DirtySox

Draft Bats, Buy Arms

New BA Top 500 Draft Rankings. https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2018-top-500-mlb-draft-prospects/ Biggest jumps are India up to number 5 from 15. Noah Naylor to 20 from 34.

Clarkin has been severely underwhelming so far. Hope he turns it around tonight!

Yep. I feel like his versatility is being overlooked considerably. Kid can do pretty much everything. He's my preferred position player out of the entire college crop.

Interesting. I was wondering if the Kelenic connection was there. From what I've gleaned in Law/Kiley chats, it sounds like Kelenic is a back-up plan for many of the teams picking at the top. Perhaps as an underslot option. I do like that McClanahan is still mentioned. I'm not averse to Singer, but the upside on Shane is tantalizing. Feels like the type of pitcher that is right up the White Sox alley as far as cleaning up and fixing command issues.

To be clear. Baseball America doesn't prefer India to Madrigal. Madrigal is ranked 3rd and India 15th. They just think at this point that the White Sox prefer him via the latest mock draft.

Haha. It will be Chris Sale 2.0

Numbers are closer than I thought.

I'd still prefer position player, but Singer is solid. Safe, but with some upside still. Sounds like the Reds are all over him if he slips to 5. I've watched a few starts of his earlier this year, but going to reacquaint myself with him against Georgia tomorrow. He's on the WatchESPN app via the SEC network for anyone that might want to tune in.

PTown 3:12 How would you rank Jonathan India, Nick Madrigal, Keston Hiura, and Nick Senzel as prospects coming out? Kiley McDaniel 3:12 Senzel/Madrigal, Hiura, India

I love you.

Nick 2:47 Could the Giants take Madrigal at #2? I think I remember you saying that was unlikely, but I just wanted to see if anything has changed. Kiley McDaniel 2:47 Not happening The Ghost of Wade Boggs 2:47 So what would you gents say the odds are at this point that Mize goes 1-1? Kiley McDaniel 2:48 on Mize, probably 90% wish there were draft props we could bet on George 2:48 Suprised to see the Blue Jays linked to prep players? Kiley McDaniel 2:48 Nope, I'm hearing that's almost all they've targeted with their first pick ATLLL 2:49 Joey Bart to ATL? Kiley McDaniel 2:49 He's gonna go in the top 5-6 and I think ATL would take most of the guys that would go in that range. But, no, Since ATL picks 8th ATLLL 2:49 Joey Bart to ATL? Kiley McDaniel 2:49 He's gonna go in the top 5-6 and I think ATL would take most of the guys that would go in that range. But, no, Since ATL picks 8th Kevin 2:56 If you had to guess the White Sox top 3 players: Madrigal Bohm Swaggerty, in that order? Is Brady Singer in consideration do you think? Kiley McDaniel 2:56 They're on all 4, but I think Bohm is the lowest of those 4

Jason 2:38 Have you heard any talk about Singer to the Reds at No. 5? If so, do you see similarities to the Mike Leake pick (No. ? in terms of a short developmental period? Even if he's a 3/4, they need innings sooner than later. Thanks again for doing these chats. Kiley McDaniel 2:38 TONS of buzz on that one. I think that's who they take. Dick Williams and the scouting director were at Mize/Singer Shockers Fan 2:41 Hey guys - big fan of what you guys do. Hearing any rumblings on what teams have been linked to Greyson Jenista? And what round? Thank you! Kiley McDaniel 2:41 Hearing he's in the 20's, maybe early 30's 2:42 Maybe 18-19. So like 18-32? He's a tough one to peg Justin 2:43 If you're the White Sox and at your pick the top player remaining is Joey Bart how do you approach that, especially given that they seem to have a couple catching options? I know Collins hasn't hit much and might not be able to catch, but generally speaking I'm interested as to how orgs view this problem, especially when most take the best player available. Kiley McDaniel 2:44 Collins cannot catch, especially everyday and you don't take need into account in the top 5, just take the best player. The results show that the value of each player falls of a lot at each pick at the top so why willingly move down that curve when you can trade anyone if you end up with a glut?

