I really don’t want to write this post.
The Mets
made their first round pick last night and it was 21-year old OF Michael
Conforto, out of Oregon State (45-14).
No one
questions whether Conforto can hit a baseball. He easily is considered one of
the top power bats of the draft and his stat line at OSU proves it: 59-G,
203-AB, .345/.504/.547, 7-HR, 56-RBI, 16-doubles
The
problems here, if there are any, are:
1. He’s considered slow with an average arm and
below average defense in the outfield
2. This was the 10th pick overall in
a very deeply talented draft.
Outfield
was not considered one of the strengths of this draft, but aren’t you suppose
to pick the ‘best player available’ still on the board?
I don’t
consider myself an expert at this, but I do know a few things about this game
and how to build a team. You don’t have to draft a questionable outfielder if
you feel your system needs an outfielder. It’s a lot easier to keep building on
the positions you dominate in and then approach other teams with your excess
pieces.
Drafting
another power starter, like Tyler Beede, Grant Holmes, Brandon Finnegan,
Sean Newcomb, or Touki
Toussaint would build on that ‘SP’ strength your system already has.
In
addition, picking Max Pentacost would give your
system three great catching prospects (Travis d’Arnaud and
Kevin Plawecki).
In
defense of Conforto, yes, he was named the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year
for the second consecutive season. He also walked 55 times which was ranked second for baseball.
Wait a second!
That’s
it!
It’s the fucking walks again!
The Mets
just drafted Lucas Duda v2.0.
The
assumption here is he will sign and wave to Brandon
Nimmo at the Orlando airport as he heads for the same limo that will
bring Brandon to the airport to fly off to Binghamton.
What you’re
hoping for here is they both wind up in the 2016 opening day lineup with Curtis Granderson.
What you’re
fearing is you have another Alan Dykstra on your
hands.
I don’t
know. I just would sleep much better tonight if someone like Newcomb or Beede
was in my pocket.
16 comments:
If Nimmo and Conforto are in the OD 2016 lineup with Granderson, what happened to Lagares?
Hey mack
Maybe they going the 'other route' in regards to your comment yesterday abiut drafting pitchers until one works out.....keep drafting power bats until one of them actually duplicates their amateur success at the .major leAgue level.
As for Lagares, conforto and Nimmo won't even be sniffing the mlb level for plenty long enough for him to keep his future starter status By producing . .....
Agree 100% Mack.
Should have been Newcomb or Beede
Michael Conforto may end up being a nice hitter. But it sounds like he's a 1B, and what team burns a top ten pick on a 1B two years in a row?
I can't think of anything that would make me happier than to have four starting outfielders on my team. It's two more than we have now
Oh boy. The first name that I thought of when I heard his profile last night was Dykstra, but I comforted myself in the knowledge that I am so removed from this stuff.
Seeing this from you doesn't make me feel any better.
Duda went in what, the 7th round? Hopefully this guy in the first round is the OF version of David Wright, and not Duda. Not to insult Duda, but he is mediocre at best until he proves otherwise.
It is also true that most teams look to come away with a steal in a deal, so it may not be easy to move a pitching stud (like a Syndergaard) for another team's real hitter.
However, if Conforto is not of the same caliber as these pitchers, they should have gone best available, I suppose. This organization has an awful track record of drafting bona fide OF stars - let's hope Mr. Conforto is finally the real deal.
Mack -
Joey Votto and Miguel Cabrera are both below average defenders with high OBPs. Maybe below average defense doesn't matter that much in the infield, and I am not saying that Conforto will be a Votto or Cabrera offensively, but his career averages in college certainly suggest that he is no Lucas Duda. While I would have preferred Turner, since I think we need a shortstop more than we need an outfielder. And among outfielders, maybe Zimmer is more toolsy, but Conforto's combination of plate discipline and power make him the more desirable pick.
Regarding pitching, I feel that his team is already pitching rich but starved for offense. Sure, it would have been nice to get Newcomb or Beede, but we need the bat more. We can (and probably will) address pitching in the later rounds. If I can look forward to a 2016 lineup with Nimmo at the top and Conforto in the middle, I will be very happy.
Dean Barbella · Technology Sales Manager - Fusion Middleware at Oracle
I need Don Juan Lagares in Center - No Runs, No Errors, No Buts about it!!!
So by 2016 the Mets will have three left fielders. Nimmo, Conforto, and Granderson all profile as left fielders am I wrong about that? Don't see that any of them have the arm to play right field. Granderson probably has the worst right field arm in all of baseball. Conforto already limited to left field. Nimmo at best is average centerfielder so can't see him moving Lagares so in 2016 the Mets will have 3 left fielders, one centerfielder and a huge gap in right field. Perhaps Puello will figure things out but he seems as lost at AAA as d'Arnaud is in the majors.
Whether we are happy about the pick or not, he's the newest member of the Mets so let's get behind the guy and hope he turns into the bat that we wish Lucas Duda would become. Duda has shown ability but has been lacking consistency. If Conforto can become a 25+/100+, slightly below average defensively outfielder, are you really going to complain?
He has his question marks, as does everyone. Best case he's a LF Jay Bruce. Let's Go Mets
If my new york giants drafted a guy at #10 who Mel kiper jr believes is top 3-5 prospect, I would be happy.......
So, in conclusion, I'm happy with my Mets taking everyones projected top 5 talent guy.
Its up to him and the organization now to develop. Good luck. Hope for the best.
I heard Conforto compared to Shane Spencer. If he reaches his ceiling Shane Spencer 2.0. If he reaches reasonable expectations he is Lucas Duda 2.0. With Beede we have Pelfrey 2.0 if things went bad and Harvey 2.0 in a perfect world.
I can't imagine a guy going that high and being a Shane Spencer or a Duda. Too many eyes have been on this guy - he has to be better. Let's hope for a Miguel Cabrera
I think hoping for Jay Bruce is more realistic but hey, I'll aim for the Cabrera comp
Who considers him below average as a fielder? You would have to have never seen him play to say, "Yeah, that guy sucks in the field."
What the hell man?
Conforto's weakness is chasing weak off-speed shit when he's supposed to be producing. It is most definitely not his glove. Who the hell made up that bullcrap scouting report?
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