2014 Baseball America Draft Coverage

[TheCrew07]

2014 MLB Draft: Third-Round Highlights

[TheCrew07]

Subscriber content... TH bringing it strong like always can't even get a name right in the Micro Brew section, what a clown.

 

Late Workout Sells Brewers On Medeiros

June 6, 2014 by Tom Haudricourt

 

Medeiros had heard he made an impression in his workout at Miller Park.

 

“My catcher overheard that from a scout as well as a batter,” said Medeiros, who struck out two batters and induced two groundouts among the four batters he faced. “He told me that and I was just kind of in shock that I hit that type of velocity. That was my first time.”

 

“No one ever said the workout was the end-all,” Brewers amateur scouting director Bruce Seid said. “But it certainly was the exclamation point.”

 

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Medeiros, who turned 18 on May 25, became the first prep player out of Hawaii to be drafted in the first two rounds since 2001, and the highest-drafted native Hawaiian ever.

 

edit. Just in case the story gets edited somehow Jacob Gatewood became a new prospect named Jacob Greenwood. It's too bad McAlvey isn't the local beat writer, he'd give BA much better stories.

 

edit 2. original edit read weird, fixed.

[TheCrew07]

Just as Colby predicted... Subscriber content.

 

Reds Draft Virginia Closer Howard As A Starter

 

The Reds took Howard with their first pick of the draft, 19th overall, and despite his role as a closer for the Cavaliers, Reds scouting director Chris Buckley said Howard will start after he signs.

 

After starting as a sophomore and in the Cape Code League last summer, Howard was moved to the closer spot. He responded by going 2-1, 2.15 with 19 saves entering the NCAA tournament Super Regionals. He struck out 50 and walked 12 in just 29 innings.

 

Howard went 6-4, 3.38 in 2013 in 13 appearances and 12 starts.

 

“We’ve seen him do both, we think he can start,” Buckley said. “He fits into all the things we like, he’s an athletic pitcher, big strong guy with really good stuff.”

 

That’s fine by Howard, 21.

 

“I’m open to whatever the organization wants me to do, as long as I’m out there pitching, it doesn’t effect my mindset,” Howard said. “I’ve been closing this spring, but up until that point I’ve been a starter. My sophomore year I started and I started in the Cape Cod League. Whatever they want me to do, I’ve been accustomed to do it before and I can’t wait to get started.”

[TheCrew07]

2014 MLB Draft: Fourth-Round Highlights

[TheCrew07]

2014 MLB Draft: Organization Reports Index Page

[TheCrew07]

Subscriber Content.

 

Weaver Fits Into Cardinals’ Winning Formula

June 6, 2014 by Derrick Goold

 

ST. LOUIS—Revisiting a familiar formula was not the Cardinals’ intention going into the first round of the draft, but it’s been difficult to argue with the results.

 

With their first pick draft, No. 27, the Cardinals took a polished college pitcher from a major program with a major changeup—just as they had the previous two Junes.

 

Luke Weaver

Luke Weaver (Photo by Mike Janes).

On their next pick, No. 34, the Cardinals reached for a prep pitcher with a mature repertoire who had a commitment to North Carolina—just as they did a year ago.

 

The first pick was Florida State righthander Luke Weaver, who has the same trappings as Michael Wacha (2012) and Marco Gonzales (2013). With the second pick the Cardinals landed Jack Flaherty, a California high schooler a lot like New Jersey lefty Rob Kaminsky, the Cardinals’ 28th overall pick last year

 

If it works, why change?

 

“Opportunity presented itself,” said Dan Kantrovitz, the club’s director of amateur scouting who helmed his third draft. “Honestly, going into it, it hasn’t been a situation where we wanted to get a college pitcher (with the first pick). But I think those three pitchers share a lot of common traits. When you find people where we pick that have the command that these pitchers do, have the track record of performance, also get the scout love from our staff, those are three checked boxes that are tough to pass up.”

[TheCrew07]

2014 MLB Draft: Fifth-Round Highlights

[TheCrew07]

2014 MLB Draft: Sixth-Round Highlights

[TheCrew07]

Senior Discount Goes To Extremes In 2014 Draft

 

Brewers Sign Gatewood, Harrison To Above-Slot Deals

 

Subscriber.

Hard Work Pays Off For Gatewood

 

2014 MLB Draft: Highlights From Rounds 7-10

[TheCrew07]

Baseball America Draft Chat

 

Baseball America editor-in-chief John Manuel and draft writer Clint Longenecker will be here at 2:30 p.m. EST to chat about the 2014 draft.

[SRB]

Baseball America Draft Chat

 

Baseball America editor-in-chief John Manuel and draft writer Clint Longenecker will be here at 2:30 p.m. EST to chat about the 2014 draft.

 

Brewers-related questions

 

Q: Do Medeiros, Gatewood, and Harrison automatically slide into the Brewers' Top 10, or even their Top 5?

 

JM: Try their top 3. I'm bullish on that draft. Gatewood and Harrison are certainly high risk, but high reward. With Jimmy Nelson entering the year at No. 1 and unlikely to qualify again at the end of the year, those three guys all strike me as better prospects long-term than Tyrone Taylor or Mitch Haniger or whoever in that system. Loved that first day for Milwaukee.

 

Q: Who are the major league comps for Medeiros, Gatewood, and Harrison?

 

CL: Thanks, Brian. I heard an interesting comp for Gatewood recently as a young Juan Gonzalez because of how much room he has left to get strong and how much raw power he has. Scouts can dream on all of those players.

