The Big Blue Wrecking Crew

I will be posting my possibles for the 1st 5 rounds by the end of the week.  For now, here are the Dodgers draft slots through round five.  This is up to date with the Prince Fielder signing.

018 - 1st Round
051 - 1st Round Supplemental (C Rod Barajas)
079 - 2nd Round
110 - 3rd Round
143 - 4th Round
173 - 5th Round

--------------------

Building on what said above, here are the "hot" names being mentioned by the mock draft "experts".

1st Round

1B Christian Walker (COL - South Carolina)
OF Nick Williams (HS - TX)
MI Steve Nyisztor (COL - Rutgers)
CA Stryker Trahan (HS - LA)
RH Mitchell Traver (HS - TX)
CI Joey Gallo (HS - NV)

1st Round Supplemental

CA Nelson Rodriguez (HS - NY)
CA Josh Elander (COL - TCU)
LH Taylor Rogers (COL - Kentucky)
LH Andrew Heaney (COL - Oklahoma State)

BLUEFAN said:

I will be posting my possibles for the 1st 5 rounds by the end of the week.  For now, here are the Dodgers draft slots through round five.  This is up to date with the Prince Fielder signing.

018 - 1st Round
051 - 1st Round Supplemental (C Rod Barajas)
079 - 2nd Round
110 - 3rd Round
143 - 4th Round
173 - 5th Round

--------------------

Building on what said above, here are the "hot" names being mentioned by the mock draft "experts".

1st Round

1B Christian Walker (COL - South Carolina)
OF Nick Williams (HS - TX)
MI Steve Nyisztor (COL - Rutgers)
CA Stryker Trahan (HS - LA)
RH Mitchell Traver (HS - TX)
CI Joey Gallo (HS - NV)

1st Round Supplemental

CA Nelson Rodriguez (HS - NY)
CA Josh Elander (COL - TCU)
LH Taylor Rogers (COL - Kentucky)
LH Andrew Heaney (COL - Oklahoma State)

Read plenty on Gallo, but he seems to be limited to first base and later, designated hitter.  His power is prodigious, but he could easily be Billy Ashley if he doesn't do something about the length of his swing.   Walker looks like a winner, but first base is, in my opinion, a position that could be filled in the later rounds.  I like the look of Trahan, but I got a feeling he will end up in right field before he sees the show.  His footwork looks abysmal, but that can be fixed.  I just wonder if he has the build to take the punishment behind the plate. Haven't heard much about Nyisztor or Traver, but I really haven't started researching.  

Many of the names on the list above I hope we steer clear from ... at least in the first couple of rounds.  If they will take 3rd - 5th round money, then I might be interested.  Got a good list of names going so far.  Have a couple of questions to ask the experts at PG/BA before I finalize my early mock list possibles.

Stryker Trahan for example ... on their early lists (Summer 2011) PG had him at # 81, while BA has him at # 31.

He is just one guy I need to get some clarification on before I post.

2012 LAD MOCK DRAFT #1 - 01/31/12

1st Round
0018 3B Trey Williams - 6'1" 211 - R/R - Valencia HS (CA) - PG (12)
     - LH Matthew Smoral - 6'8" 225 - L/L - Solon HS (OH) - PG (15)
     - LH Max Fried - 6'4" 170 - L/L - Harvard Westlake HS (CA) - PG (16)
     - 3B Rio Ruiz - 6'2" 195 - L/R - Bishop Amat HS (CA) - PG (35)
     - RH Ty Hensley - 6'5" 225 - S/R - Santa Fe HS (OK) - PG (50)

2nd Round
0051 MI Jesmuel Valentin Diaz - 5'10" 175 - S/R - PRBA - PG (62)
     - CA Stryker Trahan - 6'1" 215 - L/R - Acadiana HS (LA) - PG (78)
     - LH Hunter Virant - 6'3" 172 - L/L - Camarillo HS (CA) - PG (40)
     - 1B Keon Barnum - 6'4" 220 - L/L - King HS (FL) - PG (54)
     - LH Andrew Heaney - 6'3" 180 - L/L - Oklahoma State - PG (39)

