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MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Nymr83 Apr 17 2012 10:45 AM

Mets will pick 12th, then 35th and 71st for losing Reyes, then again at 75th with their own 2nd rounder. A great chance to stock up the system here for the Mets, who need to not fuck this up.

metirish Apr 17 2012 10:47 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I am very confident in the FO in regards to the draft.

Edgy MD Apr 17 2012 10:47 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Every other year, fucking up the draft is cool.

Nymr83 Apr 17 2012 10:55 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Every other year, fucking up the draft is cool. When you are winning, few care about how well you are perceived to have drafted. Also, with so many high picks and Wilpon's buddy not calling in MLB' sloan to help him out or whatever, I want to see if the Mets will pass on anyone to stick to Selig's "slot", which would be another way to fuck up (and I'd argue far less forgiveable than subpar talent evaluation)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 17 2012 10:58 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Well they are putting some teeth into slot enforcement this year, bringing prices down to a point where cheap teams find them "affordable" and penalizing abusers with taxes and other stuff that could mess yup future drafts. I believe the Mets will "max out" what's available to them without incurring the penalties. That's what their guys (DePodesta) is on record as saying.

seawolf17 Apr 17 2012 11:09 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

The second-best college outfielder IN THE COUNTRY is right out here on Long Island, Mets. MAKE IT HAPPEN. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2012 ... ers/19817/ http://www.goseawolves.org/sports/m-bas ... vis00.html

metirish Apr 17 2012 11:11 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

He's Dykstra! . Travis Jankowski, Stony Brook, 6’-3”, 190 pounds 2012 stats: 27 G, .330 AVG, 26 R, 9 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 17 SB, .420/.569/.989 Jankowski is the prototypical leadoff hitter and should be able to stick in center field due to his speed, range and arm. Hit .355 last season, with 38 RBI, 30 stolen bases and just 22 strikeouts over 58 games. Teams looking for a high-average hitter, with elite speed and a great approach at the plate, would be thrilled to get a guy like Jankowski. Will also be an instant fan favorite because of his hustle and all out style. Should find his name called in the first round.

Edgy MD Apr 17 2012 11:16 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Will also be an instant fan favorite because of his hustle and all out style. = White guy, fun Polish name.

Nymr83 Apr 17 2012 11:22 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Will also be an instant fan favorite because of his hustle and all out style. = White guy, fun Polish name. ...Or he turns into Jason Tyner. Or Gomez who had maybe one good year elsewhere. In the first round, give me a guy with some pop in his bat!

Ceetar Apr 17 2012 11:42 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

high-end shortstops? Not really sure what the Mets should be targeting here. Seems like they could use "the next Reyes" that could end up in CF or SS. And pitching, always draft pitching. It's real hard to predict what the team will need when most of these guys are ready, or even how long they'll take.

Edgy MD Apr 17 2012 11:45 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Which is why the first and second rule of drafting is to not even consider perceived weaknesses at the big league level when making your selections.

Ceetar Apr 17 2012 11:49 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Which is why the first and second rule of drafting is to not even consider perceived weaknesses at the big league level when making your selections. You gotta at least have some thoughts though right? You can't end up drafting only pitchers or only power-hitting right-handed outfielders because they looked the best. It seems to me that the Mets could use some rangy guys in the system to put at the more premium defensive positions.

Edgy MD Apr 17 2012 12:02 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Which is why the first and second rule of drafting is to not even consider perceived weaknesses at the big league level when making your selections. You gotta at least have some thoughts though right? You can't end up drafting only pitchers or only power-hitting right-handed outfielders because they looked the best. It seems to me that the Mets could use some rangy guys in the system to put at the more premium defensive positions. Oh, absolutely none. You may want to give some thought to getting some positional balance within the draft. Make sure you pick up a few hitters if you only grabbed pitchers in the first 10 rounds. Maybe be sure to get at least two catchers along the way. That's a maybe. But no way do you consider what you have on the big league roster now. The picture will change in countless ways five years down the road, and any redundancies would simply be a blessing, one that can easily be cashed in on by moving a guy over one position or trading.

Ceetar Apr 17 2012 12:08 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I don't mean the big league roster, I mean the system as a whole. Perhaps the system is weak in a particular tool, you look for it a little more carefully. Catchers and Shortstops seem to be a little sparse.

Nymr83 Apr 17 2012 01:52 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Take the best available players early, later in the draft you can worry about what positions/skills you need to fill out the rosters in St Lucie or Brooklyn, I'd never worry about the big leagues and only a very little about the upper minors (and even then only after the first couple of rounds)

Frayed Knot Apr 17 2012 02:24 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Nymr83 wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Will also be an instant fan favorite because of his hustle and all out style. = White guy, fun Polish name. ...Or he turns into Jason Tyner. Or Gomez who had maybe one good year elsewhere. In the first round, give me a guy with some pop in his bat! Like Rob Stratton maybe?

Mets – Willets Point Apr 17 2012 02:30 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Frayed Knot wrote: Nymr83 wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Will also be an instant fan favorite because of his hustle and all out style. = White guy, fun Polish name. ...Or he turns into Jason Tyner. Or Gomez who had maybe one good year elsewhere. In the first round, give me a guy with some pop in his bat! Like Rob Stratton maybe? "Rob Stratton, Rush chairman, damn glad to meet you."

Frayed Knot Apr 17 2012 02:39 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Nymr83 wrote: When you are winning, few care about how well you are perceived to have drafted. They should. Also, with so many high picks and Wilpon's buddy not calling in MLB' sloan to help him out or whatever, I want to see if the Mets will pass on anyone to stick to Selig's "slot", which would be another way to fuck up (and I'd argue far less forgiveable than subpar talent evaluation) The so-called 'slot-drafting' wasn't what most fans seem to think it was. The Mets, even while sticking strictly to Bud's notion of a voluntary cap, weren't passing on known higher talent while intentionally grabbing lesser/cheaper guys. Where the slot stuff kicked in was in not taking chances in later rounds with usually raw but high-ceiling HS kids who weren't polished enough for the upper rounds but could frequently command bigger bucks because they had a scholarship in their back pocket. Under the new rules what MLB is trying to cap is a team's total expenditure in one year. The plan has various complicated rules but the basic idea wouldn't necessarily limit one player's bonus but would require a team to cut down elsewhere if they did go high on one or two selections.

Edgy MD Apr 17 2012 02:45 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

And it's just a terribly wrong thing for the league to do and it needs to be combatted.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 17 2012 04:12 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

But it won't, not in this lifetime.

Frayed Knot Apr 17 2012 04:51 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

There's already talk about how/if teams are going to get around such limits. From BA just this week. Q: What's to prevent a team from circumventing the draft spending cap by signing picks at or below their assigned values and then handing out a million-dollar contract to a family member as a "consultant" or "interpreter"? MLB can't tell teams who they can and can't hire as front-office personnel or how much they can spend on them, can they? A: MLB has tried to curb amateur bonus spending almost forever. In 1946, 19 years before the creation of the draft, baseball instituted the first of several variations of a bonus rule. None of them proved effective, in part because under-the-table payments were rampant. "We'd pass a bonus rule and by the time we got out of the room, we already figured out how to skin the cat," former Tigers GM Jim Campbell told me years ago. "There was no way to really police it. You could hire a kid's uncle as a scout. He might actually be qualified, but it was still questionable." Don't expect to see similar hijinks with the draft rules in the new CBA, however. MLB has informed clubs that any attempt to avoid the tax and draft-pick penalties for overspending is prohibited, specifically mentioning undisclosed agreements between teams and draftees. If a club hires a relative of a draftee and pays him an exorbitant salary, Commissioner Bud Selig will step in.

Edgy MD Apr 17 2012 08:56 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

It only takes one owner to say, "Yeah, well, sue me."

Frayed Knot Apr 18 2012 06:25 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Von Ohlen was a Flushing High product who became a free agent after a couple of years at Tidewater without getting a call. He signed with the Cards and fashioned a 4+-year career for himself. Until that son of a bitch blew off Roland's head.

Frayed Knot Apr 18 2012 07:57 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

seawolf17 wrote: The second-best college outfielder IN THE COUNTRY is right out here on Long Island, Mets. MAKE IT HAPPEN. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2012 ... ers/19817/ http://www.goseawolves.org/sports/m-bas ... vis00.html - I'm seeing Jankowski's name in late-1st and/or Supp round mocks, so that 2nd NYM pick remains a possibility. - For those interested in catchers, there are two being talked about in the 1st round The one - Mike Zunino - out of U-Florida is almost certainly NOT lasting until the 12th pick. The other is a HS kid out of Louisiana who should be drafted on account of his name alone: Stryker Trahan sounds like a guy who has some kind of super-powers - For those interested in short-stops might want to look to the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and pick up Jesmuel Valentin-Diaz, the switch-hitting son of former MLer (and NYM) Jose Valentin.

bmfc1 Apr 18 2012 11:00 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Frayed Knot wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Von Ohlen was a Flushing High product who became a free agent after a couple of years at Tidewater without getting a call. He signed with the Cards and fashioned a 4+-year career for himself. Until that son of a bitch blew off Roland's head. Applause for FK.

Frayed Knot May 09 2012 03:32 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Hey, you never want to miss a chance to slide in a Warren Zevon reference. A catching prospect might exist right around the time that the 1st round supp pick comes up from, of all places, the Univ of Buffalo. In fact, a mock draft on John Sickels site sent the U of B's Tom Martin right to the Mets with the 35th overall pick. -- The Mets could use a catching prospect, and there's an intriguing home-state talent available here with University of Buffalo backstop Tom Murphy. He has considerable power, a good measure of athleticism, and has made progress with his defense this year. Draft starts on June 4th - three weeks from Monday.

Ashie62 May 09 2012 04:36 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Nimmo, please dont be a bust. [url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=nimmo-000bra

Frayed Knot May 09 2012 04:44 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Those stats are from less than 40 ABs last year. He's in extended instructional league right now which is nothing unusual for a kid in his first year drafted out of HS and not signed until the deadline. Expect to see him start in one of the short-season leagues come mid-June, probably Brooklyn - something which should be a nice culture shock for a Wyoming kid.

Edgy MD May 09 2012 09:27 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Yeah, come on. Framing it fearfully as "please don't be a bust" and linking to a presumably ominous stat line of a few dozen at-bats just isn't healthy. Mets are amazin'.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 09 2012 09:49 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

uh, avi

Frayed Knot May 21 2012 08:55 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Two weeks until draft time. Mets will have 12 picks in the first 10 rounds as follows: 12th, 35th, 71, 75, 107, 140, 170, 200, 230, 260, 290, 320 - and then obviously continuing with each 30th pick. What makes the first ten rounds particularly crucial is that this is the year the new draft cap system kicks in. Each club will now have an overall $$ cap on all picks in the first ten rounds; the precise value of that cap will vary according to how many picks a team has and exactly where those choices sit. Under the old system, each pick had a specific bonus “recommendation” that MLB pressured teams to hold to but had no specific enforcement procedures to make them stick. Under the new system each draft slot will still have a target price which will all stem from MLB’s devised bonus for the #1 overall pick. This year the bonus for that 1/1 pick sits at $7.2 million and each succeeding pick is based on a decreasing percentage of that going through to the final pick of the 10th round at $125,000. Specifically for the Mets that means a “slot” for their #12 pick of $2.55 mil; for their #35 pick of $1,467,400; for the #71 of $723,600; for #75 at $680,400 and so on, for a total cap for the twelve choices of $7,151,400, a figure that sits at 9th most among all teams. Now teams are NOT required to stick to those prices for any individual choice but must stay within their ten-round cap on their choices as a whole. What this means is that going over for one player must be balanced off by either going under or not signing one of the others. Teams will face financial penalties and/or the loss of future draft choices for exceeding their specific cap. Picks made after the tenth round are not subject to the teams’ overall cap except for those bonuses in excess of $100,000. And now you know what gave Bryce Harper the incentive to leave HS two years early. The one legit upside of this (unless you’re part of the mainstream media who seem to believe that part of their job description is to campaign for ways to save team owners as much money as possible at the expense of the very talent they're drooling over at that moment) is that it removes the power MLB had to make teams sit on already agreed-upon contracts for fear that one above-slot deal made public would inspire other above-slot demands. Now agreements reached in advance of the deadline date can actually be completed and announced instead of being part of the phony dance where nothing could be finalized for days or weeks while MLB stalled at “approving” the contract. This, along with the signing deadline moved up a full month to mid-July, should get particularly those top picks under contract and actually onto teams in many cases while the minor league seasons are still in progress.

Nymr83 May 22 2012 06:56 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

New rules = Improved NY-Penn League play? I don't think I'm a fan. What if a team wants to "overpay" 9 guys and tell their 4th round pick "eh, nevermind, here's a 5K offer". There should be a minimum bonus tender by round (say 1 mil, 750k, 500k, etc) and if you don't make it the guy becomes a free agent.

