2018 Draft Thread

[TomtheBombadil]

Kumar Rocker firmly over Ethan Hankins among the HS RHs. Rocker’s got that Jose Fernandez combo of physicality and pitchability coming out of HS, massive with power stuff and already an idea of how to sequence. He might be the top talent in this draft and one of the better HS SP prospects in a while.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Currently, the Cubs are picking four times in the top 100: 24th (1st round), 63rd (2nd round), 75th (for Wade Davis) and 98th (3rd round).

http://m.mlb.com/draft/2018/order

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA's top 10 JuCo prospects: https://t.co/W8m2EVZEyz?amp=1

1. Josh Breaux, RHP/C, McLennan JC (TX) - ranked 301 in BA's top 500 draft prospects in 2017
2. Trey Dillard, RHP, San Jacinto JC (TX) - ranked 327 in BA's top 500 draft prospects in 2017
3. Spencher Smith, C, Harford JC (MD) - ranked 158 in BA's top 500 draft prospect sin 2017
4. Hunter Wolfe, SS, Walters State JC (TN) - 2017 12th round pick
5. Jason Rackers, RHP, Jefferson JC (MO)
6. Korry Howell, SS, Kirkwood JC (IA) - 2017 19th round pick
7. Shane Kelso, RHP, Feather River JC (CA)
8. Robbie Peto, RHP, State JC of Florida - transferred from UNC
9. Ryan McDonald, RHP, JC of Southern Nevada
10. Tyler Keysor, RHP, East Florida JC

[Tim]

BA's top 10 JuCo prospects: https://t.co/W8m2EVZEyz?amp=1

1. Josh Breaux, RHP/C, McLennan JC (TX) - ranked 301 in BA's top 500 draft prospects in 2017
2. Trey Dillard, RHP, San Jacinto JC (TX) - ranked 327 in BA's top 500 draft prospects in 2017
3. Spencher Smith, C, Harford JC (MD) - ranked 158 in BA's top 500 draft prospect sin 2017
4. Hunter Wolfe, SS, Walters State JC (TN) - 2017 12th round pick
5. Jason Rackers, RHP, Jefferson JC (MO)
6. Korry Howell, SS, Kirkwood JC (IA) - 2017 19th round pick
7. Shane Kelso, RHP, Feather River JC (CA)
8. Robbie Peto, RHP, State JC of Florida - transferred from UNC
9. Ryan McDonald, RHP, JC of Southern Nevada
10. Tyler Keysor, RHP, East Florida JC

If we have our pick of the Juco guys again, can we take the 100mph throwing righty?

[javy knows my name]

Holy horsefeathers, there's a guy from Kirkwood Community College in IC?? Bob and Bobson, go see him

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Holy horsefeathers, there's a guy from Kirkwood Community College in IC?? Bob and Bobson, go see him

[Cubswin11]

I thought that said Shane Falco for a second and I was ready to be all in

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Holy horsefeathers, there's a guy from Kirkwood Community College in IC?? Bob and Bobson, go see him

CR. I'm only 15 minutes from campus and actually planned on taking in a game or 2 this season.

[Regular Show]

Currently, the Cubs are picking four times in the top 100: 24th (1st round), 63rd (2nd round), 75th (for Wade Davis) and 98th (3rd round).

http://m.mlb.com/draft/2018/order

Most likely, we'll get another pick once Arrieta signs somewhere for what I'm assuming will be a contract for $50+ million. That pick will also be after the 2nd round. These new rules really suck considering the Cubs would've had two picks after the first round as compensation for losing Davis and Arrieta under the old CBA.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

That's 1.1 material...at least until the TJS:

[Regular Show]

I'm starting to read up on 2018 MLB draft prospects and watch video of them when possible.

One pitcher that caught my attention immediately was Kentucky RHP - Sean Hjelle (pronounced "Jelly") who is 6'11"!!! He's crazy tall and lanky, and seems like a good athlete. The weird thing is how consistent and smooth his mechanics are for a pitcher this tall. I'm really impressed with his delivery and overall command. He doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he has room to fill out and hopefully get stronger. He's only ~215 lbs. right now so I think he could add another 20-25 lbs. when he fills out. I'll be curious to see where Fangraphs and Baseball America have him leading up to the draft. Right now he should be available in the late first round/early second round area, but he could rise as we get closer to the draft.

Here is a video from last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9AB7-PNRO0

Another video from MLB.com:

https://www.mlb.com/video/2018-draft-sean-hjelle-rhp/c-1868836083

Seems like a good kid with great makeup too. I really like this pitcher and hope the Cubs scout him extensively.

[TomtheBombadil]

McDaniel and Logenhagen with 2018, 2019, and 2020 rankings:

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/mlb-dra ... -and-2020/

Some hot takes on 2018:

- Jenista’s been climbing even before the season opens. Shucks. He has that rare combo of skilled, projectable, and physical, along with Baker my favorite college bat.

- Rocker and Xavier Edwards, two HSs I strongly suggest for the Cubs if they can get them, are at 20 and 22. Rocker’s getting ranked like I thought Liberatore would and vice versa. You can even swap Rocker’s name in with Liberatore for this writeup:

Liberatore is the prototypical high-school pitching prospect. He’s an athletic, projectable 6-foot-5 with a low-90s fastball, plus curveball, and promising changeup feel. You can go nuts projecting on his stuff, and he already has somewhat advanced feel to pitch.

