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Lake Shore Drive
Your retarted
The draft is right around the corner. The approach of the Sox brass, as with the Bears in football, is to go with the BPA. However, who they determine to be the BPA is anyone's guess. They have a penchant for liking MLB-ready college arms, but won't say no to a solid positional player if available either. While there are some tempting and talented prep players deserving recognition, I'm going strictly with the college crowd because I think the Sox would like to have their choice ready to contribute by 2020. Accordingly, here is my top 5 BPA list.
Casey Mize, RHP Auburn - This righty is at the moment the #1 prospect in the draft and is expected by just about everyone to be taken by Detroit, who holds the top pick. So I'm not going to waste any time discussing the pluses/minuses on him. He will not be there when the Sox make their selection.
Nick Madrigal, 2B/SS Oregon St - He's a shorty but don't let his 5'7" 160 lb frame fool you. He is without question the best pure hitter in the draft and considered the best in many years. Doesn't have a lot of power, altho he can leave the yard now and then. But he possesses great bat instincts (how many hitters these days actually have more walks than strikeouts), is speedy and is a solid defender. The one problem may be that his best position is 2B, currently held by another former super high prospect. But if BPA is the criteria, position be damned, then this may and perhaps should be our guy.
Brady Singer, RHP Florida - Until midway thru this current season, he was the #1 guy on the prospect board. Time-tested, durable, good pitcher's 'body'. He throws in the mid-90's, has a good slider and changeup to make for a solid three-pitch mix. It would be hard to pass on him if he's still there at 4.
Jonathan India, 3B Florida - One of the fastest risers this year, he has put together a really nice all around game. Plays excellent D, is one of the best hitters coming into the draft with tremendous plate discipline, and has some nice pop in his bat. I'd have zero problems if he is our pick.
Logan Gilbert, RHP Stetson - While MLB only has him ranked at #16, there is little to dislike about this kid. Another with a good pitcher's 'body', his FB can hit the mid-high 90's, plus he has an assortment of breaking pitches to add to a consistent arsenal. He's had a fantastic year keeping hitters at bay and is worthy of a high selection - maybe not at 4, but I wouldn't express any concern at all if we nabbed him.
Honorable mentions:
Alec Bohm, 3B Wichita St - I almost have to include him in the conversation because his name has been linked to the Sox #4 pick more than pretty much anyone else. Probably because he is likely the top HR bopper in this draft and is generally a pretty damn good hitter to boot. My problem with him is he's not a very good 3b and many analysts expect him to end up as a DH or 1B at best. If we're going to take a positional player, I want him to be both a good hitter, and yes power is a nice plus, but he also needs to play great defense. I'm tired of our shitty-ass defense.
Joey Bart, C Georgia Tech - Best catcher in the draft, considered pretty much MLB-ready. Big body, strong throwing arm, strong bat. So why is he only an honorable mention, despite manning one of the most important positions in the game? Easy, he's expected to be selected by the Giants at #2, so I doubt we'll see him on the board when we pick. Now if by chance he's there........?
Carter Stewart, RHP Eau Gallie HS - So here's my token HS selection because you never know. Tall, strong flame thrower with good command and a breaking ball that matches up with anyone's in this draft. Again tho, he's still in high school and the chances of seeing him in Sox colors would probably not happen until 2022 at the earliest. Does the team have such patience with their fist pick? My guess is no.
Casey Mize, RHP Auburn - This righty is at the moment the #1 prospect in the draft and is expected by just about everyone to be taken by Detroit, who holds the top pick. So I'm not going to waste any time discussing the pluses/minuses on him. He will not be there when the Sox make their selection.
Nick Madrigal, 2B/SS Oregon St - He's a shorty but don't let his 5'7" 160 lb frame fool you. He is without question the best pure hitter in the draft and considered the best in many years. Doesn't have a lot of power, altho he can leave the yard now and then. But he possesses great bat instincts (how many hitters these days actually have more walks than strikeouts), is speedy and is a solid defender. The one problem may be that his best position is 2B, currently held by another former super high prospect. But if BPA is the criteria, position be damned, then this may and perhaps should be our guy.
Brady Singer, RHP Florida - Until midway thru this current season, he was the #1 guy on the prospect board. Time-tested, durable, good pitcher's 'body'. He throws in the mid-90's, has a good slider and changeup to make for a solid three-pitch mix. It would be hard to pass on him if he's still there at 4.
Jonathan India, 3B Florida - One of the fastest risers this year, he has put together a really nice all around game. Plays excellent D, is one of the best hitters coming into the draft with tremendous plate discipline, and has some nice pop in his bat. I'd have zero problems if he is our pick.
Logan Gilbert, RHP Stetson - While MLB only has him ranked at #16, there is little to dislike about this kid. Another with a good pitcher's 'body', his FB can hit the mid-high 90's, plus he has an assortment of breaking pitches to add to a consistent arsenal. He's had a fantastic year keeping hitters at bay and is worthy of a high selection - maybe not at 4, but I wouldn't express any concern at all if we nabbed him.
Honorable mentions:
Alec Bohm, 3B Wichita St - I almost have to include him in the conversation because his name has been linked to the Sox #4 pick more than pretty much anyone else. Probably because he is likely the top HR bopper in this draft and is generally a pretty damn good hitter to boot. My problem with him is he's not a very good 3b and many analysts expect him to end up as a DH or 1B at best. If we're going to take a positional player, I want him to be both a good hitter, and yes power is a nice plus, but he also needs to play great defense. I'm tired of our shitty-ass defense.
Joey Bart, C Georgia Tech - Best catcher in the draft, considered pretty much MLB-ready. Big body, strong throwing arm, strong bat. So why is he only an honorable mention, despite manning one of the most important positions in the game? Easy, he's expected to be selected by the Giants at #2, so I doubt we'll see him on the board when we pick. Now if by chance he's there........?
Carter Stewart, RHP Eau Gallie HS - So here's my token HS selection because you never know. Tall, strong flame thrower with good command and a breaking ball that matches up with anyone's in this draft. Again tho, he's still in high school and the chances of seeing him in Sox colors would probably not happen until 2022 at the earliest. Does the team have such patience with their fist pick? My guess is no.