2011 MLB Draft Fresh Discussion Thread

by John Sickels on Jun 7, 2025 1:01 AM EDT

A fresh discussion thread for you.

I am sorry I wasn't around much during the draft, as I was frantically working on updates over at Baseball Nation. I should be here tomorrow and will be doing more with the Twins Shadow Draft.

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Rendon

has to be the biggest steal of the draft so far. Rendon, Zimmerman, Harper, Werth, Espinosa, Ramos/Norris, all in the same lineup should make Nats fans salivate. Rendon as a 2nd baseman makes a lot of sense, since his isnt a huge guy. He will be one of the best 2nd baseman in the game in a few years.

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by mathisrocks5 on Jun 7, 2025 1:13 AM EDT reply actions

and I think Espinosa will move to SS

and Desmond to the OF or traded

Lance Berkman= Awesome, CJ Wilson= Jack@$$
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by mathisrocks5 on Jun 7, 2025 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

if he's healthy

i don’t think we can just assume he is. maybe he is fine, but i kinda wanna see it. 5 teams didn’t pass on this guy just because.

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by doublestix on Jun 7, 2025 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree... to an extent

Its not like they passed on him for a another college bat or a lesser tier player. I think going into the draft there was a very clear group of 6 players that had distanced themselves from the rest of the pack, and they all went in the top 6. When considering a couple other factors (Starling being from Royals country, McPhail’s preference for pitching) then it wasnt a surprise to see him at 6 when he wasnt gone at 3.

by ADLC on Jun 7, 2025 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions

definitely

This was obviously the surprise of the draft for sure. So many people we slotting Cole, Rendon, Bauer as 1,2,3. I never thought in a million years he’d make it past Baltimore then KC. Interesting. I wonder if it was signability, injury, or a combination.

by Aslan on Jun 7, 2025 2:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Cleveland

I was kinda hoping he fell to Cleveland at #8 so they would have Hector Rondon and Anthony Rendon and everybody would get confused.

by Aslan on Jun 7, 2025 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions

womp womp

by SenorGato on Jun 7, 2025 3:30 AM EDT up reply actions

The dude with two major ankle surgeries

Going to the position that gets its legs regularly taken out on DP turns? Interesting choice…

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by Dan Strittmatter on Jun 7, 2025 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions

No kidding

I think it’s really strange that everyone thinks Rendon is such a steal.

Let’s see….five teams passed on him after seeing his medicals….he will be forced to learn a new, more taxing position in Washington…..and he will want #1 overall type money.

Yeah, what a steal!

by deezle on Jun 7, 2025 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Pretty much.

You can’t be consensus #1 for 2 years and then all of a sudden go 6th and be considered a steal on draft day. 5 teams passed on you for a reason. Maybe we can look back in 5 years and say “Well, Nats were right!” but we can’t say that right now. Good luck to the Nats, but they clearly thought he was worth the risk.

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by Kenneth Arthur on Jun 7, 2025 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

The impression I get

Is that the “experts” don’t think Rendon can play second base. So it will be really interesting to see how this plays out.

by 4dizzle on Jun 7, 2025 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Trevor Story

The 45th pick has caused mixed emotions over at PurpleRow. Thoughts?

TGFPR!!

by jlot10 on Jun 7, 2025 1:14 AM EDT reply actions

Good pick to me.

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by Dan Strittmatter on Jun 7, 2025 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I liked him way more than Joe Panik at #29

by EricW on Jun 7, 2025 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I've heard a couple people say they like him

I thought it was a good pick

by pack_fan on Jun 7, 2025 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Fine pick at #45

Pretty polarizing though in terms of offense - some people think he’s Jack Wilson Lite at the very best & some seem to like his hit tool upside. We shall see.

by Matt0330 on Jun 7, 2025 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

CJ Cron

the pick has really grown on me as ive read more about him and why they picked him. Im really happy they took a big power bat, and thats exactly what we need. Plus he isnt an all power guy. He should hit for average too and not KO too much. Really nice pick considering how much we need a power bat. You think he should be ready by 2013 or 2014, which a spot at either 1B or DH will be open for him. Torri and Abreu will be gone, so if Trumbo is still producing, and Kendrys comes back fine (which i’m doubting right now), Trumbo can be moved to RF.

My Dream of a 2013 Potential Lineup

1. Trout LF
2. Segura SS
3. Kendrys 1B
4. Cron DH
5. Kendrick 2B
6. Trumbo RF
7. Izturis 3B
8. Conger C
9. Bourjos CF

Lance Berkman= Awesome, CJ Wilson= Jack@$$
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by mathisrocks5 on Jun 7, 2025 1:28 AM EDT reply actions

fack

Vernon Smells will still be around

Lance Berkman= Awesome, CJ Wilson= Jack@$$
Minor League Ball's 2010 Rookie of the Year Poster
If you didn't know by now, my screen name is sarcastic

by mathisrocks5 on Jun 7, 2025 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Trumbo in RF makes little sense

Does he really have the arm for that?

