -- Jamison Fisher, OF, Southeastern Louisiana
#67 -- Jake Fraley, OF, LSU
#73 -- Ryan Boldt, OF, Nebraska
#78 -- Bobby Dalbec, 3B, Arizona
#81 -- Bryson Brigman, SS, San Diego
#82 -- Nick Banks, OF, Texas A&M
#88 -- Logan Ice, C, Oregon State
#92 -- Jake Rogers, C, Tulane
#109 -- Kel Johnson, OF, Georgia Tech

Everything I've read has called him the top college bat. They said there was a lack of in game power. Defense also a concern.

I don't get the slot deal...is there a hard sign out there that ppl are targeting?

 

[Enscheff]

I'm not real sure why Nick Senzel is not seen as a top bat among the college hitters, if not the top overall bat among them. The guy is a great contact guy, but he brings some pop as well. He has a .245 ISO in the SEC this year, and this is after leading the Cape Cod League in almost every offensive statistic and earning the designation as the league's top overall prospect. He has a short, compact swing with quick hands that he uses to hit the ball to all fields.

Yes, I would prefer Kyle Lewis, but I think Senzel and Collins are the next best hitting prospects. I'm not down on Corey Ray as much as I am not sure he should go 3rd overall.

Baseball America has updated their top 200 prospects.

The college hitters:

#4 -- Kyle Lewis, OF, Mercer

#6 -- Nick Senzel, 3B, Tennessee

#7 -- Corey Ray, OF, Louisville

#16 -- Zack Collins, C, Miami

#29 -- Bryan Reynolds, OF, Vanderbilt

#31 -- Buddy Reed, OF, Florida

#34 -- Matt Thaiss, C, Virginia

#45 -- Will Craig, 1B, Wake Forest

#46 -- Austin Hays, OF, Jacksonville

#47 -- Heath Quinn, OF, Samford

#48 -- Anfernee Grier, OF, Auburn

#53 -- Chris Okey, C, Clemson

#54 -- Ronnie Dawson, OF, Ohio State

#65 -- Sean Murphy, C, Wright State

#66 -- Jamison Fisher, OF, Southeastern Louisiana

#67 -- Jake Fraley, OF, LSU

#73 -- Ryan Boldt, OF, Nebraska

#78 -- Bobby Dalbec, 3B, Arizona

#81 -- Bryson Brigman, SS, San Diego

#82 -- Nick Banks, OF, Texas A&M

#88 -- Logan Ice, C, Oregon State

#92 -- Jake Rogers, C, Tulane

#109 -- Kel Johnson, OF, Georgia Tech

I was one of those people that thought Senzel was some Punch and Judy hitter based on the first thing I read about him, and unfairly dismissed him as a non-option at 3. Once I did a little more research on him I have done a complete 180. He doesn't have premium in game power like Lewis, but he is putting up a 1.000+ OPS in the best conference in the country and has a great 18 K to 34 BB ratio.

My top 3 are probably Lewis, Senzel and Groome, in that order. I don't have Puk in my top 3 because I expect a college senior to have better control if taken that high in the draft. I know you're not supposed to factor in need n the MLB draft, so I have to admit I have probably put too much weight on having a college hitter that will be ready to contribute in 2-3 years.

 

[yeezus]

My only worry on Senzel is him possibly needing a move to the OF. If he were to stick at 3B, I'm starting to prefer him at 3, if Lewis is gone.

 

[nsacpi]

My only worry on Senzel is him possibly needing a move to the OF. If he were to stick at 3B, I'm starting to prefer him at 3, if Lewis is gone.

The consensus now seems to be he can stick at third. He's been playing short some. I think he would be a great pick for us.

 

[Hudson2]

At this point I'm almost certain Lewis will be gone before 3. Puk or Groome will be gone too. So for me at 3 it's either Groome or Senzel. If Groome is gone and its Puk or Senzel then I'm gonna have to go Senzel. Even if he's a Dansby type clone is that so bad? I'd take 2 of him anyday.