Edgy MD May 22 2012 07:09 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

There shouldn't be a minimum anything or a maximum anything. Guys should get what their talent commands on the market.

Frayed Knot May 22 2012 07:16 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Nymr83 wrote: New rules = Improved NY-Penn League play? That's part of the idea, to get the new crop into the NYP and other short-season leagues scattered around the country more quickly than in the past (which, in turn, could bump short-season players up to the next level). The new deadline will do that more so than the cap rules. I don't think I'm a fan. What if a team wants to "overpay" 9 guys and tell their 4th round pick "eh, nevermind, here's a 5K offer". There should be a minimum bonus tender by round (say 1 mil, 750k, 500k, etc) and if you don't make it the guy becomes a free agent. I'm sure teams were trying to devise ways to circumvent the cap before the ink was dry on the agreement - as capitalism always does when you attempt to artificially limit it.

Frayed Knot May 24 2012 03:25 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6) Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 25 2012 06:47 AM

Pre-draft "buzz" seems to be linking the Mets mostly to HS position players which, if true, would make it two years in a row for such animals following a stretch featuring mostly college hurlers. Mock drafts are usually about as accurate as long-range weather forecasts, but MLB.com has their Top-20 guesstimate up - interesting mostly for the thumb-nail sketches of the likely pool of candidates we'll be hearing about in the next two weeks more than for the specific order/projections. In addition to the SS Gavin Cecchini out of Louisiana which MLB.com's Mayo lists here, BA linked them recently to a couple of HS outfielders from Texas; Courtney Hawkins, and Alabama; David Dahl

Edgy MD May 24 2012 03:38 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Dave Dahl. Gotta be. Great baseball name and Alabama outfielders are all through the DNA of this team: Mays, Agee, Jones, Otis, George Foster, Johnny Lewis, Terrence Long.

Nymr83 May 24 2012 05:38 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: There shouldn't be a minimum anything or a maximum anything. Guys should get what their talent commands on the market. Don't let the ultimate goal be an obstacle to progress. Accepting that the draft isn't going anywhere, at least not yet, do you object to my suggestion?

Edgy MD May 24 2012 09:12 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I'm in favor of fewer regulations. What my strategy would be to do the most effective draft job within the regulations? I dunno. I imagine I'd go around offering bonuses to guys I didn't draft, totally undermine the system and get kicked out of the league for trying.

bmfc1 May 25 2012 11:30 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

How about this guy? http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1195 ... us-stroman

Frayed Knot May 25 2012 12:45 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Yeah, he's been getting a lot of attention, and of course stories about him rarely get more than a sentence deep without mentioning his (lack of) height. Everything I've read shows him going 1st round although I'm not sure about as high as #12 although, again, that may just be height-a-phobia. Almost certainly will not be there for our 33rd pick. The MLB.com piece linked above shows him going 16th to Washington Hadn't realized until your link that he was a Long Island boy originally.

bmfc1 May 28 2012 10:29 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Peter Gammons wonders if Fred Wilpon will want the Mets to draft this left-handed pitcher who is Jewish and wears number 32 for Sandy Koufax: http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/bas ... t-new-home

seawolf17 May 28 2012 06:53 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Future first-rounder Travis Jankowski -- as hot as anyone in the country right now -- and the Seawolves (46-11) took the America East tournament easily last week, and head to Miami (36-21) to face off with UCF (39-20) and Missouri State (43-15) later this week. Games will be played at Alex Rodriguez Stadium. (HA!) Keep the hot streak alive, fellas.

Frayed Knot May 28 2012 07:05 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

From MLB.com which lists him as #33 on their board (hmmm, right about where we pick). If teams are looking for a top-of-the-order catalyst with speed, then they might head to Stony Brook, N.Y., in droves this spring. That's what Jankowski has to offer. He has excellent hitting skills, showing the ability to spray line drives to all fields, albeit without much power. He's got above-average to plus speed and combining that with good reads and jumps on the basepaths, he's a big-time basestealing threat. His speed helps him on defense as well, where he has outstanding range to go along with very good instincts in center field. His arm is playable in center and his accuracy makes up for average arm strength. Jankowski knows who he is as a player, a very aggressive speedster who knows how to bunt, get on base and wreak havoc with his legs. Teams looking for a basher will look elsewhere, but Jankowski's tools will definitely get a long look as June approaches.

Vic Sage May 28 2012 09:25 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

GO PATS.... um, i mean WOLVES!

Nymr83 May 29 2012 06:33 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Every time I see a prospect described as having speed and no power I think of Jason Tyner. Trust your scouts and your stat geeks (please tell me you have both, right?) And take the best player on your board... But if its close, I'd tend to avoid guys whose best "tool" is speed and opt for the guy who hits well, doesn't embarass himself in the field (projects to a corner spot but not DH), and hits some doubles that the scouts see turning to homers when the kid fills out his frame.

Edgy MD May 29 2012 06:39 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Well, it's a subtle but important distinction between the guys scouts see as having little little to no power but hopefully will make up for it in other areas such as speed and contact and plate discipline and guys that have projectable power, which is what you seem to be describing at the end of your post. Few players hit the draft with fully realized power, and fewer still become productive big leaguers. I mean, fear Jason Tyner, sure, but fear Rob Stratton, too.

Vic Sage May 29 2012 10:22 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Dave Dahl. Gotta be. Great baseball name and Alabama outfielders are all through the DNA of this team: Mays, Agee, Jones, Otis, George Foster, Johnny Lewis, Terrence Long. He's got the alliteration of a superhero's secret identity. The MMMS says "yea, verily, yea!"

Frayed Knot May 29 2012 01:47 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Well, it's a subtle but important distinction between the guys scouts see as having little little to no power but hopefully will make up for it in other areas such as speed and contact and plate discipline and guys that have projectable power, which is what you seem to be describing at the end of your post. Few players hit the draft with fully realized power, and fewer still become productive big leaguers. I mean, fear Jason Tyner, sure, but fear Rob Stratton, too. Yeah, the counterpart to the 'speed but no power' description is the one you often read about a prospect who has tons of power but at the same time "has some swing and miss to his game", and I don't think there's an accurate road map to determine which end of that theoretical spectrum is more likely to succeed. The knock on Tyner, in retrospect, (I mean aside from the fact that he didn't turn out to be good enough but that happens to all kinds of picks) was that he never showed signs of being the classic ball-hawking CFer that would fit his slap-hitting speedster model. Brett Butler had a good and lengthy career but it wouldn't have been much of either had he not been a top-notch defensive player for much of that time.

Ceetar May 29 2012 01:54 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Tyner managed to stick around through 2009. .323 career slugging. He did finally get that one home run.

batmagadanleadoff May 29 2012 02:12 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Frayed Knot wrote: Brett Butler had a good and lengthy career but it wouldn't have been much of either had he not been a top-notch defensive player for much of that time. Brett Butler was one of his generations best leadoff hitters, maybe even the best, second only to Rickey, finishing in the top 25 in MVP voting regularly for almost a decade. If Brett couldn't field a lick, he'da still succeeded as a top notch DH. Jason Tyner was no Brett Butler, glovework notwithstanding.

Edgy MD May 29 2012 02:33 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Leadoff Hitters Who More or Less Spanned the Eighties, Ranked off the Top of My Head [list=1][*]Ricky Henderson[/*:m] [*]Paul Molitor[/*:m] [*]Tim Raines[/*:m] [*]Lou Whitaker[/*:m] [*]Brett Butler[/*:m] [*]Steve Sax[/*:m] [*]Otis Nixon[/*:m] [*]Lonnie Smith[/*:m] [*]Tony Fernandez[/*:m] [*]Vince Coleman[/*:m] [*]Mookie Wilson[/*:m] [*]Willie Wilson[/*:m][/list:o] Others, of course, would have been among the greatest leadoff hitters, had they been in a position to bat leadoff more --- Robin Yount, Eric Davis, Ryne Sandberg, Wade Boggs, Willie McGee. Tony Fernandez at his best was great, but he gets partial credit for batting leadoff only about half the time and coming up a few years after most of these guys. Willie Wilson spanned the decade, but he had his best years before the decade really unfolded, and was pretty lousy by the end of the eighties.

Frayed Knot May 29 2012 03:14 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Brett Butler had a good and lengthy career but it wouldn't have been much of either had he not been a top-notch defensive player for much of that time. Brett Butler was one of his generations best leadoff hitters, maybe even the best, second only to Rickey, finishing in the top 25 in MVP voting regularly for almost a decade. If Brett couldn't field a lick, he'da still succeeded as a top notch DH. Jason Tyner was no Brett Butler, glovework notwithstanding. Of course he wasn't - even as Butler was always the ideal to which a player of Tyner's skills would hope to emulate. Now the odds of him ever being Brett Butler were always remote in the same way the odds of Baltimore 2010 #3 overall pick Manny Machado becoming the next ARod are minute even though both are a tall, multi-skilled SSs of Hispanic origins from Miami taken at age 18 at the top of the draft. But even if Tyner's offensive talents were enough to have made him a sort of BB-lite for a while the margin of error for doing so would have been a helluva lot larger had he been a go-get-em CF rather than the noodle-armed and so-so gloved corner guy he turned out to be. Bottom line: if you're drafting a guy on account of one outstanding skill, make sure that there is at least something else in the guy's toolbox to fall back on. Otherwise, if that one tool slips from great to merely decent, you're in deep shit.

seawolf17 May 29 2012 06:28 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I don't think of Molitor as a leadoff guy, but I guess he was, more often than not. I guess I think of him older. My point -- at least on Jankowski -- is that he's more than Tyner was. Tyner is/was a "can't steal first base" guy; speed but not much else. Jankowski can hit, and draw walks, and play defense as well as run. Butler is a much more apt best-case comparison.

Edgy MD May 29 2012 06:34 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Of course, but that was the best-case comparison for Tyner right up until it became an impossible case. it just didn't work out. (Googling "Jason Tyner" & "Brett Butler": About 68,400 hits. Make that 68,401.)

Edgy MD May 29 2012 06:36 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Jason Tyner's middle name: "Renyt." What the Hell?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 29 2012 06:58 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Jason Tyner's middle name: "Renyt." What the Hell? Finally, we discover the real problem with Tyner: his parents Mxyzptlk'ed his power, contact skills, and defense to the fifth dimension.

Frayed Knot May 29 2012 07:05 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

seawolf17 wrote: My point -- at least on Jankowski -- is that he's more than Tyner was. Tyner is/was a "can't steal first base" guy; speed but not much else. Jankowski can hit, and draw walks, and play defense as well as run. Butler is a much more apt best-case comparison. Not sure that Tyner's amateur record tagged him as a 'can't steal first guy'. He certainly became that as he moved up the ranks but that's not the same as knowing it was that way all along. I even remember the Mets getting some kudos for that pick (Peter Gammons comes to mind) and I certainly don't remember it being considered that big a stretch to draft him at #21 - almost certainly higher than your guy will go. Now having said all that, this Jankowski guy sounds like he at least has the potential for more gap power than Tyner ever did (he's bigger for one thing) so, as I was saying up above, hopefully there's a larger margin for error if the guy doesn't turn out to be everything you hope for - and few drafts picks ever do.

bmfc1 May 31 2012 09:16 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

http://metsmerizedonline.com/2012/05/ml ... ts-ss.html New mock. Seawolf's guy is at 31.

Vic Sage May 31 2012 10:43 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

it would've made more sense for Boston to draft him when Stony Brook players were still "Patriots".

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 01 2012 12:42 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Dahl and Cecchini are working out at Citi Field now for the brass.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 01 2012 12:49 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Dahl Cecchini Based on these two photos I go with Dahl

Edgy MD Jun 01 2012 12:52 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Kind of rolling over there, isn't he, Keith?

Frayed Knot Jun 01 2012 01:02 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Vic Sage wrote: it would've made more sense for Boston to draft him when Stony Brook players were still "Patriots". And when the Patriots were still, you know, in Boston.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 09:28 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Bumpedy dump. I demand the Mets pick LJ Mazzilli, studly second sacker.

Edgy MD Jun 04 2012 09:30 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

That's a sweet stroke. Got his dad's powerful thighs, too. Does he switch-hit?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 09:35 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

BR/TR

Benjamin Grimm Jun 04 2012 09:39 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I think Edgy was asking if he's bisexual.

Edgy MD Jun 04 2012 09:42 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I have other sources calling him a switchie. Maybe he quit in college. LJ's a twin, by the way. I think that gives Minnesota the right of first refusal.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 09:47 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

In the offspring thread, we got pics of the whole clan.

