2014 Draft class

[ILMOU]

I'm still salty over not getting Salty at that price. I don't think anyone ever doubted that Ruiz would be good, just that we didn't want a stopgap solution.

Don't even get me started.

 

After the inevitable Flowers regression, we're going to give up a boatload trading for a lefty or SH catcher who probably won't be as good. And I'll point out one last time that Salty absolutely bashes righties, which is about all we face in our division.

 

And now I'll hold my tongue.

[harfman77]

Rodon V Wake 5:30pm ESPN3

Beede @ Florida - 5/8

Hoffman - Out

Newcomb @ UMASS Lowell 11am (5/10)

[ILMOU]

Salty would have never signed at that price elsewhere. He took a well-documented hometown discount to go to Miami. Yes, I would have been on board to bringing him on at that price but that opportunity was not afforded to the White Sox.

 

He would have cost only marginally more to come here. People put WAY too much on his playoff benching - ridiculously so.

 

And now back to the thread...

[maggsmaggs]

An opinion of Kolek:

 

"You've got to be working for a bad team to get him," a National League scouting director quipped.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/anthon...p;vkey=news_mlb

[LDF]

I still really like the idea of taking Chavis and sticking him at catcher to see if he can handle it.

 

From Law on 4/13

 

• Sprayberry High School shortstop Michael Chavis has had some first-round buzz after a very strong spring season at the plate, showing strong hit and power tools after a modest showing last summer. Chavis is maxed out physically, 5-foot-10 or 5-11 and already very strong, so there's less projection than there is on your typical high school prospect. He has a quiet approach with strong hands and wrists, so the contact he makes tends to be hard, with plenty of loft in his finish. He showed better running speed than I expected, above average to plus down the line, although I think he'll settle in as a 55-rated runner in a year or two.

 

He has the arm to play anywhere on the field, but his footwork isn't right for shortstop; he could move to third, or even right field, but he has a catcher's build and the intensity for that position, assuming he has the interest. I know a few teams have discussed having him catch at their pre-draft workouts; his bat might be too advanced to take that risk, but you've got a potential superstar if he takes to the position quickly.

 

man I am in total agreement with you here. I have been on his bandwagon for a while..... but where he was expected to

get drafted, low 1st, I never said anything b/c I really didn't want to get flame .... however, since I am committing myself here,

another fav of mine is Braxton Davidson, Sean Newcomb and my fav is Max Pentecost. When Jeff Hoffman went down with

injury, I did not like the idea of drafting Rodon, and the unlikely hood of not drafting Kolek, I just look and look at players

profiles.

[Eminor3rd]

Kolek looks a lot like Gavin Floyd to me, both in physical appearance/shape and in his mechanics.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

Man, I really hope Rodon gets f***ed up tonight. I'm very worried that Rodon/Aiken go 1 and 2.

[Chisoxfn]

An opinion of Kolek:

 

 

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/anthon...p;vkey=news_mlb

You could interpret that many ways. One being, he's a legit top pick and therefor whatever team takes him is bad. The other is, only a bad team thinks he's a good pick.

[ILMOU]

Kiley McDaniel ‏@kileymcd 44m

That top 3 team had scouting dir & GM at Beede's start last night & is rumored tobe looking outside the top 3 talents http://sbb.scout.com/2/1401310.html

 

Yikes. That has to be us right?

Gotta be, unless it isn't.

 

Don't like it, but it may be just diligence. And maybe they really don't like Kolek a whole lot/too much velo too soon etc. - I'm kinda getting that vibe.

[ChiSoxJon]

Prospects on MLB 100 Draft Prospects I like:

P Grant Holmes

P Luke Weaver

P Michael Kopech

P Jake Cosart

3B Joey Pankake

P Jack Flaherty

 

Here's to ChiSox winding up with a few of these guys after Beede, or Kolek, or Hoffman, or Rodon at 3

 

Past ChiSox draftees on this list include Tim Anderson, Andrew Mitchell, Courtney Hawkins, Keon Barnum, Chris Beck, and Kyle Hansen

[ILMOU]

Supposedly Hahn was on Sports Talk Live yesterday. Anyone know if he was there in person or he phoned in? It would be hard for him to be there and at Beede's start.

Way to get after it, gumshoe!

[flavum]

Supposedly Hahn was on Sports Talk Live yesterday. Anyone know if he was there in person or he phoned in? It would be hard for him to be there and at Beede's start.

