Tom wrote an interesting post about the failures of the Mets in the past regarding drafting.
There are a lot of draft posts that cover the "they drafted X after we drafted Y" subject.
If things were only that simple.
Remember first round picks like Bryan Bullington, Matt Bush, Mark Appel, and Brady Aiken?
What about other top picks like Kasey Kiker, Donavan Tate, Greg Reynolds, Jeff Clement, Wade Townsend, and Josh Vitters?
Some say the only guaranteed successful pick is 1.1
Well, Appel proved that wrong. Twice.
I smile everytime someone asks me who the Mets should pick in the second or third round.
Let's take a look at a team that has no luxury tax penalties against them and they are picking 1.10.
They pick at 1.10. There are 30 teams in the draft. Then the average amount of supplement picks are eight. That means their second round pick would be 2.47.
And you want me to tell you who that team picked without knowing what 46 other picks would be?
All I can tell you who I like and that's what I do.
How teams prepare for the draft are a big secret. On my team, you couldn't have enough scouts, cross checkers, films, in-season meetings, and heads in the draft room.
One great tool for draft teams now are sites totally devoted to draft prospects. The family of Perfect Games sites and FSS PLUS are just a couple of them. These are unpaid draft experts that update top player lists all draft season.
Still, like most things in our sports life, is a human thing and humans are flawed. Add to this injuries, degree of talent played against, school coaching and it is a crap shoot baby.
One thing true is this.
You can't have enough knowledge going into draft day.
The 2024 draft will feature a depth of quality talent in most positions, but these is a huge lack of top talent. Maybe 10 or less.
The strange thing is the highest percentage of prime beef is first basemen. Maybe three in the top five picks.
I will post my five favorites for the Mets, once per month, as soon as the lottery is held and the Mets position in the draft is determined.
FLASH: The Mets steal away Kris Gross from Houston. He's a 12 year scouting vet for the Astros and headed their division for the past five years.
This is a big deal and fills a position much more valuable than filling the GM opening.
I love this move.
The Braves just acquired former 33rd overall pick, righty Jackson Kolarek, for Kyle Wright. Kolarek has so far been a real bust.
ReplyDeleteIt is a crap shoot. To change that, just tell our draft team, you draft like crap, then shoot, you’re outa here.
One could safely conclude that over the nearly 60 years of Mets drafting, much more crap than clap.
That is a great monthly update idea. Readers ought to like it a lot.
Thank you. An old Christian comedian friend gave me the suggestion.
DeleteThe Mets also yesterday hired away the old Cubs bench coach to be the head of player development.
ReplyDeleteI said earlier this month that both this position and the Director of Scouting needed to be filled even before finding a new General Manager
That has now been addressed and everyone can move on to player needs both current and future
Hey all, 2 great pickups by our Metsies yesterday. How about Chaim Bloom for the GM spot? What do you all think?
ReplyDeleteZozo
Morning Zo
DeleteI happen to like Bloom but I think the important thing here is to pick someone who goes in understanding that he is #2 in command to Stearns
POBO is just a glorified name for GM
Making GM a glorified name for Assistant GM
All title ga-ga
Can’t wait to see anything you post Mack
ReplyDeleteEddie
Thanks Eddie
DeleteNext week is on the origin of the MLB.com site
Followed by International Drafting
Glad your writing again Mr Mack.
ReplyDeleteThank you Albert
DeleteOnce a week from my bed is about my speed these days
Mack,
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing your column.I am most interested in your insight regarding the International signings in 2024. Welcome back.
The International Draft piece will mostly be about the seedy side of that process
DeleteI think it is time for someone to do some research to really prove Tom's assertion that the Mets are terrible drafter.
ReplyDeleteAs Mack pointed out in this piece, there are a lot of high draft picks that flamed out before hitting the show, and a lot of lower level picks that have become solid if not great players.
Anybody out there that knows to crunch a lot of data? I'm thinking the result might be something like total BWAR for all draft picks over the last 15 years by team. Maybe just three or four random teams would be a start. This study could yield some interesting reading.
Just looking through the 2009 draft results finds that Mike Trout was the 25th pick in the first round which means that 24 teams whiffed on him, including the Angels who had back-to-back picks and selected Randall Grichuk with pick 24.
Interestingly, Mitch Haniger was drafted by the Mets with pick 944 in round 31 in 2009. He did not sign and went on to college and was subsequently drafted as the 38th pick in the first round by the Brewers in 2022. Somebody saw some talent in the high school version.
You are correct Paul
DeleteLater rounds are best used on overslt high school prospects that might be talked out of their plans to go on to college .
A big fat bonus check puts an F-150 in the driveway
Yes, there are quite a few current major leaguers that were drafted in lower rounds in 2009 that did not sign and show up as a much higher selection in 2012.
ReplyDeleteEverytime I interviewed a prospect I would ask them what the first thing they would buy with their bonus check
Delete80% said a new truck
Nola 7 yr deal to stay at Philly
ReplyDeleteI’m happy for Nola, because that’s his roots and he obviously left some meat on the bone to make it happen. He accepted what Whheler got four years ago and Stroman two years ago. When a player shows graciousness, I applaud it. When they act like they can’t live on $24MM per year, I trade them.
DeleteYamamoto,Soler,Robertson, Severino,Rodriguez,Candelario would be nice to find under the tree ,Uncle Steve.
ReplyDeleteSo you were OK when they let Wheeler walk?
ReplyDelete