2017 First-Year Player Draft | Day 1 | June 12 - 7:00 PM ET

[LGBJ29]

I didn't even think about the effect of tired legs. It's probably too much to ask of him

 

From what I've read most scouts agree he or the team needs to make a definitive decision on what position he will play in order to get proper development

[Angrioter]

From what I've read most scouts agree he or the team needs to make a definitive decision on what position he will play in order to get proper development

 

Elite defender w/o bat catcher or SP4

[Brownie19]

Elite defender w/o bat catcher or SP4

 

Well that's underwhelming. Can we get a do-over?

[Deadpool]

Well that's underwhelming. Can we get a do-over?

 

That's just Ang's shtick for any non-Mexican prospects.

[LGBJ29]

Well that's underwhelming. Can we get a do-over?

 

We might if he stays true to his committment at UCLA.

 

His scouting report isnt terrible though:

 

 

He does not get as much publicity as the two-way prospects littered throughout the top-10 picks in this class, but Danner is a legitimate top-100 prospect as a catcher or as a right-handed pitcher. The consensus seems to be that he is a better fit on the mound, as he sits in the low-90s with his fastball and has two average or better secondary pitches in his curveball and changeup. He also projects to have average or better control. To make it as a catcher, Danner would need to come a long way as a receiver, but he has plus arm strength and could offer big power, especially relative to others at the position. He wouldn't hit for a really high average, but it is conceivable that he could hit .260 with 20 homers in his peak offensive seasons.

 

I've read 5 or 6 scouting reports on him that all say his future is likely better on the mound.

[Laika]

From what I've read most scouts agree he or the team needs to make a definitive decision on what position he will play in order to get proper development

 

This tends to be the refrain with every 2-way prospect. I wonder if it's a supported truth or just something commonly accepted.

 

I don't seem to really recall any sort of recent history of particular prospects that a team tried to develop on both sides. You might have to go back decades to find some historic examples, and build a sample set.

 

On my mind this draft. There's a WEIRD number of high-end two-way prospects in 2017. I don't remember anything like this. With most two-way guys in recent years, it's pretty obvious which role is better for them.

[Angrioter]

This tends to be the refrain with every 2-way prospect. I wonder if it's a supported truth or just something commonly accepted.

 

I don't seem to really recall any sort of recent history of particular prospects that a team tried to develop on both sides. You might have to go back decades to find some historic examples, and build a sample set.

 

On my mind this draft. There's a WEIRD number of high-end two-way prospects in 2017. I don't remember anything like this. With most two-way guys in recent years, it's pretty obvious which role is better for them.

 

Trey Ball and Jeff Francouer didn't make it

[Bojangles]

Trey Ball and Jeff Francouer didn't make it

 

Just wanted to say Trey Ball missed an opportunity in basketball.

[jays4life19]

Warmoth played his travel ball with the Orlando Scorpions as a teammate of Brendan Rogers (No. 3 overall pick in 2015) and Virginia outfielder Adam Haseley, also a likely first-round pick in 2017. A starter since early in his freshman season at North Carolina, Warmoth started to emerge offensively as a sophomore, hit well in the Cape Cod League (.270 with four home runs) and was having an All-America-caliber season as a junior. Warmoth's older brother pitched for Stetson and Florida State and has reached Triple-A with the Angels, and the younger Warmoth has an accurate, plus arm that rates as his best tool. His arm strength, good hands and solid range give scouts confidence Warmoth can stay in the middle of the diamond, and many believe he'll stay at shortstop. Other see him as an offensive second baseman, and his offensive performance was pushing Warmoth into first-round consideration. His power is mostly to his pull side, but Warmoth has the ability to use the whole field and has a solid offensive approach, looking for pitches he can drive and showing the ability to make adjustments. Scouts see him as a high-floor, safe bet big leaguer who could exceed his offensive projections.

