172 replies to this topic

[SportsGuy]

So, who killed this draft, especially teams in the AL?

[Stotle]

So, who killed this draft, especially teams in the AL?

 

Obviously early to tell outside of the first couple of rounds since we don't know who's signing and some of the deeper picks that might have been under the radar finds. But pretty strong on the face?

 

My favorites from the AL without really digging in depth are probably Boston, Toronto, Houston, Kansas City.

 

Houston got the best player in the draft as of draft day (Aiken) and a really nice college bat (Fisher) those two alone are huge gets.

 

Boston crushed Day One. Chavis and Kopech were easy first round talents and Travis is a day one guy in most drafts as one of the more advanced hit tools at the collegiate ranks.

 

Toronto made the most of their picks and got three guys on day one that could have all gone in the top 15 (Hoffman, Pentecost, and Reid-Foley). Then they added a bunch of upside guides like projectable VA prep lefty Wells, upside HS position guys like Morgan © and Thomas (OF). Then they went aggressive on day 3 with strong backup plans if any of their sign ability guys fall through.

 

Kansas City did really well on day one, making days two and three almost irrelevant. Finnegan is a beast so long as he is healthy. Griffin is a projectable mid-rotation type that good make a big jump as the body continues to mature. Vallot can mash and is already workout out like a pro. Blewett is more of a wild card but a low-mileage arm that has flashed premium stuff in past.

 

Detroit nailed their first pick in my opinion, then filled in the rest with quick moving college guys. The Twins went with a strong pick in Gordon (SS) at five overall then essentially loaded up on power college relievers. Yankees went almost exclusively with quick moving college arms that will all likely be relievers. Indians had a really interesting, and balanced, draft, leveraging their extra picks well. The Mariners landed a potential monster with Alex Jackson at 6th overall. The Angels made tons of very solid picks just playing the board.

 

I mean, there was so much talent in the first 100 picks that it's almost impossible not to have a decent draft (as of draft day). Obviously we'll see how the kids take to the pro game, and of course we don't know who signs and who doesn't. But it looks like teams were saving money late and I'd be surprised if there were many in the top 3 rounds that didn't ink.

[Oriole85]

@masnSteve O's scouting dir. Gary Rajisch said club is close 2 signing several picks. Some top 10 rounders it appears. More on MASN pregame 2 day.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Camden Depot: Reverse engineering the Orioles 2014 Draft Strategy

http://camdendepot.b...2014-draft.html

[Oriole85]

@masnRoch Orioles have reached agreement with 21 of their draft picks. Won't announce names till signed. #BalfourSyndrome

[Oriole85]

@DavidHallVP #Orioles sign draft picks LHP Brian Gonzalez (3rd round), RHP Pat Connaughton (4th round) and RHP David Hess (5th round).

So much for the concerns with Connaughton not being able to sign with basketball.

[Oriole85]

Per Roch (MASN)

 

The Orioles announced that they've signed infielder Stephen Wilkerson (eighth round) and outfielder Jay Gonzalez (10) and assigned them to short-season Single-A Aberdeen.

[dude]

So much for the concerns with Connaughton not being able to sign with basketball.

 

I'm not sure who expressed those concerns.  

 

The potential issue was him taking a deal that allowed him to go back to school and play basketball so that we may not see him in the system until next summer ('15) for real......or what it would take to convince him not to.

 

If they did their homework (and since he's signed I'll say they did)......we are just waiting for the details.

[dude]

So it looks like Connaughton took slot (reported by BA at $428,100 = slot) and in Melewski's article, it looks like he'll be going back to ND around 1 AUG to finish his senior year, graduate in December and finish his college basketball run.

 

Player development gets him full-time next year.

[dude]

Callis indicates Brian Gonzalez signed for 700k, which is ~105k over slot.

 

Cheap senior signs at #8 and #10 cover that easily.

[Oriole85]

Per Roch

NOTE: The Orioles announced the signings of 16 more 2014 draft picks: LH Jon Means (11th round), RH Nigel Nootbaar (12), OF Gerrion Grim (14), INF Alejandro Juvier (15), RH Tanner Chleborad (16), RH Matthew Grimes (18), RH Zach Albin (20), LH John McLeod (21), RH Josh Walker (22), RH Zeke McGranahan (23), RH Lucas Long (24), INF Austin Pfeiffer (27), RH Patrick Baker (29), RH Michael Burke (30), INF Alexander Lee (36) and RH Keegan Ghidotti (38).

[Oriole85]

@danconnollysun O's announce signing of 9th rounder 3B Austin Anderson. All draft selections from rounds 3-10 have signed with the club.

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN: A look at the Orioles' draft pick signings and some signing bonuses

http://www.masnsport...ng-bonuses.html