MLB 2019 Draft

[Krylian]

Kinda feels like we already started doesn't it?

 

Just wait until they shop Stroman, Sanchez, Smoak, and Giles. We may never win again.

[Jonn]

Kinda feels like we already started doesn't it?

 

Its going to get a lot worse when Smoak, Galvis, Stroman, and Giles get shipped out.

[glory]

I’ve been critical of Atkins lately but I feel very confident that he will be able to build a team bad enough to get a top 3 pick.

 

See, I can be positive!

[Olerud363]

I’ve been critical of Atkins lately but I feel very confident that he will be able to build a team bad enough to get a top 3 pick.

 

See, I can be positive!

 

I disagree. 72 wins and the 10th pick, Hansen called up RED HOT. Maile unbelievable. Burrito stellar... Richards and Buckholtz (post trade deadline) terrific. Luck Stellar. No young players will do anything of course.

 

Orioles second in a row 1st round pick, both fly through minors and are the two legends that the next Orioles dynasty is built around. 2020 Orioles start to fly, 2021 they are there. jays stuck in 72 win hell with no meaning or joy. Orioles fans cheer, and laugh, and dance as their generational legends bring joy to their fan base.

 

Draft 2020

 

Orioles first overall pick from 2019 is almost ready. Unbelievable. Orioles are starting to fly, and have another 1st overall legend to join the cause!!

 

Jays (despite having less WAR then the Orioles in 2019) pick 10th. A joyless, souless, pick.

[Krylian]

I disagree. 72 wins and the 10th pick, Hansen called up RED HOT. Maile unbelievable. Burrito stellar... Richards and Buckholtz (post trade deadline) terrific. Luck Stellar. No young players will do anything of course.

 

Orioles second in a row 1st round pick, both fly through minors and are the two legends that the next Orioles dynasty is built around. 2020 Orioles start to fly, 2021 they are there. jays stuck in 72 win hell with no meaning or joy. Orioles fans cheer, and laugh, and dance as their generational legends bring joy to their fan base.

 

Draft 2020

 

Orioles first overall pick from 2019 is almost ready. Unbelievable. Orioles are starting to fly, and have another 1st overall legend to join the cause!!

 

Jays (despite having less WAR then the Orioles in 2019) pick 10th. A joyless, souless, pick.

 

Did BBBB log into your profile by mistake?

[Krylian]

Callis was a fan of our draft.

 

The 2019 Draft is in the books, and while we won’t know for many years which team accrued the most Major League talent, it's never too early to begin to evaluate each team's haul. Here are seven teams who stood out, ranked in order.

http://www.mlb.com/assets/images/9/5/6/301521956/raw.jpg

 

 

1. D-backs

The D-backs had two first-round selections and seven of the first 64 picks in 2009, which not coincidentally turned into the best Draft in franchise history. They turned five of those choices into big leaguers, most notably A.J. Pollock, and actually did more damage afterward with Paul Goldschmidt (eighth round), Chase Anderson (ninth) and Keon Broxton (third).

Arizona again had a hoard of picks this year, with four first-rounders and seven of the first 75 selections. It picked up an extra first-rounder as compensation for failing to sign Matt McLain, the 25th overall choice in 2018, and two more for the loss of free agents Patrick Corbin and Pollock.

The D-backs grabbed a lot of quality with all that quantity. They started off by selecting Washington high school outfielder Corbin Carroll with the No. 16 overall selection, gaining a player with premium hitting ability, speed and defensive skills who was bandied about as a possible top-10 pick. They spent the rest of their first-rounders on arms: ultraprojectable North Carolina left-hander Blake Walston (No. 26) and a pair of power-pitching right-handers, Florida high schooler Brennan Malone (No. 33) and Ball State's Drey Jameson (No. 34).

Arizona then took two more college pitchers, hard-throwing Oregon righty Ryne Nelson (second round) and Michigan left-hander Tommy Henry (supplemental second), who looked like a first-rounder when he was racking up swings and misses with all three of his pitches in the first half of the season. It ended the first day with Arkansas' Dominic Fletcher (supplemental second), one of the best defensive outfielders in college baseball and a possible 15-20 homer threat.

