Draft Day 2018: In Line At #9 ← FREE KRAUT!

Draft Day 2018: In Line At #9 119

I love draft day. So much promise, so much potential.

This year the A’s have picks 9, 50, 70, 85 and then pick 9th in rounds 4 on and have $9,553,000 to spend total.

It sounds as though there is a fair bit of consensus as to who the top 5 picks will be, but after that things are far less clear. There are still a lot of names being suggested for the A’s including Jonathan India Jaren Kelenic, Travis Swaggerty and Nolan Gorman. The A’s had previously been said to be interested in Shane McClanahan but he seems to be falling in recent mock drafts.

Looking forward to talking draft, prospects and bullshit with you FKers.

119 thoughts on “Draft Day 2018: In Line At #9

  1. MikeV Jun 4,2018 8:54 am

    After absolutely ZERO research, I would like LHP Liberatore to fall to us at 9. Thx.

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

    Thanks, and go As.

  2. Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 9:55 am

    MLB nearly cleared the decks tonight to put the focus on the draft. Three west coast night games, with only the second game of a Yankees/Tigers doubleheader foiling the plan of no games during the draft itself.

    • aardvark Jun 4,2018 11:11 am || Up

      I hadn’t made the connection. I was surprised to see such a light schedule today but didn’t think about the draft in that context at all.

  3. andeux Jun 4,2018 10:07 am

    It seems like BA has put a lot more of their stuff behind the pay wall this year.

    TINSTAAFK
    • ptbnl Jun 4,2018 11:02 am || Up

      Billy will ask for a subscription for the A’s as part of the Chapman trade.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • aardvark Jun 4,2018 11:10 am || Up

      Were you looking for something in particular? I’m happy to share.

      • andeux Jun 4,2018 1:23 pm || Up

        Nothing important. I just recall that in past years I could look at their mock drafts and some of the prospect rankings.

        TINSTAAFK
        • aardvark Jun 4,2018 1:45 pm || Up

          Yeah, they seem to have redesigned their whole site and I hate it.

  4. aardvark Jun 4,2018 11:36 am
  5. Future Ed Jun 4,2018 12:24 pm

    just before I logged in I was thinking, its time for an aardvark siting.

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  6. vignette17 Jun 4,2018 1:21 pm

    So besides mikev for Liberatore, who are people rooting for?

    After minimal research, I’m rooting for high upside again and I think Liberatore’s probably best there. Gorman came for a workout. Anybody else?

    • MikeV Jun 4,2018 1:34 pm || Up

      also the 3B. Gorman?

      edit: I’m an idiot. It’s in the main post. Gorman.

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

      Thanks, and go As.

    • aardvark Jun 4,2018 2:30 pm || Up

      I don’t feel too strongly this time around, but if Bohm falls to the A’s like in the latest BA mock draft, that would be great.

  7. aardvark Jun 4,2018 2:26 pm

    BA has update their mock draft today with India and Kelenic moving up and Bohm dropping to the A’s.

    In this situation, Bohm makes the most sense with the Athletics, as a team that typically favors the college side and has arguably the draft’s best college position player who hits for both average and power falling into their laps. Oakland continues to be linked to South Alabama outfielder Travis Swaggerty, Gorman and Kelenic.

    • aardvark Jun 4,2018 3:20 pm || Up

      And just like that they have an update to that update that has the A’s taking Gorman.

      • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 3:22 pm || Up

        Sandra Day O’Connor High School.

        • Future Ed Jun 4,2018 3:29 pm || Up

          how is that abbreviated?

          SDOCHS
          SDOHS
          DOHS
          OHS?

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
  8. andeux Jun 4,2018 4:00 pm

    Callis and Mayo now both have us taking RHP Brady Singer.

    TINSTAAFK
    • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 4:02 pm || Up

      I would have sworn they both had him going in the top 5 half an hour ago on tv.

      • andeux Jun 4,2018 4:07 pm || Up

        Heh. They both had him at #4 this morning, at least.
        Sounds like it could be a situation just like (his former teammate) Puk, where a pitcher originally expected to go higher drops into the A’s lap.

        TINSTAAFK
        • aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:17 pm || Up

          Interesting. Singer is considered to have lower upside than some others but could move quickly and had been high all year.

  9. aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:09 pm

    Tiggers on the clock.

  10. aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:12 pm

    Unsurprisingly the tigers take Mize.

    Scouting Report: Mize has established himself as the top player in the 2018 draft class thanks to a deep and talented repertoire that is made mostly of 60-grade or better offerings and exceptional control that allowed him to lead all college pitchers with a 12.11 strikeout-to-walk ratio as a sophomore in 2017. Through 10 starts this spring, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound righthander had improved his K/BB to a ridiculous 15.67 mark with a 2.25 ERA in 68 innings. Mize pitches off of a fastball that gets up to 97 mph but sits in the 93-95 range and a 70-grade splitter that’s among the best offspeed offerings in the country. Typically a difficult pitch to control, even for professional pitchers, Mize locates the 86-89 mph splitter remarkably well, with powerful downward action. He also has a slider that is in the mid- to upper 80s that he’s thrown with a different grip this spring than he had on previous occasions. He has two variations of the slider—one that is more firm and used as an out pitch and another that’s softer with more of a curveball shape and used as a get-me-over strike. He has also added a cutter to his repertoire this spring that’s in the 88-91 mph range and scouts have already graded it as a plus offering. On top of all of that, Mize also throws a slower changeup from a different grip than his power splitter, which falls in the low 80s with fade and sink. While technically he has a four-pitch mix, the variations to the splitter and slider give him six different offerings to attack hitters, each of which grade out as plus offerings for most scouts, headlined by the plus-plus splitter. The stuff, pitchability and performance give Mize the ceiling of a future ace, with his medical history being the only knock on his resume. Mize was shutdown with forearm issues during the spring and summer of 2017 and has had trouble staying healthy dating back to his time as a high school prospect in Springville, Ala. He’s avoided injury issues the spring of his junior year, however, and if he continues to make his starts and nothing crazy shows up in his medical this June, he should be the first player off the board.