2nd Round
0080 1B Christian Walker - 6'1" 220 - R/R - South Carolina - PG (101) *
     - OF Rhett Wiseman - 6'1" 195 - L/R - BB&N HS (MA) - PG (80)
     - 2B Tony Renda - 5'11" 170 - R/R - California - PG (92)*
     - IN Corey Seager - 6'3" 190 - L/R - NW Cabarrus HS (NC) - PG (70)
     - CA Clint Coulter - 6'3" 210 - R/R - Union HS (WA) - PG (74)

3rd Round
0111 LH Taylor Rogers - 6'3" 170 - L/L - Kentucky - PG (123)
     - 3B Fernando Perez - 6'1" 175 - L/R - Chipola JC (FL) - PG (112)
     - RH Matt Price - 6'2" 215 - R/R - South Carolina - PG (115)
     - 3B Daniel Robertson - 6'1" 190 - R/R - Upland HS (CA) - PG (121)
     - CA Dane Phillips - 6'2" 190 - L/R - Oklahoma City College - PG (113)

4th Round
0144 RH Ross Stripling - 6'3" 190 - R/R - Texas A&M - PG (162)
     - LH Christian Jones - 6'3" 210 - L/L - Oregon - PG (126)
     - 3B David Thompson - 6'1" 195 - R/R - Westminster HS (FL) - PG (155)
     - SS Mickey  White - 6'1" 190 - R/R - Spain Park HS (AL) - PG (161)
     - RH Mitch Mormann - 6'6" 255 - R/R - Wichita State - PG (220)

5th Round
0174 LH Brett Lilek - 6'4" 185 - L/L - Marian Catholic HS (IL) - PG (226)
     - RH Daniel Ponce de Leon - 6'4" 195 - R/R - Cypress College - PG (195)
     - LH Chase Mullins - 6'9" 250 - L/L - Bourbon County HS (KY) - PG (202)
     - LH Ryan Kellogg - 6'5" 215 - L/L - Henry Street HS (CANADA) - PG (203)
     - LH Tyler Alexander - 6'1" 185 - L/L - Hillsborough CC (FL) - PG (225)

* Previously Drafted by LAD
 

Has anyone heard anything about a high school pitcher named Helmink?  He lives in my neighborhood and his Mom told me that a scout from the Dodgers (she only remembered his first name) had visited.  She said that of all of the scouts who had visited them, the family was MOST impressed by the Dodgers' scout.  I know the kid has committed to the University of Texas, which means he is a good prospect.  Just wondering if anyone here has him on their radar.  Thanks.

RH Holden Helmink - 6'4" 185 - R/R - 11/10/93 - Willis HS (TX) - Texas commit

Scouting Report

The right-handed hurler features a fastball that tops
out at 95 mph, a powerful curve-ball and a change-up to keep
opposing batters off balance.

PG had him sitting 87-92 mph in the notes I could find.  He wasn't ranked in their TOP 500.

He did not pitch for his HS team in 2011 due to an undisclosed arm injury, though he did play RF and hit well.
-----------

The Dodger scouts for the area (at least a through the 2010 draft) are Calvin Jones and Chris Smith.

Calvin Jones
- RH Zach Lee (1st Round Pick in 2009)
- RH Chris Withrow (1st Round Pick in 2007)
- OF Brian Cavazos-Galvez (12th Round Pick in 2009)

Chris Smith
- LH Aaron Miller (1st Round Supplemental Pick in 2009)
- RF Kyle Russell (3rd Round Pick in 2008)
- RH Nate Eovaldi (11th Round Pick in 2008)

Thanks for the update, BlueFan.  The Helminks are a good family and though I don't know Holden, I have heard is he an A Student and a great kid.  

SamAdams,

I asked Jim Callis of Baseball America about Helmink:

Don't know much on him other than he's a good projectable body whose present
stuff is solid but not plus. Those type of kids usually wind up making it to
Austin.

Yes, he has committed to UT and if he's not in the top tier, then he will take the scholarship and hope for higher status down the road.  I think I read that he hit something like .570 last year, but is more highly regarded as a pitcher.

A lot will depend on what he asks for.  If he is willing to sign a Allen Webster/Nathan Eovaldi deal ($250,000), then I think the Dodgers will go after him.  If it will take more, then he is probably college bound.

