Tucker in June

[JimR]

Over .280, 22 homers, 53 RBI

What will happen with him?

[austro]

I think he winds up in a trade. They need a starter, or they need another impact reliever, and a lot of teams will be in that market, so the price won't be cheap.

[geezerdonk]

I think those HR and RBI totals are for the year.
Assuming Springer comes back and no further injuries, with Alvarez, Bradley, Reddick and Marisnick as backup, he's blocked. It's  either stay at AAA or be part of a trade but it would have to be a blockbuster before I would let him go.

[JimR]

I think those HR and RBI totals are for the year.
Assuming Springer comes back and no further injuries, with Alvarez, Bradley, Reddick and Marisnick as backup, he's blocked. It's  either stay at AAA or be part of a trade but it would have to be a blockbuster before I would let him go.

Yep, of course they are for the year.

[JimR]

oops he hit another one tonight.  23 homers, 54 RBI

[Snuffy]

Over .280, 22 homers, 53 RBI

What will happen with him?

Perhaps the more relevant question is what about what will happen to Reddick?
Reddick, 32, is signed through 2020; Tucker is 22.

Granted that there is a difference b/t AAA and the ML, but Alvarez is highlighting the possibility that the difference is not all that great for him.  Alvarez is shining bright now!  It is a thrill to see his impact.  Let's see what Tucker can do, alternating with Reddick.

Since his disasterous April, Tucker has been hitting .344 (56 hits for 163 AB)  w/ 43 runs scored, 18 HR & 45 RBI in 40 games!  Increased production while increasing his BB to K's, especially during May-June
2017 - 46 BB to 109 K's
2018 - 48 BB to 84 K's
2019 - 22 BB to 39 K's (May-Jun)

Granted it is a limited sample and it is in AAA, but we don't want to be on the LA/Boston side of a potential Alvarez/Bagwell trade. 

Suggest giving Tucker a chance b/f dumping him - he has earned it.

Reddick      AB   R   H   HR    RBI   Avg      BB   SO Mar             10    0   3     0     0      0.300     -       -    Apr              81    3 29    3     7       0.358    8    11 May             90  11 24    2    10     0.267    8     11 Jun               56    6 15    3     8      0.268    0    6                   237  30  71    8    25     0.300 16   28                             Tucker         AB   R   H   HR    RBI    Avg    BB   SO Apr              85   11   14   5     9       0.165     5    23 May           108  28    36  11  28     0.333    16   23 Jun               55   15   20   7   17     0.364       6   16                   248   54   70  23  54     0.282    27   62 May-Jun    163  43   56  18  45      0.344    22  29

With the exciting production of so many rookies, including rookie pitchers, would it be too far a stretch to envision another possible Biggio/Bagwell combo in LH Alvarez/Tucker to go with RH Bregman, Springer, & Correa - almost all home grown.  Would Alvarez count as home grown? 

At least worth a look b/f dumping him for a short-term, possibly rental, pitcher.

[Snuffy]

oops he hit another one tonight.  23 homers, 54 RBI

He hit 3 for 5 with 2 HR and 5 RBI.

[SoonerJim]

I think those HR and RBI totals are for the year.
Assuming Springer comes back and no further injuries, with Alvarez, Bradley, Reddick and Marisnick as backup, he's blocked. It's  either stay at AAA or be part of a trade but it would have to be a blockbuster before I would let him go.

I agree with all of that. We're not in a must-win two year window; we're tooled up for a five year run.

[Snuffy]

I agree with all of that. We're not in a must-win two year window; we're tooled up for a five year run.

Well said, w/ a fraction of the verbiage.

[JimR]

Perhaps the more relevant question is what about what will happen to Reddick?
Reddick, 32, is signed through 2020; Tucker is 22.

Granted that there is a difference b/t AAA and the ML, but Alvarez is highlighting the possibility that the difference is not all that great for him.  Alvarez is shining bright now!  It is a thrill to see his impact.  Let's see what Tucker can do, alternating with Reddick.

