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Thread: 2017 MLB Draft Thread

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  1. #1
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    2017 MLB Draft Thread

    I noticed people were bumping the draft thread from last year, so I thought I'd go ahead and start a new one...

    Here's a nice draft preview from SoxProspects which identifies some likely Red Sox targets... http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/06...ftpreview.html

    A few possible 1st round picks:
    First Round (#24 overall)

    Keston Hiura, 2B/OF, UC-Irvine – Hiura is a college junior with possibly the best hit tool in the draft. In addition to making plus contact and leading the NCAA in average and on-base percentage, he has above-average to plus power, excellent plate discipline, smooth mechanics, and fringe-average speed. He has played second base, left field, and center field in college, showing a below-average arm. An elbow injury has left his future projection on defense up in the air – he will likely require surgery. Interest in Hiura has been rumored to caught helium in recent days, so there's a strong possibility he may not be available when Boston's turn comes up.

    Tanner Houck, RHP, Missouri – Houck has a strong pitcher’s frame at 6’5”, 220, allowing him to work as Mizzou’s Friday night starter and as a two-year starter for Team USA. His arsenal includes a plus 90-94 mph sinker, an average slider, and a work-in-progress changeup, all thrown with above-average control and command. He’ll need to improve his secondary pitches to reach his potential as a top-end starter. Even if he doesn’t, he has a reasonable floor of a backend starter or high leverage reliever due to his combination of control and movement.

    Evan White, 1B/OF, Kentucky – White is an excellent athlete and plus defensive player at first base, with potential to also play right field as a pro. He shows above-average speed, fluidity, and glovework, paired with a plus arm. He makes above-average contact at the plate but his present power is fringy, especially for his position, but he has the frame to add some strength. Overall, he projects as a player that could hit over .300 on a consistent basis while providing some defensive versatility.

    David Peterson, LHP, Oregon – The Red Sox selected Peterson in the 28th round in 2014 but didn’t have the cap space to sign him. The 6’6” left-hander is one of the best strikeout pitchers in the draft, demonstrated by the fact the he stuck out 20 batters in a complete game shutout against Arizona State in late April. His fastball sits in the low 90s but has topped out in the mid-90s. He also throws a plus slider and mixes in an average changeup and an occasional curveball. To take it to the next level, he’ll need to work on maintaining more consistent command, and he’ll eventually be required to mix in his changeup more.

    Jake Burger, 3B, Missouri State – Burger is one of the top power bats in the draft, while also making consistently above-average contact. He’s not the most athletic player and has below average speed on the base paths and range in the field. Overall, he has the potential to be an impact middle-of-the-order bat, but he’ll need to work on hitting off-speed stuff and improving his defense.

    There’s some chance that all of the above players are off the board by the time the Red Sox pick at #24. Other players who the Red Sox have been linked to in the first round include Houston LHP Seth Romero, Dana Hills High School RHP Hans Crouse, LSU RHP Alex Lange, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School OF Bubba Thompson, and Central Florida JC RHP Nate Pearson.

  2. #2
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    In two new mock drafts out this morning, Baseball America has the Red Sox taking Peterson at #24, while MLB.com puts them with Hiura.

    http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft...Mp10sFm7qY1.97
    http://m.mlb.com/news/article/235304...icid=151437456

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    Before injury Hiura was a Top 10 Prospect in most Drafts.

  4. #4
    1. Tanner Houck RHP Missouri

    He is a big framed strike thrower with a filthy mid 90s sinker. Slider is inconsistent. Change is weak. Funky mechanics make him an injury risk. As a collegian, he should move fast.

    2. Cole Brannen OF HS

    Speed guy with protectable 10-15HR power. Sounds like a Mark Kotsay type with better SB potential.

  5. #5
    TalkSox Ascended Master mvp 78's Avatar
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    SP is always a need, so I'm fine with the 1st pick. The OF depth in the system is weak, so the 2nd pick looks like the right direction too. I wouldn't be surprised if they go with another OF in the next few rounds.

    Most people assume the Sox are going to grab Daniel Flores (C) on July 2nd. Maybe they'll get one of the OFers from Venezuela too.
    Quote Originally Posted by moonslav59 View Post
    ( I won't say the "C word.")