The D-backs got as many MLB Pipeline Draft Top 200 Prospects (seven) in the first two rounds as any club got in the entire Draft. They also landed more Top 200 guys (five) on the second day (rounds 3-10) than any team.

That second group includes three accomplished college hitters in Georgia Tech first baseman Tristin English (third), East Carolina first baseman Spencer Brickhouse (seventh) and Ohio State outfielder Dominic Canzone (eighth). California high school shortstop Glenallen Hill Jr. (fourth) has the raw power to do his ex-big league dad proud, while Xavier right-hander Connor Grammes (fifth) also has plenty of pop but will be a full-time pitcher because he can reach 99 mph in short stints.

Of course, any club with as much extra ammunition as Arizona had is going to look good in an immediate post mortem of the Draft. Yet the D-backs not only cleaned up with their stockpile of picks on the first day, but also when they were on an even playing field on the second day.

2. Rays

Armed with a pair of supplemental first-rounders, Tampa Bay led all clubs by acquiring four prospects in MLB Pipeline's Top 50. UNC Wilmington shortstop Greg Jones (first) was one of the fastest players in the Draft, and he's also a switch-hitter with sneaky pop and an eye for drawing walks. Texas high schooler J.J. Goss and Campbell's Sean Johnson are supplemental first-round right-handers with fastballs that get into the mid-90s and sliders that can be wipeout offerings. Texas A&M's John Doxakis (second) is a crafty left-hander with great feel for his lively 88-93 mph fastball and low-80s slider. The Rays added two more interesting college southpaws in Duke's Graeme Stinson (fourth), our top-rated four-year college pitcher before he missed most of the spring with a hamstring injury, and UC Santa Barbara's Ben Brecht (fifth), whose 6-foot-7 frame creates a lot of extension and deception.

3. Dodgers

Los Angeles spent its first-round choices on two of the most dangerous hitters in college baseball, Tulane third baseman Kyle Hoese and North Carolina first baseman/outfielder Michael Busch, and it will try to turn the latter into a Max Muncyesque second baseman. Texas high school right-hander Jimmy Lewis (supplemental second) is very projectable at 6-foot-6 and already reaches 95 mph. Butler righty Ryan Pepiot (third) had one of the best changeups among college pitchers, while Eastern Kentucky righty Aaron Ochsenbein (sixth) had one of the top splitters -- and both can hit 96 mph with their fastballs. UC Irvine third baseman Brandon Lewis's (fourth) power translated into a school-record 14 homers this spring, and Stanford right-hander Jack Little (fifth) rode solid stuff and command to a Cardinal-record 28 career saves.

4. Marlins

Miami began its Draft with a pair of Southeastern Conference outfielders: Vanderbilt's JJ Bleday (first), a well-rounded player who leads NCAA Division I with 26 homers, and Missouri's Kameron Misner (supplemental first), who had the best all-around tools in the college crop but slid because he struggled mightily in league play. Georgia prepster Nasim Nunez (second) possesses well above-average speed and might have been the best defensive shortstop among high schoolers. California prep right-hander Evan Fitterer (fifth) stands out for his athleticism, projectability and feel for pitching. To afford all of those guys, the Marlins used the rest of their choices in the top 10 rounds on college seniors or redshirt juniors, and they got some of the best in Wright State outfielder Peyton Burdick (third), North Carolina State first baseman Evan Edwards (fourth), Dallas Baptist right-hander M.D. Johnson (sixth) and Louisville righty Bryan Hoeing (seventh).

5. Blue Jays

The next three teams on our list deserve extra credit because they didn't have the benefit of any extra picks. West Virginia right-hander Alek Manoah (first) is a physical beast who can blow hitters away with a mid-90s fastball and a power slider. Florida high school right-hander Kendall Williams (second) has a deep repertoire and a very projectable 6-foot-6 frame. Toronto used its next nine selections on position players, including athletic Canadian prep outfielder Dasan Brown (third) and three collegians with intriguing power potential for their positions: Creighton outfielder Will Robertson (fourth), Virginia shortstop Tanner Morris (fifth) and Vanderbilt catcher Philip Clarke (ninth).