 

The Cell.

[DirtySox]

Kiley McDaniel ‏@kileymcd 44m

That top 3 team had scouting dir & GM at Beede's start last night & is rumored tobe looking outside the top 3 talents http://sbb.scout.com/2/1401310.html

 

Yikes. That has to be us right?

 

f*** it. I'll get a month sub for this.

 

Yes it is the White Sox. He corroborates Manual in hearing rumors that the White Sox could pass on Kolek if he's who is available at 3. Says the GM (maybe he meant KW) and Laumann were at Beede's start. Other teams saying they can't get a good read on what the Sox are going to do. Notes they were super hot on Hoffman all spring, especially right before his injury. Theorizes they could pick from the second tier of arms at a well under-slot discount to throw at later picks. Says having your GM show up this late in the season to see a a non top 3 talent lends credence to this. Finally says there is a non-zero chance they could still grab Hoffman.

Edited May 9, 2014 by DirtySox

[maggsmaggs]

You could interpret that many ways. One being, he's a legit top pick and therefor whatever team takes him is bad. The other is, only a bad team thinks he's a good pick.

Definitely. I viewed the latter.

[Chisoxfn]

I'm not huge on Kolek but if we pass on Rodon/Aiken things will be thrown.

I got to ask, why do people not like Kolek? Cause he throws too hard? Seriously? Dude has a big frame, protypical work-horse. Could he get hurt, sure, but so could anyone else.

[DirtySox]

Good stuff, Dirty. Appreciate the sleuthing. I'm not opposed to Hoffman at all if this discount is immense. I hope the Sox are just doing their due diligence if Rodon-Aiken go 1-2. I feel as if McDaniel's tweet made it seem Beede was out of play for the Sox, does the article underpin that?

 

He doesn't really say one way or the other on Beede. Just that when an organization's top men show up this late to see someone in a tier below where they are picking, something could be up. It's atypical, especially with a pick that high.

[caulfield12]

Elias wouldn’t name names, but the Houston Chronicle reported that the Astros’ group consists of three college pitchers, Jeff Hoffman, Aaron Nola and Carlos Rodon; two San Diego preps, lefthander Brady Aiken and catcher/outfielder Alex Jackson; San Francisco outfielder Bradley Zimmer; and Texas prep righthander Tyler Kolek.

 

 

Rodon has given up 2 hits and a walk through the first 6 outs.

 

Pitching in the 2nd inning now against Wake Forest. On the season, 9 doubles, a triple and 2 HR's, but I would expect far better than 74 hits in 88+ innings pitched for an ace.

 

Not as dominating as his start two outings ago.

Edited May 9, 2014 by caulfield12

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

I got to ask, why do people not like Kolek? Cause he throws too hard? Seriously? Dude has a big frame, protypical work-horse. Could he get hurt, sure, but so could anyone else.

 

I don't like him because throwing hard is the ONLY thing I ever hear about him. I hear about Rodon's sick arsenal of plus pitches, I hear about Aiken's great control and being a lefty, and then I just hear that Kolek throws hard.

[caulfield12]

I hear Kolek and immediately think Colt Griffin/David Clyde, but that's because he's from Texas and a high schooler.

 

 

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

I hear Kolek and immediately think Colt Griffin/David Clyde, but that's because he's from Texas and a high schooler.

 

When I hear Kolek I think of Jonathan Broxton.

[flavum]

I don't like him because throwing hard is the ONLY thing I ever hear about him. I hear about Rodon's sick arsenal of plus pitches, I hear about Aiken's great control and being a lefty, and then I just hear that Kolek throws hard.

 

That would be my concern too. Is he just a thrower that knows how to over-power high school kids, or does he have more than that? It would be unfortunate to take a high school pitcher at 3, and then he's a relief pitcher in Birmingham four years later.

 

But the Sox have a great track record with pitching, so if they take him, I'd hope for the best.

 

It just sucks there isn't a bat that they HAD to take. Just not this draft, unfortunately.

[caulfield12]

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=47746&a=1

 

You can track the Rodon start here, for those interested.

Rodon picking it up now, 4 K's through first 8 outs. How is he 4-7? (Answer, like Chris Sale in 2013, despite the presence of Trea Turner).

