2019 MLB Draft Thread

[Enscheff]

I prefer Bleday as well based on track record and competition, but I'm not sure he's more athletic. I know you can't just look at SB and determine that, but Bleday has attempted 5 in his college career (0 this year) and has been successful twice. Bishop does have 11 this year on 17 attempts. Bishop has GIDP more, though.

Athletic was the wrong word to use.

Looking at Bishop's 35 arm grade means he is limited to LF or 1B, where Bleday can more likely stick in RF. Of course, perhaps arm strength doesn't matter when Acuna/Pache/Waters will be in the mix for CF/RF.

 

[Southcack77]

Which is likely why we'll go with a college senior or a prep player that we think is an easy sign and then take an overslot guy at 21. Abrams is probably the hope, but I would bet on Espino or Malone of I were a betting man.

A prep player is possible. A college junior is possible.

Pretty darn unlikely the ninth pick is a college senior.

 

[Enscheff]

A prep player is possible. A college junior is possible.

Pretty darn unlikely the ninth pick is a college senior.

I'm guessing college junior at 9, over slot prep player at 21, possibly punt 60 for the pool cash. The cash from 60 is required for the draft strategy, which helps explain why a QO was a deal breaker for any FA signing.

I'm also guessing Kimbrel is a Brave immediately after the draft.

 

[Hudson2]

I'm guessing college junior at 9, over slot prep player at 21, possibly punt 60 for the pool cash. The cash from 60 is required for the draft strategy, which helps explain why a QO was a deal breaker for any FA signing.

I'm also guessing Kimbrel is a Brave immediately after the draft.

I can’t disagree with any or that. I have a feeling that they already have an agreement in place with Kimbrel but won’t do anything till the day after the draft.

 

[Southcack77]

I'm guessing college junior at 9, over slot prep player at 21, possibly punt 60 for the pool cash. The cash from 60 is required for the draft strategy, which helps explain why a QO was a deal breaker for any FA signing.

I'm also guessing Kimbrel is a Brave immediately after the draft.

Sounds good to me. Braves just gonna sign Kimbrell for balance of season or something like 2-3 years?

 

[Enscheff]

Sounds good to me. Braves just gonna sign Kimbrell for balance of season or something like 2-3 years?

I read someone suggest just this season, but who knows anymore with this fiasco.

Maybe the rest of this season for like $13M-$15M plus a $20M option for 2020 with a $3M-$5M buyout? Maybe the rest of this season plus 2020 and an option over 2021?

Pretty sure the Braves won't guarantee through 2021, but there are ways to structure options to make a shorter deal palatable for both sides.

 

[smootness]

Athletic was the wrong word to use.

Looking at Bishop's 35 arm grade means he is limited to LF or 1B, where Bleday can more likely stick in RF. Of course, perhaps arm strength doesn't matter when Acuna/Pache/Waters will be in the mix for CF/RF.

Aha, did not realize he had that kind of grade on his arm.

 

[smootness]

I read someone suggest just this season, but who knows anymore with this fiasco.

Maybe the rest of this season for like $13M-$15M plus a $20M option for 2020 with a $3M-$5M buyout? Maybe the rest of this season plus 2020 and an option over 2021?

Pretty sure the Braves won't guarantee through 2021, but there are ways to structure options to make a shorter deal palatable for both sides.

Yeah, I would guess we'd sign him to a pretty good deal for the remainder of the year, a pretty high figure for 2020, and tack on an option with a decent buyout for 2021. I can't see Kimbrel signing something that doesn't at least give him some money for 2021.

 

[Hudson2]

I’d think a CK deal would be for like 8 million for the rest of this year plus 2 guaranteed years after this one.

 

[Enscheff]

I’d think a CK deal would be for like 8 million for the rest of this year plus 2 guaranteed years after this one.

$8M for the rest of this year is like the prorated portion of $12M. That is likely far too low.

Everything I’ve seen written by anyone with real knowledge on the topic claims the Braves will not be giving Kimbrel 3 guaranteed years. Perhaps that has changed now that it’s 2.5 years.

 

[clvclv]

Which is likely why we'll go with a college senior or a prep player that we think is an easy sign and then take an overslot guy at 21. Abrams is probably the hope, but I would bet on Espino or Malone of I were a betting man.

If the entire former draft staff hadn't been jettisoned, it's all but impossible to imagine we wouldn't have tried to juggle things to land a Georgia high school arm that touches 100, no?

