| 6:50 | : Good evening and hello from the Stockyards and the 2024 MLB Draft. It’s full in here and they’ve leaned into the Texas of it all in a way that I am enjoying. |
| 6:50 | : Can’t wait for the day after mock |
| 6:51 | : the ole’ Jason Parks move. |
| 6:51 | : Latest update for top 10 surprise? |
| 6:51 | : It’s live now. Not a lot of dope that I trust flowing today but what I got is in there. |
| 6:51 | : I’ll be Woj’ing picks tonight so feel free to use that intel to make a ton of money on draft props. |
| 6:52 | : Assuming you can bet on picks live before they happen. No idea if they lock at the start of the draft or not since I’m not a gambler. |
| 6:53 | : Just got a text from someone in the top 10 that says “Heard we got funny stuff top 4.” |
| 6:53 | : Happy draft day, everyone! |
| 6:54 | : Do you think any of the top prospects are giving a higher signing number to Oakland than other teams to avoid the A’s unresolved ballpark issues? |
| 6:55 | : I have wondered if that situation is off-putting enough to steer players away from them but I haven’t heard anything specific. They’ll likely be in Vegas by the time new draftees reach the bigs so it might be less of an issue. |
| 6:55 | : do you have to Woj picks if nobody really wants it lol |
| 6:55 | : Well let’s ask…. |
| 6:56 | : Should Eric Woj? Yes (74.6% | 242 votes) No (14.1% | 46 votes) What’s that? (11.1% | 36 votes) Total Votes: 324 |
| 6:56 | : Hi Eric. Great work getting all this draft content out. |
| 6:57 | : Thanks, as always it has been a crazy stretch of report writing and dope gathering but I’m lucky to do it. Glad I get to work all 30 orgs, as hard and grueling as it is. |
| 6:57 | : How weak of a class is this? Would last years end of the 1st round picks be in the 12-18 range? |
| 6:58 | : Whoever goes first this year probably goes 5 or 6 last year? |
| 6:58 | : Any updated information about the Tigers? Heard they might try for an under slot deal. |
| 6:59 | : Plausible, there’s a drop in talent right around their pick and if they think the guys they’re left with are mostly the same they have incentive to cut a deal. Them and Boston have had buzz to that effect today. |
| 7:01 | : But you wait and see if someone you like drops because of the craziness. |
| 7:01 | : Who’s flaw is harder to fix – Honeycutt’s strikeouts or Brecht’s lack of control? |
| 7:01 | : Man, I feel like it’s Brecht because Honey has breaking ball recog issues in addition to swing ones |
| 7:02 | : Bring back FG audio!!!! We would all love more EL podcast appearances |
| 7:02 | : It shall return |
| 7:02 | : J.J. Wetherholt definitely leaned in to the Texas thing! |
| 7:02 | : Glad he chose the hat shape he did. Network did a feature of the kids going to a hat shop and the rounded one he chose was not good |
| 7:03 | : As an ECU fan, I am just excited to see where Yesavage ends up |
| 7:03 | : Me too, bet he moves fast. PA kid so I’m rooting for him |
| 7:03 | : Do you think there will be any upset/reach picks within the top 15? |
| 7:04 | : Most certainly but no idea who or where yet, which I suppose is why it’s an upset |
| 7:04 | : So you know when you will update the international board? |
| 7:04 | : After the deadline, sometime in the September/October area. |
| 7:05 | : do you think there’s been a meaningful shift in talent from HS to college, or is that still an artifact of covid? |
| 7:05 | : I think the profile around college ball has grown and the $ is flowing so there is more talent |
| 7:06 | : Dev techniques better too, plus transfer portal allows really talented teams to come together |
| 7:06 | : I know scouts who left team job for college |
| 7:06 | : you chat with Kiley before the draft or on opposite sides now? |
| 7:06 | : We boys still, lied to him about his suit being good. |
| 7:07 | : How close is Yesavage to Waldrep last year? |
| 7:07 | : Better command, stuff not quite as good |
| 7:07 | : Let’s get it on |
| 7:07 | : It’s loud in here and totally full |
| 7:08 | : I second the podcast request. EL is the goat. |
| 7:10 | : Multiple sources telling me Bazzana will go 1 |
| 7:12 | : Who is your favorite player in this draft? Can be aesthetics, vibes, or just the player you think is the best |
