Have not really looked hard at the talent available in the Amateur Draft, but why is Nolan Schubart not at the top of the list? At first glance I saw the .853(?) number and thought it was his OPS - that's his Slugging Percentage!! Big offensive numbers at OK St and also in the Cape Cod League - do we know anyone who likes hitters out of the Cape? Also very good BB/K numbers.
"Schubart had massive power as a high school player, but there were real concerns about his swing-and-miss tendencies at the time. That remains the case, as Schubart owns a career 28% strikeout rate in two seasons with Oklahoma State, but his offensive production has been terrific after a 17-homer freshman season and a 23-homer sophomore season in 2024. He has fast, strong hands that lead to huge exit velocities and towering home runs, and he was one of the best hitters with Team USA over the summer."
Thanks for the info Wilbur. The 28% K rate is high. But, so is his BB Rate over 2 years at OK ST of 18.8%. I'd take those numbers as a starting point for any guy with his power in College, on the Cape, and the rep he has made for himself on Team USA.
But highly ranked high school players can also be traded for bats that may be more ready to help now than a college bat. How many college bats really significantly help in the first two years out of school outside of the top of draft picks (and many of those do not hit the ground running). Net: Anybody drafted this year may serve more as a trade chip whether high school or college.
They also have been somewhat opportunistic in trading recently drafted guys for help now. For some teams, college hitters probably have a little more value for the reason you just said as well
Pirates have the #6 pick (first round), #50 (second round), #75 (Comp Balance B), and #83 (round 3) to start. Wouldn't mind seeing them trade into the Competitive Balance Round A if they can swing it. Waiting 44 spots between picks lets a lot of talent go elsewhere.
His load is more fluid, his hands start his load with minimal recoil, causing a shorter swing also keeping his body in line. His front hip isn't bailing out, keeping his bat speed up with a top hand release on his follow through.
His earlier swing wasn't bad, his new swing is just faster and it looks like his barrel control is fantastic. Faster more controlled swing and repeatable.
I'll try to find a tweet with more of his new swing that I saw.
Have not really looked hard at the talent available in the Amateur Draft, but why is Nolan Schubart not at the top of the list? At first glance I saw the .853(?) number and thought it was his OPS - that's his Slugging Percentage!! Big offensive numbers at OK St and also in the Cape Cod League - do we know anyone who likes hitters out of the Cape? Also very good BB/K numbers.
BA on Schubart:
"Schubart had massive power as a high school player, but there were real concerns about his swing-and-miss tendencies at the time. That remains the case, as Schubart owns a career 28% strikeout rate in two seasons with Oklahoma State, but his offensive production has been terrific after a 17-homer freshman season and a 23-homer sophomore season in 2024. He has fast, strong hands that lead to huge exit velocities and towering home runs, and he was one of the best hitters with Team USA over the summer."
Thanks for the info Wilbur. The 28% K rate is high. But, so is his BB Rate over 2 years at OK ST of 18.8%. I'd take those numbers as a starting point for any guy with his power in College, on the Cape, and the rep he has made for himself on Team USA.
How do you pass over a guy named Bodine?
Besides Baseball, is he a fry cook, brain surgeon, or a naught naught spy? At least we know he done did gradiated the 6th grade!
Knows his gazintas, too!
College hitter is my preference as this is probably the last draft that has a chance to make an MLB impact during the Skenes era
But highly ranked high school players can also be traded for bats that may be more ready to help now than a college bat. How many college bats really significantly help in the first two years out of school outside of the top of draft picks (and many of those do not hit the ground running). Net: Anybody drafted this year may serve more as a trade chip whether high school or college.
They also have been somewhat opportunistic in trading recently drafted guys for help now. For some teams, college hitters probably have a little more value for the reason you just said as well
Have to wonder how many drafts BC has before the Skenes era ends.
I’m wondering how long until it starts.
1 is too many, but if they start winning like we hope, he’s probably here until it all crashes and burns around 2029
Good point. To me Skenes pick had very little to do with him. Luck of the lottery.
Pirates have the #6 pick (first round), #50 (second round), #75 (Comp Balance B), and #83 (round 3) to start. Wouldn't mind seeing them trade into the Competitive Balance Round A if they can swing it. Waiting 44 spots between picks lets a lot of talent go elsewhere.
#6 Willits #50 Hartshorn #75 JoJo Parker #83 Jacob Parker
4 prep bats
Wouldn't mind trading into the compA to get the right guy or trading out of the compB for current help.
You happen to see the video of Griffins swing change? It looks a little smoother but my untrained eye can't pick out exactly what he's changed
https://x.com/AustinOravec/status/1874177833125503266
https://x.com/ChrisCleggMiLB/status/1873756606606819737
His load is more fluid, his hands start his load with minimal recoil, causing a shorter swing also keeping his body in line. His front hip isn't bailing out, keeping his bat speed up with a top hand release on his follow through.
His earlier swing wasn't bad, his new swing is just faster and it looks like his barrel control is fantastic. Faster more controlled swing and repeatable.
I'll try to find a tweet with more of his new swing that I saw.
You're the real MVP Melkel
I wouldn’t mind them packaging the B pick with prospect(s) to help them now.
I am Groot.