Flash

If you want to use OPS as a proxy, here is the career list (1st 4 are all LH). Of course OPS might not be the best metric if it doesn't support Hank Aaron among the best, if not the best RH hitter ever, or do I understand you to say Frank was a better hitter than Aaron? 5. Jimmie Foxx+ (20) 1.0376 R 6. Hank Greenberg+ (13) 1.0169 R 7. Rogers Hornsby+ (23) 1.0103 R 8. Manny Ramirez (19) .9960 R 9. Mike Trout (9, 27) .9936 R 10. Mark McGwire (16) .9823 R 11. Mickey Mantle+ (18) .9773 B 12. Joe DiMaggio+ (13) .9771 R 13. Stan Musial+ (22) .9757 L 14. Frank Thomas+ (19) .9740

So were Manny Ramirez and Edgar Martinez

I'll have whatever you're drinking.

Yeah...those other RH hitters like Mays, Aaron, Hornsby, Pujols, DiMaggio couldn't hold a candle to him.

Dammit...there goes Espino and to the Indians no less.

Same

I don't disagree but given the hype, it would have been nice if he could have started his career raking like Chavis, Riley and others who were ranked much lower than Eloy.

Great observation. I did not get to see him in minors except occassional highlights but I am struck by the unusual stance at the plate. Seems way too coiled up and tight. Takes him too long to pick up the pitch and react making it difficult to pull unless the pitch is inside. I just don't recall seeing that stance in videos. Has he always done this?

I'm of the mind that Colome will be dealt. I wouldn't mind solving for either 1B or MI in trade. If 1B, Boston, an ideal trade partner (if they remain in contention) has a quintessential 1B prospect in Casas. If WS take Abrams at 3...lets go get Casas. Alternatively, if Sox take Vaughn, would focus trade attempts at MI and, in particular, Brewers and/or Cubs. Both need Colome and both have MI prospects in their systems who would fit our window (Hoerner, Turang, Dubon)

I'm good with Vaughn, even if less sanguine about it than earlier this season, especially coming off his Golden Spikes season last year. If, however, Vaughn is unavailable or Sox depart from their MO, I'm hoping for something aggressive and have really warmed up to the idea of signing Baty under slot then bulking up offers for second and third picks. Love some of the HS arms.

Colome's cutter becoming one of baseballs best out pitches.

Hoping they're partial to HS pitchers of whom there are several. My fave is Espino. Looks like Cease with same velo.

Strikes me that Sox have all the leverage due to it not being obvious where the floor is for either Vaughn or Abrams. Introducing Baty into the mix adds another layer of intrigue. What I hope doesn't happen is we end up paying slot value at the expense of floating a high value prospect to rd. 2 or 3.

I wouldn't be shocked if Baltimore passes on Adley (guessing Witt is a lock to KC). If it happens, we take Adley...easy one. If Adley and Witt are gone, it gets interesting for me. While I like Vaughn and salivate thinking of his bat in a lineup with Robert, Moncada, Eloy, Anderson, et al, I also feel this draft features several LH power bats who might offer better value, especially if any can be signed under slot. First prize for me would be to come out of the draft with 3 top 50 prospects with at least one being a LH power hitter and one being a HS flame thrower (Espino?). It wouldn't completely surprise me if Vaughn signs for well under slot.

Boston...Casas Cubs...Hoerner Dodgers....Pederson Milwaukee...Turang Atlanta...Waters

Yes. I agree with them but there are others, possibly KW, who apparantly disagree.

Except for those who like Bleday or Abrams. I think the marginal difference in potential value for Sox options (assuming Witt and Adley are gone) supports using underslot savings to float a strong prospect to second and/or 3rd picks

That might work if there was consensus on 'best player'

In the absense of a consensus 'can't miss' future all-star, the strategy above would be extremally smart.

I cited a 6 game stretch where he was 1-19 because you are making erroneous statements to support your opinions. Like I said, I like Vaughn but at times, he has been less than 'generational' this year.

As I've said, I like Vaughn and would be happy with the pick but he has struggled at times. He went 1 for 10 over 3 game series vs. LSU and came right back with 1 for 9 in 3 games vs. OSU among other unremarkable performances.

Baty is 7 mos. older than Witt. Not sure where you are getting data that suggests Baty isn't athletic. That just isn't correct. He's a two-year starter on a very good basketball team and by all accounts, he's a gifted athlete. Vaugh on the other hand is not.

Why does the age difference matter? They will both start their careers and journey through the affiliates at exactly the same time. One can argue Vaughn will progress faster but there is no guarantee (see Magrigal). In all likelihood, Baty will still reach the bigs at a younger age than Vaughn since he is starting his career earlier.

Nope. I like Vaughn but a big, athletic 3B who mashes from the left side would be unexpected but not reckless. Depending on the economics, might even be genius.

I've been a Vaughn supporter since last year but I'm less sanguine about him now. If I was picking, I'd take Greene followed by Bleday or Stott. I'm off Abrams. Just don't see any reason to asume the development risk. Stott is just a better all around SS and player. Why get cute?