The DDT - Draft Day 1 thread

[Angrioter]

Phil "Jared Weaver" Bickford

Ht/Wt 6-4, 185 lbs.

DOB: 07/10/95

Bats/Throws R/R

HS Oaks Christian | Graduates in 2013

Hometown Ventura, CA

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/39/files/2013/06/Phil-Bickford-e1366138234577.jpg

 

ESPN Scouts Inc.: "He will sit 90-93 mph and has touched 96 with riding life on it, a pitch that appears to explode in on hitters late. His lack of a breaking ball is a real concern -- his curveball is well below-average, lacking depth and easily visible out of his hand, while his slider is flat thanks to his low three-quarters arm slot."

 

Matt Garrioch, Minor League Ball: "Up to 97, sits 92-94. Slider is swing and miss pitch but can hang. Burch Smith comp."

 

Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times: "Bickford has been clocked at 97 mph. But it's his ability to throw strikes while throwing so hard that makes him very valuable. Growing up, he used to practice hitting a target low and away 10 consecutive times before he could move on."

 

Clinton "Jeremy Guthrie" Hollon

Ht/Wt 6-1, 195 lbs.

DOB: 12/24/94

Bats/Throws R/R

HS Woodford County | Graduates in 2013

Hometown Lexington, KY US

Electric Arm, 90-94 mph up to 96 mph at WWBA, Showed well @ PG National

http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2012/06/08/20/49/13QNz0.AuSt.79.jpeg

 

Scouting Report:

 

Righthander Clinton Hollon has one of the best arms among the pitchers in the 2013 draft class. He is a likely first rounder and a strong spring could land him in the top half of the first round.

 

Solid, athletic build

High leg kick

3/4 arm slot

Fairly easy delivery

Fast arm

Fastball generally sits 91-94, has touched 97

Slider shows plus potential

High 70′s curve

Throws a change with good arm speed

Potential for 4 above average offerings

Good control

Throws strikes

[CHRIS]

Looks like Bickford has some nice flowing locks. JPA probably fuming right now; he better ink his shampoo deal soon, might not have a chance in a couple of seasons.

[HERPDERP]

Threads like these are always hilarious to read a few years down the road. People have maybe seen some of these guys play once or twice and they act like experts.

 

It's a complete crapshoot. Almost pointless to even pay attention.

 

We have a lot of amrchair GMs and scouts here who seem to know everything about mechanics & competition off videos from youtube.

 

I remember how a few years ago people were s***ing on AA cause he wouldn't pick Josh Sale, a.k.a. the cheating, stripper-hating prospect.

 

I don't care about the draft. As long as we get someone reasonable (like signing a 1st/2nd-rounder with our 1st pick).

 

These guys have been following these players for months and interviewing friends and family on signability. They know a lot more than we do and bitching about pick x over y is just bitching for the sake of bitching

[Angrioter]

These guys have been following these players for months and interviewing friends and family on signability. They know a lot more than we do and bitching about pick x over y is just bitching for the sake of bitching

 

For that reason Tyler Beede signed a contract with the Blue Jays.

[HERPDERP]

For that reason Tyler Beede signed a contract with the Blue Jays.

 

If only things in life were 100% guaranteed..

[Angrioter]

If only things in life were 100% guaranteed..

 

My point is .......

Sometimes teams don't know s*** of what they are doing, which is why teams like San Luis and Pirates have more talent on their farms than Dodgers or White Sox.

[DuckDuckGose]

We have a lot of amrchair GMs and scouts here who seem to know everything about mechanics & competition off videos from youtube.

 

I remember how a few years ago people were s***ing on AA cause he wouldn't pick Josh Sale, a.k.a. the cheating, stripper-hating prospect.

 

I don't care about the draft. As long as we get someone reasonable (like signing a 1st/2nd-rounder with our 1st pick).

 

These guys have been following these players for months and interviewing friends and family on signability. They know a lot more than we do and bitching about pick x over y is just bitching for the sake of bitching

 

It's just frustrating that AA keeps going pitching heavy. Statistically speaking hitters that pan out provide more value than pitchers additionally hitters are injured less frequently than pitchers. We just want AA to pick MLB players and the more pitchers you take the less drafted players that will eventually help the MLB club. At least he'll get value back for the ones that do pan out, like the A's or TBay.