Frayed Knot Jun 04 2012 10:10 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

DRAFT DAY Round 1 + supplemental picks starting at 7PM tonight [MLBN + various on-line spots] For us this means picks # 12 (probably a little after 8PM) & 35 (closer to 11 PM) Rounds 2-40 (that’s right, down to 40 rounds now from the previous 50) spread out over Tuesday & Wednesday. The general consensus this year is that the crop is weak on college hitters and overall lacks the sure-fire can’t miss guy that was so obvious in others (Harper, Strasburg, etc.) The result being that, even at this late hour, even the picks at the very top are still up in the air. What does seem sure is that these are the guys that will NOT be available come pick #12 HS hitters: Byron Buxton (OF from Georgia); Albert Almora (OF - Fla); Carlos Correa (SS - PR) HS Pitchers: Max Fried (LH - Calif); College pitchers: Mark Appel (Stanford), Kevin Gaussman (LSU), Kyle Zimmer (U-San Fran); College hitter: Mike Zunino (Catcher - U-Florida) The Wild Cards - it’s possible either or both of these guys could supplant a few of the above in the top 8, or are still around at #12, or are even still sitting there in the mid-20s: Lucas Giolito (HS - Calif) A RHP considered the most talented coming into the year until he ran into a minor problem doctors like to call a sprained ulnar collateral ligament, a condition that sidelined him for his entire senior season. Someone is going to take a chance on him, it’s just a question of when. Marcus Stroman (RHP - Duke) The two things you hear/read about this guy are “electric stuff” quickly followed by “Five foot - Nine”. As a reliever he’d be the guy most likely to make an early impact in the majors - quite possibly this year - but some are convinced he has the stuff to overcome the height prejudice and make it as a starter. Who gets scared off by the height and who gets gutsy? Most scenarios have the Mets being linked to one of several HS OFers, namely David Dahl - 6’ 2” 185 lefty-swinger from Alabama (scholarship to Auburn) Courtney Hawkins - 6’ 2 ‘ - 210 R/R from Texas (U-Texas) Hawkins has more power but also more swing-and-miss and probably gets moved to one of the corner spots. Dahl is faster, projects as the more high-average hitter and rates as a legit CF Gavin Cecchini - a HS SS/maybe future 2B from Louisiana - was linked with the Mets early on but seems to be fading down the list a bit lately. The one college pitcher I’ve seen them linked to is Texas A&M Jr Michael Wacha, a 6’ 6” Righty described more as a big, durable ML starter than one with elite potential.

Ceetar Jun 04 2012 05:06 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

okay, go time. let's see who we get.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 05:54 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Astros take the Correa kid first. One of the younger young guys. Pads take Max Fried. We're at Pirates pick 8 now

Frayed Knot Jun 04 2012 06:00 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

1 - Astros - Correa 2 - Twins - Buxton 3 - Mariners - Zunino 4 - Orioles - Gausman 5 - Royals - Zimmer 6 - Cubs - Almora 7 - Padres - Fried 8 - Pirates - Appel (the odds-on consensus for #1/1) Well, the top 8 were the top 8 as predicted - even if in an unexpected order Now things get a bit more free-wheeling

Benjamin Grimm Jun 04 2012 06:09 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Max Fried? Isn't that one of the chicken varieties at KFC?

Frayed Knot Jun 04 2012 06:20 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Max Fried? Isn't that one of the chicken varieties at KFC? I heard he has a brother named Deep 9 - Marlins - Andrew Heany - LHP OK State 10 - David Dahl 11 - Addison Russel - HS SS Mets up

Frayed Knot Jun 04 2012 06:25 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Gavin Cecchini -- SS - Lake Charles, Louisiana

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 06:32 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Alright, I guess I can warm to this guy. Wanted Dahl but he was off the board. The Hawkins outfielder was the other guy the Mets were linked to, he's still on the board but I assume likely to go soon.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 06:34 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

And there he goes to the Chisox...

seawolf17 Jun 04 2012 06:36 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Hawkins does a backflip in celebration. Good thing the Mets didn't pick him, because you KNOW if he was a Mets pick he would have torn both ACLs on the landing.

Frayed Knot Jun 04 2012 06:38 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

BA: Cecchini has good tools, but that's not what wows scouts. Cecchini has solid offensive ability, and some scouts consider him more of a bottom-of-the-lineup hitter. He makes consistent contact and is an above-average runner, but his strength is his defensive ability at short, baseball instincts and overall ease of play. He can make shortstop look easy and has plenty of arm strength and accuracy.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 06:39 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Gavin Cecchini @GavinCecchini2 I do everything for and through the lord. 18u Team USA. Commited to Ole Miss. Barbe High School. I have the best girlfriend ever. Lake Charles, Louisiana · I'll be the judge of that, Gavi-- ... oh.

seawolf17 Jun 04 2012 06:39 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

BA: Cecchini has good tools, but that's not what wows scouts. Cecchini has solid offensive ability, and some scouts consider him more of a bottom-of-the-lineup hitter. He makes consistent contact and is an above-average runner, but his strength is his defensive ability at short, baseball instincts and overall ease of play. He can make shortstop look easy and has plenty of arm strength and accuracy. We drafted Rafael Santana. Fuckin' hell, Mets.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 06:45 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

seawolf17 Jun 04 2012 06:53 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Not looking forward to facing Strasburg-Giolito ten times a year.

Ceetar Jun 04 2012 06:59 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

seawolf17 wrote: Not looking forward to facing Strasburg-Giolito ten times a year. well, chances of that are pretty slim.

Ashie62 Jun 04 2012 07:03 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

SI had the Mets taking Stroman. I like the pick. Gausman is the goods and boy did Appel drop.

seawolf17 Jun 04 2012 07:21 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Braves go deep outside their comfort zone and draft a guy from... Georgia.

Frayed Knot Jun 04 2012 07:39 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: seawolf17 wrote: Not looking forward to facing Strasburg-Giolito ten times a year. well, chances of that are pretty slim. Rizzo in Washington is sure showing himself not to be afraid of injuries. Last year Anthony Rendon was considered the top bat coming into the season but the Nats nabbed him at #6 after an injury limited him to DH for the entire college year. Now this year they get the consensus best arm coming into the year who dropped to 16th due to a strained UCL. And all this comes after two straight years of getting the best arm & bat available - although that was from sucking rather than because of guts. The one risk in this choice is obviously the health of his elbow. The other though is paying him. The spot he's picked in is going to limit what the Nats can pay him (or essentially they'll have to blow off most of the rest of this draft) which maybe means he'll opt for college or indy league instead and hope for a better spot & higher bonus in a future draft.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 08:39 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Mets with their Jose Reyes pick take Kevin Pawlecki, catcher from Perdue U

metsguyinmichigan Jun 04 2012 08:42 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I'm confused. If he's committed to a college, does that mean he doesn't play for us? Or does he now pass on college?

Ceetar Jun 04 2012 08:43 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

metsguyinmichigan wrote: I'm confused. If he's committed to a college, does that mean he doesn't play for us? Or does he now pass on college? I believe they pay him and he doesn't go, as long as they pay him before he attends his first class or something (which isn't a problem given the pushed up signing date)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 08:49 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Mets with their Jose Reyes pick take Kevin Pawlecki, catcher from Perdue U In related news, they release Mike Nickeas. "Obviously, he's an offensive guy," said Baseball America executive editor Jim Callis, adding that Plawecki reminds him of longtime Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski. "He never strikes out. Defensively, he's kind of freaky. His arm is not real strong, but he's got a quick release." The 6-1, 215-pound Plawecki was hitting .365 with seven home runs and 45 runs batted in going into the postseason. He led the Big Ten with 20 doubles and had struck out just eight times in 211 at-bats. He has started 163 of 165 games during his collegiate career and never hit lower than .341 in a season. He has struck out just 29 times in 626 collegiate at-bats.

MFS62 Jun 04 2012 09:23 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Here are some very positive comments about Cecchini. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgm-xfSGXks Later

Ashie62 Jun 04 2012 09:29 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: metsguyinmichigan wrote: I'm confused. If he's committed to a college, does that mean he doesn't play for us? Or does he now pass on college? I believe they pay him and he doesn't go, as long as they pay him before he attends his first class or something (which isn't a problem given the pushed up signing date) Isn't the college baseball season almost over? and it will be for Perdue, they suck. That might play into it.

Edgy MD Jun 04 2012 09:34 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

seawolf17 wrote: Not looking forward to facing Strasburg-Giolito ten times a year. Are they planning on marrying? Have they produced a son?

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2012 06:22 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6) Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 05 2012 10:25 AM

metsguyinmichigan wrote: I'm confused. If he's committed to a college, does that mean he doesn't play for us? Or does he now pass on college? Which guy are you talking about? The HS kid Cecchini is "committed" to [crossout]Auburn[/crossout] Ole Miss in the sense that if he decides to go the college route that's the one he's promised to attend. But few 1st round HS picks opt for college so, most likely, some time in the next month (signing deadline is July 13th I believe) he'll get a trunk full of cash from the Wilpons and kiss his educational life goodbye forever. NCAA rules would prevent him from playing college ball once he signs a pro deal. If it's the catcher already at Perdue, college players are permitted to enter the draft (or re-enter it if they were picked out of HS but didn't sign) following their junior season. He can choose to stay for his senior year if he either doesn't like the offer or is really committed to advanced physics or something but, again, few do. Bottom line: Both guys are almost certain to be NYM property in the next few weeks.

bmfc1 Jun 05 2012 07:43 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Howard Megdal: Here’s hoping the Met scouts really saw something in Cecchini and Plawecki. Because everyone else seems to think they’ve acquired, at best, Rafael Santana and Charlie O’Brien. http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2012/06/05/half-a-loaf/

Nymr83 Jun 05 2012 08:00 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I wasn't enamored with what Keith Law and Churchill had to say about either of them on ESPN, it sounds like the Mets gave up on upside in order to ensure themselves another Ruben Tejada and a guy who isn't a great defensive catcher and has a bat that's good "for the position."

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 08:07 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I don't understand the machinations, but there's a possibility they are hoarding $$ for devastating later picks. Or maybe they just like Righty Thole and Raffy Junior.

Ceetar Jun 05 2012 08:10 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

eh, I'll trust that the Mets put more effort and research into it than a couple of random writers and a few scouts that may or may not have seen the kids more than once.

MFS62 Jun 05 2012 08:12 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

PDP speaks on espn.com: Paul DePodesta said both picks -- albeit one high school and one college -- had a common thread. "I don't think we go into the draft that we want to target anything that's related to the major league club, or any even specific need in our system," DePodesta said. "That said, we want middle-of-the-diamond players -- catchers, shortstops, center fielders -- if we can get them. And so we do target those players regardless. Needless to say we were thrilled to come up with a shortstop in the first round and a catcher in the comp round. We think those players have multiple ways to help the team. They're incredibly hard to find. And in these two players in particular, they're both offensive and defensive at what are premium defensive positions." Plawecki, 21, hit .359 (80-for-223) with seven homers and 47 RBIs in 59 games. He struck out only eight times -- the type of plate discipline that matches the Mets. (Read Plawecki's college bio here.) "No doubt, it's a terrific skill of his, as well as some other things he brings to the table," DePodesta said. "And we think he's a special receiver defensively. Special. He certainly has a terrific eye at the plate. "There's no real secret about our offensive plan here. We have a system that we believe in, and we believe in it at the major league level as well as through the minor league level and into the scouting ranks." Later

metirish Jun 05 2012 08:30 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Gammons and co were frothing at the mouth talking about the pitcher the Nats picked...................but I think they said he needs surgery?

Edgy MD Jun 05 2012 08:35 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: eh, I'll trust that the Mets put more effort and research into it than a couple of random writers and a few scouts that may or may not have seen the kids more than once. Serimously. And if Cecchini turns out to be as good as Tejada has been, I won't be complaining.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 10:26 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

2nd round underway, Mets about to make picks 71 and 75 overall...