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    Quote Originally Posted by mvp 78 View Post
    SP is always a need, so I'm fine with the 1st pick. The OF depth in the system is weak, so the 2nd pick looks like the right direction too. I wouldn't be surprised if they go with another OF in the next few rounds.

    Most people assume the Sox are going to grab Daniel Flores (C) on July 2nd. Maybe they'll get one of the OFers from Venezuela too.
    Maybe getting Flores might make us slightly more comfortable trading one of our 3 ML or ML ready catchers.

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    TalkSox Ascended Master mvp 78's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by moonslav59 View Post
    Maybe getting Flores might make us slightly more comfortable trading one of our 3 ML or ML ready catchers.
    Swihart is hurt and his trade value is pretty low. Vazquez and Leon are both replacement level players that I don't think many teams would be all that interested in.
    Quote Originally Posted by moonslav59 View Post
    ( I won't say the "C word.")

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    Quote Originally Posted by mvp 78 View Post
    Swihart is hurt and his trade value is pretty low. Vazquez and Leon are both replacement level players that I don't think many teams would be all that interested in.
    Have you seen the state of catching these days in MLB?

    Vaz & Leon are not "replacement level". They are much closer to average than replacement.

    Plus, there are 6 teams with a team catching WAR of 0.1 or less, including the Nats, Jays and Mariners.

    The Sox catching OPS is .690. That's not replacement level. It ranks 17th in MLB. It's just .014 away from top tier! Not bad for a catching tandem known for their defense.

    5 teams have a catching OPS of under .619.

    That's replacement level, and those teams would probably love to have Swihart or Vaz added to their catcher mix.

    The Nats (.644) might even want Leon back.

  9. #9
    TalkSox Ascended Master mvp 78's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by moonslav59 View Post
    Have you seen the state of catching these days in MLB?

    Vaz & Leon are not "replacement level". They are much closer to average than replacement.

    Plus, there are 6 teams with a team catching WAR of 0.1 or less, including the Nats, Jays and Mariners.

    The Sox catching OPS is .690. That's not replacement level. It ranks 17th in MLB. It's just .014 away from top tier! Not bad for a catching tandem known for their defense.

    5 teams have a catching OPS of under .619.

    That's replacement level, and those teams would probably love to have Swihart or Vaz added to their catcher mix.

    The Nats (.644) might even want Leon back.
    They are "known for their defense" but it doesn't look that way when I watch the games. Per Baseball Ref WAR, they are replacement level.
    Quote Originally Posted by moonslav59 View Post
    ( I won't say the "C word.")

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    http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/06...ner-houck.html
    http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/06...ith-their.html

    Not a bad first day, IMO. Seems like there's a fair amount of concern that Houck could end up in the bullpen, but his upside could be that of a #3/4 starter. Have seen Brannen compared to a Brett Gardner sort a couple of times.

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Flap View Post
    http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/06...ner-houck.html
    http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/06...ith-their.html

    Not a bad first day, IMO. Seems like there's a fair amount of concern that Houck could end up in the bullpen, but his upside could be that of a #3/4 starter. Have seen Brannen compared to a Brett Gardner sort a couple of times.
    Given where you are picking and how thin your system has become, yeah that's not a bad first day. The first pick was all about getting a guy who could move through fast. The second pick was all about projection and athleticism
    Hal sucks

  12. #12
    Deity Slasher9's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch View Post
    Given where you are picking and how thin your system has become, yeah that's not a bad first day. The first pick was all about getting a guy who could move through fast. The second pick was all about projection and athleticism
    i forget. before this draft are we a top 15 farm system or bottom 5 "thin" system?
    other names i have posted under: none

  13. #13
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    How many funky delivery guy works as a SP in the majors?

  14. #14
    His stuff points towards starter. Usually your heavy sinkerballers are starters. Remember, Chien Ming Wang had a good career before he blew out his elbow throwing only bowling ball sinkers

  15. #15
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    Nothing too surprising.

    Nothing I'm going to get too excited about.

    About what I expected.

    I hope we find some gems this year.

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