2017 MLB draft thread

Thrylos · February 16, 2017

Is Kendall a JR or SR? That makes a big difference. He can do that if he's a JR, but that's quite a bit of risk for a college senior.

JR

diehardtwinsfan · February 16, 2017

I'm not against the Twins taking Kendell if they think he's the BPA but I really hope it's a pitcher. And my sense is that BPA is usually a tier system so Kendell would really have to separate himself from Greene and Faedo et al (or the pitchers all have crap years). If he does have that separation, take him and nab pitchers at the end of the first round. But I'd still bet pretty heavily that we take a college pitcher at #1.

yeah, I like Greene, but I'm really hoping Wright or Faedo both make major strides forward, to the point that ace is a legit upside there too. I'll take the ace much closer to the show in that scenario.

Thrylos · February 16, 2017

The only position players the Twins should even scout for potential first round picks should be Catchers and from here I just do not see anyone yet that makes sense to take at 1-1. J.J Schwartz, Evan Skoug, Riley Adams? I just don't see it now and I just don't see in in June.

So it has to be a pitcher, but time is needed to figure out who might be the best prospect in June...

King · February 16, 2017

The only position players the Twins should even scout for potential first round picks should be Catchers and from here I just do not see anyone yet that makes sense to take at 1-1. J.J Schwartz, Evan Skoug, Riley Adams? I just don't see it now and I just don't see in in June.

So it has to be a pitcher, but time is needed to figure out who might be the best prospect in June...

It doesn't have to be any position. That's how you end up with Mark Appel over Kris Bryant, Appel being regarded as low risk of a 1-1 pick as you could take at the time and now he's bad.

Take the best talent please!

Mike Sixel · February 16, 2017

It doesn't have to be any position. That's how you end up with Mark Appel over Kris Bryant, Appel being regarded as low risk of a 1-1 pick as you could take at the time and now he's bad.

Take the best talent please!

Of course, many thought Appel was the BPA.....

King · February 16, 2017

If anyone wants a website link to watch this game feel free to send me a PM. Not sure if it is against TwinsDaily rules to post it here or even discuss it but mods feel free to delete this if it is.

Just got the go ahead from Nick to post this.

https://livestream.com/sandiego/events/6923972

Vandy vs U San Diego tonight, 8 PM ET. Looking at the baseball streams the school had last year it is pretty good quality (has a scoreboard, HD picture and commentators).

King · February 16, 2017

Of course, many thought Appel was the BPA.....

Not gonna argue that. He was BPA to many on draft day.

Mike Sixel · February 16, 2017

Just got the go ahead from Nick to post this.

https://livestream.com/sandiego/events/6923972

Vandy vs U San Diego tonight, 8 PM ET. Looking at the baseball streams the school had last year it is pretty good quality (has a scoreboard, HD picture and commentators).

thank you.

Thrylos · February 16, 2017

It doesn't have to be any position. That's how you end up with Mark Appel over Kris Bryant, Appel being regarded as low risk of a 1-1 pick as you could take at the time and now he's bad.

Bad?

Been hurt. Shoulder and elbow the last 2 seasons. He was shut down after 8 games last season. Let him be healthy for a couple seasons and then you can decide whether he is bad or not...

King · February 16, 2017

Bad?
Been hurt. Shoulder and elbow the last 2 seasons. He was shut down after 8 games last season. Let him be healthy for a couple seasons and then you can decide whether he is bad or not...

Yes that's bad. Injuries have taken his profile down. It remains to be seen if he ever gets to where he was pre-draft (the odds are against him). There's still a glimmer of hope that he could carve out an MLB career at the back end of a rotation, as a middle reliever or up and down arm but one more injury plagued/poor performance minor league season and he'll be a write off.

Such is life with pitchers.

gunnarthor · February 16, 2017

Just to freak everyone out, here are some of the top 5 pitchers taken in the last few drafts and their current top 100 rankings - Kyle Zimmer (no ranking, has avg 40 innings/season the last five years), Mark Appel (nope), Brady Aiken, Tyler Kolak (nope, nope), Dillon Tate (nope). All of those guys we here wanted to fall to us or we wish we would take.

Mike Sixel · February 16, 2017

Just to freak everyone out, here are some of the top 5 pitchers taken in the last few drafts and their current top 100 rankings - Kyle Zimmer (no ranking, has avg 40 innings/season the last five years), Mark Appel (nope), Brady Aiken, Tyler Kolak (nope, nope), Dillon Tate (nope). All of those guys we here wanted to fall to us or we wish we would take.

I was never huge on Zimmer or Tate.....but ya. There is risk. Of course, not every hitter turns out either.

As some people have pointed out, the Twins will never buy an ACE. So, while it would be great to only draft hitters high, and get a number 2 or 1 elsewhere.....not sure they can follow that path.

