2019 MLB Draft

[jacksonianmarch]

Sox with pick #43. Yanks with picks #30 and 38. Haven’t seen any good mocks out to the Sox pick. Have seen the latest CBS mock that has the Yanks picking Tyler Callihan from Providence HS in Florida. Lefty power hitter who plays 3b.

 

Everyone seems to think Jack Leiter is untouchable, but there’s a rumor that he will only break his Vandy commit for the Yanks. We will find out tonight

[OH FOY]

Used to follow it, still got my Perfect Game subscription, but as I got older, and ready to retire, just too many things to do. After the Draft I will look at how we do. Todays Scouts are nerds, no good, you need the actual Scouting. Those are the best.

[OH FOY]

I have been saying for years, teams should be investing on Scouting, and heavily. You pay too much for Major League talent. You have to keep the talent flowing.

Many times just like football you'll scout one kid, and another that's under the radar, catches your eye. Actual Scouting is important.

MLB Draft is important, just for cost alone. Unless you want that 240 million dollar pay-roll.

[mvp 78]

This would be perfect post for the MiLB forum we have on here.

[jacksonianmarch]

This would be perfect post for the MiLB forum we have on here.

 

Last I checked, the Sox will be picking tonight, so it fits.

[mvp 78]

Nope. This forum is for the current BOSOX team. Minor league/organizational stuff is posted in the Red Sox Minor League forum where the 2018 thread exists.

 

https://www.talksox.com/forum/threads/18638-2018-MLB-Draft-Thread

[jacksonianmarch]

Ah, crap. I thought I was in the minor league forum.

[mvp 78]

Well, let's just assume YOTN will eventually move this, so we may as well continue the discussion here.

 

http://news.soxprospects.com/2019/05/2019draftpreview.html

 

Second Round (#43 overall)

 

Kendall Williams, RHP, IMG Academy (FL). Williams has an ideal pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds with room to grow. At 18, he already has five pitches with above-average potential, including a low-90s fastball that tops out at 94 mph, a mid-70s curveball, a low-80s slider, a low-80s changeup, and a high-80s two-seamer. He’s committed to Vanderbilt, which could result in signability concerns – but also could mean he’s available at #43.

 

Isaiah Campbell, RHP, Arkansas. Campbell has been one of the best pitchers in the SEC in 2019 as a redshirt junior. He has a solid frame at 6-foot-4, 225, but will need to watch his weight as his career progresses. The right-hander mixes an above-average low-to-mid-90s fastball with an above-average mid-80s slider, and a developing splitter with solid potential. His fastball has hit the high-90s in short bursts. Campbell has the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter if he can keep his command consistent and continue to hone his secondary pitches.

 

Rece Hinds, 3B, IMG Academy (FL). Williams’ teammate at IMG Academy, Hinds is the top power bat in the draft, already showcasing plus plus power from the right side at the age of 18. However, his hot tool is questionable, he has struggled recognizing average off-speed stuff, and he lacks plate discipline. Defensively, he’s played at shortstop in high school but will likely move to third base or cornr outfield as a pro. His plus arm strength would play up at third base or right field, but he hasn’t looked comfortable in the outfield as a prep player. Hinds is committed to Louisiana State. He could be off the board by the end of the first round.

 

Tommy Henry, LHP, Michigan. Henry would instantly be Michigan alum Ian Cundall’s favorite prospect out of the gate. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he has a projectable frame and room to add more velocity to his 90-92 mph fastball, which has peaked at 94 mph. His secondary pitches, a low-80s slider and a low-80s changeup, both have above-average potential. Henry has plus control of all three pitches. He likely will be available at #43, and it’s not inconceivable that he slips to Boston’s next pick at #69.

 

Brooks Lee, SS, San Luis Obispo (CA). Lee has a plus hit tool from both sides of the plate, making him one of the best prep prospects on the West Coast. He’s a line drive hitter that should hit for a high average with doubles power, and he has some projection to add a little bit of home run pop. Lee is an above-average defensive player with a high baseball IQ and outstanding fundamentals – he should end up at shortstop or second base as a pro. He’s committed to Cal Poly, where his father is the head coach.

 

Other players who the Red Sox could look at this pick include Providence HS (FL) 3B Tyler Callihan, Eastern Florida State JC RHP Carter Stewart, and Penn Charter HS (PA) OF Sammy Siani.

