A local kid who played in our Section in Westchester, NY and many games against our HS team. Was clearly a different level player but don’t think anyone expected him to be a future #1. Made enormous strides in two years to put himself in this position. And, by all accounts, a stand up young man. Great to see.
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My kid thinks it was deserved, but he is also a NY bred catcher so there could be some bias there
I hadn't heard of him until a month before the draft. He must be an enormous talent to be picked ahead of some of the known college talents, but maybe that is a huge indicator of the collective college talent this year. I had heard of Marcello Mayer, and I'm tickled pink the Red Sox got him. I also think the Mets got a steal with Rocker at #10. Interesting draft this year.
I think a lot of what’s going on that seems surprising has to do with wanting to spread money around to a number of picks. I have seen Jordan Lawler for 3 years and, while I do think he is an exceptional talent, I didn’t ever see him as the number one overall pick. Sometimes draft order has as much to do with sign ability as it does with projected talent.
@adbono posted:.............................................
Sometimes draft order has as much to do with sign ability as it does with projected talent.
No question, adbono. I'd tweak "sometimes" to "most of the time". People forget this is a business first and foremost. It is all about value.
I've been lucky enough to get to know a couple of scouts in our area. it's interesting to talk to them and see what their organizational philosophies are, with regard to draft targets. One of them flat out told me that they're focusing more on college guys and mlb-ready talent because of where their organization is. they're looking for guys that can get to the mlb quickly or who they think will have better immediate (within the next couple of years) trade value for mlb talent.
the other one told me that he looks, mostly at raw talent with upside. they're looking for guys that diamond in the rough that will pay off in a few years. that "where'd they find him" type of pick.
of course this is something i think we all know but isn't something i had thought about as a formalized strategy. it was cool hearing it from them and looking at the scouting and draft process through their eyes. This also may explain why you see certain draft picks "out of order" when it comes to mocks vs the action draft.
