Blue Jays Board 2014 Mock Draft

[GD]

STFU up you can't even make your picks in a mock draft! Your not qualified to speak on this matter! Lol

 

At least I don't propose spare parts for useful parts

 

Francisco and Kawasaki for Denorfia guise!

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

At least I don't propose spare parts for useful parts

 

Francisco and Kawasaki for Denorfia guise!

 

Least I don't suck on basketballs either! Yet again you would be above your skillz level bitch!

[GD]

Least I don't suck on basketballs either! Yet again you would be above your skillz level bitch!

 

Lmao I like this one. He is to Spanky as Brendan Kalfus is to Reed Johnson.

[ace3113]

Take a name off the list.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/bukauskas-tells-teams-hell-pass-on-draft/

 

Bukauskas Tells Teams He’ll Pass On Draft

 

North Carolina took a page out of Virginia’s playbook with a player from the Cavaliers’ back yard.

 

Stone Bridge High righthander Jacob Bukauskas (Ashburn, Va.) has emailed scouts in the area to ask them not to draft him, informing them he intends to fulfill his commitment to North Carolina.

 

Bukauskas’ letter, obtained by Baseball America, thanked scouts for investing time and effort to evaluate him, as well as trying to gauge what it would take to sign him away from North Carolina. He wrote, “When confronted recently with the timeline and logistics realities in front of me, I feel like it will be better for my overall personal development (socially, emotionally, etc.) to experience college.”

 

Bukauskas follows the example set in the past by Virginia pitchers such as Nathan Kirby and Connor Jones, current members of the top-ranked Cavaliers pitching staff who were potential high draft picks out of high school but asked teams not to select them. Kirby, in fact, went as far as to make sure that teams could not draft him by removing his name from the draft.

 

The 6-foot Bukauskas had re-classified as a member of the 2014 draft class last summer and was shaping up as one of the youngest players and hardest throwers of the 2014 prep class. Bukauskas owns one of the better fastballs in the class in terms of velocity, sitting in the 93-97 mph range and reaching as high as 98.

 

Bukauskas’ secondary stuff has proved less consistent than his velocity, with his changeup ahead of his low 80s slider on some days. But his slider has shown better in recent starts, flashing plus. Scouts who were buying on Bukauskas touted the consistent premium velocity to go with his youth (he’s 17) and improvement over the course of the past year, and saw him competing for a spot in the back half of the first round. Scout who were less sanguine on his stock still had him as a second-rounder and considered him a better fit as a reliever due in part to his stature and the effort in his delivery.

 

If Bukauskas lives up to his letter and attends North Carolina, he would not be draft-eligible again until 2017.

[GD]

King's guy, right?

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Lmao I like this one. He is to Spanky as Brendan Kalfus is to Reed Johnson.

 

But but but king and the Kalfus thread lead me to believe he will be a Super Star! You like me, Thanks! Lol

[ace3113]

King's guy, right?

 

I think so.

[ace3113]

I didn't draft him, I took Jackson.

 

I think he meant you liked him as a prospect.

[GD]

Yeah.

 

I liked him too but I don't think he would be a guy available at one of our picks without reaching.

[ace3113]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/baseball-america-wednesday-chat-with-ben-badler/

 

Twins twerp (Western ND): Jeff hoffman to have tj surgery. Does he sit out a season untill next draft or fall to the nationals like gioloto this draft?

 

Ben Badler: I would bet he still gets paid this year. If I were him though, given that he’s going to have the surgery anyway, I would do something completely outside the box and consider becoming a resident of a foreign country like Haiti, sit out one year, then try to sign as an international free agent, where he probably could get more money even subject to the pools, which teams would certainly go past for a player of his caliber. I’m not sure MLB would allow it, but this might be the perfect time for someone daring and enterprising enough to try it. More realistically, yeah, he probably slips in the draft but still gets paid.

[ace3113]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/pipeline-inbox-who-will-white-sox-draft-first?ymd=20140508&content_id=74770502&vkey=news_mlb

 

With Jeff Hoffman's most recent setback and White Sox general manager Rick Hahn's stated desire to draft a college pitcher, what does Chicago do with its No. 3 overall pick? I can't imagine the White Sox passing on whomever of California high school left-hander Brady Aiken, North Carolina State lefty Carlos Rodon or Texas prep righty Tyler Kolek falls into their lap.

