Y2Jimmy0

Probably. It's a fair argument to say that they should've already have that $500K spent. It's also fair to say that they should hold onto it and sign random players. They have until December 15th this year to use it. If they do this in future classes; I'll get upset about it. This particular signing class from 1/15 was the last Marco Paddy class with some additions by Keller's crew. It looks pretty promising. They signed a full class. I don't have much issue with using the money this way instead of just not spending it but I understand being frustrated by it.

They actually acquired Jones and cash from he Guardians and they're allowing Cleveland to spend $250K of their own money on international prospects. Essentially gave up nothing.

Teams are just over-committed on pool usage. Need to acquire the right to spend more money to actually pay for already agreed upon players.

I reached out to David Kaplan. He told me that he "saw it mentioned somewhere". I saw it earlier this week too. My interpretation (and I've reached out to some national draft people) is that it's a google AI mistake conflating Cholowsky and Tyler Bell. It would be a massive story if Cholowsky needed a surgery.

I don't get the Burress thing. I think Tyler Bell is the 3rd best college position player in the class. Burress is a 5-8, RHH corner guy. The issue is also that anyone who takes a physical has to get 75% of slot at #1. $8.5 million is basically the lowest you could pay anyone at 1. I'm not sure Cholowsky gets more than $9.5 million. Seems like a waste of time.

Probably David Eckstein haha. La Russa once traded newly drafted Dansby Swanson for Shelby Miller.

On the latest MLB Pipeline podcast, Callis and Mayo discussed percentage chances at #1. It was interesting. Callis said 45% Cholowsky, 40% Emerson and 15% Lackey. Mayo said 40% Roch, 40% Emerson and 20% Lackey.

I don't think Will Venable has any interest in playing two catchers; especially one at DH. Lackey would take time but not that much. Probably like mid-season 2028 I'd think.

Keith Law hated Nick Madrigal. Was the biggest detractor of his profile in the entire industry.

There will be $1 million plus in savings regardless of who they draft.

It will factor into their calculus. Lots of uneasiness internally about ownership transfer, when it'll happen and who is safe once it does. There's pressure to win. I'd heard like $10 million for Cholowsky and under $9 million for Lackey weeks ago. I don't see the justification for $10 million for Roch right now though. This is just total nonsense. You just choose to place more emphasis on a single college season; which is your right I guess. Here's a blurb from Baseball America. I generally reside here: Cholowsky finished his career as a .329/.448/.624 hitter with 52 home runs and 41 doubles. In the last three college seasons, he’s one of just 30 players to hit at least 45 home runs. His 11.7% strikeout rate over that same time is the best mark of any hitter on that list. It’s that hit/power combination while boasting a slam-dunk shortstop profile that separates Cholowsky from most college prospects, and it’s why he remains the favorite to be the first player off the board—even if both Emerson and Lackey have compelling cases of their own. Them being interested out of high school absolutely matters. There's a track record of interest. They know the player. They know the family. They know his representation. It's a significant factor. My guess now would be Cholowsky for like $9.5-$9.7 millionish. Probably around $9 million for Lackey.

If they take Lackey, he's playing catcher. He could play somewhere else but he'll be a plus defender at catcher. They wouldn't move him.

I still think that once it's time to actually make a selection, they'll take Roch Cholowsky. I'd understand taking Grady Emerson instead though. I don't really understand the Vahn Lackey thing. He'll be cheaper for sure but catchers take forever and they don't play every day. I hate the idea of taking a catcher at #1.

Seems interesting. DSL club has been raking so far

The funniest thing about this whole this process and I'll admit that I'm a guilty party is that nothing will be decided fora while. Last year, teams didn't even seriously talk signing bonuses until morning of draft. Teams haven't had meetings, private workouts or visits at all yet. Nothing has been decided at all anywhere. With that being said, interesting info out there from Taylor Blake Ward tonight.

Grady Emerson isn't Bobby Witt Jr. Witt has more speed and power. Emerson might be Kevin McGonigle. He might even be as good as Cholowsky in 3 years.

One of these guys believes in fairy tales and the other guy may or may not. Justin Ishbia will be much more useful for me going forward, personally.

I've heard a bunch of guys in different demographics. Hoping to have a 5 round mock this week. Lots of Thome chatter obviously. Heard they really like Coleman Borthwick but I think he'll be gone. Blake Bryant is a prep righty from Georgia. Curious to see where Jack Slightom or other local guys go. There are a couple college bats that I might put in my mock.

Here's the profile for Vahn Lackey if anyone is interested: https://www.futuresox.net/2026/06/04/2026-mlb-draft-profile-vahn-lackey-wh/

Vahn Lackey just went 3-14 in regionals and 0-8 in the two elimination games. Are we onto Emerson or Lombard now?

Because taking another two pitch college starter would be fucking insanity.

They also love shortstops and the scouting director has never drafted a non SS position player in the first round.

The "multiple game collapse" is 8 plate appearances. You realize that is totally insane right? No idea what he thinks about the Sox. His family members follow FutureSox on twitter. Sox wanted to draft him in 2023 after scouting him heavily and couldn't make it work. They also have the #1 pick and it doesn't really matter.

I just care a lot about the totality of the college career.

For all the talk about Cholowsky's numbers with wood bats, I hope nobody looks at Lackey's. Or his sophomore year to that point as well. I've seen one hit wonder college guys before. Why is Vahn Lackey different?