Since his disasterous April, Tucker has been hitting .344 (56 hits for 163 AB)  w/ 43 runs scored, 18 HR & 45 RBI in 40 games!  Increased production while increasing his BB to K's, especially during May-June
2017 - 46 BB to 109 K's
2018 - 48 BB to 84 K's
2019 - 22 BB to 39 K's (May-Jun)

Granted it is a limited sample and it is in AAA, but we don't want to be on the LA/Boston side of a potential Alvarez/Bagwell trade. 

Suggest giving Tucker a chance b/f dumping him - he has earned it.

Reddick      AB   R   H   HR    RBI   Avg      BB   SO Mar             10    0   3     0     0      0.300     -       -    Apr              81    3 29    3     7       0.358    8    11 May             90  11 24    2    10     0.267    8     11 Jun               56    6 15    3     8      0.268    0    6                   237  30  71    8    25     0.300 16   28                             Tucker         AB   R   H   HR    RBI    Avg    BB   SO Apr              85   11   14   5     9       0.165     5    23 May           108  28    36  11  28     0.333    16   23 Jun               55   15   20   7   17     0.364       6   16                   248   54   70  23  54     0.282    27   62 May-Jun    163  43   56  18  45      0.344    22  29

With the exciting production of so many rookies, including rookie pitchers, would it be too far a stretch to envision another possible Biggio/Bagwell combo in LH Alvarez/Tucker to go with RH Bregman, Springer, & Correa - almost all home grown.  Would Alvarez count as home grown? 

At least worth a look b/f dumping him for a short-term, possibly rental, pitcher.

“Dumping” him? WTF?

Tucker has failed once in MLB when they gave him LF. He is no Alvarez in any respect.

[juliogotay]

My prediction is he will not be dealt this season for pitching help.

Edit:  unless Scherzer becomes available.

[subnuclear]

It might make some sense to trade Reddick if Tucker could play CF or RF, but I don't think anyone says he can do so regularly.

I bet someone like the Cardinals will want Tucker eventually.

[Jacksonian]

In Luhnow I trust.

[HudsonHawk]

In Luhnow I trust.

I can't think of any organization since the mid-century Yankees who have been able to assemble the amount of talent up and down the organization that Luhnow and Co. have. 

[Snuffy]

“Dumping” him? WTF?

Tucker has failed once in MLB when they gave him LF. He is no Alvarez in any respect.

They certainly are different body types, tho both are tall (Alvarez, 6' 5"; Tucker 6' 4")
Both are 22, but it took a while for Yordan to grow from 175 to 225; Tucker is 195. 
Tucker may never weigh as much as Yordan, but who cares if he produces - and takes a 2nd try to stick in the ML?

[Snuffy]

I can't think of any organization since the mid-century Yankees who have been able to assemble the amount of talent up and down the organization that Luhnow and Co. have.

Don't ever remember Astros fans arguing this much over which prospects to keep and which to trade.

[Sambito]

Toro, Tanilieu, Dawson and Beer too.  Love it!

[chuck]

I can envision a scenario where Reddick ends up playing a significant amount of first base. Next year would be more likely than this year, but this year is a possibility too.

Kind of weird to pluck a near elite defensive player out of the outfield and give him a first baseman's glove, but I guess that's what happens if you have tons of bats trying to get in the lineup.

[MusicMan]

“Dumping” him? WTF?

Tucker has failed once in MLB when they gave him LF. He is no Alvarez in any respect.

Tucker “failed” to the same tune that Bregman did. Let’s see if he’s made the same kind of adjustments.


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[JimR]

Tucker “failed” to the same tune that Bregman did. Let’s see if he’s made the same kind of adjustments.


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Not even close

[austro]

Tucker “failed” to the same tune that Bregman did. Let’s see if he’s made the same kind of adjustments.

But with Bregman, you could see that the stroke and the eye were good, and that he was going through an adjustment period. Tucker's stroke doesn't inspire the same confidence.

