2012 MLB Draft Thread

[AZ_]

Keith Law says the Indians aced the draft, via ESPN's front page.

Lofty praise coming from a guy who can out-douche anyone at ESPN.

 

[Huber.]

I'm kinda clueless on the MLB draft like most people. What % usually signs and do they start at Mahoning Valley or rookie ball in Arizona?

 

[AZ_]

I'm kinda clueless on the MLB draft like most people. What % usually signs and do they start at Mahoning Valley or rookie ball in Arizona?

Depends on the guy, they moved the signing deadline up this season so most of the collegiate guys will probably transition to MV.

The prep pitchers they drafted probably all go to Arizona. I'd be surprised if we saw Mitchell Brown see much action coming from the north with limited competition.

Dylan Baker and Lovegrove are a bit more advanced, so it wouldn't shock me to see them end up getting in a few starts in Arizona.

 

[macbdog]

I'm kinda clueless on the MLB draft like most people. What % usually signs and do they start at Mahoning Valley or rookie ball in Arizona?

A team should sign most of their top 10-20 picks. 11-20 used to be gamble rounds on hard signs. How that is going to shake now, I have no idea. Based on this draft, clubs are going for guys they know they can sign at the slot restrictions, which is how the system was intended to work. I see the draft also being trimmed of picks now, but that is all off topic.

The high school pitchers will probably be shut down. May go throw a few innings in Arizona, but they generally are shelved b/c of all the pitching they do in high school playoffs and showcase leagues this time of year. High school hitters go to AZ too, really depends on the player if they see actual game action yet. The college players go to Mahoning Valley, at the least the ones the team likes. Naquin could jump right to Kinston, with Holt getting bumped to Akron.

 

[macbdog]

Depends on the guy, they moved the signing deadline up this season so most of the collegiate guys will probably transition to MV.

The prep pitchers they drafted probably all go to Arizona. I'd be surprised if we saw Mitchell Brown see much action coming from the north with limited competition.

Dylan Baker and Lovegrove are a bit more advanced, so it wouldn't shock me to see them end up getting in a few starts in Arizona.

I think Baker goes to Mahoning Valley, at least for a few appearances. The earlier signing period is going to make this much more interesting to see what they do with these guys. Will this earlier signing bonus do anything to limit innings for some of these college pitchers, you think? Especially the ones like Baker, who may end up going to a showcase league in past years?

 

[AZ_]

I think Baker goes to Mahoning Valley, at least for a few appearances. The earlier signing period is going to make this much more interesting to see what they do with these guys. Will this earlier signing bonus do anything to limit innings for some of these college pitchers, you think? Especially the ones like Baker, who may end up going to a showcase league in past years?

Definitely will.

But generally, the Indians only have their 18-19 year old American kids tossing between 3-4 innings per start anyway depending on pitch count.

 

[MoFlo]

Draft Signings: Phillies, Marlins, Padres, Pirates: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

The Indians announced that they have signed fifth round selection Dylan Baker. The Indians also signed seventh rounder Josh Schubert for an over-slot bonus of $250K, Callis tweets. Schubert, a high school outfielder, has raw power and relatively good speed.

Draft Signings: Chargois, Lovegrove, Oswalt: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

The Indians signed third round selection Kieran Lovegrove for $400K, as Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported yesterday. The high school right-hander has a fastball that sits in the low 90s and has touched 94. His slider can be a wipeout pitch, and he has the makings of a decent changeup, according to Baseball America. The ASU recruit was born in South Africa, and he played some cricket growing up. He and two teammates have their own charity, the Going to Bat foundation.

Draft Signings: Brewers, Rockies, Red Sox, Mets: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

The Indians announced that they signed second round selection Mitch Brown. The high school right-hander obtained an over-slot bonus of $800K, MLBTR has learned. Adam Karon and Tripper Johnson of Sosnick/Cobbe Sports represent Brown, who entered the draft as the 44th-best eligible prospect, according to Baseball America.

Indians To Sign Tyler Naquin: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

The Indians agreed to sign first round pick Tyler Naquin, Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA reports (on Twitter). The Texas A&M outfielder will obtain a bonus of $1.75MM.

