2014 DRAFT CHAT

[beckdawg]

If Gordon falls to 4 and that's all they have to choose from I'm fine with the idea. However, I gotta be honest I'm not going to lose sleep over some team taking him 1-3. While it's nice he has the option to pitch if SS doesn't work out, having that as a fallback to me just seems to complicate matters. If it were as simple as that, you'd often see more examples of it working. I guess I just feel like if you're drafting a player in the top 5 and they don't turn out to be a star, having them become an average player at some other position is kind of a shitty consolation.

Frankly, I am hoping teams pass on Rodon. I think he's the best fit for the cubs and they should be able to afford his contract demands which other teams may find intimidating. I think he can be quick to the majors and seemingly he has worthy stuff. And best of all he's a lefty.

 

[WindyCity]

I am not as plugged in with the MLB draft, but it would seem to me that at some point the Cubs need to start adding some pitching talent to the impressive array of bats they have drafted.

It looks to me, and Keith Law said something similar, that the Cubs are all so devoid of top pitching talent right now.

 

[MRubio52]

I am not as plugged in with the MLB draft, but it would seem to me that at some point the Cubs need to start adding some pitching talent to the impressive array of bats they have drafted.

It looks to me, and Keith Law said something similar, that the Cubs are all so devoid of top pitching talent right now.

You take best available and worry about the positional stuff after the first round. Talent procures talent.

 

[MRubio52]

If Gordon falls to 4 and that's all they have to choose from I'm fine with the idea. However, I gotta be honest I'm not going to lose sleep over some team taking him 1-3. While it's nice he has the option to pitch if SS doesn't work out, having that as a fallback to me just seems to complicate matters. If it were as simple as that, you'd often see more examples of it working. I guess I just feel like if you're drafting a player in the top 5 and they don't turn out to be a star, having them become an average player at some other position is kind of a shitty consolation.

Frankly, I am hoping teams pass on Rodon. I think he's the best fit for the cubs and they should be able to afford his contract demands which other teams may find intimidating. I think he can be quick to the majors and seemingly he has worthy stuff. And best of all he's a lefty.

I love him because I think he can stick as a position player with gap power and close to 80 speed. Good fielding chops as well. I love him as a shortstop

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

I think they will draft RHP Tyler Kolek out of Shepherd HS (Texas).

In the second round, they should be looking at RHP Nick Howard out of Virginia and LHP Jacob Lindgren out of Mississippi State. Both project as impact relievers.

Howard is aggressive, works fast, and has all the qualities that you look for in a really good closer. He is armed with a 98 mph fastball on the mound. He can also play infield as well. In 28.1 innings pitched in 2014, Howard has a 2.22 ERA with 50 strikeouts, 12 walks and 18 saves.

In 51 innings pitched, Lindgren has a 0.88 ERA with 93 strikeouts. Against SEC foes, that ERA shrank to 0.49.

 

[beckdawg]

I love him because I think he can stick as a position player with gap power and close to 80 speed. Good fielding chops as well. I love him as a shortstop

I get that. Like I said, if he's there at 4 I'm fine with them taking him. I'm just saying I wouldn't lose sleep over someone taking him before them because there's not much you can do about it and if that happens then a well regarded pitcher likely falls to them which is arguably a bigger need.

 

[SilenceS]

Well, from Keith Law's podcast. He is saying the lock of the top 5 picks is Kolek to the White Sox. Also, reading that Miami may have locked themselves in on Jackson. I am reading that Aiken or Rodon will drop to the Cubs.

 

[dabynsky]

Well, from Keith Law's podcast. He is saying the lock of the top 5 picks is Kolek to the White Sox. Also, reading that Miami may have locked themselves in on Jackson. I am reading that Aiken or Rodon will drop to the Cubs.

I am actually starting to think Rodon might fall to the Cubs.

 

[WindyCity]

I am actually starting to think Rodon might fall to the Cubs.

Doesn't Theo have a good relationship with Boras?

That might clear one hurdle with Rondon.

I just want some pitching. If it is closer to the majors the better.

 

[dabynsky]

Doesn't Theo have a good relationship with Boras?

