SOXTALK DRAFT THREAD, DAY TWO

[dasox24]

Lots of people have been ranting against this draft but I think that we need to remember 2 things

 

1. The draft needs to be considered as a whole body of work not just a pick by pick basis. We may take a couple guys who will easily sign so we can roll the dice on guys like Buch, Jones or Thompson who may want big money. You can't just take the best guy on the board every round unless you have an unlimited budget which we don't. This isn't like the NBA or NFL draft where you get selected and don't really have any other choice but to play for the team who drafts you.

 

2. You never really know how some of these picks will turn out. There's a good chance that there was some stud signability player that the Cardinals passed on when they too Pujols in the 13th round back in the day. There were probably some cards guys yelling at the monitor because they passed on their guy. You never know how things will turn out so our excitement and judgment needs to be tempered until we first see who actually signs and then see who among these players can be coached up to their potential.

 

my 2 cents

Yeah, I get that. But at this point (after the 10th round), nobody cares who we draft. I sure as hell won't be yelling at the computer screen b/c of who we draft in the 13th round b/c I don't know who anyone is that's left in the draft. That passed long ago. I'd say people have a legitimate reason to be disappointed if we overdrafted guys in the early rounds (e.g. Anything before round 10). No, we don't have unlimited funds, but Thompson isn't a guy that's gonna get a $1M signing bonus. That's the kind of guy I wanted to see us take in the 4th-7th rounds. We didn't spend s*** this past offseason and are about to unload a ton of money this coming offseason. I think we could have afforded taking a guy like Scheppers, Bailey, etc and given them the money they want to sign.

 

That's how you build a legit minor league system; not by overdrafting guys and taking average players. That's what the Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, Yankees do and that's why they always have highly ranked systems and even if they don't seem like they're gonna fit in, then you can trade them b/c of their pedigree and usually can something pretty good in return. While we don't dominate a big market like those teams, I don't believe for 1 second we don't have the money to spend on these young guys. We may be Chicago's 2nd team, but we're still in better shape than a lot of teams like the Royals, who did go out and take some big money signs in Crow and Myers. Those two players' signing bonuses combined will be more than we spend on our first 5 picks. If they can do it, so can we.

[bigruss]

Great selection. Hopefully we can get him sign. YOu sign him and the draft looks a lot better. Offer him low to mid 6 figures and see if he bites.

Seriously, this is where those reaches will open up the chance to sign someone like Dane. Do it White Sox.

[Chisoxfn]

Dane reached 91 MPH on the scouting video, but also looks like he uses more arm than legs. Re-work his motion to use more legs, and let him develop, probably throw harder. Other report has him higher which is good. Definitely a tough sign, but I like the value here and the risk. Show him the $$.

More on Dane

 

The 6-5, 200 Williams would go on to pitch three not-so-sharp innings, giving up five hits to the Sailors and two runs. His team would beat Sarasota 8-5 in the end.

 

Williams did show good stuff in the bullpen and during his three innings of work, but his command just wasn’t there in his first start back.

 

Williams threw 90-93 MPH with a running fastball that I projected for average major league movement in the future. His slider was 78-82 MPH with a sharp lateral bite, but he seemed to be tipping off the pitch by slowing his arm to throw it. The break itself is almost major league-average right now and has a chance to become plus in the future.

 

He was working noticeably slow; I wasn’t sure if it was by his choice or simply the pace at which pitches were being called from the dugout, but Williams was finding it difficult to get into a rhythm.

 

From watching his delivery, Williams is an average athlete who repeats his slots okay. He doesn’t rock back and get much drive from his core and lower half, and there’s a noticeable head-jerk. Williams has a long, quick arm-action, with a three-quarter release that does well to create movement on his fastball.

 

Williams has a larger than average build, but is very lanky and can probably put on 25-30 more lbs by the time he’s matured. He’s noticeably wide in his hips and still slender in his lower half. His hands are very big, leading me to think he could be a split-fingered fastball thrower at some point in the future.

 

All in all, he showed that his stuff was back, but to go early in the draft he’ll need to be sharper with his command come the end of May. Our scouts noted similar stuff and velocity over the WWBA and PG tournaments he’d attended in the past, most recently the big one in Jupiter last October.

 

Williams has signed with North Carolina State.

 

It should be noted that this write-up was based upon his first non-rehab appearance.