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 10:27 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

71. Matt Reynolds, 3B, U. Arkansas "maybe a ultility guy" Mayo says.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 10:33 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

75. Teddy Stankiewicz, RHP, Ft. Worth Christian, Texas "little surprised he went this high, 3rd, 4th round pick..." --Baseball America guy

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2012 10:39 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Met picks so far are confounding the conventional wisdom out there. All have been "over-drafts" in the opinion of the draft-eratti with these recent two ranking in the low-mid 100s by BA for instance. Reynolds -- Playing for a top-notch program in one of the best college conferences in the country, Reynolds has been seen by plenty of scouts. And while he might not be among the top tier of college bats in this class, he has some skills that could translate at the next level. With a balanced set-up at the plate, Reynolds has a good approach and hits line drives. He doesn't have a ton of power, mostly to the gaps, and is more consistent to the pull side. Without average power, Reynolds will have to learn how to hit to all fields. He's a heads-up baserunner who will swipe some bases even without particularly good speed. He's a very good defender, with the potential to be above average with his arm and fielding to go along with solid average range. Reynolds plays mostly third, but has seen time at shortstop, and that kind of flexibility will only help his value. If the bat doesn't progress, he could have a very good future as a utility type. Stankiewicz -- High school pitchers are often projectable. Sometimes, they have good pitchability. Every once in a while, there's one like Stankiewicz, who's a little bit of both. Tall and lanky, there's room for growth in the Texas prep right-hander's frame. That could mean a few more ticks to a fastball that can already touch 93 and sits in the 88-91 mph range. Stankiewicz backs up the fastball with plus pitching instincts, mixing in three other pitches for strikes. His slider is the better of his two breaking balls, but both could be at least Major League average. He may not throw the changeup that much at this level, but he shows a good feel for it. If the fastball develops into a plus pitch and his secondary stuff is average to go along with his outstanding command and mound presence, this is a Major League starter in the making.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 10:45 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Scouts rate Stankiewicz' talking 80: Teddy Stankiewicz doesn't back off. It's part of his makeup. It's the reason why he kept playing a sport he wasn't very good at and developed into becoming much better. It's why he keeps coming at hitters, and coming at them, challenging them. Here, "Hit this," each pitch seems to scream when it's released from his right hand. It's why the 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior from Fort Worth Christian (North Richland Hills, Texas) isn't afraid to pitch to contact. As of May 11, Stankiewicz carried a 12-2 record with 135 strikeouts and just 20 walks (two intentional) in 93.1 innings pitched. He's committed to Arkansas on a baseball scholarship and should go in the high rounds a few weeks from now in the Major League Baseball amateur draft June 4-6. Though he consistently throws between 90-93 mph, Stankiewicz isn't your typical power pitcher. "I have no fears about pitching to contact," he said. "I have a good defense behind me that will make plays. Pitching to contact, you get ground balls, throw less pitches. My attitude is if they hit the ball, they hit the ball. They get on base, I have a feeling that they're not going to score. It's when my switch turns on, you can say. "I'm different. It's something I always did. I throw it down the plate, if they hit it, great. If they don't, great. I know scouts like the strikeouts, but I like to go for it and attack a hitter. There isn't anything cute about me. I just feel like I'm out there and nothing can beat me except myself. I don't let anything get to me. I don't drag things around with me. I enjoy pitching. If I fail, I concentrate on throwing the next pitch." This year ends an interesting odyssey for Stankiewicz. He started at Keller (Texas), his local public high school, his freshman and sophomore years. In his junior year, he transferred to Southwest Christian (Fort Worth, Tex.), which meant almost a two-hour roundtrip commute each day. It also meant baseball practices running from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., an hour-drive back home in rush hour traffic, and not getting home until about 8 p.m. Eat dinner. Do homework. Then, continue the same grind again. It was hectic. Taxing. "I kind of got used to it, after the first semester," Stankiewicz said. "It seemed to be shorter making that drive every day. It was part my routine. But I was going through some things, because I had no social life. I'd get done with baseball and the team would go out and I wasn't able to go with them because of the long ride home. One thing that did help me is I had a friend go with me to Southwest and we would carpool together. "The driving grind would ease up. But it just became too much. That experience pretty much taught me that whenever you have to make a commute like that, you have to fulfill your obligations. It challenged me last year, challenging me waking up early every morning. It was pretty much set in stone what I did every day. There was no room for error." Something had to give. In late July, Fort Worth Christian coach Tracy Howard received a call, while he was preparing for football season. It was about Stankiewicz, and the possibility of attending Fort Worth Christian, which is much closer. "I knew Teddy, and just talking to the coach at Southwest Christian, who is a good friend of mine, we go to the same church together," Howard said. "I knew Teddy was a good player, but as a kid. The coach told me, he's great player, but a better kid. We had 15 seniors coming back, which is unusual for a school our size, and with the work ethic of Teddy, and how seriously he takes baseball. Once he arrived, he's been the first guy out there, and last guy to leave. That's Teddy's mentality." What may also speak volumes about Stankiewicz's attitude is picking up tennis in grade school. His elementary school didn't have a baseball team, so Stankiewicz was looking for something to quench his competitive thirst. He chose tennis. The problem was, despite being tall and athletic, well … "I was no good at it," Stankiewicz recalled, laughing. "I grew to like tennis. I started working at it and it became a lot more fun winning. Playing tennis helped my agility and it helped build my legs and my endurance, a lot of endurance. I played tennis four hours a day. "The sport is also very mentally demanding. The first few years were really tough for me. You realize you have to play the next point and learn to erase things and flush it. I'm very competitive. I don't accept losing very easily, not at all. Playing tennis taught me that something you're not good at, to keep trying. I wasn't going to quit. I learned if you work hard, that you can succeed." He went from losing every match his first year to becoming a first-team, all-district player by his freshman and sophomore years. But the shuttling between tennis practices and baseball became a conflict, and there was no choice, it was baseball. That drive to succeed has forged Stankiewicz's name into a high position on more than a few big league draft boards. "The great thing about Teddy is that he's a pitcher, he's not a thrower," Howard said. "He has the ability to throw in the 90s, but he has a great changeup and a great slider. He has a great curveball that he throws for strikes." Howard also couldn't help but notice Stankiewicz's composure on the mound the rare times he struggles. It doesn't affect his emotions. When there are runners on base, Stankiewicz has another gear. "When Teddy senses he has someone on the ropes, he'll make a great pitch, and in crucial situations, he'll make a great pitch," Howard said. "When the ball leaves his hand, it's an effortless release and I know that's what the scouts really like about him. But he's a very good athlete; he is a lock-down third baseman, the best I ever had. He's a big kid who moves well. His athleticism is what struck me first about him." Teddy's life could possibly change — maybe drastically — in June. But it's going to have be an acceptable offer for him to pass up pitching in the SEC for Arkansas. "Ever since I was 6, I always dreamed about being a big league pitcher and being on that mound and pitching in the World Series," Stankiewicz said. "It would be a dream come true. The feedback I'm getting is I might be a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. But my philosophy is that I'm going to Arkansas unless someone blows us away with an offer to change our minds. My family has an adviser. It's an exciting time for me. I can't wait. It's going to be awesome." And a new challenge Stankiewicz will probably approach like he does everything else — attacking it.

TransMonk Jun 05 2012 10:50 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Reynolds is a bit of a head scratcher to me...but I don't know anything compared to the Mets' scouts about this stuff. I truly do like Depodesta to make these decisions. Stankiewicz looks like he could develop into somthing.

metirish Jun 05 2012 11:12 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I trust these guys.....still, from his Dodger days any of his drafts come good?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 11:16 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6) Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Jun 05 2012 11:17 AM

107. Matthew Koch, RHP, U of Louisville College reliever, "might have enough stuff to start."

seawolf17 Jun 05 2012 11:16 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Matt Koch, RHP, Louisville in the 3rd.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 11:20 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

[url]https://twitter.com/#!/mattykoch20

bmfc1 Jun 05 2012 11:24 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6) Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 05 2012 11:25 AM

Videos, here: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y20 ... caster.jsp (Go to "Teams" and the pull down "New York Mets", like you needed me to tell you that.)

Ceetar Jun 05 2012 11:25 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

matt koch wrote: I'm a monkey Primates, the new market inefficiency.

batmagadanleadoff Jun 05 2012 11:26 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I just gotta say that with the exception of Darryl Strawberry and maybe, maybe, one other Mets draft pick, I couldn't give a flying fuck about these amateur baseball drafts. Practically no interest at all. Don't know these guys. Don't pretend to know any of 'em. Crapshoot crapshoot crapshoot. Wake me when the Mets have the #1 overall and there's a can't miss prospect to be drafted.

Ceetar Jun 05 2012 11:28 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

batmagadanleadoff wrote: I just gotta say that with the exception of Darryl Strawberry and maybe, maybe, one other Mets draft pick, I couldn't give a flying fuck about these amateur baseball drafts. Practically no interest at all. Don't know these guys. Don't pretend to know any of 'em. Crapshoot crapshoot crapshoot. Wake me when the Mets have the #1 overall and there's a can't miss prospect to be drafted. Like Billy Beane?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 11:29 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I think there's a goofy kind of excitement in knowing that of all the crazy new names you hear for the very first time today there will be a couple whose names you could know for the rest of your life. And how cool would it be to have an ace named Teddy Stankiewicz? Between him and Plawecki, Poles are the new market inefficiency.

batmagadanleadoff Jun 05 2012 11:30 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: I just gotta say that with the exception of Darryl Strawberry and maybe, maybe, one other Mets draft pick, I couldn't give a flying fuck about these amateur baseball drafts. Practically no interest at all. Don't know these guys. Don't pretend to know any of 'em. Crapshoot crapshoot crapshoot. Wake me when the Mets have the #1 overall and there's a can't miss prospect to be drafted. Like Billy Beane? Nope. Billy didn't move my needle. And he wasn't a #1 overall either.

batmagadanleadoff Jun 05 2012 11:32 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I think there's a goofy kind of excitement in knowing that of all the crazy new names you hear for the very first time today there will be a couple whose names you could know for the rest of your life. And how cool would it be to have an ace named Teddy Stankiewicz? Between him and Plawecki, Poles are the new market inefficiency. Almost makes you wish the Mets would re-sign Mientkiewicz. How 'bout an all-Mets Polish team?

metirish Jun 05 2012 11:34 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Yeah sure it's a bit of fun , young kids like they are. I mean if you asked who to name one player drafted by the Mets last year I wouldn't have a clue........

batmagadanleadoff Jun 05 2012 11:38 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Besides the fact that these prospects, even the best ones, are so lacking in major league skills, who the hell follows college baseball? Do you guys follow it? Because not only do I not, but I don't even know anyone that follows college baseball.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2012 11:41 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Yeah, but today is the day we start caring about these kids. No, I've never heard of any of them before, but that really doesn't matter.

Ceetar Jun 05 2012 11:43 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Besides the fact that these prospects, even the best ones, are so lacking in major league skills, who the hell follows college baseball? Do you guys follow it? Because not only do I not, but I don't even know anyone that follows college baseball. I follow it as closely and with as much interest as all NCAA sports.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 12:02 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Round 4/140. Say aloha to high school shortstop Branden Kaupe, born and raised in Maui.

metirish Jun 05 2012 12:04 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Nice body, arms extended, eyes alert....yeah he's a player...

Ceetar Jun 05 2012 12:05 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

That guy was only drafted so the scout could write off his trip to Hawaii.

Nymr83 Jun 05 2012 12:08 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: That guy was only drafted so the scout could write off his trip to Hawaii. "See Jeff? I told you there was a kid out there, now how about this scouting trip I've been planning for Bermuda?"

Ceetar Jun 05 2012 12:10 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

he's got his own website too [url]http://www.brandenkaupe.com/ it has a phone number 808-463-4441

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 05 2012 12:11 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Don't watch most of the college ball, but I'll watch some of the College WS, usually, and browse prospect lists from time to time during the winters/early springs. And as to last year... There's Nimmo, and Fulmer, and Mazzoni, and Pantloads. If he keeps up what he's ben doing, I'd be surprised if we didn't see a September visit from Leathersich.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 12:13 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

This guy's awesome [youtube:dwsjiuer]GfrCYch_gCY[/youtube:dwsjiuer]

bmfc1 Jun 05 2012 12:15 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Check his birth certificate.

Vic Sage Jun 05 2012 12:19 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

How come no Seawolves drafted, Mr.Depodesta? Besides the fact that these prospects, even the best ones, are so lacking in major league skills, who the hell follows college baseball? Do you guys follow it? Because not only do I not, but I don't even know anyone that follows college baseball. i do now, with my 'wolves winning the regionals, and on their way to Louisiana. http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... tournament "Although Kent State and St. John's are strong candidates, there might not be a better story in the NCAA tournament thus far than Stony Brook -- the only No. 4 seed to advance to the super regionals. The Seawolves won the Coral Gables Regional -- host Miami was eliminated after two games -- by defeating UCF 10-6 on Monday. Starting pitcher Tyler Johnson struck out five and allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings." • Stony Brook became just the third ever No. 4 seed to advance to the super regionals since the NCAA went to the regional format in 1999. The Seawolves (50-12) also became the first team in the nation this season to win 50 games. They're also the first American East conference squad to win a regional since 1991.

seawolf17 Jun 05 2012 12:38 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Second Seawolf in the first three rounds; Pat Cantwell (who was drafted by the Orioles late in the draft last year but didn't sign) goes to Texas with the 123rd pick. We'll see third baseman Willie Carmona's name come up at some point, and pitcher Tyler Johnson and 2B Maxx Tissenbaum hopefully too.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 12:38 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Round 5/170: Brandon Welch, RHP, Palm Beach State College

Vic Sage Jun 05 2012 12:40 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

5th round - Welch, Brandon Palm Beach CC, FL (RHP) 6'01" 185lbs DOB: 08/24/91 "Welch is one of the more intriguing prospects in the Draft. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, and he also has a hard slider. He has excellent command of both pitches and rarely walks a batter. However, Welch is not the biggest guy in the world, leading some scouts to think he will be a reliever at the next level. Either way, Welch's aggressive nature and pure stuff are what will get him drafted."

seawolf17 Jun 05 2012 12:43 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Get Koch and Welch signed and get 'em up here.

