I think a #8 pick requires a bit of a gamble if you want to get possible star value. It's relatively easy to get star value in the top 3 since most drafts sort themselves out pretty quick. But even that is no guarantee - see Mike Kelly. I think you can get a relatively safe pick with a high floor at #8, like a Mike Minor, who is never going to be a star but will likely give you several years at the ML level.
I think the Braves need to ask themselves if they have a pressing need for immediate (or near immediate) help from their #8 pick. If the answer is yes, and their is a good fit then you might see that at #8, something like a college catcher or maybe a good closer. That would be a situation for drafting for need. Maybe Bart if he were to fall or McClanahan if you planned to make him a closer.
I mean look at Madrigal. Is he an obvious superstar? Probably not. But he does look likely to hit and come fast to the ML. But where would he play? I think people see guys like Albies and Pedroia being successful and see no reason why Madrigal won't be.
Bohm is probably a 1B. India is a question.
To me, it looks obvious that the best value for a potential star type pick at #8 is a HS player or pitcher. Taking that as a starting point, I think Gorman is the best of the player options available. I look at his age and see that he just turned 18 which I think is important. Many forget that it has become pretty common for parents to hold their kids back so that they are a year older than their grade in terms of competition. If you look at other position players such as Kelenic (almost 19), Conner Scott (18.5), Turang (18.5), Edwards (almost 19), etc. So, Gorman has been young for his grade AND he has shown good enough to, at times, be projected as a 1/1 or at least in the top 5. He could bust. But, it's not like he's Scott Thorman, chosen out of nowhere based upon how loud the ball sounds and how far it goes when he does hit it.
To me, if you are going to pick a position player there it needs to be Gorman. You can at least justify that on potential upside. The sure thing college guys are probably gone by then OR have players already ahead of them with better skills in the Braves org. (why take India if you believe in Riley? India doesn't appear to be a sure thing and likely isn't a potential star, so at that point, if you take him you are taking him to ultimately trade him. That has value and I wouldn't argue that strategy IF the pick was about 20 or so.
But it doesn't HAVE to be a position player. There looks to be some real potential value there with HS arms in Stewart (18.5), maybe Liberatore (18.5), Winn (18.5), Weathers (18.5), Wilcox(almost 19), Hankins (just turned 18), etc. Out of those guys I like Hankins, Stewart, Liberatore and Winn in that order best.
A year's difference for kids like that can make a big difference and Gorman and Hankins are two of the youngest guys in the draft and both have been considered at times as high first rounders. Do both have questions? Of course, just like every other guy in this draft outside of the top 2 or 3 (even they aren't sure things). But I think they have been experiencing a case of "Scout fussiness" where these guys look really good early but slowly fade through a spring when every scout comes in with the mindset that these guys are too good to be true, they have to have a blemish, let me find it. It's like someone discussing the beauty of Scarlett Johansson and having a guy go yeah but it looks like her boobs might not be symmetrical.
