2019 MLB Draft Thread

I'm wondering if we go reliever at 60 if someone will go underslot. The two options that jump out to me from Pipeline's ranks are LSU RHP Zack Hess and Arkansas LHP Matt Cronin. We already know the Braves like Hess since they took him late last year and there were rumors of signing him last year to a big deal if Carter Stewart took the underslot money he was offered. Hess hasn't been good as a starter this year and LSU is finally moving him to the pen this weekend. Cronin's numbers this year aren't as good as last year (walks have jumped), but he's still a power lefty that looks like a big leaguer when I've watched him.

Could be interesting picks at 60 even if neither is willing to go much under slot.
 
The more I read on Hunter Bishop, the more I want him at 9. Big time power and excellent speed. College hitter too so he'd likely help us during our current window. A mixture of tools and results playing baseball in a major conference.
 
Baseball America new mock is out behind a paywall. Basically, we take Bryson Stott at 9 and JJ Goss at 21. The big takeaway is that they've heard we are hoping Hunter Bishop falls to us at 9, but they have him going at 8.
 
BA wrote about our #9 pick that it was not protected. Kiley has actually written the same.

BA now corrected that to say that our 9th pick actually is protected if we can’t sign the player this time.
 
CJ9 said:
MLB Pipeline mock is up — and it’s weird. https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-s-first-2019-mock-draft

They have us taking the Baylor catcher at 9 and Clemson shortstop at 21.
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I don’t understand why the Baylor catcher isn’t talked about more. He seems to be a consensus top 15 guy. Catcher is a huge area of need. We have waters and Pache. His power likely hurt by hamate injury but it will come back.

I’d think we’d go Baylor catcher below slot and prep guys to fill in lower minors.
 
Honestly the number one pick sounds perfect for us. I wish we could get some deal together after the draft to trade for him using our pitching depth 😎
 
CJ9 said:
I'm wondering if we go reliever at 60 if someone will go underslot.
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The data suggest that rounds 4-10 are where it makes sense to go after college pitchers who project as a reliever in the majors.

They also suggest that with that #60 pick, we should be thinking mostly HS hitter or college hitter. The "return" on drafting from those two groups in the second round is better than picking a pitcher, especially a HS pitcher.
 
If Greene, Bishop or Bleday don't drop to us, I could see us picking a pitcher with that #9 pick.
 
CJ9 said:
MLB Pipeline mock is up — and it’s weird. https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-s-first-2019-mock-draft

They have us taking the Baylor catcher at 9 and Clemson shortstop at 21.
Click to expand...

Have really liked Langeliers for a good while because of his defense, and agree that the power will likely come back eventually.

If they went that way, I'd rather wait on a SS. The money should be there to scoop up a high upside arm (Malone/Espino/Barco/Goss/Leiter) at #21, and possibly float a Nasim Nunez/Greg Jones/Matthew Lugo/Rece Hinds type to #60.
 
clvclv said:
Have really liked Langeliers for a good while because of his defense, and agree that the power will likely come back eventually.

If they went that way, I'd rather wait on a SS. The money should be there to scoop up a high upside arm (Malone/Espino/Barco/Goss/Leiter) at #21, and possibly float a Nasim Nunez/Greg Jones/Matthew Lugo/Rece Hinds type to #60.
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If baseball doesn't work out for Langeliers at least he has eating the past to fall back on.
 
It looks to me like best player available without regard to position will be the best way to go. Sure, that's the way it should be all the time, but need does enter the equation from time to time.

I was very bullish on Gorman last year. But I don't have that kind of preference this year. I guess Bishop is likely the best fit if he drops.

at 9: (Bishop, Bleday, Greene if any drop), then Rutledge, then Allan

at 21: Gunnar Henderson, Priester, Espino, Leiter

at 60: Jimmy Lewis, Jonathan French, Spencer Jones (if he's signable)

I'll go: Rutledge, Henderson, Lewis
 
Just from looking at their careers, neither Langeliers nor Davidson appears to be a sure thing with the bat (and granted, no one is really a sure thing with the bat when they hit the pro ranks) and I would rather go for some upside with these picks. I don't follow things close enough anymore to know who that might be, but both these guys look to be middling prospects.
 
striker42 said:
The more I read on Hunter Bishop, the more I want him at 9. Big time power and excellent speed. College hitter too so he'd likely help us during our current window. A mixture of tools and results playing baseball in a major conference.
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In addition, the Braves drafted his brother Braden--currently in AAA in the Mariners' system--out of high school but didn't sign him.
 
50PoundHead said:
Just from looking at their careers, neither Langeliers nor Davidson appears to be a sure thing with the bat (and granted, no one is really a sure thing with the bat when they hit the pro ranks) and I would rather go for some upside with these picks. I don't follow things close enough anymore to know who that might be, but both these guys look to be middling prospects.
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Would typically agree but when you've got a chance to land a really good defensive college C who was a Top 5 consideration before a hamate injury - and you've got enough money available to try to float a really high-ceiling HS talent to 21, is it really worth taking that kind of chance (especially when it appears you have short-term answers for expiring contracts ready)? A 2021 tandem of Contreras/Langeliers could "fix" the position until Acuna and Albies' deals are up.

Just always such a shortage of legitimate catching talent available, it's hard for me to want to pass on the opportunity to turn that into a legitimate strength.
 
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50PoundHead said:
Just from looking at their careers, neither Langeliers nor Davidson appears to be a sure thing with the bat (and granted, no one is really a sure thing with the bat when they hit the pro ranks) and I would rather go for some upside with these picks. I don't follow things close enough anymore to know who that might be, but both these guys look to be middling prospects.
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I don’t disagree with you. The one thing I will say about Langeliers — and I don’t want him at 9 regardless — but he fractured his hamate early in the season which notoriously zaps power when players return from the injury that season.
 
The Baylor catcher at 9 seems like a reach. He should be there at 21, especially if the Braves are willing to go over slot.
 
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