| 7:12 | : Seaver King |
| 7:13 | : Mariners going college pitcher no matter what or BPA? |
| 7:13 | : Tough to say college arm for sure because they are scant |
| 7:13 | : Trey if he’s there, if he’s not I don’t think they reach for one |
| 7:13 | : stockyards is an awesome venue |
| 7:14 | : I thought it was a little too on the nose to have the draft here, like the people who named Neugenix Total T decided to have it here, but I’m loving it |
| 7:14 | : Chase Burns going second according to two sources |
| 7:14 | : Hi Eric, thanks for doing this as always. What do you think of the return for Hunter Harvey? |
| 7:15 | : Super cool to add a pick the night before the draft, I like Wallace as a part time corner guy, someone who you win with but not because of. Let’s see what they do with the extra pick and $ |
| 7:15 | : Speaking of Kiley, I just listened to the audiobook version of Future Value. I only liked your parts though I promise |
| 7:16 | : I feel like the seams show in our writing voices for sure |
| 7:16 | : If kurtz didn’t have any injury history how would he compare to Jac? |
| 7:16 | : Not quite that nutty an athlete |
| 7:17 | : What are the mechanics of independent media spoiling the picks? Like, the Guardians have actually already selected and the broadcast is 10 mins behind so they can queue up their packages? Or it’s actually leaked? Would be wild for a team employee to be dialing the press before it’s official. |
| 7:17 | : I’m texting with like 20 draft rooms |
| 7:17 | : I keep them abreast and vice versa |
| 7:17 | : they get time to prep and i do my annual flex so you know I’m not faking this |
| 7:17 | : Is there a guy, not a top 10ish, that you think we could look back 5 years from now on and wonder how he became the best player from this draft? |
| 7:18 | : One of the high school infielders who goes late 1st/comp, a la Gunnar |
| 7:18 | : Jurrangelo Cijntje |
| 7:18 | : Sain-ja |
| 7:19 | : I have Condon going 3 |
| 7:21 | : Then one source says Kurtz after that to Oakland but I’m working to confirm, wouldn’t act on that just yet |
| 7:21 | : Is Bazzana limited to 2B, or can he play 3B or OF? |
| 7:21 | : below-avg 2B, LF if things don’t go well |
| 7:23 | : Will anyone let Jac pitch? Or will he go into rookie ball as a 1B/DH? |
| 7:24 | : velo way down this year |
| 7:24 | : by “wouldnt act on that just yet” you dont mean slam max bet on draftkings right? |
| 7:24 | : that’s exactly what i mean |
| 7:24 | : Did you have Caglione as a 45+ the other day? I’m seeing 50 now. |
| 7:24 | : I did, an old scout talked me into it |
| 7:25 | : Condon should hit about a billion HR in Coors, right? |
| 7:25 | : Yeah, I’m scared of his hit tool somewhat but that’s a great fit |
| 7:26 | : does condon’s chase #s concern you at all? |
| 7:26 | : yes, weird home road splits in that regard |
| 7:26 | : Condon seems too big for 3B, like Mayo. Is a move to LF or 1B imminent? |
| 7:26 | : Kinda liked how he looked in CF on tape |
| 7:26 | : When you say an “old scout” is that someone you have known a long time or someone who has been a scout for decades? |
| 7:26 | : The latter |
| 7:26 | : Scouting as long as I’ve been alive |
| 7:26 | : Does mlb sell tickets to their draft? |
| 7:28 | : Hagen Smith going five |
| 7:28 | : At Coors Condon is a corner outfielder for sure but they need guys like that in the corner |
| 7:28 | : Feels like they know they have the position players to tilt with anyone so let’s get pitching |
| 7:29 | : feels fine |
| 7:29 | : Keith heard a rumor of all college players in top 10. Would that shock you? |
| 7:29 | : Yeah, teams thirsty for Rainer |
| 7:31 | : lol freudian, didn’t even think of that because I’m an east coast boy |
| 7:31 | : we need a kid with the last name Yuengling |
| 7:33 | : I have multiple sources saying Jac Caglianone to Kansas City |
| 7:33 | : What’s the furthest Wetherholt will fall? |
| 7:33 | : i think, unless Washington buys him back |
| 7:33 | : So it’s Braden Montgomery and the HS guys falling it seems |
| 7:34 | : hold on Cags, one source saying Raine to KC now |
| 7:34 | : nevermind he jus corrected it |
