The Indians have announced a deal with first-round draft choice Noah Naylor, as MLB.com’s Jim Callis first reported (via Twitter). He’ll receive a $2,578,138 bonus that lands just over the $2,332,700 allocation that came with the 29th overall pick.
Naylor, a Canadian high-school backstop, had committed to Texas A&M. A consensus top-thirty talent, he garnered particularly notable support from ESPN.com’s Keith Law. Naylor rated 14th on Law’s pre-draft board, owing to excellent overall hitting ability and a quality all-around toolset.
Those that aren’t quite as optimistic question whether Naylor really has much power upside and, particularly, whether he’ll add value defensively. Law believes that the youngster will settle in as a quality third or second baseman, while some scouts aren’t sold on Naylor’s potential with the glove. It’s still not entirely clear whether or not he will remain behind the plate to begin his career in the Cleveland organization.
Naylor will now join his older brother — Padres prospect Josh Naylor — in the professional ranks. The Cleveland organization also announced that it has signed all of its first twenty picks from the draft.
Not sure why you go after a guy so high in the draft when he has no pop and no position? For that signing bonus money they could’ve gotten a more defined player and/or higher slotted international FAs.
Noah Naylor has big HR power.
A future 30+ HR Guy.
I hope so, but it says “Those that aren’t quite as optimistic question whether Naylor really has much power upside and, particularly, whether he’ll add value defensively.”
They must be really optimistic then. I didn’t love the pick, but I didn’t dislike it either.
I’ve watched and coached against Noah Naylor. He’s an impressive player. Saw sub-2 pop times and watched him hit two light tower home runs against legitimate pitching.
Trying to catch his brothers magic
I like the kids swing. Power is always a tough call for young guys. Just remember, no one thought Lindor or Didi we’re going to be power guys when they were young prospects. They were both known for their gloves and contact.
This was the first I had heard that his power was a question. Everything I had seen and read had his power as probably his top tool. His defense has always been the question as far as I understood. Those that liked him think he can stay behind the plate or maybe end up at 3rd. Those that don’t like him see him ultimately ending up at probably 1st base like his brother and that will put a lot of pressure on his bat to perform.
More surprised some teams taking so long to sign 1st round picks. It crimps how much they can spend/how close they can get to maximum allowed before having to go back 10 spaces with 1st round pick following season.
Kids are vital in today’s game and myself? think rule 4 draft talent is a whole lot more secure than IFA talent who has been propped up by buscoes.
Ya obviously drafting 18+ players is going to feel more secure than some weird lottery system of 16 year olds
At least he beat the hear in TX! It’s hot down here!
….best draft in the majors this year.
I don’t want to go that far, but I’m cautiously optimistic that this is a really good looking class and I think they got some good value with a lot of their picks. For what it’s worth, a lot of the guys that have already signed are off to good starts too.