-- Nick D., Chicago

 

With Hoffman out of the running, there are three clear candidates to go at the top of the Draft: Aiken, Rodon and Kolek. The White Sox might prefer a college arm, but I haven't seen where Hahn has said anything that makes it seem like he's set on one. I agree with Nick that they'll just take whichever of the big three remains on the board.

 

If Rodon goes to the Astros at No. 1 or the Marlins at No. 2 -- and I think he probably will -- that would leave righties Aaron Nola (Louisiana State) and Tyler Beede (Vanderbilt) and lefties Kyle Freeland (Evansville), Brandon Finnegan (Texas Christian) and Sean Newcomb (Hartford) as the top college arms available. And while all of those guys are talented, and Nola likely will be the first starting pitcher from this Draft to reach the Major Leagues, I also can't imagine the White Sox ignoring the higher upsides of Aiken and/or Kolek.

 

Chicago has a history of drafting high-ceiling players in the early rounds and hasn't had much success taking college pitchers in the first round in the past decade. The White Sox scored big when Chris Sale unexpectedly dropped to them at No. 13 in 2010, but they missed badly on Lance Broadway ('05), Kyle McCullough ('06) and Aaron Poreda ('07).

 

Does Nola have the ability to be more than what Mike Leake has been?

-- Cameron K., Naperville, Ill.

 

There are some obvious similarities between Leake and Nola. Neither is extremely physical, and both stand out for their ability to command their pitches rather than any particular plus offering. Leake was the eight overall pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, and Nola will go in the same range this year. Leake was the first player from his Draft class to get to the big leagues, and Nola is a good bet to do the same.

 

Leake, the most recent player to begin his professional career in the Majors, has been steady in four-plus seasons with the Reds. He has gone 44-32 with a 3.95 ERA in 121 games (116 starts) and won a career-high 14 games in 2013. Leake is a quality No. 4-caliber starter.

 

Nola has more upside than that. Leake doesn't have a consistently above-average pitch, while Nola has two potential plus offerings in his fastball and changeup. He has what it take to be a good No. 3 starter, a notch above what Leake is.

 

Where do you see Oregon State outfielder Michael Conforto being drafted? Is he slated to be a fourth outfielder rather that a full-time player?

-- Doug C., Bowling Green, Ohio

 

Conforto should fit in the middle of the first round, somewhere in the 11-20 range. He's one of the best bats available from the college ranks, and he's hitting .407/.552/.627 with more walks (41) than strikeouts (26) as a junior. Conforto's best tool is his plus left-handed power -- he led the U.S. national collegiate team with three homers last summer -- and he also could hit for a solid average.

 

Conforto's athleticism isn't bad for a 6-foot-2, 217-pounder, though his below-average speed, range and arm make him a left fielder. He definitely has the bat to profile as not only an everyday player, but also a middle-of-the-order hitter. If not, Conforto wouldn't go nearly as high in the Draft as he will.

 

Conforto has some of the most interesting bloodlines in the 2014 Draft. His father Mike played linebacker at Penn State, and his mother Tracie (Ruiz) won two gold medals in synchronized swimming at the 1984 Olympics. Michael starred as a quarterback and safety in high school, drawing interest from college football programs, before deciding to focus on baseball with the Beavers.

[ace3113]

Given the news on Hoffman, I will change the pick to Freeland who I chose for the Phillies. It will help make it closer to what might actually happen at the draft. I made the pick for the Phillies anyway, so I will change that to someone else.

[GD]

Would the Cubs really rather Freeland over, say, Beede?

[ace3113]

Would the Cubs really rather Freeland over, say, Beede?

 

Probably Beede, but I figured it was easier to change the Phillies pick (since it was mine) than force z3r0s to make a new pick. I also considered Finnegan, but I'm concerned about his potential arm injury.

[GD]

Holmes would have worked too.

[Grant77]

Apologies for taking so long. I haven't been able to get to a computer much.

