2020 MLB Draft: Barebones edition

[Lee]

I had originally typed gravy...found dessert more appealing!

The fact you got the joke, replied with a quick funny response to the joke shows me you are going to fit in real nice around here. We take our sports seriously, but a sense of humor is a must to be a good contributor imo.

 

[petes999]

So far, no undrafted FAs ... didn’t think many would sign but KC got a top 200 guy and few in 300 range.

 

[ncinthenext3]

So far, no undrafted FAs ... didn’t think many would sign but KC got a top 200 guy and few in 300 range.

I would bet they're trying but not finding their type of guy who they know they could sign. It seems against the grain that this organization wouldn't be mining like crazy for talent.

 

[sportscoach]

I would bet they're trying but not finding their type of guy who they know they could sign. It seems against the grain that this organization wouldn't be mining like crazy for talent.

I dont think it helps we are a smaller market team that doesn't have a lot of openings at the lower levels.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Indians won't announce individual signings, and they're asking players to stay as quiet as they can on social media as well.

 

[sportscoach]

Indians won't announce individual signings, and they're asking players to stay as quiet as they can on social media as well.

But they are signing guys at least? Thats all I need to know

 

[BimboColesHair]

But they are signing guys at least? Thats all I need to know

Yes.

 

[LL3]

Indians won't announce individual signings, and they're asking players to stay as quiet as they can on social media as well.

Tight lipped -- it is the way of the Tribe!

 

[BimboColesHair]

Mentions of market size should be nowhere near this thread or conversation.

Flat $20000 takes out all market/monetary constraints.

What we are seeing for the 1st time in a while is players choosing who they want to sign with based off of a) opportunity, b) agent relationships with organizations, c) developmental aspects, d) preferred organizations, e) past draft/scouting relationships.

Interesting correlation to be found on college kids who were drafted before and the % of them who sign with those same teams once the signing period is all said and done. Have a feeling it will be high.

 

[Tondo]

Indians won't announce individual signings, and they're asking players to stay as quiet as they can on social media as well.

I understand this while working a draft budget, but with 20K UDFA signings not counting against the budget, I fail to see the point, but ok, we have to spread out baseball news anyway.

As long as they sign... 2B Brian Klein, CF Max Troiani, RHPs Luke Smith, John Baker, Riley Ornido (Cam Cowan/L. Roupp if signable ) and LHPs Lael Lockhart, Parker Scott, Sam Strickland, Tanner Hall (and Jack Owen/Z. Sharpe if signable)....they can take all the time they need to announce them.

 

[Derek]

I understand this while working a draft budget, but with 20K UDFA signings not counting against the budget, I fail to see the point, but ok, we have to spread out baseball news anyway.

As long as they sign... 2B Brian Klein, CF Max Troiani, RHPs Luke Smith, John Baker, Riley Ornido (Cam Cowan/L. Roupp if signable ) and LHPs Lael Lockhart, Parker Scott, Sam Strickland, Tanner Hall (and Jack Owen/Z. Sharpe if signable)....they can take all the time they need to announce them.

Maybe they don't want guys they're still negotiating with to feel like the Indians don't value them as much as guys they've already signed.

If they announce them all at once, it's like they're all "6th round picks"

 

[Tondo]

Well, first one slipped through social media:

 

[Tondo]

Next signing:

 

[Derek]

Well, first one slipped through social media:

#307
Last: 308
Joe Donovan
MichiganC
Notes:
Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R
Commit/Drafted: Cubs '17 (33)
Age At Draft: 21.4

A well-rounded defensive catcher, scouts believe Donovan has the tools to be an asset behind the plate at the big league level, but questions about his offensive production have limited his overall upside in the draft. A 5-foot-11, 180-pound backstop, Donovan is a career .228/.316/.388 hitter with Michigan who has struck out around 23 percent over his three years with the Wolverines. Evaluators were surprised at the amount of swing and miss in Donovan’s game, especially after a strong summer in the Cape Cod League in 2018. That summer with Brewster, Donovan hit .309/.417/.324 in 26 games with more walks (14) than strikeouts (12). While his average and on-base percentage was encouraging, his lack of impact with a wood bat raises skepticism about how his power could translate. Some scouts think Donovan has enough power to run the ball out of the yard enough to be a threat—he homered nine times in 2019—but he managed just one extra-base hit in the Cape. Donovan’s value goes back to his defense at a premium position, with above-average arm strength and good receiving ability, but an 8-12 round talent might not find a place in 2020’s shortened draft.

 

[Tondo]

Joe Donovan and Cade Smith are young college JR. I didn't expect those to be signable. Both were drafted out of HS and had some pedigree, but inconsistent college careers. This is increasingly becoming an Indians draft trend, usually on day 3 of drafts (rounds 11+).

Donovan is considered above average defensively and arm too, potentially 55 on both. Has some Pop, but fringe hit tool. While he had a mediocre stat line at Michigan, he delivered good numbers with wooden bats in Cape summer league play. Especially that 14/12 BB/K is worth highlighting. He was ranked around 300 overall by PG and this is another Indians trend, as a lot of their picks in recent years were ranked highest by PG. Case in point, both C. Tucker and Burns ranked within their top 30.

Cade Smith is 6'5 with average career numbers for Hawaii as a starter/reliever tweener, but slowly improved. He's very young, just turned 21. Rare upside for a college draftee.