[JimR]

But with Bregman, you could see that the stroke and the eye were good, and that he was going through an adjustment period. Tucker's stroke doesn't inspire the same confidence.

Tucker was 9-64 with little power.

[doyce7]

Tucker “failed” to the same tune that Bregman did. Let’s see if he’s made the same kind of adjustments.


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You can't compare rookies with eerily similar numbers, including advanced numbers such as average exit velocity, showing bad luck apparently. Tucker is a failure until proven otherwise after being traded and everybody will say "should have never traded him"

He went from the future and can't miss to a failure pretty damn fast for a 21 year old

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[JimR]

You can't compare rookies with eerily similar numbers, including advanced numbers such as average exit velocity, showing bad luck apparently. Tucker is a failure until proven otherwise after being traded and everybody will say "should have never traded him"

He went from the future and can't miss to a failure pretty damn fast for a 21 year old

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Who said he is a failure? I said he failed when they gave him LF. The Astros apparently thought so too, and Marvin became an every day LFer. I hope he has regained his luster and becomes a key piece to acquiring a starter..

[doyce7]

Who said he is a failure? I said he failed when they gave him LF. The Astros apparently thought so too, and Marvin became an every day LFer. I hope he has regained his luster and becomes a key piece to acquiring a starter..

This time last year, everything you said about Tucker was how he was special. Then he struggled and now everytime you talk about him is in reference to trading him. Is that not considering him a failure? If you're just hoping to trade him, kind of a failure for a guy who had star potential.

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[chuck]

This time last year, everything you said about Tucker was how he was special. Then he struggled and now everytime you talk about him is in reference to trading him. Is that not considering him a failure? If you're just hoping to trade him, kind of a failure for a guy who had star potential.

I think Jim heard something about Tucker from someone who knows that has changed his perception of him as a player. That is conjecture on my part, by the way.

[moriartp]

This time last year, everything you said about Tucker was how he was special. Then he struggled and now everytime you talk about him is in reference to trading him. Is that not considering him a failure? If you're just hoping to trade him, kind of a failure for a guy who had star potential.

Seeing Tucker as a trade chip doesn't make him a failure. A good player can still have more value as a trade chip than as a callup.

[JimR]

This time last year, everything you said about Tucker was how he was special. Then he struggled and now everytime you talk about him is in reference to trading him. Is that not considering him a failure? If you're just hoping to trade him, kind of a failure for a guy who had star potential.

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Hell, no. A failure would not get a top prospect in return. He had special stats, but I had not seen him until he got to Houston. I wish him well, but I have never liked his swing. I hope scouts elsewhere love him. He still has star potential, but potential means you ain’t done it yet.

[geezerdonk]

There are very few MLB teams where  Tucker would not be a regular.

[JimR]

There are very few MLB teams where  Tucker would not be a regular.

Houston brought him up and made him a regular. What happened?

[Jacksonian]

In Luhnow I trust.

[MusicMan]

Houston brought him up and made him a regular. What happened?

The same thing that happened when they brought Bregman up.

[hostros7]

The same thing that happened when they brought Bregman up.

Even during his early futility, Bregman generally looked comfortable and balanced in the box and hit a lot of “tough luck” outs. My memory may be fallible, but Bregman’s approach at the plate always left me questioning when he would hit in the bigs, as opposed to Tucker’s which didn’t seem quite to answer definitively if he would hit in the pros.

I only watched him with the big club, so I’m sure those who follow the minors have a more informed view than I.


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[Jacksonian]

I only watched him with the big club, so I’m sure those who follow the minors have a more informed view than I.
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I thought it was telling that during the off-season Luhnow locked up 4 outfielders through the 2020 season. 

[homer]

Tucker doesn't have a hustle face.

[JimR]

The same thing that happened when they brought Bregman up.

Fuck no. Bregman was 0-17, then started to hit. Tucker never did, and he lost the job they gave him. Then they sent him to AAA. If you cannot see the difference, you have a crush on Tucker.

