2020 Prospects

[notin]

I was just reading about that. That is really a very drastic cut from the typical 40 rounds. I can see cutting back, but cutting down to 5 rounds seems a bit much. There are so many players who are going to be left hanging, with nowhere to play. I feel bad for them. Many potentially very good players will slip through the cracks.

 

And yes, it does magnify the Red Sox' loss of their 2nd rounder.

 

Teams will still sign undrafted players.

 

And while certainly plenty of good players have been drafted in later rounds, the chances of drafting good players after round five drops precipitously. (Actually it drops off near early in round 4 per this study.)

 

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1759&context=cc_etds_theses

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Teams will still sign undrafted players.

 

And while certainly plenty of good players have been drafted in later rounds, the chances of drafting good players after round five drops precipitously. (Actually it drops off near early in round 4 per this study.)

 

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1759&context=cc_etds_theses

 

So... might this be an opportunity for savvy clubs with the resources to scout, sign and stockpile bodies to grow their farms? I know there's a cap on "draft" money each team can allocate, but what about just signing guys off the street?

[notin]

So... might this be an opportunity for savvy clubs with the resources to scout, sign and stockpile bodies to grow their farms? I know there's a cap on "draft" money each team can allocate, but what about just signing guys off the street?

 

Don’t teams basically do that anyway? That’s how the Sox originally acquired Dan Butler...

[notin]

MLB going with a 5 round draft this year. Losing that 2nd rounder sucks really hard.

 

Actually I would argue this is the year to lose it.

 

Any other season, if you needed to fill a roster space somewhere with a UDFA, the best players available were undrafted after 40 rounds. This year, the UDFA pool contains a full assortment of sixth round picks...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Don’t teams basically do that anyway? That’s how the Sox originally acquired Dan Butler...

 

I'm just thinking hypothetically (and ignorantly)... but if say, only 150 players are drafted this year, instead of 1,500, does that mean that rich teams like NY, Boston and LA can then open their wallets to lock up the next best 1,350 -- if they want, of course. Every club has its limit, but is free spending capped like the draft, and let's face it, the 40-man (by the tax)?

[notin]

I'm just thinking hypothetically (and ignorantly)... but if say, only 150 players are drafted this year, instead of 1,500, does that mean that rich teams like NY, Boston and LA can then open their wallets to lock up the next best 1,350 -- if they want, of course. Every club has its limit, but is free spending capped like the draft, and let's face it, the 40-man (by the tax)?

 

I think we will see every team trying that tactic to some extent...

[mvp 78]

Actually I would argue this is the year to lose it.

 

Any other season, if you needed to fill a roster space somewhere with a UDFA, the best players available were undrafted after 40 rounds. This year, the UDFA pool contains a full assortment of sixth round picks...

 

They also lose the allocated money towards that 2nd round pick, which isn't great. Fact is, we don't really know how teams will approach the draft and what their plans are for moving forward with a reduced MiLB system.

[mvp 78]

I think we will see every team trying that tactic to some extent...

 

Per MLB: Undrafted free agents will have their bonuses capped at $20,000. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlbs-2020-draft-changes-will-have-long-term-ramifications-most-of-them-will-be-bad-for-baseball/

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Per MLB: Undrafted free agents will have their bonuses capped at $20,000. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlbs-2020-draft-changes-will-have-long-term-ramifications-most-of-them-will-be-bad-for-baseball/

 

Thanks for the clarification. This will present tough decisions for some college players: sign for a fraction of what many expected, just for a chance to play pro ball (over a year from now at the very least), or refuse to sign and hope they'll get a chance to increase value if there's a college season in the fall or the spring of 2021... if there's even college.

[notin]

Thanks for the clarification. This will present tough decisions for some college players: sign for a fraction of what many expected, just for a chance to play pro ball (over a year from now at the very least), or refuse to sign and hope they'll get a chance to increase value if there's a college season in the fall or the spring of 2021... if there's even college.

 

The Sox have given plenty of drafted players less than $20,000 and seen them get into MLB or AAA. That reduced sum might not be a decrease for a lot of them...