 

9. Blue Jays - Nick Gordon, SS, 6'2, 170, Olympia High School (Fl)

 

(GM-Grant77): "As an extremely athletic player at an up the middle position, Nick fits right into our organizational philosophy. Our scouts feel that he can develop into a plus defensive shortstop at the major league level, due to his incredible range and above average arm. While his bat is not at the same level, we believe that his plus bat speed and pitch recognition skills will help him develop in a similar way to Francisco Lindor. With our past track record of identifying good pitchers later in the draft, we feel this is the time to grab the top remaining position player."

[ace3113]

I will update the OP. Spanky on the clock. Remember guys, Hoffman is back on the draft board and Touki Toussaint is not. I switched the Phillies/Cubs picks after Hoffman's injury to keep it closer to life.

[ace3113]

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/50555/mlb-insider-keith-law

 

Scott (Lincolnshire)

 

Any chance the big 3 arms don't get selected 3rd overall and slide to 4th for the cubs? I know that you just released a prospect ranking, which isn't necessarily a mock draft on what you think teams will do.

 

Klaw

(1:03 PM)

 

Correct, that's just my "board" but not a projection. I think there's a decent chance Rodon reaches the Cubs, but not the two prep arms. Depends a lot on what the White Sox do if Aiken-Kolek go 1-2.

 

Jon (DC)

 

When you were in the FO, how many deep would you rank draft prospects? Top 1000?

 

Klaw

(1:05 PM)

 

I think we had 600-800 guys on the board each year, but we didn't do a straight ranking - after the top 100 or so we had them broken down into categories. Not sure that was the right approach, but that's how we did it.

 

Cory (down state NY)

 

Hoffman has to drop because of TJ but how far?

 

Klaw

(1:08 PM)

 

Million dollar question - or maybe $2 million. I think teams with a second pick right after the first round would be in position to get creative and pay him over slot down there. Astros would be one such team, as would the Royals with three picks between 17 and 40 and a history of doing just that (Manaea last year). Sources have also pointed out Washington and Boston as teams that might be interested in overpaying him if he fell to them.

 

Michael (North Carolina)

 

Word out of Virginia recently indicates that Bukauskas may elect to go the college route. Have you confirmed any validity to that rumor? I know he is really young (he'd be draft eligible again at 20).

 

Klaw

(1:09 PM)

 

You mean the story I broke the other day? Come on, son. And I still think there's a nonzero chance some team waves $1.5 million in his face and dares him to turn it down.

 

John (Minneapolis)

 

Better draft class than last year?

 

Klaw

(1:09 PM)

 

Yes, more pitching depth for me well into the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

 

Zach (Mpls, MN)

 

Keith, have you heard what names the Twins are on? I'd really like to see Gordon, we don't have anyone like him in our system.

 

Klaw

(1:11 PM)

 

Gordon and Nola in particular with them.

 

Ciscoskid (Folsom)

 

Any chance the Giants get to pick between Zimmer, Hill, and Gatewood? Or do you think they will go with an arm?

 

Klaw

(1:13 PM)

 

Hill might be there, but I doubt both he and Zimmer get that far. Only heard Gatewood above them with Philly. That said, I think the Giants are also scouting players from outside of northern California.

 

Tim (Chicago)

 

With Hoffman out who will the cubs get at 4? Thanks love your work

 

Klaw

(1:16 PM)

 

I think their board blew up a bit with the Hoffman injury. I've heard them a bit with Fedde, although he didn't pitch last weekend and was pushed back to Saturday this week. Theo saw Nick Gordon's last game earlier this week. I don't think Beede is in their mix and I think their link to Alex Jackson is a bit overblown.

 

james (delaware)

 

will anyone sign with the phillies after the controversy this past year with some of their draft picks?

 

Klaw

(1:17 PM)

 

Yes, I think by and large that has blown over, other than perhaps more caution from some advisers in giving the Phillies specific info like bonus demands. The peculiar part was their decision to report Monda - area scouts up there have told me they knew Monda didn't want to sign, and there wasn't any violation of NCAA rules, so why report an innocent kid?