Naquin "was one of the best pure hitters and had one of the strongest outfield arms in this year's draft," Jim Callis of Baseball America writes. MLB recommended a $2.25MM bonus for the 15th overall selection, so the Indians save toward their draft cap with the deal.

Looks like b00bie (I think it was you) was right when he speculated that this was an under-slot pick

 

[AZ_]

Naquin is making his debut tonight with MV.

2-for-2 with a double and a SB this far.

 

[KB]

Which picks have yet to sign and does it look like any of them won't sign?

At work so blocked from the most sites which is why I ask instead of look it up myself

 

[AZ_]

Which picks have yet to sign and does it look like any of them won't sign?

At work so blocked from the most sites which is why I ask instead of look it up myself

I think the biggest risk in the top 10 is D'Vone McClure, the outfielder from Arizona who has a baseball only LOI from the University of Arkansas.

They'll have a chance to throw some coin at him, they've been under slot on many of their top 10 other than this guy...I expect them to give it all they've got.

 

[AZ_]

I think the biggest risk in the top 10 is D'Vone McClure, the outfielder from Arizona who has a baseball only LOI from the University of Arkansas.

They'll have a chance to throw some coin at him, they've been under slot on many of their top 10 other than this guy...I expect them to give it all they've got.

McClure and Hamrick both signed.

The Indians signed all their top 10 picks with just over 200K to spare which can be used on someone outside the top 10.

 

[BMAN]

OF Logan Vick signed.

 

[AZ_]

In light of this draft, I took a quick look on how some of last years draft picks have done thus far (Warning: It's not at all pleasant):


1 - Tyler Naquin - OF - Texas A&M

Boy did they take the wrong Aggie, as Michael Wacha is already in the bigs and pitching very well. Naquin has certainly not played poorly, but his strikeouts are fast becoming a concern although the extra-base ability has been a pleasant surprise. Has a .298/.373/.436 slash line and is currently leading off in front of Lindor at Class-A Carolina.

2 - Mitch Brown - RHP - Century HS

Has walked 6.3/9IP thus far at Low-A Great Lakes. His strikeout numbers are good, but his 11.43 ERA is not. Just 15+ innings thus far but he certainly has a long way to go and it has not been pretty thus far.

3 - Kieran Lovegrove - RHP - Mission Viejo HS

Has yet to play this season and more than likely will debut at Mahoning Valley in his age 18 season this year. Posted a 6.00 ERA in the AZL last season in just 21 IP

4 - D'Vone McClure - OF - Jacksonville HS

Showed some decent potential in a quick trip to the AZL (24G), hitting just .205 but posting a decent walk ratio and flashed some extra-base hit potential. Could also debut at MV this season, has yet to play so far this year.

5 - Dylan Baker - RHP - Western Nev. CC

Flashes here and there, but has posted a 5.02 ERA in 10 games this year while showing a bit less ability to miss bats. At 21 years of age and still in Low-A with mixed results, I won't hold my breath this kid ever pans out.

6 - Joe Wendle - 2B - West Chester College

Organization player, but is absolutely tearing it up at Low-A Great Lakes hitting over .300 with a .900 OPS. Already 23 years old, he is a non-prospect who was taken simply because he cost next to nothing.

7 - Josh McAdams - OF - Calhoun HS

Big ass dude flashed some decent OBP despite striking out almost 49 times in 120 at-bats last year in the AZL. Posted a .356 OBP but did not flash the power I thought he would. Has not played this year and could be another MV Scrapper in a few weeks.

8 - Caleb Hamrick - RHP - Cedar Hill HS

Has yet to see action this year after getting just over five innings last year. Pitching in some minor league games out in Goodyear and figures to start there again with a possible promotion to MV depending on his performance.

9 - Jacob Lee - RHP - Arkansas State Univ.

Not good...In 11 starts with Low-A Great Lakes he's walked 26, allowed 56H, 35ER and just 39 K in 51IP. At 23 years old, he's a non-prospect.

10 - Josh Martin - RHP - Samford

Bullpen arm has posted a 4.28 ERA in 75+ innings, striking out 66 with respectable BB and H rates. Org. player.





Not great returns thus far, but eager to see the kids once AZL and NYPL get under way in a few weeks.