2020 1st round pick (2): Heston Kjerstad - OF - (Junior) (Arkansas)

[GroverCleveland]

I think passing on Martin will be one of those decisions that haunts the Orioles for years to come, especially since he was drafted by a division rival

[interloper]

1 minute ago, Three Run Homer said:

Joe Jordan went against the industry consensus when he picked Matt Hobgood.  It didn't work out and Jordan wound up getting fired.  

Elias has taken a similar risk here.  On paper, Kjerstad is not considered to be as good a prospect as Martin.  Maybe Elias knows something and is comfortable going against the grain.  He'd better be right.  If Martin turns out to be the next Tony Gwynn and Kjerstad turns out to be a good major league RF, I'll be ok with the pick.  I wish Kjerstad the best.  

Nowhere NEAR the risk of Hobgood my dude.

[Moose Milligan]

I'm pissed.  

10 years of seeing Martin light us up while we've got an outfield with 40 speed.

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, eddie83 said:

Maybe he is telling the truth here.  

Maybe, but it’s hard to understand this. 

If he's telling the truth I'm worried.

[weams]

 

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, interloper said:

Nowhere NEAR the risk of Hobgood my dude.

I agree the risk is a lot less, but I'm not seeing much ceiling here.

[interloper]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

If he's telling the truth I'm worried.

How'd you feel about Correa underslot and McCullers at 41?

[ISU94]

1 minute ago, Three Run Homer said:

Joe Jordan went against the industry consensus when he picked Matt Hobgood.  It didn't work out and Jordan wound up getting fired.  

Elias has taken a similar risk here.  On paper, Kjerstad is not considered to be as good a prospect as Martin.  Maybe Elias knows something and is comfortable going against the grain.  He'd better be right.  If Martin turns out to be the next Tony Gwynn and Kjerstad turns out to be a good major league RF, I'll be ok with the pick.  I wish Kjerstad the best.  

There's also been plenty of instances of going against the grain and coming out ahead. 

Drafts or super volatile, MLB drafts even more so. This also allows more flexibility to take guys later that we may not have had an opportunity to do so for money reasons. If they think the player is close value wise with Martin, then it makes sense.

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Moose Milligan said:

I'm pissed.  

10 years of seeing Martin light us up while we've got an outfield with 40 speed.

With the next CBA he'll only be with the Jays for five years.

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, interloper said:

How'd you feel about Correa underslot and McCullers at 41?

I liked Correa at 1-1 more than I do Kjerstad at 1-2.

[joelala]

Pissed as well.  Kjerstad's swing looks like it has a really odd timing mechanism where he dips his hands very low.  If he doesn't fix it he'll get hammered up and in.

[eddie83]

Just now, interloper said:

How'd you feel about Correa underslot and McCullers at 41?

They had Correa top of their board. His agent screwed up.  

[sportsfan8703]

Welp there’s always the Rule 5 draft for infielders. 

[ISU94]

1 minute ago, Can_of_corn said:

I agree the risk is a lot less, but I'm not seeing much ceiling here.

How? His bat is next level and definitely the best LH bat in the class.

Let's not act like this guy isn't special.

[weams]

6 minutes ago, catjuggler said:

How does underslot value work, have we already negotiated with him and the number he would agree on? 

You would assume the rumors  of the Orioles negotiating all week were true.