 

Q: How do explain Monte Harrison dropping so far? Many mocks had him going to the A's at 25 and a couple even higher?

 

CL: Sluggersdad, thanks for the question. In the current draft system, the money can dictate where players go and he got late first-round money.

[fondybrewfan]

Knowing what we know now I don't know why Callis would completely leave Coulter out of that question? Maybe just an oversight on his part. I think you can comfortably put all 3 in our Top 10 but I just can't see putting them ahead of guys like Coulter and Taylor before ever playing an inning

 

Gatewood turning into Juan Gonzalez would certainly be awesome

[jjfanec]

Knowing what we know now I don't know why Callis would completely leave Coulter out of that question? Maybe just an oversight on his part. I think you can comfortably put all 3 in our Top 10 but I just can't see putting them ahead of guys like Coulter and Taylor before ever playing an inning

 

Gatewood turning into Juan Gonzalez would certainly be awesome

 

Yeah leaving out Coulter doesnt make sense. His bat will play well at other positions. His power and ability to take walks at such a young age is incredibly impressive

[igor67]

I hate to say this, perhaps someone else has commented on this already, but don't seniors potentially have a ton of leverage if they wait until the signing deadline? The team's do need that pool space afterall, so it seems like only a matter of time until they engage in a little negotiations chicken for every last ounce of the signing pool they can get.

[SRB]

I hate to say this, perhaps someone else has commented on this already, but don't seniors potentially have a ton of leverage if they wait until the signing deadline? The team's do need that pool space afterall, so it seems like only a matter of time until they engage in a little negotiations chicken for every last ounce of the signing pool they can get.

 

Just my guess, but it seems like no single senior draftee would ever have that much leverage. First, because the Brewers probably have enough wriggle room with other players that they don't 100% need the $50-100k in extra pool space from a given senior to stay below their pool ceiling. Second, because the Brewers can go over their pool ceiling quite a bit and only pay a fine. If the senior asks for too much the Brewers would be more than happy to just tell him to walk, and then he has basically thrown away his career (because he can't go back to school and get drafted again next year) while only causing the Brewers some minor difficulties. From the standpoint of the impact on the negotiating party, the team has all the leverage.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Seniors have little/no leverage in bonus negotiations compared to high schoolers or college juniors...if they actually want to be professional baseball players, they sign a deal and get into a minor league system right away. At their age, if they dawdle around trying to play hardball, there are plenty of younger and likely more talented options ready to take their place.

[TheCrew07]

2014 Draft: First Impressions

June 10, 2014 by Clint Longenecker

 

Milwaukee Brewers

 

The Brewers went all in with upside at the top of the draft and will likely allocate most of their financial ammunition at three high school players in the top 50 picks, marking the first time since 2008 the Brewers have selected prep players with their first three selections. Although this class doesn’t offer high probability, its talent at the top is immense.

 

Their draft began with the selection of Kodi Medeiros at No. 12, making him the third prep pitcher selected. Although he was not the consensus third prep pitcher because he is unique, Medeiros has a chance for three plus pitches with one of the best sliders in the class and significant groundball potential. His low three-quarters arm slot leaves some to project him in the bullpen.

 

The Brewers then got the high school class’ best raw power (No. 41 shortstop Jacob Gatewood) and athlete (No. 50 outfielder Monte Harrison), and both have signed above-slot deals commensurate with late first-round money. Gatewood, whose body and above-average arm likely fit best at third base or right field, is capable of jaw-dropping displays of raw power but faces questions about his ability to get to the power. Harrison offers plus speed, arm strength and power potential, but also faces questions about his hitting ability like most multi-sport athletes. These top three players will likely define the Brewers’ high-beta draft that had four seniors in the top 10 rounds.

 

Righthander Cy Sneed (3) was their next selection, offering a backend starter profile with a low-90s fastball up to 95. Strong, compact, prep outfielder Troy Stokes (4) has drawn comparisons to L.J Hoes and is a plus runner with a quick, compact righthanded stroke. Third baseman Dustin DeMuth (5) has a history of hitting and is one of the better senior position players in the country. Prep righthander David Burkhalter has a lean, projectable and athletic build with a fastball that reaches the low 90s.

 

Milwaukee grabbed its second Hawaiian with righthander Jordan Yamamoto (12), an Arizona commit who has touched 94 with his fastball, showing an above-average breaking ball. Lefthander Caleb Smith (15), righthanders Javi Salas (10) and Brandon Woodruff (11) are a trio of power bullpen arms. While the Brewers’ draft is an eye-of-the-beholder draft, the top three picks have a chance to move toward the top of the organization’s top prospects list.

[TheCrew07]

Handy link for the high profile signings around baseball.

 

2014 MLB Draft Signings Central

[fondybrewfan]

Well I have to like that initial assessment by BA. I will have to keep an eye on those bullpen arms; those guys could move really quickly and help sooner rather than later. BA even gives me the impression that the next tier of guys we drafted after the Top 3 area also pretty darn solid. I am hoping Demuth can offer us some hope at 3rd and for a senior sign in the 3rd round Sneed at least has some potential the way it sounds. I admittedly stopped paying attention after the first 3 picks because I didn't we could afford much more talent after those 3

[TheCrew07]

This is pretty cool...

 

Thirty Alumni of MLB’s Diversity Programs Drafted

[gregmag]

Thanks for that link, TC07. Very cool, and interesting to see that Gatewood and Harrison came through that program.