2019 Draft Day GDT

[zambonir]

Forgive me, I should have been thinking more along the lines of, "let he who does not thread creep cast the first stone."

[Squire]

What are they dragging this out so much? They've got 40 picks to do and it's 10:45pm

[julio]

Forgive me, I should have been thinking more along the lines of, "let he who does not thread creep cast the first stone."

Not to worry - it's good to have it explained, as best I can... and I'm assuming that Squire's intent was what I think it was, which could be wrong.

And it's not a big thing. it's just that - from my perspective, at least - there are times when some of our posters get involved in long back-and-forth arguments, and such exchanges really interfere (to me, at least) with the utility of a thread that's intended to provide "news" - whether that's in a game thread or the draft picks thread.

On the other hand, we do want to provide a forum for those debates, because sometimes they yield up real insights.

[julio]

What are they dragging this out so much? They've got 40 picks to do and it's 10:45pm

Because they are idiots?

No, actually, it's because MLB has a network of their own now - a cable channel of their own - and like all those who have 24/7 cable channels, they need to fill it up. Dead air is unacceptable; reruns of Gilligan's Island are undoubtedly considered inappropriate (and they'd have to pay for the rights!). It's the same reason CNN, MSNBC, and FOX fill so much air time with opinionated boobs arguing with one another - there isn't enough real news/substance to consume the air time.

As you know, the draft worked really nicely as a straightforward conference call - 30 seconds per pick, max, no commercial breaks, no blather, no talking heads. But of course, that only worked until the marketers got ahold of the draft, because you really can't sell that. I would listen to the whole thing; Squire would listen to the whole thing; a few others would; and we'd post the relevant results, and everybody would be happy... except the people whose job it is to generate revenue for MLB.

If you really think it sucks, boycott it. Personally... I killed the video feed, the tracker window, and the twitter feed as soon as the Phils' pick was over. It's a waste of time to sit through this stuff, deliberately drawn out for hours. I can read the tracker tomorrow morning... and have it on in the background (assuming I'm not out mowing the lawn!) tomorrow afternoon.

[zambonir]

I thought Squire's original intent was to have Phillies discussion in the thread with the list and all other discussion here.

But I get it. It's like the game thread vs. the season thread. I do enjoy actually talking baseball in the game thread as long as it's truly limited to what's happening in the game, or what events in the game might mean.

[fish]

Orioles get Rutschman and Gunner Henderson- I’m jealous.

[el-pietro]

Any thoughts or speculation for who the Phillies might be targeting today? Any interesting players to keep an eye one? There hasn't been much success in recent years outside the second round. Rhys Hoskins in the 5th round in 2014 the obvious success. Ken Giles 7th round in 2011.

Plenty of marginal players, Adam Morgan (2011-3) is showing promise this year, Cole Irvin (2016-5) and Jojo Romero (2016-4) could be big league contributors.

Plenty of success stories from other teams between the 3rd and 7th round, not a tonne of stars (Betts, Bellinger, Boyd, Dejong) but quite a few contributors of different quality. I'm not expecting an MVP candidate or an all star but it would be nice if we could get some useful players today.
2

[phillychuck]

I recall Squire posted some names of interest somewhere--can't remember where now...

[Squire]

These weren't so much names of interest as much as guys who seem to be in our prior draft tendencies

California High Schoolers:
Cody Freeman, SS (147)
Glenallen Hill Jr. OF (149)
Jasiah Dixon, OF (178)
Colin Barber, OF (196)
Joe Naranjo, 1B (209)
Garrett Frechette, 1B/OF (215)
Joey Estes, RHP (239)

California College Pitchers:
Ben Brecht, LHP, UC Santa Barbara (88)
Ryan Garcia, RHP, UCLA (89) - DRAFTED
Erik Miller, LHP, Stanford (106)
Ryan Jensen, RHP, Fresno (110) - DRAFTED
Chris Lincoln, RHP, UC Santa Barbara (153)
Chris Murphy, LHP, San Diego (156)
Andre Pallantine, RHP, UC Irvine (158)
Logan Boyer, RHP, San Diego State (176)
Ken Waldichuk, LHP, St. Marys (186)
Jared Horn, RHP, Cal (188)
Jack Ralston, RHP, UCLA (202)
Chris Clarke, RHP, Southern Cal (217)
Jack Little, RHP, Stanford (221)
Jack Dashwood, LHP, UC Santa Barbara (255)
Riley Ornido, RHP, San Francisco (263)

Midwest College Hitters:
Will Robertson, OF, Creighton (96)
Matt Gorski, OF, IU (151) - DRAFTED
Michael Massey, 2B, Illinois (189)
John Rave, OF, Illinois State (203)