| 7:34 | : gave me a heart attack |
| 7:34 | : 80 grade names in the draft? |
| 7:34 | : Bro, Jurrangelo Cijntje |
| 7:36 | : Is Kurtz’ OBP something of a red flag? As in, the plate discipline is great, but if he’s borderline passive against college pitching, he’s going to have a rude awakening at AA and above? Or are his swing decisions just that good? |
| 7:37 | : People seem to think it’s real, I am more skeptical |
| 7:37 | : Lotta JJ Wetherholt going 7 buzz on my phone |
| 7:37 | : We need a pick name Yuengling, then the next pick is Gastrointestinal Distress, RHP |
| 7:38 | : Oh yeah! |
| 7:39 | : He asked for 80 grade not names that break the scale |
| 7:40 | : So as a reminder I have Wetherholt here at 7 |
| 7:41 | : And now I have sources saying Christian Moore to LAA after JJ goes |
| 7:42 | : “unless Washington buys him back” How would that work? Wetherholt tells the Angels/Cardinals/Pirates to back off because he won’t sign for less than $Xmil? Would teams call his bluff or do they tend to honor those requests? |
| 7:42 | : Depends on the team |
| 7:42 | : From David Laurila A’s scouting director Eric Kubota to FanGraphs in February: “That’s a good question, and it’s going to be particularly pertinent in this year’s draft because of who some of the top college players are. First basemen have always been a bit of a scouting red flag.” |
| 7:42 | : Smokescreen, respect |
| 7:42 | : I don’t know Kubota because I’m too intimated to say hi to him, such a G |
| 7:43 | : Any particular reason for Wetherholt falling to 7? Is it all because of the hamstring? |
| 7:43 | : I think this tier of player is all kinda the same and this is just how it fell |
| 7:46 | : Mlb has Jac listed as a “TWP”. Is that two-way player? |
| 7:47 | : Based on your looks, who is the fastest mover in this draft? |
| 7:48 | : Burns and Smith |
| 7:48 | : Think Christian Moore is underslot at 8? And would it be a decent chunk of savings? |
| 7:48 | : Possibly, of the college bats he’s the one who felt like he might fall because the contact piece is less great than the others and all the teams in the 12-20 range care about that |
| 7:49 | : Do you think any of the 2 way players will be able to stick with it? |
| 7:49 | : I’d try Cags as a RP and RF |
| 7:49 | : Is every top 10 pick immediately in your top 100 mlb prospects? |
| 7:49 | : All the 50 FV guys |
| 7:51 | : What’s the farthest you could see Honeycutt falling? |
| 7:51 | : Good question, i have him in the 40s because I’m terrified of his bat |
| 7:52 | : BAL did it with Jud Fabian a few years ago, right? Same type of guy, probably same range |
| 7:52 | : Tigers HS player at 11 or Waldschmidt? |
| 7:53 | : It’s going to be Konnor Griffin, multiple sources |
| 7:55 | : For Pittsburgh i mean |
| 7:55 | : SOrry, I’m all thumbs right now |
| 7:55 | : I don’t know DET yet |
| 7:55 | : Does that mean Rainer to DC? |
| 7:56 | : Will let you know as soon as I do, nothing yet |
| 7:56 | : would be damn good |
| 7:56 | : I like Konnor Griffin a lot but I am nervous because the Pirates have not done a great job with hitters and Griffin needs some work. |
| 7:56 | : I think that’s fair but I also like that they aren’t drafting based on need/proximity |
| 7:57 | : Multiple sources Saying Seaver King to Washington |
| 7:58 | : Is Rainer getting floated |
| 7:58 | : Trying to think about who might be doing that if true |
| 7:58 | : At this point could Arizona do it? |
| 8:01 | : Nothing on the Tigers yet |
| 8:02 | : What does getting floated mean |
| 8:03 | : It means a team has promised a big, over slot bonus later on and the player and his agent are quoting that number to teams picking now. the number is higher than the slot at these picks so teams aren’t comfortable doing it |
| 8:03 | : or not prepared to |
| 8:03 | : Feel like Caminiti and Cam Smith might fall now that Rainer and Montgomery have, dominoes and all that |
| 8:05 | : Lotta people learned about Rainer going on the broadcast, i had one source when commish walked out |
| 8:06 | : Any rumors on Red Sox?? |
| 8:06 | : One source, Cam Smith |
| 8:06 | : Now a second source |
| 8:07 | : Has a team ever had three top ten picks and still had as mediocre a season as Wake Forest just did? |
