FSU with Tibbs and C Smith could have 2 off the board by pick 20 maybe pick 15. I still feel there is a very solid group of 10 that have separated themselves from the pack. The 2 prep position players Griffin and Rainer, the 2 college pitchers H Smith and Burns and the 6 college hitters Jac, Condon, Bazzana, Kurtz, Montgomery and Wetherholt.
The next tier gets interesting with Tibbs and C Smith being the best college hitters and Yesavage the best college pitcher. I personally like Blake Burke as a hitter more than them because of his power, they all have similar hit tools but Tibbs and Smith are much better fielders. Honeycutt and King playing up the middle at premium positions put them in this tier. Several prep players and a few college pitchers and cathers might jump into this tier on potential more than results.
The compA and round 2 pick should have some good players available but this draft thins out fast.
Blake Burke has some big power numbers overall, but pull up the SEC stats and he becomes very normal - as I remember he was 20 doubles, 14 HR overall, but only 8 doubles and 5 HR in the SEC. Comp A and Round 2 could be Sirota and/or Mathis territory - both did well in the Cape last year and BC is a firm believer in guys who do well in the Cape/Wood Bat
Cole Mathis? He's a right handed bat that hasn't hit for average or power this year in a much weaker conference and hasn't pitched this year either. Sirota if available sure, I even mentioned that earlier below but I'd pass on Mathis until after the 5th round.
I really think his swing is made for PNC. Not my preference (best available at pick 9 is) but if they could cut a deal for $3 million if the other college bats were off the board and draft Burke at 9. That could make the next 3 or 4 picks very interesting. Then take a couple of senior bats (this draft has a bunch) to be able to over slot a couple picks after round 10.
This draft has a bunch of draft eligible sophomores and reclassified preps from 2025. Some extra cash could go a long way.
He'd definitely be a great value, if available at pick 37.
It'd be crazy if we could get one of Wetherholt or Kurtz (looks like he's getting pitched around again) at 9. Then Sirota at 37, and possibly Burke at pick 47.
19th(564)-Chase Mobley(RHP, Prep, Plant City, Florida)
20th(594)-Brynner Waiolama(RHP, JUCO, Iowa Western CC)
Btw, Mathis Meurant Is the best JUCO player in the nation. I wanted the Pirates to draft Sam Antonacci out of Heartland CC, late in last years draft. But of course they didn’t and he’ll go Day 2 in this years draft after crushing it at Coastal.
I like Antonacci, he's gritty. It'd be cool to take Meurant, decent size and add a new country to the prospect map. Is he switch hitting or just batting right handed?
I like your mock but I'd aim for a few potential power bats in the first few rounds. Some of the draft eligible sophomores have shown some pop albeit with some strikeouts, for example Texas with Flores and Thomas. I think they both will be just turning 21 around draft weekend.
I tried to watch Brethowr in the first month of the season but he wasn't playing. Kinda of lost track of him on the west coast. Really interesting athlete, probably the closest to a Judge type athlete. I would like that gamble.
Depending on how the draft plays out, I would be ok with pitchers for the first three picks (I would prefer bats though). Say Burns or Smith is available at 9. Santucci or a good prep at 37. Johnson, Forcucci, Prager or an interesting prep at 47.
I kinda of like JD Dix as a prep shortstop, and like you said Meurant as a Juco looks interesting. I think Flores is going to be a solid bat with some pop. He looks like he is progressing the more he plays. He might end up at 3rd but he has good movement at short if he can handle the speed in pro ball.
It seems the most likely scenario for one of those eight to fall to the Bucs is for some team ahead of them to cut a deal with a player outside that group. I’m not sure who that is; Oakland? KC? I’m not as wild about Kurtz (position) or Wetherholt (he’s pulled his hamstring approximately 12 times this season), but I’d take the former over the latter.
What about Brecht? I don’t think I’d have the guts to take him at 9, unless his last outing indicates he turned a corner with his control. Sirota’s numbers are atrocious.
Wetherholt's hamstring is a concern but it's soft tissue and his bat might be special.
Bechtel has reliever written all over him, if he turns the corner for the rest of the season with his control, he probably won't be available with pick 9.
Sirota is starting to pick it up lately, nearly a 1/3 of his extra base hits have come in his last 5 games. I've read a couple of places that his timing was off for much of the season.
I don’t think that’s the best idea because this draft seems to have a tier of 8-12 and then it kinda sucks after that. Spreading it around doesn’t do much good if it isn’t worth it to spread around. Especially for a DH at 9.
