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2021 MLB Draft / College Baseball Thread

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Marquis Grissom had a kid who can sling it, now.


I never feel older than when I see these second generation guys, absolutely wild.

He needs to go to the Blue Jays with a whole bunch of second gen players lol

Local product from Kenston HS building a pretty strong prospect profile.


Question is where does he fit defensively?
 
It's time to start really looking at the coming MLB draft.. Typically, the best time is during the month leading up to the draft.. With the lack of a season in 2020, this year's draft could be a HUGE windfall for teams that can evaluate and select guys that don't light up radar guns or show off 70 and 80 grade tools.. like the Indians have done in recent drafts... Anyway.. my original March 5th prospect posting is presented again..
Indians picks at: # 23, # 58 and # 69:
*denotes pick the tribe may be likely to make (or I hope they make) at # 23....
** denotes my second choice...

Pitchers: some names..
-Jonathan Cannon (great name) 6'6" 210 RHP from Georgia..
-Richard Fitts Auburn.. 6'3, 185 played with Tanner Burns...
-Andrew Painter 6'7" 225 RHP Calvary Academy..
-Eric Cerantola 6'5" 195 RHP Miss St (second choice for pitcher)
*-Jackson Jobe 6'3" 190 RHP Heritage HS OK

Infielders:
not many names
-Kahlil Watson 2B/SS 5'11" 170 Wake Forest HS
-Isaac Pacheco 3B 6'4" 220 Friendswood Texas

Catchers: del Castillo omitted
-Harry Ford 5'10" 180 R/R North Cobb HS Ga
-Henry Davis 6'2" 195 R/R Louisville
-Ian Moller 6'1" 196 R/R Wahlert HS

Outfielders:
-Ethan Wilson 6'2" 208 c-OF'er LHH South Alabama
-Tyree Reed 6'2" 180 CF LHH American Canyon HS
-Benny Montgomery 6'3" 185 Red Land HS
-Levi Usher 6'1" 195 Louisville
-Josh Baez 6'3" 210 CFer Southfield HS Ma
**-Christian Franklin 5'11" 180 Arkansas

For the Indians first pick, # 23 overall.. narrowing this initial list of 16 prospects down to a choice of two Arkansans.. The elite athleticism of'er Christian Franklin of the University of Arkansas and all his tools and mega spin-master pitcher Jackson Jobe also of the University of Arkansas. While either one works.. Jobe just fits the bill..

Thoughts?
I still like Jobe for the Tribe at # 23...
 
Owen Miller's little brother Noah is starting the make some noise as a potential 1st/2nd rounder.

Switch hitter with a similar approach to his brother (big shock, they go to the same hitting coach and train together) he's just a little smaller. Has a better chance to stick at SS than his brother though. Don't think it's in the cards the Indians potentially think about drafting him unless he falls to their comp B pick, but I do know they've scouted him.

Interesting tidbit, but I know they checked in on Jaden Hill after his TJ surgery. They've been daring before with elbows (Aiken) and they always do their due diligence on guys. Top 5 talent in the draft that could potentially be there in the 20s doesn't happen every year.

If I was to cast my net for their 1st rounder I am going Hill, Joshua Baez, Ryan Cusick, Jonathan Cannon (they watched him shutdown Vandy in person), McCade Brown, and a name that's coming on strong, Michael McGreevy. I think Baez is the only prep player they would go with in the 1st, bit of smoke with him.

Think Jobe goes in the top 10, even some top 5 smoke around him. I know they like Hoglund a lot, but doubt he makes it to them. Same with Bachman.

Still think, with the later draft date/eligibility rules for college players this year, they love the idea of grabbing a 20/21 year old college pitcher.
 
Owen Miller's little brother Noah is starting the make some noise as a potential 1st/2nd rounder.

Switch hitter with a similar approach to his brother (big shock, they go to the same hitting coach and train together) he's just a little smaller. Has a better chance to stick at SS than his brother though. Don't think it's in the cards the Indians potentially think about drafting him unless he falls to their comp B pick, but I do know they've scouted him.

Interesting tidbit, but I know they checked in on Jaden Hill after his TJ surgery. They've been daring before with elbows (Aiken) and they always do their due diligence on guys. Top 5 talent in the draft that could potentially be there in the 20s doesn't happen every year.

If I was to cast my net for their 1st rounder I am going Hill, Joshua Baez, Ryan Cusick, Jonathan Cannon (they watched him shutdown Vandy in person), and a name that's coming on strong, Michael McGreevy. I think Baez is the only prep player they would go with in the 1st, bit of smoke with him.

Think Jobe goes in the top 10, even some top 5 smoke around him. I know they like Hoglund a lot, but doubt he makes it to them. Same with Bachman.

Still think, with the later draft date/eligibility rules for college players this year, they love the idea of grabbing a 20/21 year old college pitcher.
Any relation to the Mike McGreevy that clashed with manager Billy Heywood during his time with the Twins back in 1994?
 
Owen Miller's little brother Noah is starting the make some noise as a potential 1st/2nd rounder.