[Laika]

Bickford just seems so underwhelming for a top 10 selection. Beede at #21 seems like a better prospect to me, hands down and in context, than Bickford.

[HERPDERP]

It's just frustrating that AA keeps going pitching heavy. Statistically speaking hitters that pan out provide more value than pitchers additionally hitters are injured less frequently than pitchers. We just want AA to pick MLB players and the more pitchers you take the less drafted players that will eventually help the MLB club. At least he'll get value back for the ones that do pan out, like the A's or TBay.

 

Of course they provide more value - but it's very hard to acquire good pitching. And I agree that we should put a preference on developing good pitching.

[Angrioter]

Bickford just seems so underwhelming for a top 10 selection. Beede at #21 seems like a better prospect to me, hands down and in context, than Bickford.

 

 

what about Jacob Anderson #35, Musgrove/Comer/Smith Jr?

[DuckDuckGose]

Bickford just seems so underwhelming for a top 10 selection. Beede at #21 seems like a better prospect to me, hands down and in context, than Bickford.

 

Blue Jays draftees with similar stuff to Bickford;

 

Sanchez

Stroman

Beede

Norris

Syndergaard

Nicolino

Smoral

Musgrove

Comer

Stilson

DeScalafini

Wojciechowski

 

I think Bickford has the most upside of the group but, they could have gotten someone similar (and they did in Hollon) later in the draft.

[Angrioter]

Bickford just seems so underwhelming for a top 10 selection. Beede at #21 seems like a better prospect to me

 

What about them....he's talking about Bickford bro.

 

Beede was best pick at #21 but not the others first-round pick (Anderson, Musgrove, Comer, Smith Jr)

[saskjayfan]

Bickford just seems so underwhelming for a top 10 selection. Beede at #21 seems like a better prospect to me, hands down and in context, than Bickford.

 

I have no opinion one way or the other...but I'm intrigued how many of you formulate your opinions about pitchers you've never seen before. Is it one particular analyst...whatever he says about players you treat it as gospel....is it the stats of players....the velocity reports? Is it the consensus estimates from many scouts and analysts that you trust?

 

It's not easy to determine what major league players are going to do in a year and there is often loads of history and stats to go on...the magin of error can be quite high at times even on big leaguers.....when you're talking about a 17 year old where you have no idea of the competition he's facing etc....the margin of error on player rating is infinitiely higher.

 

I'm convinced of one thing.....Bickford's performance as a professional pitcher will evetually be somewhere between dogshit and cy young contender...

[DuckDuckGose]

I have no opinion one way or the other...but I'm intrigued how many of you formulate your opinions about pitchers you've never seen before. Is it one particular analyst...whatever he says about players you treat it as gospel....is it the stats of players....the velocity reports? Is it the consensus estimates from many scouts and analysts that you trust?

 

It's not easy to determine what major league players are going to do in a year and there is often loads of history and stats to go on...the magin of error can be quite high at times even on big leaguers.....when you're talking about a 17 year old where you have no idea of the competition he's facing etc....the margin of error on player rating is infinitiely higher.

 

I'm convinced of one thing.....Bickford's performance as a professional pitcher will evetually be somewhere between dogshit and cy young contender...

 

Right now my biggest concern is to get him signed and pitching. Obviously I feel there were better choices at 1-10 but, now it's time to focus on maximizing the return on investment. The sooner they can get him working with the coaches and in to games the better.

[DuckDuckGose]

I wonder if the Jays took him because of knowing he'll ask for too much, and they just wanted someone like Hollon all along, we go back in next year with more cash and a much deeper draft. Is AA this crafty?

 

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Get him signed and in the system ASAP!

[Laika]

I have no opinion one way or the other...but I'm intrigued how many of you formulate your opinions about pitchers you've never seen before.

 

Read several scouting reports. Assume the consensus is something close to correct.

 

Or watch video.

 

 

He pretty much sits 95, 94+ the whole game there.

Check out the breaking ball @ 5.26

Some other nice breaking balls towards the end.

