Been looking at some mock drafts as of late...

[allstar1579]

So, you have 5 guys going in the top 3? lol Just kidding.


Marrero is going to have to be Ozzie Smith good with the glove. The bat looks like a big question mark. Numbers aren't everything but why can't this kid put up numbers?

How do you feel about Travis Jankowski. Beautiful swing and he looks athletic. IF the power develops, he's interesting. I'm really not in love with any of the pitchers. Giolito would be interesting because he has the biggest arm, the size, and probably the most upside. Other than him, it's like there's 3 or 4 you could throw into a hat. I'm not a big Appel fan at this point. He's good but I don't get the sense that he's clear cut above some others.

Gotta hedge bets this far out

He's not far off from Ozzie for me with the glove. Flat out amazing. I've seen some pop out of his bat here and there, just not consistently, he could really sure up a ML infield though for sure. I'm just higher on him than a lot of people and in the end he probably drops out of the top 5 talks as other players get better, but I really like him.

I think Jankowski is pretty good, but there are a couple things I'd want him to clean up before I started about thinking of him too high. He struggles with balls inside a bit, and in the pros it's going to get even tougher, I also don't really like that the momentum of his swing carries him towards 3B so much, he loses a step out of the box because of it and I hear he's avg/above avg speed to begin with.

I know Appel hasn't had the BEST start to the year, but I'm still a big believer in the tools and I think he's going to be pretty good.

[RZNJ]

Seems like there is a consensus on Appel, so I figure he's gone either #1 overall or most certainly before #4. A college catcher who's good defensively and possibly has the best bat as well, seems a good bet to go top 3 as well. Before the elbow strain, Giolito was probably a lock to go top 3. Maybe the highest ceiling in this draft? Agree or disagree on that point? I don't think it's going to scare off too many teams and because, IMO, there don't appear to be a lot of high ceiling guys, I think there's a good chance someone still pops him in the top 3. Right now, if Appel, Zunino, and Giolito are off the board, give me your guy. I know it's a tough question but let's have some fun with it.

[allstar1579]

Seems like there is a consensus on Appel, so I figure he's gone either #1 overall or most certainly before #4. A college catcher who's good defensively and possibly has the best bat as well, seems a good bet to go top 3 as well. Before the elbow strain, Giolito was probably a lock to go top 3. Maybe the highest ceiling in this draft? Agree or disagree on that point? I don't think it's going to scare off too many teams and because, IMO, there don't appear to be a lot of high ceiling guys, I think there's a good chance someone still pops him in the top 3. Right now, if Appel, Zunino, and Giolito are off the board, give me your guy. I know it's a tough question but let's have some fun with it.

Sounds pretty reasonable, Giolito is the WC, he could be perfectly healthy by the draft, or it could be something that lingers til next season. It's hard to tell right now, but he's so talented someone will take him near the top of the first.

Buxton. Legit 5-tool kid, gets compared to the Uptons but I think he's better than both of them. Kid has real game,could be a superstar.

[oriolekid]

Don't forget Kevin Gausman.
Consensus top 7 pick, and in my opinion the best college arm available. Has put up better #'s than Appel this year, and has great size and his fastball is mid 90's, topping out at 97. Also the most major league ready pitcher in the draft so if we want a July-August 2013 call-up, go Gausman. Plus curve, and developing change, so if he can develop a solid change he'd be a #2 starter in the bigs. Appel has better velocity but for some reason doesn't dominate which could means his pitches are easy to read coming of his hand or they simply don't have any movement. Gausman doesn't have those problems.

[RZNJ]

Don't forget Kevin Gausman.
Consensus top 7 pick, and in my opinion the best college arm available. Has put up better #'s than Appel this year, and has great size and his fastball is mid 90's, topping out at 97. Also the most major league ready pitcher in the draft so if we want a July-August 2013 call-up, go Gausman. Plus curve, and developing change, so if he can develop a solid change he'd be a #2 starter in the bigs. Appel has better velocity but for some reason doesn't dominate which could means his pitches are easy to read coming of his hand or they simply don't have any movement. Gausman doesn't have those problems.

Okay. I always feel the college picks are safer because you've seen players against more advanced competition and it's easier to judge a 21 year old compared to an 18 year old. Would you guys agree that Appel, Gausman, and Zunino are 'safe" picks which also offer high upside?

Since you mentioned Gausman, it seems as though Zimmer is the 3rd guy who has put himself into the college pitcher converstation. Personally, I don't think there's a lot that separates those three but as I said, Appel apears to be the consensus, best.

[Stotle]

Since you mentioned Gausman, it seems as though Zimmer is the 3rd guy who has put himself into the college pitcher converstation. Personally, I don't think there's a lot that separates those three but as I said, Appel apears to be the consensus, best.

I get to see Zimmer and Appel this weekend and Gausman next weekend (along with Cecchini and Trahan). Woohoo!

[RZNJ]

I get to see Zimmer and Appel this weekend and Gausman next weekend (along with Cecchini and Trahan). Woohoo!

Interested to hear your reports. I believe you've seen Trahan before. Watched some video of him doing catching drills, specifically popping up and making throws to second. Unless it was just a bad day, I have to question his arm strength and accuracy.

[Stotle]

Interested to hear your reports. I believe you've seen Trahan before. Watched some video of him doing catching drills, specifically popping up and making throws to second. Unless it was just a bad day, I have to question his arm strength and accuracy.

