2017 Draft

[Nate Colbert]

The Astros will be drafting 16th, one slot ahead of where the drafted last year. Subject of course to free agent/QO signings.

Link

[Nate Colbert]

With the Rockies' signing of Ian Desmond, they lose their 1st round pick (11th overall) so the Astros move up one slot to the 15th overall pick.

[Nate Colbert]

Hudson Belinsky of BA with how the new CBA impacts the draft.

As noted in the article and elsewhere, they've played around with the slot values. Though the aggregate hasn't changed, individual slot amounts have. The only announced changed so far is the #1 overall pick has been reduced from $9MM to $7.4MM. The value for the 15th overall pick last year was $2.8MM so we're waiting to see if that number has changed.

The other interesting change given the Astros' history with Aiken is the voluntary MRI system set up for the top 50 eligible pitchers in the draft. It may be voluntary but there is a twist: if one of those pitchers doesn't participate and subsequently fails his post-draft medical, the team now will not have to offer any bonus to obtain its compensation pick in the following year's draft. If the player does participate in the voluntary program, then a subsequent failure in his medical will require the team to offer the player 60% of the slot value to get the compensation pick (up from 40% currently).

[Nate Colbert]

Folks that know say that pitching (particularly college pitching) is the strength of this draft class and it shows in the newly-released MLB.com Top 50 Draft Prospects. Fourteen of the top twenty players on that draft list are pitchers (8 college, 6 HS).

Some of the local guys on the list include Aggie righty Corbin Martin at #22 and Coogs' lefty Seth Romero at #25. TCU catcher Evan Scoug is at #29.

[Nate Colbert]

Hudson Belinsky of BA with how the new CBA impacts the draft.

As noted in the article and elsewhere, they've played around with the slot values. Though the aggregate hasn't changed, individual slot amounts have. The only announced changed so far is the #1 overall pick has been reduced from $9MM to $7.4MM. The value for the 15th overall pick last year was $2.8MM so we're waiting to see if that number has changed.

BA has obtained the new slot values and amounts of overall draft pool for each club. The Astros have a slot value of $3,417,000 for their 1st round pick and a total pool of $6,755,100. That's up from $2,504,200 and $5,928,300, respectively, in the 2016 draft. That increase reflects the improved draft position (15th vs. 17th) plus the aforementioned CBA changes.

The new article also notes that players picked in the 11th round and later can now be signed for  up to $125K (up from the previous $100K) without counting against the pool.

[Nate Colbert]

BA has obtained the new slot values and amounts of overall draft pool for each club. The Astros have a slot value of $3,417,000 for their 1st round pick and a total pool of $6,755,100. That's up from $2,504,200 and $5,928,300, respectively, in the 2016 draft. That increase reflects the improved draft position (15th vs. 17th) plus the aforementioned CBA changes.

Apologies for some overlap with the other thread:

Those two picks [56th and 75th] add $1,853,200 to the Astros’ bonus pool, which jumps to $8,608,300, 11th-highest in the game. The 75th pick, a compensation round pick, also has a bit more value as it can be traded.

Baseball America

[Nate Colbert]

Fangraphs with an interview with Mike Elias on draft philosophy regards pitching--perhaps more interesting re the specific discussion on Forrest Whitley.

[Nate Colbert]

BA Top 100 Draft Prospects list out today. (Just a reminder: the Astros pick at 15, 53, 56, 75 and 91)

Breaking down their list to see where some of the strengths and weaknesses are less than 12 weeks ahead of the draft:

• 15 LHP (8 college vs 7 HS)
• 34 RHP (13 college vs 21 HS)
• 21 OF (8 college vs 13 HS)
• 12 SS (4 college vs 8 HS)
• 8 C (5 college vs 3 HS)
• 7 1B (4 college vs 3 HS)
• 2 3B (1 college vs 1 HS)
• 1 2B (1 college)

A few intriguing names:

• Seth Romero continues to improve his draft standing and BA has him at #10 (MLB.com had him at #25 but that was back in December). 57 Ks in 32 IP for the Coogs thus far.
• Tomball righty Shane Baz (#23 on the BA list, #40 on the MLB.com list) seems to be trending higher as well but a TCU commit also is likely to make him expensive.
• A 3rd fast riser (and like Romero he's talked about a bit in the article) is UVA OF Adam Haseley. The lefty swinger has the ability to play CF and is having a heckuva year thus far for the Cavaliers: .390/.495/.732 with 16 BBs vs 10 Ks in 82 ABs. Both he and Romero are interesting possibilities for the Astros #1 pick.
• Haseley's teammate Pavin Smith plays a position (1B) which doesn't suggest he would go as high as both BA and MLB.com currently have him ranked (in the 11-15 range) but he has drawn some John Olerud comps. With such a comp, you wouldn't be wrong in guessing that he apparently plays his position rather well. Might also be a fit in LF. Like Haseley (and again suggested by the Olerud comp), he swings from the left side. Currently hitting .306/.374/.541 with 10 BBs and just 3 Ks in 85 ABs. Perhaps not as sexy as Romero or Haseley but still an interesting first pick alternative for the Astros.