  11. andeux Jun 4,2018 4:13 pm

    Last BA mock is also available.
    Looks like the consensus is Mize, Bart, Bohm to start, with some doubt about what the ChiSox will do at #4.

    TINSTAAFK
  12. aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:21 pm

    Bart goes #2

    Scouting Report: Bart became the first player ever drafted out of Buford (Ga.) High when the Rays selected him in the 27th round of the 2015 draft, but Bart chose to instead attend Georgia Tech, following in the footsteps of major league backstops like Jason Varitek and Matt Wieters. Since then, Bart has established himself as the top catcher in the 2018 class by a wide margin and there are more than a few people wondering if he’s the best catcher to come through the program—high praise considering the talent and major league success of Varitek and Wieters. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Bart has all the tools necessary to become an above-average defensive catcher at the pro level. He has a strong arm that’s at least above-average and likely plus, as well as strong and quiet hands, footwork that’s online to his target during throws and exceptional game-calling abilities for an amateur. Prior to this spring, scouts questioned Bart’s effort behind the dish, but the recent feedback has been exceptional. When he’s locked in and focused, he looks the part. Offensively, Bart has plus raw power to all fields and has a solid track record in the ACC, hitting 13 home runs during his sophomore season and hitting 11 home runs through his first 37 games this spring. Bart also has a solid wood bat track record, hitting .309/.389/.433 with two home runs in the Cape Cod League in 2016, which should help ease the worries of teams who might knock him for a poor summer in 2017, when he was dealing with a groin injury while playing for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. Bart does have a history of striking out a bit too much, and most evaluators put the hit tool at fringe-average at best, but the combination of his defensive tools and his ability to get to his power in-game at a position that is incredibly scarce should have him flying off the board early.

  13. aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:26 pm

    BA is 3 for 3 as Bohm goes to the Phillies:

    Scouting Report: Bohm has been one of the most impressive college hitters in the 2018 draft class and has positioned himself to go early in the first round after several big performances in front of large groups of evaluators this spring. With a large, 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame, Bohm brings a vast amount of strength to the batter’s box, which helps provide some of the best raw power in the country. Bohm has gotten to that power frequently this spring, hitting .353/.464/.596 through his first 36 games with eight home runs and nine doubles. Perhaps more impressive than Bohm’s power output—he also hit 11 homers as a sophomore and six as a freshman—is his improved plate discipline this season. He’s cut his strikeout rate and significantly improved his walk rate, taking the free pass more frequently than striking out for the first time in his collegiate career. He has an exceptional understanding of the strike zone and always seem to have a plan when he steps in the batter’s box, with the ability to make adjustments within an at-bat. His loud spring comes on the heels of a summer in the Cape Cod League, where Bohm was selected to the all-star game and finished second in the league with a .351 average. Bohm has done as much as anyone in the 2018 class to prove himself with the bat, but where the questions will surface for him are on the defensive side. Some scouts think Bohm will eventually have to move to first base, while others believe his strong arm will be enough for him to stay at the hot corner.

  14. aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:33 pm

    Madrigal to the white Sox:

    Northwest area scouts saw just six games of Madrigal (in which he hit over .500 with two home runs) before he went down with a broken left wrist after sliding into home plate during a February game against Ohio State. Fortunately, Madrigal’s track record is a lengthy one, as he played for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team during the summer of 2017 and also hit .303/.342/.376 as an 18-year-old in the West Coast Collegiate League in 2015, with more walks than strikeouts. Many area scouts and scouting directors alike are convinced that Madrigal would be a top-10 selection even if he never came back to the field, given the non-chronic nature of his injury combined with his prolific feel for the barrel. While Madrigal will never be confused for a slugger and likely doesn’t have much more fringe-average power, he makes the most of all the juice he has, with elite bat-to-ball skills that allows him to drive the gaps and use his speed to collect extra-base hits in the form of doubles and triples. He’s not just a hitter, however, as Madrigal possesses plus-plus running ability and matches that skill with savvy baserunning prowess. A potential top-of-the-order hitter, Madrigal also projects as a plus defensive second baseman at the next level. The hands that allow him to hit with such apparent ease also translate to the field, where he is sure-handed and quick around the bag with enough arm strength for the keystone. Arm strength is the one knock on Madrigal—aside from his size—and scouts are split on whether he can be a major league shortstop, as Oregon State teammate Cadyn Grenier’s defense was enough to push Madrigal to second base in 2016. Regardless of which side of the bag teams see him playing in the future, Madrigal seems like a lock to be taken inside of the first ten picks this June and could be a fast-moving college bat at the professional level, thanks to both his baseball skills and professional makeup and work ethic.

  15. aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:40 pm

    Reds take India:

    Scouts have admired the way India plays the game and his overall package of tools since he was a standout shortstop at American Heritage School in Delray Beach, Fla. India was ranked as the No. 82 player in the 2015 class, but after the Brewers drafted him in the 26th round he made his way to Gainesville. India was solid, but unspectacular, in his first two season with the Gators, missing some time with injury during his sophomore campaign in which he hit 274/.354/.429 with 23 strikeouts and 42 walks. He’s improved his draft stock substantially this spring, hitting .420/.551/.840 with 13 home runs and more walks (34) than strikeouts (30) through his first 40 games. He is among the nation’s top-10 hitters in each triple-slash category and scouts have been extremely happy to see his raw power translate more into games this year. His ultimate role will depend on his defensive position. He played a decent amount of innings at shortstop early this year, but most of his time with Florida has been at third base, where he has solid hands and an average arm. He’s likely a third baseman or a second baseman at the next level, with the flexibility to move to shortstop in a pinch or for a team that doesn’t prioritize shortstop defense. If third base is the destination, he has more than enough bat to profile there, especially if this year’s power display is here to stay.

