2012 General Draft Discussion

[colbyjack]

I know people get pretty excited about mock drafts, so I wanted to be sure that everyone here new that we at PG have released our first of the spring. It's for insider-level subscribers, and while I'll likely share the picks, I don't want to ruin the fun for those that actually do subscribe:

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6864

[colbyjack]

Brewers fan @AlfredAugust is currently asking me about the Brewers' picks via Twitter. If you don't follow me, you can read his guesses and my responses @PGPatrickEbert.

[narwhalattack]

Thank you!

[colbyjack]

We've updated our mock draft with this second version a few weeks out:

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=7028

 

Brewers picks: Ty Hensley, Pierce Johnson and Tanner Rahier (the Hensley pick remains the same since the first one, and we have confirmed interest from the Brewers in Hensley, who fits their recent profile of strong, big-bodied pitchers).

 

Also, the PG staff is going to be conducting a 10-round mock draft early next week. I gave my fellow Brewer fan co-workers first dibs at the being the Crew's SD, and we'll be releasing the picks pretty much as they happen.

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=7030

[nate82]

 

Brewers picks: Ty Hensley, Pierce Johnson and Tanner Rahier (the Hensley pick remains the same since the first one, and we have confirmed interest from the Brewers in Hensley, who fits their recent profile of strong, big-bodied pitchers).

 

 

Wouldn't Hensley cost a lot in terms of a signing contract as he is already committed to Ole Miss?

[colbyjack]

What do you mean by already committed to Ole Miss? Almost every top HS prospect has a college commitment, so it's not like Hensley's to Ole Miss stands out more so than anyone else. Ole Miss is a good baseball school, but not quite on the same level of Stanford, Vanderbilt and Texas when it comes to prying prep kids away from pro careers.

 

In other words, he's not a signability risk, at least not in the first round.

[narwhalattack]

Hey Colby, what other players do the Brewers have an interest in?

[pete]

Are there any shortstops that might fit their draft position?

[colbyjack]

Hensley is the only player that I have heard that the Brewers have specifically shown increased interest in.

 

Addison Russell is a SS that could be a good fit for one of the Brewers first round picks. Tanner Rahier is another. Both could move to 3B down the road, with Rahier the more likely to do so, but Rahier has drawn some comps to Evan Longoria.

[DHonks]

Colby, just wanted to ask if anyone from my HS was considered a draft talent (Horizon HS in Scottsdale). They're usually a top 3-4 talent in AZ and have produced a bunch of decent names lately

[colbyjack]

DHonks, we don't have any players from Horizon HS projected to be draft this year.

 

Here are the final results from the PG staff mock draft:

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/Draft/MockDrafts/2012-perfectgame-mockdraft.aspx

 

Prep SS Addison Russell and Missouri State RHP Pierce Johnson were the team's top 2 picks, followed by prep LHP Hunter Virant in the sandwich round and prep RHP Mitchell Traver in round 2. A pretty solid effort for all of the team's top 10 picks from my Wisconsin co-worker and Brewers SD Ken Gardner.

[paul253]

I really think Addison Russell is going to be the pick at either 27 or 28. It makes too much sense both with what we need and what might be available when we pick.

[brwrsfan]

Is there any chance that anyone with an impact bat makes it to any of the Brewers picks? Doesn't really matter what position, but anyone with very good power that we could possibly take with one of those 3 picks we have? I know we usually take best available, but with so much emphasis on pitching lately, we just can't ignore the offensive side of the game in our minor league system another year in my opinion.

[Kelbysdaddy]

What do you think the chances of some combination of Gallo or roache and rahier or Russell for the 27 and 28 picks. I'm not usually one to follow prep players so I'm not all that familiar with many of these kids but I've seen a lot of mocks with a combination of these 4 available for the brewers(my preference would be Gallo and rahier). I liked what I've seen and heard of them. It really doesn't sound like many of this years ss prospects will be staying at short.

[HiAndTight]

Is there any chance that anyone with an impact bat makes it to any of the Brewers picks? Doesn't really matter what position, but anyone with very good power that we could possibly take with one of those 3 picks we have? I know we usually take best available, but with so much emphasis on pitching lately, we just can't ignore the offensive side of the game in our minor league system another year in my opinion.

 

 

I don't agree. In a perfect world, there is an impact bat at SS available, a highly projectable prep arm available at 28, and another impact bat at 38.

 

But it's an annoying cliche, but you never CAN have enough pitching. If you can grab three high ceiling arms, it's a lot easier to turn your team into a winner with great-great pitching up and down the system than it is with bats(as we've seen).

 

Fast forward 18 months from now and we've got 3-4 of our arms actually paying off in the big league level and we've got 3 highly touted fresh minor league arms..it's a lot easier to trade pitching if you have an excess of it...which is nearly impossible to begin with, than hitting obviously.

