Draft Day Lounge ← FREE KRAUT!

Draft Day Lounge 185

5 Jun 2014  |  aardvark  |Life of Brian · Rosterbating

I’m not sure how many of you are following the draft, but it’s about to start. Tonight they will do the top 74 picks (Round 1 & 2 as well as Competitive Balance Round A & B). I’ll do my best to provide info on the picks as they come. A’s have 2 picks tonight, 25 and 65.

185 thoughts on “Draft Day Lounge”

  1. nevermoor Jun 5,2014 3:56 pm

    I really hope we draft some LBs and RBs.

    "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  2. Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 4:01 pm

    I can’t really get into the MLB draft because there’s no day where they all stand around in their underwear and take IQ tests.

    • Future Ed Jun 5,2014 4:10 pm || Up

      1) since when is “do you have a girlfriend and how can you prove it?” an iq test question

      2) don’t football player necessarily have to be smarter because they have to know plays and stuff?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  3. aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:13 pm

    Astros take Brady Aiken at #1. No surprise.

    Aiken’s advanced feel for pitching and lean, projectable body have made him a big-name prospect for years, but he became a no-doubt, top-of-the-draft talent when his velocity jumped this spring. Aiken’s fastball sat in the 88-91 mph range and topped out at 92 on the showcase circuit last summer, but he spent the winter working out, and he made waves by running his heater up to 97 in an early-spring showdown against Alex Jackson’s crosstown Rancho Bernardo High team. He has sat at 92-93 mph this spring, regularly touching 96, and spots his fastball well at the knees to both sides of the plate. His curveball was already a solid-average pitch last summer at 73-75 mph, but one scout called it “silly good” this spring, a 77-78 hammer with depth and sharp bite. Aiken also has good feel for a changeup, giving him a third potential plus pitch, and some scouts say his slider is another promising offering, though his curve is his calling card. A former football quarterback early in his high school years, Aiken is a standout athlete with an ideal pitcher’s frame (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and a fluid delivery with minimal effort. He stands out most for his extraordinary ability to command his entire repertoire. The UCLA commit also draws plaudits for his intelligence and ability to make adjustments.

    • dmoas Jun 5,2014 4:28 pm || Up

      Future Tommy John Surgery Receiver.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jun 5,2014 8:18 pm || Up

      “Lean, projectable body” sounds more like the profile of the #1 clown-shot-from-cannon draft pick.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  4. aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:19 pm

    Marlins take Tyler Koltek. Also no surprise.

    Scouts knew about Kolek as one of the top 2014 targets in Texas when he broke his left arm in a collision at first base in March 2013. The injury ended his junior season, but Kolek kept himself in shape. When he went to the tryouts for Texas’ Area Code Games team in late May, his fastball popped 99. A three-sport star who was drawing interest as a defensive end, Kolek decided to focus exclusively on baseball after the ACG tryout. Kolek then spent the summer establishing himself as the hardest thrower in a draft class full of velocity, and has maintained triple-digit radar gun readings all spring, hitting 100-102 mph regularly. Kolek’s fastball sits 96-98 mph thanks to tremendous strength, coordination in his 6-foot-5, 245-pound body and surprising arm speed. Kolek is very athletic in his delivery has a very long stride, even for his size. Scouts consider Kolek’s consistent top-end velocity unprecedented in the draft era for a high school pitcher. His fastball plays up beyond its pure velocity readings because of its heavy plus life, working downhill with sink. His dense fastball will likely be a groundball-inducing offering when hitters make contact. He throws both a curveball and slider, and the slider is a power pitch in the mid-80s that is his best secondary pitch and shows at least plus potential. His curveball has decent shape but he prefers the slider. He repeats his delivery and throws quality strikes. He has shown a changeup in showcases or in the bullpen but hasn’t needed it in games. Kolek can lose his direction to the plate, working from the far first base side of the rubber and occasionally landing closed. But he has cleaned up his delivery this spring, leading to the consistent velocity. He has performed as expected as a potential top-five pick against small school Texas competition, striking out 60 percent of hitters against 6 percent walks. Scouts struggle think think of a physical comparison for Kolek and that lack of analogous players make scouts wonder how his body will progress as he ages. Strike-throwing ability and the development of his offspeed stuff will be the keys to his development, as he has the chance to develop into a power pitcher that fronts a rotation.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 4:21 pm || Up

      Jesus. This guy sounds terrifying.

    • Future Ed Jun 5,2014 4:21 pm || Up

      wait, he is in HS, throws 100 and was allowed to throw a slider?!!? that seems wrong

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • dmoas Jun 5,2014 4:28 pm || Up

      Future Tommy John Surgery Receiver.

      • aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:32 pm || Up

        Definitely a possibility, but his mechanics get better marks than you would expect from a HS pitcher who throws 100.

  5. aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:25 pm

    White Sox take Carlos Rodon, rounding out the expected top 3.

    The son of Cuban-Americans who moved to North Carolina when he was a 9-year-old, Rodon emerged as one of the state’s top pitchers as a high school senior and was being crosschecked heavily when back spasms sapped his velocity and pushed him down the draft. A 16th-rounder of the Brewers in 2011, he spurned more than $500,000 to attend North Carolina State, where his velocity jumped immediately as he firmed up his body and shortened his stride. He hit 97 mph regularly in short stints to open his freshman season, with a slider that immediately became one of the best in college baseball. His slider remains the best pitch in the draft for most scouts, sitting 85-87 mph and scraping 89 at its best with two-plane depth. Multiple scouts have given Rodon’s slider 80 grades on the 20-80 scale when it is on, though some say he relies on the slider too much. More concerning this year was a lack of explosiveness on his fastball for the first half of the season, when Rodon often sat 89-92, as well as below-average command, particularly to his arm side. His changeup was a solid-average pitch last summer, when he dominated Cuba to end his summer with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team and pitched like a big leaguer. It has been inconsistent and often non-existent this spring, however. His listed 6-foot-3, 234-pound frame is an asset for some due to thick, strong legs and durability; others knock him for a lack of athleticism and projection. Rodon’s confidence crosses over into cockiness at times, but his competitiveness gives him a No. 1 pitcher’s mentality. A second-half revival of his fastball velocity back to the mid-90s, tied to improved direction in his delivery to home plate, had him more closely resembling the pitcher who led Division I in strikeouts and strikeouts per nine in 2013, when he led the Wolfpack to its first College World Series trip since 1967. The worst-case scenario for Rodon is a potential closer, but he’s a potential frontline starter with some refinement.

