Hrbowski

There really isn't a catcher who you could do that with. Collins won't stick behind the plate, and there are still questions about Okey. The ones who will remain catchers should still be available with our second pick.

http://www.csnphilly.com/sites/csnphilly/files/ap-jason-groome.jpg Today is the first night of the NFL Draft, which means that it is time for us to start doing MLB Mock Drafts. Philadelphia Phillies - #1 Delvin Perez - Shortstop - IBA (Puerto Rico) The Phillies have a history of going with toolsy high school players, and Perez fits the bill. One drawback is that the Phillies already have the #1 shortstop prospect in baseball. Jason Groome and Mickey Moniak should be in the running here as well. Cincinnati Reds - #2 Nick Senzel - Third Base - University of Tennessee Senzel has shot up draft boards this spring and for now looks like a top five pick. Groome, Kyle Lewis, and Corey Ray could also happen right here. Atlanta Braves - #3 Jason Groome - Left Handed Pitcher - Barnegat High School (New Jersey) Groome is considered by most to be the #1 prospect in the draft, and the Braves are unlikely to let him drop past them. Georgia native Kyle Lewis and Florida lefty AJ Puk should be in play for #3 overall. Colorado Rockies - #4 Kyle Lewis - Outfielder - Mercer Lewis has been on fire this spring, and he will not fall out of the top six unless something unusual happens. Ray, Puk, Blake Rutherford, and Riley Pint will also be considered. Milwaukee Brewers - #5 Riley Pint - Right Handed Pitcher - Saint Thomas Aquinas High Schol (Kansas) Lately the Brewers have been going with prep players with high ceilings, and Pint's ceiling is as high as they come. Rutherford or Moniak would also fit the bill. Oakland Athletics - #6 Corey Ray - Outfield - Louisville Although it is a myth that the A's only draft college players, Ray is a solid college hitter who would interest the A's. Moniak or Miami catcher Zack Collins will also be of interest to the A's. Miami Marlins - #7 Blake Rutherford - Outfield - Chaminade College Prep (California) The Marlins have had success with high school players, and if they think Rutherford can stick in center he would likely be the pick. Moniak, Puk, or Joey Wentz could be picked here as well. San Diego Padres - #8 Mickey Moniak - Outfield - La Costa Canyon High School (California) The Padres could pick just about anyone here, but I am going with the South Cal kid. Detroit Tigers - #9 Ian Anderson - Right Handed Pitcher - Shenendehowa High School (New York) Anderson is the kind of pitcher that the Tigers love. Forrest Whitley is another pitcher who the Tigers could take here. Chicago White Sox - #10 AJ Puk - Left Handed Pitcher - University of Florida The White Sox almost always take the best college pitcher available, and they would love for Puk to fall to them. Seattle Mariners - #11 Josh Lowe - Third Baseman - Pope High School (Georgia) There is debate about whether or not Lowe should be a pitcher or hitter, but I think the Mariners would prefer a hitter. Boston Red Sox - #12 Dakota Hudson - Right Handed Pitcher - University of Mississippi As the draft gets thinner it gets much harder to predict, and a poor class this year makes it even more difficult, but Hudson seems like a pick that would fit well at #12. Collins, Wentz, or Connor Jones could also be taken here. Tampa Bay Rays - #13 Joey Wentz - Left Handed Pitcher - Shawnee Mission East High School (Kansas) Wentz has come out of nowhere this spring, and is only behind Riley Pint from a very strong class in Kansas. Other players the Rays could take are Alex Kirilloff and Buddy Reed. Cleveland Indians - #14 Buddy Reed - Outfielder - University of Florida The Indians have a history of going with college outfielders, and Buddy Reed is a player that will likely go in the middle of the first round. Bryan Reynolds could also be taken here. Minnesota Twins - #15 Braxton Garrett - Left Handed Pitcher - Florence High School (Alabama) Garrett is a polished lefty who is very similar to what Clayton Kershaw was when he was in high school, and I would love to see them go with Garrett here. Nolan Jones, Will Benson, Zack Collins, Logan Shore, and Will Craig could be taken here as well. Los Angeles Angels - #16 Connor Jones - Right Handed Pitcher - University of Virginia The Angels have not had many first round picks, so I am going with the best player available. Whitley, Matt Manning, or Kyle Muller could be taken here as well. Houston Astros - #17 Nolan Jones - Shortstop - Holy Ghost Prep (Pennsylvania) It has been a while since the Astros have not had one of the top two picks, but they usually go with prep players with high ceilings. Whitley, Kirilloff, and Manning could go here as well. New York Yankees - #18 Matt Manning - Right Handed Pitcher - Sheldon High School (California) The Yankees often go with pitchers, and Manning has moved up draft boards quickly this spring. If Cal Quantrill pitches well this spring he could go here. New York Mets - #19 Alex Kirilloff - Outfield - Plum High School (Pennsylvania) Kirilloff is another late mover, and the Mets have a history of going with prep players. Los Angeles Dodgers - #20 Cal Quantrill - Right Handed Pitcher - Stanford Last year the Dodgers selected two college righties who had fallen, and this seems like a mutually good fit. Toronto Blue Jays - #21 Jordan Sheffield - Right Handed Pitcher - Vanderbilt The Blue Jays have been taking college righties who have fallen down boards like Jon Harris and Jeff Hoffman, and Sheffield seems like a good pick. St. Louis Cardinals - #22 Robert Tyler - Right Handed Pitcher - University of Georgia Once again we have a team that takes college righties who have fallen, and Tyler should be a good pick right here.

