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Post by redsox04071318champs on Jun 7, 2013 8:36:25 GMT -5
Yesterday was kind of disappointing. It seems like the Sox draft board didn't play out the way they hoped and they had to go to Plan C.
It seems to me there were three guys who projected as a potential ace between Appel, Gray, and Stewart, and unfortunately when the Rockies went with Gray (instead of Smith who was rumored as a possibility) that probably put Minnesota back on track with Stewart.
There were two impact cleanup hitter types in Bryant and Frazier, and Cleveland opted for Frazier over Moran as most of this board would have done, too.
That left the Sox choosing Plan C. I don't know much about Ball. It sounds like his ceiling is as a #2 and he seems to fit alot of what the Sox have right now between Owens, Barnes, Webster, De La Rosa, and Ranuado.
The Sox have a lot of good #2 - #4 types - it certainly doesn't hurt to have a lot of good possibilities as the attrition rate can be high for pitchers.
I would have preferred the upside of Dominic Smith as somebody who's young, has an advanced plate approach, and the upside to become a middle of the order bat, but I certainly can't fault the Sox for taking Ball.
The disappointment comes from the thought that the Sox won't get an impact cleanup hitter to team with Bogaerts down the road and the Sox don't have a pitcher to add to the system who projects as the best of the pitchers in the minors that they already have, although who knows - maybe this statement looks ridiculolus and Ball does becomes an extremely good pitcher down the road.
I was certainly hoping that going 69-93 would lead to better options, but with the draft thinned by talent it seems to me teams wanted to draft the best talent available (except KC?) rather than opting for quantity, which makes sense in a draft year that's not particularly strong.
So I think the Sox did as well as they could do (I'm guessing Stankiewicz is at best a #4/#5 starter more likely to be a reliever), and who knows maybe Ball will be even better then expected? I mean a couple of years ago I really wanted to see the Sox get Josh Bell and they picked Henry Owens and JBJ ahead of him. So what do I know?!
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Post by widewordofsport on Jun 7, 2013 8:42:48 GMT -5
I don't like the idea of going signability here and a tougher sign at 4. Take the best available. Doesn't matter when you pick the college senior, you still have same total $. I know you lose more if he doesn't sign, but there's gotta be a bat that can be convinced to turn pro for $1 million.
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Post by bluechip on Jun 7, 2013 8:44:25 GMT -5
Denny has been dropping down mock drafts for weeks now and I wonder if teams think he can even stick at C. Would his bat play at 1B if needed? From the reports I have read, his bat should play at first. On the other hand, if you think you are draft a first baseman, I would rather take Rowdy Tellez.
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Post by chavopepe2 on Jun 7, 2013 8:46:58 GMT -5
If the Red Sox decide to go cheap in rounds 5 though 10 (similar to last year), that would leave them with about $2.5 to $2.8 million to allocate to their 3rd and 4th round picks (after factoring in the 5%). You can't be sure what the bonus demands are, but that should be enough to land two signability guys.
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Post by widewordofsport on Jun 7, 2013 8:47:12 GMT -5
I like the idea of turning a surplus of arms into a solid A+/AA level bat, but sadly, prospect trades just don't happen. But if Ball is any good, an Owens/Barnes package for a MLB 1B wouldn't really kill the system's pitching. Early last year (before we knew Owens was any good, when Ranaudo was potentially a bust, before RDLR/Webster etc), that looked like an impossibility.
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Post by soxfanatic on Jun 7, 2013 8:49:07 GMT -5
The 2nd draft day is usually the most fun for me. Still a bunch of good players left and there are often some surprise picks
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Post by bluechip on Jun 7, 2013 8:53:46 GMT -5
You can't be sure what the bonus demands are, but that should be enough to land two signability guys. I am guessing there will be a lot of calls to advisers this morning to determine exactly what the bonus demands are.
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Post by dominicansoxfan on Jun 7, 2013 8:54:15 GMT -5
Is there any chance of signing Cord Sanberg away from his two sport college commitment? He is an athlete that would likely have significant improvement if he focused on baseball.
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Post by borisman on Jun 7, 2013 9:03:45 GMT -5
I didn't see Kaminsky getting drafted. I also didn't see him on the best available list either. Can someone correct me if I'm wrong.
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Post by Steve Henley on Jun 7, 2013 9:07:05 GMT -5
I didn't see Kaminsky getting drafted. I also didn't see him on the best available list either. Can someone correct me if I'm wrong. Went #28 to St. Louis
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Post by bluechip on Jun 7, 2013 9:08:16 GMT -5
I like the strategy idea of drafting/acquiring lots of young pitchers. With the volatility of pitching, some will get hurt, some will bust, some will also return into bullpen pitchers. Others will turn into solid MLB starters. And maybe one or two turns into a true top of the rotation starter.
Young pitching is the most valuable commodity in baseball. I am not saying that is the strategy the Red Sox have been employing the last couple of years, but it is a viable strategy.
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Post by ramireja on Jun 7, 2013 9:21:27 GMT -5
With regards to yesterday's picks it will be crucial to see what each player signs for. If Ball is a slight under slot, and more importantly if Stankiewicz is under slot, and we utilize that money efficiently today, then I'm pretty happy. If neither of our top two players (especially Stankiewicz) signs for under slot, then I'm awfully confused. Here's to hoping for some bigger signs in Rounds 3-4 today.
