2022 First Entry Draft.. A hitters paradise !!

[sportscoach]

Want no part of Joyce and have zero fear our FO would draft him.

Concentrate on the Bibee, Leftwich, Boone, Sharpe, Denholm types

This draft's versions are Rajcic, Hansen, A. Taylor, J. Brooks, D. Thorpe, A. Morris, Savino, Messick, Hubbart, Barco, Dombroski, Villaman, R. Ramsey

I'm sure if he falls far enough, you take Joyce, but otherwise you stay away...

I have a slight problem with our prospects right now, we have maybe taken too many safe picks... I wouldn't mind getting a couple pure electric arms for the bullpen to help balance things out.

We have acquired the guys closing for us since Allen left, even then Allen's help were acquired players. I wouldn't mind getting one or two (I would love a lefty) of the gas throwing types (aka near 100mph) sometime in the draft.

Do you and @BimboColesHair see any bullpen projected gas throwers that we could mix into the bullpen?

 

[Gson]

I'm sure if he falls far enough, you take Joyce, but otherwise you stay away...

I have a slight problem with our prospects right now, we have maybe taken too many safe picks... I wouldn't mind getting a couple pure electric arms for the bullpen to help balance things out.

We have acquired the guys closing for us since Allen left, even then Allen's help were acquired players. I wouldn't mind getting one or two (I would love a lefty) of the gas throwing types (aka near 100mph) sometime in the draft.

Do you and @BimboColesHair see any bullpen projected gas throwers that we could mix into the bullpen?

Here are three from Prospects Live with the bio/report information.. Nick Maldonado is perhaps my favorite... a two pitch pitcher (three if you count the slinging slurvy slider).. who has incredible command and control.. Take a look..

RHP ERIC ADLER, WAKE FOREST: HIS PITCHES POSSESS A LOT OF VERTICAL MOVEMENT. THE FASTBALL IS A MENACE, SITTING 94-97 MPH AND REACHING BACK FOR 99 MPH WITH SIGNIFICANT CARRY AND HIGH SPIN RATES. THE POWER CURVEBALL SITS IN THE LOW-TO-MID 80’S WITH 12/6 SHAPE AND LATE BITING ACTION, AS WELL AS SPIN RATES EXCEEDING 2,800 RPM’S. A NEW ADDITION TO HIS ARSENAL IS THE CUTTER/SLIDER HYBRID, A PITCH THAT SITS IN THE HIGH-80’S AND HAS BREACHED 90 MPH ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. IT WAS A WEAPON AGAINST LEFTIES ​

LHP NOAH DEAN, OLD DOMINION FASTBALL HAS BEEN CLOCKED UPWARDS OF 100 MPH, THOUGH HE USUALLY SITS IN THE MID-90’S. AS GEOFF PONTES OF BASEBALL AMERICA NOTES, THE FASTBALL HAS PLENTY OF CARRY AND SPIN RATES AS HIGH AS 2,400 RPM’S, AS WELL AS EFFICIENT TILT TO THE PITCH. THIS HELPS THE PITCH MISS BATS AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH RATE, THOUGH HIS STRIKE-THROWING PREVENTS THE PITCH FROM BEING BETTER. HE’S GOT A SLURVY BREAKING BALL TO PAIR WITH THE HEATER, WHICH SITS IN THE HIGH-70’S WITH BIG BREAKING ACTION AND SPIN RATES UPWARDS OF 2,900 RPM’S. MUCH LIKE THE HEATER, HE STRUGGLES TO THROW STRIKES WITH THE PITCH. IF DEAN CAN MANAGE TO IMPROVE HIS CONTROL AND COMMAND, THERE’S MORE LEGITIMATE BACK-END POTENTIAL AT THE NEXT LEVEL​