Mollie's opinion of the Indians: http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--PDlPpRvb--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/1454256910232967594.gif

Twins Baseball is a generic term for, "We are losing."

When I first saw it I thought it was Dan Gladden leading off a game.

Is anyone surprised this hasn't happened yet? http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1697967/fat1373113539392.gif

Nate Eovaldi is throwing a no-no.

Twins should trade for Tyler Collins. He is one cool dude.

Below is my personal top 25 draft board along with a very brief synopsis of each player: #1 - Kyle Lewis - Mercer University - OF - 6'4", 195 lb. The best hitter in the class, but will likely move from center field to right as his career moves along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDHjMtL91tU #2 - Delvin Perez - IBA (Puerto Rico) - SS - 6'3", 165 lb. A Gold Glove caliber shortstop who's hitting is improving. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtaJ6PNt3Bo #3 - Jason Groome - Barnegat (New Jersey) - LHP - 6'6", 220 lb. Being ineligible to play on his high school baseball team will not hurt his stock. He reminds me of a healthy Brady Aiken, who was his former teammate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ2jz0OuTro #4 - Nick Senzel - University of Tennessee - 3B - 6'1", 205 lb. Senzel is a very polished hitter who has raised some questions about where his defensive home will be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj6s5UkiuB8 #5 - Riley Pint - St. Thomas Aquinas (Kansas) - RHP - 6'4", 195 lb. The flame thrower from Kansas has the highest ceiling of any pitcher from this class, but there are concerns about his delivery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coxD18F9M0w #6 - Corey Ray - Louisville - OF - 5'11", 185 lb. Ray is a smooth hitting center fielder who was not talked about very much coming out of an Illinois high school, but has broke at Louisville. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87MWG-5mV9k #7 - Blake Rutherford - Chaminade College Prep (California) - OF - 6'2", 190 lb. The top high school hitter from the United States has enough tools to be an all-star at the big league level. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zr8UaFx4ng #8 - AJ Puk - University of Florida - LHP - 6'7", 230 lb. The big lefty has not pitched as well as people hoped he would, but he still has a high enough ceiling to be in the top ten. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBPIfADmcHU #9 - Josh Lowe - Pope (Georgia) - 3B/RHP - 6'4", 190 lb. The Georgian has enough potential to be a top ten pick as either a pitcher or an infielder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjbS9R2AVEM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsAes1cnLIM #10 - Connor Jones - University of Virginia - RHP - 6'2", 200 lb. Jones is a power pitcher who does not get a whole lot of strikeouts, but has still pitched well this spring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RuepXaBGRY #11 - Logan Shore - University of Florida - RHP - 6'1", 210 lb. The Minnesota boy has the best pitchability in the draft. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_XsAbBow7w #12 - Ian Anderson - Shenendehowa (New York) - RHP - 6'3", 170 lb. Anderson has shot up draft boards this spring, but he could be a tough sign. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0CF1acgJnA #13 - Will Benson - The Westminster Schools (Georgia) - OF - 6'6", 220 lb. Another athletic Georgian who could pay big dividends to the team that drafts him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4QE8b93Fow #14 - Daulton Jefferies - University of California - RHP - 6'0", 180 lb. Jefferies has the same kind of size and stuff that Logan Shore has. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2yWUM4rK7M #15 - Mickey Moniak - La Costa Canyon (California) - OF - 6'2", 190 lb. The center fielder from southern California is a solid hitter whose athleticism will be a plus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx_mP-ZZuP0 #16 - Kevin Gowdy - Santa Barbara (California) - RHP - 6'4", 170 lb. Gowdy is a slender righty from the baseball hotbed of southern California who has good pitchability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvQkQv5KoUI #17 - Nolan Jones - Holy Ghost (Pennsylvania) - SS - 6'4", 185 lb. Jones probably will not stick at shortstop, but could instead become a great hitter who could play all over the diamond. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sszk0W9QGUE #18 - Alex Speas - McEachern (Georgia) - RHP - 6'4", 190 lb. The righty from Georgia has filthy stuff that could one day put him at the top of a rotation, but he has a relatively low floor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC_FvLphEuk #19 - Chris Okey - Clemson - C - 5'11", 195 lb. Okey is the best catcher in the class and has hit well this spring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_FOH8w_TwI #20 - Braxton Garrett - Florence (Alabama) - LHP - 6'3", 190 lb. Garrett has a terrific curve that he pairs with a solid fastball, which gives him some big upside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzpL3zmwWYw #21 - Eric Lauer - Kent State - LHP - 6'3", 205 lb. The crafty lefty has pitched to the tune of microscopic ERA of 0.90 and 11.04 strikeouts per nine this spring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvLFkqzuUqE #22 - Alec Hansen - Oklahoma University - RHP - 6'7", 235 lb. Hansen has been terrible this spring, but he still has a ton of upside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyEukxrhB-0 #23 - Dakota Hudson - Mississipi State - RHP - 6'5", 205 lb. The righty from Tennessee has thrown so well this spring that he is beginning to shoot up draft boards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uO3eLZWCPA #24 - Bryan Reynolds - Vanderbilt - OF - 6'2", 210 The best player from the baseball factory of Vanderbilt is an on base machine that should stick in centerfield. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HjuhIkDv2A #25 - Jordan Sheffield - Vanderbilt - RHP - 6'0", 185 lb. Sheffield comes from a baseball family that includes Gary and Justus Sheffield, but Jordan is making a name for himself at Vanderbilt where he has struck out 11.45 batters per nine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md9qVReXfD8