  6. Future Ed Jun 5,2014 4:35 pm

    Fosse is bummed the catcher went 4th

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  7. aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:35 pm

    Cubs take Kyle Schwarber. This is higher than most expected him to go, but he has one of the best power/hit combo’s and if he sticks at C, this could be a great pick.

    Listed at 6-feet, 240 pounds, Schwarber has made considerable improvement defensively over the course of his Indiana career, carrying over some hard-learned lessons when he struggled handling velocity with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer. He still stabs and boxes too many balls, and a long transfer can sabotage his solid-average arm strength, but he’s thrown out 33 percent of basestealers this season after nabbing just 19 percent in 2013. His leadership qualities have been evident with the Hoosiers and he has a strong, durable body for catching, but he’ll never be more than a fringe-average defender. Schwarber fits in the first round for his bat. He’s a smart hitter who studies pitchers and has tremendous strength to punish pitches to all fields. He’s thick and could be quicker on pitches inside with a trimmer physique. He’s a better athlete than he looks and is even a fringy runner with the aggressiveness to have stolen eight bases this spring, second on Indiana’s team. His athleticism gives him a chance to shift to left field if catching doesn’t work out.

    • dmoas Jun 5,2014 4:36 pm || Up

      Future Tommy John Surgery Concussion Receiver.

  8. aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:42 pm

    Twins take Nick Gordon. Best SS in the draft:

    Gordon has potential to be a rare lefthanded-hitting domestic shortstop who contributes offensively and defensively. He added more than 10 pounds to his wiry 6-foot, 180-pound build over the offseason and this additional strength helped in many facets of his game. Gordon has a chance to be an above-average hitter with a loose, quick stroke that works inside the ball. He has strong bat-to-ball skills, and while he has more doubles power presently, scouts believe he could also have at least average power down the road once he learns to pull the ball, and maybe even above-average. Opinions on his defense differ, ranging from average to well above-average. He has soft hands, easy actions and natural instincts for the position. Gordon has the best arm in the high school class and it is at least plus. Despite being a plus runner in the 60, Gordon’s speed plays closer to average out of the box. Scouts have conviction about Gordon’s makeup, which is among the best in the draft, and say he has top-of-charts instincts. Gordon also has a solid backup option as a pitcher who can run his fastball up to 94 with an above-average curveball.

    • dmoas Jun 5,2014 4:43 pm || Up

      Future Tommy John Surgery Concussion Fellatio Receiver

      • 5Aces Jun 5,2014 6:25 pm || Up

        As opposed to past and current? Or in addition to?

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • 5Aces Jun 5,2014 6:26 pm || Up

      Scouts have conviction about Gordon’s makeup, which is among the best in the draft

      I don’t know. Maybe he’s worth it. Maybe it’s Maybelline.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  9. aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:44 pm

    Also, Selig looks like such a creep posing with these kids.

  10. aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:49 pm

    Mariners take Alex Jackson:

    Jackson’s muscular 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame is packed with present strength. He stands out most for his plus to plus-plus righthanded power potential, but he also has a solid approach and drives the ball with authority to the middle and opposite fields. He has a loose swing, electric bat speed and a knack for making hard contact. Jackson has another premium tool in his arm, which grades out as plus or even plus-plus, depending on which scout you ask. If an organization wants to develop him as a catcher, most scouts think Jackson can become a solid defensive backstop in time, but his receiving and blocking need plenty of work. He’ll have an impact bat no matter where he plays, so a team could fast-track him by putting him in right field, and he also has flashed promise at third base. He’s a below-average runner but not a clogger.

    • 5Aces Jun 5,2014 6:27 pm || Up

      He’s a below-average runner but not a clogger

      So he gets the right amount of fiber but doesnt eat nachos?

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  11. aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:53 pm

    Phillies take Aaron Nola. Some think he might even be able to make it to the bigs this year:

    Athletic and flexible, Nola manages to stay on top of his pitches and command them despite a mid-three-quarters release point that gives his fastball excellent life. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and touches 95 regularly, and he reached back for 96 in a hyped, head-to-head showdown with Vanderbilt and Tyler Beede in March. Nola’s fastball command ranks toward the top of the college class, as he can pitch to both sides of the plate, though his walk rate has increased (1.3 to 2.3 per nine) this season as he has thrown more sliders. His strikeout rate has jumped even more (8.7 to 10.7 per nine). Nola arrived at LSU with a plus changeup with sink that looked like his fastball out of his hand, but he has lost feel for his change while improving his slider, which was once below-average. Scouts give his slider average or better grades as he has added power to the pitch, but they would like to see a return of his plus change. Nola gets swings and misses in the zone with his fastball, the mark of a starting pitcher, and is one of the safest bets in the class. His command should help the 6-foot-1, 196-pounder move quickly.

  12. aardvark Jun 5,2014 4:58 pm

    Rockies take Kyle Freeland. Another guy people think could move quickly.

    Just 170 pounds when the Phillies drafted him in the 35th round in 2011, he went to Evansville and earned a rotation spot as a freshman, when he was throwing 85-88 mph. He has grown to 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, and the quality of his stuff has continued to improve as he has grown into his body and retained a quick arm. He hit 96 mph in the fall after pitching at 89-93 mph last summer in the Cape Cod League, and he has maintained that stuff this spring. Freeland has a loose arm and plus-plus control and projects to have big league command, and his 15-1 strikeout-walk ratio ranked second in the country, and his 106 strikeouts ranked third. Freeland gets swings and misses with his fastball as well as a hard slider in the 85-86 mph range when he’s right. The slider is lethal to lefthanded hitters. He also throws a solid-average curveball that he locates well. Freeland’s changeup can be too firm at times but has good tumble when it’s on. Some scouts aren’t convinced Freeland’s delivery will allow him to start, as he has a bit of a head jerk, but he has shown the athleticism to repeat it and throws a high volume of quality strikes. He rose up draft boards all spring as his numbers popped off both the radar gun and the stat sheet.

  13. aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:06 pm

    Blue Jays take Jeff Hoffman. Interesting that they took him here even with the recent TJS surgery.

