Flash

Gray and Sheffield for Rodon?

For what its worth, among high 2018 picks considered to be power hitters, Bart, Bohm and Beer rated 55s and Gorman 60.

Based on MLB.coms rating of the top 100 prospects there are exactly 2 who score higher than 60 for power, Eloy (70) and Vlad Jr. (65).

60 not spectacular???

I believe there will be an opportunity to gain on Cleveland in the Central with a few personnel moves, possibly competing for POs in 2019. Of course everything will need to converge perfectly. That said, unless we have a viable alternative, I'd keep Avi and roll the dice on his returning to 2017 form. He showed flashes between injuries last year. Abreu is another story but I doubt there is a market. Hahn might try to extend him (2yrs at $30M?). At this point, he appears best suited as a DH and platoon 1B along with his clubhouse influence. One player I would be interested in is Greg Bird on Yankees. He is 26 yrs. old and a big defensive upgrade. He struggled last year and was replaced by Voit but he has a big LH bat and might be a change of scenery candidate the Yankees would part with (Yankees can use a back up catcher). I would also move on Donaldson and any/all starting pitchers with potential.

Guessing Vaughn will be a candidate for a position change as a pro. Was a HS shortstop/pitcher who has also thrown a bit at Cal. He appears to have a 3rd baseman build with a strong arm. The WS could use help at 1st and/or 3rd.

Vaughn... Started all 54 games at first base and hit .402, a mark that ranked third in Cal single-season history. Hit 23 home runs to equal the Cal single-season record set by Xavier Nady in 1999. Finished the regular season second in the country in the category. Set a Cal single-season record with an .819 slugging percentage. Also had 63 RBIs, 44 walks, 12 HBP and struck out only 18 times. Ranked fourth in the nation in on-base percentage (.531) at the conclusion of the regular season. Reached base safely in each of the final 35 games of the season and only failed to reach base in two of Cal's 54 games. Also a premier defender at first base, Vaughn earned Pac-12 All-Defensive team honors with a .992 fielding percentage.

I don't disagree...and yet Vaughn was the Pac 12 player of the year and Golden Spikes winner (best player in nation) over Rutschman, Madrigal and Larnach among others.

Yep. Watch some video of his swing. He's that good.

Travis Shaw isn't that good??? Avg over 30 HRs and 90 RBIs last two seasons. I'd happily take him as 3rd baseman now and into the future.

In 2016, the Oakland As and Atlanta Braves finished last in their divisions with 93 losses each. The Milwaukee Brewers lost 89 games and finished slightly ahead of the Reds, still 30 games behind Cleveland. Two years later and now they will all be duking it out for jewelry. They all took different paths but I don't think any of them 'tanked' in the way the Sox are...with a multi-year horizon (uh excuse) toward competitiveness. Its amazing they are allowed to get away with it. Its okay to nurture prospects but when they are ready, bring them up and in the meantime, at least attempt to field quality players at every position.

I'm guessing he will be gone by #3 for the reasons you cite. If he is still available, it probably means he regressed or got hurt. If neither, he'd be very hard to pass up.

Its not a matter of him developing his glove and I don't know how anyone could possibly construe Lillians comment as 'writing off our best prospect' (which he isn't). The fact is we drafted Madrigal and he will be our 2nd baseman, most likely by 2020. Since Moncada has played 3rd in the past and given our need there, he is a likely candidate to move there. Whats so hard to understand?

The Milwaukee Brewers lost 90 games in 2016. They brought in Craig Counsell part way into the season as manager. They made a few moves to position to compete and improved nicely in 2017. Most casual fans would be hard pressed to name more than one or two members of their starting pitching rotation at end of 2017. All they did to start 2018 was trade for Yelich (lock for MVP) and sign Cain as FA (top 5 MVP) while improving their BP every chance they got. At deadline they trade for Moustakas and Schoop. Still doubt casual fans can name more than 3 starters but after today, they are the odds on favorite to take NL and I wouldn't bet against them for the whole enchilada. My point....you need a plan and a willingness to execute it.

Would love to see him and Madrigal man the right side and be tough outs at top of lineup. Of course I would mind seeing Adley either although I feel organizationally we have better options at catcher right now than 1B. Right now its looking like Sheets and Collins as 1B options.

You want a first baseman who can save throwing errors by picking short hops. It would be a nice bonus if he provided a big target and ideally, glove hand on second base side (somewhat mitigated by todays defensive shifting). Vaughn was a HS SS and 1st team all PAC 12 defense at first. Guessing if he was 6'2" or above there would be little chance he falls to #3 assuming his bat repeats in 2019.

As we sit here today, I could flip coin between Rutschman and Vaughn and I'd swap Witt for Jung. Don't really see any pitchers I'd take at 3 yet and lower minors are rich in OFs so I'd be focused on IF.

He's listed at 5' 11" 215 lbs. I get the knock against short (ish) 1Basemen (doesn't bother me in least). Frankly, I would prefer a LH glove at first. That said, if this kid puts up similar numbers in 2019 as '18, I don't know how WS or anyone can pass on him.

Found a wrist ligament issue during physical although it didn't seem to effect him. Braves used it to low ball their offer vs. slot value. Stewart said no thanks. Risky move.

Agreed. He looks like the 1B version of Mike Trout. I'd hate to pass up the bat because of position, even if he is also good with the leather at 1B. I'd consider Rauschman if available but Vaughn is gonna make an impact.

My too early look at possible draft picks who might be available 3-5 in order of my personal preference... Vaughn - Cal 1B is a generational batsman who was Golden Spikes winner in 2018 (beating out Madrigal and others). Was also Pac 10 all-defense first team. Puts up rediculous numbers (i.e. more HRs than SOs and 800plus SP). Witt - HS SS is among several SS prospects with early first round potential. For me, Witt appears best of bunch. Stewart - RH pitcher who shunned Braves and will likely reenter 2019 draft. Crazy spin rate on breaking ball with mid-90s heat and 6' 6" frame. Rauschman - whats not to like? SH catcher with power, canon arm and demonstrable leadership skills. Likely 1.1 if he repeats 2018 performance.

Lillian - I share your perspective. I might add that a player I have followed throughout the year and who will likely be available in trade is Greg Byrd, 1B NYY. He has had an awful season due, in part, to injuries. The emergence of Voit as a power hitting 1B renders Byrd redundant. I think he is a great change of scenery candidate. He can platoon LH DH and 1B (he is said to be a very good with the glove). If he can rebound and stay healthy, at 26 he might be a viable successor to Abreu (Jose can still DH and spot start at 1B). Guessing he be had for a couple of our fringe 40 man candidates.

Doesn't appear to be consensus among the early forecasts as to top 5 or so prospects. Draft appears rich in SS/middle IF types and catchers.

Rodon to Cardinals for Reyes and Gorman?

Time to get back to the business of tanking. No reason to finish with pick 6-10 when some well executed losing can net us #3.