- Hottest take: At least 3 of the 4 college hitters ranked 28-31 (Bohm, Pompey, Baker, Larnach) end up going in the top 20, maybe even in the top fifteen.

- Tim Cate doesn’t seem to throw as hard as Brendon Little, but 200+ Ks in 168 college innings and a big curveball offers a similar profile with way more of a successful amateur track record.

- Didn’t know Zach Hess was eligible but he’s really likable for a guy used mostly/totally in relief.

[TomtheBombadil]

Interesting HS bat in 6’2” switch hitting MIF/3B Bryce Reagan:

He has a rangy and projectable frame, might get to a Zobrist-esque 6’3” 210. Seems like a similar prospect to the SS they signed from Mexico last year Luis Verdugo.

[Cubswin11]

Interesting HS bat in 6’2” switch hitting MIF/3B Bryce Reagan:

He has a rangy and projectable frame, might get to a Zobrist-esque 6’3” 210. Seems like a similar prospect to the SS they signed from Mexico last year.

I like this guy

[Regular Show]

It's an ESPN Insider article. His list is pretty different from other lists I've seen so far. He has Florida RHP - B. Singer really low at #22, and LHP - S. McClanahan at #13, which also seems too low. He has N. Madrigal way too low for an advanced college hitter. It's really early so it'll change a lot in the coming months.

I can't say I really agree with his placement for this group, but I'm no expert and haven't seen these players in person (not sure if he has either). This draft class is kind of weird and skews pretty heavily in favor of pitchers.

[UK]

I forgot to mention that I seen Kelenic at an indoor showcase 2 weeks ago. He's by far the best amateur Ive seen in person.

Folty and Odorizzi were 1A and 1B followed by Justin O'Connor (flamed out) and J. Zimmerman.

Kelenic is higher than all of them.

I have a 59 OFP on him. I had a 56 on Folty coming out of HS.

[TomtheBombadil]

It's an ESPN Insider article. His list is pretty different from other lists I've seen so far. He has Florida RHP - B. Singer really low at #22, and LHP - S. McClanahan at #13, which also seems too low. He has N. Madrigal way too low for an advanced college hitter. It's really early so it'll change a lot in the coming months.

I can't say I really agree with his placement for this group, but I'm no expert and haven't seen these players in person (not sure if he has either). This draft class is kind of weird and skews pretty heavily in favor of pitchers.

Without reading the article, I don't think those guys are outright top of the draft prospects either. Madrigal's is the most confusing BUT he has been punchless in college with a .139 IsoSLG, there's some depth to the college bats with first round potential, and some teams might have him as 2B only. Singer's college performance isn't top of the draft yet either, maybe he takes the same leap Jon Gray did his junior year. McClanahan has the double whammy of being a smaller college pitcher with a surgery under his belt, this is the same sport that was skeptical of Lincecum after 300+ innings in college. I actually think it's pretty amazing Singer and McClanahan have gotten as much 1:1 talk as they have, especially the latter, so early as flawed arms.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

It's an ESPN Insider article. His list is pretty different from other lists I've seen so far. He has Florida RHP - B. Singer really low at #22, and LHP - S. McClanahan at #13, which also seems too low. He has N. Madrigal way too low for an advanced college hitter. It's really early so it'll change a lot in the coming months.

I can't say I really agree with his placement for this group, but I'm no expert and haven't seen these players in person (not sure if he has either). This draft class is kind of weird and skews pretty heavily in favor of pitchers.

Not surprised that one person would rank any of those three lower than consensus. They all have real question marks. I've seen a few others question Singer's stuff compared to the standard pitcher who goes 1st overall. McClanahan is a TJS survivor with a short track record thus far too. Madrigal is a 5'6" second baseman.

[Cubswin11]

Just the tidbits about curveballs from Law and it seeming like the FO likes something about them..... Carter Stewart and Tim Cate would seem to be targets for us

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Some draft lists have him as the top prospect in the draft right now.

[davell]

Some draft lists have him as the top prospect in the draft right now.

We're probably going to have the chance to draft a top 10 talent this year, that falls. Either injury or signing demands.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

More on Hankins:

Another draft pitcher injury:

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Carson's younger brother:

[TomtheBombadil]

Four HS arms that aren't Liberatore and Rocker but seem half decent:

Ryan Weathers - Unusual body type but it belies his athleticism and he really knows how to pitch

Spoiler: show

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5jHDx4JVn8w

Cole Winn

Spoiler: show

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=croZFp8xabI

Jonathan Childress - 6'4" LHSP prospect, my favorite in this bunch

Spoiler: show

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WBlUzmug2zo

William Duncan - Can spin the ball and good athleticism and frame combo, needs to be locked in a room with a squat rack

Spoiler: show

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YCKzjSjiFOY

Some preferred HS bats, no order:

Kelenic - UK already handled this
Noah Naylor - LHH HS catcher with potential for a bat first but well rounded game
Tristan Casas - Probably my favorite HS bat
Xavier Edwards

gap and still no order

Joe Gray Jr. - Built like Lewis Brinson
Nick Schnell - 6'2" LHH OF
Connor Scott - Same school Kyle Tucker, not as good an athlete but maybe more power?
Bryce Reagan

[Regular Show]

I think LHP - S. McClanahan is definitely going in the top-3 and maybe be considered for 1-1, as long as he remains healthy. Those Chris Sale comps don't seem so crazy anymore.