2012 mlb draft

[SoxFanForsyth]

Johnson is a two-way player who could be drafted as a first baseman with some pop but is much more widely seen as a left-handed pitcher.

 

He's an off-speed guy who'll pitch with an average fastball at 88-92 and throws a lot of breaking balls, mostly an above-average big-breaking curve with a two-plane break and tight, visible rotation; he prefers it to his above-average changeup even in conventional changeup counts. The change at 80-84 is solid but not plus, coming out of his hand just like his fastball. He has a show-me slider that he'd be better off scrapping if it doesn't get better. He doesn't have life on his fastball, but commands it well to both sides of the plate.

 

Johnson is very balanced over the rubber and all through his delivery, with a clean and fairly low-effort arm swing. He's a pretty high-probability, low-projection guy who should be in the middle of someone's rotation inside of two years, and could be in the majors in 12 months because minor league hitters won't do much with his off-speed stuff.

 

Player Grades

PRESENT FUTURE LOW(MPH) HIGH(MPH)

Fastball 50 50 -- --

FB Movement 40 40 -- --

Command 55 60 -- --

Control 60 60 -- --

Curveball 60 60 -- --

Slider 40 40 -- --

Changeup 55 55 -- --

Feel for Pitching -- -- -- --

[jacksonianmarch]

Hensley looks like a solid pick. McCullers looks like he wants big, big money. This kid should be signable. 6'5" 200lbs, throws low to mid 90s, topping out at 96 and throws a plus 12-6 curve. Change has plus potential. Top of the rotation ceiling. Gets a lot of comps to Phil Hughes when he was drafted

[evilhand]

I'm very disappointed right now. Very.

 

Yep. I'm also thinking there is almost no chance of McCullers signing with anyone at this point. The money he can be offered is dropping quickly and he already had a chip on his shoulder about not being ranked higher prior to the draft.

[jacksonianmarch]

I'm very disappointed right now. Very.

 

They might be saving some cash for the comp round. I have a feeling they pop someone big at the Pap spot

[evilhand]

They might be saving some cash for the comp round. I have a feeling they pop someone big at the Pap spot

 

Well, 31 was the first Pap spot.

[jacksonianmarch]

the Pap comp

[lesterkett]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1207810-mlb-draft-2012-comparing-brian-johnson-to-cj-wilson

[mvp 78]

As I've never seen these players, I'll forget all about this in a few days.

[Palodios]

I'm very disappointed right now. Very.

 

I have very limited minor league knowledge, but based on what I've heard about Johnson, I'm on board. He might have a peak of a #3 type pitcher, but can you really ever get enough #3 type pitchers? The Red Sox lack pitching depth, and it sounds like this is a guy who is highly probable to be ready by 2014.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I have very limited minor league knowledge' date=' but based on what I've heard about Johnson, I'm on board. He might have a peak of a #3 type pitcher, but can you really ever get enough #3 type pitchers? The Red Sox lack pitching depth, and it sounds like this is a guy who is highly probable to be ready by 2014.[/quote']

 

Yeah. He's a low ceiling, high floor guy. Almost certainly will make an MLB roster. Just seems like a safe pick. I'd like to see them take a gamble with their next pick. Think they reached for Johnson.

[evilhand]

I'm still holding out hope for McCullers. I could see St. Louis grabbing him here, though.

[mvp 78]

Monmouth State?

 

Stay gold ponyboy...

[Station 13]

Underwhelming draft especially coming after back 2 back year that got us so many talents. New CBA is a total bitch.

[example1]

And, a disappointing 3rd pick. Not much to write home about here.

[User Name]

Well definitely not what i expected....

[jacksonianmarch]

He's a crafty lefty who shouldnt be a tough sign for under slot. They are definitely reaching a bit here. Marrero was expected to go where he did, so he should get slot. I am guessing they are going to nab someone in the comp around for something big...

