Mack’s Apples – Seth Beer, Doug Harvey, 2019-2023 HOF Inductees, Third Baseman in HOF, New Mock Draft,

Good morning.

2018 COLLEGE BASEBALL PRESEASON  ALL-AMERICA TEAMS  –

Seth Beer, 1B, Clemson - Beer has arguably the most hit-dependant profile of any player in the 2018 draft class, and after a second lackluster summer with Team USA’s Collegiate National Team (where he hit .232/.368/.304) his wood bat track record leaves much to be desired. Still, scouts have previously thrown 70 grades on both his hit and power tools and his track record in the ACC is loud and impressive. He also finished last season second in the nation among Division I hitters with 64 walks.

The drawbacks with Beer are equally obvious, as he is a near bottom-of-the-scale runner and defender-whether that’s in the outfield or at first base. His arm is below-average as well, which means National League teams would have to think long and hard about taking him early. Still, it will only take one team to bet on him hitting his way to the major leagues, and another year like his Freshman of the Year campaign in 2016 could make scouting directors think awfully hard before passing him up.

Late MLB umpire  Doug Harvey remembered as baseball character –

Just before the service, West chuckled at the memory of the time Harvey ejected former Reds manager Sparky Anderson. This time, the umpire wanted to add an emphatic exclamation point.

“Doug chased Sparky Anderson off the field,” West said. “Doug ran after him, down the foul line. He tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘Keep going.’ ”

Forecasting the 2019-2023  Baseball Hall of Fame  Inductees –

         

   2019

Top newcomers: Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, Todd Helton, Lance Berkman, Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt

Top holdovers: Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Curt Schilling

Most likely to be elected: Rivera, Halladay, Martinez

Falling off: Fred McGriff

Why Are There So Few Third Basemen in the  Hall of Fame  ? –

“Don’t let the hot corner concept fool you,” Mike Schmidt, the greatest third baseman in major league history, said by phone on Thursday. “The third baseman’s got his own little corner to protect, some down-the-line pop-ups and a couple of bunt plays here and there, but for the most part, a third baseman can go an entire game and never see any defensive action at all. The shortstop’s got to be all over the place on the field. If you play shortstop, you can play anywhere on the field. Going from short to third, it’s a walk in the park.”

Nick Shnider posted his latest mock draft on  Draft Site - His first six picks:

         

   1   Detroit    Brady Singer           RHP    Florida          6' 5"   200

2   San Francisco   Ethan Hankins  RHP  Forsyth Central HS (GA) 6' 6"  210

3   Philadelphia      Shane McClanahan  LHP   South Florida        6' 1"   175

4   CWS          Brice Turang   SS    Santiago High School (HS-CA)   6' 1"   165

5   Cincy        Nolan Gorman  3B  Sandra Day O'Connor HS (AZ)  6' 1"   210

6   Mets        Kumar Rocker  RHP  N Oconee HS (GA)          6' 5"   260