BLUEFAN said:

2012 LAD MOCK DRAFT #1 - 01/31/12

1st Round
0018 3B Trey Williams - 6'1" 211 - R/R - Valencia HS (CA) - PG (12)
     - LH Matthew Smoral - 6'8" 225 - L/L - Solon HS (OH) - PG (15)
     - LH Max Fried - 6'4" 170 - L/L - Harvard Westlake HS (CA) - PG (16)
     - 3B Rio Ruiz - 6'2" 195 - L/R - Bishop Amat HS (CA) - PG (35)
     - RH Ty Hensley - 6'5" 225 - S/R - Santa Fe HS (OK) - PG (50)

2nd Round
0051 MI Jesmuel Valentin Diaz - 5'10" 175 - S/R - PRBA - PG (62)
     - CA Stryker Trahan - 6'1" 215 - L/R - Acadiana HS (LA) - PG (78)
     - LH Hunter Virant - 6'3" 172 - L/L - Camarillo HS (CA) - PG (40)
     - 1B Keon Barnum - 6'4" 220 - L/L - King HS (FL) - PG (54)
     - LH Andrew Heaney - 6'3" 180 - L/L - Oklahoma State - PG (39)

2nd Round
0080 1B Christian Walker - 6'1" 220 - R/R - South Carolina - PG (101) *
     - OF Rhett Wiseman - 6'1" 195 - L/R - BB&N HS (MA) - PG (80)
     - 2B Tony Renda - 5'11" 170 - R/R - California - PG (92)*
     - IN Corey Seager - 6'3" 190 - L/R - NW Cabarrus HS (NC) - PG (70)
     - CA Clint Coulter - 6'3" 210 - R/R - Union HS (WA) - PG (74)

3rd Round
0111 LH Taylor Rogers - 6'3" 170 - L/L - Kentucky - PG (123)
     - 3B Fernando Perez - 6'1" 175 - L/R - Chipola JC (FL) - PG (112)
     - RH Matt Price - 6'2" 215 - R/R - South Carolina - PG (115)
     - 3B Daniel Robertson - 6'1" 190 - R/R - Upland HS (CA) - PG (121)
     - CA Dane Phillips - 6'2" 190 - L/R - Oklahoma City College - PG (113)

4th Round
0144 RH Ross Stripling - 6'3" 190 - R/R - Texas A&M - PG (162)
     - LH Christian Jones - 6'3" 210 - L/L - Oregon - PG (126)
     - 3B David Thompson - 6'1" 195 - R/R - Westminster HS (FL) - PG (155)
     - SS Mickey  White - 6'1" 190 - R/R - Spain Park HS (AL) - PG (161)
     - RH Mitch Mormann - 6'6" 255 - R/R - Wichita State - PG (220)

5th Round
0174 LH Brett Lilek - 6'4" 185 - L/L - Marian Catholic HS (IL) - PG (226)
     - RH Daniel Ponce de Leon - 6'4" 195 - R/R - Cypress College - PG (195)
     - LH Chase Mullins - 6'9" 250 - L/L - Bourbon County HS (KY) - PG (202)
     - LH Ryan Kellogg - 6'5" 215 - L/L - Henry Street HS (CANADA) - PG (203)
     - LH Tyler Alexander - 6'1" 185 - L/L - Hillsborough CC (FL) - PG (225)

* Previously Drafted by LAD
 

The one player I would hope that the Dodgers are in on is Kyle Zimmer, the righty from USF.   His arm has little wear and tear on it, his upside is pretty damn high and he is a Don, which adds bonus points from me because we have had few players make it to the show (Scott Cousins comes to mind and that is it).

Don't forget LH Aaron Poreda, a 1st Round pick by CWS a few years ago.  He is now in the Padre system.

BLUEFAN said:

Don't forget LH Aaron Poreda, a 1st Round pick by CWS a few years ago.  He is now in the Padre system.

I remember Poreda and Evan Frederickson, both first rounders who have struggled since being number one picks.  I like Zimmer's upside over those two guys if only because his arm is relatively fresh and unused.  

I'll look into him a little more ... would like to see his motion/mechanics before I have an opinion.

PG noted that his FB was 92-94, with a SL and CH.  Indicated that some scouts think he has a higher upside than Georgia Southern RH Chris Beck (PG-8 / BA-7) who is considered a Top 10 Pick.  Zimmer is currently considered a late 1st Round Pick (PG-27 / BA-28).

BLUEFAN said:

I'll look into him a little more ... would like to see his motion/mechanics before I have an opinion.

