Ruzious

Probably the hair was what held up the negotiations.

Excellent! So does that make the O's 200K in total shy of what they could have spent on the draft?

It surprised me a little, because Nick's known for his outstanding durability, though I'm certainly not going to knock him for his decision. It makes for some interesting possibilities for the Braves OF situation. Do they use both of their 21 year old OF prospects - Pache and Waters. With Freeman also potentially out and with the NL using the DH for the first time, the Braves might be looking for a 1st baseman/corner OFer type that can hit.

Or make it harder to hit home runs - by changing the balls or moving the fences out. I'm going by the assumption that players will stop using the upper-cut swing if they're less likely to hit homers, but I could be wrong.

Right on with the shoot outs. I'm not a hockey guy, but on the occasions I've watched, they're very exciting. And I've suggested using that kind of idea - with a mini homerun derby. I think it's a MUCH better idea than starting out with a runner on 2nd base.

Calm the f down. I said I didn't like it - just making an observation. .

That's what the NBA does with the first round - though their CBA doesn't specifically say to pound sand. They have a 2 round draft, and the second round doesn't have slots.

Good points, but he was still a bad to mediocre overall hitter until 2020. Remember, the scouting reports said he was really bad with the wooden bats in the Cape Cod League. I agree with you on everything else about him.

He's the ultimate SSS Theater player. He was very unimpressive offensively with no power until this season - where he was like the College POY for the short period of time.

You guys don't know what it's like to be right all the time. You're so lucky to not have that burden.

Lol, I was hoping nobody would notice. It's tough not being able to edit.

Tbh, I think a case can be made that Gonzales is a better prospect than Martin. He had better stats in college, he certainly seems to have more power, and he's a decent 2nd baseman. I'm not sure Martin's played enough at any position to say he's better defensively. I gotta wonder - is Gonzales being 5'10 the biggest reason Martin's rated higher?

I don't believe you. Every baseball fan in the world knows that the O's didn't take the player they thought was best with the 1st pick.

Obviously they don't, and I didn't say or imply they did. Look at the O's 1st pick.

Would it have made more sense to pay $300k more on a player they liked less? Of course not, but it would seem to have eliminated your criticism. Btw, I have zero doubt you want the team to be successful. You're a great fan.

I'm surprised - just based on how difficult it would be to make all the negotiations add up exactly. Where have you found that information?

Tbh, I'd take the under on the Phillies; over on the Braves in that division.

Remember Kent Hrbeck - very big 1st baseman for the Twins. In the WS, medium sized Ron Gant was on first the Braves, and big Hrby knocked him off the base with ball in enormous glove. Ump called Gant out. I've never come to terms with the question - Did Hrby play the right way there?

Just for that, I would send you the golden book of the unwritten rules of baseball, but I can't find them written anywhere.

Great exercise by you - something I wouldn't have the knowledge and smarts to do as well. We should check back in several years to compare yours to the O's.

He was either the guy who discovered America or the guy picked after Manny Machado in the 2010 MLB draft.

I'll go with a surprise for the pleasant surprise - Ryan McKenna.

Did Martin even play any SS at Vandy? According to this https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=martin004aus he's played 52 games at 3B, 13 at 2B, 12 at CF, 12 (more?) at OF, and 4 at 1B. Based on that, it seems like a stretch and a half to think he's a SS prospect. For all we know, he's a faster Mountcastle on defense. No question he can hit and has a good eye, but 14 homers with 39 doubles and 4 triples in 665 plate appearances in college - that's ok, but to put him in the top 15 prospects in baseball - that's a reach, imo.

Not even one reaction to that Idea? Ok.

How does that song go? "99 prospects and Kjerstad is one." I think that's it.