[Angrioter]

I wonder if the Jays took him because of knowing he'll ask for too much, and they just wanted someone like Hollon all along, we go back in next year with more cash and a much deeper draft. Is AA this crafty?

 

or 2012 strategy

[Angrioter]

I've already posted about that last night bro, remember?

 

So, I give forces/weight to your theory with that image.

[Captain Adama]

Hey I just thought about this...someone owes me $20 for Appel going number 1. Who was that?

 

That sir, was me. I just need your Paypal address and I'll pony up.

[ace3113]

Today should be pretty boring after the third round again if the Jays draft college seniors and non-prospects with their picks through the 4th and 10th rounds like they did last year to create bonus space. Having said that I put together my draft board for pick 83 in the 3rd.

 

Tyler O'Neill, C/SS, 6-0 200, R/R, Garibaldi HS (BC)

O’Neill’s ability to swing the bat—both for average and power—is what sets him apart from almost any high-school hitter in the 2013 draft. But his inability to lock in on a set position probably has him on the outside of the first round looking in. Scouts still have hopes that the short, powerfully-built O’Neill, whose father is an 11-time Canadian weight-lifting champion, will find his way as a catcher, but a hernia that prevented him from squatting comfortably a year ago impaired his development behind the plate, and a sore elbow this spring while with Canada’s junior-national team on a barnstorming tour to Florida relegated him to mostly a DH role. Even when healthy, the 6-foot, 215-pound O’Neill has been somewhat reluctant to catch, though he has the raw arm strength desired in the position. The versatile O’Neill settled in as an all-star shortstop when unable to catch as a junior, but his lack of flexibility and grinder-like approach in the field makes him a better fit as an offensive second baseman (along the lines of stocky Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla), or corner outfielder. In British Columbia baseball circles, O’Neill has drawn constant comparisons to another former top Langley Blaze prospect, Brett Lawrie, an offensive-oriented player who enhanced his first-round candidacy in 2008 by moving behind the plate—though that experiment ended early in his pro career, and Lawrie has since settled in as a third baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays. Scouts who saw both players as high-school seniors say O’Neill is more advanced than Lawrie in most areas. Not only is he stronger and faster, and also possesses a stronger arm, but O’Neill had a much better year with the bat. With a short, quick, compact swing, O’Neill handles wood with ease; his raw power, in particular, has emerged this spring, especially with his ability to drive balls long distances to the opposite field. On Blaze’s 23-game exhibition trek to spring-training bases in Arizona in March, where 40-60 scouts typically gathered for most games, O’Neill hit a resounding .714 with five homers. O’Neill committed to Oregon State, but his growing stature as a prospect this spring makes it increasingly unlikely that he will ever play a game at the collegiate level.

 

Chandler Eden, RHP, 6-2 165, Yuba City HS (CA)

After becoming a primary pitcher during his junior season at Yuba City HS, Eden has seen significant strides and has gone from an unknown product to having worked his way into a potential signable round draft prospect. He topped out at 92 mph at the 2012 Area Code games, and generally pitches in the low-90s, though there are reports that he's topped out a bit higher than that this spring. He has a fast arm and a projectable frame, and if he honors his commitment to Oregon State he could be a player to watch for the 2016 draft. At this point in his career he's a quality projection arm, albeit one with a limited prospect resume, that should draw some interest this June if he indicates an interest in signing.

 

J.B. Woodman, OF, 6-2 190, L/R, Edgewater HS (FL)

 

Woodman is another high school quarterback and a three-year starter for Edgewater High School in the fall. Unlike Cord Sandberg, however, splitting loyalties hasn’t seemed to set back Woodman’s baseball skills, especially with the bat. Woodman has been a consistent high level performer both for the Orlando Scorpions in the summer and in high school ball during the spring, and can easily be graded out as having a plus hit tool. Woodman also profiles as a future centerfielder with 6.6 speed in the 60 and solid average Major League arm strength. The question for scouts will be in evaluating Woodman’s future power potential, as his left handed swing is more geared for contact and gap-to-gap extra base hits than for lifting the ball despite his 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame. A team that projects future average power could draft Woodman surprisingly high if they think they can sign him away from a Mississippi scholarship.