[Navin R Johnson]

Romero dropped a bunch of weight, i'd guess 20+ pounds.   He used to look like Sid Fernandez, and his motion reminded me of him. 

[BudGirl]

Romero dropped a bunch of weight, i'd guess 20+ pounds.   He used to look like Sid Fernandez, and his motion reminded me of him. 

He looks quite skinny now.

[Nate Colbert]

Romero removed from starting rotation vs East Carolina this weekend and banished to bullpen "indefinitely" by HC Todd Whitting after team rules violation, reports Mark Berman.

[Navin R Johnson]

2nd time this has happened

[Nate Colbert]

2nd time this has happened

I had forgotten about the other one--Duarte mentions it in this Chron article from February.

[Nate Colbert]

Wow! Now Romero has now been "suspended indefinitely".

[Jacksonian]

Wow! Now Romero has now been "suspended indefinitely".

Violations of team and athletic department policies.  Kid's got some serious personal issues to work on.

[Navin R Johnson]

Rumor is pot.

[Nate Colbert]

With less than 2 months to D-Day, BA with their 1st* mock draft:

15. Astros

South Carolina’s Clarke Schmidt has a high floor as a potential No. 4 starter with a hard sinker up to 96 mph. At this point, with Romero gone**, he looks like the best college arm on the board.

Pick: Clarke Schmidt, rhp, South Carolina

*technically it's their 2nd but their 1st was only for the top ten picks.
**despite his off the field issues, BA has Seth Romero going at #13 to the Marlins.

[Reuben]

And Haseley at #12 to the Pirates.

[astrosfan76]

With less than 2 months to D-Day, BA with their 1st* mock draft:

15. Astros

South Carolina’s Clarke Schmidt has a high floor as a potential No. 4 starter with a hard sinker up to 96 mph. At this point, with Romero gone**, he looks like the best college arm on the board.

Pick: Clarke Schmidt, rhp, South Carolina

*technically it's their 2nd but their 1st was only for the top ten picks.
**despite his off the field issues, BA has Seth Romero going at #13 to the Marlins.

Looks doubtful now.  The young RHP has a torn UCL and will miss the rest of the season.

[Nate Colbert]

Folks that know say that pitching (particularly college pitching) is the strength of this draft class and it shows in the newly-released MLB.com Top 50 Draft Prospects. Fourteen of the top twenty players on that draft list are pitchers (8 college, 6 HS).

Expanded today into the Top 100 Draft Prospects list. Among previously-mentioned players in this thread, Pavin Smith is ranked at #8, Shane Baz at #12, Adam Haseley at #14, Seth Romero at #20 and Clarke Schmidt (w/his TJS scheduled for next Wed.) at #48.

Among others: A&M righty Corbin Martin slipped to #32, Horned Frog backstop Evan Skoug fell to #86 and Longhorn righty Morgan Cooper comes in at #92. Another couple of college righties, UCLA's Griffin Canning and LSU's Alex Lange, rank 17th and 19th respectively.

[MikeyBoy]

Expanded today into the Top 100 Draft Prospects list. Among previously-mentioned players in this thread, Pavin Smith is ranked at #8, Shane Baz at #12, Adam Haseley at #14, Seth Romero at #20 and Clarke Schmidt (w/his TJS scheduled for next Wed.) at #48.

Among others: A&M righty Corbin Martin slipped to #32, Horned Frog backstop Evan Skoug fell to #86 and Longhorn righty Morgan Cooper comes in at #92. Another couple of college righties, UCLA's Griffin Canning and LSU's Alex Lange, rank 17th and 19th respectively.

Another local product that's not on this list, but on other projected draft lists is Fort Bend Travis OF Cole Turney.

[Nate Colbert]

Wow! Now Romero has now been "suspended indefinitely".

Was reinstated to the team today.

[Jacksonian]

MLB.com has a new top 15 mock up.  Callis has the Astros taking Shane Baz.  Mayo says Griffin Canning.

[Mike S.]