[jacksonianmarch]

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20930851&topic_id=29113154&c_id=mlb

 

Light throws smoke ramping it up into the mid 90s. You can see how he can create deception as well with his motion. Slider is mostly slurvy and change isnt a weapon. They say he has back end of the pen upside

[jacksonianmarch]

3 college juniors. Marrero was considered a mid 1st rounder, I dont think Johnson was expected to go in the first. I think Light has closer upside and isnt a bad pick, but maybe one you make later in the draft. Overall, I think the sox are playing it really, really safe right now with guys who wont kill you signability wise. My guess is they take a few signability picks later on and the money they might save or at least hold with their top 3 picks might go a long way to the stability of the draft

[jacksonianmarch]

let me just say that I am pretty psyched for the draft tomorrow, although my little girl has a Dr appointment in the early afternoon, I will probably only be around for the first 90 mins or so

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe: Have to say, I enjoy those followers who have never seen any of these guys play in person ripping the #RedSox draft

[Emmz]

So is Buxton good? I don't really follow prospects.

[NCPack2889]

So is Buxton good? I don't really follow prospects.

 

He's really fast, and plays good defense. I read there are some questions if he's going to be an elite batter.

[Emmz]

Yeah, same that I keep hearing, except more homer "he has home run power". Wondering of someone who really knows prospects had anything to say, like who's he compared to, what's he need work on, etc.

[jacksonianmarch]

Jamie Callahan Round 2 for the sox. Gonna be a tough sign away from South Carolina. Projectable high schooler who tops out at 95. Projectable curve and change. He's got tools, the sox are gonna have to show him the money

[User Name]

Callahan is a first-round talent that dropped due to signability issues. Just like many predicted, they went safe first round, and are now choosing high-ceiling guys regardless of signability.

[jacksonianmarch]

Callahan is a first-round talent that dropped due to signability issues. Just like many predicted' date=' they went safe first round, and are now choosing high-ceiling guys regardless of signability.[/quote']

 

It's a good idea, I think they set up with good talents on day 1 to get signability talents on day 2. I like the pick and think he could be a nice arm to add to the system.

[User Name]

It's a good idea' date=' I think they set up with good talents on day 1 to get signability talents on day 2. I like the pick and think he could be a nice arm to add to the system.[/quote']

 

Yeah goes to show how, contrary to popular belief, the Front Office knows what it's doing.

[jacksonianmarch]

Yeah goes to show how' date=' contrary to popular belief, the Front Office knows what it's doing. [/quote']

 

They'll know what they are doing if these players turn into something.

[User Name]

They'll know what they are doing if these players turn into something.

 

That's asinine. You know as well as i do that unless you're dealing with a generational talent, drafting is a hit-or-miss proposition. There are not a lot of sure things.

[NCPack2889]

Yeah' date=' same that I keep hearing, except more homer "he has home run power". Wondering of someone who really knows prospects had anything to say, like who's he compared to, what's he need work on, etc.[/quote']

 

Buxton is by far the best upside prospect in this year's draft, as his body and off-the-charts athleticism have earned him comparisons to players from the Uptons to Matt Kemp to Eric Davis to Willie Mays. If you want raw tools, this is about as good as it gets. Buxton is an 80 runner (on the 20-80 scouting scale) with a 70 arm and a chance to be a 70 defender in center; he's not just fast, but runs easily and effortlessly and is even faster underway than he is in short spurts like home to first. His future is at the plate but he has hit 97 mph off the mound, hitting 93 the night I saw him, and his speed translates to plus range in center right now, with his defense likely to improve with more work reading the ball off the bat.

 

Buxton has quick wrists and gets good rotation in his right-handed swing, with good hand-eye coordination but a slight tendency for his swing to get long on balls out of the zone. He starts with his hands set up by his back shoulder almost fully loaded at the start, and then takes a long stride forward in the box before he gets his hands started. He rotates his hips well and should hit for at least above-average power down the road, especially once he fills out physically. His back foot actually comes off the ground briefly as he rotates, which isn't good for balance or for power but should be fixable once he's in pro ball.

 

There are risk factors here. Buxton has hit for very little power this spring, giving up the long ball for more contact but raising questions about what his actual power ceiling might be. He'll be 18 1/2 at the draft, which is on the older side for a high school pick, and he hasn't faced a lot of advanced pitching in his life, since he didn't do much on the showcase circuit and has split time between baseball and football. And his swing can get long. On the other hand, this kind of tools package doesn't come along very often, and if you believe he'll hit -- meaning he can adjust to better pitching and make some small mechanical tweaks -- he could be an offensive and defensive force in the middle of the diamond, a faster Andrew McCutchen with more value on defense, or Matt Kemp with a grade less power. There's no player with more upside available in this draft pool.