Switch hitter with a similar approach to his brother (big shock, they go to the same hitting coach and train together) he's just a little smaller. Has a better chance to stick at SS than his brother though. Don't think it's in the cards the Indians potentially think about drafting him unless he falls to their comp B pick, but I do know they've scouted him.

Interesting tidbit, but I know they checked in on Jaden Hill after his TJ surgery. They've been daring before with elbows (Aiken) and they always do their due diligence on guys. Top 5 talent in the draft that could potentially be there in the 20s doesn't happen every year.

If I was to cast my net for their 1st rounder I am going Hill, Joshua Baez, Ryan Cusick, Jonathan Cannon (they watched him shutdown Vandy in person), McCade Brown, and a name that's coming on strong, Michael McGreevy. I think Baez is the only prep player they would go with in the 1st, bit of smoke with him.

Think Jobe goes in the top 10, even some top 5 smoke around him. I know they like Hoglund a lot, but doubt he makes it to them. Same with Bachman.

Still think, with the later draft date/eligibility rules for college players this year, they love the idea of grabbing a 20/21 year old college pitcher.
Have you scouted or heard anything about OF Tyree Reed? He looks really intriguing from what I have read and the few videos I watched.
 
Any relation to the Mike McGreevy that clashed with manager Billy Heywood during his time with the Twins back in 1994?

Wonder how much they pay absent minded pitchers who can't get anybody out?

But on a serious note, he's getting a lot of Bieber comps. Some of that is because of where he plays, but also, he profiles out very similar. High volume strike thrower, clean repeatable mechanics, advanced feel for pitching, doesn't have one blow you away pitch but will throw anything in any count. All things said about Bieber in college.
 
Have you scouted or heard anything about OF Tyree Reed? He looks really intriguing from what I have read and the few videos I watched.

Unfortunately my job responsibilities don't allow me the time to scout draft prospects, so most of what I know is what I hear from people who have seen them and then what I watch or research in my own free time. Haven't heard a peep about him.

Seems like someone who will go to a team in the 3rd or 4th round that underslots some of their earlier picks so they can overslot him to try and get him away from OSU. Sounds like Covid is playing a nice factor in him seeing a fall in prospect rankings.

Looks and sounds like a similar player to Isaiah Greene who came over in the Lindor deal. Raw tools, and a lot of them, but concern over how they will develop. Those toolsy raw guys like Will Benson are always a roller-coaster ride for organizations.
 
Here's a CLE mock for discussion with some of my early targets:

23 CF Will Taylor (HS): multi sport talent, 70 speed, good contact, celebral and athletic type with lots of upside left

58: SS Edwin Arroyo (HS): very young/class, switch hitter, good defense, speed, plus arm, contact, unlocked power, a bit of everything. Oh and high effort "dynamo" type = CLE pick.

Taylor/Arroyo combo could be switched, depending on signing bonus demands. Expect below slot at 23 and over in rd 2.

69: LHP Andrew Abbott (Virginia): RP/SP tweener with good FB/CB combo, could move quickly as a reliever like Sandlin or developed as SP. Under slot here to get the HS picks signed.

95: SS Noah Miller (HS): Owen's bro, switch hitter, contact heavy profile like his bro with better chance to stick at SS

125 RHP Landon Marceaux (LSU): probably already off the board here, could be the CLE pick at 95 with Miller here. Command over stuff, undersized, but mechanically strong, good balanced arsenal with excellent performance track record in best conference. Your CLE college SP pick.

5th CF/2B Tyler McDonough (NC St): Always draft a college CF in rd 5 and he's the one I want. Another switch hitter, balanced profile, strong OBP profile with improved power.

6th C Charlie Saum (HS): over slot HS pick here, could be switched with N. Miller. Strong D and arm, lock to remain a C with chance for avg bat. Very very young/class too. Alternatively C Shane Mcguire (San Diego), if there's not enough budget to pull off those 4 HS picks.

7th RHP Trenton Denholm (UC Irvine): Would be a massive steal here, but combination of deep class and down season could flush him. Alternatively: RHP Zach Pettway, UCLA. Command over stuff with strong track record in major conference.

8th 1B Thomas Francisco (East Carolina): CLE will never draft a college 1B for some strange reason, despite the best HS 1B talents always going to college. Just draft Francisco please, he's got the contact to make the power work. I screamed for Nat Lowe for rounds, Francisco has similar profile. Wouldn't mind drafting him from 4th rd on.

9th RHP Tanner Bibee (UCSB): Gotta draft a Gaucho arm. Track record, arsenal, nothing flashy, but gets outs.

10th OF Blake Dunn (Western Michigan): injury discount on mid rd talent.
 
... and we're coming to the true 2021 MLB Draft choices.. a number of these guys have risen in the draft and most likely will not be available when the Indians pick at # 23. The prospects most likely to be gone are highlighted:

On March 5th:

Indians picks at: # 23, # 58 and # 69:
*denotes pick the tribe may be likely to make (or I hope they make) at # 23....
** denotes my second choice...