[mrpink]

Fuck no. Bregman was 0-17, then started to hit. Tucker never did, and he lost the job they gave him. Then they sent him to AAA. If you cannot see the difference, you have a crush on Tucker.

0-17, then 2-21, then started to hit.

[Snuffy]

Fuck no. Bregman was 0-17, then started to hit. Tucker never did, and he lost the job they gave him. Then they sent him to AAA. If you cannot see the difference, you have a crush on Tucker.

Not necessarily, Jim.

Please also consider the age and experience difference:

Luke was 18 when drafted out of hs and 21 when he failed his debut (28 games).  He has paid his dues, has now played in 464 minor league games.

Bregman was 21 when drafted and 22 when he made his ML debut.  He was ready: "during his junior year at LSU in 2015, was a First Team All-American, Gold Glove Award winner and a Golden Spikes Award finalist... Finished his career at LSU with a .337 batting average with 56 doubles, 10 triples, 21 homers, 148 RBI, 153 runs and 66 steals...Played in the 2015 Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park for LSU and was named to the All Tournament Team after hitting .385 (5x13) a double and three steals."  He played 146 minor league games b/f his debut.

Would you grant that there was a maturity difference and that the level of competition was probably stronger for Bregman's 3 years @ LSU?   

The slump in April may also have been formative for Tucker - it was similar to the lack of production in his 28 ML games.  Could that make his production during May-June even more significant?

Laureano "Spent his final season in the Houston organization at Double-A Corpus Christi where he batted .227 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI in a career-high 123 games…the batting average was the lowest of his three full seasons as was his .369 slugging percentage and .298 on-base percentage… "  He was blocked.
JD Martinez averaged .251 in 252 Astros games from 2011-13.  He was unproductive.

Don't know what Luke can do now, but let's find out b/f trading him.  "Let the kid play!"

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Snuffy, who is Luke?

[JimR]

Not necessarily, Jim.

Please also consider the age and experience difference:

Luke was 18 when drafted out of hs and 21 when he failed his debut (28 games).  He has paid his dues, has now played in 464 minor league games.



Bregman was 21 when drafted and 22 when he made his ML debut.  He was ready: "during his junior year at LSU in 2015, was a First Team All-American, Gold Glove Award winner and a Golden Spikes Award finalist... Finished his career at LSU with a .337 batting average with 56 doubles, 10 triples, 21 homers, 148 RBI, 153 runs and 66 steals...Played in the 2015 Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park for LSU and was named to the All Tournament Team after hitting .385 (5x13) a double and three steals."  He played 146 minor league games b/f his debut.

Would you grant that there was a maturity difference and that the level of competition was probably stronger for Bregman's 3 years @ LSU?   

The slump in April may also have been formative for Tucker - it was similar to the lack of production in his 28 ML games.  Could that make his production during May-June even more significant?

Laureano "Spent his final season in the Houston organization at Double-A Corpus Christi where he batted .227 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI in a career-high 123 games…the batting average was the lowest of his three full seasons as was his .369 slugging percentage and .298 on-base percentage… "  He was blocked.
JD Martinez averaged .251 in 252 Astros games from 2011-13.  He was unproductive.

Don't know what Luke can do now, but let's find out b/f trading him.  "Let the kid play!"

Who is Luke. I get that you love Tucker. Cool. I hope other organization do as well and still see him as a “cannot miss” prospect. I hope they ask for him when we inquire about a top of the rotation pitcher. I hope he brings us a pitcher who gets us to the WS. We need one. I do not like his long, stiff swing, but it works in AAA.

[Bench]

Would you grant that there was a maturity difference and that the level of competition was probably stronger for Bregman's 3 years @ LSU?   

That's interesting. I would not have expected college (even the mighty SEC) to have a higher level of competition than AA and AAA professional baseball.

[Bench]

Snuffy, who is Luke?

I thought Luke was Preston.