Mets – Willets Point Jun 05 2012 12:48 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Shouldn't this thread have a clever title like "There's a draft in here?"

Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2012 12:53 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Here's the draft-day thread from six years ago. Among others, this thread introduced us to Kevin Mulvey, Joe Smith, John Holdzkom, Stephen Holmes, Scott Schaefer, Daniel Stegall, Nathan Hedrick, Jeremy Barfield, Phillips Orta, Andrew Moye, Nick Giarraputo, Daniel Murphy, Duane Privett, Justin Dallas, Tobi Stoner, Stephen Puhl, Ritchie Price, Jason Jacobs, Joel Wells, Timothy Stronach, Nicholas Waechler, Valentin Ramos, and Steven Cheney. Murphy, a 13th round choice, was clearly the best of the bunch.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 01:32 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Rpund 6/pick 200: Jayce Boyd, 1B, Florida State. His Twitter description is a bible verse I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. He also keeps his eye on the ball as his .390 batting average shows.

seawolf17 Jun 05 2012 01:34 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Lotsa love for Jesus among our picks so far, no?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 01:35 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Almost exclusively white Christian males. It's a right-wing conspiracy.

seawolf17 Jun 05 2012 01:36 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Learned this a few minutes ago: Until the Astros took Correa first overall, the highest-ever drafted player out of Puerto Rico was...

metirish Jun 05 2012 01:37 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Here's the draft-day thread from six years ago. Among others, this thread introduced us to Kevin Mulvey, Joe Smith, John Holdzkom, Stephen Holmes, Scott Schaefer, Daniel Stegall, Nathan Hedrick, Jeremy Barfield, Phillips Orta, Andrew Moye, Nick Giarraputo, Daniel Murphy, Duane Privett, Justin Dallas, Tobi Stoner, Stephen Puhl, Ritchie Price, Jason Jacobs, Joel Wells, Timothy Stronach, Nicholas Waechler, Valentin Ramos, and Steven Cheney. Murphy, a 13th round choice, was clearly the best of the bunch. wow, Pedro Beato was on the CPF radar going back to then and I assume before that. So, three of those guys made it to the bigs with the Mets, Smith, Murph and Stoner, anyone else do anything?

metirish Jun 05 2012 01:38 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

seawolf17 wrote: Learned this a few minutes ago: Until the Astros took Correa first overall, the highest-ever drafted player out of Puerto Rico was... trick question, gotta be some chubby fella we had no doubt , amounted to nothing?

Ceetar Jun 05 2012 01:39 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

metirish wrote: Learned this a few minutes ago: Until the Astros took Correa first overall, the highest-ever drafted player out of Puerto Rico was... trick question, gotta be some chubby fella we had no doubt , amounted to nothing? Carlos?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 01:42 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Jayce Boyd: Draws a smily face with his bat-head in the dirt as he steps to the plate and plays Miley Cyrus as his walk-up music. See about 1:30 in this vid. [youtube:371uykl1]da3uRfB_dlQ[/youtube:371uykl1]

seawolf17 Jun 05 2012 01:42 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Learned this a few minutes ago: Until the Astros took Correa first overall, the highest-ever drafted player out of Puerto Rico was... trick question, gotta be some chubby fella we had no doubt , amounted to nothing? I'm going to give you full credit for that. 17th overall by the Astros in 1994.

metirish Jun 05 2012 01:43 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Don't break my heart Bucket...

metirish Jun 05 2012 01:45 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ha! , Castro at 17? I was actually thinking Robinson Cancel........crapshoot is right.

Edgy MD Jun 05 2012 01:52 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Who is Tucker Preston and why does his drafting at the top of Round Seven lead to an extended coffee break? Get to work, drafters. (Oh, and fantasy angles in draft courage is very dis-spiriting.)

Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2012 01:55 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

metirish wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Here's the draft-day thread from six years ago. Among others, this thread introduced us to Kevin Mulvey, Joe Smith, John Holdzkom, Stephen Holmes, Scott Schaefer, Daniel Stegall, Nathan Hedrick, Jeremy Barfield, Phillips Orta, Andrew Moye, Nick Giarraputo, Daniel Murphy, Duane Privett, Justin Dallas, Tobi Stoner, Stephen Puhl, Ritchie Price, Jason Jacobs, Joel Wells, Timothy Stronach, Nicholas Waechler, Valentin Ramos, and Steven Cheney. Murphy, a 13th round choice, was clearly the best of the bunch. wow, Pedro Beato was on the CPF radar going back to then and I assume before that. So, three of those guys made it to the bigs with the Mets, Smith, Murph and Stoner, anyone else do anything? Well... Kevin Mulvey got us a portion of Johan Santana.

Edgy MD Jun 05 2012 01:59 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Josh Stinson (Round 37) got a cuppa. John Holdzkom provided joy and hilarity. Jeremy Barfield, I think, got arrested for trying to beat up his dad or something.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 02:05 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Round 7/230: Corey Oswalt, RHP, Madison High, San Diego.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2012 02:06 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Maybe some day we can have a rotation of Gee/Harvey/Oswalt.

Vic Sage Jun 05 2012 02:29 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

that's some funny shit right there, Grimmy.

bmfc1 Jun 05 2012 02:42 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Maybe some day we can have a rotation of Gee/Harvey/Oswalt. Nicely done.

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2012 02:43 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Some capsulized analysis from MLB.com (where available) Round 3; Matt Koch, 6' 3" - 205 -- While Koch has shared closing duties with senior Derek Self at Louisville this season, he's still shown enough with a good two-pitch power repertoire to garner some attention. The lean, wiry and strong right-hander will throw his fastball up to 94 mph, sitting comfortably a tick below that. There's some good life to the heater as well, and he commands it well. He also throws strikes with a hard slider that has good bite and depth. Koch seems to have the right mentality for a life in short relief, showing a willingness to take the ball at the end of the game and go right after hitters. Two Major League average or better power pitches with good command should be enough to get Koch drafted early and should help him move up the ladder quickly. Round 4; Branden Kraupe, 5' 7" - 175; [u:1gyoikt4]DOB: 4/10/94[/u:1gyoikt4] Round 5; Brandon Welch, 6' 1" - 185 -- Welch is one of the more intriguing prospects in the Draft. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, and he also has a hard slider. He has excellent command of both pitches and rarely walks a batter. However, Welch is not the biggest guy in the world, leading some scouts to think he will be a reliever at the next level. Either way, Welch's aggressive nature and pure stuff are what will get him drafted. Round 6; Jayce Boyd, 1B, 6' 3" - 200 Round 7; Corey Oswalt, RHP, 6' 4" - 200 Round 8; Tomas Nido, C, R/R; HS Florida, 6' - 200 -- "Serious raw power"

Edgy MD Jun 05 2012 02:45 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Florida HS catcher Tomas Nido.

metirish Jun 05 2012 03:01 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I may not remember the names but draft day threads are just great.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 05 2012 03:07 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Maybe some day we can have a rotation of Gee/Harvey/Oswalt. /Twists imaginary mustache in appreciation Welch intrigues (as do all talented-but-less-than-ideally-sized guys who slip for that reason).

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 03:11 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Florida HS catcher Tomas Nido. That's Real Ultimate Power!

Edgy MD Jun 05 2012 03:27 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

He apparently feels you need only one beefy arm. It's the Trogdor Rule.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 05 2012 03:28 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Florida HS catcher Tomas Nido. Ah. Our Needs-A-Sandwich pick.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2012 03:35 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Round 9/290: Richie Rodriguez, another diminutive infielder. College Senior with sick numbers at Eastern Kentucky.

Edgy MD Jun 05 2012 03:35 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ah. Our Needs-A-Sandwich pick. I found it at the ruins of his MySpace page, so I imagine it goes back a few years.

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2012 04:14 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Ah. Our Needs-A-Sandwich pick. I found it at the ruins of his MySpace page, so I imagine it goes back a few years. Yeah, I was going to say, if that's six-foot tall that ain't 200 lbs.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 05 2012 04:22 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Tiny-dude-stat-compilers: the new market inefficiency.

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2012 06:13 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: I have other sources calling him a switchie. Maybe he quit in college. LJ's a twin, by the way. I think that gives Minnesota the right of first refusal. And they exercised that right in the 9th round.

Edgy MD Jun 05 2012 06:15 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Bam!

Edgy MD Jun 05 2012 06:20 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: he's got his own website too [url]http://www.brandenkaupe.com/ it has a phone number 808-463-4441 This one would be looking up at Chin-lung Hu.

Nymr83 Jun 05 2012 06:55 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

That phone number is going to have to change pretty quick now that he's been drafted and the entire met fanbase plus new york media can see it. I dare one of you to call it and ask him to come join the cranepool!

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2012 08:43 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Any of the Short-stops we drafted in the last day or so ready yet?

MFS62 Jun 05 2012 09:19 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Frayed Knot wrote: Round 4; Branden Kraupe, 5' 7" - 175; His role, and uniform, model is most likely Freddy Patek. Later

Ashie62 Jun 05 2012 09:20 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Oh snap

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 06 2012 08:47 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Twins get LJ Mazzilli. TWINS!

Edgy MD Jun 06 2012 10:27 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Round 10 brings us Paul Sewald, a University of San Diego righthander with a great British Invasion head of hair. Round 11 gives the Mets and baseball yet another double-last-namer in Logan Taylor, a righty out of Eastern Oklahoma State JC, who lives in a dank fallout shelter. Round 12 gives us yet another righthanded pitcher in Robert Whalen. He didn't look down when signing to play at Florida Atlantic. And he's kind of homely in the way all the men in my family are homely. Baby Bro... is that you?!

Edgy MD Jun 06 2012 10:33 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

You were asking about Round 13? Well, the Mets shocked the world that round by selecting... a righthanded pitcher! This one is one Matthew Bowman of Princeton. He's unlikely to be particularly related to Shawn Bowman who was born 4,000 miles away, but who knows, right? Chris Young helped with the scouting. One more time to the righty bag for Round 14, selecting selecting California high school Chris Flexen, who seems to have come from the Buddy Harrelson line of human/imp hybrids. And the Tour de Righties continues in Round 15, with Delaware schoolboy Nicholas Grant. Which do you think is the before photo and which is the after? Hard not to see some Dykstra in that puss.

Frayed Knot Jun 06 2012 10:53 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Much of the speculation coming up on this draft was how and if teams would attempt to manipulate or do end-runs around the new cap rules. Early analysis from those who tally these things is noticing a trend towards a larger than normal run on college seniors. Normally they're sort of the red-headed step-children of the draft because the real good ones never get to that point and even a late bloomer is older and therefore has less time to make it or flop. So seniors, because they have always had no real fall-back position except maybe independent leagues and therefore have less leverage and are more likely to be herded into below-slot deals, become more attractive this year because every below-slot dollar a team saves on one guy is an extra dollar that can be spent on someone else, most likely a HS-er with a scholarship offer, who may be a tough sign.

seawolf17 Jun 06 2012 12:21 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Jasvir Rakkar to the Cubs in the 26th, our first player of the day after we had FIVE Seawolves taken in the first 12 rounds.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 06 2012 02:13 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Mets obviously hearing the criticism of picking too many white fellas went on a multicultural inclusive diversified drafting spree beginning with pick 16: "I'm the fella with the high-top fade" Round 16 pick Myles Smith is a RHP from Miami-Dade CC Round 17 brought us Orange Coast College catcher Stefan Sabol, whose catches without a mask and with a really small wristwatch. Round 18 is LHP Paul Paez, and his vaguely profane twitter feed at @Paez29 Back to the Whiteys in Round 19, but a sidearming one who gets lots white bishes, Tyler Vanderheiden (@CallMeVandy):

Nymr83 Jun 06 2012 07:50 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Wow, well done Tyler.

MFS62 Jun 07 2012 08:24 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

The draft is over and the Mets drafted six catchers and ONE outfielder. Just sayin'. Later

Vic Sage Jun 07 2012 09:35 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

say it with me, 62... "Best. Player. Available." Now rinse, and repeat.

Ceetar Jun 07 2012 09:37 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Vic Sage wrote: say it with me, 62... "Best. Player. Available." Now rinse, and repeat. Indeed. one of the SS can be converted to an outfielder if need be. Or they won't cut some of the no-name scrubs to man down the position, or there's always the international draft/signings. or maybe I'll give them my phone number. I could probably fake it on a Single A corner OF spot right? hey, i bat lefty..

Frayed Knot Jun 07 2012 05:47 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

MFS62 wrote: The draft is over and the Mets drafted six catchers and ONE outfielder. Just sayin'. Later Mgmt was pretty clear about favoring middle of the field players - the idea being that most amateur catchers & SS wind up being nudged elsewhere on the field as competition gets tougher and so you get your coverage that way. Start with corner players and, if their bats don't play up as hoped, there's no where for them to go. Bryce Harper? - was a catcher as an amateur Craig Biggio - catcher Dale Murphy - catcher more than a few current ML relievers - catchers And probably half the ML position players (the RH-throwing ones anyway) plus a few of the pitchers were short-stops at one point in their amateur or lower minors career Plus you've always got guys from previous drafts, non-drafted FAs, int'l players, and numerous other pick-ups to consider.

