MLB 2024 Draft

[AZ_]

Google being free, I confirmed Condon has 29K in 39 games (197 PA)

He is very good.

This dude is either Reno or a fucking relative of his

An obvious troll and alternate persona that will hang around and not be dealt with.

"the rules"

 

[petes999]

A while back.. it was suggested (by me and others) that this draft had no franchise changing players and that the general consensus was that this draft is subpar... [good college bats, not a lot of pitchers, overall]


This draft does show excellence at the top (as witness by this draftnik story in BA, firewall alert).. & then, not really a lot of game changers afterwards.. If the Guardians can leverage their Competitive Balance A pick for what the Guardians do best: evaluate other teams' farm systems and "pluck" that rare gem who becomes Corey Kluber or Joe Carter or Kenny Lofton or.. or... (this is a LONG list of spectacular trades in Cleveland's favor), then they should.. It can easily be shown that the acquired prospect's value vastly surpasses the pool money lost.. w/ the acquired prospect almost certainly being much closer to being a major league player.. So, the draft pool loss argument is weak, at best..

Having the first overall is HUGE especially this year.. After that ( picks 36, 48, 84, 114, etc) are going to be a LOT of "projection". Draft nerds should be in a haze of euphoria with this draft for this reason.. BTW.. for this draft, whoever the Guardians like & would take at 36, will probably be available at 48 and/or 84, and so on.. With a deal (a MIF/RP + Comp A).. an emerging kid like Mayo or Whisenhunt or Abel.. could be acquired instead of the 36th pick?

Thoughts?

We will always find a way to spend the $18 million + 5%. However, I would still hold onto the Comp A as your basic principle is why other teams will devalue it in a trade as well -- it is not like its a secret just known to Cleveland. And, if we get an extra million or two on the first pick and 5% for almost another million ($900k), I would rather spread it around earlier than later as teams may go more younger HS/Juco prospects (for upside) than college Jr (quicker impact) anyways in a down draft - making our extra $$$ less valuable as the draft goes on.

And, to SC theory on pitching talent -- we usually find the TugBoat sleeper in later rounds anyways (where we don't need to spend over slot anyways for the Bieber/Bibee(s)). Yet, I don't know based on last year if that is especially true as we move forward (that is to find AS many diamonds in the rough) as I think other orgs are starting to copy our pitching draft strategy.

But, at the end of the day, I would rather have FO have the ability to play the board and draft those who drop as early as possible to get what this draft has when they can versus betting the guy drops another 30 slots when other teams are trying to find the limited upside guys that are out there.

However, if a team wants to give up a Abel or Whisenhunt, then by all means, trade a comp A pick as we need to fill those near ready pitching slots sooner than later. I just wouldn't go for bats as I trust that we will find the few bats that we do need in our system with (Martinez, Manzardo, DeLauter .... making Mayo a little bit redundant -- even though good vs finding that Comp pitcher that can fly through system and jump the Campbells). Plus, the cost of the near ready pitcher is probably costing us a Naylor vs a Comp A pick and reliever ....

 

[Criznit]

Do or do not.. there is no TRY!!..

Priorities !!

Well poop... No way I am going to make it out of work in time to see Bazzana... So I guess it's "do not".

 

[Kiddo]

Has Condon done enough to take him at 1? His profile and potential as a power hitting RH outfield bat fits us like a glove. I salivate at the thought of him reaching his potential in Cleveland for 5 plus years hitting in the middle of the order with Jose, Josh, DeLauter, Manzardo, Bo, Kwan and Andres. Plus maybe Arias somewhat reaching his potential.

No matter who we draft, adding that guy to DeLauter and Manzardo means this offense is in line to get a huge boost very soon.

 

[AZ_]

Has Condon done enough to take him at 1?

Unquestionably.

But he still may NOT be taken at #1

In two years, the Guardians still have the following under contract:

C: Naylor
1B: Naylor, Manzardo, Fry
2B: Gimenez
3B: Ramirez
SS: Arias/Rocchio/Martinez/Tena

OF: Kwan
OF: Freeman
OF: DeLauter
OF: Bazzana/Condon

About 90% of this list would be on their rookie contracts or early arbitration.

Good time to be a Guardians fan, IMO.

 

[CBBI]

4/24 Update
Condon went 1-4 with a single last night against Clemson. He walked 3 times, 2 times intentionally, and struck out twice. He now has 36 walks and 31 strikeouts in 204 plate appearances.

Bazzana went 1-3 with a double last night against Portland. He walked 2 times, 1 time intentionally, and did not strike out. He now has 49 walks and 17 strikeouts in 198 plate appearances.

Jac Cagliaone hit two home runs last night against Stetson, bringing his season total to 25. He has 11 home runs in the Gators' last 11 games. He has 24 walks and 14 strikeouts in 191 plate appearances.

 

[macbdog]

It's a shame he isnt as good a ballplayer as Bazzana.

 

[bob2the2nd]

Not sure if this was posted yet or not but an article about Condon

ESPN article

 

[Gson]

We will always find a way to spend the $18 million + 5%. However, I would still hold onto the Comp A as your basic principle is why other teams will devalue it in a trade as well -- it is not like its a secret just known to Cleveland. And, if we get an extra million or two on the first pick and 5% for almost another million ($900k), I would rather spread it around earlier than later as teams may go more younger HS/Juco prospects (for upside) than college Jr (quicker impact) anyways in a down draft - making our extra $$$ less valuable as the draft goes on.

