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This week starts with a mock draft I participated in. I’m not a huge fan of mocks, but I ought to get about doing some. I’m responsible for the Rockies, Cubs, and Indians first round selection. You’re welcomed to assess, and ask questions about unfamiliar names. I imagine I’ll be doing more as June approaches.
A bit on the Cubs minor league players ties into any draft prep. If the prospect thinks they’re going to move to a system that’s going to be paying them more than the standard amount of pipeline pay, they might be more willing to sign with the batter paying side. As with any potential gig, “more pay” is preferable to “league minimum” with all other things being equal. Negotiations before the draft are almost as essential as ones after the draft, which usually iron out numbers loosely agreed to before the card submission.
If the 18th-round option figures he’ll get a bit more pay from the Cubs than they would from the Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, or Pirates, one would think that would provide at least a mild comparative advantage in the selection process. Along with speaking dismissively of the World Series trophy, the Commissioner seems a bit committed to minimizing differences between spending levels at the MLB organization levels. Paying more to prospects not with the parent club is still permitted.
Subject to change.
***
1) Austin Martin, SS, Vanderbilt
I haven’t checked in on Martin much. He’ll be gone early, anyway.
2) Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia
After struggling a bit in his first start, he was fantastic on Friday afternoon. From the Dawgs radio crew, “He can Maddux. He can Clemens.”
3) Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Arizona State
The right fielder jumps here why?
THREE THINGS IN LIFE ARE CERTAIN:
— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) February 23, 2020
1️⃣ Death
2️⃣ Taxes
3️⃣ #TorkBombs pic.twitter.com/RzRE2e8X6Q
4) Jordan Walker, 3B, Decatur HS (GA)
5) Nick Gonzales, 2B/SS, New Mexico State
Hit four extra base hits in a game on Sunday. He’s okay.
1B ✅
— NM State Baseball (@NMStateBaseball) February 23, 2020
2B ✅
3B ✅
HR ✅
Just another day in the life of @Nick_Gonzales13. pic.twitter.com/YLEuQTTChK
6) Austin Hendrick, RF, West Allegheny HS (PA)
7) Asa Lacy, LHP, Texas A&M
Asa Lacy, 14Ks in 5IP (in 36 seconds). pic.twitter.com/9LUPj1qaLa
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 22, 2020
8) Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit HS (OR)
9) Zac Veen, RF, Spruce Creek HS (FL)
Some see a little Cody Bellinger or Christian Yelich in fast-rising prep prospect Zac Veen.
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) February 19, 2020
He's not shying away from the expectations.
"I definitely agree with the Yelich and Bellinger comps,” Veen said. "That’s kind of who I mimic my game after."https://t.co/GTk3dKgG8U pic.twitter.com/jcV0yJPGtp
10) Reid Detmers, LHP, Louisville
6 IP, 3 H, O BB, 0 R, 14 K against Valparaiso.
11) Nick Bitsko right-handed pitcher Central Bucks East HS
12) Garrett Mitchell, CF/RF, UCLA
13) Heston Kjerstad, RF, Arkansas
Not nearly as much video as last week. Just after the radio people for Arkansas noted Kjerstad is the team’s best bunter, he batted at 4:00. He also made a nice catch I wanted to see, but it didn’t make the video. (Also, the Opitz going triple and yard is the brother of the Jake Opitz that was in the Cubs system a few years. I love stockpiling useful catchers.)
14) Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee
Still nothing. General soreness. No concern, yet.
Plus 1) JT Ginn, RHP, Mississippi State
He falls here after being shut down following a Week One offering that left a bit to be desired. The rest was declared less than 24 hours after I mocked him to the Cubs.
Sources: Mississippi State RHP JT Ginn, a possible top-10 pick in this summer's draft, is out indefinitely with a sore arm. He was a 1st round pick of the Dodgers in 2018. Ginn's velo has been down this month at 90-92 (from the usual 93-95) in preseason outings & his 2020 debut.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) February 20, 2020
Plus 2) Patrick Bailey, C, North Carolina State
PATRICK BAILEY, NC STATE, PROSPECT VIDEO #MLBDraft (HR to left) https://t.co/MQBdjvtdg7
— Moore Baseball (@moorebaseball) February 24, 2020
Plus 3) Ed Howard, SS, Mount Carmel HS (IL)
Also relevant to the Cubs. pic.twitter.com/nOGK4NwwaF
— Brad (@ballskwok) February 21, 2020
Plus 4) Austin Martin, SS/3B, Arkansas
The swing-and-miss in Martin's game is a big issue, but he can play a damn good shortstop with speed to burn https://t.co/39BBdLZlRV
— Joe (@JoeDoyleMiLB) February 21, 2020
I’m not sure about this guy’s velocity, but he has style.
With monocle and curly mustache, college baseball player cements himself as photo day legend https://t.co/POjxO2J4yP
— Post Sports (@PostSports) February 21, 2020
It was an eerily quiet week, but I tossed together some video worth watching. South Carolina’s Carmen Mlodzinski has been dealing so far. If he keeps it up a few more times, he pushes out a player above him, that I already want, anyway.
Questions are welcomed.
Far fewer videos this week. Hopefully, there will be more next week, as prep games start getting contemplated.
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