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Let’s pump the brakes on throwing out theories on BABIP. To measure whether not Collins has been more lucky or unlucky that usual, you’d need to measure his BABIP compared to past years or players with similar batted ball and speed profile. Saying that Collins’ BABIP is at .300 or is lower than the league average simply is using the stat the wrong way.

He was in the top 5 for most publications. It's crazy to think they might have signed 2 future superstars in one class yet neither will be suiting up for them. But at the end of the day they broke the curse, and it's worth more than any prospect in baseball.

I think we have 3 of the top 20, though you might not have guessed who the 3rd one is.

I was on the fence about these two specifically but gave both benefit of the doubt. Collins is on an upswing and Sheets at least still have a decent BA and an impressive BB/K ratio. We may see more power when the weather gets warmer.

I have little concern on Hansen (assuming he's healthy). Eloy will be Eloy in due time. I do wish we get to see more of Robert, Burger and even Burdi. They will only make this system more scary as you said. In a way, it's great to see all these mid tier and lower level prospects off to a great start. Thing biggest knock from the industry is that we don't have enough depth in the Top 30 and that we traded for our prospects instead of developing them. This strong first month is a good start to change that perception.

Boy, this farm is on fire... This first month has been by far the best I've seen from this farm in years. I think we will safely take back the #1 farm ranking after the draft. Here's my scorecard for the top risers so far. Basabe (++) Adolfo (++) Booker (++) Cease (++) Luis Gonzo (++) Dunning (+) Rutherford (+) Zavala (+) Collins (+) The young pitchers: McClure, Henzman, Tyler Johnson, Lambert, Hamilton, Fry, and Hickman all get an (+) Honorable Mentions: Rose, Trey M., Mendick, Roman, Blackman, Parke, Palka, Covey and Jose Rondon. (BTW, not a lot of scouting could be found on John Parke, but here's a interesting tibit https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2017/6/14/15803470/gamecock-mlb-draft-profile-lhp-john-parke-2017) The only significant fallers I see are: The AA pitchers Clarkin, Adams, and Guerrero all get a (- -) Cordell (- - ) Gillaspie (-) Fisher (-)

Because it worked for a player 30 years ago, it must work for every minor leaguer! There is a reason teams don't rush players before they are ready, because most of the time it end up back firing. Also situation is different. That White Sox team was in playoff hunt, this is a rebuild team playing meaningless games.

I love that Kopech, Hansen, Dunning and Cease are all on a similar schedule. We should see MK at some point this year, The latter 3 should start at AAA next season and should be up at some point throughout the year if all goes right. That's an awesome young quartet, and depending on what we can get out of ReyLo, Gio and Fulmer, we will have a great problem on hand.

They most likely won't pick up option for White after the draft. Their depth for WR right now is basically a guy coming back from ACL injury and a 5'8" guy, then Fowler, Bellamy and Gentry. It wasn't too long ago when people are bashing the GM for not surrounding our QB with weapons. a 4th round pick is a small price to pay in this situation. I don't mind the trade at all.

But it's also likely that Bears have him higher on their draft board. If they value him as a high 2nd rounder, then it's a solid pick. At the end of the day, it's a 4th round pick their losing, but they end up getting a WR they desperately need and gain a year of developmental time playing with Trub.

Whitehair back to guard?

Buehrle>Wood is the new Ron. Please start a thread on Engel next and watch him blow shit up.

The pieces are all in place for us to trade down still likely to get one of the defensive guys we want.

On the flip side, if Allen was their guy yesterday, I think they do still like him as a player, offensive tweets or not. I think it's a huge PR nightmare if you intentionally takes him at 1. However, if you know he's slipping out of the top 3, and say you can trade down to 5 and still take him, the PR hit isn't as bad since you're just taking whichever QB that's "left" at that point.

I thought they have converted Hickman to 1B toward the end of last year, I guess they changed their mind again. Out of everyone in the minors, Perez might be the most likely to stay at catcher, so I'm in favor of giving him more PT.

It isn't black and white, but progression is key. He had 2 HRs and a .09 ISO last year, which is borderline non-prospect for most guys who aren't ace defenders or base stealers. I would say even if he drops off Top 100 lists, I am not down on him in the long run. I think if Ryan Sweeney played the game today, he could hit 10-15 HRs a year by using a more uppercut swing and launch the ball at the right angle. You need to be a solid contact hitter to be able to do that, and I think Rutherford can turn into one.

Micker likely won't crack any Top 100 if he's going to be shut down in the near future. However if he and Basabe can keep it up, earn a promotion then hold their own, they should see their names in some lists, especially Basabe. As for Rutherford, he may still be ranked 99 on some lists, but he really needs start hitting some HRs this year, otherwise he's falling off all lists.

I've been saying it a long time and not sure why isn't it happening. Free. Carlos. Perez. Looks like he's finally developing some game power too.

Cousins isn’t a number 1 option but will be paid like a number 1 even after the injury. I would stay away from him. There is an abundance good big men in the top 6 in this draft and I would draft one rather than signing one. I love Trae Young and thinks he has a chance to be special, but he’s a risky pick. JJJ might be the safest pick that may fall to us at 6 in that his game should translate well in the pros, and he darn well fits nicely next to Lauri. Imagine the floor spacing those 2 would create, and now all you need then is to sign one star player in free agency who will be the number 1 option to run the offense.

Can Adams become an effective reliever when the time comes? From what I remember, his fastball is fairly straight and his best secondary pitch is a changeup and doesn't miss a whole lot of bats either.

He reminds me of Rangel Ravelo as a prospect, but might develop a tad more power when it's all said and done. However there's more hope for that type of hitters these days. Good contact hitters could easily hit 15-20 HRs a year thru good use of launch angle.

The 2 best teams to follow this year has been WS and Kanny. Early return from the 2017 draft has been very good outside of Burger and his injury. Hopefully when Eloy gets going and when Hansen returns, Bham starts cooking as well.

I still have confidence in Moncada, we just need to accept he will never be a high average hitter. It's only been 3 weeks, but it's the whole team has taken a step backward, with exception of maybe ReyLo.

I wish I can say I don't have a problem with this offense.

Just goes to show that even if he's a .250 hitter he could still be an all star 2B.