| 8:07 | : Kentucky basketball? |
| 8:08 | : Now one source saying Monty to Boston but it’s the one that was wrong before |
| 8:08 | : now a second saying montgomery to boston |
| 8:08 | : now a third |
| 8:09 | : Was Oakland reaching for Kurtz? |
| 8:09 | : IMO, yes but lots of people love him |
| 8:09 | : Do you think Montgomery is being floated or just falling? |
| 8:09 | : just the latter I think |
| 8:11 | : Who do you like better Montgomery or Cam Smith |
| 8:12 | : There are ranking on the site, dude |
| 8:12 | : any read on the giants yet? |
| 8:12 | : James Tibbs |
| 8:12 | : Thanks for doing this Eric, any news about who the jays are leaning towards? |
| 8:12 | : Buzz today was the two college catchers, Moore and Janek |
| 8:13 | : Cubs taking Yesavage? |
| 8:13 | : working on it |
| 8:13 | : as in, i am working on it, idk if they are |
| 8:16 | : I have Cam Smith going next to the Cubs and then Seattle I have one source but lemme work that for a sec |
| 8:17 | : Okay buncha sources now saying Jurrangelo Cijntje to SEA |
| 8:22 | : sorry i’m neglecting yall |
| 8:22 | : Seattle taking Cijntje gives him a 5 FV boost IMO, great dev group |
| 8:23 | : I am super excited to see what their dev group can do with him |
| 8:24 | : Multiple sources saying PJ Morlando to Miami |
| 8:25 | : Will the red Sox have to pay over slot for Montgomery? |
| 8:25 | : I dont believe so but they did for Teel, right? |
| 8:26 | : I can’t recall |
| 8:28 | : Will you be giving grades today or later in the week or . . . not until five years from now? |
| 8:28 | : I’ll do analysis for tomorrow |
| 8:29 | : How difficult does this “juiced ball” college era make evaluating power? Do wood bat leagues have trackman? |
| 8:29 | : very difficult, so many guys doubled their career homer total this year, lots of conspiratorial talk about juiced bats and what not too |
| 8:32 | : Red Sox were under slot for Teel last year by about $600k |
| 8:32 | : ah, thanks |
| 8:33 | : How far is yesavage going to fall? |
| 8:33 | : seems like a few more picks at least |
| 8:34 | : I have HS OF Braylon Payne with Milwaukee. |
| 8:34 | : Has anyone helped themselves at the combine more than Morlando? |
| 8:34 | : IDK, all of his BPs looked like that when I saw him |
| 8:35 | : I’d expect Payne to be under slot so Milwaukee is officially on over slot watch rest of the draft |
| 8:35 | : After Milwaukee I have Theo Gillen to TBR |
| 8:36 | : Is Wake Forest doing anything in its pitching lab that MLB teams aren’t doing with their player development? Does it make teams look at Burns or Lowder as more of a finished product with less projectability? |
| 8:36 | : I think the number of teams who are way behind Wake has probably shrunk to like 1 or 2, and probably more because of $ than philosophy |
| 8:37 | : Carson Benge to the Mets |
| 8:39 | : Just wanted to say thanks for doing this, Eric. This makes draft day so much fun! |
| 8:39 | : Thanks dude, I’m having fun too but am starting to feel the effects of sitting for so long lol |
| 8:40 | : Have you won $ on draft props from my dope? yes (11.5% | 16 votes) no (88.4% | 123 votes) Total Votes: 139 |
| 8:40 | : How do you feel about an under slot strategy given the strength of the draft class? |
| 8:40 | : If you believe in your room and in your dev, I think it’s fine |
| 8:40 | : Who is Tampa taking? |
| 8:40 | : Theo Gillen |
| 8:41 | : Did William Schmidt pull his name out of the draft? |
| 8:41 | : Yes, I’ve heard rumors about SEC schools (mostly, others too) dangling six figures to get kids to school |
| 8:43 | : Oh my goodness draft props are a thing?!? I hope someone is cashing in |
| 8:43 | : Too early to ask about braves whispers? lol. |
| 8:43 | : Yes because we dont know who the Jays are taking yet |
| 8:43 | : super quiet |
| 8:43 | : Was Schmidt going to LSU a failed leverage play by his camp or did LSU’s boosters come in strong late? |
| 8:43 | : That’s a Kiley question |
| 8:44 | : Twins on yeasavage or waldschmidt |
| 8:44 | : I’d guess Waldy but I didn’t think Yesavage would be here |
| 8:47 | : Okay it looks like Yesavage’s slide stops with the Blue Jays |