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Post by amfox1 on Jun 7, 2013 9:23:13 GMT -5
The best players available after the second round last year (according to BA) were: 36: Anthony Alford (3rd round) - $750K 38. Ty Buttrey (4th round) - $1.3M 50. Walker Buehler (14th round) - Did not sign 53. Hunter Virant (11th round) - Did not sign Compare that to this year where 8 of the top 50 are still available. Keep in mind that the top two rounds had 22 additional picks than this year (95 vs. 73)
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Post by boomer on Jun 7, 2013 9:28:35 GMT -5
So I think the Sox did as well as they could do (I'm guessing Stankiewicz is at best a #4/#5 starter more likely to be a reliever), and who knows maybe Ball will be even better then expected? I mean a couple of years ago I really wanted to see the Sox get Josh Bell and they picked Henry Owens and JBJ ahead of him. So what do I know?! Since almost none of us have seen any of these amateurs play, this is an extremely valid point. The professionals are much less likely to mess this up than us armchair scouts. BTW, if Kyle Crockett of UVA is still there when the Sox pick in Round 4, I say go for it. Living in Charlottesville, I've seen him pitch several 6 out saves as a mid-90's throwing lefty with an unorthodox slinging motion. He is a senior and is projected to be picked right about there (I saw a mock draft opining the Cubs would pick him at the top of that round). I have absolutely no comparative scouting to report but, from what I know in person, he will be a bargain if picked by the Sox right around where the pundits project.
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Post by bluechip on Jun 7, 2013 9:36:19 GMT -5
With regards to yesterday's picks it will be crucial to see what each player signs for. If Ball is a slight under slot, and more importantly if Stankiewicz is under slot, and we utilize that money efficiently today, then I'm pretty happy. If neither of our top two players (especially Stankiewicz) signs for under slot, then I'm awfully confused. Here's to hoping for some bigger signs in Rounds 3-4 today. I just hope Stankiewicz is not hard headed and expects to get slot, regardless of where he is drafted. I assume the Red Sox did their due diligence. He walked away from the Mets because he was not offered slot.
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Post by amfox1 on Jun 7, 2013 9:37:45 GMT -5
Denny has been dropping down mock drafts for weeks now and I wonder if teams think he can even stick at C. Would his bat play at 1B if needed? From the reports I have read, his bat should play at first. On the other hand, if you think you are draft a first baseman, I would rather take Rowdy Tellez. I don't think it's close between Denney and Tellez. I'd rather take the offensive catcher over the offensive 1B/DH and move Denney out of the position, if needed. Denney's bat will play at 1B and corner OF.
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Post by taftreign on Jun 7, 2013 9:43:10 GMT -5
I would like to see the Red Sox add two upside plays and if possible Daniel Palka as a college junior bat in round 3 through 5. I believe the Red Sox will have worked out the salary demands for whoever they take at pick 81 and will have a very good idea on a few players for picks 113 and 143. I would agree players like Sandberg and Tellez are in the mix. Bobby Wahl does seem like the type of player Boston has selected in the past that has fallen down the board so I have to think he's in the mix. For one of the 4th or 5th round picks I would like a young bat like Trey Michalczewsi, Ivan Wilson or Joey Martarano. If its a pitcher I like Eric Lauer or Tyler Skulina in the 4th or 5th assuming Serrano and Conner Jones are unsignable.
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Post by ibsmith85 on Jun 7, 2013 9:45:07 GMT -5
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Post by bluechip on Jun 7, 2013 9:46:34 GMT -5
From the reports I have read, his bat should play at first. On the other hand, if you think you are draft a first baseman, I would rather take Rowdy Tellez. I don't think it's close between Denney and Tellez. I'd rather take the offensive catcher over the offensive 1B/DH and move Denney out of the position, if needed. Denney's bat will play at 1B and corner OF. That assumes, Denney at least has a chance to stick at catcher. If you think Denney has no chance at catcher, then I would take the better bat. BTW, I would rather have Denney because the reports suggest he could stay at catcher.
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Post by iakovos11 on Jun 7, 2013 9:48:33 GMT -5
I doubt they go Wahl at #81 as they've already taken 2 pitchers. Unless of course he far and away the best player on their board. But I'd think they need to lean offense at #81.
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Post by bluechip on Jun 7, 2013 9:54:02 GMT -5
Here is what I see:
He needs to work on his receiving skills and his footwork on throws. He is also no as athletic as could be liked.
On the other had, he has the arm strength and the hands to be a catcher.
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Post by amfox1 on Jun 7, 2013 9:54:40 GMT -5
Denney was inconsistent in the spring and started dropping. I have heard that some scouts question his athleticism and whether he can stick behind the plate. Combine that with an inconsistent spring offensively and teams have apparently been scared off. Teams are undoubtedly calling him this morning to see if he's signable or whether he's heading to Arkansas. If he's not picked in the first ten picks, I'd assume he's headed to Arkansas. BTW, another top catching prospect Chris Okey has announced he's going to college (Clemson).
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Post by taftreign on Jun 7, 2013 9:56:13 GMT -5
Does anyone know how Denney compares to Swihart coming out of HS? They seem to share some similarities at least generically.
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Post by amfox1 on Jun 7, 2013 10:02:16 GMT -5
Does anyone know how Denney compares to Swihart coming out of HS? They seem to share some similarities at least generically. Scouting reports courtesy of Nick Faleris (BP): Denney (2013) - Offensive-minded C, flashed average defensive profile; good juice in bat; hit utility questions; needs refinement; big upside w/fair risk. Swihart (2011) - Switch-hitting, plus-plus arm w/good athleticism; consistently barrels; some pop to come; refining defensively; impact talent at premium pos. Not that similar. Denney is an inch taller and 30 lbs heavier than Swihart was when he was drafted.
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Post by amfox1 on Jun 7, 2013 10:08:04 GMT -5
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