  16. aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:48 pm

    Kleenex #6:

    Scouting Report: Kelenic was the only outfielder in the high school class to unanimously make the first team in Baseball America’s Preseason All-America vote, as decided on by major scouting directors. Kelenic achieved that honor as one of the best hitters in the class with a balanced and powerful swing, a track record in the middle of USA Baseball’s 18U National Team lineup and a strong arm, as well as athleticism, above-average speed and impressive route running. One of the most intense players in the class, Kelenic has a fiery demeanor on the field that gives pause for some evaluators, while others who know him have no issues and see his passionate personality as a positive indicator. He lives and breathes baseball and is regularly in his dad’s training facilities in Waukesha, Wis., and also worked out in the same facility as Houston Texans’ defensive end J.J. Watt. One of the more polished hitters in the class, Kelenic has the frame and strength to continue to add more power as he gets into player development and could wind up with plus raw power down the road. As he ages, scouts are mixed on whether he stays in center field or moves to a corner, with his backers pointing to exceptional reads and defensive instincts, and detractors saying that his speed will back up as he gets stronger. He has more than enough arm for the outfield, regularly registering 96 mph readings from the grass and regarded as one of the most accurate arms in the class. The challenge with Kelenic is that he’s been difficult for teams to scout this spring in Wisconsin. He’s playing with a travel team rather than his high school and he’s also been seen indoors more frequently than outdoors. The track record for Wisconsin hitters is also poor, but Kelenic’s own track record with Team USA and on the showcase circuit, combined with his natural tools and makeup, could allow him to become the exception. He should be one of the first prep bats to get drafted this June.

  17. aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:52 pm

    In a somewhat surprising move the padre go Weathers:

    Scouting Report: The son of 19-year major league veteran David Weathers, Ryan is an advanced lefthanded pitcher out of Tennessee who offers a high floor for a prep arm. Weathers has three pitches that are at least average with a fastball, curveball and changeup. Scouts had to wait for a chance to see him this spring as Weathers is also a high-level basketball player and helped lead Lorretto High to its first ever state championship this season. When he did take the mound, Weathers pitched with a low-90s fastball that got up to 95 mph at its best with a curveball that appeared to be a tick better than it was last summer. Some scouts have put a 60-grade on the mid-70s breaking ball this spring after it was more 50-55 during the showcase circuit and with USA Baseball’s 18U team. He can also turn to an average changeup when he needs it as well. Weathers spots all of his pitches effectively—some evaluators believe he can develop future plus command—and his fastball plays up with heavy sinking action as well. With major league bloodlines and a well-rounded arsenal, Weathers figures to be a middle of the first-round pick, though he’ll need to maintain his body as he develops.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 4:57 pm || Up

      So we will get one of Liberatore, Gorman, Swaggerty, and Singer

      • aardvark Jun 4,2018 4:59 pm || Up

        The A’s have their pick of those 4 as Braves go Stewart.

      • aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:01 pm || Up

        Stewart scouting report:

        Scouting Report: Over the summer, Stewart was known almost exclusively for his otherworldly curveball, which was a 70-grade offering at the time and routinely registered spin rates above 3,000 revolutions per minute. Stewart’s curveball was so impressive, in fact, that TrackMan honored the righthander at the Perfect Game All-America Classic in San Diego and said his breaking ball was among the most impressive pitches the company has ever tracked, at any level. At 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, that performance alone was impressive. But this spring Stewart took a step forward, improving a fastball that once sat in the upper 80s to low 90s and has now reached 97-98 mph multiple times this spring, giving Stewart a chance at potentially two 70-grade pitches. On top of the stuff, Stewart brings impressive athleticism to the table and a good feel for the strike zone. Scouts have been impressed with how consistently Stewart is able to land his sweeping, low-80s breaker for a strike, especially considering the massive depth the pitch possesses. Stewart has also shown the ability to manipulate the offering depending on the situation. That sort of feel leaves some scouts projecting a changeup that could be at least average down the line. Stewart has thrown a changeup at times, but given his other offerings, he hasn’t needed to use a third pitch enough to give scouts much of a feel for it. An impressive golfer as well, Stewart could have a collegiate future on the links, but his skill on the mound should prevent him from ever reaching Mississippi State’s campus in the first place.

      • aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:04 pm || Up

        Really hard to say how the A’s go here. I’m surprised Singer is available. Perhaps the A’s like that he could help quickly given their window.

  18. aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:05 pm

    WFT?! Kyler Murray.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 5:06 pm || Up

      What in the absolute hell is going on here???

      • aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:12 pm || Up

        I have to assume the A’s have a plan here, but I definitely don’t see it.

        • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 5:16 pm || Up

          It sure sounds like they reached down for a guy who probably won’t sign for under slot and might not sign at all.

          • MikeV Jun 4,2018 5:21 pm || Up

            In the 4 minutes I’ve been reading about it, I fucking HATE the pick.

            I’m actually really hoping that they take a bunch of “undraftable” guys in the later rounds now and go over slot to get 3-4 first rounders.

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

            Thanks, and go As.

          • aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:25 pm || Up

            Maybe they have a deal with him. The difference in slotting for #9 ($4,761,500) and anything in the 70 (under a million) range is huge. So maybe the A’s plan to save money with him and go after someone who drops at #50.