[jbm]

That's interesting. I would not have expected college (even the mighty SEC) to have a higher level of competition than AA and AAA professional baseball.

Your expectation is correct.  Even the mighty SEC is well below AA competition.

[JimR]

That's interesting. I would not have expected college (even the mighty SEC) to have a higher level of competition than AA and AAA professional baseball.

It is a ridiculous premise.

[Noe]

I read a lot of stuff in this thread about swing analysis and body type and just wanted to share something about swing analysis from people who study the elites who played this game and how they mastered the art of hitting at the major league level. But before I do, I believe (and this is only my belief and nothing I've heard or read from anyone) that Tucker's issues last season were mental. It happens to everyone who plays in the bigs, especially for the first time. It's easier to get to the major leagues than it is is to stay in the major leagues and until any one of us has done so, I think we're all just thinking it's a walk in the park to conquer the mental strain it is to try and stay in the majors. The grind is intense and you start to do things outside of the "norm" to try and get that mojo back that got you "elite" or "prospect" status to begin with and it only seems to get worse and not better. And then to top it all off, you start to get everyone's opinion about what you need to do to improve. Tucker, it is my belief, was overmatched mentally in the bigs last season and nothing he was doing physically was wrong, nor did he prove he doesn't have the tools to be a major leaguer. He proved he had the immaturity and lacked mental toughness the first time around but now that he's back in his groove as a hitter and player, he needs to continue to learn how to handle the pressure (and coming out of a major slump in AAA to where he is now is a great sign he's doing it) of being "the guy".

Heck, even Alvarez will suffer from days he'll not be successful and he may start to press or do things out of the "norm". What you need around you is a support system of people you trust to keep you mentally strong and up when you feel like the pressure is too much. Even seasoned veterans know it's hard to be a major league player (re: Jeff Bagwell told the story in the booth on Saturday when he walked by Geof Blum one day in the dugout  and said after an oh-fer day "This game is hard, it's not easy. Welcome to the club Geoff").

Now, about swings and body types, Look and listen to this analysis carefully and then scrub forward to the five minute mark for a side by side comparison swings of two greats: Barry Bonds and Ted Williams. Two different body types, same swing though. And both very successful major league hitters. You want more comps? Here, look and listen to this analysis of what constitutes a great approach and swing for a hitter that all the "elites" of the game used during their major league tenure.

If you don't believe either Alvarez and/or Tucker have the swing mechanics to conquer the major leagues, then yeah, they are better off on another team that might over value them. But if they do have the elite swing mechanics to be "elite" in the majors, then you might have patience while the maturity mentally catches up to the skill hitting a baseball. Alex Bregman is known for his mental toughness as much as his ability to play. Mike Trout, who struggled big time his first time up and was also sent back down to AAA to get more seasoning, is also known for his mental toughness above his baseball skills. Tucker? Jury is still out on his mental toughness, but I doubt you'll ever hear anyone say he doesn't have the tools (skills) to be a very good to possibly an "elite" major leaguer.

[Mr. Happy]

That's interesting. I would not have expected college (even the mighty SEC) to have a higher level of competition than AA and AAA professional baseball.

You'll find no bigger lackey for the SEC than yours truly, but the notion that even SEC ball with a stellar starter (like the Rocker kid from Vandy) isn't close to being AA ball is laughable. The best teams could probably compete alright with high A clubs, but that would only be with an ace on the bump.

[chuck]

Luhnow said the other day (and it surprised me a little) that he thinks the best college baseball conferences are pretty close to High A.

[jbm]

Luhnow said the other day (and it surprised me a little) that he thinks the best college baseball conferences are pretty close to High A.

Well, it's hard to dispute Luhnow, but I'd side with Mr. Happy in that it better be their stud on the mound for a college team to compete with a good High A team.  Just the other day, I was checking in on Clemens and Luken Baker, both dudes that dominated the Big 12 last year.  They're both still finding their legs one year later in High A.

[JimR]

Luhnow said the other day (and it surprised me a little) that he thinks the best college baseball conferences are pretty close to High A.