PG noted that his FB was 92-94, with a SL and CH.  Indicated that some scouts think he has a higher upside than Georgia Southern RH Chris Beck (PG-8 / BA-7) who is considered a Top 10 Pick.  Zimmer is currently considered a late 1st Round Pick (PG-27 / BA-28).

I have only seen a couple short videos on him pitching.   Throwing motion is pretty effortless and simple.   Does have a bit of a hand wrap behind his back and tends to finish a bit off balance, but very smooth and less moving parts than someone like Eovaldi or Billingsley.   From the scouting reports I have seen, his finish doesn't seem to affect his fielding as he is considered a very good glove (former shortstop and all that).   I am hoping to take in some USF games to see what his other offerings look like, the only pitch I have seen in the videos is a nice fastball with some downward movement. 

Per Baseball America's Jim Callis, the LAD slot for rounds 1-10 is ~ $5.2 million

BLUEFAN said:

Per Baseball America's Jim Callis, the LAD slot for rounds 1-10 is ~ $5.2 million

It could be an interesting draft heavy on college players, I am thinking.  The penalties for going over slot are harsh and even a team like the Yankees or Red Sox might think twice about dropping a couple million on a fifth round pick.  

The #1 priority for each team this year will be the ability to sign any player from rounds 1-10 (especially round 1), since that is what bonus pool money is based upon.  Any picked unsigned will take away from bonus pool the money slotted to that pick.

I still see a lot of HS players being chosen, but expect teams to do a better job of weeding out signability issues.

BLUEFAN said:

The #1 priority for each team this year will be the ability to sign any player from rounds 1-10 (especially round 1), since that is what bonus pool money is based upon.  Any picked unsigned will take away from bonus pool the money slotted to that pick.

I still see a lot of HS players being chosen, but expect teams to do a better job of weeding out signability issues.

True, but there will be less Josh Bells in this draft and I am still not sure if a team can pay out a bonus over five years like the Dodgers with Zach Lee because of his two-sport status.

The bonus being paid out over 5 years for two sport stars is still in place under the new CBA, but ... the full amount goes against that years bonus pool.

In essence, if we drafted/signed Zach Lee this year, we would be unable to sign any other top ten round pick or lose 1) Money (75% fee for being over) and/or 2) 1st Round Draft Picks (2013 and possibly 2014).

BLUEFAN said:

The bonus being paid out over 5 years for two sport stars is still in place under the new CBA, but ... the full amount goes against that years bonus pool.

In essence, if we drafted/signed Zach Lee this year, we would be unable to sign any other top ten round pick or lose 1) Money (75% fee for being over) and/or 2) 1st Round Draft Picks (2013 and possibly 2014).

So much for the Bubba Starlings, Zach Lees and Donovan Tates of the future picking baseball out of high school. 

The new CBA doesn't rule out those kind of signings, they will just have to be made by one of the teams with a top 5 pick as their bonus pool money would cover it.

1 $7.2 million
2 $6.2 million
3 $5.2 million
4 $4.2 million
5 $3.2 million

Also, I have the amounts of the Dodger bonus pool money for picks 18, 51, 82, and 326.  I am trying to get the rest before I post next.

BLUEFAN said:

The new CBA doesn't rule out those kind of signings, they will just have to be made by one of the teams with a top 5 pick as their bonus pool money would cover it.

1 $7.2 million
2 $6.2 million
3 $5.2 million
4 $4.2 million
5 $3.2 million

grabarkewitz said:

BLUEFAN said:

The new CBA doesn't rule out those kind of signings, they will just have to be made by one of the teams with a top 5 pick as their bonus pool money would cover it.

1 $7.2 million
2 $6.2 million
3 $5.2 million
4 $4.2 million
5 $3.2 million

One thing I have not heard or missed is this; lets say the Dodgers draft a kid in the nineteenth round who is a signability question and they sign him for $1 million, but through dumb luck or a top two round pick decides to go to college, they have a loose million left, they wouldn't get penalized for paying too much for a pick because there is no slot directives for the later rounds or would they?