And I still think Cron’s bat is being over-hyped.

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by Dan Strittmatter on Jun 7, 2025 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions

He does have a good arm

Former pitcher…but I don’t know that I like him in RF

by killa on Jun 7, 2025 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

CJ Cron:Mark Trumbo

I think something approximate to Mark Trumbo might be his absolute upside. Also, indications are CJ Cron might be a DH sooner than later. Reach to me, but he was going to go somewhere in the middle of the 1st by all indications.

by Matt0330 on Jun 7, 2025 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

yikes

I hope you have someone better than Izturis by then.

by John Black on Jun 7, 2025 2:20 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Izturis

is quite good

by gore51 on Jun 7, 2025 3:31 AM EDT up reply actions

when considering his entire package

above average 2B, or 3B, or SS. World class UTIL man

by gore51 on Jun 7, 2025 3:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm pissed the Rays got Grayson Garvin.

Bahstids. I think he’s going to be a really good pitcher.

by SenorGato on Jun 7, 2025 1:30 AM EDT reply actions

they are...

They are bound to get somebody good…they had like 12 picks. : P

by Aslan on Jun 7, 2025 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions

True. Still would have been awesome if he made it to 68.

I know no one likes comparisons, but I see some Cliff Lee in Garvin. It might take a few years, but that’s allowed.

by SenorGato on Jun 7, 2025 3:07 AM EDT up reply actions

took Cliff Lee a few years too

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by WHYG Zane Smith on Jun 7, 2025 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

What're the thoughts on Baez here?

How legit is the catching thing? I’m not sure how into the idea I am, but physically he probably has the ability. I’m thinking more for 2B and if not, then 3B in the long run.

by SenorGato on Jun 7, 2025 1:32 AM EDT reply actions

2B or 3B

Is where I think he ends up. Either spot is a position of need for the Cubs as A-Ram wont be around when Baez is ready

Lance Berkman= Awesome, CJ Wilson= Jack@$$
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by mathisrocks5 on Jun 7, 2025 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Purke

I think whoever gets Purke, that’s gonna be a real steal.

I know he has the shoulder issue, but outside of Cole, I think this guy is the most complete pitcher out there. Most projections had him easily in the Top 50. I think this is going to be the case where you have teams shy away from him because of the injury, and then some team that shouldn’t have gotten a top flight pitcher in their draft slot, gets REAL lucky.

by Aslan on Jun 7, 2025 1:56 AM EDT reply actions

All along

Ive been thinking he would be a draft-and-follow for someone with a lot of early picks (Boston was my main thought, but dont get me started on how they had so many picks) but at the second round I could see half a dozen teams (both Chicago teams, Baltimore, Detroit) making that move.

by ADLC on Jun 7, 2025 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Detroit

If Detroit gets him, I’ll have to change my underwear. That would be a total Detroit move to have like no picks until #76 and then nab one of the best pitchers in the draft because you’ll pay whatever it takes to sign him (Porcello?).

by Aslan on Jun 7, 2025 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s not only the injury that’s keeping teams away, it’s the fact that he’s got a ton of leverage being a draft-eligible sophomore, and, most importantly, his mechanics have to lead most teams to surmise that he’s a shoulder injury just waiting to happen.

You and do TJ on an elbow, but shoulder surgeries have very limited success rates. As a team, would you be willing to pay > $5M on a guy that hasn’t been checked out by your own doctors?

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by Fla-Giant on Jun 7, 2025 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions

What makes you think he is one of the best players in the draft? He has lost a lot of velocity on his fastball and has shown very poor command this season.

by EricW on Jun 7, 2025 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions

really?

I mean, his injury slowed him down this year for sure, and his command seems to be off. But this guy is still dominating his opponents (who are hitting .187 against him) and he think he still is striking out 2/1 or 3/1.

He hasn’t duplicated last season, but his numbers last season were so off the charts that it seems like some team has got to at least have it in the back of their mind that he could do that again.

