DocJJ

After getting horribly burned by Aiken and Appel? Yes, I don't think he'd be so inclined....

Yippee!!! That would make me so happy!!! Looking at our list of prospects, I don't see a lot of impact position players. There's Rutschman who's a grade A. Then I see some grade B guys like Mountcastle and Yusniel Diaz. Then I don't see a whole lot beyond that....

Any consideration for Aaron Sabato at 30, 39? He's limited to first base, but the bat is real.

Any chance JT Ginn falls to 30 with the Tommy John surgery scaring people away? He has top of the 1st round level stuff when healthy....

My take- when you are rebuilding and get the #2 overall pick, you can't afford a misfire. The only guy I might be willing to see if I could sign for under slot with the #2 pick is Nick Gonzales... but how far under slot would he sign for? I can't imagine he could be had for too much under slot, as most mocks have him going in the top 6 picks anyway. I'd take Lacy or Martin. Don't get cute, Elias....

By the way- most scouts have Luke Little slotted somewhere around #150 in their prospect lists, but 6'8 with repeatable delivery, left-handed, and just hit 105 MPH on their radar gun. I say "yes, please!". https://www.mlb.com/news/luke-little-throws-105-mph-fastball?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

I think everyone agrees at #2 we should pick one of Torkelson/Martin/Lacy/Hancock/Gonzales. (Personally would favor Lacy if pitcher, Martin if position player). Who then should we consider at #30 and 39? After watching some video (I obviously haven't seen anyone in person), I like what I've seen of Bryce Jarvis (not sure he makes it to 30, but he could), Jordan Walker, Aaron Sabato if we want power hitting first baseman, and RHP Carson Montgomery.

Why is MLB doing this? What are the implications for small market franchises like the O's? What are the implications for High School and college players?

It stinks not having a season to judge and scout these guys more.... Martin sure looked like a world beater last year, though he was scuffling a bit to start this year.... Agreed that Lacy's 3rd pitch is fairly non-existent and Hancock has a more complete arsenal. Lacy showed better command this year and his slider was wipeout. Yes, developing a 3rd pitch wouldn't hurt him. Steve Carlton and Ron Guidry were two of the greatest lefties ever and they did fine with the fastball/slider combo. They had 3rd pitches but just as a "show-me" type pitch. (Of course, those were some of the best sliders and fastballs ever!). I agree our farm system has better pitching prospects than position prospects at the moment. That is not a reason to not draft a pitcher. Pitching wins Championships. You need to do battle with the beastly lineups the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays are going to trot out year after year. Build a championship starting rotation, then add some positional talent. Sign a couple of free agents if you have to. Hitters and position players tend to be cheaper than starting pitchers anyway.... I think Hancock has the higher ceiling but Lacy has the higher floor. Having watched them both, I'd pick Lacy. Though I wouldn't be upset with Hancock. Reid Detmers was lights out also...

Assuming there was baseball now, would you root for any other MLB team? Our hearts bleed Orange and Black. But we won't be contending for a long while... I tend to like underdogs (small market type teams). I've been thinking about adopting the Brewers or Padres... Or are you like- "The O's and no one else!" ?

My father once played slow pitch softball in a Men's over 60 League. Most of the guys can still hit and throw, but as we get old, we lose our ability to run. Once my father drilled a line drive to right center that looked like a good, clean, hit... until the Right Fielder threw him out at first base. I yelled, "Dad, that's embarrassing... getting thrown out at first on a hit to Right Center like that!" He said, "You missed last week... they threw me out on a hit to Left Center...."....

What a painful question. I was 13 when I stopped playing. Last season of little league. I was a slick fielding shortstop who couldn't hit a lick. Mark Belanger was my inspiration. We lost in the Playoffs when a grounder dribbled right between my legs with the bases loaded with 2 outs in the last inning.... On a happier note, my son plays 14U travel and can actually hit....!

Love this topic. So many to choose from. I'd vote for Larry Sheets who tricked people into thinking he could hit by clubbing 31 HR one season. May have been a juiced ball that year, as a lot of guys had huge years. But then he completely vanished. Jeff Ballard was a nice 1 year sensation. Ryan Kohlmeier tricked people into thinking he could be a closer by pitching to a 2.39 ERA with 13 saves one season. (His 15 walks with 17 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched should have convinced people otherwise.) Jim Johnson was a "two hit wonder" earning back-to-back 50 save seasons before dissipating... Chito Martinez hit 13 hr and an .800 OPS one season.

Social distancing will last until late summer if projections are accurate. Doubtful we see much baseball this season. We'll have to draft based upon last years' performances. I suspect Tigers take Torkelson at #1. O's will have to choose among Martin, Lacy, Hancock, and Gonzales. I prefer Lacy, myself..... Looks like an Ace.

and it looks like the answer to my original question is a resounding: "YES!"

Martin is certainly in consideration. Our scouts will have to make any judgements based off of last year and the Cape Cod League last year. I strongly suspect Torkelson will go to the Tigers so I don't really consider him in play.... Lacy looks like a sure bet to me. I'm keeping him at the top of my list.

Depends on stage of disease. I'm not an oncologist (I'm an Emergency Physician). My understanding is stage I or II, no other treatment usually recommended. Stage III and IV gets chemotherapy.

Obviously, we are going to have a lot more things to worry about than the draft if the season gets cancelled. I think it's safe to assume there won't be any baseball until May at the earliest (and most optimistic scenario). Looks like we'll have to decide based upon what we've seen to date. My preferences: 1. Lacy 2. Torkelson 3. Hancock 4. Gonzales

Imagine if entire seasons get cancelled. We will only have the small data set to base our draft selections on....

Tigers will take Tork at #1, especially if Martin continues to scuffle.... Unlike other sports, in Baseball you do not draft for need. An effective strategy is to stockpile as many talented arms as you can. Pitching wins championships. Period. Many pitchers will be derailed by injury and ineffectiveness, so you need to stockpile the talent here. Lacy for me.

I've watched both pitch. Hancock has an elite arm. FB can hit upper 90's. His secondary offerings are all pretty good. Lacy is lefty. FB consistently in Mid 90's. Secondaries were not as good as Hancock's last year, but look improved this year. Lacy has better FB command, Hancock has better secondaries command. Personally prefer Lacy.

Nick Gonzales hit 3 HR today. 12 for the year. (That's 2 weeks into the season he has 12 HR!) Granted, he's been feasting on lousy pitching and short fences, but the numbers are sure going to be crazy this year.... Cole Wilcox was terrific for Georgia and is a solid 1st round pitching prospect in his own right....

I've watched Kumar pitch quite a bit. He's a once in a generation type talent and if he stays healthy, he's virtually a lock for #1 next year. That's why the O's really need to finish with the worst record this year- I'd be disappointed if they don't....

Update: Emerson Hancock rebounded with a nice performance. 7 IP 0 ER 2 H 8K's Austin Martin 2-5 with 2 singles. Torkelson 1-4 with a single Asa Lacy 5 IP 4 H 1 ER 14K's Nick Gonzales 2-4 with HR #5

Potential 2021 #1 overall pick Kumar Rocker survived a tough 2nd inning to finish with a great first game. Nasty slider- filthy...