His defense is supposed to be much improved (I've seen him make 2 errors and not get a ball I thought he should have early in the season). Saw him make a couple of good plays recently at first. He's not a gold glove candidate but I think he might become an above average defensive first basemen.
I still want them to take the best available at pick 9. He's a player they could save half the slot value if they wanted more quantity with upside.
There's going to be a few draft eligible sophomores and prep players that have upside but will most likely require more than slot to sign.
If the HS class were deeper, I’d be more in favor of a possible underslot move at 9, and spread it around. But all indications are it’s one of the worst HS classes (in terms of depth and high end talent). So maybe it’s not the year for that.
On the contrary. I think now he'll specifically want him. Baseball already has the whole disclaimer about "watch for flying objects", and Bobby will want Tommy to nuke a couple fans in the head.
They call me Mr. Tibbs!
FSU with Tibbs and C Smith could have 2 off the board by pick 20 maybe pick 15. I still feel there is a very solid group of 10 that have separated themselves from the pack. The 2 prep position players Griffin and Rainer, the 2 college pitchers H Smith and Burns and the 6 college hitters Jac, Condon, Bazzana, Kurtz, Montgomery and Wetherholt.
The next tier gets interesting with Tibbs and C Smith being the best college hitters and Yesavage the best college pitcher. I personally like Blake Burke as a hitter more than them because of his power, they all have similar hit tools but Tibbs and Smith are much better fielders. Honeycutt and King playing up the middle at premium positions put them in this tier. Several prep players and a few college pitchers and cathers might jump into this tier on potential more than results.
The compA and round 2 pick should have some good players available but this draft thins out fast.
Blake Burke has some big power numbers overall, but pull up the SEC stats and he becomes very normal - as I remember he was 20 doubles, 14 HR overall, but only 8 doubles and 5 HR in the SEC. Comp A and Round 2 could be Sirota and/or Mathis territory - both did well in the Cape last year and BC is a firm believer in guys who do well in the Cape/Wood Bat
Cole Mathis? He's a right handed bat that hasn't hit for average or power this year in a much weaker conference and hasn't pitched this year either. Sirota if available sure, I even mentioned that earlier below but I'd pass on Mathis until after the 5th round.
Burke is someone that's intrigued me if he falls to their second/third pick. Maybe fourth
I really think his swing is made for PNC. Not my preference (best available at pick 9 is) but if they could cut a deal for $3 million if the other college bats were off the board and draft Burke at 9. That could make the next 3 or 4 picks very interesting. Then take a couple of senior bats (this draft has a bunch) to be able to over slot a couple picks after round 10.
This draft has a bunch of draft eligible sophomores and reclassified preps from 2025. Some extra cash could go a long way.
I also keep forgetting about Sirota, who has seen his stock drop as the season has gone on
He'd definitely be a great value, if available at pick 37.
It'd be crazy if we could get one of Wetherholt or Kurtz (looks like he's getting pitched around again) at 9. Then Sirota at 37, and possibly Burke at pick 47.
3rd round prep arm
4th round Ethan Anderson
5th round Jalin Flores
6th through 10th college arms.
11th round high upside prep
12th round local prep
13th through 20th ???
My mock draft. It was done about a month ago b4 Rafe Schlesinger and Jacob Friend flew up draft boards. And Brian Holiday
It sucks when the major outlets catch on to the players you like..lol. I’d prefer them to stick a bit under the radar until after the draft..lol.
1st(9)-JJ Wetherholt(SS/2B, WVU)
Comp A(37)-Carter Johnson(SS, Prep, Oxford, Alabama)
2nd(47)-Ryan Johnson(RHP, DBU)
3rd(83)-Ryan Forcucci(RHP, UC San Diego)
4th(112)-Carter Holton(LHP, Vandy)
5th(145)-Janzen Keisel(RHP, Oklahoma State)
6th(174)-Ivan Brethowr(OF, UC Santa Barbara)
7th(204)-Derek Vartanian(RHP, Campbell)
8th-(234)-Sam Antonacci(SS, Coastal)
9th(264)-Gavin Casas(Senior, 1B, SCar)
10th(294)-Ryley Preece(Senior, OF, Morehead ST)
11th(324)-Griffin Herring(LHP, LSU)
12th(354)-Jacob Friend(C/OF Davidson)
13th(384)-Camron Hill(LHP, Georgia Tech)
14th(414)-Zach Duenas(RHP, Western Kentucky)
15th(444)-Rafe Schlesinger(LHP, Miami)
16th(474)-Brian Holiday(RHP, Oklahoma ST)
17th(504)-Jayden Melendez(C, Pitt)
18th(534)-Mathis Meurant(SS, JUCO, Cochise CC)
19th(564)-Chase Mobley(RHP, Prep, Plant City, Florida)
20th(594)-Brynner Waiolama(RHP, JUCO, Iowa Western CC)
Btw, Mathis Meurant Is the best JUCO player in the nation. I wanted the Pirates to draft Sam Antonacci out of Heartland CC, late in last years draft. But of course they didn’t and he’ll go Day 2 in this years draft after crushing it at Coastal.