 

John (Reno)

 

Apparently, you really like Erick Fedde. Chances he get picked by DBacks?

 

Klaw

(1:23 PM)

 

The industry likes him - I only saw him once, and tried to see him again last weekend at Clemson but had to cancel my plans when they chose not to pitch him. Have heard him a lot with teams in the top 10 so I don't think he gets that far.

 

Bob (NYC)

 

Is Gettys the closest to having a Trout-like ceiling (of course that's best possible case scenario) in the draft? and if so, why hasn't he been mentioned as going in the top 5?

 

Klaw

(1:35 PM)

 

I hate that comparison - and I've heard it from a couple of scouts, too - because Trout was NEVER this crude of a hitter. Gettys has real swing issues that are the reason he's not a top 5 or top 10 pick. He has a 80 arm, and he's a 70 runner, and you'll see BP power, but he's a guy you hand to player development and say "Fix him."

 

Mike (Tampa)

 

Better comp for Gettys = Marisnick or Stubbs?

 

Klaw

(1:38 PM)

 

Good calls there - similar profiles. Stubbs for me. Marisnick was always a little more polished than he got credit for, IMO.

 

Randy (Germantown, MD)

 

any thoughts on when Trea Turner may get drafted? As Mets fan from the 70s and a NC State alum '89, I'm hoping it is to the NY Mets! thanks.

 

Klaw

(1:41 PM)

 

If you're a Mets fan, you should want them to take someone better.

 

Dave (Chicago)

 

Did health concerns bump Finnegan down your list?

 

Klaw

(1:44 PM)

 

Sore shoulder. Might have gone in the late top ten before that, not top 5 but maybe 8-9-10 area; with the shoulder issue and TCU's horrible track record any team that takes him in the top 15 or so is foolish.

 

FishermanCWC (New York )

 

Any good prospects coming out of the North east this year?? Maybe a Jason Reynolds or Ronnie Babb?

 

Klaw

(1:48 PM)

 

Newcomb and Blewitt are in my top 25. Isan Diaz could go in the third round if he's signable there (Vandy commit). Austin Dicarr and Joey Gatto might be 4th-5th round range, although Gatto may just go to school at that point.

 

Dan (New Mexico)

 

Follow-up to the Treat Turner comment - was he simply overrated coming into the 2014 season, or has there been a significant downgrade in his tools since last season? (or other?) Much thanks, Keith.

 

Klaw

(1:54 PM)

 

I always thought he was overrated. He hasn't been an 80 runner since his freshman year, and his swing needs a lot of work. I think the majority view is that he'll stay at shortstop, which helps, but I am personally concerned that his frame is slight for the wear and tear of the middle infield.

 

sean (pa)

 

if the cubs take jackson at #4 do you think he has the skill set defensively? or because he bat will play he gets moved eventually to one of the corners in the of?

 

Klaw

(2:03 PM)

 

Variety of factors here but all signs point to him not catching long-term. I do think he has the arm and glove for it, at least.

 

Nick (Topeka)

 

Do you see Monte Harrison being a first round pick? is there any chance he gets to Nebraska to play football/baseball?

 

Klaw

(2:23 PM)

 

Yes on first round, no on Nebraska.

 

Frank (CT)

 

speaking purely out of ignorance, what is the benefit of a prep student going to college instead of signing with a team? Youd have to figure that there is plenty of time to go back to school if an MLB career doesnt pan out.

 

Klaw

(2:24 PM)

 

I tell just about every top prep prospect to whom I ever talk that they should sign. Get every dime you can, and then sign. Most college programs won't make you better - there are a few exceptions - but they will use you however they see fit, regardless of whether it'll hurt you long-term.

 

Bret (Toronto)

 

Have you heard any rumblings for what the Jays might do with their two picks in the draft? Does there figure to be any creative opportunities for them?

 

Klaw

(2:27 PM)

 

Prep arms, most likely. Certainly chances to get creative, including Hoffman.