 

Second Round (#69 overall)

 

Trejyn Fletcher, OF, Deering (ME). Extremely athletic prep prospect out of Maine who recently reclassified to become 2019 draft eligible. Committed to Vanderbilt. Hasn’t faced enough quality competition to adequately measure his hit tool. Beyond that, his power, speed, defensive, and arm tools all flash plus potential.

 

Ethan Hearn, C, Mobile Christian (AL). Large-framed prep catcher with a plus arm and above-average raw power. Hit tool is below average and he needs to work on his defensive actions behind the plate. Hard worker. Committed to Mississippi State.

 

Josh Smith, SS, Louisiana State. Another Josh Smith in the Red Sox system? Sure, why not, especially when this Josh Smith is a potential five-tool shortstop. Each of his tools have potential to be average or better, although none stand out as plus. High floor. Excelled on the Cape in 2017. Could shift to second base as a pro.

 

Davis Wendzel, 3B, Baylor. Boston selected the slick-bearded Wendzel in the 37th round last year, knowing full well he intended to return to Baylor for his junior season. Above-average hit tool, below-average present power. Solid-average arm and defense at third base. Below-average runner.

 

Matthew Lugo, SS, Carlos Beltran Academy (FL). Top Puerto Rican prospect in the draft class. Committed to Miami. Plus arm, plus speed. Needs work on defense but shows the athleticism to develop into an outstanding shortstop. Impressive but very raw offensive tool set. There’s a lot of variability in his projected draft slot – he could go as early as the first round if a team is enamored with his high ceiling, or could slip a few rounds due to his rawness and signability concerns.

[jacksonianmarch]

Hinds I have seen in nearly all mocks going before the Yanks select at 30. I have seen Lugo mocked in the sox range in some of the draft mocks. The others I have heard of transiently, but none consistently mocked in the first round.

[mvp 78]

I try not to pay attention too much to mock drafts because (a) I don't have the time to and ( any selection outside the top 10 comes with increased risk. If the Sox had #7 again, I'd be much more interested, but having a first pick be in the 40's just makes it that much more of a gamble.

[notin]

 

Everyone seems to think Jack Leiter is untouchable, but there’s a rumor that he will only break his Vandy commit for the Yanks. We will find out tonight

 

These types of rumors usually spawn from NY media creating this image that everyone wants the Yankees and the Yankees only.

 

Like anyone else, Leiter will forego his Vanderbilt commitment if he is offered enough money from anyone. With the Yankees not having any picks in the top 30, their overall draft budget might not be enough to accommodate him. Ditto Boston...

[jacksonianmarch]

I try not to pay attention too much to mock drafts because (a) I don't have the time to and ( any selection outside the top 10 comes with increased risk. If the Sox had #7 again, I'd be much more interested, but having a first pick be in the 40's just makes it that much more of a gamble.

 

I like to look at the tools added to the team. I am especially intrigued because of the added Cincy pick plus the altered rules on players selected beyond the 10th round. When the rules started, anything over $50K was counted. Now it's $125K. It allows for draft savings in those second tier (5-10) rounds to be used either to entice later signings

[jacksonianmarch]

These types of rumors usually spawn from NY media creating this image that everyone wants the Yankees and the Yankees only.

 

Like anyone else, Leiter will forego his Vanderbilt commitment if he is offered enough money from anyone. With the Yankees not having any picks in the top 30, their overall draft budget might not be enough to accommodate him. Ditto Boston...

 

Volpe and Leiter both have "let it be known" per a few of the mock draft creators, that they want to stay on the east coast. Leiter has said he would only sign with NY to forgo Vandy. Leiter has the opportunity to pick his spot as dad is loaded. Volpe, not so much

[notin]

Volpe and Leiter both have "let it be known" per a few of the mock draft creators, that they want to stay on the east coast. Leiter has said he would only sign with NY to forgo Vandy. Leiter has the opportunity to pick his spot as dad is loaded. Volpe, not so much

 

These stories aren’t new.

 

If Leiter gets drafted by Team X and they unload the draft budget on him, he’ll get reconsider.

 

In fact, a lot of times I think that’s the plan all along for some of the high profile high schoolers who can use their college as a negotiation ploy...