 

[CJ9]

Perfect Game's first mock: https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=16331

9. Atlanta Braves | George Kirby, RHP, Elon
A late round pick who ultimately went in the 32nd round out of high school, Kirby shouldn’t make it to the 32nd overall pick in 2019 as the Elon righthander has been outstanding this season. Not only has Kirby missed bats (76 strikeouts in 64.2 innings) but he has walked just five batters over 10 starts, living in the mid-90s with a clean delivery and a full four-pitch arsenal, all of which show at least average. (JB)

That's a weird one. Bleday and Riley Greene both still on the board though.

And later:

21. Atlanta Braves | Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech
One of the more well known performers in the class, Jung has done nothing but hit in his college career, and represents relative safety in a draft where there is no such thing as a sure thing. He projects to hit, play a solid defensive at third base and bring some righthanded power to the table. (BS)

 

[Super]

Perfect Game's first mock: https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=16331

9. Atlanta Braves | George Kirby, RHP, Elon
A late round pick who ultimately went in the 32nd round out of high school, Kirby shouldn’t make it to the 32nd overall pick in 2019 as the Elon righthander has been outstanding this season. Not only has Kirby missed bats (76 strikeouts in 64.2 innings) but he has walked just five batters over 10 starts, living in the mid-90s with a clean delivery and a full four-pitch arsenal, all of which show at least average. (JB)

That's a weird one. Bleday and Riley Greene both still on the board though.

And later:

21. Atlanta Braves | Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech
One of the more well known performers in the class, Jung has done nothing but hit in his college career, and represents relative safety in a draft where there is no such thing as a sure thing. He projects to hit, play a solid defensive at third base and bring some righthanded power to the table. (BS)

a bleday/jung combo would be incredible.

 

[Hudson2]

$8M for the rest of this year is like the prorated portion of $12M. That is likely far too low.

Everything I’ve seen written by anyone with real knowledge on the topic claims the Braves will not be giving Kimbrel 3 guaranteed years. Perhaps that has changed now that it’s 2.5 years.

Somebody would easily give him 3 years imo if there was no QO attached. We probably would have. I do think we make a deal for him though after the draft.

 

[Southcack77]

Somebody would easily give him 3 years imo if there was no QO attached. We probably would have. I do think we make a deal for him though after the draft.

Hard for me to believed that the draft pick would be the primary factor holding up his signing for every team that might consider him.

I suspect his money demand was just way beyond his market.

 

[Southcack77]

Perfect Game's first mock: https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=16331

9. Atlanta Braves | George Kirby, RHP, Elon
A late round pick who ultimately went in the 32nd round out of high school, Kirby shouldn’t make it to the 32nd overall pick in 2019 as the Elon righthander has been outstanding this season. Not only has Kirby missed bats (76 strikeouts in 64.2 innings) but he has walked just five batters over 10 starts, living in the mid-90s with a clean delivery and a full four-pitch arsenal, all of which show at least average. (JB)

That's a weird one. Bleday and Riley Greene both still on the board though.

And later:

21. Atlanta Braves | Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech
One of the more well known performers in the class, Jung has done nothing but hit in his college career, and represents relative safety in a draft where there is no such thing as a sure thing. He projects to hit, play a solid defensive at third base and bring some righthanded power to the table. (BS)

College pitcher would be an odd way to go.

 

[Enscheff]

Somebody would easily give him 3 years imo if there was no QO attached. We probably would have. I do think we make a deal for him though after the draft.

If you can find a quote that suggests the Braves were willing to give Kimbrel, or any FA, 3 years, I'd love to read it.

 

[Carp]

If you can find a quote that suggests the Braves were willing to give Kimbrel, or any FA, 3 years, I'd love to read it.

We offered Bryce 3/90 reportedly.


Facial La Fleur! Total facial!

 

[rico43]

$8M for the rest of this year is like the prorated portion of $12M. That is likely far too low.

Everything I’ve seen written by anyone with real knowledge on the topic claims the Braves will not be giving Kimbrel 3 guaranteed years. Perhaps that has changed now that it’s 2.5 years.

Would make sense that he gets a signing bonus that would equate a full season's salary.

 

[rico43]

College pitcher would be an odd way to go.

Only signed one highly rated h.s. pitcher last year; got to put arms in the low minors.