Duh. Maybe elite clubs are but nothing higher than this.

[Snuffy]

That's interesting. I would not have expected college (even the mighty SEC) to have a higher level of competition than AA and AAA professional baseball.

Sorry for the confusion.  Kyle did not taste AAA until 2018, his 4th pro year.  He has now played 100 AAA games @ 21.
He did not play AA until 2017, his 3rd pro year - 72 games @ age 20).

I was attempting to compare Bregman's 3-years of college competition to Kyle's competition in Rookie League (126 games), A - A+ (117 games), & A+ - AA (120 games).  Kyle played 363 games AA or below b/f going to AAA. 

Does anyone remember how many AAA games he had b/f his failure in 2018?

Bregman played 66 games in A+ - A in 2015 at 21 and 80 games in AA - AAA in 2016 at 22 b/f becoming an Astros.

(Added later:

Luhnow said the other day (and it surprised me a little) that he thinks the best college baseball conferences are pretty close to High A.

I had no idea that college level was below Hi A.  So the comparison does not work. 
That makes sense, cause even at that level there is no pretense that the players are "college athletes" any more....)

(Added a little later: Then what, besides additional maturity (and even Hi A experience) explains the success of college students over HS students?)

[Snuffy]

I thought Luke was Preston.

Opps!  Thinking of another post.
Good catch!
Thanks, Bench!  (It was Kyle.)

[chuck]

Duh. Maybe elite clubs are but nothing higher than this.

He was talking about it in the context of their first round pick out of Cal, he said that he felt like if they were looking at a college player who went to a school like that he could usually extrapolate that performance and compare that level of competition to High A and, he said, even AA.

I have no idea what would happen if one of today's CWS teams played a three game series with any give High A or AA team. I expect the professional team would win handily most of the time, but I thought it was interesting that Luhnow thought he could gauge a player's potential in High A or AA from having watched him compete at a school in a good conference.

[jbm]

I have no idea what would happen if one of today's CWS teams played a three game series with any give High A or AA team. I expect the professional team would win handily most of the time, but I thought it was interesting that Luhnow thought he could gauge a player's potential in High A or AA from having watched him compete at a school in a good conference.

I remember Ben McDonald saying that the CWS teams were equivalent to AA.  I'm of the belief that his statement is off the charts wrong, so much so that I went through a thought experiment.  If there were 8 four-team, double elimination tournaments with the top 24 ranked college teams and the 8 Texas League teams, I'd take even money that the final 8 teams would all be the Texas League teams. 

Sure, there are college players who would not embarrass  themselves in AA, but the average to below average AA position player would be one of the top players on the best college teams, and the sheer pitching depth of an AA team would overwhelm college teams.

[Bench]

I remember Ben McDonald saying that the CWS teams were equivalent to AA.  I'm of the belief that his statement is off the charts wrong, so much so that I went through a thought experiment.  If there were 8 four-team, double elimination tournaments with the top 24 ranked college teams and the 8 Texas League teams, I'd take even money that the final 8 teams would all be the Texas League teams. 

Sure, there are college players who would not embarrass  themselves in AA, but the average to below average AA position player would be one of the top players on the best college teams, and the sheer pitching depth of an AA team would overwhelm college teams.

What percentage of the roster on typical CWS teams is even drafted?

[gundy315]

What percentage of the roster on typical CWS teams is even drafted?

About 56% of this year's CWS teams' eligible players were drafted.  The leaders were Vandy with 13 drafted of 15 eligible, Louisville with 9 of 15, and Miss St. with 11 of 19.  (those numbers assume that MLB's Draft Tracker listed every draft-eligible player from each school)

[Snuffy]

About 56% of this year's CWS teams' eligible players were drafted.  The leaders were Vandy with 13 drafted of 15 eligible, Louisville with 9 of 15, and Miss St. with 11 of 19.  (those numbers assume that MLB's Draft Tracker listed every draft-eligible player from each school)

Would the 56% include players that have been be drafted in hs, but not as a college player?