Was reinstated to the team today.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/cougars/article/Issues-could-drop-UH-pitcher-Seth-Romero-out-of-11116406.php

[Nate Colbert]

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/cougars/article/Issues-could-drop-UH-pitcher-Seth-Romero-out-of-11116406.php

From the article:

The uncertainty regarding Romero - he has been suspended twice from the UH baseball program in the past 14 months - has some projections dropping him from possible top-10 selection to late first round. One scout said he would not be surprised if Romero dropped to the second round. In the most recent D1Baseball.com draft projections, Romero dropped from middle of the first round to No. 43, which would place him early in the second round.

On the other hand, MLB.com had Romero at #25 on their draft list back in December and moved him up to #20 on their most recent list released last week (post suspension, obviously). Baseball America had him at #10 in their previous draft rankings and in their recent mock draft (again, post-suspension) had him going around that same area at #13 to the Marlins. I'm just a wee bit puzzled why Duarte focused on the D1Baseball.com projections and chose to ignore the BA and MLB.com ones. At the very least, you would have thought he would have cited those to make the more nuanced point that Romero's draft position remains very much in flux.

For those who didn't click thru to the article: Duarte also notes that Romero is a Boras client.

[Lefty]

The guy really likes to smoke pot.

[Mike S.]

"I smoked, but I didn't inhale."

[Navin R Johnson]

He most definitely inhaled

[Nate Colbert]

BA Top 100 Draft Prospects list out today. (Just a reminder: the Astros pick at 15, 53, 56, 75 and 91)

Updated and expanded today to a Top 200 Draft Prospects list.

A few names not previously mentioned in this thread: Coogs' catcher Connor Wong is listed at #76, Rice closer Glen Otto is #170 and Sam Houston State (out of Cy Ranch HS) OF Bryce Johnson is #191.

[VirtualBob]

Updated and expanded today to a Top 200 Draft Prospects list.

A few names not previously mentioned in this thread: Coogs' catcher Connor Wong is listed at #76, Rice closer Glen Otto is #170 and Sam Houston State (out of Cy Ranch HS) OF Bryce Johnson is #191.

Saw the LSU/USC game last night. None of the pitchers on this list for either team appeared. Two LSU position players did, however.

Deichman played RF and took some good routes to a couple of difficult flies. He also made one very strong throw. My LSU host says he has a.canon. He looked lost at the plate though. Three Ks, each set up by breaking balls and finished off by a low-90s heater. Freeman at 2B looked a little better, but seemed overpowered by that same heater. He managed a flair single and a 2-run triple, but the triple was a late swing that snuck inside the 1B bag and rolled into the corner where the RF muffed the pickup.

I am not eager to see the good guys go after either of these two.

[Nate Colbert]

Seth Romero soap opera continues: "due to an event Tuesday" Coach Whitting permanently removed him from the team.

[Nate Colbert]

Perfect Game with their first mock draft has the Astros taking a HS pitcher:

15. Houston Astros | Sam Carlson, RHP, Burnsville HS (Minn.)
Carlson has seen a steady progression in his stuff over the past 12 months, including close to a five MPH uptick in his sitting fastball velocity (now regularly in the 91-95 mph range) and significant improvement in the consistency of both his slider and changeup (each of which project above average). The broad-framed righty has already begun to add strength in his trunk and core and projects as a durable workhorse with lots of heft to his stuff.

Others: Pavin Smith at #8 to the Phillies, Romero at #11 to the White Sox, Shane Baz at #12 to the Pirates, Adam Hasely at #17 to the Mariners, Griffin Canning at #22 to the BJs.

[VirtualBob]

Saw the LSU/USC game last night. None of the pitchers on this list for either team appeared. Two LSU position players did, however.

Deichman played RF and took some good routes to a couple of difficult flies. He also made one very strong throw. My LSU host says he has a.canon. He looked lost at the plate though. Three Ks, each set up by breaking balls and finished off by a low-90s heater. Freeman at 2B looked a little better, but seemed overpowered by that same heater. He managed a flair single and a 2-run triple, but the triple was a late swing that snuck inside the 1B bag and rolled into the corner where the RF muffed the pickup.

I am not eager to see the good guys go after either of these two.

By the way, saw the day game Sunday too.  Deichmann redeemed himself somewhat by smoking 4 balls (though he only ended up 2/4 as a result).  Cole Freeman muffed a DP at 2B that might have been more important if not for the big day on offense by the Tigers.  I'm still not high on either.  If they are placed properly on this list, it looks like the draft may be a bit thin this year.