 

 

 

Tyler Kolek is the top power arm in the 2014 prep class. He's 6'5" or better, weighing in around 250. He's country strong. Literally. I'm not just saying that because he's a big guy, he lives and works on a cattle ranch. Looking at him, I don't know that he has spent a lot of time in the weight room. He's not a toned individual but he isn't fat. He could really take off with professional weight training and conditioning. He's a very good athlete that has even drawn interest from Texas A & M as a defensive end but he dropped football and basketball to concentrate on baseball.

 

In a draft class filled with power arms, Kolek leads the pack. His fastball has hit triple digits in the past, occasionally touched 99 but sits in the 91-96 range. His 75-77 MPH curve ball isn't the most consistent pitch but it flashes plus. He throws a slider that is in the 80-83 range that has a sharper break. He has a low 80's change but hasn't had to use it at any point to dominate prep competition. Mechanically, he isn't perfect. He's big so there are a lot of moving parts but he maintains it well. He should be able to work out any minor issues he has easily in pro ball. His throws from a ¾ slot that gives him good downhill plane and makes his fastball heavy.

Looking at him, it's easy to think of Jonathan Gray or Stephen Strasburg. Pitchers who have went to college and blossomed into arms that can throw 100 after being less polished in high school and adding velocity in college. Well, Kolek already has the elite velocity. He has very good command and solid pitchability. He can hit 100 and he can improve conditioning that may add more. The sky truly is the limit with Kolek. His velocity is new and it may regress in spring. I don't know but it will be fun to watch him progress and if I were a scouting director of one of the top 5 teams, I would watch him multiple times this spring.

 

from minorleagueball.com

Edited May 9, 2014 by caulfield12

[Jerksticks]

That would be my concern too. Is he just a thrower that knows how to over-power high school kids, or does he have more than that? It would be unfortunate to take a high school pitcher at 3, and then he's a relief pitcher in Birmingham four years later.

 

But the Sox have a great track record with pitching, so if they take him, I'd hope for the best.

 

It just sucks there isn't a bat that they HAD to take. Just not this draft, unfortunately.

 

He probably is just a thrower at this point, which is all he should be at 18 with his talent. I would argue all the other high school pitchers are breaking their arms throwing curves n sliders because they don't have the God-given size and ability that Kolek has. There is a reason he's being talked about as the top pick- he's special and nearly as positively projectable as it gets.

[Quin]

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=47746&a=1

 

You can track the Rodon start here, for those interested.

Rodon picking it up now, 4 K's through first 8 outs. How is he 4-7? (Answer, like Chris Sale in 2013, despite the presence of Trea Turner).

 

 

 

Tyler Kolek is the top power arm in the 2014 prep class. He's 6'5" or better, weighing in around 250. He's country strong. Literally. I'm not just saying that because he's a big guy, he lives and works on a cattle ranch. Looking at him, I don't know that he has spent a lot of time in the weight room. He's not a toned individual but he isn't fat. He could really take off with professional weight training and conditioning. He's a very good athlete that has even drawn interest from Texas A & M as a defensive end but he dropped football and basketball to concentrate on baseball.

 

In a draft class filled with power arms, Kolek leads the pack. His fastball has hit triple digits in the past, occasionally touched 99 but sits in the 91-96 range. His 75-77 MPH curve ball isn't the most consistent pitch but it flashes plus. He throws a slider that is in the 80-83 range that has a sharper break. He has a low 80's change but hasn't had to use it at any point to dominate prep competition. Mechanically, he isn't perfect. He's big so there are a lot of moving parts but he maintains it well. He should be able to work out any minor issues he has easily in pro ball. His throws from a ¾ slot that gives him good downhill plane and makes his fastball heavy.

Looking at him, it's easy to think of Jonathan Gray or Stephen Strasburg. Pitchers who have went to college and blossomed into arms that can throw 100 after being less polished in high school and adding velocity in college. Well, Kolek already has the elite velocity. He has very good command and solid pitchability. He can hit 100 and he can improve conditioning that may add more. The sky truly is the limit with Kolek. His velocity is new and it may regress in spring. I don't know but it will be fun to watch him progress and if I were a scouting director of one of the top 5 teams, I would watch him multiple times this spring.

 

from minorleagueball.com

 

^ This reinforces the idea to me that it'd be insane for the White Sox to pass on one of the big three arms.

 

[DirtySox]

Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG 8m

#mlbdraft RT @StevensonFWST: #TCU LHP Brandon Finnegan will be on a pitch count of about 70-80 tonight, coach Jim Schlossnagle said.

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