xmulderx wrote: who are the key bats that were added in last years draft? to me they have ignored the OF completely, outside of Nimmo. Who was not exactly all he was cracked up to be himself in Brooklyn. He showed a real lack of mobility in the OF.
Well, their first three picks were bats: Cecchini, Plawecki, and Reynolds. Just because they aren't OFers or slated for stardom doesn't mean he can't be excited about them and others.
Matt Reynolds, Arkansas, 3B 6-foot-1, 198 pounds
Playing for a top-notch program in one of the best college conferences in the country, Reynolds has been seen by plenty of scouts. And while he might not be among the top tier of college bats in this class, he has some skills that could translate at the next level. With a balanced set-up at the plate, Reynolds has a good approach and hits line drives. He doesn't have a ton of power, mostly to the gaps, and is more consistent to the pull side. Without average power, Reynolds will have to learn how to hit to all fields. He's a heads-up baserunner who will swipe some bases even without particularly good speed. He's a very good defender, with the potential to be above average with his arm and fielding to go along with solid average range. Reynolds plays mostly third, but has seen time at shortstop, and that kind of flexibility will only help his value. If the bat doesn't progress, he could have a very good future as a utility type.
Sounds scrappy. You know you love players like that.
I'm not saying he's a future stud, but best case he could be a Garin Cecchini type -- B prospect for the Red Sox with limited pop and upside but a really good skill set.
I know Kaupe is considered a joke by most, but here's a report on him:Perfect Game USA:
Scouts from the mainland got an early look at the top high-school talent in Hawaii, and left with the impression that the 5-foot-5, 175-pound Kaupe was the best talent in this year’s class. Despite his obvious lack of size, Kaupe showcased impressive speed and solid actions at shortstop, though he probably faces a shift across the bag to second base as he advances. Kaupe also showed some ability as a switch-hitter to drive balls.
6th rounder Jayce Boyd:Baseball America:
Boyd was an acclaimed prep player and has been a three-year starter for Florida State. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference in batting at .395 entering regional play. He has adjusted his approach and swing since high school, when he was a 19th-round pick as a third baseman. He has become a contact hitter with gap power, hitting 16 homers his first two seasons but just three this spring. He’s an above-average defender at first with good hands, but hasn’t gotten much exposure in college at third, which obviously would increase his value. His lack of home run power and righthanded-hitting first-base profile makes him tough to peg from a draft standpoint.
Perfect Game USA:
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Boyd has been a consistent run producer for the Seminoles from the start of his freshman year, but has never developed the raw power scouts believe he has. He hit eight homers in each of his first two seasons, but has dropped to just two as a junior, even as he leads the Seminoles with a .393 average. Although Boyd has played third base in the past, he profiles best at first, and scouts continue to dream on his polished righthanded bat—and untapped power potential.
8th rounder Tomas Nido:Baseball America:
Nido isn’t quite one-tool player; the Florida State signee has average arm strength. But his calling card is plus-plus raw power, as he has strength and takes a big, powerful swing, generating above-average bat speed. He’s a slow-twitch athlete, and it may be a stretch for him to stay behind the plate. He has a tendency to sell out for power, even though he doesn’t need to with his strength. Nido had late helium and was doing some individual workouts for teams, and if he puts on a power display with wood, he could be drafted highly.
Perfect Game USA:
Along with de la Rosa (No. 26), Nido is the second catcher on the list who grew up in Puerto Rico and retains strong connections with his homeland. Cross-checkers who see the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Nido on the right day could have him higher than this as his raw power from the right side is a separator tool. He can put on shows in BP, but is a streaky in-game hitter who will swing-and-miss his share, but also crush balls on occasion against high-velocity pitching. His arm strength grades out as a plus behind the plate.
Stefan Sabol had a solid debut:Baseball America:
Sabol’s physicality and upside made him a high-profile prospect coming out of high school, but he elected to go to Oregon, where a broken bone his left hand spoiled his freshman season. He transferred to Orange Coast for his sophomore year but was sidelined by a broken hamate bone. His performance was pedestrian when he returned to action, but his raw tools haven’t gone away. Though he saw some action behind the plate this spring, the overwhelming scouting consensus is that he lacks the agility, hands and footwork to catch. He figures to find a home at an outfield corner in pro ball, and he is a solid runner for his size. He has average or even slightly better raw arm strength, but it isn’t particularly playable in games because of his long arm action and inaccuracy. Sabol’s bat and power will have to carry him. He hasn’t developed as a hitter, but he does have pitch recognition and plenty of bat speed, which leads to plus raw power. Unlocking that power in games will be key. Sabol is committed to Oklahoma State.
Perfect Game USA:
As a highly-athletic high-school catcher in 2010, Sabol drew plenty of early-round interest in that year’s draft, and participated in the 2009 PG/Aflac All-American Classic. After spending his first year in college at the University of Oregon, he transferred to Orange Coast and broke the hamate bone in his left hand just before the start of the 2012 season. Because of that Sabol hasn’t looked as strong as he tries to catch up, but still has promising athleticism and power potential at the plate with defensive versatility.
http://www.amazinavenue.com/20...cap-rounds-1-40
Who knows what will become of those players, but there's nothing misleading, inaccurate, or disingenuous about PDP's enthusiasm about last season's draft.