    Scouts in the Northeast recall Hoffman as an athlete with some projection who was not ready for professional baseball, with a mid- to upper-80s fastball. He made good on his East Carolina commitment, and three years later, he could become the highest-drafted player in program history despite requiring Tommy John surgery in mid-May. Hoffman has a premium pitcher’s body at 6-foot-4, 192 pounds, with twitchy athletic ability, and his stuff has grown with his body. He broke out in the Cape Cod League, where he ranked as the No. 1 prospect last summer, and pitched well in front of a large scouting crowd at Virginia in February 2014 in his second start. He was having an uneven season until mid-April, when he struck out a career-best 16 in eight one-hit innings against Middle Tennessee State. It was his last start prior to surgery, though. At his best, Hoffman’s athletic body, electric fastball and ability to maintain his velocity evoke Justin Verlander. His fastball sits from 92-96 mph, reaching 97-98, and his two-seamer features above-average sink, life and arm-side run. His changeup and curveball both flash plus, with the changeup being more consistent. He also throws a slider, which usually earns average grades. Hoffman appeared poised to be one of the first seven players drafted, but his late arm injury and surgery cloud his immediate draft future. His athleticism and elite velocity still portend a rosy future if he returns to health, and a team with extra picks will likely take a shot at him.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 5:11 pm || Up

      Doing what the A’s did last year, a round earlier.

      • andeux Jun 5,2014 5:18 pm || Up

        Overton? I thought his injury was diagnosed in between the draft and signing.

        TINSTAAFK
        • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 5:21 pm || Up

          You could be right. I thought they knew he was injured and would probably need TJS when they picked him.

          • aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:26 pm || Up

            I’m pretty sure he failed the physical and they renegotiated the contract as a result. I don’t think they knew.

  14. Future Ed Jun 5,2014 5:10 pm

    ore a gone state university?

    Bud really really likes to troll the pacific northwest

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • AV Jun 5,2014 5:43 pm || Up

      waze introduced oh-REE-gan. rhymes with puerto rican.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  15. aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:11 pm

    Mets take Michael Conforto, good pick here.

    While other college and high school position players have better all-around tools, Conforto ranks as the best present hitter in the 2014 draft. He has had a monster junior season for Oregon State, building off his first two seasons when he was an All-Freshman selection in 2012 and led the Beavers to Omaha in 2013. Listed at 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, Conforto has present strength and above-average bat speed. He has controlled his aggressiveness as a junior, taming a swing that got too big over the summer with Team USA. He’s become a more selective hitter, ranking second in the country in walks and first in on-base percentage while hitting .410 though the first week in May. After hitting 24 homers in his first two seasons combined, Conforto had just five thus far as a junior, giving some evaluators pause because he’s a bat-first player. He has plus raw power and should project to hit 20-25 annually. He also has improved his fringy outfield defense, which is seen as adequate for left field, with average arm strength that doesn’t always play. Conforto has shown playmaking ability with the glove, however, with show-stopper plays in the College World Series last year and key outfield assists in games against rival Oregon.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 5:13 pm || Up

      Aren’t all-bat players like that supposed to be stayaways in the high rounds?

      • Future Ed Jun 5,2014 5:19 pm || Up

        he can always DH for the mets

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:20 pm || Up

        I don’t think that he’s all bat. His defense in left is fine according to many sources. That said, he doesn’t have the speed for CF or the arm for right…so he has to stick in left.

      • the llama Jun 5,2014 10:12 pm || Up

        Brett Wallace

  16. aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:18 pm

    Blue Jays take Max Pentacost. I had forgotten that they had 2 of the first 11 picks. Remembering that, the Hoffman pick makes a lot more sense.

    The Rangers drafted Pentecost as a seventh-rounder in 2011 but couldn’t sign him away from Kennesaw State, due in part to a broken bone in his elbow joint that hampered him in high school. Pentecost’s athleticism stood out then and still does after catching for most of the last three seasons. Scouts consider him an above-average runner period, fairly exceptional for a catcher, and his 6-foot-1, 190-pound body could use more strength to hold up under the rigors of catching 100-plus games. The body and his speed earn him Jason Kendall comparisons. He’s an average receiver with average arm strength with inconsistent throwing mechanics and profiles as an offensive catcher. After two solid seasons as an everyday player, Pentecost took things up a notch last summer, earning Cape Cod League MVP honors by hitting .346/.424/.538. In 2014, he ranked among the national top 10 in batting and hits as the calendar turned to May, and scouts like his line-drive swing, which has improved over the course of his college career. Most scouts see him as a below-average power producer but some see enough feel for hitting for Pentecost to reach 12-15 homers eventually.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 5:29 pm || Up

      Fosse was so hoping the guy with Jason Kendall comps would fall to us.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jun 5,2014 8:24 pm || Up

      Tough pick, you also have to hire a translator for when he’s speaking in tongues.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • andeux Jun 5,2014 8:32 pm || Up

        Yeah but his snake-handling skills could come in handy if they’re playing Arizona.

        TINSTAAFK
    • Kay Temple Kirk Jun 5,2014 8:27 pm || Up

      I wonder if Pentacost is a Pentecostal.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • Kay Temple Kirk Jun 5,2014 8:29 pm || Up

        With a name like that, he’s probably a Lutheran.

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  17. aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:25 pm

    Brewers take Kodi Medeiros. Seems like a reach here as there are better arms still on the board.

    He was the first pitcher to throw in game action on the showcase circuit for the 2014 draft at Perfect Game National last June, and Medeiros quickly opened eyes. His fastball sat 90-92 mph over extended innings this spring and has touched 95. He throws from a low arm slot that is just above sidearm, giving his fastball plus-plus life with heavy arm-side run and sink. His heavy, groundball-inducing fastball was a constant discussion point for hitters on the showcase circuit. Medeiros’ slider is at least a plus offering and one of the best breaking balls in the high school ranks. The Pepperdine commit’s changeup has improved, showing the makings of an above-average offering with continued refinement. Controlling his stuff in the zone will be key for his ability to remain in a rotation, and many in the industry believe Medeiros will likely be a reliever in the long run because of the uniqueness of his arm slot and the potential for large platoon splits, as well as his stature. The 6-foot-1, 191-pounder has a strong, defined and athletic build and used to participate in judo. He is young for the class and will turn 18 just before draft day.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 5:27 pm || Up

      Hawaiian with a Portuguese last name.