| 8:47 | : Interesting that the Rays announced Gillen as an OF |
| 8:48 | : Arm strength has not returned post labrum tear, 2B or CF was always gonna be the thing |
| 8:49 | : How will the Mets screw this up? |
| 8:49 | : I love Benge dude |
| 8:49 | : look at him swing, it’s the sexiest swing in the draft |
| 8:53 | : my phone cannot handle how fast i am texting peple right now |
| 8:54 | : Whats up with Caminiti? High ask im guessing? |
| 8:54 | : Might be with Cleveland in the comp |
| 8:54 | : or MIL now, right? since they cut |
| 8:56 | : Hey Eric thanks for doing the chat – any last minute intel on O’s? |
| 8:56 | : Working on that, Have Kaelen Culpepper here to Twins, then Kellon Lindsey to Dodgers |
| 8:56 | : don’t know who is sando’d in beween |
| 8:57 | : Now have multiple folks saying Vance Honeycutt to Baltimore |
| 8:57 | : Eric can you tell us why in the world any fan would attend the draft in person |
| 8:58 | : They like baseball enough? |
| 8:59 | : lots of free swag too |
| 8:59 | : It’s fun in here, great vibe |
| 8:59 | : Caminiti to AZ possible? |
| 9:00 | : They have the dough, not sure what his number is |
| 9:00 | : I went to an official NFL draft event at a stadium. But that was more to stand on the field go through the lockerrooms |
| 9:00 | : I was at the Anthony Davis draft in Newark |
| 9:00 | : Mo Harkless baby! |
| 9:00 | : Any intel on the Braves pick? |
| 9:01 | : Sounds like they’re shopping around. Working it |
| 9:01 | : Where are you in the building? |
| 9:01 | : I’m the handsome one |
| 9:02 | : Third row from the back, red shirt, 80 grade head of hair |
| 9:03 | : Seems like as good a time as any for the O’s to take a SP. Are they really just allergic to drafting them high? |
| 9:03 | : told yall honeycutt right? |
| 9:03 | : lol maybe i didn’t post that in here, my bad |
| 9:03 | : Kellon Linsdey next to Dodgers |
| 9:05 | : lol okay |
| 9:05 | : Any info on what the Dodgers see/like in Lindsey? |
| 9:05 | : Elite speed, more body projection than generally assumed |
| 9:07 | : Why do none of my messages get posted after moderation? |
| 9:07 | : I put the questions into the post here |
| 9:07 | : Is Rainer at worst a low batting average/good power solid fielding shortstop (or third baseman) for the Tigers? They have McGonigle at shortstop, but maybe McGonigle to second, Keith to first base with some fans giving up on Torkelson at first |
| 9:08 | : Sloan to the Braves? They seem to like Illinois guys |
| 9:08 | : Caminiti to the Braves, multiple sources |
| 9:08 | : What are you hearing (if anything) in regards to HOU? |
| 9:09 | : Nothing yet, will obviously try to get it |
| 9:10 | : lol, ok, so that one gets posted. 😛 I was wondering what your thoughts were on Trey Yesavage (Jays first rounder)? |
| 9:10 | : Yesavage was an eastern PA high schooler (Boyertown, James Develin and A.J. Bogucki’s alma mater) who matriculated to ECU and carved. He ran a sub-3.00 ERA as a sophomore and junior and had a top five ERA in college baseball this season. He also struck out 145 batters in 93.1 innings as a junior, a 17-inning increase from his prior season. It would have been more, but Yesavage dealt with a partially collapsed lung late in May. He was back for the college postseason and while his fastball velocity was down slightly during his duel with Chase Burns (he averaged 92 rather than his usual 94), Yesavage looked fine and then flew to the Combine (which he couldn’t have done without a healthy lung). Yesavage has a super vertical release point, nearly seven feet high at release, and is somewhat similar to Oliver Drake in that some of his breaking balls have arm-side action. He’s able to command a mid-80s slider/cutter that looks and plays like either of those two pitches depending on the vertical location (the higher o |
| 9:10 | : Sloan or White to Yankees? |
| 9:10 | : Sloan’s number was big, like 4 mil (heard this today) so I’m not sure anyone will take him unless it’s MIL in the comp |
| 9:11 | : Lindsey feels a lot like Kendall George from 2023 |
| 9:11 | : Bigger power ceiling, imo |
| 9:11 | : George was under slot, they had their pocket picked by Seattle with Farmelo |