 

As a high school senior, Pearson received little interest from pro teams. He was a tall righthander whose fastball could reach 93, but he had no usable offspeed pitch. So he enrolled at Florida International, where he got stronger and got some experience, earning more than 30 innings that spring. Following his freshman year, Pearson transferred to the JC of Central Florida, where his stock took off. In a bullpen during the fall, Pearson's fastball touched 100, creating buzz throughout the amateur scouting community. In a starting role in the spring, Pearson pitched mostly at 93-94 and touched 97 in most starts. His fastball shows late running or sinking movement and he made tremendous growth with his command. His changeup now projects as a plus pitch, showing late fade when he locates it down in the zone. He throws both a slider and a curveball, and scouts see his slider as a more prominent part of his future. The pitch shows slurvy shape and sits in the low 80s. Pearson's athleticism and rapid growth could lead him to come off the board as high as the back of the first round. Scouts have compared him to Carl Pavano because of his size, athleticism and potent fastball-changeup combo.

 

Danner has been one of the most decorated high school players in recent years. He starred on the 2011 Little League World Series championship team from California, played for one of the nation's top programs at Huntington Beach High and donned the red, white and blue for the 18U National Team for two summers. He's a legitimate two-way prospect, though most scouts prefer him on the mound. Behind the plate, Danner is a capable receiver and has handled top arms well throughout his amateur career. He has a plus arm behind the plate. He shows plus raw power from the right side, though scouts see him as being more of a slugger than a pure hitter; he lacks elite bat speed and shows a pull-heavy approach. On the mound, Danner shows above-average control of his fastball and curveball. He pitches routinely at 90-93 mph and can touch as high as 95. His curveball has plus potential, showing late 12-to-6 break and consistently tight spin. Danner flashes feel for his changeup. Scouts question the deception of his fastball because he lacks explosive arm speed and high school hitters seem to square up his fastball more than scouts would expect. Danner has battled through shoulder soreness and some scouts are fearful of how he'll hold up. Danner is committed to UCLA and could be an immediate impact player for the Bruins if he makes it to campus, though teams will be interested in picking him on the first day of the draft.

[burlingtonbandit]

I think you could only have a starting Pitcher DH on his off days/Pinch Hit . I don't think people realize the toll pitching takes on your legs. Just too much workload to try to play a position at the same time as pitch with a MLB schedule. Guys can do it in college/HS but they only play 2 or 3 times/week.

 

Maybe a bench position player who is also a relief pitcher would work.

[Ray]

Just from what I've read, Warmoth seems to be the position player equivalent to Stroman. Stroman also picked #22 was the "safe pick" in the 2012 draft. Warmoth might be one of the more major league ready players in the draft similar to Stroman.

[Brownie19]

Just from what I've read, Warmoth seems to be the position player equivalent to Stroman. Stroman also picked #22 was the "safe pick" in the 2012 draft. Warmoth might be one of the more major league ready players in the draft similar to Stroman.

 

IIRC, Stroman was highly ranked, but slipped (presumably because teams were worried about his size and whether he could remain a starter). I don't remember him being a "safe" pick. Jon Harris was similar TBH.

[Laika]

IIRC, Stroman was highly ranked, but slipped (presumably because teams were worried about his size and whether he could remain a starter). I don't remember him being a "safe" pick. Jon Harris was similar TBH.

 

Stroman was regarded as a safe pick because there was very little doubt that he could immediately be a good MLB reliever with his FB/SL combo and good command. Decent floor = relatively safe pick.

 

Stroman with intent to develop him as a starter wasn't considered safe. Injury risk, size, blah, blah blah.

[Brownie19]

Stroman was regarded as a safe pick because there was very little doubt that he could immediately be a good MLB reliever with his FB/SL combo and good command.

If you considered him as a starter, not many would have thought of him as safe.

 

So much like Pearson?

[PGSC]

So much like Pearson?

 

I think command is Pearsons issue isn't it? He's got the stuff, he just needs to learn to control it. He kind of seems like he's got three true outcomes: TOR starter (with command of FB and secondaries), back of bullpen relief (fastball command, one or no effective secondary pitches), or nothing if he can't learn to command anything effectively. Stroman was definitely the safer pick, Pearson seems much more boom/bust in my view.

[Laika]

So much like Pearson?

 

Pearson isn't safe in any respect because he's a JuCo pitcher with a screw in his elbow and he has the pernicious gift of elite velocity.

 

You can think of him as slightly less risky than your typical high school flamethrower, because he's a bit closer and a bit more experienced.