RHP NICK MALDONADO, VANDERBILT HIGH-SPIN HEATER FROM MALDONADO THAT SITS IN THE 92-97 MPH RANGE WITH SOLID ARM-SIDE RUN TO IT. IT’S BEEN ABLE TO GARNER A HEALTHY CHASE RATE AS A RESULT. HOWEVER, THE BREAD AND BUTTER PITCH IS HIS SLIDER AND IT MIGHT BE THE BEST ONE IN COLLEGE BASEBALL. AS OUR OWN BRANDON SMITH NOTES, THERE’S TWO VARIATIONS TO HIS SLIDER, A GYRO-HEAVY PITCH AND A MORE SWEEPY SISTER. BOTH ARE THROWN HARD, RANGING ANYWHERE FROM 84-88 MPH WITH EXTREMELY HIGH SPIN RATES, SOMETIMES EXCEEDING 3,000 RPM’S. BETTER YET, THANKS TO HIS EXCELLENT COMMAND, HE’S ABLE TO LAND THE PITCH ON REPEAT​

 

[sportscoach]

Here are three from Prospects Live with the bio/report information.. Nick Maldonado is perhaps my favorite... a two pitch pitcher (three if you count the slinging slurvy slider).. who has incredible command and control.. Take a look..

RHP ERIC ADLER, WAKE FOREST: HIS PITCHES POSSESS A LOT OF VERTICAL MOVEMENT. THE FASTBALL IS A MENACE, SITTING 94-97 MPH AND REACHING BACK FOR 99 MPH WITH SIGNIFICANT CARRY AND HIGH SPIN RATES. THE POWER CURVEBALL SITS IN THE LOW-TO-MID 80’S WITH 12/6 SHAPE AND LATE BITING ACTION, AS WELL AS SPIN RATES EXCEEDING 2,800 RPM’S. A NEW ADDITION TO HIS ARSENAL IS THE CUTTER/SLIDER HYBRID, A PITCH THAT SITS IN THE HIGH-80’S AND HAS BREACHED 90 MPH ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. IT WAS A WEAPON AGAINST LEFTIES ​

LHP NOAH DEAN, OLD DOMINION FASTBALL HAS BEEN CLOCKED UPWARDS OF 100 MPH, THOUGH HE USUALLY SITS IN THE MID-90’S. AS GEOFF PONTES OF BASEBALL AMERICA NOTES, THE FASTBALL HAS PLENTY OF CARRY AND SPIN RATES AS HIGH AS 2,400 RPM’S, AS WELL AS EFFICIENT TILT TO THE PITCH. THIS HELPS THE PITCH MISS BATS AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH RATE, THOUGH HIS STRIKE-THROWING PREVENTS THE PITCH FROM BEING BETTER. HE’S GOT A SLURVY BREAKING BALL TO PAIR WITH THE HEATER, WHICH SITS IN THE HIGH-70’S WITH BIG BREAKING ACTION AND SPIN RATES UPWARDS OF 2,900 RPM’S. MUCH LIKE THE HEATER, HE STRUGGLES TO THROW STRIKES WITH THE PITCH. IF DEAN CAN MANAGE TO IMPROVE HIS CONTROL AND COMMAND, THERE’S MORE LEGITIMATE BACK-END POTENTIAL AT THE NEXT LEVEL​

RHP NICK MALDONADO, VANDERBILT HIGH-SPIN HEATER FROM MALDONADO THAT SITS IN THE 92-97 MPH RANGE WITH SOLID ARM-SIDE RUN TO IT. IT’S BEEN ABLE TO GARNER A HEALTHY CHASE RATE AS A RESULT. HOWEVER, THE BREAD AND BUTTER PITCH IS HIS SLIDER AND IT MIGHT BE THE BEST ONE IN COLLEGE BASEBALL. AS OUR OWN BRANDON SMITH NOTES, THERE’S TWO VARIATIONS TO HIS SLIDER, A GYRO-HEAVY PITCH AND A MORE SWEEPY SISTER. BOTH ARE THROWN HARD, RANGING ANYWHERE FROM 84-88 MPH WITH EXTREMELY HIGH SPIN RATES, SOMETIMES EXCEEDING 3,000 RPM’S. BETTER YET, THANKS TO HIS EXCELLENT COMMAND, HE’S ABLE TO LAND THE PITCH ON REPEAT​

What rounds do you think we could legitimately get them in?