I don’t think he’ll sign, personally, just because I think after being drafted so high previously, he’s probably thinking he’ll continue to take it easy on the shoulder this season then turn it on next season and try to regain that lock on a Round 1 draft spot. But that’s just speculation.

by Aslan on Jun 7, 2025 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

his numbers this year a SSS to draw much from I would think (how many IP does he even have this year?)

mostly you have to like that he was able to come back from the injuries and pitch again. He didn’t have a bad game in the NCAA tourny either. Definitely an injury risk, definitely a signability concern, but I think there could be a team out there ready to take a chance on him. I still think he heads back to TCU, but I could see someone throwing 4-5 mil and him taking it. I don’t think it’s likely he would take that much to sign, just that I could see him taking it.

by pack_fan on Jun 7, 2025 2:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Keep in mind Purke is a draft-eligible sophomore

He has a lot more leverage than, say, Ranaudo did last year. I see someone taking a flier on him later, but not with an early pick.

by deezle on Jun 7, 2025 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Round 1 Winners and Losers

I hate to say it, because Boston fans were annoying on Twitter throughout the entire draft, but I really like what they did. I didn’t really like the Bradley pick, but I thought Owens at #36 was a pretty good deal.

And obviously Tampa bay did well because of their mere volume of picks.

As for losers, I really thought Toronto sucked. Their first couple picks were decent, but their last 3 were highly questionable.

And then there’s the Yankees who once again used their first pick to prove why they shouldn’t even be allowed to draft…by picking a worthless player that they probably will just throw in some trade to sweeten the deal come “playoff run” time.

by Aslan on Jun 7, 2025 2:15 AM EDT reply actions

Toronto's draft sucking

you’ve certainly made me laugh.

by The_Bunk on Jun 7, 2025 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions

That came off shitty

You don’t have to love the Jays draft but I can’t wrap my head around it being crappy.

by The_Bunk on Jun 7, 2025 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Toronto's draft was awesome

I love what A.A. is doing.

Not sure how you can look at what they did and think it sucked.

by deezle on Jun 7, 2025 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

The jays got Beede?

the jays got Anderson a pretty good hitter. ill admit some of there moves were questionable but how you can say they sucked? i really dont know?

by Jt Malley on Jun 7, 2025 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Beede

might be a bit of an overdraft, but he has advanced mechanics for a youngster so the risk may work out in the end

by tenags on Jun 7, 2025 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Jays draft was interesting

As a Jays fan. Obviously, “upside” was the key word, and I think they got it with most of their picks, so you have to be happy with that. It’s surprising that they didn’t get any “probability” plays, like they did last year with McGuire and Woj, and like most experts were predicting. That said, I think the Jays view a couple of those guys, like Tyler Beede and Dwight Smith Jr., as relatively low risk for high school players.

It’s sort of hard to judge their draft overall as outsiders, besides calling it "gutsy’ with all the signability risks, because they clearly have a much different draft board than the experts did, which is more than fine. I’m interested to see how they follow it up today - if they keep taking the high-upside, expensive kids, or if they decide to play it a bit more cautiously for the next few rounds and get some probability.

by 4dizzle on Jun 7, 2025 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Padres' draft sucking

They have needs all around and can’t get BPA with neither of their picks? I mean you gotta have at least a couple of impact players on both sides of the ball. Right?

by Cesar V on Jun 7, 2025 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow to me the Nationals really won this draft getting Rendon at where they where.

I mean now if you look at the young Esponiza or wtv Harper and now Rendon. This team has some bats for the futur thats for sure.

by Jt Malley on Jun 7, 2025 6:58 AM EDT reply actions

Best player in the draft, three drafts in a row

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by OremLK on Jun 7, 2025 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I disagree

but that’s just me.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Jun 7, 2025 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions

i dont know if i can agree with that, but i definitly though Rendon was top 3 in the draft and yes possible best.

So Harper and Rendon comming up, next year they have Strasburg back, well nats fans its almost time to get excited.

by Jt Malley on Jun 7, 2025 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Disagree also

Washington’s draft thus far looks good though - I think that Anthony Rendon, Alex Meyer & Brian Goodwin all make a ton of sense where each was selected.

by Matt0330 on Jun 7, 2025 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Tampa Bay

So much for them going overslot and blowing up the draft like so many of their fans thought.

They went signable even more than most non-Tampa fans expected though.

by deezle on Jun 7, 2025 8:13 AM EDT reply actions

talent wise

they went with a couple of first rounders, a couple of supplemental rounders, a couple of second rounders and a lot of projection

by Cesar V on Jun 7, 2025 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe they will go after Bell?

lol

by mr. maniac on Jun 7, 2025 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought it was quite well done

The sheer number of early picks plus the other picks they have later in the draft mean that their draft budget has to be huge in the first place. I was impressed that they went for Guerrieri (who is almost certainly going to be VERY expensive), but otherwise the only way to get this draft done was to trust the scouting department and try to find some value picks. I tend to really take notice when Tampa drafts a guy out of the western/southwestern states - they have a terrific scouting department with a nice track record out that way.

by mrkupe on Jun 7, 2025 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

The Rays fanbase was hoping for some ‘fantasy football-esque’ haul but that just wasn’t realistic no matter what lip service the front office was forwarding in the months prior.

by Matt0330 on Jun 7, 2025 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Bubba

I just can’t see him as a Bubba. But I guess we’ll call him that. What prospect ranking does he get in the Royals prospect list?