I like Antonacci, he's gritty. It'd be cool to take Meurant, decent size and add a new country to the prospect map. Is he switch hitting or just batting right handed?
I like your mock but I'd aim for a few potential power bats in the first few rounds. Some of the draft eligible sophomores have shown some pop albeit with some strikeouts, for example Texas with Flores and Thomas. I think they both will be just turning 21 around draft weekend.
Future stars series, who does good work for the MLB draft, has the Santucci at 37. Yes please!!
Me personally, I want one of the Prep SS. Carter Johnson would be pick if available.
My College wants at that spot would Kaelen Culpepper or Dakota Jordan.
But again, Jonathan Santucci would work just fine!!
Get a College pitcher at 47(2nd round). Ryan Johnson or Ryan Forcucci would be my wants. I’m also a big fan of Carter Holton.
And Ivan Brethowr is a must b/ween rounds 3 and 5.
I tried to watch Brethowr in the first month of the season but he wasn't playing. Kinda of lost track of him on the west coast. Really interesting athlete, probably the closest to a Judge type athlete. I would like that gamble.
Depending on how the draft plays out, I would be ok with pitchers for the first three picks (I would prefer bats though). Say Burns or Smith is available at 9. Santucci or a good prep at 37. Johnson, Forcucci, Prager or an interesting prep at 47.
I kinda of like JD Dix as a prep shortstop, and like you said Meurant as a Juco looks interesting. I think Flores is going to be a solid bat with some pop. He looks like he is progressing the more he plays. He might end up at 3rd but he has good movement at short if he can handle the speed in pro ball.
It seems the most likely scenario for one of those eight to fall to the Bucs is for some team ahead of them to cut a deal with a player outside that group. I’m not sure who that is; Oakland? KC? I’m not as wild about Kurtz (position) or Wetherholt (he’s pulled his hamstring approximately 12 times this season), but I’d take the former over the latter.
What about Brecht? I don’t think I’d have the guts to take him at 9, unless his last outing indicates he turned a corner with his control. Sirota’s numbers are atrocious.
Wetherholt's hamstring is a concern but it's soft tissue and his bat might be special.
Bechtel has reliever written all over him, if he turns the corner for the rest of the season with his control, he probably won't be available with pick 9.
Sirota is starting to pick it up lately, nearly a 1/3 of his extra base hits have come in his last 5 games. I've read a couple of places that his timing was off for much of the season.
I don’t think that’s the best idea because this draft seems to have a tier of 8-12 and then it kinda sucks after that. Spreading it around doesn’t do much good if it isn’t worth it to spread around. Especially for a DH at 9.
His defense is supposed to be much improved (I've seen him make 2 errors and not get a ball I thought he should have early in the season). Saw him make a couple of good plays recently at first. He's not a gold glove candidate but I think he might become an above average defensive first basemen.
I still want them to take the best available at pick 9. He's a player they could save half the slot value if they wanted more quantity with upside.
There's going to be a few draft eligible sophomores and prep players that have upside but will most likely require more than slot to sign.
If the HS class were deeper, I’d be more in favor of a possible underslot move at 9, and spread it around. But all indications are it’s one of the worst HS classes (in terms of depth and high end talent). So maybe it’s not the year for that.
Who are the draft eligible sophomores you like?
And as of right now, I think they're at least showing an ability to find interesting arms with promising metrics, college or prep, in later rounds.
I'm really hoping Horowitz helps lead to some form of change with bats. I'm flabbergasted at this point with their bats.
New take for today: TOMMYT MF'ING TANKS
Some poor fan got Tanked in the dome by a 109 MPH tater lol
No chance we’ll take him now. Bob will be afraid of liability.
On the contrary. I think now he'll specifically want him. Baseball already has the whole disclaimer about "watch for flying objects", and Bobby will want Tommy to nuke a couple fans in the head.
Who?
Take him in the comp round lol
Bout time you got on board
Didn't long once I started reading up on him lol