Pitchers:
some names..
-Jonathan Cannon (great name) 6'6" 210 RHP from Georgia..
-Richard Fitts Auburn.. 6'3, 185 played with Tanner Burns...
-Andrew Painter 6'7" 225 RHP Calvary Academy..
-Eric Cerantola 6'5" 195 RHP Miss St (second choice for pitcher)
*-Jackson Jobe 6'3" 190 RHP Heritage HS OK

Infielders:
not many names
-Kahlil Watson 2B/SS 5'11" 170 Wake Forest HS
-Isaac Pacheco 3B 6'4" 220 Friendswood Texas

Catchers: del Castillo omitted
-Harry Ford 5'10" 180 R/R North Cobb HS Ga
-Henry Davis 6'2" 195 R/R Louisville

-Ian Moller 6'1" 196 R/R Wahlert HS

Outfielders:
-Ethan Wilson 6'2" 208 c-OF'er LHH South Alabama
-Tyree Reed 6'2" 180 CF LHH American Canyon HS
-Benny Montgomery 6'3" 185 Red Land HS
-Levi Usher 6'1" 195 Louisville
-Josh Baez 6'3" 210 CFer Southfield HS Ma

**-Christian Franklin 5'11" 180 Arkansas

Never fear.. the above non-highlighted names and the following are showing their ability to play as some point in the future at the highest level.. they include, but are not limited to:

Will Taylor OF Dutch Fork High School
Joe Mack C Williamsville East High School
Jaden Hill SP LSU.. Injury risk that would / must be thoroughly checked out..

Some names that might be worth avoiding early or until the Indians are set to select in in the third round or later: Jud Fabian, OF, James Woods OF. Michael Braswell SS/RHP Campbell High School Smyrna Ga, Michael Robertson OF Venice Fla High School, and Noah Cardenas C UCLA

Thoughts?..
 
First mock out for Keith Law today over on The Athletic ($). Has the Tribe taking Joshua Baez, a HS OF from Massachusetts:

23. Cleveland: Joshua Baez, OF, Dexter (MA) Southfield School

Cleveland has limited its scouts’ travel this year, so we’ll see if that impacts their draft philosophy (or quality), but they’ve gone hard for upside in the last several first rounds, which would include guys like Baez, (Chase) Petty, Benny Montgomery, and (Anthony) Solometo.

 
First mock out for Keith Law today over on The Athletic ($). Has the Tribe taking Joshua Baez, a HS OF from Massachusetts:

23. Cleveland: Joshua Baez, OF, Dexter (MA) Southfield School

Cleveland has limited its scouts’ travel this year, so we’ll see if that impacts their draft philosophy (or quality), but they’ve gone hard for upside in the last several first rounds, which would include guys like Baez, (Chase) Petty, Benny Montgomery, and (Anthony) Solometo.

Big no to another HS bat with swing and miss issues in freaking High School. Let's not draft another Will Benson project in round 1 please.
 
Big no to another HS bat with swing and miss issues in freaking High School. Let's not draft another Will Benson project in round 1 please.

We need guys who have a Miller/Freeman type of bat not a project... I feel like too many low floor high ceiling guys haven't been panning out for us .
 
We need guys who have a Miller/Freeman type of bat not a project... I feel like too many low floor high ceiling guys haven't been panning out for us .
I like McClain from UCLA as that guy.. but, he'll be long gone by the time the Indians draft...
 
Some notes on the draft as the college regionals, super regionals and world series approach... the tournament is not a show case for individual talent so much as it's a path to see how some potential major league players perform under pressure.. Guys of interest (at least to me) to watch include:

Catchers:
Adrian Del Castillo University of Miami.. was once considered at lock for top 15.. but, some inconsistency in his game (both with the bat as well as behind the plate) have lowered his status.. perhaps enough to fall to the Indians?
Mike Caruso Fairfield College.. Perhaps the best unknown backstop in this draft class.. one that has perhaps as many as six catchers that may be of interest (or, I have interest as the Indians farm system has but a few that may be considered ML quality).. Caruso has great feet, a stong/plus arm and can really hit..

Infielders:
Max Ferguson Tennessee..plays 2B and may be able to move to LF..but that's not what makes him interesting.. it's his bat to ball skills that are about as good as any in college baseball..
Tyler Black from Wright State.. 2B, a lefty with speed, pop and hitting skills.. perhaps approaching Max's level of bat to ball skills..

Outfielders:
Aaron Zavala from Oregon.. another bat to ball guy..

Pitchers:
Gavin Williams RHRP.. has the athleticism and can really bring it.. He's a starter for the Pirates.. but his role will be buttered in high leverage relief appearances.
Don Hamel.. like Jackson Jobe.. he can really spin a ball.. the analytics people love this..

Pitchers with Injuries
Jaden Hill, LSU RHP..had TJ surgery a few weeks ago.. it was reported all went well.. and he should be onto his "life's work" by mid November/December.. If his medicals prove he's going to be fully healthy, an early pick (competitive balance pick?) would be warranted..
Gunnar Hoglund Ole Miss RHP.. like Jaden Hill.. with the same drill.. would be a massive thrill to see him spill in.. well, you get it..

Thoughts?..
 

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