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by 306008 on Jun 7, 2025 8:49 AM EDT reply actions

I am very sad by the Rays draft.

The first two picks were great, but other than two or three other guys, all the others didn’t sound too good.

by mr. maniac on Jun 7, 2025 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

You've got to be able to sign them

They can’t just got crazy. I mean, if you gave each a $2 M bonus, that $20 M.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Jun 7, 2025 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

*go

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Jun 7, 2025 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Panik

What are your thoughts on Panik to the Giants? Other draft chats were really down on him, though one of them laughed when the Giants picked Gary Brown last year. You didn’t seem to be as down on him.

by ldd233 on Jun 7, 2025 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Yankees pick

Picking Dante Bichette Jr. at 51 s a joke. I had him as 94th best draft propect, so late second/early third. But as your first pick in the supplemental? They should have been thankful that first round talent had dropped to them, since they gave their first round pick away to TBR, and scooped it up. It is like they didn’t readjust their board to the reality of the draft. If it was me, I would pick Daniel Norris in an instant
Add to it that Dillon Howard and William Jerez, who are both strongly linked to the Yanks, and better draft prospects than Bichette, were still available, and this pick doesn’t make any sense at all.
Top ten I had higher than Bichette and were still available:
Daniel Norris
Josh Bell
Andrew Susac
Dillon Howard
Matt Purke
Jason Esposito
Anthony Meo
Austin Hedges
Derek Fisher
Kyle Winkler

by cookiedabookie on Jun 7, 2025 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

Top available players

Top Ten Positional:
21 Josh Bell
22 Andrew Susac
35 Jason Esposito
37 Austin Hedges
38 Derek Fisher
45 Alex Dickerson
50 Nick Delmonico
52 Charles Tilson
56 Joshua Tobias
58 Phil Evans

Top Ten Pitchers:
15 Daniel Norris
23 Dillon Howard
30 Matt Purke
36 Anthony Meo
42 Kyle Winkler
43 Josh Osich
44 Dillon Maples
57 Jorge Lopez
59 Tony Zych
68 Jack Armstrong Jr.

by cookiedabookie on Jun 7, 2025 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

Best values of the draft so far

1. 25 Jackie Bradley Jr. - drafted 40th
2. 6 Sonny Gray - drafted 18th
3. 24 Henry Owens - drafted 36th
4. 13 Taylor Guerreri - drafted 24th
5. 20 Mikie Mahtook - drafted 31st
6. 16 Blake Swihart - drafted 26th
7. 11 Matt Barnes - drafted 19th
8. 8 Jed Bradley - drafted 15th
9. 48 Hudson Boyd - drafted 55th
10. 1 Anthony Rendon - drafted 6th

by cookiedabookie on Jun 7, 2025 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

Biggest overdrafts so far

1. 167 Kevin Matthews – drafted 33rd
2. 176 Jeff Ames – drafted 42nd
3. 164 James Harris – drafted 60th
4. 138 Brandon Martin – drafted 38th
5. 134 Joe Musgrove – drafted 46th
6. 92 Chris Reed – drafted 16th
7. 103 Jake Hager – drafted 32nd
8. 116 Blake Snell – drafted 52nd
9. 101 Keenyn Walker – drafted 47th
10. 106 Jace Peterson – drafted 58th

by cookiedabookie on Jun 7, 2025 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

wow

Pirates pop Josh Bell

by AndrewTorrez on Jun 7, 2025 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

1.62 Seattle -- Brad Miller

by AndrewTorrez on Jun 7, 2025 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

1.63 Anthony Meo to Arizona

Diamondbacks having a nice draft. This makes me sad; Meo was one of ‘my guys.’

by AndrewTorrez on Jun 7, 2025 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

1.64 Baltimore Orioles take 3B Jason Esposito

I have doubts about his strike-zone judgment, but this is good value at 1.64; he was 51 on my board. Orioles having a surprisingly good draft so far.

by AndrewTorrez on Jun 7, 2025 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

1.65 Royals select C Cam Gallagher

So far, the second round seems to be fairly standard (at least as compared to the supplemental). Gallagher isn’t my top catcher left on the board but he’s a solid choice (#90).

by AndrewTorrez on Jun 7, 2025 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

1.66 Phillies select OF Roman Quinn

Fastest guy in the draft, pure 80 speed.

by AndrewTorrez on Jun 7, 2025 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

2.67 Indians select Dillon Howard

Wow. Great pick if you can sign him.

Not sure why I prefaced the prior 5 comments with ‘1’ — I guess I’m channeling my inner Bud Selig from last night (who thought it was the 2000 draft).

by AndrewTorrez on Jun 7, 2025 12:19 PM EDT reply actions