2019 MLB Draft Speculation

[fish]

I saw Zach Thompson as a freshman- he was throwing a really live fastball around 93-94, sounds like he may have had some issues last year, but is back to normal this year. Robbie Ray-like lefty, I'd be happy with that pick.

[Squire]

Henderson seems like a slight overdraft to take at 14 but these guys can move a lot late so maybe its not. If we could get him underslot and push money down that would be an OK strategy too but we don't have a second round pick to take advantage of it either.

We have the 23rd largest pool (out of 30)

[bigegypt0417]

this has to be a year where you take a guy in the first and pay slot or above...especially with nothing in the second round.

[Squire]

Mayo latest mock gave us C Shea Langeliers from Baylor.

[fish]

Mayo latest mock gave us C Shea Langeliers from Baylor

Ooof, no thanks. He was a mess as a hitter last year. Swing neither looked good or consistently repeated.

[Squire]

Updated BA Mock gives us HS RHP Brennan Malone:

"We’re hearing pitchers to the Phillies, although, like every team in this range, they aren’t discriminating on the demographic they are bearing down on. With the top four college arms off the board, perhaps they go for Elon righthander George Kirby here, who is the best strike-thrower in the country. His name has been mentioned routinely in the teens, but the Phillies had several high-level decision makers in to see Malone recently, when he pitched well, touched 99 mph and held 96-97 mph deep into his outing."

[fish]

Updated BA Mock gives us HS RHP Brennan Malone

Interesting guy, in another day and age we’d be over the moon about him. Crackling 4-seamer, dipping 2-seamer, secondaries are ok. Delivery looks very easy on the arm but for a head whack. Relocated from NC to the IMG academy in FL.

[Squire]

Fangraphs latest mock gives us 3B Josh Jung with the following comment:

"14. Phillies – Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech
It sounds like this would be Rutledge’s floor, as he’s in play at most of the last half dozen picks. The Phillies have sent in heat multiple times to see Alabama prep SS Gunnar Henderson, who has a couple interested clubs in the teens, but is seen by most as a late first round type. Chicago-area prep RHP Quinn Priester is also of interest here."

[fish]

Online scouting reports for Jung parrot that he has great bat speed, but I’ve yet to see video of him that impressed. Not a body that looks like it’s going to improve to stay at third, reminds me of that guy Jake Burger the White Sox picked a couple years ago who went on to blow out a knee.

[Squire]

I think I could be talked into just about anything at 14 at this point

[fish]

I like Gunnar Henderson- my biggest question on him is what kind of competition he’s seeing in Alabama. Plenty of national exposure so far though. Seems to be the high school version of Logan Davidson.

[bigegypt0417]

Jack Fritz on Twitter

[Squire]

Callis mocked Gunnar Henderson to us today and said that George Kirby and Josh Jung are also considerations.

Callis Mock Up to 14

1. Orioles - Adley Rutschsman, C
2. Royals - Bobby Witt, Jr., SS
3. White Sox - C.J. Abrams, SS
4. Marlins - J.J. Bleday, OF
5. Tigers - Andrew Vaughan, 1B
6. Padres - Riley Greene, OF
7. Reds - Nick Lodolo, LHP
8. Rangers - Hunter Bishop, OF
9. Braves - Jackson Rutledge, RHP
10. Giants - Alex Manoah, RHP
11. Blue Jays - Bryson Stott, SS
12. Mets - Zach Thompson, LHP
13. Twins - Shea Langeliers, C
14. PHILLIES - Gunnar Henderson, SS

[Squire]

I think I'd be happy with any of the following:

Assuming the big six are gone (Rutschman, Witt, Abrams, Greene, Bleday, Vaughan)

College Bats: Bishop, Stott, Langeliers
College Arms: Lodolo, Rutledge, Manoah, Kirby
HS Bats: Henderson
HS Arms: Allan, Malone (though i am always leery of the HS pitcher flameout rate).

[gmwannabe]

does anyone think there is a chance that klentak picks up a competitive balance pick in the next 2 weeks?
gm

[Squire]

No. I think there is zero chance that Klentak picks up a competitive balance pick in the next two weeks.

[Squire]

I think Shea Langeliers and Josh Jung combined to go 1-23 on the last weekend of regular season play. Out.

[Squire]

RHP Carter Stewart (the 2018 Braves unsigned first round pick) who was ranked anywhere between 35-60 in this years draft signed a pro contract with a Japanese League Team

[Squire]

CBSSports Mock (likely from a guy with no sources

1. Orioles - Adley Rutschman, C
2. Royals - Bobby Witt, Jr. SS
3. White Sox - Andrew Vaughan, 1B
4. Marlins - J.J. Bleday, OF
5. Tigers - Riley Greene, OF
6. Padres - C.J. Abrams, SS
7. Reds - Nick Lodolo, LHP
8. Rangers - Brett Baty, 3B
9. Braves - Hunter Bishop, OF
10. Giants - Bryson Stott, SS
11. Blue Jays - Alex Manoah, RHP
12. Mets - Zach Thompson, LHP
13. Twins - Jackson Rutledge, RHP
14. PHILLIES - GUNNAR HENDERSON, SS

[fish]

My bet would be that Lodolo drops lower than the prognosticators predict he goes- descriptions that his fastball doesn’t play well in the zone makes me think talent evaluators see him differently than writers.