Observations –
Well, another baseball draft is in the books. How did the Mets
do? First, a few general observations…
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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”.
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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.
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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 14th 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 17th
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:
3RD 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 -
9 comments:
Mack,
So far we have signed a couple players under slot . Do you anticipate signing one of the high school players with an over slot offer?
Mack,what do you think Dohm will be down the road?
I do
Or possibly more for Benge
In general, I hate drafting pitchers with past or current injury issues
Ask me in 3 years
Santucci is signed.
Who is Bill Bergen? Never heard of him.
Bergen is accredited with the lowest MLB BA in the history of the game
Benge could be great. I also like the Tanner Witt selection.
Collins is another story - I just think that a baseball player has to be capable of at least adequate fielding to be drafted. There may be a DH but it is very hard to develop a guy with only a hit tool and expect him to be immediately effective when called up to the majors. That is why most DHes are aged hitters that have lost a step in the field.
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