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Redsfan1507
It is what it is
I see the Reds took a 6'4 catcher (who also was a 90 mph pitcher) in the first round, and a lot if RHP later. It appears the Stevenson kid has a power bat and was regarded as the best defensive catcher in a relatively weak C draft this year. I assume no positional plan in the draft, still believing the theory is always to take the best available talent at your turn. I was a little non-plussed at so many Reds picks coming from UNC-Wilmington or some college baseball Podunk team...and imagine a Reds scout living in that area drawing an expense account from the lawn chair in his backyard, instead of canvassing for more talent. I hope in wrong, and UNC-Wherever is the new Mecca of pitching talent.
I'm interested in Cleveland's #1 pick- Brady Aiken. He was the Astros overall #1 last year- offered $6.2M, verbally agreed to by Aiken, then the Stros balked after a post draft physical saw something in his throwing elbow, and reduced the offer to $5M, and the kid took offense and refused to sign. Supposedly he had TJ and pitched for a prep school and another draft try this year. I'd say the 13th pick cost him about half that $5M offer...big balls from a kid that could have wound up losing the opportunity to sign at all if his elbow was shot beyond repair. The Stros got a compensatory pick due to inability to sign their #1. Also noteworthy, they took the little brother of Preston Tucker, a 2013 pick already on the big club- they say the kid this year is a better player than his brother on the team now. Like the Cubs, the Astros are starting to see results from those losing years high draft picks. Not that I envy losing 100 games for years, but the draft can change a teams fortune if they are paying attention.
I'm interested in Cleveland's #1 pick- Brady Aiken. He was the Astros overall #1 last year- offered $6.2M, verbally agreed to by Aiken, then the Stros balked after a post draft physical saw something in his throwing elbow, and reduced the offer to $5M, and the kid took offense and refused to sign. Supposedly he had TJ and pitched for a prep school and another draft try this year. I'd say the 13th pick cost him about half that $5M offer...big balls from a kid that could have wound up losing the opportunity to sign at all if his elbow was shot beyond repair. The Stros got a compensatory pick due to inability to sign their #1. Also noteworthy, they took the little brother of Preston Tucker, a 2013 pick already on the big club- they say the kid this year is a better player than his brother on the team now. Like the Cubs, the Astros are starting to see results from those losing years high draft picks. Not that I envy losing 100 games for years, but the draft can change a teams fortune if they are paying attention.