Cory Engelhardt · February 16, 2017

I'm scared of targeting only pitchers too. Yes, the Twins need help with pitching, but if Kendall or Royce Lewis really take steps forward this year, who am I to say that they would be back picks at #1. Hindsight is obviously going to be 20/20, but I fully expect the Twins to get a player that will help them at the major league level immensely for years to come.

diehardtwinsfan · February 16, 2017

Of course, many thought Appel was the BPA.....

Nearly everyone did.

Mike Sixel · February 16, 2017

Nearly everyone did.

Where did I even imply "everyone"?

Of course the twins shouldn't only target a pitcher, and if Kendall hits with a "big step forward" of course he has to be considered.

Mike Sixel · February 16, 2017

from today:

How quickly do you expect Hunter Greene to move through the minors once drafted? As a SS/P will he need extra seasoning on the mound or could he follow a Julio Urias trajectory if everything clicks?

KLAW:

I don't think he's a fast mover, but I also don't think this is about being a two-way guy - he's athletic as hell with an 80 fastball and, if it is possible to throw an 'easy' 100, he does, but his secondary stuff isn't that advanced and he's a ways from average command. He's better than Riley Pint at the same stage, though.

QQ:

Do you think JJ Schwarz can stick at catcher at the next level?

KLAW:

I think there's 0% chance of that.

Which college pitcher isn't quite in the first tier like Wright and Faedo that you think could get 1-1 buzz with a realistic breakout?

KLAW:

Brandon McKay. In a related story, I'm seeing him tomorrow.

diehardtwinsfan · February 16, 2017

Where did I even imply "everyone"?

Of course the twins shouldn't only target a pitcher, and if Kendall hits with a "big step forward" of course he has to be considered.

I wasn't saying you implied as such. I was saying that nearly everyone had Appel as BPA of that draft.

King · February 16, 2017

In any case if the best player available is a bat we should go that route. That was the point of this discussion, to not limit ourselves to just scouting catchers and go with a pitcher like suggested.

Mike Sixel · February 16, 2017

In any case if the best player available is a bat we should go that route. That was the point of this discussion, to not limit ourselves to just scouting catchers and go with a pitcher like suggested.

Agreed, BPA, assuming they are close, I'd err on the pitching side, but if there is a clear number 1 that is a hitter, take him.

King · February 16, 2017

Just got the go ahead from Nick to post this.

https://livestream.com/sandiego/events/6923972

Vandy vs U San Diego tonight, 8 PM ET. Looking at the baseball streams the school had last year it is pretty good quality (has a scoreboard, HD picture and commentators).

For those that were planning on watching this game, here is a short game preview from HeroSports.

http://herosports.com/best-college-baseball-matchups-for-opening-weekend-vanderbilt-san-diego-unc-brendan-mckay

VANDERBILT AT SAN DIEGO
This may not be the most competitive series to open the year, but in terms of prospects, it's tough to beat this. Jeren Kendall and Kyle Wright are both legitimate first-overall candidates, which makes every series the Commodores play in a must-watch. San Diego also has a potential first-rounder in 2017 in athletic catcher Riley Adams, and performing well against the loaded Vanderbilt pitching staff will be a big help to his draft stock.

On top of the 2017 prospects, both teams have potential first-round selections in 2018, as well in Vanderbilt's Chandler Day and Ethan Paul and San Diego left-hander Nick Sprengel. I'll also be there, so look for the big guy in the grey hat. I'll say hi. Editor's Note: Ask, pretty-please style, and Chris will buy you a soda. He doesn't know how to say 'no.'

edit: Games at 8 CT, not 8 ET!

King · February 17, 2017

Kendall leads the season off with a triple

gunnarthor · February 17, 2017

I wonder how many scouts are there tonight.

King · February 17, 2017

I wonder how many scouts are there tonight.

Preller and Kenny Williams are there apparently.

Cory Engelhardt · February 17, 2017

Kendall leads the season off with a triple

Dumb question as I can't see the feed; is Kyle Wright pitching for Vanderbilt?

King · February 17, 2017

Dumb question as I can't see the feed; is Kyle Wright pitching for Vanderbilt?

Yes he is. According to Eric Longenhagen, fastball 93-97, slider 84-87 (55 FV) , curveball 78-81. Gave up a bomb to Riley Adams in Adams first AB of the season, slider on the outside corner for a called strike, slider away for a swinging strike and then a slider over the inside part of the plate for a home run. Adams is a top ranked C prospect for the 2017 draft.

Kendall is 2/2 with a triple that I thought was going to be a double and a hard single up the middle.