I believe there are still slot recommendations but as long as their entire budget falls within the allocated range, they are ok.   There are still going to be ways to game the system.  Boras is a smart guy.  The new thing that you'll be seeing in a few years is real talent getting picked in the 3rd round.  Let's say the Yankees or Dodgers blow their wad in the 2014 draft and are therefore penalized with the withdrawal of a 1st & 2nd round pick in 2015, the Josh Bell's of that draft can easily be delivered to the 3rd round.

grabarkewitz said:

BLUEFAN said:

The new CBA doesn't rule out those kind of signings, they will just have to be made by one of the teams with a top 5 pick as their bonus pool money would cover it.

1 $7.2 million
2 $6.2 million
3 $5.2 million
4 $4.2 million
5 $3.2 million

One thing I have not heard or missed is this; lets say the Dodgers draft a kid in the nineteenth round who is a signability question and they sign him for $1 million, but through dumb luck or a top two round pick decides to go to college, they have a loose million left, they wouldn't get penalized for paying too much for a pick because there is no slot directives for the later rounds or would they?

The Bonus Pool money is based upon picks from Round 1 - Round 10.  Starting with the 11th Round, all picks have an assigned slot cap of $100,000.  Any draft pick past Round 10 signed for more than $100,000, gets the difference deducted from that teams Bonus Pool money.

In regards to not signing a pick, if a draftee chosen within the first ten rounds does not sign, that team would lose the bonus pool money for that slot, reducing their allotment (possibly substantially depending on the pick lost).  In the case of the Dodgers, say they did not sign their 2nd Round pick (# 82) their allotment of $5,202,800 would be reduced by $610,800 to $4,592,000.

Remember, the Dodgers can spend up to 5% above the Bonus Pool allotment of $5,202,800 (roughly $250,000) without losing a draft pick in the 2013 draft.  They would still be on the hook for the 75% penalty on the overage (roughly $187,500) though. 

It is beginning to look like the draft is firming up.  At our selection (18) we could have the option of a couple former Dodger draft picks who play third base, Richie Shaffer and Stephen Piscotty.   Right now, I prefer Shaffer, he looks to have more power and slightly better defense than Piscotty, who I feel is overrated and as a Stanford hitter, there could be questions about his upside as Marques tends to worry more about his wins and loses than developing players for the show. 

If memory serves me right, it came down to Gausman or Lee in the budget.  I'm at peace with that decision.  My, if Franko hadn't...... not only would we have a team stocked with more all-stars as in Price, but the depth at the minors would have been awesome from the trade pool perspective.

grabarkewitz said:

It is beginning to look like the draft is firming up.  At our selection (18) we could have the option of a couple former Dodger draft picks who play third base, Richie Shaffer and Stephen Piscotty.   Right now, I prefer Shaffer, he looks to have more power and slightly better defense than Piscotty, who I feel is overrated and as a Stanford hitter, there could be questions about his upside as Marques tends to worry more about his wins and loses than developing players for the show. 

My guess at the first five is this:

Houston - Byron Buxton OF

Minnesota - Kevin Gausman RHP (former Dodger pick)

Seattle - Mike Zunino C

Baltimore - Kyle Zimmer RHP

Kansas City - Mark Appel RHP

Your guess is as good as mine between Piscotty and Shaffer, as both would also be Dodger re-drafts and Logan loves himself some re-drafts.  But looking at the empty cupboards at 3B, relative to where the pick in the draft is, I say 65% its one of those 2, 35% somebody like Fried if he makes it that far.

saeldway said:

grabarkewitz said:

It is beginning to look like the draft is firming up.  At our selection (18) we could have the option of a couple former Dodger draft picks who play third base, Richie Shaffer and Stephen Piscotty.   Right now, I prefer Shaffer, he looks to have more power and slightly better defense than Piscotty, who I feel is overrated and as a Stanford hitter, there could be questions about his upside as Marques tends to worry more about his wins and loses than developing players for the show. 

My guess at the first five is this:

Houston - Byron Buxton OF

Minnesota - Kevin Gausman RHP (former Dodger pick)

Seattle - Mike Zunino C

Baltimore - Kyle Zimmer RHP

Kansas City - Mark Appel RHP

Your guess is as good as mine between Piscotty and Shaffer, as both would also be Dodger re-drafts and Logan loves himself some re-drafts.  But looking at the empty cupboards at 3B, relative to where the pick in the draft is, I say 65% its one of those 2, 35% somebody like Fried if he makes it that far.