Paul 2:02 Wasn't there a new mock promised at some point soon?! Eric A Longenhagen 2:03 Early next week after I've seen who's at the games I'm seeing this weekend and we make some more cals. Dave 2:03 Any chance the Braves go with Kelenic at 8? Kiley McDaniel 2:03 Definitely in the mix, we're hearing lots of high school names there and he's arguably the top prep bat Mark 2:04 Hi guys, thanks for the chat. Was curious about the Padres draft pick. Do you think they go high upside high school pitcher? I know you're not suppose to draft for need but one of those college third baseman would be nice. Thanks! Kiley McDaniel 2:04 We're hearing their top pick is down to three high school pitchers and they're tied to essentially every high school outfielder in the country for overpays at later picks if they cut at the first pick sterling_archer 2:07 Orioles fan. Looking forward to 2019 draft. Any surefire 1-1 guys worth tanking for? Kiley McDaniel 2:08 Still to early to know for sure, but doesn't look like it. Prep side it's Bobby Witt Jr, Hunter Barco, Rece Hinds and C.J. Abrams at the top Will 2:12 Any names getting top 10 buzz via underslot? Kiley McDaniel 2:13 Ryan Weathers at 7 to the Padres is the loudest one, the other ones we've heard are more backup plans that seem unlikely. Robby 2:14 Any possible chance that Turang makes it to campus? Kiley McDaniel 2:14 Don't think so, sounds like he'll find a home in the 15-22 area. Maybe 10% chance? Sparhawk 2:16 Why isn't Connor Scott considered a top 10 prospect heading into the draft? Kiley McDaniel 2:17 He's been banged up a lot this year (concussion, hamstring, I believe one other thing) and didn't play the full slate last summer, so lots of high level guys just haven't seen him enough to be comfortable. He's akin to Austin Beck in that way with big tools and limited track record. I prefer him to Beck since I think there's a better chance to hit Hecubot 2:18 Does Jonathan India have enough helium to crack the Top Ten? Kiley McDaniel 2:18 India could go 9 or 10 and is an underslot name at 6 to the Mets, but he's seen as more of a 12-18 sort of talent from the people we've talked to and that's also closer to where we rank him Mike 2:19 Is Mize the consensus #1 because he's one of those "every few years" talents that would go #1 in most drafts? Or is it because the talent after him just isn't up to par compared to past drafts? Kiley McDaniel 2:19 I'll go into more detail when I write him up, but I think I'm lower on him than most, still think he's the top talent Dave 2:20 Kiley, after seeing Swaggerty in person, how do you see his draft stock? His batting average is now below .300 in a small conference. Is he in danger of falling past the A's pick at #9? Kiley McDaniel 2:21 Don't think he gets to the A's, but I have had two bad looks this spring after a good look over the summer. It's 60 raw, 65 speed and a 60 arm and he hit last summer, there's a new power focused swing this spring, so it's more an issues of dialing it in approach wise than can he hit. Those kinds of tools in college dont slide far Dave 2:25 Kiley, Nick Schnell has been on a HR tear as of late. How high can his draft stock go? Kiley McDaniel 2:26 Been talking to many guys about him this week as he's got some helium. Seems like his market is 25-40, but some teams don't buy the bat and think he's more 50-65 for them. Chance to play CF, plus power, but bars out (loads really deep) and is late even on just okay HS pitching, so oppo homers in HS are seen not as all field approach but as revealing a weakness to some scouts. Big upside tho Satya 2:28 How does Casey Mize today compare to Kyle Wright a year ago? Kiley McDaniel 2:29 Mize has a hair more stuff but the frame, delivery, style of pitching and all that isn't as good. I prefer Wright, but that's more of a 50/50 split in the scouting community, I would guess Dave 2:29 Is it fair to say that the two highest-rated tools among positions players in this draft are Nolan Gorman's power and Jordyn Adams' speed? Kiley McDaniel 2:29 Gorman has 70 raw, Adams has 80 speed. Xavier Edwards 80 speed would be #2 and Triston Casas' power (70 or 80) would probably be 3rd Eric A Longenhagen 2:29 Larnach's power is u p with Gorman Slick Rick Hahn 2:30 I really want Alek Thomas in my organization since I already have my dad, who could I go underslot with at 4 in order to push him to the 2nd round? Think it’s possible? Kiley McDaniel 2:30 He's not in play until about 25, so much more likely to be a 2nd round pick anyway and the TCU commitment is enough that he could slide to an overpay team

Kiley/Longenhagen join chat. Get those questions in! https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/eric-longenhagen-kiley-mcdaniel-chat-5-10-18/

More Law Adolfo praise from today's chat. Butts 1:31 Is Micker Adolfo for real? Can I get excited yet? Keith Law 1:32 Yeah, I would. He may take a step back when he gets to Birmingham and faces AA pitching, but he has always had enormous tools. I think I said in last week's chat that he could barely play baseball when he was signed. He's come a long way, baby.

From Law's chat today. Butts 1:31 Is Micker Adolfo for real? Can I get excited yet? Keith Law 1:32 Yeah, I would. He may take a step back when he gets to Birmingham and faces AA pitching, but he has always had enormous tools. I think I said in last week's chat that he could barely play baseball when he was signed. He's come a long way, baby.

Adam D. 1:25 Any new whispers from the #sources on what the Giants may do at #2? Your article this morning got me fired up for what they could potentially do picking this high. Keith Law 1:26 Same names with them. I don't know if anyone will really know what the teams up top are doing till very close to the draft but I do feel like the top six picks will include five college guys, the names everyone is putting out there - Mize, Bart, Bohm, Madrigal. Tom 1:12 Are the A’s in on Kelenic at all? Keith Law 1:12 At all, yes. Gorman too. But I think those are less likely than the college guys. Greg 1:27 If you had to redo a mock, would you still have Gorman to Atlanta? Keith Law 1:28 Next mock will run on Thursday, then another two weeks after that, then another on draft day. DH 1:30 If you knew they'd all end up as average fielding 1B, how would you rank the bats of Nolan Gorman, Noah Naylor, Triston Casas? Keith Law 1:30 If you're asking pure hit tool, Naylor, Casas, Gorman. If you're talking total offensive upside, Gorman, Naylor, Casas. However, Noah Naylor is not a 1b. He's an above-average runner with arm strength and is going to play a skill position.

Law chat going on right now. Draft/prospect questions if people have any. http://meadowparty.com/blog/

Agreed. While I'm still leaning position player, I can talk myself into Singer. He's clearly the second best college arm, will move fast, and is a safe bet to be at worst, a mid rotation guy with some upside. He truly reminds me of Aaron Nola in the 2014 draft. Solid stuff across the board, pitchability, poise, know's how to pitch, but a bit unsexy compared to a Mize or a McClanahan. Seems like a pitcher that will be greater than the sum of his parts. Also, can never have too much pitching. Especially with some of the Giolito/Fulmer questions we have at the moment.

Perfect Game mock. https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=15176

Luis Gonzalez still out. 4 games now? Wonder what's up.

Wait. Why are we pinch hitting for Eloy with the bases loaded.

Ranked 57th on the newest BA top 500.

Not at 4. He's a late 1st rounder at absolute best.