MACK - Tuesday Morning Observations

 

Observations –

 

Well, another baseball draft is in the books. How did the Mets do? First, a few general observations…

-         I told you a number of times that the 2024 Draft would be, at best, meh. Yes, there were some incredible names called, but they came before the first commercial break. The level of talent reduced quickly and no one expected this draft would be something to “write home about”.

 

-         Even more depressing was the lack of top level high school talent available. Sure, there were some gems through the first three or four rounds, but that was about it.

 

-         Lastly, I always tell you that three great players from a talented and deep draft is the goal for any baseball franchise. In this poor draft, I would say three GOOD players.

 

The Mets decided that they would concentrate on college juniors, springle it with college seniors that they would only have to offer a $10,000 signing bonus, and take a swing at some high schoolers that would take a decent over-slot number to reel them in.

 

In my opinion, the Mets drafted no great players… but they did draft six players in the very good/good/could be great categories.

 

They are:

 

Round 1 – OF Carson Benge – I know I didn’t sound very excited when the Mets picked Benge, but that was just because I had expected someone else to be picked. That being said, Benge is one of the quality left hand bats in this draft. His lifetime college OPS was 1.062 and he had more walks than strikeouts over his career. I expect the Mets to develop him as a bat only prospect and he is possibly the top corner outfielder in the chain right now.

            Rating:          Very Good

 

Round 2 – LHP Jonathan Santucci – I’m never a big fan of drafting players with major injury history, but Santucci was a solid first round pick until rib and elbow injuries shut him down twice. Reminds me of the Blade Tidwell saga. I hope the Mets have done their due diligence here and feel he is 100% going forward. His talent without setbacks could give you a front-end starter.

                        signs w/@Mets for $2,031,700 (full slot 46 value) 

            Rating:          Good to Very Good

 

Round 6 – 1B Corey Collins – I told you earlier in this piece that Carson Benge was a quality bat. Well, Corey Collins makes him look like Bill Bergen. The problem with Collins is he can’t catch a cold or field a lick. Not a problem since the National League now has a designated hitter. My hope is the Mets don’t waste any time here by trying to improve his field work. He will play 2025 as a 23-year old, so start him off in Brooklyn.

             Rating:          Very good DH candidate

 

Round 14 – RHP Tanner Witt – Witt was a top prospect during his high school and freshman college years, but fell to injuries that has limited his grown in 2023 and 2024. I am absolutely thrilled the Mets could scoop him up in the 14^th round. Maybe nothing happens here, but this is a very high reward option.

            Rating:          Very good low round pick

 

Round 16 – RHRP Josh Blum – I really don’t care that Blum’s fastball doesn’t hit 90. What I am in love with his is his junior year 1.87-ERA. And this was done playing for a major school playing against major west coast talent. I will take this kind of late round pick every day of the week.

            Rating:          Very good late round pick

 

Round 17 – OF Jacoby Long – It seems strange that a .303 hitter, playing for a major school like Miami, falls to the 17^th round. Still, the word is the Mets have signed Long and I will gladly add him to the St. Lucie outfield next season.

            Rating:          Good late round pick

            Signed 17th rounder Jacoby Long: $150,000

 

So…

Overall, no big name here but six players that will instantly make this team depth better than it was going into the draft. Benge goes immediately into the BLUE prospect category, while the others will be in BLACK.

It’s a good draft from a bad draft…

            Overall rating:        B

 

Mets signed:

3^RD round pick Nate Dohm signs for $797,500 (slot: $934,800)

7th round pick Will Watson for full slot value

 8th rounder Ryan Lambert for $172,500

10th-rder Brendan Girton signs w/@Mets for $122,500 (slot 293 = $184,300)

11th rounder Nick Roselli: $150,000

12th rounder Ethan Lanthier: $150,000

13th rounder RJ Gordon: $150,000

19th rounder Frank Elissalt: $50,000

 

UDFA’s signed –

 

            RHP Channing Austin – U. of Southern Cal

 

2024:  14-appearances    6.28-ERA      14.1-IP          17-K               15-BB

 

Draft League -         8-Apps   1-ST           3.00-ERA      15-IP   16-K     5-BB

 

 

            RHP Hoss Brewer - Little Rock

 

Brewer spent one season at Seminole State (Okla.) JC before moving to Arkansas-Little Rock where he pitched three seasons as a starter and reliever. In 2024 the 6-foot-4, 205-pound righthander had a career year in a full-time starting role. He posted a 3.95 ERA over 84.1 innings and 15 starts with a 26.6% strikeout rate and 9.5% walk rate. Brewer throws a 90-95 mph fastball that has above-average riding life and backs the pitch with a low-80s breaking ball mid-80s changeup—both of which were reliable swing-and-miss offerings this spring

 

            RHP Hayden Cooper – West Virginia

 

2024 -            17-G     8-ST    6.40    52-IP    32-K    16-BB

 

            RHP Eldridge Armstrong – TAMU

 

2024 -            4-apps           7.71-ERA 

 

            RHP Hunter Hodgers  -