We’re about six weeks away from the June draft. Here’s the latest on what’s emerging as a thin class at the top.
- Shortstop and top draft prospect Brendan Rodgers‘ season ended Monday as Seminole beat Lake Mary in Florida’s 8A-2 playoffs, John Manuel of Baseball America notes (on Twitter). As BA’s J.J. Cooper tweets, that at least ensures that, unlike many potential early draft picks (Brady Aiken, California high school pitcher Kolby Allard, Duke pitcher Michael Matuella), Rodgers will have gotten through the season healthy. It’s been an ugly year for top-end draft talents, but Rodgers’ season ends with him at the top of MLB.com’s draft rankings, as well as Kiley McDaniel’s recent rankings for FanGraphs.
- Vanderbilt’s Carson Fulmer had the best weekend of any top draft-eligible college pitcher, BA’s Hudson Belinsky writes. Another Vanderbilt pitcher and top draft prospect, Walker Buehler, had trouble with his command against South Carolina. His changeup has also been inconsistent. “I think that’s kind of been the theme for me this year,” Buehler says of his changeup. Fulmer and Buehler join infielder Dansby Swanson as Commodores likely to be selected in the top half of the first round.
- In a chat at FanGraphs, McDaniel says that Fulmer to the Red Sox at No. 7 overall is a “rumor that won’t go away.” As noted this weekend, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington watched Fulmer and Swanson on Friday. McDaniel gives Fulmer a 65-70 percent chance of sticking as a starter in the Majors, though he notes in his draft rankings that he likes Fulmer more than most — at 5-foot-11, Fulmer is relatively small for a top-end starting pitcher, and he has a higher-effort delivery.
Wow HS ball in FL ends early. Our HS state play-offs (IL) would last until the end of May! Feel like I missing some context.
Dunno, but it’s really hot in Florida in May.
Man, this draft is so weak…..
Right? Of course there will always be players who become stars out of nowhere. But if you go by scouting grades (out of 80), there is only one player who is even a 60/80, and thats Rodgers. It’s a huge dropoff.
That’s why I’m not surprised when I read the report that teams picking at the bottom of the first round may just draft a 2nd round player to save money. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.
I just don’t want Brady Aiken. Health concerns are a no.
If you’re planning to pass on every player in the draft who is at risk of an injury, you should go ahead and shut down your scouting department and make other plans for the first weekend of June.
Aiken just had TJS and probably still wants super above-slot money.
You didn’t say (your completely fabricated assumption about) unreasonable contract demands were a no. You said health concerns were.
The health concerns compound the contract thing. My ever so sincerest of apologies for not laying out a completely detailed opinion on the internet.
The real question: Is there anyone up for the draft this year whose name doesn’t sound like a law firm?
Would love to see DJ Stewart go to the Braves as a comp pick.
Some fans are unhappy with this draft but it’s shaping up perfect for my team. Tons of pitching depth and question marks make it likely for LA to land a talented SP at 24. The bigger than most, draft pool makes it possible to spend well over slot. Wild cards like RHP Dillon Tate could go anywhere too this year. There should be plenty of talented SP available late 1st round in 2015. I hope Cin or Min are willing to send over a pick to shed some salary too. Brandon Phillips plus Comp pick for Ethier + $?
High School Playoffs started today in most of Florida. Still have weeks to go before State Finals
Looking forward to seeing how the new front office for the Dodgers handles their first draft.