 

You think the O's would rather have Bundy or Machado? Just an extreme example? I'm sure most teams would take Bundy at this time even though they're probably just about 1-2 in other order in the updated top 100 rankings.

 

Not that this is news to anyone, just why I hope they don't go out and specifically target position players and they DO stick firmly by their BPA MO.

 

 

Baseball's obviously different than other sports. BPA is always relative in other sports. It shouldn't be in baseball in my opinion. You don't pass up on a Gallardo or Odorrizzi because you need impact bats and your system is lacking in them. That's how you end up with a bust as a 1st rounder.

[colbyjack]

I do believe that Russell, Rahier and Roache will be available when the Brewers pick. If Gallo is there you take him without thinking twice, his power is unreal.

 

While I agree with HiandTight that you can never have enough pitching, in looking at the Brewers prospects a couple of nights ago, the system is painfully, and that may be putting it lightly, thin on impact bats. I don't care what argument you make for what prospect, but the organization simply doesn't have one bat currently in their system that you can look to and think, "yeah, that guy is going to make a difference at the big-league level." The team needs to correct that, and believed for a long time that you can pick up impact pitching later, the diamonds in the rough, than you can find a bat that just hasn't blossomed yet.

[HiAndTight]

I do believe that Russell, Rahier and Roache will be available when the Brewers pick. If Gallo is there you take him without thinking twice, his power is unreal.

 

While I agree with HiandTight that you can never have enough pitching, in looking at the Brewers prospects a couple of nights ago, the system is painfully, and that may be putting it lightly, thin on impact bats. I don't care what argument you make for what prospect, but the organization simply doesn't have one bat currently in their system that you can look to and think, "yeah, that guy is going to make a difference at the big-league level." The team needs to correct that, and believed for a long time that you can pick up impact pitching later, the diamonds in the rough, than you can find a bat that just hasn't blossomed yet.

 

 

I'm not arguing against Gallo, I'm arguing against making a predetermined decision to draft position players.

 

If you have three guys you believe can be Gallardo type pitchers(they won't, but bear with me) how hard is it to then trade them in the future if you find yourself with a surplus of young power arms who are big league ready?

 

I'm just saying go BPA. If you have two ranked evenly or almost evenly, go offense, otherwise, just stick to BPA. I'm of the belief you're more likely to find a pitcher who can make an impact where the Brewers are picking, be in the rotation or the pen than a position player.

 

 

Though I don't disagree at all on the ridiculous lack of position players in this system. Especially with Richardson not playing yet, and the huge steps back several prospects have taken.

[Tedaldtada]

Big Time Brewers Nugget in Keith Law's latest mock. Here are the picks:

 

27. Clint Coulter: C HS Washington

28: Lucas Sims: RHP HS Georgia

 

Law reveals it is industry consensus that Coulter is a "pretty much a lock" at 27. He has a cannon and "he'll hit" but he may not stick behind the plate.

[StearnsFTW]

Hmmm........I'm not that concerned about position, I just hope the kid can hit. Sounds like Coulter is pretty athletic, being a state champion wrestler, so I could get behind that pick.

 

Anyone have any insight into signability? He's committed to ASU.

[narwhalattack]

I'd be fine with that draft. Coulter has a great power and brings good athleticism, and Sims seems like a potential #2 starter with a plus fastball and a plus curveball(and the Brewers do like guys with great curveballs).

[battlekow]

Law reveals it is industry consensus that Coulter is a "pretty much a lock" at 27. He has a cannon and "he'll hit" but he may not stick behind the plate.

How's his helmet toss?

[paul253]

I'd love to see Addison Russell. The Brewers have seemed to ignore the shortstop position in early rounds since taking JJ Hardy and it's really showing. I know you don't draft for need but at some point you need a shortstop. Assuming they don't think he is a reach I'd like to see them take Russell then another position player like Roache, Gallo, Coulter, Piscotty, or Trahan. A projectable HS pitcher at 38 would work.

[narwhalattack]

My hope is that the Brewers go with a HS bat and HS pitcher for the 27th and the 28th pick and a college bat for the 38th pick.

[DHonks]

paul, weren't Josh Murray and Josh Prince also high draft picks at SS? I wouldn't say we've ignored it, but we also haven't drafted a ton of them

[jmeks23]

I think Coulter's a bit of a reach, most mocks have him available still at 38 in the sandwich round where the Brewers could still get him if they're that high on him. I'd prefer Trahan if you're going with a catcher out of HS. Also agree that if Addison Russell is available I'd think that would be a pretty good pick too.

 

Also, if Joey Gallo is still on the board, I personally love the guy's power. I think it's a must considering that's Melvin's forte.