[ace3113]

Jeez, they're dropping like flies. Scratch another name off the list.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/unlv-ace-erick-fedde-to-have-tommy-john-surgery/

 

UNLV Ace Erick Fedde To Have Tommy John Surgery

 

Baseball America confirmed Saturday that UNLV ace righthander Erick Fedde will have Tommy John surgery. He is the second potential top-10 pick this week to suffer this fate, following on the heels of East Carolina’s Jeff Hoffman.

 

Erick-Fedde-mound-dpFedde missed a start last week, and the Rebels said they were just resting him for nonconference action. But he remained tender and had an MRI on Friday, revealing the bad news.

 

Fedde had generated some interest as high as the top five picks this spring thanks to a fastball that has reached 97, a quality slider and changeup, a tall, athletic frame and an advanced ability to pound the strike zone. He is 8-2, 1.76 with 82 strikeouts and 21 walks in 77 innings as a junior this spring. We profiled Fedde in Three Strikes after his strong outing on a frigid night at Nebraska in Week Seven.

 

As Clint Longenecker wrote earlier this week when the Hoffman news broke, several teams have extra picks high in the draft and could still be willing to take a shot on an injured pitcher in the early rounds. The track record of recovery from Tommy John surgery is good, but both pitchers certainly take a hit in value with this news. And UNLV, enjoying its best season in years, now finds itself without its ace heading toward the postseason.

 

The two injuries also throw a pair of significant wrenches into the top half of the first round, less than a month from draft day.

[Angrioter]

10. Mets- Kyle Schwarber, C/1b/OF 6' 230 lbs, Indiana Junior

 

(GM- Spanky99): "As an Org, we've decided to go with Kyle's bat, as it's advanced with excellent contact and power tools with a future upside to hit in the middle of the order with a time frame that would peek with the core of this ballclub. With Travis d'Arnaud with the club, it's likely Kyle will end up a COFer with the utility to play both behind the dish and at first base in a pinch. Once again, we clearly see Schwarber as a high average, power hitting, middle of the order bat much like Victor Martinez with the ability to play the Corners."

 

Matt Stairs

[ace3113]

The Mets are reaching, lol.

 

It's a bit of a reach, but he's a really good player. I wanted him for the Jays early last year until our pick moved into the top 10. He could have a 60 hit tool and 60 power.

[ace3113]

Grant up again for the next 2!

 

Take Hoffman Grant or we'll rage. j/k

[ace3113]

Hey, Spanky could you let Grant know he's up with the next 2 picks in case he hasn't been by the thread yet.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

This is interesting at this rate you may get the first round done by the draft! Or NOT! Lol

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

The bluejay management of this draft reminds me of the real life one! Slow to react and make moves! Lol

[ace3113]

Through the Fence's Mock Draft while we're waiting.

 

http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-8-0-top-45-picks/42874

 

9. Toronto Blue Jays — Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State

 

Tuner has been one of my favorites since his freshman season as he offers a unique package of tools. With his plus/plus speed, he is a headache on the bases. He also has great range and instincts in the field and should be able to stick at a premium position. He has an advanced approach at the plate and has shown some pop this season, especially of late. Through 48 games, he is hitting .319/.418/.505 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and has drawn 33 walks to just 24 strikeouts. He also has gone 22-for-25 in stolen base attempts.

 

11. Toronto Blue Jays — Kyle Freeland, LHP, Evansville

 

Power and control. Freeland has been flat out silly this year and has risen as high as anyone in the 2014 MLB draft. After impressing at the Cape Cod League over the summer, recording 48 K/4 BB over 40 innings, the 6’-4” southpaw has been even better this season. Through 13 starts, he has a 1.75 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 111 K/7 BB over 87.2 innings. He has yet to allow a home run this season. He can touch 96 with his fastball, and he adds a plus slider and a solid change-up.

[z3r0s]

Gordon at 2! Crazy, even if it is for 'under slot' BS.

 

I think I can put my thoughts of getting him at 9 to bed.

[z3r0s]

and I don't see Hoffman slipping that far in the draft at all. See Lucas Giolito.

[Atothe]

Hoffman will fall

 

They're saying end of first round territory. I bet he doesn't. He'll be pick before the 20's

[z3r0s]

I guess Giolito fell farther than I thought (16). Either way that is working out pretty well for the Nats.