[Jacksonian]

By the way, saw the day game Sunday too.  Deichmann redeemed himself somewhat by smoking 4 balls (though he only ended up 2/4 as a result).  Cole Freeman muffed a DP at 2B that might have been more important if not for the big day on offense by the Tigers.  I'm still not high on either.  If they are placed properly on this list, it looks like the draft may be a bit thin this year.

Thin on college hitters for sure.

Pitchers and high schoolers are pretty good.

[Jacksonian]

MLB.com's newest mock which I think is dead wrong on the Astros.

[Nate Colbert]

MLB.com's newest mock which I think is dead wrong on the Astros.

Their mock has Houston taking Missouri State 3B Jake Burger but as Callis writes:

"Houston is considering all of the demographic groups: college position players (Burger, Hiura), high school bats (California first baseman Nick Pratto), college arms (Faedo, UCLA right-hander Griffin Canning, Missouri righty Tanner Houck) and prep pitchers (Baz and Hall in the unlikely event they get here)."

[Jacksonian]

Their mock has Houston taking Missouri State 3B Jake Burger but as Callis writes:

"Houston is considering all of the demographic groups: college position players (Burger, Hiura), high school bats (California first baseman Nick Pratto), college arms (Faedo, UCLA right-hander Griffin Canning, Missouri righty Tanner Houck) and prep pitchers (Baz and Hall in the unlikely event they get here)."

In other words he has no clue.  In that case take a minute and lookup Luhnow's history.  Based on the pick order they have it seems clear to me they should have mocked LHP Rogers to the Astros.

[MusicMan]

"We mock what we do not understand."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nate Colbert]

From his chat yesterday:

Eli: Where would Seth Romero rank on talent alone? How far do you see off-field concerns dropping him?

Keith Law: He would have gone in the first, I would have ranked him more towards the second (it’s not a good delivery), and I think he now goes second or third with a significant discount. Getting in a fight with a teammate on top of a mountain of previous incidents tells me either he’s got a real mental illness or he’s totally irresponsible.

(ICYMI: D1Baseball.com reported that the precipitating incident for Romero to get kicked off the team permanently was him getting into a fight in BP before Tuesday night's game.)

[toddthebod]

Given the number of early picks the team has, if Romero is available at 57 or 75 should the Astros take the risk?

[Nate Colbert]

Given the number of early picks the team has, if Romero is available at 57 or 75 53, 56, or 75 should the Astros take the risk?

I corrected the above to what picks the Astros actually have available to them.

I think he's gone by the time the Astros' next pick at #53. However, if he were available then and and was willing to take a significant underslot deal I would probably pull the trigger. Slot value for pick #53 is $1,265,500, so a deal at $700-800K would give the Astros a savings of roughly $500K they could use on a later pick. And a $700-800K investment seems (to me) a reasonable amount of money to ultimately be willing to piss away if the kid can't get the off-field issues under control.

That's what I would do. I think the Astros take a complete pass.

[Nate Colbert]

Another rapid riser this season is Oregon LHP David Peterson. Physically and in terms of background, sort of a lefty Brad Lidge. He's listed at 6'6" 235 lbs. Drafted in the 28th round in 2014 out of a Colorado HS. Pitched for Team USA last summer where BA ranked him as the 12th-best draft prospect on the team. But has really blossomed this spring for the Ducks with an eye-popping 122 Ks vs just 12 BBs in 86.1 IP.

[toddthebod]

I corrected the above to what picks the Astros actually have available to them.

I think he's gone by the time the Astros' next pick at #53. However, if he were available then and and was willing to take a significant underslot deal I would probably pull the trigger. Slot value for pick #53 is $1,265,500, so a deal at $700-800K would give the Astros a savings of roughly $500K they could use on a later pick. And a $700-800K investment seems (to me) a reasonable amount of money to ultimately be willing to piss away if the kid can't get the off-field issues under control.

That's what I would do. I think the Astros take a complete pass.

I was using this list from Baseball America for the draft order but I suppose it could be wrong.  http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2017-mlb-draft-order/#T3CQCfLImz6Hp7m7.97

I thought I read today, but I don't remember where, someone prognasticating that Romero was going to be a third round pick. 

[Nate Colbert]

I was using this list from Baseball America for the draft order but I suppose it could be wrong.  http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2017-mlb-draft-order/#T3CQCfLImz6Hp7m7.97

It's the correct list. I think you need to look at it a little bit closer--it has the Astros drafting at 53, 56 and 75 (and 91, 121, etc, etc, etc).