  19. aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:07 pm

    BA has him down at 77:

    Scouting Report: Coming out of high school in 2015, Murray was considered one of the best two-sport stars coming out of Texas in years. He has a familial history with both football and baseball. Murray’s father, Kevin, was a star quarterback at Texas A&M in the early 1980s, while his uncle, Calvin, was a big league outfielder with multiple teams. Kyler would have been a potential late first-round pick out of high school if teams had thought he was signable, but as a two-sport star he told teams not to draft him because he was headed to Texas A&M. Murray has covered a lot of ground since then. He was supposed to be Johnny Manziel’s replacement for the Aggies, but he transferred to Oklahoma after starting three games and playing in eight as a freshman. That made Murray eligible to play his redshirt freshman season with the Sooners baseball team in 2017, but his rust was apparent. He hit .122 with no extra-base hits while struggling defensively in left field. Murray went to the Cape Cod League briefly last summer and, after serving as NFL No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield’s backup last season (he threw 21 passes), he showed significant strides in his second season with the Sooners baseball team. Murray looked much more comfortable in center field this year than he did in the corners last year, as the easier reads of center allowed him to take more decisive routes and let his plus speed play. There’s still a ton of projection involved with Murray because scouts know they aren’t seeing him at his best. He has spent much of the spring splitting time between baseball and spring football practice, where he was battling for the Sooners’ starting quarterback job. Scouts have generally seen more above-average than plus run times from him, but many believe that’s because he’s worn out. Similarly, he shows a 30 arm right now, but he doesn’t get to work on his throwing arm for baseball because he is muscled up for football. At the plate, Murray’s development this season has impressed evaluators. He is showing much more advanced pitch recognition and plate coverage, impressing with his ability to battle to deep counts. He has 20-25 home run potential down the road, with the bat speed that gives him a chance to develop into at least an average hitter as well. Murray’s signability is going to be a tricky puzzle for teams. He has the leverage to demand a significant signing bonus to give up football or he could also look to sign a contract that allows him to continue to play football, something Anthony Alford, Kyle Parker and Russell Wilson have done in the past. But he could also opt to not sign and push any such decisions back a year—he’ll still be a redshirt junior next June. As such, he’s a tricky player for scouts to evaluate. On pure talent, he’s a second- to third-round pick.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 5:09 pm || Up

      LOL, he was #1 on Harold Reynolds’ board.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 5:14 pm || Up

      They are saying on TV that he is going to play this football season with Oklahoma and then switch to baseball. How does that work when you have to sign in the summer or go back into the draft? The NCAA would let a kid with a professional baseball contract play football?

      • aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:18 pm || Up

        If I remember correctly, he can sign by the deadline and return to school as long as he doesn’t play baseball. That’s what would put him back in draft eligibility.

        • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 5:21 pm || Up

          Interesting. I hope the A’s get some insurance on his knees.

    • lenscrafters Jun 4,2018 5:44 pm || Up

      Wow this is the craziest pick I’ve ever seen the A’s make in the Beane era. It’s so un-A’s like. I’m not sure how I feel about this.

      • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 5:46 pm || Up

        I’m not thrilled about having to nervously watch college football games this fall.

  20. aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:13 pm

    #swag to Pirates at 10:

    Scouting Report: After going undrafted out of high school with little to no hype in the scouting community, Swaggerty has become a top-of-the-first-round talent because of his performance at South Alabama and an impressive summer with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2017. With Team USA, Swaggerty started in center field and hit near the top of the order, hitting .328/.449/.406. That came after a spring in the Sun Belt Conference where his on-base plus slugging percentage was over 1.000 with 10 home runs. On the national radar after his impressive 2017 campaign, Swaggerty had one of the loudest starts to the 2018 season of any college player, hitting .390/.609/.707 through his first 13 games with three home runs. A five-tool talent, Swaggerty projects as an at least average hitter who has 60-grade running ability, 60-grade defense in center field and an above-average to plus arm. He profiles fairly safely in center field at the next level, and while some scouts have questioned his power potential in the past, he seems to have ticked up in that category early this spring and should have fringe-average to average power. Swaggerty seems to get the most out of his power potential, with 10 home runs during his sophomore season at South Alabama. He has also cut his strikeout rate and improved his walk rate during each of his seasons at South Alabama and in 2018 he is among the nation’s leaders in walks and walks per game. While Swaggerty has cooled off a bit as the season progressed, he seems to be a safe bet as a lefthanded hitting center fielder with a college track record and no real holes in his game.

  21. aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:19 pm

    #11 Grayson Rodriguez:

    Scouting Report: The biggest pop-up player of the 2018 draft class, Grayson Rodriguez is a huge, 6-foot-5, 230-pound righthander who was primarily in the lower 90s over the summer with some bad weight on his body. Over the winter he got into the gym, worked with a trainer and overhauled his body, cleaning it up and looking like a completely different pitcher this spring. The results were astounding, as Rodriguez has regularly been up to 97-98 mph with his fastball and sits in the mid-90s throughout his starts with remarkable ease in his delivery. In addition to the velocity that he’s shown he can sustain, Rodriguez has heavy life to his fastball and spots it fairly well in the strike zone, giving the pitch the makings of a 70-grade offering—If it’s not already there. In addition to the fastball, Rodriguez has a low-80s slider and a curveball that is a step ahead at 72-74 mph and occasionally slows up. He doesn’t throw it often, but he mixes in an occasional changeup to show it’s in the repertoire as well. Rodriguez has a very poised approach on the mound and rarely shows any emotion as he cuts through opposing lineups in front of deep crowds of scouts and high-level decision makers. Reportedly many teams in the back end of the first round have been bearing down on Rodriguez and he’s done enough this spring to establish himself among the top tier of high school arms.

  22. aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:39 pm

    Jordan Groshans, Connor Scott, Logan Gilbert, and Cole Winn go 12-15.

  23. aardvark Jun 4,2018 5:46 pm

    Libartore finally goes at 16. I wonder if that’s high enough to buy him away from college.

  24. aardvark Jun 4,2018 6:00 pm

    Singer finally goes at 18 to the Royals, just after Jordyn Adams.