| 9:11 | : SD finally going to take a college guy in the 1st? Also anything on NYY? |
| 9:12 | : Some Janek buzz with NYY but nothing firm, and i just had someone picking behind them say they thought NYY was gonna be a college arm |
| 9:13 | : What was your phone battery level at the start of the draft and what is it now? |
| 9:13 | : 85ih to 45 |
| 9:13 | : Can you grab me a water |
| 9:14 | : I’m out and about to use one of my empty bottles to pee |
| 9:14 | : Sd taking caminiti? |
| 9:14 | : nah bro said ATL a few minutes ago |
| 9:14 | : Trivia Q-What is the only other draft in past decade with no catchers going in the Top 20? |
| 9:14 | : Have to fight thru a layer of resin to find that one deep in my synapses |
| 9:15 | : Any Mayfield buzz? |
| 9:15 | : San Diego |
| 9:15 | : Surprised you don’t have an additional power source |
| 9:16 | : I do i just didn’t plug in yet |
| 9:16 | : so cumbersome |
| 9:16 | : Pretty cool story from the Mets – Benge and Nolan McLean used to room together on road trips at while at OSU |
| 9:16 | : super cool |
| 9:19 | : Is Honeycutt a weird fit for Baltimore, or did they just go BPA? |
| 9:19 | : They really think they can improve guys pitch recog and approach |
| 9:20 | : hearing Ben Hess to Yankees |
| 9:21 | : ur late on that one |
| 9:22 | : others are wojing, right? Good |
| 9:22 | : Any picks you are really surprised by? |
| 9:22 | : No Waldschmidt yet |
| 9:25 | : I have Dante Nori with Philly |
| 9:26 | : First guy not on The Board |
| 9:27 | : Will work to get him on there |
| 9:27 | : He’s gonna be 20 soon so not a model pick for sure |
| 9:29 | : Hess to the Yankees. Another one of their weird picks? |
| 9:30 | : They turn so many weirdos into good players |
| 9:30 | : Are other sources shocked by the pick? |
| 9:30 | : By Nori? Yeah because of his age. I think some teams had him in the second round |
| 9:32 | : HOU with Walker Janek |
| 9:34 | : Klaw said it was weird that people seemed to be discounting Hess |
| 9:34 | : Medical stuff |
| 9:35 | : Getting Slade Caldwell dope to Arizona |
| 9:36 | : Then Malcolm Moore to Texas |
| 9:37 | : Is his control THAT bad? |
| 9:37 | : It’s pretty bad but his stuff is so so nasty |
| 9:38 | : Caldwell seems like such a dback build |
| 9:39 | : What is happening with Waldschmidt? Overslot somewhere? |
| 9:40 | : Dont think so, haven’t asked anyone why he’s sliding |
| 9:40 | : i shall |
| 9:40 | : How long will this chat last? |
| 9:40 | : Until I have to start writing |
| 9:41 | : Surprised of the draft so Far for you? Kurtz at 4? Moore at 8? Cijintje over Yesevage? Payne at 92? |
| 9:41 | : I think you nailed the list of them |
| 9:45 | : Why is Seaver King your favorite player in the draft? |
| 9:45 | : Super super athlete, small school background, plays all over, crazy strong for his size, lotta dev left and way different than most college prospects |
| 9:46 | : Are you surprised at all that Brecht didn’t go yet? |
| 9:46 | : Not crazy surprised but obvs I’d have taken him by now |
| 9:47 | : Not clear who Arizona is taking after Texas takes Moore but have Waldschmidt finding a home with Baltimore behind them. Kinda foggy right now, honestly |
| 9:47 | : Any HS pitcher MIL at 34 is in on since they saved money in the 1st? |
| 9:48 | : That sounds right but idk which one they like best |
| 9:48 | : Lots of guys who are their type floating around that area |
| 9:48 | : Is the gap between Kurtz and Caglianone that sizeable in your opinion? |
| 9:49 | : Yes because I tend to be one the big time athletes, but other people don’t feel that way. And Cags’ plate discipline is terrible and there are people who really care about that. |
| 9:49 | : Some feel like they can fix it, others not |
| 9:49 | : Do the tigers underslot the next pick because of Rainer |
| 9:49 | : I would guess Rainer is slot |
| 9:50 | : Compared to NHL/NFL/NBA, is it the most difficult sport to disaggregate player dev from draft evaluation in your opinion? |
| 9:50 | : Probably but the NFL has the scheme fit part of the equation which is kinda similar |
| 9:51 | : I should have pee’d during this window |
