2017 Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 1-5

[narwhalattack]

I'm now curious which players will slip to the Brewers' next pick. I can't imagine Rogers or Hall falling that far.

Based on the discussion from the previous draft thread (and tip from colbyjack) I think we are banking on Heliot Ramos being available at #34.

 

Huh, another guy I don't know much about.

[reillymcshane]

Huira is an intersting guy. I'm good with it - especially if we can save some dollars.

 

Bukauskas would have been interesting. He seems to be dropping.

[colbyjack]

Here's the PG Draft Pack report on Hiura:

 

Keston Hiura – 2B/OF

 

Height/Weight: 5-11/190

Bats/Throws: R/R

Birthdate: Aug. 2, 1996

College: UC Irvine

Hometown: Pasadena, Calif.

Projected Draft Round: 1

 

Every year there seems to be a few prospects who can absolutely hit, and hit at a high level, but raise questions as to where the rest of their game profiles. This year, there is no one in the class more highly thought of and projected to be drafted earlier than UC Irvine's Keston Hiura.

 

Comfortably projected by scouts to have both plus hit and power tools, Hiura is going to be an impact bat at the next level who can hit in the middle of the order and be productive. The concerns, however, have to do with where he's going to end up profiling defensively at the next level. Having played all over the place throughout his career, including second base, third base, and some outfield, Hiura may hit well enough for that conversation not to be a significant one several years down the road.

 

He has been DH'ing all season at UC Irvine due to an elbow issue, one that also caused him to stay out of the defensive lineup with Team USA all of last summer, so that is also an concern for scouts, seeing as it's hard to project a prospect to play a position when they can't actually see the prospect play defense.

 

Regardless of where he ends up playing professionally, and the general consensus among scouts, as well as our own Steve Fiorindo (who has seen Hiura quite a bit), is that he fits best at second base with the ability to move to left field if necessary. Regardless of where he ends up playing defensively he's definitely going to hit and be an impact player as a result. As such, he's almost assuredly a first rounder right now with a chance to sneak into the top half as more and more teams buy the bat and worry about positions later.

 

And here's a link to video of Hiura hitting a home run against TCU in mid-March that is an excellent display of his forearm strength and bat speed:

 

 

One more link, a feature from my co-worker Jeff Dahn on Hiura as part of the PG draft preview content:

 

https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=13898

[Eye Black]

Will be interesting if the Brewers force Hiura to take care of the elbow immediately (and likely miss the remainder of the season) or if they let him DH for a few months. Have to guess they will focus on the elbow first.

 

Edit: And part two will be whether he has TJ surgery versus trying the PRP injections again.

[colbyjack]

Yeah, it's important to remember that Hiura was injured and yet he led all of NCAA Division I in hitting. He didn't fall due to a lack of production, playing time or anything like that, and some would argue that he didn't fall at all. The only question, and it's a big one for some teams, scouts and overall people, is his future position. He was supposed to play second base this year, a position a lot of people believe he could play but he hasn't had a chance to prove it yet due to his elbow injury. He's a good overall athlete and has some versatility, even if he doesn't profile as plus at any one position. I've said it before, but even if he plays left field he should hit enough to justify the spot. That's why I've compared him to Ian Happ, who is/was a bat-first prospect that could play multiple positions even if he wasn't a standout at any of them defensively.

[JosephC]

I don't know about that statement that Hiura has played all over. We know he DH'ed last year. Cal-Irvine's website list Hiura as having 6 defensive assists in the 2015/2016 season and 6 defensive assists in the 2014/2015 season. Has this guy really played second base at all? Seems like he was pretty much just an OF/DH in college.

[Lee16]

I have nothing against the pick, if we were going to pick a position player, it's fine but I am a bit disappointed that we didn't add a high ceiling pitcher. Our system is stocked with above average offensive talent, I just have this fear that over the next few years the big league club loses a lot of 10-8 games.

[Jenkins5]

Pirates got Baz.... well hopefully TCU is able to retain him. That is an outstanding pick for them.

[KCBrewerfan34]

Just a question, how big of a transition is it from aluminum to wood bats these days??

[gregmag]

From the PG article that Patrick linked above:

 

“He’s a bright guy, he’s an articulate guy, he’s mature, he’s got personality, he’s got a sense of humor,” the veteran head coach said. “Sometimes when guys have the gifts that he has you get some big-time arrogance and ego along with it, but not with this guy."

 

Always a nice bonus when a guy is easy to root for.

[Ennder]

Stephen Strasburg is the last pitcher to be drafted in the first 10 picks who become a consistent ace. Taking pitchers that early is just sooo risky. There have been a couple who showed flashes like Cole and Taillon but for the most part it is a bunch of failures.

[Boomer5]

Assuming it's underslot, this is an excellent pick.

 

Now we just need that DH to the NL to happen.

[Jenkins5]

Hopefully we can steal another SP talent like Burns who is lights out again tonight. Should be enough depth to get a nice are before night is done.

 

Villar, Dubon, Diaz, Hiura.... nice log jam building for some future trades. Be interesting who comes out on top in the group.

[Ennder]

Assuming it's underslot, this is an excellent pick.

 

Now we just need that DH to the NL to happen.

 

Hopefully it happens in the next 5 years. It should have happened along with every day inter-league.

[Austin Tatious]

I'm hoping for Tristan Beck and Seth Romero with the next couple of picks.

[nate82]

Wow Hiura reminds me of Weeks when he was drafted. I wouldn't be surprised if Hiura is a perennial 350/400/600 hitter or basically a Jose Altuve type of a player. Not going to lie I was hoping for Rogers at the 9th pick but I am fine with Hiura.

[StearnsFTW]

I'm hoping for Tristan Beck and Seth Romero with the next couple of picks.

 

Yes please. Ramos is very intriguing too but I want 2 pitchers here.

[StearnsFTW]

Welp so much for Ramos

[82brewcrew82]

I'm OK with Ramos going. I agree with the sentiment that they should try and go pitching with the next two picks.

[And That]

Looks like Peterson is going to the Mets.

[SRB]

It would be great for one of the top HS pitchers to fall based on signability.

 

LHP D.L. Hall

RHP Sam Carlson

RHP Matt Sauer

RHP Blayne Enlow (same HS as Ben Sheets)

RHP Hans Crouse

[Jenkins5]

I'm hoping for Tristan Beck and Seth Romero with the next couple of picks.

 

Yes please. Ramos is very intriguing too but I want 2 pitchers here.

 

If we end up with Huira, Beck, and Ramero today.....That is a 3 top 10 caliber picks who could move fast (when healthy or not in trouble). At one point one of the top national guys had Ramero as 1.1 before all the other things happened.

 

Ramos, Peterson, and Hall now off the the board in a row.

[tomwopat]

Jeffrey Hammonds sighting!

[And That]

Patrick, what grade would you put on Hiura's arm, assuming it is healthy? MLB has it at 45. Is that about right?

[And That]

Hall to the Orioles - dang it.