I've seen everyone but Zimmer -- Cecchini, Trahan and Gausman multiple times. Appel once with USA Collegiate National Team. Trahan's pop times have generally been 1.85-2.05, which is around MLB average to a tick above. Accuracy is inconsistent, mostly because he doesn't always get his feet under him. But I think he has a good chance to stick behind the plate. Good athlete.

[oriolekid]

Okay. I always feel the college picks are safer because you've seen players against more advanced competition and it's easier to judge a 21 year old compared to an 18 year old. Would you guys agree that Appel, Gausman, and Zunino are 'safe" picks which also offer high upside?

Since you mentioned Gausman, it seems as though Zimmer is the 3rd guy who has put himself into the college pitcher converstation. Personally, I don't think there's a lot that separates those three but as I said, Appel apears to be the consensus, best.

Yes college pitchers are safer because the competition level is the same where as high schoolers competition level varies. I'm almost never a fan of high schoolers being drafted unless they are labeled as can't miss since a high school player could be dominating weak competition where as a college player that dominates has proved that he can play at a high level.

Zunino in my opinion is the best player in the entire draft but I don't think he'll last to 4.

[allstar1579]

Yes college pitchers are safer because the competition level is the same where as high schoolers competition level varies. I'm almost never a fan of high schoolers being drafted unless they are labeled as can't miss since a high school player could be dominating weak competition where as a college player that dominates has proved that he can play at a high level.

Zunino in my opinion is the best player in the entire draft but I don't think he'll last to 4.

College picks are safer because the ones up to be drafted have developed a few extra years and the ones that aren't going to make it were weeded out already. The HS kids in general have a MUCH higher ceiling, but there is so much risk involved in those extra 3 years of development.

The downside for some college players is that the schools are playing to win, not to develop, and don't always have the kids best interest at heart when playing them. You see this at Rice a lot where pitchers arms come out abused, and more of a risk than other players.

The thing is with those high talent HS players is a lot of them can dominate the college players too because they are that much more talented. Look at how many freshman and sophomore pitchers are Friday night starters for their teams. UNC comes to mind. (Who I was going to get out and see in person last weekend, but I was in the hospital, I'm still mad I missed that one.)

Zunino is good, I won't question that, but I think the college ranks are pretty thin this season. I would PROBABLY take Cecchini over Zunino, but a lot of that is trusting Nick's eye for talent as he's pretty high on him too. I think this is a year you take a HS player because there are so many good ones at the top this season. I would make an exception for Appel, and maybe Marrero and Zunino though.

[RZNJ]

Reservation on Gauzman is that he looks to have a somewhat high effort delivery which you don't see with too many ML starters.

Reservation on Buxton is that although I read one report that said he hits the curveball well, I saw video of him where he looked hopeless against two consecutive offspeed pitches (which I assumed were curves, I was watching a side angle).

So far, two safest picks I've watched are Zunino and Dahl. First of all, Zunino can play the position so even if the offense isn't elite you have some value there. Dahl might not be top 5 material or have the ceiling of Buxton but he just looks really solid and his short stroke should translate well to pro ball and higher levels. I just have a good feeling about him. Pitchers are always a risk. When I first saw video of Giolito he had no windup to speak of and I questioned his athleticism. After watching more video, I came away more impressed in that area. Not really crazy about any of the pitchers. I liked the look of Stroman (mechanics, stuff, numbers) but no one has him in the top 10 picks.

[allstar1579]

Reservation on Gauzman is that he looks to have a somewhat high effort delivery which you don't see with too many ML starters.

Reservation on Buxton is that although I read one report that said he hits the curveball well, I saw video of him where he looked hopeless against two consecutive offspeed pitches (which I assumed were curves, I was watching a side angle).

So far, two safest picks I've watched are Zunino and Dahl. First of all, Zunino can play the position so even if the offense isn't elite you have some value there. Dahl might not be top 5 material or have the ceiling of Buxton but he just looks really solid and his short stroke should translate well to pro ball and higher levels. I just have a good feeling about him. Pitchers are always a risk. When I first saw video of Giolito he had no windup to speak of and I questioned his athleticism. After watching more video, I came away more impressed in that area. Not really crazy about any of the pitchers. I liked the look of Stroman (mechanics, stuff, numbers) but no one has him in the top 10 picks.

SSS warning If you see that over10 videos you worry, if you see it in one you don't pay any attention. Buxton is scary legit, and I know a couple people that would take him #1 overall without blinking...and that was before Gilioto got hurt.

My concerns are that Zunino is closer to Grandal than Posey, he's a safe bet to be a solid regular but he's far from a star, and at 1:4 I want a little more. You can get guys like him later in the draft (with a little less certainty).

I'm not a big Dahl fan, see him in the teens-late first, seems solid, but I don't really see "it" if you know what I mean. Another safe pick that should be a ML player, but I liked Brentz more.

Put this way, Giolito would be the 3rd best HS P i've seen in recent years behind Bundy and Taillon (and I waffle if I'd put him ahead of Taillon, but I need to see him more.) Appel has better stuff than Pomeranz, White, Leake or most of those recent college SP. The HS kids seem much better than the college kids this year though.

[Flosman]

HA! Did you see my edit before you posted this? Be honest...!

As far as approach, it was solid over the summer -- inconsistent at times. I can't speak to the competition he was facing when you saw him. It's obviously easier to pitch spot against a typical HS arm than it is to do so against someone throwing 89-93 and flashing a couple of solid secondaries.

I got to see Russell again and if this guy is around for our 2nd pick I would love to see us take him. He really is an impressive kid. There was another player that looked like he really could handle the bat, is the Jernigan kid a prospect or do you know?