I thought I read today, but I don't remember where, someone prognasticating that Romero was going to be a third round pick.

I have no idea where you might have read something, but I did post this previously:

Keith Law: He would have gone in the first, I would have ranked him more towards the second (it’s not a good delivery), and I think he now goes second or third with a significant discount. Getting in a fight with a teammate on top of a mountain of previous incidents tells me either he’s got a real mental illness or he’s totally irresponsible.

However, BA said on Friday he's still likely to get popped in the 1st round. D1Baseball.com had him going early in the 2nd round (although that was before his latest transgression). So there's hardly a consensus that he's going 3rd round.

[Nate Colbert]

Mock Draft 3.0 out from BA has the Astros taking Vandy OF Jeren Kendall (who is falling slightly from earlier projections which had him as a Top 10 pick). Comp for Kendall (says BA) is Derek Fisher. Also says if UC-Irvine Anteater 2B/OF Keston Hiura is available (they have him going at #12 to the Pirates) the Astros would pop him instead. Hiura's bad elbow may require TJS.

Previously-mentioned folks and where this current mock has them going: Shane Baz at #5, Adam Haseley at #7, Pavin Smith at #9, David Peterson at #17, Jake Burger at #18, Clarke Schmidt (despite the TJS) at #19, Griffin Canning at #23, Seth Romero at #25, Sam Carlson at #26, and Corbin Martin at #34

[Nate Colbert]

2080Baseball.com has their first mock up and have the Astros grabbing prepster 1B/OF Nick Pratto (mentioned by MLB.com as a Houston possibility in their last mock).

[Jacksonian]

Mock Draft 3.0 out from BA has the Astros taking Vandy OF Jeren Kendall (who is falling slightly from earlier projections which had him as a Top 10 pick). Comp for Kendall (says BA) is Derek Fisher. Also says if UC-Irvine Anteater 2B/OF Keston Hiura is available (they have him going at #12 to the Pirates) the Astros would pop him instead. Hiura's bad elbow may require TJS.

Previously-mentioned folks and where this current mock has them going: Shane Baz at #5, Adam Haseley at #7, Pavin Smith at #9, David Peterson at #17, Jake Burger at #18, Clarke Schmidt (despite the TJS) at #19, Griffin Canning at #23, Seth Romero at #25, Sam Carlson at #26, and Corbin Martin at #34

That certainly follows Luhnow's draft history.  Too, given the mock they made, lefty Peterson would fit Luhnow's history as well.

[Jacksonian]

2080Baseball.com has their first mock up and have the Astros grabbing prepster 1B/OF Nick Pratto (mentioned by MLB.com as a Houston possibility in their last mock).

This doesn't fit Luhnow's history either.  Given this mock, the next three players taken (who all happen to be pitchers) would have been the better guesses.

[Nate Colbert]

Mock draft 3.5 from BA: reiterates the Astros' interest in Keston Hiura.

[Nate Colbert]

Mock draft 3.5 from BA: reiterates the Astros' interest in Keston Hiura.

BTW, UC Irvine finished up its season today. Hiura had 5 hits in the game to finish the year hitting .442/.567/.693 with 50 BBs and 38 Ks in 199 ABs. Those BA and OBP marks led all of D1.

[Nate Colbert]

With the conference tourneys/regular season having wrapped up, how the more interesting college guys (including those linked at various times to the Astros) finished up and where they'll be playing come Friday when the NCAA regionals open up:

1B Pavin Smith, UVA--hitting .346/.429/.571 with 36 walks and just 9 whiffs in 217 ABs entering NCAA tournament play.
OF Adam Haseley, UVA--a .399/.496/.676 line with 41 BBs vs 20 Ks in 213 ABs. He, Smith and the Cavaliers open against DBU in the Fort Worth regional.
OF Jeren Kendall, Vandy--.306/.380/.570 with 67 Ks (yikes) in 235 ABs and 24 walks, The Dores take on St. John's in the Clemson regional.
1B Evan White, Kentucky--the late riser hit .366/.439/.629, walking 18 times with 30 Ks in 186 at-bats. The Wildcats host Ohio U in the Lexington regional.
2B/OF Keston Hiura, UC Irvine--stats already noted above. The Anteaters did not make the tournament.
LHP David Peterson, Oregon--finished with 140 Ks vs just 15 walks in 100 IP. He ranked 2nd in D1 in strikeouts, 7th in K/9 at 12.56 and 4th in strikeout to walk ratio at 9.33. The Ducks also will not be on the Road to Omaha.
3B Jake Burger, Missouri State--ended up .341/.459/.691 with 41 walks against 32 strikeouts in 223 ABs. Finished 4th in D1 with 22 home runs. His Bears team is in the Fayetteville regional where they open up against Oklahoma State.
RHP Griffin Canning, UCLA--134 Ks in 111 innings with 30 walks. Finished 5th in D1 in strikeouts. The Bruins face the Longhorns in the Long Beach State regional.