  25. aardvark Jun 4,2018 7:01 pm

    Gorman, Larnach, Turang, Rolison, Seigler, Hoerner, McLain, Casas, Denaburg, Beer, Naylor, and Ginn round out the top 30.

  26. aardvark Jun 4,2018 7:08 pm

    Some thoughts on Murray from Callis:

    Here’s our first stunner of the night. A few weeks ago it was unthinkable that Murray — the quarterback at Oklahoma with Baker Mayfield now in the NFL — would go this high. But over the last couple of days it became clear that Murray was interested in pursuing a baseball career and would sign. The expectation is that he will play quarterback at OU in the fall and then focus solely on baseball. He would’ve been an easy first-round pick out of high school three years ago if he’d been signable, and he’s arguably the best athlete in the Draft. What also sticks out about Murray is that he made a dramatic improvement this year with the Sooners after not playing much baseball the previous two seasons.

  27. aardvark Jun 4,2018 7:08 pm

    From the BP chat:

    John (Harrisonburg): Kyler Murray over Brady Singer? Why Billy Beane why?

    Draft Night with David Lee: Heck of an interesting pick there. Billy Beane just out there keeping it entertaining all the time. Plenty of tools to like from Murray. It was going to take a high pick like this to lure him from football and this will probably do it.

    Dan (San Francisco): With both Liberatore and Singer available, the A’s go with the undersized CFer, Kyler Murray. Why?

    Draft Night with David Lee: I guess the Athletics fell in love with the tools. You can count on Billy Beane to keep things interesting. Brings an explosive skill set with power up the middle. If you’re going big with the bonus to lure Murray away, you think he has much higher upside than a Liberatore or Singer.

    • lenscrafters Jun 4,2018 7:13 pm || Up

      The question for me is do they have an underslot deal with Murray worked out (in exchange they’ll let him play football) or is this still a case where he’s a slot or overslot sign? I’ve read it both ways and both sound plausible. I guess their next pick will sort of reveal their intentions here.

      • aardvark Jun 4,2018 7:27 pm || Up

        If they get a discount and can sign an over slot guy I like that play. If the A’s pay slot or over for him, that’s a little scary. Then again, the athleticism is undeniable.

  28. aardvark Jun 4,2018 7:13 pm

    More on Murray:

  29. aardvark Jun 4,2018 7:32 pm

    Wow, TB takes Shane McClanahan at 31 after already taking advantage of Libaratore dropping to them at 15.

  30. aardvark Jun 4,2018 7:43 pm

    Now I know how Bed feels.

  31. Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 8:19 pm

    I didn’t know we were doing round 2 tonight!

    We got Jameson Hannah, an outfielder from Dallas.

    • aardvark Jun 4,2018 8:24 pm || Up

      Yep, and the competitive balance round B, and the supplemental second round.

  32. aardvark Jun 4,2018 8:20 pm

    A’s take Jameson Hannah. BA has him at #48 and MLB at 32.
    BA Scouting Report:

    Scouting Report: Hannah went undrafted out of Flower Mound (Texas) High in 2015, but was part of a Texas 5-A state championship team as a junior in 2014 and has hit at a high level in each of his three seasons at Dallas Baptist. Accounting for his first 41 games this spring, Hannah is a career .340/.420/.502 hitter with 16 home runs, 41 doubles and 28 stolen bases—caught stealing just twice in three seasons. A solid athlete who has gained strength since getting to college, Hannah profiles as a center fielder at the next level thanks to his 60-grade or better speed and a hit tool that grades out at 50 or better as well. Hannah is not overflowing with tools, but as a premium position defender with speed and a smooth swing, he has put himself in position to go on day one of the draft. He has also improved his plate discipline each year. After striking out 39 times (17.6 K%) and walking 20 times (9 BB%) in 2016, Hannah is now walking almost as much as he is striking out, with 25 walks (12.1 BB%) and 28 strikeouts (13.6 K%) as a junior. Hannah operates with a doubles-oriented approach but has the strength that could allow him to reach double-digit homers as a pro if a major league team wants to change his mentality in the batter’s box. Scouts also believe that Hannah could rack up more stolen bases with a more aggressive approach, as he has the speed and efficiency to do damage there as well. The knock on Hannah could be his performance in the Cape Cod League last summer, when he hit just .265/.331/.356 with the highest strikeout rate of his collegiate career, but his wood bat track record in the Coastal Plain League in 2016 was solid.

    • lenscrafters Jun 4,2018 8:28 pm || Up

      His profile is not too dissimilar from last year’s second pick, Kevin Merrell. In the big leagues, I could see our Boog Powell being a reasonable comp. Not too sure about guys like this unless he suddenly starts tapping into more power.

      It does seem to indicate that they don’t expect to save much money with Murray. I would’ve loved to see Kumar Rocker picked here instead.

      • aardvark Jun 4,2018 8:32 pm || Up

        It does seem to indicate that they don’t expect to save much money with Murray.

        My thoughts exactly.

  33. aardvark Jun 4,2018 8:44 pm

    And with their last pick of the night, the A’s take Jeremy Eierman. He was pretty well regarded so maybe he’s the over slot guy:

    Scouting Report: The son of former Red Sox minor league outfielder John Eierman and the younger brother of former Rays minor league outfielder Johnny Eierman, Jeremy Eierman has one of the longest track records of success of any college player in this year’s draft class. He hit .296/.336/.504 as Missouri State’s everyday shortstop as a freshman, and was even better as a sophomore, when he hit .313/.431/.675 with 23 home runs, which was fifth best in Division I. Eierman’s solid but less spectacular junior year has paled in comparison, as he’s not hitting for the same power. Scouts also have to factor in the fact he hasn’t hit with wood. He hit .125/.182/.225 with strikeouts in 25 percent of his at-bats for USA Baseball last summer and .185/.258/.277 in two summers in the Cape Cod League. But Eierman is still the best college shortstop in the class with plus speed, a plus arm (some scouts throw a 70 on it) and plus power potential. Eierman has excellent bat speed, but he generates that with a significant load that requires him to get started in his swing a little earlier. He modified his stance this year with a deeper squat, but it’s made him more vulnerable to being pitched inside. On the basepaths, Eierman uses his speed well—as of late April he had been successful on 18 of 20 stolen base attempts. Defensively, Eierman has the tools to stick at shortstop thanks to his arm and his ability to throw from multiple angles. His range is average, but his hands work well. He also could be a plus defender at second or third base with the bat to handle a position switch.

