College Baseball/MLB Draft 2019 thread

[floydgator]

I don't know who all the top prospects are except we don't seem any top prospects for the 2019 draft. 14-5 start that shows this is a really young team that is unlikely to match the recent seasons' successes. Currently ranked #5, but I don't think this is a top 10 team at the moment. All the talent seems to be FR and Soph (Brady McConnell is off to a monster start, for one). Despite that, we are 3-1 vs. Miami and FSU again. God we own those clowns. Spotted FSU a 6-0 lead last night. Rallied to win 20-7. That's TWENTY to 7. We own those clowns.

[floydgator]

If you are keeping score at home, and I know you all are, we are now 22-5 vs. FSU since 2012 and we've won 14 of the last 15. I wish Mike Martin wouldn't retire.

[Lark11]

Mar 14, 2019 9:12:11 GMT -5 floydgator said:

If you are keeping score at home, and I know you all are, we are now 22-5 vs. FSU since 2012 and we've won 14 of the last 15. I wish Mike Martin wouldn't retire.

Hey, I'll gladly take Drew Mendoza in the Reds organization.

[The Duke]

Seems like most of the pitching talent in college this year are late rd 1, or rd 2-4 polished guys vs high end stuff guys. The high end talent are freshman (JT Ginn) and sophomores (Tanner Burns). College hitters have been looking good so far this year though. Adley Rutschman and Andrew Vaughn are both out to hot starts. Cameron Misner has had a good start to the year. Not too up to date on everyone and haven't been able to watch much of anything, but will hopefully see some soon.

[floydgator]

Brutal season so far for the Gators. Obliterated in a sweep by vandy, now 1-5 on the SEC. pitching clearly not at a championship level. Not sure if this team will be able to compete with good teams.

Still beat FSU tonight for the 10th straight time. Fuck that clown college.

[floydgator]

23-5.

They should drop baseball. And academics. It’s not a real university.

[The Duke]

The guys I'm following closest as of right now for the MLB draft. 10 guys and all, so at least 4 of them will be available, although I'm not holding my breath on hoping Rutschman will be there at 7, but it's still fun to follow the top of the board.

High School Picthers:
Brennan Malone, RHP: He has a mid 90's fastball already to go with a plus curve. The changeup flashes plus, but rarely gets used in high school as most can't keep up with his fastball.

High School Hitters:
Bobby Witt Jr, SS: Son of a big leaguer, Witt is a sure bet to stick at SS with a big arm and good athleticism. He projects for plus power as well. Some questions on his hit tool, but some of that is also prospect fatigue as he has been "the guy" in this draft class for 3 years now. Raking this spring hitting over .600 with 8 HR.

CJ Abrams, SS: Abrams might be the fastest player in this draft and has one of the better hit tools in the prep class as well. Not as polished at SS as Witt, but he has the athleticism and arm to play there. Power is average, but he has a good plate approach to go with his good hit tool. If he doesn't stick at SS, then he's a plus defender in CF.

Riley Greene, OF:
Greene is considered the best prep Bay in the draft who projects to be plus hit and plus power. He's a corner OF (probably a LF), so you're drafting him for his bat, but the bat is considered so good he likely still goes top 10.

College Pitchers:
Nick Lodolo, LHP, TCU:
Lodolo had some question marks coming into the year, but so far he has answered those. His velo is up and he's consistently sitting 92-94 now and touching higher. He's tall and thin (6'6", 190 lbs) and some think the velo might continue to rise as his body matures and he adds strength. The curveball has improved from average to above average and his change up has been a consistent plus pitch as he has separated himself from the pack as the top collegiate pitcher. He's been dominant for TCU with a 1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and has 63 K in 48 IP so far.

College Hitters:
Adley Rutschman, C, Oregon State:
Not gonna happen, but it's still fun to follow the top guys. Through 26 games Rutschman has a 1.382 OPS with 8 HR. Plus hit, plus power, plus defense, plus arm at catcher, and more than double his walks than strikeouts. Below average runner, but I think we could live with that. Clear 1-1 in the draft.

Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Cal:
Widely considered the best pure bat in the draft. Plus hit, plus power, proven track record against top college pitching. He's a 1B/DH only, but with the inevitably of the DH coming to the NL, that shouldn't scare anyone off. Being pitched around on a weaker than normal Cal team he still has 9 HR and a 1.251 OPS.

Hunter Bishop, OF, Arizona State:
The Andrew Benintendi of this draft flying up draft boards with performance, but much more physical at 6'5" 210 lbs. He's been a monster at the plate this year to the tune of a NCAA leading 16 HR and 1.598 OPS in 26 games. A little swing and miss in his game but he still has 26 BB vs 20 K. He has enough speed and instincts that most think he could handle CF into his late 20's and if he moves to a corner he has plenty of arm for RF. 10 steals without being caught yet this year. Had an excellent freshman season but a bit of a sophomore slump last year. Was seen as a Rd 2-4 guy heading into the year, now most see him in the top half of Rd 1.