,

[Nate Colbert]

Re-Draft Possibilities for the Astros*

RHP Mitchell Traver--the 6'7" 255 lb TCU senior has had a horrible succession of injuries during his Horned Frog career. He missed the 2013 season after undergoing both thoracic outlet syndrome surgery and TJS. He made only 1 appearance in 2014 due to a stress fracture in his back. He missed 3 months of the 2016 season with a lat injury and the same issue caused him to miss a month at the beginning of the 2017 season. In addition to being drafted by the Astros in the 39th round back in 2012 out of Houston Christian HS (BA had him ranked as the 52nd best prospect in the draft but that TCU commit scared teams away until Houston took the late round flyer on him), he was also drafted in 2015 by the Cardinals in the 28th round and by the Reds in 2016 in the 17th round. Naturally, with the layoff(s) he has shown some rust this season with 17 walks in 33 IP entering NCAA tourney play. However he did have a nice outing this past weekend against the Longhorns in the Big 12 tournament (7 IP 4 H 1 ER 1 W 8 K). The Horned Frogs host Central Conn. State in the Fort Worth regional on Friday.

1B Kacy Clemens--courtesy pick by the Astros in the 35th round of the 2013 draft out of high school. Not drafted in 2016 after his junior year at UT. Currently hitting .319/.428/.549 as the Longhorns (as noted above) prepare to take on UCLA on Friday in the Long Beach regional. Has 38 walks and 42 strikeouts in 204 ABs this season. In the Big 12 tourney this past week, hit .409 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs over 5 games and was named to the all-tournament team. Listed at 6'1" 215 lbs.

RHP Scott Burke--the UCLA senior was drafted in 2013 by the Astros out of Glendora (CA) HS in the 31st round. The current Bruin closer did not get drafted in 2016 after his junior season. Control has been a major problem throughout his collegiate career: he's walked 46 in 106 IP over 4 seasons, including 18 BBs in 42 frames in 2017 entering regionals. Whiffed 46 this year. Listed on the UCLA website at 6'3" 197 lbs.

SS Brad Antchak--39th round pick in 2014 out of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. The British Columbia native returned to NEO for sophomore season but went undrafted in 2015. He then transferred to Louisiana-Lafeyette for his junior year but again went undrafted in 2016 after hitting just .246/.343/.336. The numbers didn't look a whole lot different in this his senior season for the Ragin' Cajuns: .241/.331/.383.

1B Nick Rivera--drafted in the 38th round in 2015 out of Florida Gulf Coast University after a .347/.458/.608 campaign. Returned to FGCU for his senior season but got injured, went undrafted and returned to school for a senior redshirt season. Currently hitting .304/.452/.585 for the Eagles with 17 longballs to go along with 57 BBs and 55 Ks in 217 ABs. FGCU takes on the Michigan Wolverines on Friday in the Chapel Hill regional.

RHP Alex Vargas--39th rounder in 2015 out of juco Monroe College. Transferred to Quinnipiac where he went undrafted after his junior season. The numbers are absolutely fugly: 43 walks, 13 WPs and 8 HBPs in 29 innings in 2016 followed by 26 walks, 15 WPs and 4 HBPs in 18.2 IP in 2017. Just 28 Ks in those combined 47.2 IP.

RHP Tyler Buffett--the OSU Cowboy was drafted by the Astros in the 7th round in 2016 after posting a .229 BAA in 83 IP, primarily working out of the bullpen until moving into the starting rotation once the NCAA tournament began. And he was outstanding in that role (not that he was shabby as the Cowboy's closer), allowing just 2 runs in 23 innings. Alex Bregman's former HS teammate at Albuquerque Academy decided to return for his senior year and was slotted in as the Friday night starter. It has not been an outstanding season. The BAA soared to .297 with 113 hits allowed in 91 IP. As noted above, Buffett and the Cowboys take on Missouri State on Friday in the Fayetteville regional.