  18. MikeV Jun 5,2014 5:29 pm

    So who are we projected to pick

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:32 pm || Up

      Hard to say, but names that I’ve heard are Monte Harrison, Michael Chavis, Alex Blandino, and Casey Gillaspie

      • dmoas Jun 5,2014 5:38 pm || Up

        Based purely on name, I want Blandino. The GREAT BLANDINO!!!

        • lenscrafters Jun 5,2014 6:05 pm || Up

          We are also tied to someone named Ti’quan Forbes, which is quite a name as well.

      • andeux Jun 5,2014 6:33 pm || Up

        Chavis is not Mexican enough.

        TINSTAAFK
  19. aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:30 pm

    Padres take Trea Turner.

    The Palm Beach County product took Division I baseball by storm in 2012, leading the nation with 55 stolen bases in 59 tries, and Turner has hit 14 home runs the last two seasons, leading N.C. State in homers both years. Hampered by a ankle injury in 2013, he still helped lead the Wolfpack to their first College World Series trip since 1967 along with roommate Carlos Rodon. The ankle injury cost Turner speed last year, but he’s back to turning in 70 and 80 times to first base, including 3.45 seconds on a push bunt, and his speed has played more since he moved back to the leadoff spot after hitting third. Turner’s swing remains long and sweepy, he struggled with the bat with USA Baseball last summer, and most scouts consider him a bottom-of-the-order candidate as a big league offensive player. His sneaky power gets him in trouble, causing his swing to get big and his approach to be too pull-oriented. His defense at shortstop, however, has improved as he’s added strength in the last year. He has plus range, particularly to his left, good hands and a 55 arm sufficient for the play in the hole. If Turner’s bat comes around as a pro, he has all-star potential. As it is, he’s a tough comparison as a speedy college player who’s a true shortstop.

  20. aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:35 pm

    I’m going to take a little break, but I’ll be back in a bit.

  21. aardvark Jun 5,2014 5:37 pm

    Not before postint the Giants taking Tyler Beeede:

    Beede was the fourth high school pitcher drafted in 2011, after Dylan Bundy, Archie Bradley and Jose Fernandez. The Blue Jays and Beede didn’t come to terms, though, with the Jays offering $2.4 million and Beede seeking $3 million or more. He headed to Vanderbilt and struggled as a freshman but seemed to put things together while earning Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year honors in 2013. Even in his 14-1, 2.32 season, Beede walked 5.6 per nine innings, and he had a rough summer with Team USA, with his delivery getting out of sync when he couldn’t find the strike zone. He has thrown more strikes this spring (3.3 BB/9) but has been more hittable, and scouts give him average control grades with below-average command. Nevertheless, Beede looks the part of a first-rounder at an athletic, powerful 6-foot-4, 215 pounds with a clean arm, and he flashes plus with three pitches. At times he pitches with a well above-average fastball, reaching 97 mph and sitting 92-94. His changeup has been his best secondary offering this spring, earning plus grades, and he throws one of the hardest curveballs in the draft at 80-81 mph, giving him a third plus pitch. Beede has a big personality and rap alter ego (Young Beedah) and was the life of Team USA’s clubhouse despite his struggles last summer. He’s a wild card in the first round whose last starts, particularly at the SEC tournament, will be watched closely as scouts look for signs of improved strike-throwing.

    • Future Ed Jun 5,2014 7:37 pm || Up

      what is his slot value this year?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  22. lenscrafters Jun 5,2014 6:08 pm

    Bradley Zimmer is really falling. 4 picks to go…

  23. MikeV Jun 5,2014 6:26 pm

    IT’S ALMOST TIME!!!!!

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

  24. MikeV Jun 5,2014 6:29 pm

    TEH OAKLAND ATHLETICS ARE ON TEH CLOCK.

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

  25. Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 6:32 pm

    The draft set is delightfully cheeesy.

  26. Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 6:33 pm

    Oh snap Roxy!

  27. MikeV Jun 5,2014 6:33 pm

    Pick is in during a commercial. Fuck MLB so hard.

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 6:34 pm || Up

      They had to get the break in to be back in time for the Red Sox.

  28. MikeV Jun 5,2014 6:36 pm

    3B Matt Chapman, Cal State Fullerton

    Also throws 98 as a pitcher.

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • grover Jun 5,2014 6:45 pm || Up

      Ranked 82nd by MLB.com and 64th by BA. Garrioch at Minor League Ball has him 45th.

      A bargain choice to save money for later splurging?

  29. aardvark Jun 5,2014 6:41 pm

    Just back. Gut reaction: not a fan of the Chapman pick.

    • grover Jun 5,2014 6:46 pm || Up

      My gut reaction was to tilt my head to the side.

      • aardvark Jun 5,2014 6:48 pm || Up

        Like a confused golden retriever?

        • grover Jun 5,2014 6:55 pm || Up

          My fiancee’s german shepard does the same thing when you tell her not to do something. So I think it’s just a dog thing…

          But yeah.

          • Soaker Jun 5,2014 6:58 pm || Up

            “Fiancee”? Way to go grover!

            What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
            • nevermoor Jun 5,2014 7:18 pm || Up

              Indeed. Hope you drafted well.

              "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
              • grover Jun 5,2014 10:11 pm || Up

                Technically… she drafted me. So here’s hoping I develop into the multiple All-Star, future Hall o’ Famer she deserves.

                • ptbnl Jun 5,2014 10:15 pm || Up

                  Congrats! That’s great news.

                  If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
            • grover Jun 5,2014 10:11 pm || Up

              Thank you.

          • aardvark Jun 5,2014 7:02 pm || Up

            Definitely. I just think goldens just do the best job looking confused.

    • lenscrafters Jun 5,2014 6:46 pm || Up

      This guy is ranked out of the top 50 by nearly all major publications so the consensus seems to be a 2nd round talent. The A’s have one of the smallest draft pools so speculation is that this is a signability pick. I wonder if their pick would’ve been different if that Johnson trade had gone through.

      It just doesn’t make a lot of sense. The A’s were linked to a couple of super high upside prep players but they settle for a player who sounds like BA Vollmuth.

      • grover Jun 5,2014 6:53 pm || Up

        It does run counter to what the A’s did in 2012 but seems to play in-line with their 2013 strategy of saving early to spend a little extra on mid-round picks.

      • Kay Temple Kirk Jun 5,2014 8:33 pm || Up

        signability pick with decent offensive potential, and a fallback plan to convert him to relief pitching.