[zenryan]

I'm surprised at the Bellamy selection in the 5th round. I've seen a good amount of him and he's got good size but he's a specialist type pitcher at the MLB level. I like him as a pitcher but you dont draft s specialist this early in the draft IMO. Maybe someone can change his delivery and try to utilize his size and become more of a power arm.

[He_Gawn]

Dan Black from purdue

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_i...tent_id=4818401

 

.310 but had a sweet BB rate and his OBP was .518....62 BBs in 174 ABs...15 HR also...won't win any awards for best body..but he's a 1b

 

Haha oh crazy, I played with him too. I could probably set something up with Dan. Actually anyone probably could, one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

[Chisoxfn]

Yeah, I get that. But at this point (after the 10th round), nobody cares who we draft. I sure as hell won't be yelling at the computer screen b/c of who we draft in the 13th round b/c I don't know who anyone is that's left in the draft. That passed long ago. I'd say people have a legitimate reason to be disappointed if we overdrafted guys in the early rounds (e.g. Anything before round 10). No, we don't have unlimited funds, but Thompson isn't a guy that's gonna get a $1M signing bonus. That's the kind of guy I wanted to see us take in the 4th-7th rounds. We didn't spend s*** this past offseason and are about to unload a ton of money this coming offseason. I think we could have afforded taking a guy like Scheppers, Bailey, etc and given them the money they want to sign.

 

That's how you build a legit minor league system; not by overdrafting guys and taking average players. That's what the Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, Yankees do and that's why they always have highly ranked systems and even if they don't seem like they're gonna fit in, then you can trade them b/c of their pedigree and usually can something pretty good in return. While we don't dominate a big market like those teams, I don't believe for 1 second we don't have the money to spend on these young guys. We may be Chicago's 2nd team, but we're still in better shape than a lot of teams like the Royals, who did go out and take some big money signs in Crow and Myers. Those two players' signing bonuses combined will be more than we spend on our first 5 picks. If they can do it, so can we.

Just to point out, but Thompson is going to take a 6 figure bonus to sign. He was pretty much our only above slot selection (in terms of what it'll take to get him to go pro) of the first 7 or so rounds. We might have taken two-four guys today that would take above slot to sign, Dane being one of them. The others are Buch, Jones, and Ballinger. Jones because of a strong commit, Ballinger because he's a draft eligible sophmore with a chance to really improve his stock. I put Buch on the list, but he's a small college kid so I'd be surprised if it took above slot to get him to sign, despite the fact that he went far lower in the draft than expected. Either way I am a fan of all of the above selections.

[Jimbo's Drinker]

Daniel black looks like the white version of Barolo Colon, beefcake

[Chisoxfn]

More on Dane Williams:

6'6", 205 lbs. After suffering a torn ACL in the fall, Williams has emerged this spring with a dynamic arm and legitimate pro size. Already blessed with a huge frame, Dane's fastball sits around the low 90's, but this will improve with better conditioning. His only true secondary offering is a high-70's, low 80's slider that is delivered out of a three-quarters arm slot. While extremely raw, with the need for a changeup and some semblance of command, Williams should get a lot of attention on draft day. Wait until the end of the video to see him.

 

Video (Wait till the end of the video):

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/insider-...ller/1716227327

 

BA snippet: "His biggest question marks revolve around his command of the fastball and ability to develop a changeup, which he hasn't needed as a prep. Williams was closing strong, throwing a no-hitter in the 4-A regional finals to help Archbishop McCarthy reach the state final four for the first time."

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

Okay...

 

THROW MONEY AT GOODWIN!

[Palehosefan]

Sox just took Brian Goodwin, a top 100 OF, committed to UNC. Not sure what to think.

[Chisoxfn]

Oh f*** yes. f*** yes. I hope we plan on buying some of these guys. If we hit on a few of them, wowzers.

[zenryan]

Sox just took Brian Goodwin, a top 100 OF, committed to UNC. Not sure what to think.

 

I know it happens to all the good programs but for some reason it seems like UNC is getting cherry picked this draft.

[bigruss]

This is our Danks2 I guess, I'll be very happy if we sign him. From what I read he has huge potential.

[bigruss]

Oh f*** yes. f*** yes. I hope we plan on buying some of these guys. If we hit on a few of them, wowzers.