RHP Brian Howard--another TCUer, the 6'9" 185 pounder was drafted in the 17th round in 2016. A decent season last year was highlighted by a strong stretch run in the Big 12 Tourney, NCAA regionals and CWS. Over his final 4 starts (against UT, Arizona State, A&M and eventual CWS winner Coastal Carolina), he allowed just 4 earned runs on 17 hits and 7 walks while whiffing 29 in 26.2 IP. Overall had a 3.19 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 98.2 IP in 2016 w/93 Ks and 30 Ws. After declining the Astros' offer, his senior year (to date) has been somewhat comparable to 2016. The WHIP has risen a bit to 1.23 but the K rate is also up slightly with 87 whiffs in 84 innings.

2B Johnny Ruiz--28th rounder of Houston in 2016 draft out of U of Miami after hitting .342/.431/.491. Returned to the Hurricanes for his senior season but it was a disappointing year for he and his team as his numbers fell off to .255/.412/.405 and Miami failed to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1971.

INF Elliot Barzilli--another Horned Frog, he was a 29th round pick by Houston in 2016 but like Howard chose to return to TCU for his senior year. Had a breakthrough junior campaign in which he hit .339/.418/.518 but has come crashing back to earth this season. Enters the NCAA tournament hitting just .242/.298/.365.

RHP Darius Vines--32nd rounder in 2016 out of St. Bonaventure HS in Ventura, CA. Currently attending Oxnard CC where he's pitching and playing SS. Posted a 1.94 ERA this season with 95 Ks in 83.2 IP and 26 BBs. He led the conference in strikeouts and was 2nd in ERA.

OF Toby Handley--33rd rounder in 2016 out of Stony Brook University in NY. Returned to the Seawolves for his senior year. A .288/.394/.377 campaign as a junior morphed into a very fine senior season in which he hit .342/.466/.587 while walking 45 times against 31 strikeouts in 196 ABs.

INF Anthony DeFrancesco--the son of Grizzlies manager Tony, he was a courtesy pick as a 37th rounder in 2016. He's currently playing at Gateway Community College in Arizona. He hit .213/.321/.277 in 24 games this season.

*Players who are eligible to be re-drafted by Houston (not an indication of the likelihood of it happening)

[Reuben]

BTW, UC Irvine finished up its season today. Hiura had 5 hits in the game to finish the year hitting .442/.567/.693 with 50 BBs and 38 Ks in 199 ABs. Those BA and OBP marks led all of D1.

You may have already linked to this article on Hiura (it's 3 weeks old), but I just came across it and thought the whole arm injury/defensive position questions gave his offensive dominance a very interesting twist.

Also kinda crazy that he was undrafted out of HS.

[Nate Colbert]

It's behind the ESPN paywall, but based on reports elsewhere Keith Law in his Mock 2.0 has the Astros picking David Peterson (apparently he had Peterson going to the Astros in his Mock 1.0 as well).

[Jacksonian]

It's behind the ESPN paywall, but based on reports elsewhere Keith Law in his Mock 2.0 has the Astros picking David Peterson (apparently he had Peterson going to the Astros in his Mock 1.0 as well).

He's rising fast. I'm not sure he'll get to 15.

[Nate Colbert]

It's behind the ESPN paywall, but based on reports elsewhere Keith Law in his Mock 2.0 has the Astros picking David Peterson (apparently he had Peterson going to the Astros in his Mock 1.0 as well).

MLB.com's latest mock also has the Astros taking Peterson.

Others: Smith at #6, Haseley at #8, Kendall at #11, Trevor Rogers at #12, Baz at #14, Canning at #17, Evan White at #19, Burger at #21 and Hiura at #24.

[Reuben]

Just a casual observation from someone who's been casually following this year's draft hype, but it seems like there's a lot more depth in the top 20-30 picks this year than in a while. Just a lot of guys who sound really interesting for various reasons; and there doesn't seem to be much separation between, say #5-25. Even the top 4-5 guys don't sound like they are clearly much better than the 10-15ish guys.

Reminds me a little of the 2011 draft.

[Nate Colbert]

Updated and expanded today to a Top 200 Draft Prospects list.

A few names not previously mentioned in this thread: Coogs' catcher Connor Wong is listed at #76, Rice closer Glen Otto is #170 and Sam Houston State (out of Cy Ranch HS) OF Bryce Johnson is #191.

And the Top 500 Draft Prospects list is now up.

[Nate Colbert]

Longenhagen of FG with a mock draft today that has the Astros going for Hiura (but also says if Baz falls to #15 would select him instead).

[Jacksonian]

Keeping with today's theme mlb.com has their updated top 200 out today.

[Jacksonian]

Longenhagen of FG with a mock draft today that has the Astros going for Hiura (but also says if Baz falls to #15 would select him instead).