 

Nick Longhi, 1B, 6-2 208, R/L, Venice HS (FL)

Longhi was one of the darlings of the showcase circuit last summer and fall, showing well above average power at times with a surprisingly quick and simple right handed swing that is especially effective at driving the ball hard to the middle of the field. His swing mechanics and strength/power were further appreciated by scouts due to Longhi’s age, as he is one of the youngest prospects in the 2013 class, could easily be a 2014 instead by age and will play most of the summer at 17 years old. He has only shown that power sparingly this spring, though, and mostly in workouts and batting practice. Probably the best thing the rare left-handed thrower/right-handed hitter has done in the last few months for his professional resume is show scouts his overall versatility and athleticism. A slick fielding first baseman, Longhi has played right and center field this spring for nationally ranked Venice High School, and made increasingly frequent trips to the mound, where his fastball tops out at 91 mph. He is also one of the rare 2013 Florida top prospects who plan on leaving the state if they don’t sign, with a scholarship to Louisiana State in hand.

Edited June 7, 2013 by ace3113

[ace3113]

Thomas Milone, OF, 6-0 185, L/L, Masuk HS (CT)

At least in terms of statistical performance, Milone has not been overwhelming in front of scouts this spring. His competition or lack thereof also make the scouting conditions less than idea. But, scouts have been attracted to his exciting raw tools since last summer. He shows an above average bat, as well as an average arm in center field, and 60 foot speed on the 20-80 scale. What might be the difference maker for Milone, though, is his power. He’s quick to the ball and has a lot of lift in his swing, and consistently generates backspin on the baseball. With that said, he projects to have at least average or a notch above average left-handed power at the big league level. There are some mechanical issues that professional coaches will likely want to tidy up in his swing, like the twitch in his wrist during his load. Quieting his mechanics somewhat may allow his very fast hands to go to work a little more consistently. Right now, he also appears to have the tools to remain in center, and gets a good first step on balls in the gap. There was early spring buzz that he could go as high as the compensation round, but it seems more likely now that the speedy center fielder goes off the board between rounds three and five.

 

Myles Smith, RHP, 6'2 175, Lee

Smith was drafted in the 16th round a year ago by the New York Mets out of Miami-Dade Junior College, but decided against turning pro in favor of accepting a scholarship to play at nearby Miami. His decision to bypass an offer from the Mets came into question when he was subsequently declared academically ineligible at Miami, and was left only with offers from NAIA schools to ponder. But Smith has turned his adversity into a golden opportunity to exponentially improve his worth for the 2013 draft. As a junior at Tennessee’s Lee University, an NAIA power, he has improved the velocity on his fastball from a standard 90-93 mph in 2012, to a more eye-popping 93-97. His changeup has continued to be a dominant off-speed pitch, while the Lee coaching staff committed him to throwing his slider more frequently to give him a breaking ball and enhance his chances of remaining a starter at the pro level, and Smith has also made significant strides with that pitch. With a solid three-pitch mix, he has dominated his NAIA competition, posting a 10-3, 1.51 record in 13 starts as Lee embarked on post-season play, along with 27 walks and 84 strikeouts in 71 innings. In addition to his superior velocity, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Smith stands out among this year’s crop of college arms because of his superior athleticism. He was the best all-around talent to come out of the Michigan high school ranks in 2010, but made little headway as a freshman at Missouri while dividing his time between pitching and playing shortstop. He elected to transfer to Miami-Dade a year later with the initial intention of playing both ways, but soon decided to concentrate on pitching only and his career soon took off—even as he hit an apparent speed bump last summer, before quickly resurrecting his career this spring.

 

Jeremy Martinez, C, 5'11 200, R/R, Mater Dei HS (CA)

A polished receiver and defender, Martinez is a relatively sure thing for a high school prospect. He has a very lengthy resume that includes several gold medals as a member of three USA Baseball national teams (2010-12) and high level events such as the PG National Showcase, Area Code Games, two Tournament of Stars appearances and the Perfect Game All-American Classic. Martinez established himself as a 2013 draft prospect following his sophomore season at Mater Dei, and sometimes he gets overlooked in favor of newly discovered exciting prospects, but come June he'll likely come off the board in the top five rounds as he not only offers an advanced skillset, but his track record of success will help cement teams' belief in his ability to both handle defensively and make hard contact against high level pitching. His stock suffers a bit as a result of the number of other quality catching prospects, which drives his market value down a bit, but he's one of the safest bets in this high school class to catch at the Major League level and will be drafted accordingly.