@Tondo

Do you have any relievers we could get in the draft that have an electric arm?

 

[DickyLeftridge]

I agree with coach. The safe pick has served us well. No doubt. But now that we're playing from a position of strength (ESPN today just ranked us as the best Farm System in MLB), aren't we even more positioned to take some big swings on higher risk/higher reward types?

Electric arms?

MONSTER bats?

Take some swings. The farm system is deeeeeep. I'm not saying we have to take 10 lotto tickets. But take some swings either at 16 or the Comp A pick. COME ON.

GAS

AND

MASH

 

[sportscoach]

I agree with coach. The safe pick has served us well. No doubt. But now that we're playing from a position of strength (ESPN today just ranked us as the best Farm System in MLB), aren't we even more positioned to take some big swings on higher risk/higher reward types?

Electric arms?

MONSTER bats?

Take some swings. The farm system is deeeeeep. I'm not saying we have to take 10 lotto tickets. But take some swings either at 16 or the Comp A pick. COME ON.

GAS

AND

MASH

I feel like we have been more 8/2 or 9/1 ratio with safe picks to risky picks the last few seasons and honestly that has worked out great and I don't want to deviate to much from it. We lack Closer arms and pure power guys in the organization so I wouldn't mind seeing a 6/4 type of draft and adding in the more risky high power/electric arm type.

 

[Gson]

What rounds do you think we could legitimately get them in?

@Tondo

Do you have any relievers we could get in the draft that have an electric arm?

These guys are third to sixth round types in this strong draft.. The only thing holding this draft from being a great or very strong draft might be the absence of what I refer as true franchise changing draft picks..

BTW... I haven't seen anything to change from the grouping posted a few pages back:

Top Three Draft slots for the Guardians:

16: Cam Collier 3B, Chipola
Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison
Daniel Susac, C, Arizona

37: Conner Prielip, RHP Georgia
Kumar Rocker, RHP Independent
Ryan Clifford, OF, Pro5 Academy
Ben Joyce, RP, Tennessee

54 Nazier Mule, RHP, Pasaic Tech Prep
Brady Neal, C, IMG Academy
Tres Gonzalez, OF, Georgia Tech

I especially like Nazier Mule.. seems like quite an intelligent, humble and talented kid.. very much in his court...

 

[Tondo]

What rounds do you think we could legitimately get them in?

@Tondo

Do you have any relievers we could get in the draft that have an electric arm?

I don't usually look for reliever only types, much more interested in RP to SP conversion profiles. Vandy's Nick Maldonado is one I've liked from last year and looks like a good buy low/reclamation pick, similar to Denholm last year.

 

[sportscoach]

I don't usually look for reliever only types, much more interested in RP to SP conversion profiles. Vandy's Nick Maldonado is one I've liked from last year and looks like a good buy low/reclamation pick, similar to Denholm last year.

Am I the only one that doesn't like our RP in the minors? I really don't see a good setup/closer type in our system...

 

[Tondo]

Am I the only one that doesn't like our RP in the minors? I really don't see a good setup/closer type in our system...

The SP glut will ultimately produce some. Gaddis, Torres or Hankins are possibilities and of course 100 mp arm Vargas, a mini Clase with two easy plus weapons.

Between Mikolajchak, Enright, Misiaszek, Herrin and Sharpe, there's a decent RP or two there.

 

[sportscoach]

The SP glut will ultimately produce some. Gaddis, Torres or Hankins are possibilities and of course 100 mp arm Vargas, a mini Clase with two easy plus weapons.

Between Mikolajchak, Enright, Misiaszek, Herrin and Sharpe, there's a decent RP or two there.

If I am being honest, I would love to find a legit college closer or two to put with Clase in this draft. I feel it is a weakness in the organization since we really don't have the high end leverage guys...

 

[BimboColesHair]

I'm sure if he falls far enough, you take Joyce, but otherwise you stay away...

I have a slight problem with our prospects right now, we have maybe taken too many safe picks... I wouldn't mind getting a couple pure electric arms for the bullpen to help balance things out.

