Use this thread to consolidate all information about news, prospects and rumors related to the draft. The draft is tomorrow, June 12, 2017, at 4 PM. We currently select 23rd overall and we do not have any extra picks. Just one pick per round. Pictured is our draft bonus pool and the slotted money per each pick ***** Reports by BA have us tied to prep bats. But I'm sure our philosophy is BPA as we've taken a variety of players/positions over the last few years. Players we've been connected to Bubba Thompson, a prep OF from alabama Logan Warmoth, 3B from UNC Keston Hiura, 2B from UCI (dodgers team orthopedist handled his elbow treatment..not sure he lasts however) Nick Pratto, 1B not really connected but local from HB and may be available in the 15-25 range
Yeah I'm not expecting anything too exciting but they have been smart in the past to manipulate the draft to move around money in order to get some great talent. The draft pool kinda sucks though, from what I've seen.
Good news so far in the draft, several teams reaching so we should get an opportunity to get a real steal. Hoping Canning is still there and we were linked to Bubba Thompson and he's the last of the guys in studio.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55 Kendall had some of the most intriguing tools among high school players in the 2014 Draft, and he would have gone in the top three rounds had he not been set on attending Vanderbilt. Three years after turning down the Red Sox as a 30th-round selection, he easily has the best all-around tools of any college player in the 2017 Draft. He showcased his abilities with the U.S. collegiate national team last summer, leading the squad in hits (20), extra-base hits (10), RBI (14) and steals (five), and he set a career high this spring with 15 homers entering NCAA tournament play. A fast-twitch athlete with five-tool potential, Kendall stands out most with his plus-plus speed and also possesses deceptive strength. He has learned to incorporate his lower half in his left-handed swing while at Vanderbilt and has good balance at the plate. There's more swing and miss in Kendall's game than scouts would like, leading to some concerns about his pitch recognition and whether he'll reach his offensive upside. There are no worries about Kendall's defense, because he has the instincts and quickness to cover both gaps. He also knows how to use his speed on the bases. Kendall's overall game draws comparisons to that of Jacoby Ellsbury, though his arm is significantly stronger. I don't like this pick ONLY because of the fact that he is an OF'er which to me isn't a need position.
#1 player entering the season but his huge swing and miss/strikeout totals brought him down Very toolsy though and a big time hit or miss prospect
Most draft picks take a few years to come up. By then the positional outlook will/could be drastically different Rarely do teams draft for need.
Probably shouldn't have used the word need but he's 20 years old and we have Verdugo/Diaz/Peters all 20 - 21 years old. Biggest talent is speed which isn't a priority for these times and he stirkes alot like Kane pointed out which is a redundant commodity in this org. Even though we have alot of right handed pitching prospects you never have enough pitching. Still happy with the fact that they did get a high ceiling guy. Bubba got picked finally I wanted him instead, great character.
From Jim Callis: 23. Los Angeles Dodgers: OF Jeren Kendall, Vanderbilt Callis: I know the industry soured on Kendall a bit because of his strikeout rate at Vanderbilt, but I love this pick at No. 23, and personally, would have taken him in the top 10. Yes, he swings and misses, as evidenced by his 74 whiffs in 261 at-bats, but he has the best tools in the college ranks, and he's been a very productive player at a top program. He has a chance to be a 15-HR, 30-steal guy while playing a quality center field. Makes me feel a little better.
Dodgers select Morgan Cooper at #62 by Jared Massey | Dodger Blue — 2 hours ago The Los Angeles Dodgers completed their participation on the first day of the 2017 MLB Draft by selecting Morgan Cooper No. 62 overall with their second-round pick. Cooper was drafted in the 34th round by the Washington Nationals last year but did not sign. That decision played out well for the 22-year-old, who led the University of Texas rotation and boosted his stock all the way up to the second round by posting a 2.32 ERA with 110 strikeouts in 89.1 innings. Cooper has a quintessential pitcher’s frame at 6’5 and 220 lbs. The righty comes over the top with a fastball that, at its best, sits 92-94 mph and touches 96 mph. Cooper throws a curveball, a cutter and a changeup, and all of his secondaries earn above-average grades at times. There was some talk of Cooper going in the first round but that cooled as the spring wore on. With his injury history, as well as velocity dipping during the summer, Cooper’s stock dropped a bit. He’ll also turn 23 years old in September. Cooper reminds me a of Ross Stripling. The repertoires are very similar and they were both drafted out of college in Texas (Stripling went to A&M). Like Stripling, Cooper should be given the chance to start, though he’d likely fit well into a relief role. As a redshirt junior and one of the older players in the draft, Cooper should sign quickly and potentially for under his draft slot value. That could allow the Dodgers to use the savings later in the draft. If he remains healthy, which remains a question mark, Cooper could see time in Los Angeles before long. The Dodgers selected outfielder Jeren Kendall in the first round with the No. 23 overall pick.