[TwistedLogic]

I've read 5 or 6 scouting reports on him that all say his future is likely better on the mound.

 

I liked him more as a pitcher as well. He's not as intriguing as a catcher, but the team did announce him as one.

[RIPEXPOS]

I liked him more as a pitcher as well. He's not as intriguing as a catcher, but the team did announce him as one.

 

From what I understand scouts like his upside with the bat. Give him full time reps to focus on the craft of hitting and you could see his numbers jump. If he fails in that regard you can always put him back on the mound.

[KingKat]

Stroman was also considered an easy sign which was a big part of his "safeness". IIRC, he did sign for a bit more than expected but nothing egregious.

[burlingtonbandit]

Stroman was also considered an easy sign which was a big part of his "safeness". IIRC, he did sign for a bit more than expected but nothing egregious.

 

Didn't he sign for slot? Which was a lot lower than he was going to get given where he was projected to be picked.

[KingKat]

Didn't he sign for slot? Which was a lot lower than he was going to get given where he was projected to be picked.

 

Yeah and I think there was an expectation that the Jays might shave some money there but maybe we were just kidding ourselves.

[metafour]

Yeah and I think there was an expectation that the Jays might shave some money there but maybe we were just kidding ourselves.

 

There was no reason to believe that we would save any money on Stroman who went later than he should have. It was a silly proposition.

[KingKat]

There was no reason to believe that we would save any money on Stroman who went later than he should have. It was a silly proposition.

 

k. thanks

[Laika]

Anybody want to post this Davidi BA article? http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/blue-jays-top-picks-trend-right-direction/#9Zlk2bcHjS3KCyCE.97

[Dr. Dinger]

Davidi writes for BA now?

[burlingtonbandit]

Probably the same article he wrote for SN

 

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-insist-drafting-college-players-isnt-new-philosophy/

[Laika]

Probably the same article he wrote for SN

 

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-insist-drafting-college-players-isnt-new-philosophy/

 

Your probably dum

[jays4life19]

Anybody want to post this Davidi BA article? http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/blue-jays-top-picks-trend-right-direction/#9Zlk2bcHjS3KCyCE.97

 

I'll post it in an hour when I'm at a computer.

[jays4life19]

Anybody want to post this Davidi BA article? http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/blue-jays-top-picks-trend-right-direction/#9Zlk2bcHjS3KCyCE.97

 

I hope you weren't too excited for this fluff.

 

 

 

Blue Jays’ Top Picks Trend In Right Direction

 

 

June 13, 2017 By Shi Davidi

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue Jays are confident Logan Warmoth, the No. 22 pick in the 2017 draft, will remain at shortstop as a professional and believe rocket-armed righthander Nate Pearson, selected at No. 28, can succeed as a starter.

 

The two first-round picks were the team’s first under new scouting director Steve Sanders, who balanced the projectable steadiness of the North Carolina infielder with a bit more of risk-reward proposition in the JC of Central Florida righty.

 

Some feel Warmoth, well regarded for his makeup and ability to perform along with his tools, may eventually transition to second base. But Sanders noted that the 21-year-old “has got great instincts. His hand and feet work well over there, and he’s a smart baseball player.

 

 

“He’s an instinctual defender,” Sanders said, “and we feel very good about how his skills will translate at the pro level at shortstop.”

 

Warmoth’s offensive output picked up over the course of his three college seasons, with pull-side power and the ability to hit the ball all over the field. He’s a good runner, too, a skill the Blue Jays need in their system.

 

“He really took a step forward in a number of facets,” Sanders said. “He hit for more power, got on base and made some strides defensively. We’ve seen a steady progression from when we started scouting him . . . He just continued to grow on us the more we watched him.”

 

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Pearson surged up draft boards this spring by reaching 102 mph. His secondary stuff isn’t as polished yet, though his changeup draws praise, and that will be key in determining if he succeeds as a starter.

 

“His stuff really trended upwards toward the later part of the season,” Sanders said. “He has really special-type stuff across the board, and as a bigger guy, with a good delivery, certainly we feel he has a great chance to start . . . We’re excited with what he brings to the table when he gets on a mound.”

[Laika]

I hope you weren't too excited for this fluff.

 

lmao, what a skimpy article to paywall.

 

335 words!