  34. Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 8:45 pm

    • sslinger Jun 4,2018 8:52 pm || Up

      What I want to know is, can he hit and pitch?

      • andeux Jun 4,2018 9:10 pm || Up

        I don’t know, but he plays QB and somehow has a below average throwing arm as an outfielder.

        TINSTAAFK
    • Glorious Mundy Jun 4,2018 9:18 pm || Up

      • AV Jun 4,2018 10:58 pm || Up

        “he’s not injured enough to be an A yet.”

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • aardvark Jun 5,2018 8:48 am || Up

          I wonder if the A’s can get injury risk insurance for a guy that doesn’t even play for them yet.

          • andeux Jun 5,2018 10:20 am || Up

            I would think if he is under contract they could get insurance, and if he is not under contract then the risk is all on his side.

            TINSTAAFK
  35. aardvark Jun 5,2018 8:51 am

    Not sure if this BA article is behind a pay wall, so here’s the part about the A’s:

    As Baseball America attempted to gather information on players and teams for mock drafts leading up to Monday’s first round, the Athletics proved to be one of the more difficult teams to gauge. Understandably so, as Oakland shook the draft up in a big way with the No. 9 selection, taking Oklahoma center fielder Kyler Murray—who ranked as the No. 77 player on the BA 500.

    Coming out of high school, Murray could have been a first-round talent if teams thought he was signable, but as an elite athlete on the football field Murray told teams not to select him and he made his way to Texas A&M. Since then, Murray has transferred to Oklahoma, where he appears to be the starting quarterback in waiting and has improved his game on the diamond tremendously.

    His routes and instincts in the outfield have improved, allowing his plus speed to make him a potential impact defender in the grass, with an improved approach at the plate and potential for 20-25 home runs down the line. Murray’s arm plays well below-average on the baseball field now, though he has the arm strength that should allow it to tick up once he starts to focus on baseball and his throwing mechanics on the diamond full-time.

    Which leads to the most interesting aspect of this Murray selection at No. 9. The Athletics are going to let Murray go back to school and play football during his redshirt junior season. Playing a contact sport will open himself up to more injury risk than any other first-round position player.

    It’s certainly a high-risk, high-reward pick for the Athletics for a number of reasons, but they seemed to mitigate that somewhat when they picked Dallas Baptist outfielder Jameson Hannah and Missouri State shortstop Jeremy Eierman with their other Day 1 picks. Eierman entered the year with a chance to go in the middle of the first round, but slipped a bit when he underperformed compared to his excellent sophomore season.

  36. aardvark Jun 5,2018 8:59 am

    Drafting starts today in about half an hour. A’s pick 7th in the 3rd round (85th overall) and then 9th the rest of the way through. I’ll be around much of the day for your drafty updates.

  37. aardvark Jun 5,2018 9:51 am

    Callis just had some very nice things to say about Murray. Basically, his focus has been football but had it been baseball, he would have gone in the first round in 2015. And he was way better at baseball this year than people would have expected given that he basically hasn’t played for the last two years. Definitely has risk, but the upside is there and it sounds like the A’s did their work.

    He also mentioned that the A’s could sign a two sport deal, which allows them to spread the bonus over 5 years. I remember this being used in the past but had completely forgotten about it.

    • Future Ed Jun 5,2018 11:31 am || Up

      wait, what?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • vignette17 Jun 5,2018 2:35 pm || Up

      Wait, how does this 5 year spreading work? Solely for capital purposes, like the A’s salary for 2018 is 1/5*x? I’m assuming not for the signing bonus allocation for a #9 pick. What benefit does this grant the A’s besides theoretically paying $600K in 2018 as opposed to $3M? If he gets hurt playing football, do the A’s get benefit?

      • aardvark Jun 5,2018 3:02 pm || Up

        Correct that it doesn’t change anything about the slotting for the #9 pick. But it’s not just if he gets hurt. It’s also if he chooses not to play baseball. As I understand it, teams get 5 years to pay out the full bonus, rather than 1.5. How it all gets divided out depends on the negotiations. If he gets hurt or decides not to play at any point during the 5 years A’s keep whatever wasn’t paid out.

  38. Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2018 10:18 am

    Always good when the first thing said about the pitcher you just drafted is “coming off of an oblique injury.”

  39. Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2018 10:38 am

    Why do so many of these guys have two last names and no first name?

