Official pre-Draft thread
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Sign me up for that. Also getting more interested in Gore.
Pass on the 5'11 pitcher at pick #5. No thanks to the "speed" guy that K's all the time.
Based on my limited knowledge, give me Beck or Lewis. I'd even prefer to take a chance on Adell.
I like Beck if he's there, but think it's going to be awfully tough to expect us to pass on J. B. if he's there for the taking given what we've seen from the brass thus far. You can't be the Mutts of a couple years ago (which appears to be the goal) - with 3 guys who could become legitimate "Aces" developed from within if you don't have an overwhelming number of arms with that type of upside in the system given flame-outs. For all the arms we've already stockpiled, I personally think it's quite easy to make the argument that we're not there just yet. JMO, but I think it's somewhat safe to remove Newcomb and Sims from the list of guys who can become TOR starters before long. That leaves you with Fried, Allard, Gohara, and Anderson. While I love Soroka and Weigel, I see their ceilings as Julio-like, and that's a best-case scenario. Don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that at all - and if they could get there I think we'd all be thrilled - but I will agree with those who don't see Teheran as an "Ace". However, I also don't think that keeps you from winning a Championship with him at the top of your rotation either - IF you have the right pieces around him.
Much like last year, there just hasn't been that hitter that's established himself as a "must-have" over a starter with TOR upside - YET - for me. I'm a believer in Acuna and think that Maitan's going to move fast, meaning we've got two impact bats coming from within relatively quickly. You'll have the opportunity to get Moustakas (who's 28) either at the break or over the winter if you like. The list of available free-agent OFs and 3Bs when Markakis' deal is up includes McCutchen (30), Adam Jones (31), Michael Brantley (29), Charlie Blackmon (30), A. J. Pollock (29), and Josh Donaldson (31), assuming you pass on Machado and Harper - which we all expect the Braves to do.
If you can replace Nick with Acuna, you then have Marcel Ozuna (26), Yasiel Puig (26), Khris Davis (29), Nolan Arenado (26), and Anthony Rendon (26) to bid on when Kemp's contract runs out.
I guess my point is that there are going to be plenty of bats available as we've got money coming off the books, but we don't expect to be picking in the first five picks again after this summer, so grabbing another really high upside arm while we have the chance might not be a bad idea unless one of these bats doesn't do something to really separate himself from the pack pretty soon.
I just really like legit HS bats, and Beck, Lewis, and Adell can all be that. I would be ok with Bukauskas if they truly believe he's the best player left on the board, but I want us to take best available, and personally I like those 3 bats more than Bukauskas.
You don't pass up on a HS bat in the draft because you have some pretty good FA options. You're right, this may be our last time picking this high for a while, so we need to make it worth our while. Just like it may be the last time to get a really high-upside arm, it also may be the last time to get a really high-upside bat. And I like the upside of those bats more than the upside of Bukauskas' arm.
You don't pass up on a HS bat in the draft because you have some pretty good FA options. You're right, this may be our last time picking this high for a while, so we need to make it worth our while. Just like it may be the last time to get a really high-upside arm, it also may be the last time to get a really high-upside bat. And I like the upside of those bats more than the upside of Bukauskas' arm.
I probably should link the article: http://bba.am/MptZbv#kyhxDDr7qc3hUeci.97
Southcack77
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I just don't have a whole lot of interest in the Braves picking someone whose upside is a decent hitting, strong fielding CF or SS with an early pick. I'd only want to take a high contact, power hitter that can competently field a position. If a sure thing at 3B or catcher was there, then I'd consider drafting for need, but would be very careful.
If that guy isn't there, I would go with the best pitcher available.
Lewis and Beck both project to be potentially plus with the hit tool and power. Adell projects to be plus in power, but his hit tool is more in question.
Southcack77
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Beck seems like an interesting possibility.
Not crazy about Royce, not sure about Adell.
What is it you're not fond of about Lewis? Just curious.
I think Beck is probably my #1 right now, but if the swing-and-miss concerns for Adell have subsided at least to some degree, then he'd probably be there.
Southcack77
Well-known member
Actually, I was too strong. I do like him. He seems like he could be an all star 2b.
But I guess I have a higher power profile in my head.
Southcack77
Well-known member
Agreed. I was watching the MLB Network profile on Trout the other night, and it sounds like that was his story in the draft -- not seen a ton, rarely against elite arms. I'd imagine there are a ton of other cases where guys popped up without much scouting history of facing elite arms who got drafted fairly high and were never heard of again. It's a risky route to take, but I'm not totally opposed to it.
cajunrevenge
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I like toolsy high upside players HS hitters but I like for them to have some natural contact ability. A player like Cody Johnson was considered high upside because he had huge power, all he needed to do was learn how to make contact. That's not high upside to me. If you cant make contact consistent contact vs fastballs then God help you when it comes to breaking pitches.
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