Bringer of Snow does it!

http://onlineathens.com/sites/default/files/021415%20bbVeiu%20AJR0014-1.jpg Image courtesy of onlineathens.com Robert Tyler is a 6'4", 225lb right hander out of the University of Georgia who was drafted in the 28th round by the Baltimore Orioles, although he was considered unsignable. Tyler's power fastball is his best pitch, usually sitting at 92-95 and can reach 99 miles per hour, a good changeup that is expected to get better, and a loopy curve that he has yet to master. Robert has had a hard time repeating his delivery and has had to be shut down the past two seasons, which leads scouts to believe that he would be better off in the bullpen. The Georgia native has pitched fairly well so far this spring, but his walk rate is high as he continues to try and improve his below average control. The big righty has dealt with forearm injuries, so teams have not seen much of him, and if he pitches well down the stretch he could move up quickly in a relatively thin class. Robert Tyler has a similar build and throwing action to Wade Davis, who started in the beginning of his career before becoming an ace reliever out of the Kansas City Royals bullpen. The Twins will no doubt be interested in Robert Tyler, but there will likely be better players available at #15 overall.

I'm surprised they just didn't go with Quentin or Sweeney.

We have hot seats! We have hot seats!

The funny thing is that last November I had an argument with somebody about whether Senzel or Buddy Reed was a better player, and I told them that Senzel wouldn't get past #3, so I'm hoping he doesn't.

Dalbec will probably fall completely out of the first round.

Both are doing real poorly.

Nick Senzel shot up boards and could go first overall. Dalbec has fallen quite a bit.

I think this injury has been there for three years, but it often only bothers him after he has several innings on the year. I wouldn't be surprised if he misses the rest of the year.

What about Travis Blankenhorn? He is the most underrated player in our system.

http://www.d1baseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MattKrookOregon.jpg Image courtesy of d1baseball.com Matt Krook is a 6'3", 205Ib lefty from Oregon State University who was taken 35th overall by the Marlins in 2013; nevertheless, he did not sign due to disagreements about his physical. Krook has a good fastball that sits around 92 miles per hour, throws a power curveball, and an average changeup. Matt incorporates a high leg lift into his delivery before coming violently over the top, which has lead many to question whether he has good enough mechanics to last as a big league starter. OSU's ace missed the 2015 season after he had Tommy John surgery, yet he made a comeback in the Cape Cod League that impressed many scouts. Since coming back from his surgery, his walk rate has nearly doubled, so he will need to improve his walk rate in the weeks leading up to the draft before he begins moving up boards. Matt Krook may be better suited for the bullpen, but if everything comes together he could be a good middle of the rotation starter in the majors. The Twins have drafted from Oregon State in recent years, and Krook reminds some of a lesser version of Tyler Jay, but it would not be surprising if the Twins shied away from a pitcher with an injury history and control issues.

Never.

All we need to do is score more runs than the other team!

I know a truck driver who is a Republican, so that might not work.

Do you want James to be on the hot seat after six games?

http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.com/pics33/1024/EP/EPDCWROFGWVLTTA.20150301055451.jpg Image courtesy of calbears.com Daulton Jefferies is a 6 foot, 180 pound right handed pitcher out of California who was drafted by the Marlins in the 39th round of the 2013 draft, although he made a good decision by not signing. Jefferies has a very good fastball he can comfortably add and subtract from anywhere between 90 and 95, has an above average slider with wipeout potential, and a developing changeup that should become a solid pitch to lefties. The small righty has faced questions about whether his body will be able to hold up in the big leagues, but he is one of the most athletic pitchers available in the draft and has a mechanically correct delivery that should aid him. Daulton has some of the best pitchability in the draft, as he knows how to throw his pitches for outs and when he should throw them in different counts. The California righty has slightly above average control, and his strikeout rates are up from last year, so he is beginning to catch the attention of teams picking in the 10 to 20 range this year. Daulton Jefferies has been flying under the radar for a while, but his continuing excellence has started to remind people of Sonny Gray, who has become one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Twins would be a great landing spot for Jefferies, and they have a history of picking college pitchers later in the first round, but they will need to be convinced that he has the durability to be a middle of the rotation workhorse.