| 9:51 | : What did MIL do to low dollar / undrafted 2023 guys like Yoho, Wichrowski and Hunt to get so much out of them so soon? |
| 9:51 | : It’s the kinda thing I’d try to reverse engineer from video and changes in their data which I haven’t done yet. Unsure exactly what. |
| 9:52 | : New intel: sounds like Ben Hess is under slot |
| 9:54 | : So they are maybe not announcing picks out loud anymore? |
| 9:55 | : They just put Ryan Waldschmidt’s picture on the big screen with no announcement. |
| 9:55 | : Next to an Arizona logo |
| 9:56 | : okay now they put Griff O’Ferrall up there next to Baltimore logo |
| 9:56 | : The vibe in here is weird now as we’re all shocked this is happening with no announcements |
| 10:00 | : Where are you guys getting the picks from now? |
| 10:00 | : Melanie Newman doing the announcements on TV |
| 10:00 | : Ah ok |
| 10:01 | : Ok I’m done Wojing now but will chat for a while longer |
| 10:01 | : MLB.com draft tracker |
| 10:03 | : What are the Orioles doing with O’Ferrall. Are there no arms they can take? |
| 10:03 | : Model-driven type, up the middle guy with great contact skill |
| 10:03 | : This seems like a bit of a reach for O’Ferrall, no? Saw him in the 80s in your ranking. |
| 10:04 | : Just don’t see the upside |
| 10:04 | : Did you make it over to the futures game? Any new dope from over there? |
| 10:04 | : Yes I got a ton of good video that I’ll be posting after the draft. |
| 10:04 | : Know what, let’s do this. Put in chat what pitcher from the Futures Game you want to see homeplate view of |
| 10:05 | : Will there be a mid-season top 100 update then? |
| 10:05 | : Yes but more built around me updating Buyers’ systems prior to the deadline |
| 10:05 | : What was the general vibe from the skills competition? Just for fun, or anything scouts/analysts can take away from it? |
| 10:05 | : Honestly I had trouble hearing what the hell was going on |
| 10:05 | : The music was so loud and I had to finish the Padres list |
| 10:06 | : Hey I did 30 lists again woooooo! |
| 10:06 | : Quinn Matthews and Bubba Chandler neck and neck in your guys requests |
| 10:06 | : Are the brewers saving up for one big target or are they planning on spreading the money around? |
| 10:06 | : I’m gonna guess the latter just because of their tendencies in the past but I don’t know for sure |
| 10:06 | : Thanks for the lists. I know it is a lot of work, and even though it takes a while it is very much appreciated as you do great depth. |
| 10:06 | : Gracias |
| 10:08 | : After which round does it generally mean top rated high schoolers are going to school? |
| 10:09 | : If your number is 2mil or more then after round 2 |
| 10:09 | : Brecht is gonna go now i think |
| 10:09 | : rockies |
| 10:10 | : Texas is now only 5 games out in their division. Are they going to buy, sell, or hold in your estimation? |
| 10:10 | : Buy, baby |
| 10:10 | : defend you title |
| 10:11 | : Sykora got 2.6 in the third last year fwiw. Shoving in A. |
| 10:11 | : Right, if a team has money they can do it, but it’s like a team or two rather than any of them |
| 10:12 | : Who had Rockies winning the draft on their bingo card |
| 10:12 | : Any updates on Sloan? |
| 10:12 | : No, just that his number was supposedly 4mil |
| 10:14 | : To Woj: Verb, the act of sourcing information from agents and inside draft rooms to break news before the pick is announced at the draft |
| 10:14 | : Any reason why William Schidmt has dropped so much? |
| 10:14 | : He pulled his name out, heading to LSU |
| 10:14 | : So it turned out to be Lomavita and Wallace for Harvey-good move Nate |
| 10:14 | : I still think they have $ to play with, not just the pick |
| 10:14 | : Because King is probably under slot, Lomavita slot |
| 10:15 | : Up to 101, near the Dbacks and Rockies spring stadium |
| 10:15 | : up the 101* |
| 10:16 | : How is the food at the venue? |
| 10:16 | : Haven’t eaten yet today kiddos |
| 10:16 | : Skinny 6-foot-5 righty with relatively advanced repertoire and effortless delivery. Short, repeatable arm stroke, especially for his size. Fastball was in the upper-80s last fall with Team USA, more 92-93 this spring. Secondary pitches all have distinct shape and movement; Sterling lives around the zone with them but lacks precise command. None of the secondary weapons are particularly nasty right now, requires projecting on Sterling throwing everything harder. Lower-variance high school prospect with backend starter projection. |