[chuck]

Sure, there are college players who would not embarrass  themselves in AA, but the average to below average AA position player would be one of the top players on the best college teams, and the sheer pitching depth of an AA team would overwhelm college teams.

Almost all AA guys have a legitimate shot at a big league career, or at least their organizations think they do. I would imagine the percentage of guys on a really good college team with a legitimate shot is quite small.

[gundy315]

Would the 56% include players that have been be drafted in hs, but not as a college player?

No.  I would expect that number (among draft-eligible players) to be very small, though.  "Draft-eligibile" = players with at least 3 years of college.  There's probably a few players on each team that were drafted out of HS that are not yet draft eligible (freshmen/soph), but I didn't count those. 

[JimR]

I remember Ben McDonald saying that the CWS teams were equivalent to AA.  I'm of the belief that his statement is off the charts wrong, so much so that I went through a thought experiment.  If there were 8 four-team, double elimination tournaments with the top 24 ranked college teams and the 8 Texas League teams, I'd take even money that the final 8 teams would all be the Texas League teams. 

Sure, there are college players who would not embarrass  themselves in AA, but the average to below average AA position player would be one of the top players on the best college teams, and the sheer pitching depth of an AA team would overwhelm colleg
e teams.

I once believed the  Div1=AA stuff also. Then I watched the AA Express play every day and realized what BS it was.

[Mr. Happy]

I remember Ben McDonald saying that the CWS teams were equivalent to AA.  I'm of the belief that his statement is off the charts wrong, so much so that I went through a thought experiment.  If there were 8 four-team, double elimination tournaments with the top 24 ranked college teams and the 8 Texas League teams, I'd take even money that the final 8 teams would all be the Texas League teams. 

Sure, there are college players who would not embarrass  themselves in AA, but the average to below average AA position player would be one of the top players on the best college teams, and the sheer pitching depth of an AA team would overwhelm college teams.

I love Big Ben like a brother, but that's pure hogwash, even with him on the bump.

[Snuffy]

No.  I would expect that number (among draft-eligible players) to be very small, though.  "Draft-eligibile" = players with at least 3 years of college.  There's probably a few players on each team that were drafted out of HS that are not yet draft eligible (freshmen/soph), but I didn't count those.

TY, gundy315

[Duman]

i watched a lot of kids who had been good college players come to rookie ball and struggle.  The pitching depth and line up depth are very different.  Also the daily grind makes a difference. College teams play 50-60 games in 4 months.  Short season teams play 66 games in 2 1/2 months. 

If college was close to AA ball, you would see high round draft picks start at AA. Most start in short season ball with a few guys skipping to Low A.  Every now and then you might start one at high A but I can't remember any kid starting at AA after the draft. 

You will hear college TV guys talk about an arm that could be drafted and make an impact in the playoffs.  But the reality is that would be a very rare and odd occurrence.  Here is a 2015 article about players who have been called up the same year they were drafted.    Many of those still played in the minors, they just made the majors the same year they were drafted.  Many were Sept. call ups.  The number also went down after they no longer allowed draft picks to have major league contracts.

[Snuffy]

i watched a lot of kids who had been good college players come to rookie ball and struggle.  The pitching depth and line up depth are very different.  Also the daily grind makes a difference. College teams play 50-60 games in 4 months.  Short season teams play 66 games in 2 1/2 months.... 

"The daily grind makes a difference."  Indeed. 

Kinda like the difference b/t dating and marriage: someone may think they are a "pro" at dating, but whether they know it or not they become rookies when they enter marriage.  It's a whole different ball game. 

IMO.

[Mr. Happy]

"The daily grind makes a difference."  Indeed. 

Kinda like the difference b/t dating and marriage: someone may think they are a "pro" at dating, but whether they know it or not they become rookies when they enter marriage.  It's a whole different ball game. 

IMO.

T'aint that the truth!!!