Edgy MD Jun 07 2012 05:57 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

MFS62 Jun 07 2012 06:23 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I have been duly chastized. But I was only pointing out a statistical curiosity. Nothing wrong with being "strong up the middle". Also - I heard that the #1 pick, Cecchini, has reached a verbal agreement with the team and is on the way to New York. (Physical exam?) Measure him for his uniform on the plane ride to New York and put him in there. There isn't anybody left who can play short in the organization. Later

Edgy MD Jun 07 2012 06:39 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Making statements like that doesn't sound like someone who feels chastised. Know who's played a fair amount of short? Tuiasosopo. (Not of late, though.)

Frayed Knot Jun 08 2012 07:26 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Between there being no eye-popping talent at the top of this year's draft combined with the new cap system in place, it took just three days for the #1 overall pick to sign this year. Under the old rules, few players at or near the top of the draft would sign early because they all wanted to base their pay on what everyone around them got, and even then teams would reach agreements only to sit on them for days or weeks while MLB decided whether they wanted to "approve" the deal. But now, Puerto Rican SS Carlos Correa has signed with the Astros for "substantially less than the $7.2 million signing bonus" that was prescribed this year for the 1/1 slot. What this means for Houston is that they can use whatever money they "saved" there to go over-slot for other picks, namely their 2nd pick Florida high school pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. McCullers (not surprisingly the son of former ML-er Lance McCullers Sr.) was considered 1st round talent but slid to the 41st pick out of concerns about his asking price to skip college. The recommended contract for his slot is $1.25 mil. This announcement should start the ball rolling on 1st round selections signing. Also the signing deadline was moved up from mid-August to mid-July so even the difficult negotiations should get wrapped up and announced sooner than in past years.

Ceetar Jun 08 2012 07:29 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Yup, the incentive has to be for guys to sign earlier now because they're competing against other picks for that money. Also should get some players into the system this year as opposed to them often only getting a cameo late in the season. I wonder if this will lead to a faster progression to the majors. (on the other hand, it activates the years of service time early and all that too right?)

Edgy MD Jun 08 2012 07:33 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

And it screws the talent out of even more of their hard-earned leverage.

Ceetar Jun 08 2012 07:34 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6) Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 08 2012 09:05 AM

.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 08 2012 07:40 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Most people applying for jobs also have the right to negotiate with more than one potential employer. Even though most of these players will never reach the big leagues, they are the best of the best; the relatively few who were good enough to be drafted by a major league team. They earned their spot with their level of play in high school and college.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2012 07:46 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceeter, c'mon with your heartless "good." That's. Re. Diculous. Because it's immoral, exploitative, and un-American, that's why.

Ceetar Jun 08 2012 08:14 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Ceeter, c'mon with your heartless "good." That's. Re. Diculous. Because it's immoral, exploitative, and un-American, that's why. I disagree on all three of those things.

MFS62 Jun 08 2012 08:27 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6) Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 08 2012 09:10 AM

Ceetar wrote: Yup, the incentive has to be for guys to sign earlier now because they're competing against other picks for that money. The guys the Mets drafted will also be competing for places to play. Remember, the Mets will have one less rookie level farm team this year than in the recent past. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 08 2012 08:32 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Ceeter, c'mon with your heartless "good." That's. Re. Diculous. Because it's immoral, exploitative, and un-American, that's why. I disagree on all three of those things. Well then explain how it's fair, non-exploitative and American then.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2012 08:50 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Ceeter, c'mon with your heartless "good." That's. Re. Diculous. Because it's immoral, exploitative, and un-American, that's why. I disagree on all three of those things. I know. It's amazing. The liberal firebrand who likens my Church to Klansmen plotting to kill black men stands for the rights of a multi-billion industry to act as a cartel in order to control labor costs and suppress competition, at a benefit to nobody but themselves.

Ceetar Jun 08 2012 08:58 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Ceeter, c'mon with your heartless "good." That's. Re. Diculous. Because it's immoral, exploitative, and un-American, that's why. I disagree on all three of those things. I know. It's amazing. The liberal firebrand who likens my Church to Klansmen plotting to kill black men stands for the rights of a multi-billion industry to act as a cartel in order to control labor costs and suppress competition, at a benefit to nobody but themselves. all incorrect. Don't put words in my mouth. I don't really feel like debating the politics of it. I was simply reflecting on it from the baseball standpoint and what the landscape of signing and rookie minor leaguers getting to play look like. Looks like the guy the Mets signed today is going to Kingsport.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2012 09:02 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I'd be happy to withdraw "Klansmen." The crap about killing black people was all you. I don't really feel like debating the politics of it. I was simply reflecting on it from the baseball standpoint and what the landscape of signing and rookie minor leaguers getting to play look like. ...or... good. most people when applying for jobs have no leverage, why should unproven amateurs get millions of dollars? hard-earned? the work has barely begun. Which is it? Because the circle jerk is really dishonest.

Ceetar Jun 08 2012 09:07 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

fine. strike it from the record. I shouldn't have responded to your offtopic retort. I have no recollection of even mentioning black people as a separate or specific entity. but whatever.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2012 09:11 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

My "retort" wasn't off-topic. I have no recollection of even mentioning black people as a separate or specific entity. Ever? At all? Some of your statements, man.

Frayed Knot Jun 08 2012 09:12 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

MFS62 wrote: Ceetar wrote: Yup, the incentive has to be for guys to sign earlier now because they're competing against other picks for that money. The guys the Mets drafted will also be competing for [p]laces to play. Remember, the Mets will have one less rookie level farm team this year than in the recent past. But still the same number of teams as most organizations (they previously had a extra one before their recent cut-back) so it's not like these incoming players will be unusually strapped for openings. The instructional league and/or camps in the Dominican will take up the slack. Remember also that the draft is smaller than it used to be (50 rounds down to 40 this year) so any final jobs to be filled will be with non-drafted signees and the like. And finally there's the Int'l signing deadline (something that also has new money rules to it) less than a month away which provides a new crop of players.

Ceetar Jun 08 2012 09:15 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: My "retort" wasn't off-topic. I have no recollection of even mentioning black people as a separate or specific entity. Ever? At all? Some of your statements, man. as a talking point or something to debate. what are you talking about? No, forget it. you weren't getting whatever point I was trying to make back then either, no reason to rehash it. seemed off topic to me. at least as it pertained to my post.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2012 09:23 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Wait. First you don't remember what you said. And now you state that I wasn't getting your point back then. So you do remember. Only I didn't get your point then, because I'm dense, somehow. And I don't get your point now. Even though, both times --- and so frequently --- when challenged to back up your statements, you just say you don't really like to talk about what you were happy to talk about until challenged to back it up. I get your points, believe me. I sometimes challenge them. That doesn't mean I don't get them.

Ceetar Jun 08 2012 09:29 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Wait. First you don't remember what you said. And now you state that I wasn't getting your point back then. So you do remember. Only I didn't get your point then, because I'm dense, somehow. And I don't get your point now. Even though, both times --- and so frequently --- when challenged to back up your statements, you just say you don't really like to talk about what you were happy to talk about until challenged to back it up. I get your points, believe me. I sometimes challenge them. That doesn't mean I don't get them. no. you don't, or you wouldn't come back with this crazy stuff that I'm not saying. Like implying I think the Church is the Klan or whatever you're trying to say. I want no part of either in my life, but that's about the extent of it. There's a difference between remembering that you weren't getting what I was trying to say and remembering the exact back and forth. I'm not calling you dense, or me a fool for failing to articulate my point. it's more nuanced than that. I don't have a problem backing up my statements, we went on for quite a while on the contraception issue if I recall. But here you're asking me to back up an opinion on how the draft/baseball is run, and I don't feel like it. You're right, I should've just said my piece and ignored your reply that didn't have to with the Mets/teams specific usage of this system but with the politics of the system itself.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2012 09:47 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Fantastic TV here, folks.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2012 11:33 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Cecchini signed. $2.3 million.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2012 12:00 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

The New York Mets have agreed to terms with shortstop Gavin Cecchini, their top pick in the 2012 draft. Terms were not disclosed, but the 18-year-old Louisiana native will report to rookie ball in Kingston of the Appalachian League later this month. He was selected with the 12th overall pick of the draft earlier this week. Cecchini hit .413 with seven homers, 32 runs batted in and 31 stolen bases to help Barbe High School to the Louisiana Class 5A state title this past season. He also played for South Lake Charles in the 2006 Little League World Series. Be a big year at the K-Mets gate if he and Nimmo end up on the same team.

seawolf17 Jun 08 2012 12:17 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Word from Rubin is that Nimmo starts in Brooklyn.

Frayed Knot Jun 08 2012 12:21 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: Cecchini signed. $2.3 million. $2.55 mil was the recommended price for that slot - so that gives the team an extra quarter-mil to throw around some place else if there are any tough signs in later rounds.

Ceetar Jun 08 2012 12:27 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I think it's interesting that last year's first pick Nimmo is only 10 professional games ahead of Cecchini.

Nymr83 Jun 08 2012 12:45 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

seawolf17 wrote: Word from Rubin is that Nimmo starts in Brooklyn. Yay! For the one or two cyclones games I make it to anyway. I'm really bad at this stuff, is this an "accurate" breakdown? You can add "plus career minor leaguers as necessary to fill positions" to each of these: AAA Buffalo- hasbeens, major league depth, occasional prospects AA Binghamton- prospects almost ready for majors, perhaps after several years at st lucie/savannah A St Lucie - prospects make it here only after showing something at savannah, this is where automatic promotions stop and nobody ever really gets assigned here out of the draft A Savannah - prspects advanced here from brooklyn/kinsport almost automatically, rarely college draftees go straight here Short season Brooklyn - most college draftees and some really good HS kids plus last year's Kingsport standouts Rookie Kingsport - starting point for most high school and some college draftees Dominican team(s) - foreign rookies who aren't highly thought of enough for Kinsport/Brooklyn

Benjamin Grimm Jun 08 2012 12:52 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I may be wrong, but it seems like Savannah is a detour. The real prospects go from Brooklyn to St. Lucie. Those that go to Savannah are (mostly) the ones who are less likely to make the big leagues. I know that Wilmer Flores was in Savannah, but he may be an exception. Does anyone else see it this way? Or am I off-base?

Frayed Knot Jun 08 2012 12:52 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

That (nmyr's categories) is pretty accurate in a general sense although there are always the exceptions. More advanced college draftees (high round juniors or seniors from top programs) for instance sometimes start at levels higher than Low-A (Savannah level). Dominican (and other Caribbean) players usually start in the DSL teams because they tend to be younger than even HS picks, but that same track exposes them to much more baseball and coaching at a younger age which in turn tends to make them advance quicker and so you might see some ahead of their American same-age counterparts as they move up the chain.

Frayed Knot Jun 08 2012 12:57 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I may be wrong, but it seems like Savannah is a detour. The real prospects go from Brooklyn to St. Lucie. Those that go to Savannah are (mostly) the ones who are less likely to make the big leagues. No, not so much. Savannah is the lowest full-season league so most of the guys except for higher-level college picks will go through that level at some point. Brooklyn is often the first stop for some of the "name" picks because it's a short-season league and therefore tailor made for newly signed picks. And, at least some people believe, that because it's a Wilpon-owned team that they tend to stack it with guys who maybe should be a bit higher up so as to increase the success (and therefore attendance and what not) of the stadium in Coney Island.

Frayed Knot Jun 10 2012 09:18 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Insta-analysis is always problematic with drafts - particularly so in baseball, but here's John Sickels' take on the Mets' top guys this year. First-rounder Gavin Cecchini (SS, Louisiana HS) has already signed for a below-slot bonus. His glove is sound but opinion about his bat is mixed. Supplemental choice Kevin Plawecki (C, Purdue) is a solid hitter with good plate discipline, some power, and fine defense behind the plate. I like him. Second-round pick Matt Reynolds (3B, Arkansas) has an impressive glove and a chance to hit enough to play regularly. Second-round choice Teddy Stankiewicz (RHP, Texas HS) has a good fastball, already throws strikes, and is projectable. He could be a bargain. Third-round pick Matt Koch (RHP, Louisville) throws hard but was surprisingly hittable in college. The middle round picks were a mixed lot, then they switched to pitching after the 10th round. The development of preps Cecchini and Stankiewicz is the key here

Edgy MD Jun 11 2012 07:52 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Savannah has historically gotten a lot of young Latin American vets. 19-23-year-olds that were signed at 16 or 17. This is less so now, but had been more so back in Omartimes. Obviously the younger ones are still potential big leaguers, and the older ones are the guys hired to play with potential big leaguers.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 11 2012 08:02 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I realize that Savannah hasn't been in the Mets organization for all that long, but so far only eight Sand Gnats have become Mets, and only one of them, Josh Thole, has been a key player for the big league club. Sand Gnats who became Mets The picture may look different in a few years, but this at least is why I have the impression that Savannah is more of a detour than part of the typical path to the big leagues.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 11 2012 08:14 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Add "Capital City Bombers" to the list, as I recall it was the previous affiliate in the same league.

