Pages

1/30/18

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

14 comments:

  1. Seth Beer - seems a very similar profile to Pete Alonso. Thankfully, spring baseball for more eval time. Kumar Rocker? Another pitcher, even if a good one. We need bat prospects IMO.

    McGriff - I guess 493 homers and 1550 RBIs only get you so far.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We've talked about Beer before. I have followed him extensively throughout school.

    I don't have any idea why he tanks in summer ball. He even hit poorly last season in the first 10-15 games.

    What I do know is his talent which every college coach tells his pitchers to pitch around.

    Yes, a lot like Alonso. Big bat, little glove. And, like Alonso, there is no place to hide someone like this on a National League team.

    Stil, what if we drafted him and he led NY League in 2020 for Binghamton with, oh, let's say, 40 home runs.

    Do you think we could find a home for him in the AL for a ++ chip in return?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Drafting a first baseman with the sixth pick? Seriously? And to continue, an incomplete player that needs to DH, so therefore be traded? Baseball free agency is ice cold to the slugger that can't wear a glove, so why would teams draft that type of player in the early stages?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Texas -

    And then there is that...

    There is no perfect 5-tool bat this year... closest would be Kelenic.

    Best bat without power (plus ++ defense) - Madrigal

    Me? I'd probably do what I say we should do every draft... power college arm.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Considering how few hitters the Mets develop, I'd be leaning towards an offensive pick (that hopefully is a bit less offensive than some of Alderson's other picks).

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mack, I'd take Madrigal as talent is the ultimate goal, not height. Think the Astros are disappointed in Altuve? Pitchers are getting hurt all over - check our system - and there's enough pitching to wait an extra round or two.

    However, reading Schmidt's comment and thinking... I have a real far-fetched thought: Players go from the infield to the outfield all the time, but can an outfielder come into the infield? Bonilla, Pedro Guerrero, Jose Bautista, and a few others stood at third base although only Bautista graded average. My thought: Can Nimmo learn third base? With a great defensive shortstop, he doesn't have to have much range. He fits perfectly into the lineup, and when Conforto comes back and Bruce goes to first, this team would be complete. Nimmo is still young and athletic, but would they even consider it?

    ReplyDelete
  7. TexasGus, a guy they could bring from the outfield to the infield? Former infielder Juan Lagares. If he can finally get his bat back on track....

    He had his difficulties as a young IF defensively, but has clearly shown since that he can "do D". I think he could successfully transition back. Good arm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom, I don’t know that I would break a position to merely fill another one. Nimmo, is excess and is still young... Plus, is Lagares’ bat worth the experiment? Just thinking...

      Delete
  8. Texas -

    great ballplayers usually can play great at multiple positions.

    Tom was right about Lagares but his flashy play got him in trouble at SS. Plus, he was real young.

    Lwt's not forget that many high school catchers have become either first or third basemen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mack,
      I only bring up Nimmo because he’s without a starting job, but offensively fulfills what this team is looking for. Also, he’s still young and extremely athletic.

      The downside is that there are only 4 OF’s on the 40 man roster, but after Wright and Rivera go to the 60 day DL, those positions will get filled.

      Delete
  9. For what it's worth, Conforto's college stats show for Pos, "OF-IF"

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think for not Lagares at 3B is a moot point...they just want to see if he can finally hit...but I bet he'd be real good at the hot corner if he did hit.

    Howie, Conforto as a 3B? I would be concerned with hurried, off balance throws with that shoulder.

    ReplyDelete
  11. wasnt conforto injury on his non throwing arm?

    ReplyDelete
  12. The mets just have to get the draft right... we needed bats so the mets drafted Nimmo instead of Jose Fernandez... How did it turn out... With that said we do need to start looking at High upside position players...
    I was not crushed with the Lindsay pick because people gushed over his potential...
    But Cecchini had nothing spectacular across the board and the best thing i ever read about him was he had a High floor... (PASS)

    ReplyDelete