        I like it.

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
        • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 8:34 pm || Up

          Angels fan though

        • lenscrafters Jun 5,2014 8:46 pm || Up

          It’s fine for a 2nd or 3rd rounder but I don’t see much to like if this is your first rounder and there are much better talents on the board.

  30. aardvark Jun 5,2014 6:43 pm

    Baseball America:

    Chapman has been an infield mainstay for three years at Cal State Fullerton, and he led USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team with 20 RBIs last summer. He also generated a buzz in two mound appearances for Team USA, running his fastball up to 98 mph, but he has not pitched in three seasons for the Titans. Chapman’s plus-plus is a major asset at the hot corner, where he has the actions and instincts to be an above-average defender. He has plenty of strength in his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame, projecting for average power, but his line-drive swing is more tailored for driving doubles from gap-to-gap. Chapman has a disciplined approach and walks about as often as he strikes out. Scouts like his hard-nosed, blue-collar mentality and sound baseball instincts. And his premium arm makes pitching an intriguing fallback option should his bat eventually sputter.

    • Soaker Jun 5,2014 6:51 pm || Up

      And his premium arm makes pitching an intriguing fallback option should his bat eventually sputter.

      So, Doolittle II?

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Kay Temple Kirk Jun 6,2014 7:14 am || Up

        Doolittle III, if Barfield comes up first.

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  31. aardvark Jun 5,2014 6:46 pm

    With Chavis and Broxton still available I’m REALLY not a fan.

  32. aardvark Jun 5,2014 6:47 pm

    MLB:

    Chapman reminds some of former Fullerton star Michael Lorenzen — a position player with tools, but questions about his hitting abilitiy. Like Lorenzen, Chapman is capable of lighting up radar guns on the mound as a reliever, though he’s only seen very limited time on the mound. Chapman displays above-average power in practice but not so much in games. He manages the strike zone well but doesn’t make consistent hard contact, and there are mixed opinions about his bat — just as there were with Lorenzen, whom Cincinnati made a full-time pitcher after selecting him No. 38 overall last June. Unlike Lorenzen, who was the Titans’ closer, Chapman has received little exposure on the mound to this point. He hasn’t pitched in a college game and worked just two innings with Team USA during the summer. But in those two innings, he hit 98 mph with his fastball, giving teams a second option if they don’t believe in the bat.

  33. aardvark Jun 5,2014 6:50 pm

    BP:

    Chapman is a solid athlete with plus-plus arm strength well suited for the left side of the infield. There is above-average pop in the bat, but the barrel delivery isn’t clean and there is some dip that moves the bat out of the hit zone quickly, limiting both his plate coverage and his opportunity to square-up balls. He was hot and cold this spring with the stick, and the power never really blossomed as evaluators had hoped.

    Defensively he has solid hands and handles his zone adequately at third. The arm is an asset, and he is comfortable throwing behind the bag and on the run. There is a fallback for Chapman on the hill, where he is capable of running the ball up to the mid-90s, though he has seen limited action in that role this spring. A team that whose development staff can clean up the swing could find a bargain in Chapman in the third or fourth round, and it’s possible he comes off the board as early as the middle to late second round.

    • andeux Jun 5,2014 7:03 pm || Up

      He was hot and cold this spring with the stick,

      Chapman stick? Nowbodhi likes this pick.

      TINSTAAFK
  34. aardvark Jun 5,2014 6:53 pm

    From a BP mock with Chapman going 39th overall:

    It has been a disappointing season for Chapman and his Fullerton teammates, and his

    draft stock seems to have slipped a bit as a result. Nevertheless, he features a quality tool set that includes the best third base arm in the draft class and quality offensive tools. After the Marlins took a pair of high school prospects, including a raw 17-year-old, in this draft, Chapman provides a nice balance as a more advanced prospect who is also a good value at this spot from a tools standpoint.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 6:56 pm || Up

      Sounds like he’s a reach, but a reach with some upside.

  35. aardvark Jun 5,2014 7:00 pm

    From BP draft day chat from earlier today:

    jimbeau (Left Coast): Hi Nick, thanks for the chat. From what I’ve seen and read, I’d really like to see Cleveland go Chaivis, Chapman, Forbes. What are the aggregate odds that they would each/all be available when Cleveland is up? What do you think are the (substantialy lower) odds that Cleveland might do this? If, pe chance, they did, how would you asses that for a top end to their draft? Thanks.

    Draft Day Chat with Nick J. Faleris: I think there is a chance Chavis and Forbes are available, and I think that would be a steal to get Forbes that low. Chapman will certainly be available — hit tool concerns and didn’t have an overly productive spring. I think Chapman is available in the second, maybe third round, so look elsewhere for that pick. If you want a college bat consider Mike Papi (OF, Virginia) and certainly Derek Fisher (OF, Virginia) if he is somehow available. Blandino (3B, Stanford) a good target, as well.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 7:38 pm || Up

      I’m waiting to hear what his rap alter ego is before deciding how I feel about the pick.

  36. lenscrafters Jun 5,2014 7:05 pm

  37. aardvark Jun 5,2014 7:14 pm

    This year, in the draft I’ll be doing a new feature: White Guys With Black Names. Our first White Guy With a Black Name: Braxton Davidson.

  38. andeux Jun 5,2014 7:26 pm

    Not really what you’re looking for in a signability pick:

    TINSTAAFK
    • Future Ed Jun 5,2014 7:43 pm || Up

      do they want a pick next year?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • aardvark Jun 5,2014 8:15 pm || Up

        • 5Aces Jun 5,2014 11:40 pm || Up

          Ok honest question. Do we know enough in baseball drafts to say the strength of this year vs next year? I know you hear that in basketball all the time “dont trade out of picks this year because next year is a weak class…”

          I would think that with HS playing a large part it would be damn near impossible to project that, but if you could that may one day be a viable strategy.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • aardvark Jun 6,2014 7:40 am || Up

            You are correct. You can be sure that front offices have considered the idea of drafting someone they know they can’t sign in order to get more draft picks in the following year. Because it is difficult to predict what a draft class is going to be like, and because of the lost development time, team’s don’t typically do this.

            • dmoas Jun 6,2014 8:36 am || Up

              You’d think later in the first round would be a good time to do that since you’re not likely to get the true cream of the crop of that year so if you don’t see your sure thing it may be better to use that lower cap against more riskier later round guys.