Edgy MD Jun 11 2012 08:26 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

And briefly the Hagerstown Suns also. [list:1132pqil][*:1132pqil]Nick Evans[/*:m:1132pqil] [*:1132pqil]Carlos Gomez[/*:m:1132pqil] [*:1132pqil]Fernando Martinez[/*:m:1132pqil] [*:1132pqil]Carlos Muniz[/*:m:1132pqil] [*:1132pqil]Jon Niese[/*:m:1132pqil] [*:1132pqil]Bobby Parnell[/*:m:1132pqil] [*:1132pqil]Josh Stinson[/*:m:1132pqil][/list:u:1132pqil] H-Town was only a Met affiliate for two years: 2005-2006.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 11 2012 08:36 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Columbia Mets (Capital City Bombers): http://ultimatemets.com/oppteams.php?Th ... 58&tabno=B Hagerstown: http://ultimatemets.com/oppteams.php?Th ... 57&tabno=B

Frayed Knot Jun 11 2012 12:03 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

BA: The Mets have agreed to terms with supplemental first-rounder Kevin Plawecki on a $1.4 million bonus. The offensive-minded catcher led Purdue to its first Big Ten Conference regular-season title in 103 years and first-ever conference tournament championship this spring. He makes consistent line-drive contact, has some power potential and gets the job done defensively. The assigned value for Plawecki's 35th overall pick is $1,467,400.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 11 2012 12:55 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

What is it about his mind that BA finds so offensive?

Edgy MD Jun 18 2012 11:03 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Maybe I'm the last to notice this, but from rounds 10-24, the Mets drafted 14 pitchers in 15 picks. 1 Gavin Cecchini, ss (HS) SIGNED 1 Kevin Plawecki, c (Col) SIGNED 2 Matt Reynolds, 3b (Col) SIGNED 2 Teddy Stankiewicz, p (HS) 3 Matt Koch, p (Col) SIGNED 4 Branden Kaupe, ss (HS) SIGNED 5 Brandon Welch, p (Col) SIGNED 6 Jayce Boyd, 1b (Col) 7 Corey Oswalt, p (HS) SIGNED 8 Tomas Nido, c (HS) SIGNED 9 Richie Rodriguez, 2b (Col) SIGNED 10 Paul Sewald, p (Col) SIGNED 11 Logan Taylor, p (Col) 12 Robert Whalen, p (HS) SIGNED 13 Matt Bowman, p (Col) SIGNED 14 Chris Flexen, p (HS) 15 Nicholas Grant, p (HS) 16 Myles Smith, p (Col) 17 Stefan Sabol, c (Col) SIGNED 18 Paul Paez, p (Col) 19 Tyler Vanderheiden, p (Col) SIGNED 20 Tim Peterson, p (Col) SIGNED 21 Gary Ward, p (Col) 22 Tejay Antone, p (HS) 23 Connor Baits, p (HS) 24 Andrew Massie, p (HS) 25 Leon Byrd, 2b (HS) 26 Chris Shaw, 1b (HSl) 27 Zach Arnold, c (HS) 28 Jacob Marks, p (HS) 29 Austin Barr, c (HS) 30 Dustin Cook, p (HS) 31 Vance Vizcaino, ss (HS) 32 Jon Leroux, 1b (Col) 33 Jared Price, p (HS) 34 Mikey White, ss (HS) 35 Brad Markey, p (Col) 36 Donovan Walton, ss (HS) 37 Benny Distefano, c (HS) (!!) 38 Jeff Reynolds, 3b (Col) 39 Patrick Ervin, 2b (HS) 40 David Gonzalez, p (HS)

Nymr83 Jun 19 2012 06:06 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Corey Oswalt got about 400K out of the Mets where his "slot" was only about 150K, was this guy a higher round talent who slipped on signability issues?

Ceetar Jun 19 2012 06:14 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Nymr83 wrote: Corey Oswalt got about 400K out of the Mets where his "slot" was only about 150K, was this guy a higher round talent who slipped on signability issues? probably. From the way Kevin Goldstein was explaining it, there are a lot of those guys. 29 Austin Barr, c (HS) is another. It sounds like the Mets/other teams took a lot of these risky sign guys figuring they'd have to throw money at one or the other but wanted to draft a couple so they definitely get one. He was practically positive Barr goes to Stanford and if the Mets spent bonus money on Oswalt that probably means they won't have the extra Barr would need.

Frayed Knot Jun 19 2012 06:39 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Guys get above-slot money for one of two reasons: 1) they're perceived to have more talent - or potential talent - than their slot would indicate yet were still available later in the draft 2) they have alternate plans to fall back on like a college scholarship and/or another sport (an invitation to the NASA rocket science program is also possible but less common) which simply gives them the leverage to ignore the club's offer and demand more cash And frequently the answer is some combination of the two as the reason for condition #1 is usually found in #2 The one trend draft watchers noticed in this first year of the new rules was an increase in middle-round college seniors drafted as they generally have zero leverage and therefore can be snagged extra-cheap. A handful of those helps to off-set the occasional above-slot guy.

Edgy MD Jun 19 2012 07:09 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Teddy Stankeiwicz has to get in the fold. When it comes to Jayce Boyd and Logan Taylor, well, I'm used to guys with two last names thinking their shit doesn't stink. Teddy has no excuses.

Edgy MD Jun 19 2012 09:05 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Come on. You all gotta pick one of these dudes to write to and tell them to SIGN. 1 Gavin Cecchini, ss (HS) SIGNED 1 Kevin Plawecki, c (Col) SIGNED 2 Matt Reynolds, 3b (Col) SIGNED 2 Teddy Stankiewicz, p (HS) 3 Matt Koch, p (Col) SIGNED 4 Branden Kaupe, ss (HS) SIGNED 5 Brandon Welch, p (Col) SIGNED 6 Jayce Boyd, 1b (Col) 7 Corey Oswalt, p (HS) SIGNED 8 Tomas Nido, c (HS) SIGNED 9 Richie Rodriguez, 2b (Col) SIGNED 10 Paul Sewald, p (Col) SIGNED 11 Logan Taylor, p (Col) 12 Robert Whalen, p (HS) SIGNED 13 Matt Bowman, p (Col) SIGNED 14 Chris Flexen, p (HS) 15 Nicholas Grant, p (HS) 16 Myles Smith, p (Col) 17 Stefan Sabol, c (Col) SIGNED 18 Paul Paez, p (Col) 19 Tyler Vanderheiden, p (Col) SIGNED 20 Tim Peterson, p (Col) SIGNED 21 Gary Ward, p (Col) 22 Tejay Antone, p (HS) 23 Connor Baits, p (HS) 24 Andrew Massie, p (HS) =#FF8000]SIGNED 25 Leon Byrd, 2b (HS) 26 Chris Shaw, 1b (HSl) 27 Zach Arnold, c (HS) 28 Jacob Marks, p (HS) 29 Austin Barr, c (HS) 30 Dustin Cook, p (HS) 31 Vance Vizcaino, ss (HS) 32 Jon Leroux, 1b (Col) =#FF8000]SIGNED 33 Jared Price, p (HS) 34 Mikey White, ss (HS) 35 Brad Markey, p (Col) 36 Donovan Walton, ss (HS) 37 Benny Distefano, c (HS) 38 Jeff Reynolds, 3b (Col) 39 Patrick Ervin, 2b (HS) 40 David Gonzalez, p (HS)

Edgy MD Jun 21 2012 09:25 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Hey, off day today! And you know who we signed? Nobody! GUH! Meanwhile, 19th round pick Taylor Vandeheiden turned out to be 56 years old.

Edgy MD Jun 25 2012 12:36 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Reynolds reporting to Savannah. No other signings reported since, like, a week ago. Boo. 1 Gavin Cecchini, ss (HS) SIGNED 1 Kevin Plawecki, c (Col) SIGNED 2 Matt Reynolds, 3b (Col) SIGNED 2 Teddy Stankiewicz, p (HS) 3 Matt Koch, p (Col) SIGNED 4 Branden Kaupe, ss (HS) SIGNED 5 Brandon Welch, p (Col) SIGNED 6 Jayce Boyd, 1b (Col) 7 Corey Oswalt, p (HS) SIGNED 8 Tomas Nido, c (HS) SIGNED 9 Richie Rodriguez, 2b (Col) SIGNED 10 Paul Sewald, p (Col) SIGNED 11 Logan Taylor, p (Col) 12 Robert Whalen, p (HS) SIGNED 13 Matt Bowman, p (Col) SIGNED 14 Chris Flexen, p (HS) 15 Nicholas Grant, p (HS) 16 Myles Smith, p (Col) 17 Stefan Sabol, c (Col) SIGNED 18 Paul Paez, p (Col) 19 Tyler Vanderheiden, p (Col) SIGNED 20 Tim Peterson, p (Col) SIGNED 21 Gary Ward, p (Col) 22 Tejay Antone, p (HS) 23 Connor Baits, p (HS) 24 Andrew Massie, p (HS) SIGNED 25 Leon Byrd, 2b (HS) 26 Chris Shaw, 1b (HSl) 27 Zach Arnold, c (HS) 28 Jacob Marks, p (HS) 29 Austin Barr, c (HS) 30 Dustin Cook, p (HS) 31 Vance Vizcaino, ss (HS) 32 Jon Leroux, 1b (Col) SIGNED 33 Jared Price, p (HS) 34 Mikey White, ss (HS) 35 Brad Markey, p (Col) 36 Donovan Walton, ss (HS) 37 Benny Distefano, c (HS) 38 Jeff Reynolds, 3b (Col) 39 Patrick Ervin, 2b (HS) 40 David Gonzalez, p (HS)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 25 2012 12:44 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

I saw where Flexen was in, apparently, he was a key get for us. Also Jayce "Party in the USA" Boyd is en route to Coney Island.

Edgy MD Jun 25 2012 12:47 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Don't be goin' making wild unsubstantiated claims, boy. You got a source or two to back that up?

Ceetar Jun 25 2012 12:52 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

https://twitter.com/JBoyd016/status/216629085730906112 Well an 80 isn't a bad way to finish, time to load up and head home for a short break then Brooklyn here I come. Been a fun ride Tally.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 25 2012 12:56 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Boyd on his FSU team's recent Stony Brook impersonation Jayce Boyd ?@JBoyd016 Well an 80 isn't a bad way to finish, time to load up and head home for a short break then Brooklyn here I come. Been a fun ride Tally. Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Lots of Tweeters on Flexen including, apparently, a spying neighbor: Steve R. Waterhouse ?@SRWaterhouse Source: Chris Flexen just signed. Mets reps just left his house. @Mets @mlbdraft #Mets #Newark from Fremont, CA Reply Retweet Favorite

soupcan Jun 25 2012 12:58 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Edgy DC wrote: You were asking about Round 13? Well, the Mets shocked the world that round by selecting... a righthanded pitcher! This one is one Matthew Bowman of Princeton. He's unlikely to be particularly related to Shawn Bowman who was born 4,000 miles away, but who knows, right? Chris Young helped with the scouting. Ran into a friend over the weekend and was told that Matthew Bowman is his nephew. My friend - Bob Bowman - also happens to be the CEO of Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLB.com). Bob told me that it looks like the kid might be playing in Brooklyn this season.

themetfairy Jun 25 2012 01:11 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

soupcan wrote: Edgy DC wrote: You were asking about Round 13? Well, the Mets shocked the world that round by selecting... a righthanded pitcher! This one is one Matthew Bowman of Princeton. He's unlikely to be particularly related to Shawn Bowman who was born 4,000 miles away, but who knows, right? Chris Young helped with the scouting. Ran into a friend over the weekend and was told that Matthew Bowman is his nephew. My friend - Bob Bowman - also happens to be the CEO of Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLB.com). Bob told me that it looks like the kid might be playing in Brooklyn this season. He looks like Lincecum. Let's hope he can pitch like him (well, not this year's him....).

Frayed Knot Jun 27 2012 08:41 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

A few legacy players who were drafted earlier this month that I don't believe we noted (aside from LJ Mazzilli in other words): - #580 overall (19th round) to Minnesota: Jonathan Murphy out of Jacksonville University; brother of Daniel. Already playing in the GCL - #612 to Baltimore -- Ryan Ripken, son of Cal Jr. -- Drafted out of HS, probably won't sign - #757 to the Yanx - Joe Table Jr. - #911 to Seattle - Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of HoFer Carl - #990 to the Cards - Eduardo Oquendo, son of Jose - #1008 to the Nationals out of HS - Jake Jefferies, son of Gregg. Maybe he grew up swinging in the kiddie pool. - #1046 by the Dodgers out of USC - Jordan Hershiser, son of Orel. Already playing with AZL team - #1106 by the Dodgers out of HS - Jose Vizcaino, son of Jose

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 30 2012 10:02 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

As per the horse's mouth, Reynolds (2), Boyd (6), Taylor (11), Flexen (14), Massie (24), and Leroux (32) are OFFICIALLY in the bag. That bumps the BA above .500 (21 out of 40).

