FanPost

MinorLeagueBall Community Draft 2014: What Do Cubs Fans Think?

Hello Cubs fans, I'm b31c, and I am the scouting director for the most laughable franchise in sports Cubs in minorleagueball.com's annual community draft. I'm not going to lie, I'm a(n) disAstros fan, so I'm obviously not as familiar with the state of the Cubs organization as you guys are, so I'd like some input from you all, particularly regarding what should be done with the 4th pick in the draft.

I have Brady Aiken & Carlos Rodon as #1 & #2 on my board, but both are not likely to fall past the 3rd pick, so these following questions are typed in assumption that both CR & BA will be gone by pick 3:

1. Should Tyler Kolek be the pick if he falls to 4?

I have him as the 3rd best prospect on my board, but it's been pointed out to me that going for an under-slot deal with someone like Aaron Nola, Sean Newcomb, or perhaps even Nick Gordon (and then select a 1st round talent/signability guy at pick 45), would be the best course of action. What say you?

2. The Curious Case Of Alex Jackson: Should he be the pick if he falls to 4?

Jackson is 4th on my board, but the industry is split as to whether or not he'll be a long-term catcher, and could just move to the outfield a la Bryce Harper & Wil Myers to speed up his development. I was fairly high on Welington Castillo coming into the 2014 season, but he's obviously been pretty underwhelming thus far. Would it be the right thing to do to take a gamble on Jackson and see if he can remain at catcher? What say you?

3. What do you all make of Nick Gordon?

I have Gordon at #5 on my board, though he's more like 4a to Jackson's 4. Been googling away to see who his agent is, because if it's someone like Scott Boras, there's little to no hope for an under-slot deal, and it would make him less attractive of a pick. Of course, even he isn't represented by Boras and could be had at an under-slot deal, should middle infielders Javier Baez & Arismendy Alcantara be ignored in favor of selecting another dynamic middle infield talent like Gordon? What say you?

4. Aaron Nola: Overrated or overlooked?

Nola is the 4th & final topic up for discussion here. He is essentially guaranteed to sign an under-slot deal somewhere, especially if it were at #4. He's very polished and has the upside of a good #3 starter, and should arrive in the big leagues around the time when Baez/Alcantara/Bryant/Soler do. Should he be the primary target at #4 instead of Kolek, Gordon or Jackson because of these reasons? Or should the BPA philosophy be kept in tact here? What say you?

Feel free to talk about potential candidates for pick 45, should I take an under-slot guy or not. Always interested to see what favorites a fan base has, especially when it gets that far into the draft. Wouldn't mind seeing some personal favorites for the 3rd & 4th round picks as well.

I'd greatly appreciate any feedback, just go easy on mocking the Astros. My ripped out depressed soul cannot take much more :(.

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