 

Rowdy Tellez, 1B, 6'4 225, L/L, Elk Grove HS (CA)

Tellez and Kevin Franklin have similar profiles: massive raw power with long term positional uncertainty. Franklin has a chance to stick at 3B, while Tellez's best case scenario would be to develop into a solid defensive 1B. Tellez makes up a lot of that ground by being a left handed hitter with equal power, but Franklin remains a slightly better prospect at this point, despite the similar high ceiling power corner profiles.

[GD]

I think Bickford has the most upside of the group but, they could have gotten someone similar (and they did in Hollon) later in the draft.

 

Do you mean most upside at the time they were taken?

[GD]

Today should be pretty boring after the third round again if the Jays draft college seniors and non-prospects with their picks through the 4th and 10th rounds like they did last year to create bonus space. Having said that I put together my draft board for pick 83 in the 3rd. 9 players in total, as we pick 9th today.

 

O'Neill, Milone, Brentz, Whitson, Healy, Covey, Martinez, Quantrill, hell isn't Denney still on the board? PLENTY of guys still available.

[Captain Adama]

Cal Quantrill probably will get picked late in the day, if at all, he's dead set on Stanford.

[DuckDuckGose]

Today should be pretty boring after the third round again if the Jays draft college seniors and non-prospects with their picks through the 4th and 10th rounds like they did last year to create bonus space. Having said that I put together my draft board for pick 83 in the 3rd. 9 players in total, as we pick 9th today.

 

Tyler O'Neill, C/SS, 6-0 200, R/R, Garibaldi HS (BC)

 

 

Chandler Eden, RHP, 6-2 165, Yuba City HS (CA)

 

 

J.B. Woodman, OF, 6-2 190, L/R, Edgewater HS (FL)

 

Nick Longhi, 1B, 6-2 208, R/L, Venice HS (FL)

 

O'Neil sounds really interesting for round 3...

[GD]

Cal Quantrill probably will get picked late in the day, if at all, he's dead set on Stanford.

 

Him or Martarano would be excellent tough-sign Alford-y picks.

[DuckDuckGose]

Do you mean most upside at the time they were taken?

 

Ya, on draft day. Most of them don't have quite as good of stuff. Sanchez, Smoral, Norris, Stroman and Syndergaard are probably the best comps and obviously the group with elite stuff.

[DuckDuckGose]

O'Neill, Milone, Brentz, Whitson, Healy, Covey, Martinez, Quantrill, hell isn't Denney still on the board? PLENTY of guys still available.

 

Denney in the 3rd would be a still! I was upset they passed on him in the 2nd...

[DuckDuckGose]

Thomas Milone, OF, 6-0 185, L/L, Masuk HS (CT)

 

 

Myles Smith, RHP, 6'2 175, Lee

 

 

Jeremy Martinez, C, 5'11 200, R/R, Mater Dei HS (CA)

 

 

Rowdy Tellez, 1B, 6'4 225, L/L, Elk Grove HS (CA)

 

Apparently 1B are the new under-valued market inefficiency money-ball pick. What are your thoughts on the guys that are left, do any of them have a chance to be a special bat at the MLB level?

[GD]

Ya, on draft day. Most of them don't have quite as good of stuff. Sanchez, Smoral, Norris, Stroman and Syndergaard are probably the best comps and obviously the group with elite stuff.

 

Oh, then yeah, this I agree with. I'd probably put the closest at Syndergaard. Huge fastball, no secondaries. Worried about Bickford's lack of a swing and miss pitch because he may not be able to just blow that fastball by guys at the MLB level.

 

Denney in the 3rd would be a still! I was upset they passed on him in the 2nd...

 

I think he'll make it to us. He'd be an amazing addition.