And, to SC theory on pitching talent -- we usually find the TugBoat sleeper in later rounds anyways (where we don't need to spend over slot anyways for the Bieber/Bibee(s)). Yet, I don't know based on last year if that is especially true as we move forward (that is to find AS many diamonds in the rough) as I think other orgs are starting to copy our pitching draft strategy.

But, at the end of the day, I would rather have FO have the ability to play the board and draft those who drop as early as possible to get what this draft has when they can versus betting the guy drops another 30 slots when other teams are trying to find the limited upside guys that are out there.

However, if a team wants to give up a Abel or Whisenhunt, then by all means, trade a comp A pick as we need to fill those near ready pitching slots sooner than later. I just wouldn't go for bats as I trust that we will find the few bats that we do need in our system with (Martinez, Manzardo, DeLauter .... making Mayo a little bit redundant -- even though good vs finding that Comp pitcher that can fly through system and jump the Campbells). Plus, the cost of the near ready pitcher is probably costing us a Naylor vs a Comp A pick and reliever ....

agree with most of this...

The availability of Whisen-bel or whomever can be (and should be) seen as both a short and long term solution to an otherwise narrow choice.. The Middle Infielder is a plug-n-play guy.. He has value unto himself, let alone the potential long term windfall from the Comp A pick (not all of them can be Justin Campbell.. but, there is a chance they can)..

In addition, the acquisition of a Comp A Pick inflates the draft pool coffers of the acquiring team.. an inflation the CleFO needs to exploit if a deal is to be made.. So, asking for a "little more" like a Whisenhunt or Abel, could be viable..

Thoughts?

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

It's a shame he isnt as good a ballplayer as Bazzana.

Not saying you are wrong, but why? Statistically they are both great. Seems to be the belief that the SEC is better than the Pac-12 with pitchers.

 

[AZ_]

 

[daddywags]

Unquestionably.

But he still may NOT be taken at #1

In two years, the Guardians still have the following under contract:

C: Naylor
1B: Naylor, Manzardo, Fry
2B: Gimenez
3B: Ramirez
SS: Arias/Rocchio/Martinez/Tena

OF: Kwan
OF: Freeman
OF: DeLauter
OF: Bazzana/Condon

About 90% of this list would be on their rookie contracts or early arbitration.

Good time to be a Guardians fan, IMO.

I believe Josh is a free agent after next season. Unless we can extend him he won't be here in two years.

 

[CBBI]

 

[Naylor23]

MLB.com is infatuated with Condon, as evidenced yesterday with the article comparing him to Aaron Judge and Stanton, however even with such lofty praise, they still gave him just a 40 run grade, 55 arm grade and 50 fielding grade. I think those are major concerns. I mean I've seen Cleveland fans complain about bazzana being another MI guy and where to play him, but where do you play a Condon, who's biggest supporters don't even put his defensive grades in a favorable light ? They give Bazzana 60 run, 50 field and 50 arm, but I'll gladly take the trade off in 5 points for arm for 20 plus more speed. That shows you're going to cover a hell of a lot more ground.

Let's say you put Condon in right, Bazzana in center. If Condon can't run or throw equal to the position then you're banking his entire career off his power being legit, and not based on what bat he's using to put up these numbers mixed up with facing average at best pitching this year. With Bazzana at least he's an all fields hitter and has phenomenal patience and can steal you 20+ bases. Let's say at worst he has Grady Sizemore arm strength, but he can cover the same amount of ground. I don't think that's a bad scenario.

Ralphy Velazquez is slower than dog shit and they still gave him a 35 run grade. I don't think Condon is that slow, but you should get the point.

On the other hand, Jacob Cozart, PJ Morlando, Josh Hartle, Drew Beam, Mike Sirota, Peyton Tolle being available with our next 2 or 3 picks would be an amazing draft

 

[CBBI]

MLB.com is infatuated with Condon, as evidenced yesterday with the article comparing him to Aaron Judge and Stanton, however even with such lofty praise, they still gave him just a 40 run grade, 55 arm grade and 50 fielding grade. I think those are major concerns. I mean I've seen Cleveland fans complain about bazzana being another MI guy and where to play him, but where do you play a Condon, who's biggest supporters don't even put his defensive grades in a favorable light ? They give Bazzana 60 run, 50 field and 50 arm, but I'll gladly take the trade off in 5 points for arm for 20 plus more speed. That shows you're going to cover a hell of a lot more ground.

Let's say you put Condon in right, Bazzana in center. If Condon can't run or throw equal to the position then you're banking his entire career off his power being legit, and not based on what bat he's using to put up these numbers mixed up with facing average at best pitching this year. With Bazzana at least he's an all fields hitter and has phenomenal patience and can steal you 20+ bases. Let's say at worst he has Grady Sizemore arm strength, but he can cover the same amount of ground. I don't think that's a bad scenario.

Ralphy Velazquez is slower than dog shit and they still gave him a 35 run grade. I don't think Condon is that slow, but you should get the point.

On the other hand, Jacob Cozart, PJ Morlando, Josh Hartle, Drew Beam, Mike Sirota, Peyton Tolle being available with our next 2 or 3 picks would be an amazing draft

I understand how projections work, but I must say I do still find it to be a little bit wild that a lot of people (not you specifically) are pretty much just automatically assuming Bazzana will be able to play CF capably in the majors even though to the best of my knowledge he's never really played anywhere but 2B in his collegiate career and the majority of his scouting reports say he's very likely a 2B only at the next level only.

Whereas many people are also assume Condon has a very minimal chance of being a good MLB defender and has virtually no shot at sticking in CF or 3B at the next level even though he's been regularly playing both this season.

And maybe those assumptions will end up being 100% spot on, but it's still interesting to me.