I wouldn't bellyache about getting Fried, especially when it appears that third base could be one of the more stocked positions in this draft with Trey Williams and Rio Ruiz being two local kids who could be strong options for either our sandwich pick or the second round.   I really like Joey Gallo, he kind of reminds me of Mark Trumbo with the power/power arm set, but like Trumbo, I don't see him being a strong third baseman.  I just have this scary feeling that Shaffer may go to a team like the A's or Pirates before he gets to us.  Some scouts feel that Piscotty will develop power as soon as he gets some real coaching, but I remember the kid from high school and while his arm and general approach to hitting was good, it seemed like he was happy flipping the ball to right field instead of trying to turn on a pitch.   Granted, the field that they played on was generous to lefty hitters (wind that blew that way continuously) and a lot of the right-handed hitters on that team were going the other way.  

Between Shaffer and Piscotty, I would go with Shaffer hands down.  Not only does he seem to be able to play at least an average 3B, if that doesn't work he was considered by some scouts as being Gold Glove caliber at 1B.  He also has the arm RF if it came down to it.  Add that to the power threat at the plate and I'm now sold.

BLUEFAN said:

Between Shaffer and Piscotty, I would go with Shaffer hands down.  Not only does he seem to be able to play at least an average 3B, if that doesn't work he was considered by some scouts as being Gold Glove caliber at 1B.  He also has the arm RF if it came down to it.  Add that to the power threat at the plate and I'm now sold.

I am just worried that he won't make it to our pick.  At that point, I could see Logan White doing the best athlete available.  The one good thing about this draft is that there seem to be plenty of third basemen with quality pedigrees.  

Kasten (from his comments) and Logan White should get along just fine .... meaning I still believe that the Dodgers will choose a pitcher at #18.  While I would hope for top locals (LH Max Fried, or RH Lucas Giolito if signable), the names that make more sense are ...

LH Andrew Heaney - Oklahoma State
RH Walker Weickel - HS (FL)
RH Ty Hensley - HS (OK)
LH Hunter Virant - HS (CA)
LH Matt Smoral - HS (OH) if health of foot checks out
LH Brett Mooneyham - Stanford

I could see White going for a bat in the case of Shaffer due to being a previous draft pick/position/power potential.  The only offensive player at that point that I could see us go for is CA Stryker Trahan.  He has a really solid bat, power potential, very good speed and has "fresh" legs behind the plate, having converted to catcher within the last couple of years.  He is also a guy that if catcher did not work, he should be able to handle either 3B or CO with a playable bat.

BLUEFAN MOCK DRAFT – 05/01/12

0018 1st Round – Los Angeles Dodgers

0011 Chris Stratton – RH - 6’4” 195 – R/R – Mississippi State
0012 Richie Shaffer – 1B/3B - 6’3” 205 – R/R – Clemson
0015 Lance McCullers – RH – 6’2” 205 – R/R – HS(FL) – Florida commit
0017 Andrew Heaney – LH - 6’3” 180 – L/L – Oklahoma State
0023 Stryker Trahan – CA - 6’1” 215 – L/R – HS(LA) – Mississippi commit


0051 1st Round Supplemental – Los Angeles Dodgers

0047 Brett Mooneyham - LH – 6’5” 235 – L/L - Stanford
0050 Hunter Virant – LH - 6’3” 175 – R/L – HS(CA) – UCLA commit
0061 Shane Watson – RH - 6’4” 195 – R/R – HS(CA) – USC commit
0062 Ty Buttrey – RH - 6’6” 210 – L/R – HS(NC) – Arkansas commit
0066 Kyle Twomey – LH - 6’4” 175 – L/L – HS(CA) – USC commit


0082 2nd Round – Los Angeles Dodgers

0078 Travis Jankowski – OF - 6’3” 190 – L/R – Stony Brook
0082 Dane Phillips – CA/OF - 6’2” 190 – L/R – Oklahoma City (NAIA)
0085 Daniel Robertson – 3B - 6’1” 190 – R/R – HSC(CA) - UCLA
0087 Jesmuel Valentin Diaz – MI - 5’10” 175 – S/R – HS(PR) – LSU commit
0092 Kolby Copeland – OF - 6’0” 180 – L/L – Baton Rouge CC commit