  40. aardvark Jun 5,2018 11:24 am

    A’s take Hogan Harris in round 3:

    Scouting Report: Seen at his best, Harris looks like a second or third-round pick with a whippy fast arm and excellent flexibility, but he’s struggled to stay healthy and maintain that stuff. The lefty sits 92-95 mph on those great days. He had that kind of stuff when he shut down Louisiana State, allowing one unearned run in four innings. But he’s missed some time with an oblique injury and has had other starts where he pitches with 4-5 mph less on his fastball. When he has good arm speed, his slider and changeup also flash above-average. He’s able to manipulate and locate his slider, which helps it play up. Harris has had plenty of success—he’s 4-1, 2.33 this year on the heels of posting a 2.66 ERA that was fifth-best in the Sun Belt Conference last season. His ability to battle with less than his best stuff bodes well for his chance to work in pro ball as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

    Alfonso Rivas in round 4:

    Scouting Report: Observers have no doubt that Rivas will hit, with most evaluators putting a plus future grade on the hit tool. He followed a strong 2017 season—when he was a first team all-Pac 12 player and second team All-American—by getting himself into better shape and this year has been the anchor in the Wildcats lineup. Rivas is a lefthanded hitter with outstanding makeup. He has excellent knowledge of the strike zone and a short swing, giving him the ability to handle offspeed pitches and regularly hit the ball to the opposite field. The biggest question is whether Rivas will develop enough power to profile at either first base, which is his best defensive position, or a corner outfield spot. He doesn’t project to add much more strength to his frame, but he currently has average raw power. In games, he shows more doubles power than over-the-fence pop. Rivas played right field during his sophomore year in deference to J.J. Matijevic before moving to first base this spring. He’s an above-average defender at first base with above-average hands. While he feels comfortable in the outfield and flashes an above-average arm, Rivas is a below-average runner and doesn’t profile well, defensively, as an outfielder. His pure bat-to-ball skills should get Rivas drafted early on day two.

  41. aardvark Jun 5,2018 2:26 pm

    Brady Feigl in round 5, was ranked way down at #471:

    Scouting Report: Feigl last season was drafted in the 35th round by the Angels as a redshirt sophomore but chose to return to Mississippi, where he has established himself as a key part of the Rebels’ rotation. He runs his fastball up to 96 mph and typically throws in the low 90s. His best secondary offering is a power breaking ball and he also mixes in a changeup. Feigl consistently throws all three offerings for strikes and takes advantage of his 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame to pound the bottom of the zone. Feigl’s stuff, size and control give him the look of a back-of-the-rotation starter in pro ball.

    Lawrence Butler in the 6th:

    Scouting Report: Butler is a powerful, 6-foot-4 outfielder who is young for the class and fairly raw at the plate. He brings plus raw power to the table, however, and has loose wrists with a solid feel to get the bat on the baseball. His pitch selection and timing at the plate is raw, and while Buter is playing center field now, he’s like a corner outfielder in the future. He’s an above-average runner with an athletic body that should allow him to continue adding more strength and power. A West Virginia commit, Butler is considered singable and many teams have had scouting directors and national cross-checkers in to see him this spring.

    Charlie Cerny in the 7th who neither MLB or BA have a scouting report on, but I’ll look for one.

    I really like the 8th round pick of JJ Schwarz. He’s someone who, earlier in his college career, people thought could go in round 1. His performance was inconsistent and he dropped last year. Could be a great pick at 8:

    Scouting Report: Schwarz has been a prominent player dating back to his high school days, when he played on USA Baseball’s gold-medal winning 18U national team in 2013. He was an All-American as a freshman at Florida in 2015, when he hit .332/.398/.629 with 18 home runs. He didn’t reach those statistical heights again until this spring, but he’s been a constant presence in the heart of Florida’s lineup for the last four seasons. Schwarz, a righthanded hitter, has above-average power. That comes with a fair amount of swing and miss and there are questions about just how much he’ll hit in pro ball. Schwarz has a lot of experience handling elite pitching at Florida and he’s improved defensively in the last year. But his lack of athleticism behind the plate makes him a fringy defender and many scouts believe he’s better suited for first base, where he largely played last year. Regardless of where he ends up defensively, most of Schwarz’s value is tied to his bat.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2018 2:49 pm || Up

      I like the sound of “loose wrists.” Sign this kid.

  42. aardvark Jun 5,2018 2:43 pm

    I can’t find much about Cerny, he’s only started 7 games and has in his college career but his 2018 numbers were dominant. Apparently his FB gets up to 93.

  43. FreeSeatUpgrade Jun 5,2018 2:58 pm

    Jameson Hannah will be at the A’s game in Texas tonight, notes Slusser. She also points out that in 2016 Hannah played for the Savannah Bananas.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • aardvark Jun 5,2018 3:27 pm || Up

      That’s hilarious. That roster also includes a kid named Rylan Bannon.

    • ptbnl Jun 5,2018 6:13 pm || Up

      Hannah Hannah Savannah Banana.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • Future Ed Jun 5,2018 6:19 pm || Up

        there is always money in the savanah bananas

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • sslinger Jun 5,2018 8:59 pm || Up

      I’ll have to see if I can find the hat or t-shirt I bought, but I could swear when I went there it was the Savannah Sand Gnats. The switch to Bananas is inspired.

      • 5Aces Jun 6,2018 8:58 am || Up

        I would 100% figure out a way to make them enter the field from above just so you could have Savannah Bananas coming down the stairs.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  44. aardvark Jun 5,2018 3:34 pm

    So when I was looking for Chase Cohen among the BA top 500, I learned that there are 12 guys named Chase on that list. And 0 named Cohen.

    Cohen in round 9 (from mlb):

    Cohen showed the quality of his stuff in his April 13 outing against Southern Alabama and Travis Swaggerty, the No. 11 prospect in this year’s Draft. Cohen has a lot of weapons. The 6-foot-1 right-hander was 92-to-98 mph with his fastball over five innings, along with a power curveball and changeup. Cohen struck out seven in the game, and although Swaggerty had a single off him, he also got Swaggerty to fly out and pop up.

    Clark Cota in round 10:

    Scouting Report: A shutdown reliever for UNC Wilmington, Cota throws a plus fastball that’s been up to 96 mph with plus life and an average breaking ball. After splitting time as both an outfielder and reliever early in his college career, Cota has been strictly a reliever in 2018, where he’s posted a 1.95 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 18 walks in 32.1 innings. Because of his two-pitch repertoire, Cota projects as a reliever at the next level. His fastball sits in the 90-94 mph range, but the life on the pitch should allow it to play up in short stints. Cota throws a 12-to-6 curveball and goes right after hitters with both pitches. He has sprinkled in a changeup at times, but it’s well behind his other offerings.