6. Mets

New York managed to get two of MLB Pipeline's top 17 prospects, one of the five best all-around bats in the Draft in Texas high school third baseman Bret Baty (first) and the best prep pitcher in Florida righty Matthew Allan (third). Allan has a quality fastball/curveball combination as well as a promising changeup, but he dropped because of a reported $4 million price tag. In between them, the Mets snagged another talented high school righty in Texas' Josh Wolf (second), whose stuff is similar to Allan's. To afford that trio, New York selected college seniors in rounds 4-10 and got some top-rated discount players in Mississippi State outfielder Jake Mangum (fourth), Fresno State outfield Zach Ashford (sixth) and Wichita State second baseman Luke Ritter (seventh).

7. Reds

Cincinnati opened by landing the consensus best pitcher in Texas Christian left-hander Nick Lodolo (first), who has three solid pitches and control to match. After that, the Reds stocked up on power with high school sluggers Rece Hinds (second) and Tyler Callihan (third) and Alabama-Birmingham right-hander Graham Ashcraft, who can reach 98 mph with his fastball. Chipola (Fla.) JC second baseman Ivan Johnson (fourth) and Grand Canyon outfielder Quin Cotton (eighth) have the offensive potential to exceed their Draft status.

 

[metafour]

The Top 5 from BA's early 2020 mock:

 

 

1. Orioles — Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia

Hancock was outshined by teammate D.L. Hall in high school, but the now-Georgia ace has a good chance to beat Hall’s No. 21 selection in the 2017 draft and is one of the favorites to be the first overall pick. After a middling freshman season, Hancock broke out as a sophomore and was one of the best college pitchers in the country. He has plus stuff across the board with a fastball that’s routinely in the upper 90s, a slider, curveball and a changeup.

 

2. Royals — Spencer Torkelson, 1B/OF, Arizona State

Over the last two years, Torkelson has been one of the most productive hitters in college baseball and established himself as the top college hitter in the 2020 class. He hit 46 home runs in his first two years of college and last summer was one of the best hitters in the Cape Cod League. He has an abnormal profile for a top pick in the draft, but his power and hitting ability are enough to overcome his defensive limitations, much like Andrew Vaughn this year. Torkelson has exclusively been a first baseman at Arizona State, but last year on the Cape showed he could play right field.

 

3. Blue Jays — Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif.

The top high school position player in the 2020 class, Crow-Armstrong seems to play the game at a different speed than everyone around him. He’s a plus-plus runner and a plus defender in center field, with an advanced approach at the plate and terrific bat-to-ball skills. He’s more of a line drive hitter now and teams will be looking to see how much impact he has in the bat, but his offensive approach is as sound as anyone in the class.

 

4. Marlins — Casey Martin, SS, Arkansas

Martin had a sensational freshman season as the third baseman on Arkansas’ College World Series runner-up team and followed it up with another strong year as a sophomore, while also moving to shortstop. He has a good chance to stay at the position in pro ball and brings solid power and athleticism, as well.

 

5. Mariners — Patrick Bailey, C, North Carolina State

Bailey has established himself as the top catcher in the 2020 class. He has solid power and plate discipline as a switch-hitter to go with a sound overall skillset behind the plate.

[BlueRocky]

They do this thing every year that’s never accurate, but here are a couple early names

 

2020 MLB Mock Draft: 'Way Too Early' Edition

 

A 2020 mock draft just one day after the 2019 edition wraps up is, of course, ridiculous.

 

We understand that. And we embrace the fact that we are crazy for attempting to project the top 10 picks for next year's draft when we don’t even know the order in which teams will be picking.

 

However, teams will quickly start to focus on the 2020 draft class—starting next week at Perfect Game’s National showcase in Arizona, which will provide a look at some of the top prospects in the high school class. And after checking out our attempt to project the top 10 picks of the 2019 draft a year beforehand . . . it wasn’t terrible.

 

We accurately picked six of the top 10 selections, and while we didn’t get a single one dead-on, we were only one spot off with Adley Rutschman (mocked No. 2, drafted No. 1) Bobby Witt Jr. (mocked No. 1, drafted No. 2), Riley Greene (mocked No. 6, drafted No. 5) and Josh Jung (mocked No. 7, drafted No. 8).