0113 3rd Round – Los Angeles Dodgers

0097 Tim Cooney – LH - 6’3” 195 – L/L – Wake Forest
0113 Alex Yarbrough – 2B - 6’1” 180 - S/R - Mississippi
0116 Keon Barnum – 1B – 6’4” 220 – L/L – HS(FL) – Miami commit
0132 Ross Stripling – RH - 6’3” 190 – R/R – Texas A&M
0183 Christian Walker – 1B/3B – 6’1” 220 – R/R – South Carolina

0146 4th Round – Los Angeles Dodgers

0149 Colin Rodgers – LH – 6’0” 180 – L/L – HS(LA) – Auburn commit
0151 Bijan Radenmacher – LH/OF – 6’1” 175 – L/L – OCC (JC) – Oral Roberts commit
0155 Austin Fairchild – LH – 6’1” 175 – R/L – HS(TX) – TCU commit
0168 Fernando Perez – 2B/3B - 6’1” 175 – L/R – Central Arizona (JC)
0181 Alex Asher – RH – 6’4” 230 – R/R – Polk State (JC) – Tampa commit


0176 5th Round – Los Angeles Dodgers

0162 Alex Young – LH - 6’3” 190 – L/L – HS(IL) – TCU commit
0172 James Kaprielian – RH – 6’3” 190 – R/R – HS(CA) – UCLA commit
0173 Matt Olson – 1B/OF – 6’4” 225 – L/R – HS(GA) – Vanderbilt commit
0196 Brandon Brennan – RH – 6’4” 225 – R/R – OCC (JC) – Houston commit
0197 Mitchell Sewald – RH – 6’5” 185 – R/R – HS(LA) – LSU commit

Notes:
(1) Rankings shown are from Perfect Game
(2) Highlighted names are my selections

Jim Callis runs his first mock and has us taking 3b Corey Seager from Concord, NC.  I would not be unhappy with that choice as I think he is better than his brother, Kyle, who is plying his trade at third for the Mariners, but Callis has Richie Shaffer being drafted with the next pick and I would think that if the draft falls the way Callis calls it, we would be smarter to take Shaffer and start him out at high A instead of a high school kid who is likely two or more years away that Shaffer. 

I'm intrigued by the comment made by Kasten in a recent profile, where he said something to the effect that "grow your arms, and buy your bats"; and how that plays out with Logan White and the draft...  

ItTakesFaith said:

I'm intrigued by the comment made by Kasten in a recent profile, where he said something to the effect that "grow your arms, and buy your bats"; and how that plays out with Logan White and the draft...  

Furthermore, does that affect our offseason plans, and the chances of acquiring both Cole Hamels and Josh Hamilton...?  

I tend to think that both Kasten and White share a like mind on player development.  White loves his big, projectable arms and it sounds like Kasten feels the same.   I would still think that Hamels would be 1A on Kasten's list of to-dos if only because most of our young pitching is plying their trade in High A or getting their feet under them at Chattanooga.  

grabarkewitz said:

ItTakesFaith said:

I'm intrigued by the comment made by Kasten in a recent profile, where he said something to the effect that "grow your arms, and buy your bats"; and how that plays out with Logan White and the draft...  

Furthermore, does that affect our offseason plans, and the chances of acquiring both Cole Hamels and Josh Hamilton...?  

I tend to think that both Kasten and White share a like mind on player development.  White loves his big, projectable arms and it sounds like Kasten feels the same.   I would still think that Hamels would be 1A on Kasten's list of to-dos if only because most of our young pitching is plying their trade in High A or getting their feet under them at Chattanooga.  

Given all that, it would appear that Kasten is going to make someone like Josh Hamilton job one.  With our needs, getting a front line hitter looks to be more important, although aside from Kershaw our starting pitchers are either old or brain dead. 

I like your thinking... The offer/contract for Hamilton is going to be "interesting" (to say the least!)! From an organizational point of view, I believe that Matty MUST be your highest-paid player (Cornerstone!), but $160M won't get it done with Hamilton...so...?

Any lineup with KeMVP, Hamilton, Ethier, Napoli and...(?) is virtually un-freaken-stoppable! I can't wait...!

Not to mention: Kershaw, Hamels, et al... Giddiness abounds!

Only a couple weeks until the draft and things are beginning to come together.   

Mock Draft #2, Picks 11-20

Mock Draft #2 21-31