1/25/12

Mack Ade - Draft Observations - Jan 2012


Stephen Guilbert has taken over the lion share of the draft coverage here, but I still have a couple of cents to throw in once in a while.

First, here are the players I have ranked by position so far. The names highlighted in red are what I grade in the "A" category, or, can't miss pros. Names highlighted in blue are what I grade in the "B" category.

This list will change, especially once the season starts. I'll update it again around the 10th of February

 A few observations, especially to Mets fans:

 •this is a moderately talented draft... nowhere as good as last year

 •you're going to see possibly 20 high school players picked in the first round

 •this might the last time you see this high concentration of high school players being drafted in the first round

 •the new draft rules favor high school players to stay in college

 •IMO, there are 11 great players in this draft... naturally, the Mets pick 12th

 •My Mets picks at this point are below the list of players.

RHP:

1. Lucas Giolito

 2. Mark Appel

 3. Kevin Gausman

 4. Lance McCullers

 5. Walker Weickel

 6. Taylore Cherry

 7. Duane Underwood

 8. Michael Wacha

 9. Chris Beck

 10. Cody Poteet

 11.  Joey Gallo

 12. Lucas Sims

 13. Jake Barrett

 14. Clate Schmidt

 15. Ty Hensley

 16. Jake Cosart

 17. Kyle Zimmer

 18. Brady Rodgers

 19. Kayden Porter

 20. Marcus Stroman

 21. Mitchell Traver

 22. Kyle Hansen

 23. Branden Klein

 24. Nolan Sanburn

 25. Freddie Avis

 26. Nathan Kirby

 27. Alex Rash

  LHP:

1. Max Fried

2. Hunter Virant

3. Brian Johnson

4. Rock Rucker

5. Matt Smoral

6. Max Foody

7. Lex Rutledge

8. Andrew Heaney

9. Austin Fairchild

10. Taylor Rogers

 1B:

1. Keon Barnum

2. Christian Walker

2B:

1. Tony Renda

2. Tommy Coyle

SS:

1. Deven Morreno

2. Carlos Correa

3. Gavin Cecchini

4. Addison Russell

5. Kenny Diekroeger

6. Jesmuel Valentin

7. C J Hionjosa

8. Javier Valentin Diaz

9. Nolan Fontana

10. Chris Taylor

3B:

1. Rio Ruiz

2. Trey Williams

3. Stephen Piscotty

4. David Thompson

5. Richie Shaffer

6. Joey Gallo

7. Carson Kelly

 8. Corey Oswalt

 9. Corey Seager

OF:

1. Byron Buxton

2. Victor Roach

3. David Dahl

4. Nick Williams

5. Albert Amora

6. Travis Jankowski

7. Jesse Winker

8. Lewis Brinson

9. Adam Brett-Walker

10. Jeremy Baltz

11. Courtney Hawkins

12. Skye Bolt

13. Rhett  Wiseman

14. Tyler Naquin

15. Jameis Winston

C:

1. Mike Zunino

2. Stryker Trahan


3. Peter O'Brien

4.  Austin Maddox


5. Josh Elander

6. Alex Bregman

7. Nelson Rodriguez

 Mack's Picks:

12th pick overall - I'm the first one to tell you that you should always draft the most talented player available at the time your pick comes up. I don't this time. My pick would be catcher Stryker Trahan. He currently projects as a Josh Thole with a ++ arm. There is a chance for more pop, but I don't care. I would be doubling up with my first two picks, both going catcher.

35th pick overall - IMO, the next best catcher available is Miami senior Peter O'Brien, who was reinstated by the NCAA this past week. He was a big star at Bethune-Cookman, but transferred to Miami to be able to be closer to his ailing mother. In 2011, he hit .304, 14-HR, 69-RBI and was a 3rd round pick by Colorado.

66th pick overall - LHP Lex Rutledge will probably still be available here and I'd scoop him up while he's still falling in the mocks for no apparent reason.

69th pick overall - Nothing like a local boy from the Johnnies. My pick would be OF Jeremy Baltz out of St. John's.

Follow my advice, and you get four more B-A prospects for John Sickles to rank.

6 comments:

Justin M. said...

The Thole comparison doesn't really leave me excited about Stryker.

Anonymous said...

This list of A B and whatever...don't agree with at all ESPECIALLY the pitchers. Don't think your top will move too much but those guys you have in black...dude I have been keeping up with several of them this fall. for example one guy has hit 98, added a change up that rivals his CB, and dropped the baby fat...this list will look a lot different come draft day.

Charles said...

I'm with you Justin...I pick best available, without a doubt. Go get the player who has the greatest chance to be great. When he develops, he might be my fourth best outfield prospect who could end up someone else's best prospect after I trade him for a major league ready catcher who is better then the Josh Thole prospect with a ++arm I chose to pass on. Draft the best, draft the best. Nothing bad can come of having depth at any position. That's when you trade the lower guy on the depth chart for someone who strengthens a weaker position in your system or on your team. Look what the Reds just did when they had depth at catcher. They made a trade, and brought back a great pitcher. If I had three bryce harpers and a chance to draft a fourth...do I pass? No. That fourth Harper could get me Jesus Montero plus another prospect once he develops, and now I've taken the risk out of drafting for a current need and hoping he worked out. Everyone has their own theory on drafting . Probably one of the best debate topics in sports.

Mack Ade said...

IMO...

Josh Thole has maximized his abilities and has earned the job he is currently holding down; however, I share the same opinion that Joe Giraldi has about catchers... the defensive skills outweight the offensive ones.

I might have not represented Trahan well in this post. He's a good hitter:

Scouting Report:

Stryker Trahan is a catcher with legitimate lefthanded power. One of the things that jumps out about Stryker is the amount of athleticism he brings to the position.

Trahan is known for his power and overall hitting ability. He has a short stroke with excellent bat speed. Trahan has good plate discipline and makes solid contact consistently. He also brings good speed to the table, running 60′s from 6.54 to 6.67.

Offense is Trahan’s calling card, but he has the tools needed to succeed at catcher, as well. He moves well behind the plate and has a strong arm. Reported pop times for Trahan range from 1.85 to 2.01. Should he be needed to move from catcher in the future, right field would be his most likely landing spot.

Trahan’s combination of lefthanded power and athleticism should land him in the upped half of the first round of the draft.

Charles said...

Now, with that report mack, I'd be happy with him

Mack Ade said...

PG came out with their colege catcher rankings today:

1 Mike Zunino Florida- Zunino is absolutely the complete package for the Gators. He's got the defense, consistent bat and power all in one.

2 Josh Elander - TCU - Elander is one of the fastest rising players in college baseball after hitting .333 with five home runs and 38 RBIs last season.

3 Peter O'Brien Miami (Fla.) -
O'Brien spent three seasons giving headaches to MEAC opponents. Now he puts his big bat on display for the ACC arms.

4 Ronnie Freeman Kennesaw State
Freeman would've found himself on one of the three AA teams if not for O'Brien. Hit .392 with 10 homers, 52 RBIs for KSU in 2011.

5 Kevin Plawecki Purdue Plawecki has had an outstanding career for the Boilermakers and hopes to finish things off by guiding his team to the postseason.