We have acquired the guys closing for us since Allen left, even then Allen's help were acquired players. I wouldn't mind getting one or two (I would love a lefty) of the gas throwing types (aka near 100mph) sometime in the draft.

Do you and @BimboColesHair see any bullpen projected gas throwers that we could mix into the bullpen?

I don't scout the amateur side anymore coach so I have no idea and no time to go digging.

And I don't agree with the "taken too many safe picks" idea. There is an archetype in place for any pitcher drafted into this organization at the moment. And it's an archetype where "tapped out players" can be tapped into quickly and move quickly through the system.

2 good examples of that this season are Bibee and someone who is about to turn the corner IMO, Reid Johnston. 2 "safe picks" that have all of a sudden become "electric arms", but electric arms built onto mechanically sound players. Both of those guys have added 5+ MPH to their velo using very minor tweaks with little to no injury concern added. That velo jump alone has made Bibee a legit top prospect moving forward.

It's easier to teach and develop velocity and movement than it is to teach sound repeatable mechanics, command and control, and the mentality it takes to pitch at the MLB level.

They have also drafted plenty of "pure electric arms" recently, they're just packaged in a more all-around player. Espino, Williams, Hankins when he is back, Morris when he is back, Gaddis, Karinchak, Lenny Torres are all guys drafted within the last 5 years in the early rounds that came into this organization already pumping fastballs 96, 97, 98+. The first 3 came into the organization touching 100.

This is an organization that would rather fill itself with starting pitchers who become relievers (either out of necessity or to get a guy to the MLB level if blocked), than relievers who stay relievers, especially in the top half of the draft.

 

[Tondo]

You don't really draft RP, you develop them

 

[Tondo]

Nice to hear about Johnston. He was one of those big conference performers that somehow got overlooked in two straight drafts, same with Pettway or Denholm. Those were like added mid round (5-9) picks, on talent. Kokx too. They drafted value after value and finished it off with Jake Miller in round 20.

Give me more of the same this years please

 

[Martyinnewyork]

Thoughts on Hunter Gaddis. I saw him recently in Erie and he seems like a workhorse, innings-eater type, kinda-reminded me of Cody Anderson for some reason. Only saw him the one time, not his best outing I’m sure. No speed indicator at the ballpark but he was fairly hittable and had to work hard to get through 5 innings.

 

[sportscoach]

You don't really draft RP, you develop them

I don't scout the amateur side anymore coach so I have no idea and no time to go digging.

And I don't agree with the "taken too many safe picks" idea. There is an archetype in place for any pitcher drafted into this organization at the moment. And it's an archetype where "tapped out players" can be tapped into quickly and move quickly through the system.

2 good examples of that this season are Bibee and someone who is about to turn the corner IMO, Reid Johnston. 2 "safe picks" that have all of a sudden become "electric arms", but electric arms built onto mechanically sound players. Both of those guys have added 5+ MPH to their velo using very minor tweaks with little to no injury concern added. That velo jump alone has made Bibee a legit top prospect moving forward.

It's easier to teach and develop velocity and movement than it is to teach sound repeatable mechanics, command and control, and the mentality it takes to pitch at the MLB level.

They have also drafted plenty of "pure electric arms" recently, they're just packaged in a more all-around player. Espino, Williams, Hankins when he is back, Morris when he is back, Gaddis, Karinchak, Lenny Torres are all guys drafted within the last 5 years in the early rounds that came into this organization already pumping fastballs 96, 97, 98+. The first 3 came into the organization touching 100.

This is an organization that would rather fill itself with starting pitchers who become relievers (either out of necessity or to get a guy to the MLB level if blocked), than relievers who stay relievers, especially in the top half of the draft.

I am not disagreeing here at all, but who in the organization can be a setup/closer in the next year or so? I just dont see anyone right now at the moment.

I feel like on paper, we need to find someone to step into that role to help Clase. I really don't like who we have as a unit overall, so I wouldn't mind finding a closer type to take a chance on... I am not saying we have to use an early pick on, but we have drafted bullpen arms in the past in like round 4...