2019 MLB Draft Thread

[Carp]

So we drafted a guy who likely profiles as a backup catcher at 9 and we drafted a guy who likely profiles as a utility infielder at 21. I finally see the strategy! We're drafting to improve our bench!

Best hit tool among the SS available, according to most sites. And a very nice frame with room to fill out. May not stay at SS however. Still, there's plenty to like about Shewmake.

 

[striker42]

You're going to have no choice but to wait.

For real grades, sure. For way too early judgments based on our own impressions of these players, it's never too early.

 

[TheBravos]

No prep arms ??

 

[striker42]

Best hit tool among the SS available, according to most sites. And a very nice frame with room to fill out. May not stay at SS however. Still, there's plenty to like about Shewmake.

I'm afraid he's a man without a position. Might never have the power for the outfield. Doesn't have the arm for the left side of the IF. Might be too big for second. Just doesn't really profile anywhere.

 

[ixiXSolidXixi]

Just thinking here we don’t sign Carter Stewart because of a injury and now we took Shea thats coming from a injury.

 

[Heyward]

Because it's fun

And I lover Soroka from the start. Been in his bandwagon the whole way. Full disclosure, I loved the Allard pick too.

Well i dont think it's an F, probably a C.

A little dissapointing i guess but Braves have done worse.

 

[nsacpi]

Everyone loved the Allard/Herbert picks and hated the Riley/Soroka pick.

I remember that.

 

[Heyward]

I'm afraid he's a man without a position. Might never have the power for the outfield. Doesn't have the arm for the left side of the IF. Might be too big for second. Just doesn't really profile anywhere.

UTIL guy?

 

[Southcack77]

Well...he....this sucks!

Hits Quality Pitching...

(Last baseball.org)The knock on another draft prospect, OF Kameron Misner [Draft Profile] of Missouri, is his poor stats against SEC pitching. It raises questions that he might not hit well for average at the professional level. Shewmake is the opposite. He proves it with his career success in the SEC tournament, which is comprised of the SEC’s best 12 of 14 teams. Throughout his career, he hit 11 for 29 in the SEC tournament with 4 doubles and 5 walks. That is good for a .379 average and a .471 OBP.

If looking for further evidence of Shewmake’s ability to hit high-quality pitching, check out his career stats against last year’s number one overall draft pick, Casey Mize of the Detroit Tigers. He went 0 for 3 against Mize his freshman year, which is understandable for a freshman. However, he followed it up in 2018 by going 2 for 6 with a double, which includes a 1 for 3 outing against Mize in the SEC tournament. Here is what Vincent Cervino at Perfect Game writes about Shewmake facing Mize:

“He stands out for the polish and approach at the plate [handling] upper-velocity stuff with ease as Shewmake was one of the few batters who looked comfortable against Mize.”

Additional Strengths

There is more to like about Shewmake than his hit tool. Like most young players his size, he has the potential for more power as he fills out his 6’4” frame. His frame is somewhat spindly currently and will benefit from adding more muscle. Shewmake can hit the ball to the opposite field, which is a good quality in a lefty as the prevalence of shifts increase in baseball. He is no slouch on the basepaths either. Out of 37 stolen base attempts, he succeeded on 30 of them.

That’s easily the dumbest way of evaluating a prospect I’ve ever seen.

 

[Enscheff]

So what's everyone's first round grade for the Braves?

C/D depending on how much was saved for over slot guys later.

Definitely cause for a melt down and a irrantional spiral into foaming mouth ranting.

 

[weso1]

Well i dont think it's an F, probably a C.

A little dissapointing i guess but Braves have done worse.

Yeah, you've got to save a little room in your grading for truly embarrassingly awful picks. C is a fair grade.

 

[striker42]

UTIL guy?

That's my guess. That has value, just not first round value.

 

[Heyward]

That's my guess. That has value, just not first round value.

This is fair but if OF is set with Waters/Pache/Acuna and IF is set with FF/Albies/Swanson/Riley, cant just pick pitchers with every other pick.

 

[striker42]

C/D depending on how much was saved for over slot guys later.

Definitely cause for a melt down.

A huge overslot get would help the first round. It would have to be massive though to make up for 2 uninspiring first rounders, including a top 10.

 

[nsacpi]

Yankees go for Volpe...wonder if Leiter will be next...Allen still out there

 

[steveAKAslick]

Cubs picked a guy barely in the top 100

55th on FanGraphs

 

[striker42]

This is fair but if OF is set with Waters/Pache/Acuna and IF is set with FF/Albies/Swanson/Riley, cant just pick pitchers with every other pick.

True, but you don't draft for need. Go for the best player available. Id rather have a star that creates a logjam than a fine bench player that fills a role.

 

[ixiXSolidXixi]

Yankees go for Volpe...wonder if Leiter will be next...Allen still out there

I believe Leiter is not going to sign he is committed to Vanderbilt.

 

[Carp]

I'm afraid he's a man without a position. Might never have the power for the outfield. Doesn't have the arm for the left side of the IF. Might be too big for second. Just doesn't really profile anywhere.

There isn't a perfect player at pick 21. Everyone has flaws. I'm just glad we got 2 hitters. And it isn't like these guys weren't rated highly. Both were drafted right around were they were projected to go.


Would I have rather went Carroll and Allan/Malone? Sure. But honestly, we know so very little about these players. Might as well trust the scouts

 

[Heyward]

True, but you don't draft for need. Go for the best player available. Id rather have a star that creates a logjam than a fine bench player that fills a role.

I would have gone Carroll and Espino but what do i know.