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2019 MLB DRAFT
#1 · May 2, 2019, 4:27 pm
2019 MLB Draft starts on June 3 ... Padres have the #6 pick.
MLB.com just updated their Top 100 Draft eligibles for some reference. Scanning several national types recent comments appears to be a weak draft for college pitchers past the top couple.
Two names have been posed as potential Padres picks (assuming the consensus Top 4 all are selected ahead of the Padres):
JJ Belday (MLB #5) ... LHH power hitting OF out of Vanderbilt. Has the hitting skill so not just a power bat ... likely a RF with a good arm but no speed.
Nick Lodolo (MLB #8) ... LHP out of Texas Christian.
Both have been rising on the rankings all spring.
Best available will be the pick given the quality of the system and unlikely to get an impact in the ML for a few years.
Earlier the Padres were linked to LHH HS OF Corbin Carroll (UCLA commit) currently ranked #14. Smallish CF type who can hit and an elite runner. Padres like HS athletes like Carroll who could develop into an offensive / defensive asset.
#2 · May 2, 2019, 6:16 pm
CJ Abrams please.
#3 · May 2, 2019, 7:45 pm
Im gonna jump on the Hunter Bishop bandwagon.
#4 · May 3, 2019, 8:04 am
Quote from David Nevin on May 2, 2019, 6:16 pmCJ Abrams please.
IF he is there at #6 ... you should get you wish.
#5 · May 3, 2019, 8:55 am
Quote from David Nevin on May 2, 2019, 6:16 pmCJ Abrams please.
Why ???
Not exactly a position of need....just curious
#6 · May 3, 2019, 10:35 am
Probably the best all-around HS player in the draft. One of the better HS hitters (I alway look at the hit skill first) coupled with "75" on speed. Really fits the Preller model of athletic "up the middle" players that can shift positions as warranted. So would not focus on his listing as a SS (or even the 2B option) but consider the potential as a future CF (he apparently has enough arm for that). Likely 4 years out and a lot can change but as of now the system is not filled with elite CF prospects.
Not to worry ... odds are he will be gone before the Padres select.
Bleday (LHH with power ... college type) is #5 on MLB's list and is closer to the ML while fitting a potential need but expect him to be gone too. Key with him is that he was thought of as a hitter first then the power really just emerged this season. RF type with little speed but a good arm.
So, the strongest rumor is a college pitcher ... Lodolo (MLB #8)? However, Preller is not without surprises.
IF it is a college pitcher we need to trot out "best player available" with "can never have enough pitching" plus "quality pitching is a valuable trade chip" ... using all three quotes should be expected.
#7 · May 3, 2019, 10:35 am
Drafting by "position of need" in baseball is foolish IMO.
Trying to guess what a "position of need" will be four years from now is a fools errand.
Take the best player available while prioritizing certain skills.
For "me" that is athleticism and speed.
For others it could be Power.
Obviously you always need to prioritize pitching.
Also, I believe it is easier to teach a player to become a better fielder than it is to teach them the vision and hand/eye it takes to hit well.
I prioritize speed and athleticism for the same reason....you can't teach it.
Buddy Reed is a good example.He has all the athleticism I love but his hit tool was always the question....as it still is.
Abrams has a good hit tool.
#8 · May 3, 2019, 3:38 pm
Interesting observation:
JJ Bleday (MLB #5) was selected by the Padres in the 39th round of the 2016 draft
Hunter Bishop (MLB #7) was selected by the Padres in the 24th round of the 2016 draft
I guess the scouts had a good eye ... even though they were committed to go to college and ultimately good choices by them.
#9 · May 3, 2019, 5:10 pm
Imagine if we were able to convince them to sign.
#10 · May 4, 2019, 12:02 pm
May 3rd Mock Draft at mlb.com sez ...
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-s-first-2019-mock-draft
6. Padres: J.J. Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt
Scouts knew Bleday could hit and wanted to see him produce some power, and he has responded by leading NCAA Division I with 21 homers. San Diego likely goes with a hitter but could be tempted to take a left-hander (Texas Christian's Nick Lodolo) in the first round for the fourth year in a row.