| 10:16 | : Any Intel on pirates pick Levi Sterling? |
| 10:16 | : Haven’t eaten today at all?? |
| 10:17 | : Nope, busy busy busy |
| 10:17 | : Hey man hows it going |
| 10:17 | : Very well but I’m probably gonna stop chatting kinda soon so i can start writing analysis |
| 10:19 | : what in the world are the A’s doing? two 1Bs? |
| 10:19 | : White can play 3B |
| 10:20 | : Who do you think got the best value pick so far? |
| 10:20 | : Probably Brecht but I don’t feel great about them developing him |
| 10:20 | : It’s a Riley Pint do-over for them I guess |
| 10:21 | : Is Jared Thomas a money saver for Condon/Brecht |
| 10:21 | : No I think all those guys are probably slot |
| 10:21 | : Hey Eric – will you consider re-igniting the weekly/monthly chats on fangraphs? I found those very informative |
| 10:22 | : I tend to get some pretty abrasive chronically online people in my chats and stopped doing them once they started getting personal. Maybe I’ll revisit. I’ve been pretty cloistered from online lately |
| 10:22 | : Biggest reach of the draft? |
| 10:22 | : Dante Nori |
| 10:23 | : Eric, do you have a second round grade still available you really like? |
| 10:23 | : Dasan Hill |
| 10:23 | : Would it be considered a bad outcome at pick 38 for Brecht to become a high leverage reliever? |
| 10:23 | : Thoughts on cortez? |
| 10:23 | : Was incredible during the 2024 college postseason, mowed through several SEC lineups in a high-leverage long relief role. Medium frame with below-average athletic projection. Short-stride, cross-bodied delivery with low three-quarters slot. Fastball plays like Justin Martinez of the D-backs. Sits in the upper-90s with heavy sink across multiple innings. Upper-80s slider with curveball shape when Cortez lands it in the zone, more sweeper-style movement when it’s on the glove-side part of the plate. Threw a handful of changeups in 2024 but is mostly just a two-pitch guy. Candidate for a splitter in pro ball. Quick-moving, impact reliever. |
| 10:24 | : Santucci: Santucci had surgery to clean up bone chips in his elbow last year, but looked nasty in the fall and during 2024 preseason activity. He also dealt with a 2024 rib injury that cost him most of May and he only threw a couple of innings in June (he looked healthy, up to 97). He never threw more than 58 innings in any college season and struggled with walks. Santucci’s approach to pitching is probably never going to be efficient. His rise/run fastball averages 94 mph, topping out at 97. It has plus vertical break, and he might even be able to coax more out with a slight shift in axis. A tightly-wound athlete who lacks feel for release, lots of fastballs sail on him (look out lefty hitters). Santucci can struggle to get over his front side and finish his breaking ball, too. He has a pretty nasty slider on pure stuff, 82-85 mph with plus two-plane length; the pitch had a 56% miss rate, per Synergy. Santucci rarely found himself in changeup counts due to his erratic command. He struggles to locate it in en |
| 10:24 | : Is Luke Dickerson not on the board? |
| 10:24 | : Correct, didn’t love the bat the way some teams did, thought he’d end up at A&M. I’ll get him on there wih a report. He’s a prospect, just not a top 100 guy for me |
| 10:28 | : Okay everyone, i’m gonna take stretch my legs and then start writing day one analysis. Please peruse the Board for reports on the rest of today’s selections and read my piece tomorrow. Also please check out the FanGraphs Youtube channel for prospect videos, which should flow more readily now that my huge crunch has ended |
| 10:28 | : Thanks and good night |
Eric Longenhagen is from Catasauqua, PA and currently lives in Tempe, AZ. He spent four years working for the Phillies Triple-A affiliate, two with Baseball Info Solutions and two contributing to prospect coverage at ESPN.com. Previous work can also be found at Sports On Earth, CrashburnAlley and Prospect Insider.