              • 5Aces Jun 6,2014 9:08 am || Up

                That makes the most sense. It doesn’t become a strength of draft class play as much of a budget management play.

                Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  39. aardvark Jun 5,2014 8:24 pm

    The Royals just took Scott Blewett…not a good baseball name.

  40. aardvark Jun 5,2014 8:47 pm

    A’s took Daniel Gossett out of Clemson with #65 pick.
    MLB.com:

    Clemson has produced seven big league pitchers in the past 10 Drafts. If Gossett sneaks into the top three rounds this June, he’ll have gotten picked higher than any of them, with the exception of 2007 first-rounder Daniel Moskos. A 16th-round pick by the Red Sox out of a South Carolina high school three years ago, Gossett often works in the low 90s with his fastball and tops out around 94 mph. He does a good job of commanding his heater, which is crucial because it’s fairly straight. His best offering is a hard slider, and his changeup gives him a reliable third pitch. Gossett isn’t imposing at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, so scouts wonder if he’ll hold up as a starter in pro ball. He missed a start in early April with shoulder stiffness but came back strong afterward. If he has to move to his bullpen, both his fastball and slider could become plus pitches in shorter stints.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2014 8:55 pm || Up

    • nevermoor Jun 5,2014 9:35 pm || Up

      Gossett isn’t imposing at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, so scouts wonder if he’ll hold up as a starter in pro ball.

      Not selling jeans.

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  41. aardvark Jun 5,2014 8:48 pm

    BTW, not a fan of Gossett either. I don’t like drafting a likely reliever in the 2nd.

  42. aardvark Jun 5,2014 8:50 pm

    BA:

    A 16th-round pick out of high school by the Red Sox, Gossett didn’t sign and has shouldered a heavy burden in three seasons at Clemson. He finished his freshman season as the team’s ace, then won 10 games as a sophomore. He’s been even better as a junior, particularly down the stretch, when he tossed at least seven innings in seven consecutive starts. Durability is a concern with Gossett, who is smaller than his listed 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. He has taken the summer off each of the last two years and has yet to log more than 100 innings in a season. Gossett lacks physicality but has a quick arm that produces intriguing stuff. He’s thrown both a slider and curveball during his college career, and scouts greatly prefer the curveball, with some giving it plus grades. His fastball touches 95 mph but usually sits more in the 88-93 mph range, and he struggles to consistently hold his velocity. His delivery gives him some deception, though scouts wonder if he’ll be able to repeat that funky motion. While Gossett has a fringy, fairly effective changeup, most scouts consider him a future reliever due to his size.

  43. aardvark Jun 5,2014 8:53 pm

    BP:

    Gosset shows a four-pitch mix but lacks ideal starter size and can struggle to miss bats as he works deeper into his outings. His best future role might be that of a relief arm, where his low-90s fastball could see a bump in velocity in shorter stints. His best secondary is a solid low-80s slider with tilt, and he wields the pitch with solid feel. He could come off the board as early as the third round, and should be snatched up within the first 120 picks or so.

  44. Future Ed Jun 6,2014 10:55 am

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Future Ed Jun 6,2014 10:57 am || Up

      so, the a’s are getting only small starting pitchers?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • andeux Jun 6,2014 11:00 am || Up

        We’re going to create an army of Sonny Grays.

        TINSTAAFK
    • lenscrafters Jun 6,2014 12:08 pm || Up

      FWIW, both BA and MLB.com rank this guy ahead of both our first and second rounder.

      • dmoas Jun 6,2014 12:09 pm || Up

        We’re drafting in reverse! Our 40th round guy is going to be a fking GOD!!!

  45. Future Ed Jun 6,2014 11:32 am

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • dmoas Jun 6,2014 11:33 am || Up

      May the Schwartz be with us.

    • Future Ed Jun 6,2014 11:35 am || Up

      add baseball to any google search. otherwise you get a lot of law firms

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • PDXAthleticsfan Jun 6,2014 12:23 pm || Up

        Heh.

        A soliloquy of fresh-sounding ideas which would probably be disastrous.
  46. Future Ed Jun 6,2014 12:18 pm

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • dmoas Jun 6,2014 12:21 pm || Up

      WITH WHAT???!!!!

      • 5Aces Jun 6,2014 12:33 pm || Up

        WILL ALWAYS BE FUNNY!

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • AV Jun 6,2014 12:33 pm || Up

        i don’t know if it’s really an answer. i just really want to say dykxhoorn.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • AV Jun 6,2014 12:34 pm || Up

          no seriously. sadberry? lechich? these guys aren’t real.

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  47. Glorious Mundy Jun 6,2014 1:57 pm

    I think the A’s just drafted this guy.

    • 5Aces Jun 6,2014 2:38 pm || Up

      Space Sprockets are overvalued.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  48. andeux Jun 6,2014 2:41 pm

    Branden is the new Brandon.

    TINSTAAFK
    • Glorious Mundy Jun 6,2014 2:42 pm || Up

      I’m hoping for a Brynden in the later rounds.

    • AV Jun 6,2014 2:44 pm || Up

      the A’s are certainly working on their branding.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  49. aardvark Jun 6,2014 6:42 pm

    Graves:

    The 6-foot-1, 173-pound Graves appeared to be losing steam as the college season wound down, and with Missouri in last place in the Southeastern Conference, he’ll have no postseason to make up ground. He was a 26th-round pick of the hometown Cardinals in 2011 but struggled his freshman season with command, walking more than he struck out. He’s come on the last two seasons and has shown excellent command of a plus fastball this spring for the Tigers. Graves pitches at 94-96 mph at times but usually cruises along at 92-93 with late life at the plate, especially when he keeps the pitch down. A fan of former Missouri pitcher Max Scherzer, he tries to emulate Scherzer’s delivery, which has helped him incorporate his lower half more. Graves throws both a slider and curveball, and scouts prefer the curve, which has above-average potential if not better. Graves’ changeup is fringy but he’s athletic and repeats his delivery as well as fielding his position very well. He lacks a knockout punch among his secondary pitches, which limits his ceiling to that of a No. 4 starter, unless his curve takes off.