[jacksonianmarch]

There’s definitely some ridiculousness to this. In Leiter’s case, he’d be able to lean on those developing him as he’s in the Yankee family. Who knows if it’s some power trip or not

[jacksonianmarch]

Getting back to the original projection, I love the idea of Callihan. Lefty power, good bat, older HS player with a good arm but questions about where his glove plays out. I’ll take the kid who can hit and has issues fielding over the kid who cannot hit but is a great athlete

[mvp 78]

Getting back to the original projection, I love the idea of Callihan. Lefty power, good bat, older HS player with a good arm but questions about where his glove plays out. I’ll take the kid who can hit and has issues fielding over the kid who cannot hit but is a great athlete

 

Going for the "great athlete" is how you get the Trey Ball's of the world.

[notin]

Going for the "great athlete" is how you get the Trey Ball's of the world.

 

And the Dave Winfield’s, Joe Mauer’s, and Aaron Judge’s

[mvp 78]

And the Dave Winfield’s, Joe Mauer’s, and Aaron Judge’s

 

Winfield: In 1973, he was named All-American and voted MVP of the College World Series—as a pitcher.

 

He was an athlete AND a great baseball player.

 

A stand-out in baseball, Mauer struck out only once during his four-year high school career, and hit .605 during his senior season.[7][10][11] Years later, Mauer laughingly told an interviewer: "I can remember the time I did strike out. It was junior year, and it was in the state tournament. I came back to the bench and everybody thought something was wrong with me."[8] Mauer's high school batting average exceeded .500 every year.[9] He also set a Minnesota high school record and tied the national preps mark by hitting a home run in seven consecutive games.[6] Mauer caught for the Team USA Junior National team from 1998 to 2000 and hit .595 during his final year on the team. He was voted best hitter at the World Junior Baseball Championship in Canada in 2000. In 2001, Mauer was voted the United States District V Player of the Year.

 

Seems like he was already a great baseball player, not just an athlete.

 

https://gobulldogs.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=140

 

Judge was a great ballplayer too.

 

My point and Jacko's point is that you go for the guy who can already hit the s*** out of the ball, not someone whose upside strictly comes from being an athlete.

[jacksonianmarch]

Right, if you have a good stick, you’ll find your way into a lineup. There are some guys who start off with weak bats and develop into good hitters. Those guys are rare, but everyone dreams on them because they’re the rare ones who become MVPs. I’ll take the kid who is gonna be a 3B/1B who I know can hit now and should hit later

[mvp 78]

Ball hit .330 as a senior in highschool. Judge hit .500.

 

The Sox reached for Ball because of his athleticism. It was said over and over again by those in the organization.

[notin]

Ball hit .330 as a senior in highschool. Judge hit .500.

 

The Sox reached for Ball because of his athleticism. It was said over and over again by those in the organization.

 

It wasn’t all that much of a reach. They took him at 7 and every mock draft had him going between 8 and 14. They basically took him the only time they could have.

 

Sometimes the high draft picks just don’t pan out...

[vegasbob]

Ball hit .330 as a senior in highschool. Judge hit .500.

 

The Sox reached for Ball because of his athleticism. It was said over and over again by those in the organization.

 

If athleticism was the key to overall baseball success, you would not have seen CC unsuccessfully trying for his 250th career win last night. OK, he's an easy target. The significant criteria for baseball success include, eye sight better than 20/20, fast reaction time , superior eye hand coordination, quick twitch muscles not just bulk strength, sprint speed running. There's probably a few more testable metrics that will weed out those that succeed at the HS level, but not beyond AA level.

[jacksonianmarch]

Ball hit .330 as a senior in highschool. Judge hit .500.

 

The Sox reached for Ball because of his athleticism. It was said over and over again by those in the organization.

 

HS BA’s don’t tell you that much. Trust me. I hit nearly .600 my junior year, and I wasn’t pro material, lol

[jacksonianmarch]

Hey mods. Can you move this to the prospect forum?

[Jasonbay44]

Hey mods. Can you move this to the prospect forum?

 

Done.

 

I was hoping Orioles would f*** up and pass on Adley Rutschman but apparently even they couldn't f*** this pick up.

[jacksonianmarch]

To this point, the mocks have been right.

[jacksonianmarch]

Allan and Malone falling due to signability

[jacksonianmarch]

Davidson fell to the A's. Yankees up

[jacksonianmarch]

I like Volpe as a prospect. He has a bit of Jeter in him. High ranking intangibles, good hit tool, great defense, projectable average power. But I liked Callihan more. I go for the hit tool guy every time over the athlete. Volpe seems like more than an athlete due to his now ability to hit, but I do love the big power guys. Hopefully Callihan falls to us at 38