I will accept those reaches from earlier in the draft if it means getting guys like Goodwin here.

[Chisoxfn]

A boras client too. What are the odds that this works out.

[Palehosefan]

I know it happens to all the good programs but for some reason it seems like UNC is getting cherry picked this draft.

 

UNC always loses 3-4 top 100 prospects in the draft, that's the price that Mike Fox pays with being an elite recruiter. Rick Porcello and Madison Bumgarner among others would be pitching for UNC this year as well.

[flavum]

Goodwin is a Boras client? Yeah, that'll happen.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

This is our Danks2 I guess, I'll be very happy if we sign him. From what I read he has huge potential.

I hope so.

 

I was just about to turn this thing off after that pick and then I hear Goodwin's name called.

 

Maybe there's some hope that he secretly wants to play now and he'll drop Borass. Very wishful thinking, but hey...

[Chisoxfn]

Info on our 15th round prospect, Wagner, 2B, Belmont.

 

http://belmontbruins.cstv.com/sports/m-bas...r_daniel00.html

 

Pretty much sounds like the typical late round college pick. Solid player, maybe has the upside of a utility guy. More likely turns into an organizational guy.

[bigruss]

Just put Hahn and other guys on his signing, we cannot be afraid to go after top players because Boras is their agent. Now, if his demands are ridiculously high, then I understand, but no reason not to offer this guy overslot money and entice him with a good deal.

[Chisoxfn]

Heres some info on Goodwin, a UNC committ, and a top 100 prospect. Oh and he was North Carolinas High School Baseball Player of the Year

 

UNC started recruiting outfielder Brian Goodwin early in his high school career and a commitment followed shortly thereafter. "I first got a questionnaire from UNC when I was in tenth grade,” Goodwin said. “After that we started talking more and more. I went on an unofficial visit and I enjoyed myself - and that settled it." The 6-foot outfielder chose to sign with UNC after considering South Carolina and receiving offers from N.C. State and ECU.

 

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior outfielder finished with a .413 batting average, 25 runs scored, 18 RBI, 15 stolen bases and nine doubles this season, leading the Gryphons (20-3) to the second round of the Class 3A state tournament, where they fell to Winterville South Central, 4-2. An Under Armour All-America Game and Rawlings Preseason First Team AIIAmerican selection, Goodwin compiled a .680 slugging percentage and .532 on-base percentage. Also the Most Valuable Player of the Aflac All-America All-Star Baseball Classic, he led Rocky Mount to the 2008 Class 3A state championship.

 

 

Goodwin has maintained a 3.49 weighted GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered as a local youth baseball and football instructor in addition to donating his time at a children's hospital during his trip to Los Angeles for the Aflac All America Game.

 

 

"He's a true five-tool player," said Jason Mills, head coach of D.H. Conley High, which lost to Rocky Mount earlier this season, 2-1. "He can run, throw, field, hit for power and hit for average. He knows how to play the blessed game. He's got the baseball instinct. He's probably the one player that people worry about everywhere on the field. If he gets on first, he can go to third in two pitches. He makes the team around him better. He's a game-changer."

[bigruss]

Heres some info on Goodwin, a UNC committ, and a top 100 prospect. Oh and he was North Carolinas High School Baseball Player of the Year

Wow, please sign this guy.

[He_Gawn]

Just a note. Phegley and Ciolli were high school teamates. Kind of cool.

[Cali]

I can totally see that Kenny Lofton comparison in his swing in that video on MLB.com

[Chisoxfn]

Sox picked RHP Phillip Negus from Wake Forest. Out of high school he was a top 300 prep per BA.

 

Below is a writeup on him from 2005 (High School). He was considered a very good pitcher and was said to have a live arm.

 

Phil Negus is a 2006 right handed pitcher from Milford, Massachusetts, with a big and strong 6'2"/190 pound frame. Pitches from a 3/4 arm slot, balanced delivery, uses lower half well, good arm strength with 88 mph FB, great life to FB, maintains arm speed on CH, CH has solid arm side fade, 11-5 breaking CB at 68 mph, good depth to CB, hits from an upright stance, generates very good bat speed, good raw power, projectable power, must follow, potential two way player.

 

Not sure what his current FB velocity is, but he was rated as having the best changeup on the Wake Forest Deamon Deacons by Alan Simpson (Perfect Game).