The O's Likely Will Take Machado.

[Greg Pappas]

This isn't necessarily shocking or even new news, but the word is that Pittsburgh is -very likely- going to take Taillon, and the O's are drafting Miami prep SS Manny Machado.

Most industry sources concur that it would be a great pick. I am in that group.

Thoughts?

[NewMarketSean]

Remember the last time the Orioles had a SS prospect named Manny?

[Big Mac]

I would prefer Colon but I think Machado is an excellent pick...hopefully he is ready to play full season ball next year.

[Sports Guy]

For pretty much every other organization, i think it is the right pick...For us, its not IMO. We should be drafting Colon.

But if they take Machado, I hope they stand firm with a 4 million-ish offer, get him in the organization and develop him. He obviously has a lot of talent and upside, so let's hope for the best.

[LookinUp]

Call me crazy, but the best comp I can think of talent wise is Cal Ripken. Similar size, range, soft hands and power potential. Machado may project to hit for a higher average while I'm guessing Cal likely ended up with better range (likely because of positioning, which can't be measured from a prospect).

The big difference of course, is Cal did it for about 3,000 games and became an icon, but as a talent comp, it seems appropo.

[Jimbo81]

For pretty much every other organization, i think it is the right pick...For us, its not IMO. We should be drafting Colon.

But if they take Machado, I hope they stand firm with a 4 million-ish offer, get him in the organization and develop him. He obviously has a lot of talent and upside, so let's hope for the best.

I'm just asking but, why IYO is Colon the better pick?

[Three Run Homer]

One thing that I haven't heard much about is Machado's plate approach/plate discipline. Is he a "mature" hitter or is he more of a "raw, toolsy" hitter?

This pick has a much better chance of turning out well in the former case. Some organizations have good track records of taking raw, athletic kids and teaching them how to hit. Our organization is not one of them.

[JTrea81]

The think with Machado is that I hope the Orioles don't mess around with Boras and just get the guy signed and into the system.

You know if you take him he's going to be demanding $7-9 million, so give it to him and get him playing ball this year.

The longer the negotations draw out, the slower he'll go through your minor league ranks and won't be able to help your club.

It shouldn't have to take until mid-August to sign him if you know what you are in for.

[Ooooooohhhh!!!!]

The think with Machado is that I hope the Orioles don't mess around with Boras and just get the guy signed and into the system.

You know if you take him he's going to be demanding $7-9 million, so give it to him and get him playing ball this year.

The longer the negotations draw out, the slower he'll go through your minor league ranks and won't be able to help your club.

It shouldn't have to take until mid-August to sign him if you know what you are in for.

Seriously?

[RVAbird]

The think with Machado is that I hope the Orioles don't mess around with Boras and just get the guy signed and into the system.

You know if you take him he's going to be demanding $7-9 million, so give it to him and get him playing ball this year.

The longer the negotations draw out, the slower he'll go through your minor league ranks and won't be able to help your club.

It shouldn't have to take until mid-August to sign him if you know what you are in for.

Regardless of what Machado gets, he won't be signing until mid-August. We're talking about a Boras client and a third overall pick. If you offered him 8 MM off the bat, Boras would still hold out for more. Even if he didn't, the commissioner wouldn't approve of a bonus like that until it got down to the wire.

It's going to be a long negotiation either way. I hope MacPhail and JJ hold firm. Machado is a great talent but not necessarily a 'record-breaking' talent.

[mcgraw238]

One thing that I haven't heard much about is Machado's plate approach/plate discipline. Is he a "mature" hitter or is he more of a "raw, toolsy" hitter?

This pick has a much better chance of turning out well in the former case. Some organizations have good track records of taking raw, athletic kids and teaching them how to hit. Our organization is not one of them.

I've watched a lot of footage on Machado and I noticed that he was a patient hitter willing to look at a lot of pitches but he did tend to bite on the curve a bit.

[mcgraw238]

The think with Machado is that I hope the Orioles don't mess around with Boras and just get the guy signed and into the system.

You know if you take him he's going to be demanding $7-9 million, so give it to him and get him playing ball this year.

The longer the negotations draw out, the slower he'll go through your minor league ranks and won't be able to help your club.

It shouldn't have to take until mid-August to sign him if you know what you are in for.

If it is an above slot deal, then MLB must sign off on the deal and they won't do so until the August deadline. They really can't reject the amount but they won't review it til closer to the 8/15 deadline so that the slot system doesn't get busted. There's more to it than handing Boras a blank check.

[JTrea81]

I've watched a lot of footage on Machado and I noticed that he was a patient hitter willing to look at a lot of pitches but he did tend to bite on the curve a bit.

He is an excellent fastball hitter, but does seem to have a long swing.

[JTrea81]

If it is an above slot deal, then MLB must sign off on the deal and they won't do so until the August deadline. They really can't reject the amount but they won't review it til closer to the 8/15 deadline so that the slot system doesn't get busted. There's more to it than handing Boras a blank check.

Ah true. That part would delay things. It's too bad because MLB is screwing up the chance for these kids to play ball right away just to stick to a slotting system that most clubs will ignore anyway...

[wingman123]

He is an excellent fastball hitter, but does seem to have a long swing.

Shouldn't every player be a good fastball hitter?:scratchchinhmm: