The Official 2017 MLB Amateur Draft Thread

[Inside Pitch]

4 minutes ago, Dave Saltzer said:

So here's a crazy thought: The draft only goes 40 rounds. And, as far as I know, the bonuses and pool limits only apply to those players taken in the draft. What if a fairly good HS or college player went undrafted and then signed as an undrafted free agent? Are there any limits to how much a team could spend then? Say, someone like Tristen Beck: could we spend what we wanted to sign him as an undrafted free agent? Is that a loophole a team could exploit?

Beck has two years of availability..   He goes back to school, gets healthy and is eligible for the draft again.   Draft eligible sophomores aren't allowed to sign as undrafted FAs.   Not sure if there is a set protocol for HS types but, I'm pretty sure the owners have a gentlemen's agreement in place.

[Dave Saltzer]

2 minutes ago, Inside Pitch said:

Beck has two years of availability..   He goes back to school, gets healthy and is eligible for the draft again.   Draft eligible sophomores aren't allowed to sign as undrafted FAs.   Not sure if there is a set protocol for HS types but, I'm pretty sure the owners have a gentlemen's agreement in place.

Okay. I really wonder, though, if a team could do that then with a HS Senior or not. Could an independent league sign the player to a contract and then a Major League team sign him from there? It would be an interesting loophole.

[John Smith]

Taylor Blake Ward‏ @TaylorBlakeWard 4m4 minutes ago

 

 

Devon Perez taken as reliever by #Angels in 21st round from Oklahoma - FB sat 92-93 as starter, fringe but usable curve

[greginpsca]

I think [but not sure] that they could sign a HS player if he doesn't go to college. I believe they can't sign that player until a certain time.

[greginpsca]

6'10" lefty from Duke

[John Smith]

20	595	Angels	Mitchell Traver	RHP	Texas Christian	TX	Pool	Scouting
Scouting Report: Traver's stuff is good enough get him drafted at some point on day two. His medical history will likely make him wait until day three. That was the case last year as well, when his lengthy medical history led him to fall to the Reds in the 17th round. He was drafted by the Cubs in the 28th round the year before. Traver missed his freshman year at TCU because of Tommy John surgery. He also had a rib removed because of thoracic outlet syndrome. A back injury wiped out his redshirt freshman year, and he missed further time as a redshirt junior because of back issues. Traver missed the start of this season as well because of back problems, but once he got back on the mound, he's shown the same solid stuff he's featured year after year. Traver will sit 91-93 mph and touch 95 at his best with a plus slider. He also mixes in a potentially average changeup. Three average or better pitches and Traver's track record would make him a high draft pick if not for the medical concerns which will lead some teams to avoid him completely. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/index.php

[Inside Pitch]

Just now, Dave Saltzer said:

Okay. I really wonder, though, if a team could do that then with a HS Senior or not. Could an independent league sign the player to a contract and then a Major League team sign him from there? It would be an interesting loophole.

No, it's a good question and I don't recall ever reading if they had any rules in place.   There has to be something though -- I hate to bring him up again but Matt Harrington's situation makes me wonder.  He was drafted in 2000, didn't sign and then sat out a year and was drafted again.   He didnt sign in 2001 either..  So instead of sitting out he signed with an independent league team in Long Beach and then was drafted AGAIN in 2002.    There is likely something in place or it would have been done by now -- Boras wouldnt have let any gentlemen's agreement stop him from working a deal.

[Inside Pitch]

1 minute ago, John Smith said:

20	595	Angels	Mitchell Traver	RHP	Texas Christian	TX	Pool	Scouting
Scouting Report: Traver's stuff is good enough get him drafted at some point on day two. His medical history will likely make him wait until day three. That was the case last year as well, when his lengthy medical history led him to fall to the Reds in the 17th round. He was drafted by the Cubs in the 28th round the year before. Traver missed his freshman year at TCU because of Tommy John surgery. He also had a rib removed because of thoracic outlet syndrome. A back injury wiped out his redshirt freshman year, and he missed further time as a redshirt junior because of back issues. Traver missed the start of this season as well because of back problems, but once he got back on the mound, he's shown the same solid stuff he's featured year after year. Traver will sit 91-93 mph and touch 95 at his best with a plus slider. He also mixes in a potentially average changeup. Three average or better pitches and Traver's track record would make him a high draft pick if not for the medical concerns which will lead some teams to avoid him completely. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/index.php

Was his draft position DL?   Nice value pick up potentially.

[John Smith]

21	625	Angels	Devon Perez	RHP	Oklahoma	OK	Pool	Scouting
Scouting Report: A transfer from Iowa Western CC, Perez quickly became one of Oklahoma's most reliable pitchers, getting the call in the Sooners' first game of the NCAA regionals. His 88-92 mph fastball is his second-best pitch, as he trusts and relies on a 79-81 mph slider.

[Dave Saltzer]

So far we have drafted 16 pitchers. I wonder what that says about our organization . . . 

 

At some point, we will need to get some infielders and things to round out the teams for these players. My guess is in the 30s we will see a run on position players to round things out.

[Dave Saltzer]

Another thought . . . for those of us who are starting to feel old . . . next year we will start seeing our first players born in the year 00 being drafted, and within 3 years, we won't have anyone being drafted born in the years 19XX.

[Inside Pitch]

6 minutes ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Another thought . . . for those of us who are starting to feel old . . . next year we will start seeing our first players born in the year 00 being drafted, and within 3 years, we won't have anyone being drafted born in the years 19XX.

Jerk!

[John Smith]

Michael Lananna‏Verified account @mlananna

 

6-10 Duke LHP James Ziemba has been 88-90. Funky slot. 78 mph slider here.

[greginpsca]

Another catcher. Drafting right up the middle. C, P,CF. Should see some SS soon.

[John Smith]

Brian Sakowski‏ @B_Sakowski_PG 4m4 minutes ago

 

 

#Angels take Harrison Wenson from #Michigan; senior sign catcher, durable with solid defensive ability; above avg RH raw pop as well

[greginpsca]

Matt McCann SS.   Another up the middle guy.

 

[John Smith]

Jo Adell‏Verified account @jordonadell

 

Just landed in LA! @Angels

[ettin]

Look at our draft board: Do we right-hand pitching much? Good grief lol.

[ettin]

1 hour ago, Dave Saltzer said:

So here's a crazy thought: The draft only goes 40 rounds. And, as far as I know, the bonuses and pool limits only apply to those players taken in the draft. What if a fairly good HS or college player went undrafted and then signed as an undrafted free agent? Are there any limits to how much a team could spend then? Say, someone like Tristen Beck: could we spend what we wanted to sign him as an undrafted free agent? Is that a loophole a team could exploit?

I have a strong feeling that MLB would see that and bring the hammer down on a team that tried to do it. The optics would be really bad and it would be defying the spirit of the draft in my opinion which is why it probably wouldn't happen.

[John Smith]

26	775	Angels	Zane Gurwitz	OF	Texas	TX	Pool	Scouting
Scouting Report: Gurwitz is an undersized (5-foot-8) but athletic outfielder/second baseman whose plus speed doesn't play as much on the diamond as it should. He's a potential senior sign who hit .305/.366/.397.

[Chuck]

Angels take Cobi Johnson who much like Kyle Serrano was a possible 1st rounder 3 yrs ago out HS. Injury issues have limited him

— jeff ellis (@jeffMLBdraft) June 14, 2017

[John Smith]

28	835	Angels	Bernabe Camargo	SS	Galveston (Texas) CC	TX	Pool	Scouting
Scouting Report: A plus defender at shortstop, Bernabe also walked as many times as he struck out this season (23) and hit .393 with four home runs and 18 doubles. He is signed with Texas.

[greginpsca]

Yankees taking Beck. Doubt he signs.

[John Smith]

Taylor Blake Ward‏ @TaylorBlakeWard 1m1 minute ago

 

 

#Angels score big in 29th round - @Cobi_Johnson, son of former MLB pitcher, Dane; big arm prior to TJ surgery, low 90's sinker, flashed +CV

[greginpsca]

I think Chipola JC has had about 6 players picked so far. That was Tom Kotchman territory.  Just looked 7 so far. Must have been one hell of a team.