Bryson Stott, SS, UNLV:
5 average or better tools and a good bet to stick at SS with above average defense, arm, and speed despite his size at 6'3" 195 lbs. One of the better hit tools in college baseball with excellent plate discipline. High floor, moderate ceiling type of player, although he's showing more power this year with a 1.020 OPS so far.

JJ Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt :
Seen as a mid to late first round pick coming into the year, Bleday is showing plus power this season with 12 HR in 29 games and a 1.160 OPS. Ks are a little high, but not terrible and he walks a good amount too. Offensively reminds me a lot of Jonathan India from last year, but Bleday is a pure RF defensively.

My ranked preference
1. Adley Rutschman
2. Bobby Witt Jr
3. Hunter Bishop
4. Andrew Vaughn
5. Nick Lodolo
6. Riley Greene
7. CJ Abrams
8. Brennan Malone
9. JJ Bleday
10. Bryson Stott

I'd really be happy with any of the 10, but would prefer one of the top 8. My projected pick right now is that we take Hunter Bishop. I could definitely see us taking Lodolo too if he makes it that far. I expect Rutschman, Witt, and Vaughn to almost certainly not make it to us, and the rest I can see a scenario where they are available at 7. By my board, the worst case scenario would be CJ Abrams, which wouldn't upset me all that much. Looking forward to seeing the run up in coverage leading up to the draft.

[floydgator]

Worst Gator team of the OSullivan era. Bats are ok but the pitching is disastrous. Probably make the tournament but won’t go far unless some arms develop ASAP (and out of nowhere).

BUT, we beat FSU again Tuesday to sweep the season series. Again. Because that’s what we do. Mike Martin is retiring and this sweep gave UF a winning record against Martins FSU teams. Do that’s his legacy. No national titles and a losing record to UF.

I love it. We needed to win the last 11 games against GSU to make this happen. And we did.

[Lark11]

This sucks:


www.oregonlive.com/sports/2019/04/with-kevin-abel-going-under-the-knife-what-now-for-the-oregon-state-beavers-diamonds-dust.html

With Kevin Abel going under the knife, what now for the Oregon State Beavers? Diamonds & Dust
Updated Apr 10, 2019; Posted Apr 10, 2019

By Ken Goe | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Yesterday wasn’t the best time to be an Oregon State baseball fan.

First, the Oregon Ducks battered OSU pitching to beat the Beavers 12-8 in a non-conference game at Goss Stadium.

Then Kevin Abel, the presumed ace of the OSU pitching staff, dropped the bombshell. Abel told reporters after the game he would soon undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, sidelining him for at least year.

Bob Lundeberg has story for The O. He recounts the criticism OSU coaches received at last year’s College World Series from those who believe the Beavers overused Abel. Abel, it should be noted, jumped to the defense of former coach Pat Casey and pitching coach Nate Yeskie.

In any case, the Beavers’ more immediate concern is what this means for the second half of the current season.

Brandon Eisert has done a nice of replacing Abel at the top of the OSU rotation. But losing Abel complicates the situation and thins the depth on what had been a top-flight pitching staff as the Beavers eye the remainder of the regular season and the postseason to follow.

[quantumfootball]

How is Oregon-Oregon State a non-conference game? They're both in the Pac 12.

[floydgator]

Apr 13, 2019 15:25:49 GMT -5 quantumfootball said:

How is Oregon-Oregon State a non-conference game? They're both in the Pac 12.

A lot of college programs do this thing where they play neutral site midweek games against their rivals. UGa and GT play at the Braves stadium sometimes. UF and FSU play 1 game in Jax. I think Clemson and S. Carolina move it around some as well. It gets goofy when those rivals are also in the same conference b/c those games don't count towards the conference standings. I think Ole Miss and MSU do this, Bama and Auburn may as well. I don't really get it either.

[The Duke]

JJ Bleday had another big weekend. He's more of a RF where's Bishop has a chance to stick in CF, but you get a little more track record with Bleday. I'd be happy with either really, you can make a good case for both.

[floydgator]

Well Fecal Matter. I didn't realize Brady McConnell was a draft eligible sophomore. He's crushing it with the bat. He's crushing it with the glove too, but that's not a good thing. Hopefully that keeps him in Gainesville for another year but if he continues to hit .370 and finishes with the 15 or so homers he's on pace for, I suspect he'll get picked in the first couple of rounds and leave.