That might clear one hurdle with Rondon.

I just want some pitching. If it is closer to the majors the better.

Well it seems like Aiken is going to the Astros. Jackson is going to the Marlins. At least that is the consensus on the mocks I've seen as of late. Rodon will be there for the White Sox but history suggests not a good relationship with Boras. And Keith Law as stated earlier in the thread has the Sox locked in on Kolek. The Cubs aren't anti-Boras any stretch of the measure since he represents Almora and Bryant.

 

[chibears55]

http://www.gopack.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/060113aaa.html

Rodon complete game shutout. 1-0 10 Ks

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using Tapatalk

 

[JosMin]

Rodon would be a coup at #4. He kind of looks like lefty Joba Chamberlain minus the luxurious foliage.

Facial hair aside -- two plus offerings (slider borderlines on unhittable when he's ahead in the count), very under-appreciated change-up and the ability to add and subtract from the slider which almost turns it into a cut fastball, great size that locks him into a rotation spot, extremely easy and consistent mechanics, repeatable delivery, ability (and more so important to me, desire) to routinely challenge hitters, high floor and an even higher ceiling.

Yeah, I want him. If he's gone, gimme Gordon. Just way too toolsy to pass up. As Roobz said, always draft "best available" in the first. I hope we take a run on pitching in rounds 1-10.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Well, from Keith Law's podcast. He is saying the lock of the top 5 picks is Kolek to the White Sox. Also, reading that Miami may have locked themselves in on Jackson. I am reading that Aiken or Rodon will drop to the Cubs.

Interesting article on BaseballAmerica about HS RHP and the right size. This regards Kolek...


http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/whats-the-ideal-body-type-for-a-high-school-righthander-anyway/

When 6-foot-5, 250-pound Tyler Kolek goes off the board near the top of the 2014 draft, he will become the heaviest high school righthander ever selected in the first round.

In fact, we can find just five first-round righties in the first 49 years of draft history who were listed at 230 pounds or heavier at the time they were selected.* In order of appearance: ...

 

[beckdawg]

Supposedly the cubs have been asking about competitive balance picks with regard to trading Shark. Having more picks means you have more money. That could be an indication they intend to need more money which likely would suggest they may be going after Rondon. It could also mean they are expecting to over slot some latter picks.

 

[Boobaby1]

Supposedly the cubs have been asking about competitive balance picks with regard to trading Shark. Having more picks means you have more money. That could be an indication they intend to need more money which likely would suggest they may be going after Rondon. It could also mean they are expecting to over slot some latter picks.

I have to go with Rodon if available, then Gordon (defensive gem and switch hitting SS) if Rodon is gone, and longshots Pentecost and Freeland after that as possible under slot deals.

 

[beckdawg]

I have to go with Rodon if available, then Gordon (defensive gem and switch hitting SS) if Rodon is gone, and longshots Pentecost and Freeland after that as possible under slot deals.

Yeah he's the guy I want too. I just thought the reports are interesting because for one it seems like if they are asking about that then they've A) made up the decision to trade shark and B) they seem to have some idea in mind with regard to more draft money.

 

[corey]

If Rondon is gone, Cubs should take Nola. They need the pitching and more importantly both Rondon and Nola will have a much quicker track to the MLB.

 

[theberserkfury]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/24544/if-pitcher-are-gone-conforto-could-be-pick

Any thoughts on Michael Conforto? This is the first I'm really hearing of him as an option at #4...

 

[Boobaby1]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/24544/if-pitcher-are-gone-conforto-could-be-pick

Any thoughts on Michael Conforto? This is the first I'm really hearing of him as an option at #4...

While he has a good bat with some pop from the left side, is defense is sketchy at best. I kind of liken him to Vogelbach, and the last thing you need is a defensively challenged player, especially with 1st base log jammed.

The only way I see Conforto coming is if they get him only to deal him for better parts, and on an under slot deal.

This would go against the Cubs mantra of getting the best player available. I feel Gordon would be the better fit as far as a position player.

 

[beckdawg]

I'm honestly more a fan of the Rays way of drafting athletic players who are good defenders above almost all else.