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 30 2012 10:23 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Stanky holding out for the big $$.

Frayed Knot Jul 10 2012 06:58 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Friday is the deadline for 2012 draftees to sign. Teddy Stankiewicz, 2nd round - 75th overall, is the only one of the Met top 16 picks not to sign so far. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/ ... ?team=1013

Benjamin Grimm Jul 10 2012 07:08 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Let's all camp out on his driveway until he signs.

Frayed Knot Jul 10 2012 07:12 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

OCCUPY STANKIEWICZ

Ceetar Jul 10 2012 08:26 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Frayed Knot wrote: Friday is the deadline for 2012 draftees to sign. Teddy Stankiewicz, 2nd round - 75th overall, is the only one of the Met top 16 picks not to sign so far. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/ ... ?team=1013 how much money do the Mets have left?

Frayed Knot Jul 10 2012 10:45 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Friday is the deadline for 2012 draftees to sign. Teddy Stankiewicz, 2nd round - 75th overall, is the only one of the Met top 16 picks not to sign so far. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/ ... ?team=1013 how much money do the Mets have left? As that link notes, the Mets have currently spent $185,600 under their allotment for the guys they've already signed. So if they throw that amount all at Stankiewicz they could pay him the $680,400 that his slot dictates plus the 185,600 "left over" and go as high as 866K. They could go higher still if they go under slot for some of the remaining unsigned players but they can NOT simply used money from players who don't sign at all and throw that towards just one or two players. Slot money for players who don't sign is simply lost.

Edgy MD Jul 10 2012 10:48 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

The Mets have plenty of money left. They're just artificially constrained from using most of it.

Ceetar Jul 10 2012 11:37 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Frayed Knot wrote: As that link notes, the Mets have currently spent $185,600 under their allotment for the guys they've already signed. So if they throw that amount all at Stankiewicz they could pay him the $680,400 that his slot dictates plus the 185,600 "left over" and go as high as 866K. They could go higher still if they go under slot for some of the remaining unsigned players but they can NOT simply used money from players who don't sign at all and throw that towards just one or two players. Slot money for players who don't sign is simply lost. Thanks. 866 seems like a nice chunk. Maybe the hold up is the Mets and him negotiating how much of that 185600 he gets. Isn't there some marginal room for error with the cap? They don't lose a pick of they go 10k over do they?

Frayed Knot Jul 10 2012 12:11 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

There are fines for going over a certain amount and then draft picks for going further over. 866K is a decent chunk of change but not if you think you're worth more and/or will be worth even more by taking the college route and trying things again in three years.

Vic Sage Jul 10 2012 01:20 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

go to college, Teddy, and git yourself an edjamacation.

Ceetar Jul 10 2012 01:35 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Frayed Knot wrote: There are fines for going over a certain amount and then draft picks for going further over. 866K is a decent chunk of change but not if you think you're worth more and/or will be worth even more by taking the college route and trying things again in three years. Well sure, but the flip side is not being as good, getting drafted lower down and not getting the money anyway, getting injured on the way, etc.

Edgy MD Jul 11 2012 10:12 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Taylor's on board. Help me find out which of these backenders signed. Wasn't able to find any others appearing for Brooklyn or Kingsport. 1 Gavin Cecchini, ss (HS) SIGNED 1 Kevin Plawecki, c (Col) SIGNED 2 Matt Reynolds, 3b (Col) SIGNED 2 Teddy Stankiewicz, p (HS) 3 Matt Koch, p (Col) SIGNED 4 Branden Kaupe, ss (HS) SIGNED 5 Brandon Welch, p (Col) SIGNED 6 Jayce Boyd, 1b (Col) SIGNED 7 Corey Oswalt, p (HS) SIGNED 8 Tomas Nido, c (HS) SIGNED 9 Richie Rodriguez, 2b (Col) SIGNED 10 Paul Sewald, p (Col) SIGNED 11 Logan Taylor, p (Col) =#FF8000]SIGNED 12 Robert Whalen, p (HS) SIGNED 13 Matt Bowman, p (Col) SIGNED 14 Chris Flexen, p (HS) SIGNED 15 Nicholas Grant, p (HS) 16 Myles Smith, p (Col) 17 Stefan Sabol, c (Col) SIGNED 18 Paul Paez, p (Col) 19 Tyler Vanderheiden, p (Col) SIGNED 20 Tim Peterson, p (Col) SIGNED 21 Gary Ward, p (Col) 22 Tejay Antone, p (HS) 23 Connor Baits, p (HS) 24 Andrew Massie, p (HS) SIGNED 25 Leon Byrd, 2b (HS) 26 Chris Shaw, 1b (HSl) 27 Zach Arnold, c (HS) 28 Jacob Marks, p (HS) 29 Austin Barr, c (HS) 30 Dustin Cook, p (HS) 31 Vance Vizcaino, ss (HS) 32 Jon Leroux, 1b (Col) SIGNED 33 Jared Price, p (HS) 34 Mikey White, ss (HS) 35 Brad Markey, p (Col) 36 Donovan Walton, ss (HS) 37 Benny Distefano, c (HS) 38 Jeff Reynolds, 3b (Col) =#FF8000]SIGNED 39 Patrick Ervin, 2b (HS) 40 David Gonzalez, p (HS)

Nymr83 Jul 12 2012 01:19 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Marlins refuse to offer the 9th overall pick even MLB's "slot" money. Reports saying he won't sign. I hope he decides to get a lawyer and challenge the draft. He's a college Junior so going back to school and signing next year for less is always a possibility, but I'm intrigued to see what would happen in court. What are the chances Bud steps in and strong-arms the Marlins into offering "slot" given that he is the big proponent of the slot system and his desire to avoid court?

Edgy MD Jul 12 2012 01:22 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Well, that's one funny thing about the slots --- more than creating an artificial ceiling, it creates something of an artificial floor. I hope the whole system explodes.

Ceetar Jul 12 2012 01:23 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Nymr83 wrote: Marlins refuse to offer the 9th overall pick even MLB's "slot" money. Reports saying he won't sign. I hope he decides to get a lawyer and challenge the draft. He's a college Junior so going back to school and signing next year for less is always a possibility, but I'm intrigued to see what would happen in court. What are the chances Bud steps in and strong-arms the Marlins into offering "slot" given that he is the big proponent of the slot system and his desire to avoid court? slim to none I would think given that it's all completely within the rules.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 12 2012 01:42 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Ceetar wrote: Nymr83 wrote: Marlins refuse to offer the 9th overall pick even MLB's "slot" money. Reports saying he won't sign. I hope he decides to get a lawyer and challenge the draft. He's a college Junior so going back to school and signing next year for less is always a possibility, but I'm intrigued to see what would happen in court. What are the chances Bud steps in and strong-arms the Marlins into offering "slot" given that he is the big proponent of the slot system and his desire to avoid court? slim to none I would think given that it's all completely within the rules. Rules built upon exceedingly shaky legal ground. All it will take is one challenge.

Ceetar Jul 12 2012 01:44 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Ceetar wrote: Nymr83 wrote: Marlins refuse to offer the 9th overall pick even MLB's "slot" money. Reports saying he won't sign. I hope he decides to get a lawyer and challenge the draft. He's a college Junior so going back to school and signing next year for less is always a possibility, but I'm intrigued to see what would happen in court. What are the chances Bud steps in and strong-arms the Marlins into offering "slot" given that he is the big proponent of the slot system and his desire to avoid court? slim to none I would think given that it's all completely within the rules. Rules built upon exceedingly shaky legal ground. All it will take is one challenge. I'd be shocked if any legal challenge was upheld against MLB and the draft.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 12 2012 01:44 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Yeah you would.

Edgy MD Jul 12 2012 02:51 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Callis says sources have Stanky willing to go at slot level ($680,400), but the Mets haven't offered that.

Frayed Knot Jul 12 2012 03:20 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Several legal challenges have been made against the even more restrictive NFL draft -- one that not only tells newcomers who they must work for and for how much but also dictates a small window as to when they can apply to enter -- but they've been quickly shot down based on the logic that those are agreements reached through collective bargaining so whatever restrictions exist meet the approval of both sides. The counter to that is that the restrictions affect those not yet employed but that tactic hasn't worked yet either. In baseball Boras has tried chipping away at the fringes of the whole draft framework but rarely gets a player around it.

Nymr83 Jul 12 2012 03:56 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Frayed Knot wrote: Several legal challenges have been made against the even more restrictive NFL draft -- one that not only tells newcomers who they must work for and for how much but also dictates a small window as to when they can apply to enter -- but they've been quickly shot down based on the logic that those are agreements reached through collective bargaining so whatever restrictions exist meet the approval of both sides. The counter to that is that the restrictions affect those not yet employed but that tactic hasn't worked yet either. In baseball Boras has tried chipping away at the fringes of the whole draft framework but rarely gets a player around it. One practical (and large, in my mind) difference between NFL and MLB is that while both uniong are effectively negotiating away the rights of future members to ensure more for current ones, the NFLPA is ONLY bargaining with the rights of its own future members... 100% of NFL draftees who sign that initial contract immediately become members of the union and subject to all the collectively bargained pros and cons thereof, right? In baseball, the draftees sign a contract and then DON'T get to join the union and gain benefits- they only get the downside negotiated on their behalf by a union that they are NOT invited to join upon signing their first contract. Maybe you are for both drafts in their current form, maybe you are against the, maybe you have other views, but I think the distinction I'm making is somewhat compelling morally, if not legally.

Frayed Knot Jul 12 2012 04:41 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

It has nothing to do with me being for or against either draft; I'm just saying that an even more restrictive draft than the one governing the entrance to MLB has already survived several legal challenges with flying colors.

Ceetar Jul 12 2012 05:21 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Frayed Knot wrote: It has nothing to do with me being for or against either draft; I'm just saying that an even more restrictive draft than the one governing the entrance to MLB has already survived several legal challenges with flying colors. yeah, that's what I was inferring. I'm staying out of the ethical question. Do NFL guys immediately get into the union? or do you have to 'make the team' at least beyond the practice squad or however they divy it up?

Frayed Knot Jul 14 2012 08:17 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

So Stankiewicz becomes the only one of the top 15 NYM picks not to sign and, at 75th overall, the 2nd highest drafted player to delay a pro career -- Mark Appel, the 8th overall pick by the Pirates is returning to Stanford for his senior year. If Stanky goes on to JuCo it would make him eligible for anyone to pick again next year. I believe this gives the Mets a extra pick in a similar spot in next year's draft.

Edgy MD Jul 14 2012 08:50 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Good for the Mets. And one more thing that gives teams unfair leverage over the player.

Edgy MD Aug 04 2012 06:21 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Cecchini done for the year with a finger fracture. "I'm not one to estimate recovery time. Fortunately, he's already had a pretty full year," diga PdeP.

Ashie62 Aug 04 2012 08:15 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Kids, get an education...

Frayed Knot Aug 22 2012 11:23 AM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

Quickie updates from John Sickels on the progress (however brief) of early 2012 draft picks Round 1 - Supp 35) Kevin Plawecki, C, New York Mets: .252/.356/.371 with 19 walks, 16 strikeouts in 159 at-bats for Brooklyn in the New York-Penn League. Has thrown out 32% of runners. Not great, but showing plate management skills that were present in college. Round 2 71) Matt Reynolds, SS-3B, New York Mets: .258/.331/.348 with 12 walks, 25 strikeouts in 155 at-bats for Low-A Savannah in the Sally League. Playing well at shortstop after projecting on draft day as a third baseman. Hitting stats aren't great, but he's jumping from college to full-season ball. Round 2 75) Teddy Stankiewicz, RHP, New York Mets: Didn't sign. Off to Seminole JC. Round 3 107) Matt Koch, RHP, New York Mets: 5.52 ERA with 12/6 K/BB in 15 innings for Brooklyn Cyclones in NY-P, 15 hits, 0.94 GO/AO. Pitched well at first but roughed up in last couple of outings. Round 4 140) Branden Kaupe, SS, New York Mets: .174/.373/.193 with 34 walks, 35 strikeouts in 114 at-bats for Kingsport in the Appalachian League. Has struggled in conversion to 2B. Other than drawing walks, he's been terrible so far, but you know the next phrase: he's just 18.

Frayed Knot Oct 18 2012 07:30 PM Re: MLB Draft (June 4-6)

2012 NYM Draft Review from BA http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/dr ... 14209.html Mets hold the 11th overall pick in the 2013 draft btw.