 

Of the four players who weren't drafted among the top 10 selections in the draft, two were still first-round picks (Braden Shewmake and Logan Davidson), one was picked on the first day (Rece Hinds) and the final pick (Hunter Barco) we still view as a Day 1 talent, despite his slide to the 24th round.

 

So while this isn’t even a mock draft in the real sense of the term—mocks are based on information we are hearing about which players are linked to certain teams—there could still be some value here if you want to get a head start on what is shaping up to be a deep 2020 draft class. If there’s no value, hopefully it’s at least entertaining.

 

The order in which teams pick is based on their records as of June 5, 2019.

 

1. Orioles — Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia

 

Hancock was outshined by fellow Georgia product D.L. Hall in high school, but the now-Georgia ace has a good chance to beat Hall’s No. 21 selection in the 2017 draft and is one of the favorites to be the first overall pick. After a middling freshman season, Hancock broke out as a sophomore and was one of the best college pitchers in the country. He has plus stuff across the board with a fastball that’s routinely in the upper 90s, a slider, curveball and a changeup.

 

2. Royals — Spencer Torkelson, 1B/OF, Arizona State

 

Over the last two years, Torkelson has been one of the most productive hitters in college baseball and established himself as the top college hitter in the 2020 class. He hit 46 home runs in his first two years of college and last summer was one of the best hitters in the Cape Cod League. He has an abnormal profile for a top pick in the draft, but his power and hitting ability are enough to overcome his defensive limitations, much like Andrew Vaughn this year. Torkelson has exclusively been a first baseman at Arizona State, but last year on the Cape showed he could play right field.

 

3. Blue Jays — Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif.

 

The top high school position player in the 2020 class, Crow-Armstrong seems to play the game at a different speed than everyone around him. He’s a plus-plus runner and a plus defender in center field, with an advanced approach at the plate and terrific bat-to-ball skills. He’s more of a line drive hitter now and teams will be looking to see how much impact he has in the bat, but his offensive approach is as sound as anyone in the class.

 

4. Marlins — Casey Martin, SS, Arkansas

 

Martin had a sensational freshman season as the third baseman on Arkansas’ College World Series runner-up team and followed it up with another strong year as a sophomore, while also moving to shortstop. He has a good chance to stay at the position in pro ball and brings solid power and athleticism, as well.

 

5. Mariners — Patrick Bailey, C, North Carolina State

 

Bailey has established himself as the top catcher in the 2020 class. He has solid power and plate discipline as a switch-hitter to go with a sound overall skillset behind the plate.

 

6. Tigers — Asa Lacy, LHP, Texas A&M

 

Well-regarded out of high school, Lacy broke out last summer in the Alaska Baseball League and carried that momentum into his sophomore year. He may have the best changeup in the 2020 draft class and also mixes in a mid-90s fastball and two quality breaking balls.

 

7. Giants — Dylan Crews, OF, Lake Mary (Fla.) HS

 

Crews was one of a number of underclass players to make the USA 18U National team last fall, and he stands out for his hitting ability, bat speed and power at the plate.

 

8. Nationals — Cole Wilcox, RHP, Georgia

 

A draft-eligible sophomore next year, Wilcox was a part of the incredible 2017 USA 18U National Team pitching staff. It took him a bit to find his footing in college, but by the end of this spring he was thriving in Georgia’s rotation. Wilcox runs his fastball into the upper 90s and mixes in a sharp slider and changeup.

 

9. Mets — Timothy Manning, LHP, Cardinal Gibbons HS, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

 

A polished and still projectable, 6-foot-2, 175-pound lefthander committed to Florida, Manning is one of the best lefties in the 2020 class and has good feel for a three-pitch mix.

 

10. Reds — Jared Kelley, RHP, Refugio (Texas) HS

 

A Texas commit, Kelley should be one of the top prep pitchers in the 2020 class as a physical, 6-foot-2, 200-pound righthander who’s gotten his fastball into the mid- to upper 90s and also has a promising curveball.

[Captain Adama]

The Jays used the opposite of the old Nox method of drafting this year; the drafting of high level bats with the first couple of picks and then mostly prep pitchers in the latter rounds.

 

[TheHurl]

The Jays used the opposite of the old Nox method of drafting this year; the drafting of high level bats with the first couple of picks and then mostly prep pitchers in the latter rounds.