University of Mississippi Guys:
Thomas Dillard, OF/C (105)
Cooper Johnson, C (109)
Grae Kessinger, SS (126) - DRAFTED
Parker Caracci, RHP (234)
Will Etheridge, RHP (277)
Ryne Olenek, OF/INF (283)

Georgia High Schoolers:
Myles Austin, SS (117)
Jonathan French, C (131)
Brennan Milone, SS (135)
Zach Maxwell, RHP (139)
Alex McFarlane, RHP (187)
Landon Sims, RHP (199)
Tres Gonzalez, OF (245)
Michael Harris, LHP/OF (248)
Mason Barnett, RHP (250)

Virginia-Carolinas College Hitters
Bryant Packard, OF, ECU (119)
Tanner Morris, SS, UVA (125)
Spencer Brickhouse, 1B, ECU (133)

[phillychuck]

Thanks, Squire...I like a couple of these people...Will Robertson, Ben Brecht, Glenallen Hill, Jr., Cooper Johnson, Jared Horn, Erik Miller. Others all have some good skills; hope we can find ones we can develop successfully. Would be nice to have a strong draft!!

[Lawman]

What time does day #2 of the draft start?

[Squire]

I think 1pm

[phillychuck]

Fangraphs on Stott:

"He's fine at shortstop so long as you're okay with a non-traditional thowing style. Long, low-ball swing turns some scouts off, but hands are electric. Very divisive.
Full Report
Teams fall into one of three groups when evaluating Stott. There are teams that think, despite his size and atypical throwing stroke, that he'll stay at shortstop and hit for some power. Those teams are highest on him. Then there are teams that think he'll just do one of those and, finally, those who think he'll do neither. His swing is geared for low ball contact, and he hits pitches near his shoetops to all fields, with power. But the swing's length and bat path creates doubt that Stott will get to velocity up and/or in. Lefty-hitting shortstops with power are rare, and Stott has a shot to be one, but he's riskier than is typical for a college bat who has two years of strong numbers."

Since they mention 2 years of strong numbers they may not be including this year, where he's made significant progress. I think the Phils' analytics guys are pretty sharp, and probably know Stott's numbers vs. good college pitching (which he faced often enough) and I suspect those numbers are encouraging, somewhat diminishing the concern that he can't handle high or inside fastballs..

Here's a suggested interview question for our redoubtable Philly sports media: "Who were some of the best pitchers you've faced in college and in the amateur circuit, and how successful were you against them?"

[andyb]

Perhaps we should label this the non-Phillies draft thread? Phillies discussion should be in the pinned thread, at least I thought.....

[Lawman]

Compacting the waste of time that is the MLB draft, is that the dividends are not immediate. At least in the NFL and NBA, you may want to pay attention b/c the draft pick, at least the the first round pick, is pretty much expected to make an impact immediately. In MLB, that's never the case, so there's no sense of immediacy.

[zambonir]

Already asked about this up thread. Pinned thread is only for the facts (who got taken). This is for the chatter (but in reality you're just gonna have both).

Compacting the waste of time that is the MLB draft, is that the dividends are not immediate. At least in the NFL and NBA, you may want to pay attention b/c the draft pick, at least the the first round pick, is pretty much expected to make an impact immediately. In MLB, that's never the case, so there's no sense of immediacy.

It's the worst of both worlds, they insist on having a bells-and-whistles broadcast but they're not very good bells or whistles.

[gmwannabe]

Mets looking awesome so far. a steal in allan if he signs. creative thinking. how about that Matt.
gm

[andyb]

Already asked about this up thread. Pinned thread is only for the facts (who got taken). This is for the chatter (but in reality you're just gonna have both).

The answer that you got was not exactly clear. We have always posted scouting reports after players were drafted in the picks and signings thread, along with discussion about whether we like the pick, how much or if they will sign, etc.

The MLB vs Phillies distinction is a lot clearer than news vs speculation. Today and tomorrow will be all about news anyway as the picks come pretty quickly.

[andyb]

I see Jack Leiter (son of Al, cousin of Mark Jr.) went undrafted so far. Imagine he'll be somebody's 11th round pick. We probably won't have enough flexibility to go for him though. Vanderbilt commit.

[julio]

I see Jack Leiter (son of Al, cousin of Mark Jr.) went undrafted so far. Imagine he'll be somebody's 11th round pick. We probably won't have enough flexibility to go for him though. Vanderbilt commit.

The chattering heads talked about Leiter, indicated that he will be difficult - at best - to sign. Sounds like one of those you take in the 'teens, offer him as much as you can, and he says "thanks," but goes to college.... or else take him in Round 3, so you get a comp pick next year.