[mvp 78]

http://news.soxprospects.com/2020/06/red-sox-select-nick-yorke-with-17th.html?m=1

 

With the 17th overall pick in the 2020 First-Year Player MLB Draft, the Red Sox selected Nick Yorke, a second baseman from Archbishop Mitty High School (Calf.). Yorke is ranked 96th by Baseball America, 139th by MLB.com, and 271st by Perfect Game USA.

 

Yorke is a bat-first middle infielder whose hit tool is his carrying tool. Per Baseball America scouts say that York has one of the best hit tools on the west coast. MLB.com gave his hit tool a future 55 grade and described his swing as pure with an advanced approach. While he doesn’t have much current power and projects to have below-average power moving forward, reports had his power improving during the shortened spring season. At 6-feet, 200 pounds, the 18-year-old has a mature frame. He was announced as a second baseman, but he played shortstop in high school. Industry sources say that he has the hands, range, and instincts to play there, but he had shoulder surgery in 2018 which forced him to DH his entire junior season, and the arm strength has not yet fully returned.

 

Yorke is committed to the University of Arizona. As is clear from his industry rankings, Yorke was projected to go much later in the draft, and his selection at the 17th overall pick is likely an indication that the Red Sox had an agreement to sign him for an under-slot bonus. They are without their second-round pick this season as a result of the sign-stealing investigation, and an under-slot deal would give them more funds and flexibility to go over slot later in the draft.

With the 17th overall pick in the 2020 First-Year Player MLB Draft, the Red Sox selected Nick Yorke, a second baseman from Archbishop Mitty High School (Calf.). Yorke is ranked 96th by Baseball America, 139th by MLB.com, and 271st by Perfect Game USA.

 

Yorke is a bat-first middle infielder whose hit tool is his carrying tool. Per Baseball America scouts say that York has one of the best hit tools on the west coast. MLB.com gave his hit tool a future 55 grade and described his swing as pure with an advanced approach. While he doesn’t have much current power and projects to have below-average power moving forward, reports had his power improving during the shortened spring season. At 6-feet, 200 pounds, the 18-year-old has a mature frame. He was announced as a second baseman, but he played shortstop in high school. Industry sources say that he has the hands, range, and instincts to play there, but he had shoulder surgery in 2018 which forced him to DH his entire junior season, and the arm strength has not yet fully returned.

 

Yorke is committed to the University of Arizona. As is clear from his industry rankings, Yorke was projected to go much later in the draft, and his selection at the 17th overall pick is likely an indication that the Red Sox had an agreement to sign him for an under-slot bonus. They are without their second-round pick this season as a result of the sign-stealing investigation, and an under-slot deal would give them more funds and flexibility to go over slot later in the draft.

[jacksonianmarch]

Bloom does things differently. This is a weird draft pick here. They might have been able to get him in the third round. But my bet is they got a nice below slot deal and will reach a bit in rounds 3-5 with overslot guys. Otherwise, this makes no sense.

[mvp 78]

Bloom does things differently. This is a weird draft pick here. They might have been able to get him in the third round. But my bet is they got a nice below slot deal and will reach a bit in rounds 3-5 with overslot guys. Otherwise, this makes no sense.

 

I think they liked him, had him graded in the 1-2nd round and had already agreed to a below slot deal for him.

[jacksonianmarch]

I have never been a big fan of the projection middle infield HSer. They fit in 3 categories. They’re either 5 tool studs who go top 10, really amazing offensively and they’re not really middle infielders, or defensive whiz’s with a lagging bat. This kid isn’t the first category as we know. Maybe he works out. Maybe Bloom sees things differently. But this looks like a reach where some more upside or more polished players were available. For the first time in awhile, I like our first rounder better than the Sox.

[mvp 78]

I have never been a big fan of the projection middle infield HSer. They fit in 3 categories. They’re either 5 tool studs who go top 10, really amazing offensively and they’re not really middle infielders, or defensive whiz’s with a lagging bat. This kid isn’t the first category as we know. Maybe he works out. Maybe Bloom sees things differently. But this looks like a reach where some more upside or more polished players were available. For the first time in awhile, I like our first rounder better than the Sox.