 

Yes but it's been since learned that for a really smart guy, Nox is dumm

[Spanky99]

Yes but it's been since learned that for a really smart guy, Nox is dumm

 

Noxage... going to kill ya!

[Boxcar]

I have no words

 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2019-mlb-draft-orioles-could-play-no-1-draft-pick-adley-rutschman-at-positions-other-than-catcher/

[jays4life19]

I have no words

 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2019-mlb-draft-orioles-could-play-no-1-draft-pick-adley-rutschman-at-positions-other-than-catcher/

 

I really don't see that being a bad idea. He played 1B and OF at Oregon St too. The Bat is special and should play anywhere and if they think playing 1B or the OF now and then to keep him fresh and the bat in the lineup is not a bad idea imo.

[Spanky99]

I really don't see that being a bad idea. He played 1B and OF at Oregon St too. The Bat is special and should play anywhere and if they think playing 1B or the OF now and then to keep him fresh and the bat in the lineup is not a bad idea imo.

 

Yeah, they said as much during the draft, figured it as common knowledge.

[Boxcar]

I really don't see that being a bad idea. He played 1B and OF at Oregon St too. The Bat is special and should play anywhere and if they think playing 1B or the OF now and then to keep him fresh and the bat in the lineup is not a bad idea imo.

 

That's fine but they're talking long term.

[King]

That's fine but they're talking long term.

"I'm going to have to sit down and talk to him and see how he wants to approach this summer," Elias said. "For us, from a developmental standpoint, the at-bats are going to be more important. His receiving is so polished that I don't see us doing a lot of work on that. By the end of the year, it became so apparent to us that this was a really special bat, a really special hitter. If he meets expectations offensively, it may be a discussion of how to pace him from a physical standpoint."

 

that doesn't sound long term to me.......................................

[Laika]

"I'm going to have to sit down and talk to him and see how he wants to approach this summer," Elias said. "For us, from a developmental standpoint, the at-bats are going to be more important. His receiving is so polished that I don't see us doing a lot of work on that. By the end of the year, it became so apparent to us that this was a really special bat, a really special hitter. If he meets expectations offensively, it may be a discussion of how to pace him from a physical standpoint."

 

that doesn't sound long term to me.......................................

 

Boxy is dum

 

Sounds like they just don't care about him catching much this season. Probably a good idea - why tax his body if the defense is fully developed.

[BlueRocky]

I’m not sure about that. Logically it makes some sense but I think the Orioles are trying to be too cute thinking outside the box.

 

You could DH him half the week going up the minors if you’re worried about wear and tear. Skills that don’t get used at all tend to degrade overtime, repetition is a huge thing for athletes. There are ways to manage his workload without moving him to 1B/OF.

 

Shea Langeliers is supposedly the most polished defensive catcher that the scouts have seen in over a decade. Even more polished than Rutschman. Langeliers can probably catch right now in the MLB.

 

But despite his defense already being so elite, I don’t hear the Braves going to exclusively 1B him until he reaches triple-A just to focus on his bat, that isn’t really how it works.

[Laika]

I’m not sure about that. Logically it makes some sense but I think the Orioles are trying to be too cute thinking outside the box.

 

You could DH him half the week going up the minors if you’re worried about wear and tear. Skills that don’t get used at all tend to degrade overtime, repetition is a huge thing for athletes. There are ways to manage his workload without moving him to 1B/OF.

 

Shea Langeliers is supposedly the most polished defensive catcher that the scouts have seen in over a decade. Even more polished than Rutschman. Langeliers can probably catch right now in the MLB.

 

But despite his defense already being so elite, I don’t hear the Braves going to exclusively 1B him until he reaches triple-A just to focus on his bat, that isn’t really how it works.

 

It doesn't sound like he won't catch at all, from the quote. I would imagine he'll catch a bit but also DH, get some reps at 1B, maybe even 3B.

 

I honestly think it's a good idea. We see catchers increasingly getting Tommy John. We've seen lots of catchers have careers derailed or cut short by concussion issues, chronic leg issues, inexplicable drop-offs in production that may be caused by total wear and tear. Some time off of the position might benefit him long term.

[Pendleton]

2020 prospect-

 

[P2F]

Matt Allan signed with the Mets. So much for his Florida commitment.