Cory Engelhardt · February 17, 2017

Yes he is. According to Eric Longenhagen, fastball 93-97, slider 84-87 (55 FV) , curveball 78-81. Gave up a bomb to Riley Adams in Adams first AB of the season, slider on the outside corner for a called strike, slider away for a swinging strike and then a slider over the inside part of the plate for a home run. Adams is a top ranked C prospect for the 2017 draft.

Kendall is 2/2 with a triple that I thought was going to be a double and a hard single up the middle.

Thank you for the updates. I appreciate it.

King · February 17, 2017

And the Vandy/USD game is in the books. USD wins 3-2.. random thoughts

- Jeren Kendall 2/4 (or 2/5) with a single and a triple, was not tested much in the outfield.

- Riley Adams (top C prospect for USD) homered off of Wright in the 1st, hit a deep warning track fly later in the game to CF.

- Kyle Wright was sitting 94-97 FB per Eric Longenhagen, slider 84-87 and curveball 79-81. Struck out two and walked three through 5 or so innings.. lost control of the zone as his pitch count went up and fastball velocity dipped to 90-91 by the end of his outing per Chris Crawford (though it is the first start of the season and February, not a huge deal). He showed why he is a projected 1st rounder at this stage of the upcoming draft in the early innings.

- LHP Nick Sprengel looked good on the mound for USD, not draft eligible until 2018. Fastball was sitting (per Longenhagen) 87-93 and was throwing a changeup that was giving hitters fits.. struckout 9 through 5 innings.

- Expected more from Vandy 2B Alonzo Jones but just the first game of the season. Was overmatched against Sprengel and his changeup and made a throwing error at 2B.

And Jeren Kendall came up in the 9th with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs, Vandy down by 1, pops up a bunt (!) that is caught by C Riley Adams who guns it to 2nd for the force out as the runner was advancing to 3rd.. Never Bunt!

Cory Engelhardt · February 17, 2017

And the Vandy/USD game is in the books. USD wins 3-2.. random thoughts

- Jeren Kendall 2/4 (or 2/5) with a single and a triple, was not tested much in the outfield.

- Riley Adams (top C prospect for USD) homered off of Wright in the 1st, hit a deep warning track fly later in the game to CF.

- Kyle Wright was sitting 94-97 FB per Eric Longenhagen, slider 84-87 and curveball 79-81. Struck out two and walked three through 5 or so innings.. lost control of the zone as his pitch count went up and fastball velocity dipped to 90-91 by the end of his outing per Chris Crawford (though it is the first start of the season and February, not a huge deal). He showed why he is a projected 1st rounder at this stage of the upcoming draft in the early innings.

- LHP Nick Sprengel looked good on the mound for USD, not draft eligible until 2018. Fastball was sitting (per Longenhagen) 87-93 and was throwing a changeup that was giving hitters fits.. struckout 9 through 5 innings.

- Expected more from Vandy 2B Alonzo Jones but just the first game of the season. Was overmatched against Sprengel and his changeup and made a throwing error at 2B.

And Jeren Kendall came up in the 9th with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs, Vandy down by 1, pops up a bunt (!) that is caught by C Riley Adams who guns it to 2nd for the force out as the runner was advancing to 3rd.. Never Bunt!

Great writeup! Thanks! And agreed, never bunt!

diehardtwinsfan · February 17, 2017

Here's the box score. Wrights overall line wasn't impressive. Hope that's just a blip.

http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2016-2017/0216usd.html

Mike Sixel · February 17, 2017

And the Vandy/USD game is in the books. USD wins 3-2.. random thoughts

- Jeren Kendall 2/4 (or 2/5) with a single and a triple, was not tested much in the outfield.

- Riley Adams (top C prospect for USD) homered off of Wright in the 1st, hit a deep warning track fly later in the game to CF.

- Kyle Wright was sitting 94-97 FB per Eric Longenhagen, slider 84-87 and curveball 79-81. Struck out two and walked three through 5 or so innings.. lost control of the zone as his pitch count went up and fastball velocity dipped to 90-91 by the end of his outing per Chris Crawford (though it is the first start of the season and February, not a huge deal). He showed why he is a projected 1st rounder at this stage of the upcoming draft in the early innings.

- LHP Nick Sprengel looked good on the mound for USD, not draft eligible until 2018. Fastball was sitting (per Longenhagen) 87-93 and was throwing a changeup that was giving hitters fits.. struckout 9 through 5 innings.

- Expected more from Vandy 2B Alonzo Jones but just the first game of the season. Was overmatched against Sprengel and his changeup and made a throwing error at 2B.

And Jeren Kendall came up in the 9th with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs, Vandy down by 1, pops up a bunt (!) that is caught by C Riley Adams who guns it to 2nd for the force out as the runner was advancing to 3rd.. Never Bunt!

college managers are obsessed with the bunt. Their best hitter, possibly the best prospect in the entire country, and you have him bunt....