 

I'd say it's at least better than going with a Deven Marrero type who was glove first, bat later.

[jacksonianmarch]

Love their third rounder. Blaze Jordan, what a name. HS bomber, was hitting 500 foot dingers as a 13 yr old. Was squishy, had to lose weight, and K’d a lot against older competition the year prior, Jordan is one of the youngest players drafted as he re-classified to this year. He’s only 6’2” and is expected to be a 1b almost exclusively due to his lack of athleticism. Callis had him going in the supplemental round. He’s a beast, who if he can make more contact, will hit a whole shitload of homers

[jacksonianmarch]

Sox snag Jeremy Wu-Yelland. He’s a lefty reliever with power and poor control. He’s a true reliever. He was not ranked by BA. I wonder if they are saving cash with picks 1 and 4 to pay for pick 3

[mvp 78]

Song has been ordered to report to flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola no later than June 26. That decision, issued by the Department of Defense, puts Song’s dream of playing professional baseball for the Boston Red Sox on hold for at least a year, if not longer.

 

In April, after waiting six months for the Department of Defense to rule on his waiver request, Song changed his mind. The Claremont, California native submitted an updated request to pursue flight training after all.

Song made that decision after learning a new Department of Defense policy permitting service academy graduates to pursue professional sports immediately following graduation could not retroactively be applied to his situation.

 

Commander Alana Garas, public affairs officer at the academy, said Song can seek early release from his active duty commitment in May 2021.

[mvp 78]

The Red Sox officially signed Blaze Jordan for $1.75 million

[mvp 78]

Ian Cundell:

 

The Red Sox technically don’t have the extra bonus pool money to sign Jordan without first signing Yorke for underslot, so I suspect we will hear Yorke has agreed to sign and the details of his bonus relatively soon.

[mvp 78]

Sox Prospects updated their rankings and put Nick Yorke 11th and Blaze Jordan 13th, creating a Matthew Lugo sandwich.

[mvp 78]

@jimcallisMLB

1st-rder Nick Yorke signs with @RedSox for $2.7 mil (slot 17 value = $3,609,700). California HS 2B, surprise 1st-rder but also one of best prep bats on West Coast, Boston loves offensive upside & didn't think he get to its next pick in 3rd rd. Arizona recruit

@MLBDraft

[mvp 78]

Red Sox ($5,129,900 draft pool)

 

Nick Yorke, 1st round, 17th overall. Slot value: $3,609,700 (Expected to sign)

Blaze Jordan, 3-89. Slot value: $667.9K (Signed for $1.75MM)

Jeremy Wu-Yelland, 4-118. Slot value: $487.9K

Shane Drohan, 5-148. Slot value: $364.4K

 

$679k left to sign the 4th and 5th rounders. Both should sign for under slot.

[mvp 78]

But what if a team wants to go over the draft bonus pool amount?

 

If a team goes over its threshold by 5 percent or less, it must pay a "luxury tax" of 75% on the amount over the threshold. Teams that go 5 to 10 percent over must pay a 100% tax on the excess, and will lose their next first-round pick. A team that goes 15 percent over can lose its next two first-round picks, in addition to the "luxury tax".

[mvp 78]

[mvp 78]

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/boston-red-sox-noah-song-not-navigating-uncharted-waters

 

Article on Noah Song and commitment to Navy.

[jacksonianmarch]

There is precedent for Song to get released after 2 years, then he can get 6 years of service after he retires.

[mvp 78]

There is precedent for Song to get released after 2 years, then he can get 6 years of service after he retires.

 

I think he gets some time in the system towards the end of next year. Missing only 2 years isn't a big deal when considering the upside of his arm. Definitely worth the 4th round pick.

[notin]

I think he gets some time in the system towards the end of next year. Missing only 2 years isn't a big deal when considering the upside of his arm. Definitely worth the 4th round pick.

 

Especially since one of those years had no minor league season anyway...