  50. aardvark Jun 6,2014 6:46 pm

    Fillmyer:

    Fillmyer stands out as an athletic, fresh-armed Northeast pitcher. A New Jersey native, he pitched and played shortstop in high school and in his first college season, when he threw just eight innings. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder’s arm strength still prompted the Rockies to take him in the 28th round last year, but he returned to school. He had an erratic but intriguing summer in the Atlantic Collegiate League last year, ranking as its No. 4 prospect and sitting 89-92 mph while striking out 36 in 27 innings. He built on that this spring, pitching Mercer to the Division II Junior College World Series in Enid, Okla., winning all nine of his starts with a 0.60 ERA and 87 strikeouts and 17 walks in 60 innings. Fillmyer has a quick arm and the ability to spin a hard breaking ball. His slider sits in the low 80s and flashes above-average, while his fastball sits 90-93 mph and touches higher. His changeup needs work, but his arm action is clean and he has shown aptitude for pitching.

  51. aardvark Jun 6,2014 6:48 pm

    Schwartz:

    A two-way player his first two seasons, Schwartz improved dramatically this year after focusing exclusively on the mound and significantly cut his walk rate. He walked 6.4 per nine his first two years, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen, and 3.3 per nine this year with 10.3 strikeouts per nine. Most scouts expect him to end up in the bullpen, but some say he looks like a conversion guy just scratching the surface of his ability on the mound, and he has thrown enough strikes to have a chance at starting. His fastball sits 88-92 mph and touches 95 with armside run. His slider flashes average but often plays as below-average. He shows surprising feel for a changeup that has average potential, though it must become more consistent as well. Schwartz will need to continue to improve his control. He throws slightly across his body with a head snap. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is a 22-year-old junior with a strong, athletic build that doesn’t offer much projection.

  52. aardvark Jun 6,2014 6:51 pm

    The A’s pick in round 6 was Trace Loehr:

    Loehr has positioned himself to potentially become the first Oregon prep middle infielder to go in the first four rounds since 1986, when the Braves picked Brian Champion 33rd overall. The lefthanded hitter is an energetic, high-intensity gamer with tools and instincts. Scouts who like Loehr believe he could develop into an above-average hitter with his bat-to-ball skills, compact stroke and advanced approach. His line-drive stroke will likely limit him to below-average power, though he has a chance to have high doubles production. An average runner, Loehr’s speed plays at plus on the field and out of the box. His speed has a chance to be an asset on the bases with a quick first step and instincts. His above-average lateral range, body control and sure hands are a defensive asset. Loehr has an average arm that plays up because of a quick release and gives him a chance to stay at short, and he could be an above-average defender at second, his most likely long-term destination. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder has an athletic build with present strength and room to fill out further. He is committed to Oregon State and is old for the class as a 19-year-old on draft day.

  53. aardvark Jun 6,2014 6:52 pm

    Round 7 – Branden Cogswell:

    Cogswell has been a three-year contributor for one of the best programs in the country. A shortstop his sophomore year and to begin his junior year, he moved to second base early in the season and profiles as a utility player. A below-average to fringe-average runner, Cogswell has an average arm and is a surehanded defender with average range that plays better at second base. The lefthanded hitter has a contact-oriented bat with on-base ability. He has a quick, line-drive stroke, uses all fields and rarely swings and misses. His bat control allows him to play the short game or slash. He projects to hit for bottom-of-the-scale power. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder’s marginal tools play up because of his aptitude for the game.

  54. aardvark Jun 6,2014 6:54 pm

    Round 8 – Branden Kelliher:

    Short, quick-armed pitchers in the Pacific Northwest inevitably get compared to Tim Lincecum and inevitably come up short in the comparison. Kellier stands on his own merits, though he was listed last summer at 5-foot-10, 169 pounds. Previously a San Diego commit, he de-committed and wound up signing with Oregon. Kelliher has popped some 94s in showcases and this spring but usually pitches at 90-91 mph. He has an up-tempo delivery that he can lose from time to time, which causes his control to waver. His curveball and changeup lack consistency, but he flashed an average curveball with 12-to-6 shape and showed some feel for his curve and changeup.

  55. aardvark Jun 6,2014 6:55 pm

    Round 9 – Mike Fagan:

    Fagan was drafted out of high school but went undrafted last season as a junior as he struggled to throw strikes. He walked 13 per nine against 8.7 strikeouts per nine in three years and averaged a wild pitch nearly every other inning. This season, he cut his walk to 2.8 per nine and led the Ivy League in strikeouts. In his last start of the season, with considerable scouting heat in to see Cornell righthander Brent Jones, Fagan threw nine innings of one-run ball with two walks and 11 strikeouts. His quick arm generates a fastball that sits 88-91 mph and touches 92 with late riding life through the zone. He is mostly a two-pitch pitcher, and his breaking ball offers at least average potential, flashing better. He has used a changeup sparingly. The 6-foot, 175-pounder has an athletic body with strength, and while some scouts are skeptical he can maintain his improved control, he will be a coveted senior sign.

  56. aardvark Jun 6,2014 6:56 pm

    Round 10 – Corey Miller:

    A fixture in Pepperdine’s weekend rotation for three years, Miller has turned in his best season as senior this spring, going 8-4, 1.70 with 76 strikeouts and 25 walks in 106 innings heading into the NCAA tournament. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he is a durable workhorse, and his funky delivery gives him plenty of deception, helping his 89-91 mph fastball play up. He pounds the strike zone with his heater and a decent slider, and he has good feel for a changeup as well. Miller lacks projection and profiles as a No. 5 starter or swing man, but he stands a solid chance to be drafted in the top 10 rounds as a senior money-saver.

    • Kay Temple Kirk Jun 6,2014 10:10 pm || Up

      I just heard Ken Korach say in my head, “…AND COREY MILLER GETS THE A’S OUT OF ANOTHER JAM!”

      This is a good sign.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  57. FreeSeatUpgrade Jun 6,2014 6:57 pm

    Almost all college guys this year.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Jun 6,2014 7:01 pm || Up

      and a lot of pitchers it seems

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  58. aardvark Jun 6,2014 7:00 pm

    I’m not very impressed with the A’s first two days. Too many bullpen arms, no really strong bats.

  59. Future Ed Jun 6,2014 7:02 pm

    and thanks for all this aardvark

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  60. aardvark Jun 6,2014 8:05 pm

    Good thing the A’s are so fun to watch right now. If this draft was all we had to be excited about I’d be quite sad

    • Soaker Jun 6,2014 8:10 pm || Up
      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • aardvark Jun 6,2014 8:34 pm || Up

        I forgot I wrote that about Gray. 2011 seems like a long time ago.