    • Glorious Mundy Jun 5,2018 4:24 pm || Up

      “Chase” and “Cohen” are names that do not fit together.

      • andeux Jun 5,2018 4:33 pm || Up

        Schwarz and Cohen in consecutive rounds!

        TINSTAAFK
        • vignette17 Jun 6,2018 8:40 am || Up

          Is Schwarz & Cohen the firm representing Maxwell in his upcoming case?

  45. aardvark Jun 6,2018 2:01 pm

    I don’t know anything about any of the guys at this point. Reports on guys that BA has:

    11: Demars

    Scouting Report: A highly touted pitching prospect coming out of College Park (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) High, DeMers was ranked No. 126 on the BA 500 in 2015, but went undrafted and made it to campus at Washington. A decorated prep pitcher who had success with multiple Team USA clubs, including a perfect game with the 14U team in 2010 and a gold medal with the 18U team in 2013, DeMars touched 97 mph at times in high school but has never had the same electric arm in college. That’s not to say he hasn’t had success, as DeMers jumped into a starting role as a freshman, posted a 3.35 ERA as a sophomore and has lowered that to 2.34 through his first 13 starts this spring. In his second start of the season, DeMars threw a perfect game against UC Riverside, striking out nine batters on just 84 pitches. DeMars has had success by locating, mixing pitches and adding and subtracting velocity more than overpowering hitters, as his fastball hasn’t come close to the 97 mph he had in high school. Instead, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound righthander sits in the 88-91 mph range with his fastball, with a changeup and slider that he sequences effectively. His changeup is his best secondary pitch, an above-average offering with arm-side fading action. His slider has several shapes, one that is harder with tighter breaking action and a second that’s softer and looser with a more slurvry look. While none of his pitches are plus, DeMars has good feel to locate each of them and is confident throwing any of his pitches early in the count. A big-bodied pitcher since high school, DeMars hasn’t shown any progress trimming down, but scouts are impressed with his athleticism and the flexibility he shows in getting over his lower half. While he hasn’t turned into the electric arm that he once seemed capable of, DeMers nonetheless will interest teams thanks to his impressive pitchability and track record of success.

    14: Varland

    Scouting Report: Varland has been a dominant starter for Division II Concordia (Minn.) as he’s blown away hitters with a 93-95 mph fastball that touches 97. Varland was 7-1, 1.04 with 79 strikeouts and 14 walks in 60.1 innings. Evaluators aren’t all that thrilled with Varland’s high-energy delivery, but he repeats it well and has a long track record of throwing strikes. His slider shows potential to develop into an average pitch as well, giving him a pair of potential weapons whether he sticks as a starter or moves to the bullpen. Scouts will be heading back next year as well as Gus’ younger brother Louie is an equally dominating sophomore.

    25-Jones:

    Jones was seen as one of the better prep bats in the 2015 draft, but three years later, he’s failed to hit as a Commodore. He missed most of May with an oblique injury and was hitting .236/.328/.382. Teams who loved him coming out of high school may still be interested and he’s still a plus runner, but his draft stock is significantly lower than it was three years ago.

    27-Calabuig

    Scouting Report: Calabuig does everything well, even if he lacks a plus tool. A 5-foot-11, 185-pound lefthanded-hitting outfielder, Calabuig is an above-average runner, above-average defender and a solid offensive player. He hit .359 with 21 doubles and a .987 OPS as a senior, leading the Aztecs to the Mountain West Conference tournament championship. Calabuig possesses excellent balance and timing in the batter’s box. He hits the ball where it’s pitched, uses the whole field and consistently turns in quality at-bats. His slight uppercut produces a lot of doubles, but he can turn on inside pitches for the occasional pull-side home run as well. Calabuig played right field in college, but he projects to play left field in pro ball because of his average arm. He can also handle center field, when needed. Calabuig is a well-spoken, energetic leader with strong makeup. His performance and well-rounded game makes him a candidate to be one of the first seniors signs drafted.

    • 5Aces Jun 7,2018 8:58 am || Up

      Well thank god we have someone with an oblique injury…

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • Glorious Mundy Jun 7,2018 9:22 am || Up

        I’m more excited to have a “big-bodied pitcher” to follow again.

  46. aardvark Jun 6,2018 2:10 pm

    More name fun:

    In looking for A’s 19th round pick Matt Cross, I learned that there were two players eligible for the draft with the first name Cross. Cross Holfert and, get this…Cross Factor. 80 grade name. The endorsement deals alone!

    The A’s also took a dude with the last name Dingcong. As in looks like it rhymes with King Kong.

  47. Glorious Mundy Jun 6,2018 3:44 pm

    Sounds like over slot.

    • andeux Jun 6,2018 3:53 pm || Up

      Not under, at least.
      Still seems like quite a bit of risk – not just the chance he gets hurt playing football, but another half year (at least) of lost development time for someone who already is considered raw.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Glorious Mundy Jun 6,2018 4:03 pm || Up

        Worth it

        Murray was seen as about the best all-around athlete in the draft, and in the words of one scout, a “Rickey Henderson type.”

        • aardvark Jun 6,2018 7:39 pm || Up

          I tend to agree with you, although a Rickey Henderson comp is almost as bad as a Bo Jackson comp. You just can’t compare young ballplayers to the greatest athletes of all time.

          I wonder if there’s any data about how big of a risk this is. How often do college QB experience an injury that would derail a potential baseball career?

    • andeux Jun 6,2018 3:58 pm || Up

      Per wikipedia, Kyler Murray’s uncle Calvin was the batter when Randy Johnson hit the bird.

      TINSTAAFK
  48. andeux Jun 6,2018 4:24 pm


    My heart is twice as warm already.

    TINSTAAFK

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