        • 5Aces Jun 6,2014 9:35 pm || Up

          1. Jemile Weeks (S) 2B
          2. Daric Barton (L) 1B
          3. David DeJesus (L) RF
          4. Josh Willingham (R) LF
          5. Ryan Sweeney (L) CF
          6. Kurt Suzuki (R) C
          7. Hideki Matsui (L) DH
          8. Scott Sizemore (R) 3B
          9. Cliff Pennington (S) SS

          Lineup today. Not bad. It’s nice not having to experience that feeling of hopelessness every time Kz and Ellis step up to the plate.

          Lineup not bad. Wow those were the days.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • dmoas Jun 6,2014 10:31 pm || Up

            If we had that line up today, I think I’d want to shoot myself.

            • 5Aces Jun 6,2014 11:29 pm || Up

              The only ones there that I think could be on this team would be Pig and maybe Sizemore or Moneypenny if they were at 2B.

              Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  61. aardvark Jun 6,2014 9:03 pm

    There’s a write-up of Chapman with quotes from Kabota over at BA. Highlights:
    A’s drafted Chapman as a hitter, no plans to have him pitch

    Kabota on Chapman:

    Kubota says Chapman could become an elite defender at third base, and the plan is to leave him in that position. Kubota also sees much offensive potential, viewing Chapmen as a player who is still maturing physically and strengthening his body.

    Bullshit:

    Kubota was also pleased with the choice. “He was definitely the best player left on our board at the time we drafted.”

    On Gossett:

    Kubota says Gossett’s fastball hits 94 mph, with the makings of a good breaking ball and changeup. The breaking ball is somewhere between a curve and slider, with late movement. The A’s plan to keep him a starter rather than moving him to the bullpen.

  62. aardvark Jun 6,2014 9:24 pm

    So he dropped then rose late? Is that it?

    Pick analysis: Chapman has been rising up draft boards late in the process. Although the A’s were tied to prep position players, a demographic they had invested in at the top of the draft throughout the last few years, but returned to their college roots.
    Scouting report: Chapman has been an infield mainstay for three years at Cal State Fullerton, and he led USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team with 20 RBIs last summer. He also generated a buzz in two mound appearances for Team USA, running his fastball up to 98 mph, but he has not pitched in three seasons for the Titans. Chapman’s plus-plus is a major asset at the hot corner, where he has the actions and instincts to be an above-average defender. He has plenty of strength in his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame, projecting for average power, but his line-drive swing is more tailored for driving doubles from gap-to-gap. Chapman has a disciplined approach and walks about as often as he strikes out. Scouts like his hard-nosed, blue-collar mentality and sound baseball instincts. And his premium arm makes pitching an intriguing fallback option should his bat eventually sputter.

    BA

    Chapman fell down m[an]y board this spring thanks to a disappointing spring from a production standpoint. The swing path isn’t clean, making it unlikely he hits for a high average, and he has yet to find a way to tap into his plus raw power. The arm strength is elite and he handles himself well around the bag, so there is value in the profile even if the bat never fully emerges.

    The Athletics were one of the most successful teams in last year’s draft in determining signability and making upside selections when high leverage opportunities arose. The went safer on Day One, so perhaps they are lining up some higher upside selections on Day Two.

    BP

  63. Soaker Jun 7,2014 3:43 pm

    Coming to the end of the 37th round and Handsome Monica is still on the board. Joey Pankake went pretty early. A lot of the picks now are “So-and-So, Jr., who is the son of former major league player So-and-So”.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Future Ed Jun 7,2014 3:50 pm || Up

      i really want handsome monica

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  64. ozzman99 Jun 7,2014 5:04 pm

    So did we get anyone interesting?

  65. James V. Jun 9,2014 10:27 am

    So I just caught and released a blue jay from inside the house. I heard some rustling outside and thought a bird landed on the chimney vent or the old satellite dish, because I’ve heard scraping before.

    Went outside, saw nothing, though there is a small hole in the screen for the chimney. Opened the flue, blue jay dropped into the fireplace. Right away, Bernie was ‘!!!!’ and ALL about trying to get past the glass screen while the bird was flapping around.

    After stashing him in the bedroom, I just grabbed a pair of gloves and got the bird out, but not before it slipped free a couple times. Released it outside, and Bernie is still very interested in checking out the fireplace now.

    • Future Ed Jun 9,2014 10:30 am || Up

      its a sign!

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • 5Aces Jun 9,2014 10:37 am || Up

        Canadian gambling interests?

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • AV Jun 9,2014 10:44 am || Up

      steller’s jay.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • James V. Jun 9,2014 10:52 am || Up

        Yeah, probably.

        • aardvark Jun 9,2014 11:37 am || Up

          Could have also been a scrub jay. Black head with a crest or blue with no crest?

          • James V. Jun 9,2014 1:14 pm || Up

            It was…more the latter. Smaller than the typical jay I’m used to seeing, too.

            • aardvark Jun 11,2014 4:40 pm || Up

              Sounds like a Western Scrub Jay. Like this?:

          • James V. Jun 9,2014 1:14 pm || Up

            Also, I think my cat now sees the fireplace as a bird dispenser.

  66. aardvark Jun 9,2014 11:36 am

    This is from a BP chat:

    Nate (IL): Do you see Matt Chapman’s hit/power tool coming around? If it doesn’t, is his defense enough to make him a useful player?

    Draft Wrap Chat with Nick J. Faleris: The defense is solid, the power upside is impressive. I didn’t love the offensive profile when I saw him wielding wood. Oakland’s draft looks like a scout’s draft finding value by playing the board.

    • dmoas Jun 9,2014 12:36 pm || Up

      I have no idea what that means.

      • aardvark Jun 11,2014 4:44 pm || Up

        He didn’t hit well with wooden bats. The more important line to me is: “Oakland’s draft looks like a scout’s draft finding value by playing the board.” Which is a polite way of saying the A’s draft sucks.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 9,2014 12:42 pm || Up

      I’m all for in-depth scouting, but seeing the guy “wielding wood” goes further than I am comfortable with.

      • dmoas Jun 9,2014 12:53 pm || Up

        Makes you wonder what kind of stance he took that was so offensive, no?

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