Hiura is a better guess than Burger but still wouldn't fit well into Luhnow's first round draft history.  Based on his history and this mock LHP Rogers, who's taken at 16, would be the best guess.

[Nate Colbert]

Longenhagen:

"The player in whose stock teams are most curious is Texas prep righty Shane Baz. Baz has monster stuff — a mid-90s fastball and chance for a plus slider and curveball — and is a top-15 talent because of it, but there has been talk about teams picking early in round two trying to move him back there if they can save money with their first pick."

Also briefly mentions Seth Romero.

[Nate Colbert]

Some of the schools moving on to the super regionals along w/previously noted draft prospects (plus a few not previously mentioned):

• Vandy (OF Jeren Kendall)
• Texas A&M (RHP Corbin Martin)
• TCU (RHPs Brian Howard & Mitchell Traver, C Evan Skoug)
• Missouri State (3B Jake Burger)
• U of Kentucky (1B/OF Evan White)
• Sam Houston State (OF Bryce Johnson)
• LSU (RHP Alex Lange, OF Greg Deichmann, 2B Cole Freeman)
• Mississippi State (OF/1B Brent Rooker, OF Jake Mangum)
• Florida (RHP Alex Faedo)
• Wake Forest (OF Stuart Fairchild, 1B Gavin Sheets--son of ex-MLBer Larry)

Match-ups here for those interested.

[Reuben]

Hiura is a better guess than Burger but still wouldn't fit well into Luhnow's first round draft history.  Based on his history and this mock LHP Rogers, who's taken at 16, would be the best guess.

Luhnow took Brett Wallace and Kolten Wong; were they so different?

[Jacksonian]

Luhnow took Brett Wallace and Kolten Wong; were they so different?

Wong was a college up the middle player who could hit and was expected to stay up the middle.  Wallace was a 3b.

Hiura may end up a corner outfielder professionally as he's not been that good a defender.

Luhnow's drafted pitchers and up the middle athletes/strong defenders every time but twice.  Wallace and Zach Cox.  Neither of who has done much at the mlb level.  His history between St. Louis and Houston:

CF (Rasmus)
4 SS
5 P
2 3b
2b
RF-CF (Kyle Tucker)

ETA: Considering what happened with Aiken they may not be willing to draft a guy in the first round with an already known elbow injury even if he isn't a pitcher.

[Nate Colbert]

Among players at pre-draft workout today at MMP: Kody and Kacy Clemens, Trei Cruz (HSer who is Cheo's grandkid and is a Rice commit) and Coogs' catcher Connor Wong.

(per Mark Berman)

ETA:
Kacy Clemens was covered above in my re-draft possibilities post (and it's certainly conceivable he could end up taken in rounds 6-10 as a senior underslot sign). Kody Clemens, it turns out, is a draft-eligible sophomore so technically he also is a re-draft possibility (the Astros took him in the 35th round in 2015). However, the underwhelming season he had with the Horns (.241/.356/.365 in 2017 which was in line with his numbers as a freshman) makes it extremely unlikely he gets drafted this year.

[Navin R Johnson]

Wong started his career at UH playing SS as a freshman, also played the OF.  He then moved to catcher. Excellent athlete.

[Nate Colbert]

He's been profiled once or twice in the Chron but this is the first time (I think) BA has written anything on him. From their draft write-up in which he's ranked 91st among state of Texas prospects:

Jean Carlos Correa, 2B, Alvin (Texas) JC
The younger brother of Astros shortstop Carlos Correa burst onto the Texas junior college scene by hitting five doubles and a home run in his first seven games. He cooled down afterwards, but showed some feel for hitting in a .344/.393/.483 season.

[Nate Colbert]

Another local product that's not on this list, but on other projected draft lists is Fort Bend Travis OF Cole Turney.

Also took part in the MMP pre-draft workout today.

Ranked at #129 on the BA 500 list. Inconsistent bat with some power. The lefty swinger is an Arkansas commit.

[MikeyBoy]

Wong started his career at UH playing SS as a freshman, also played the OF.  He then moved to catcher. Excellent athlete.

My ex-wife sat next to a scout at the UH/A&M game. He was there primarily to see Wong and said he would be drafted as a catcher, but likely not stay there.

[MikeyBoy]

Also took part in the MMP pre-draft workout today.

Ranked at #129 on the BA 500 list. Inconsistent bat with some power. The lefty swinger is an Arkansas commit.

I got to see Cole live a few times this season. He is short in stature, but well built like a young Bagwell. Plus arm, good speed and insane bat speed, but struggled with consistency this season in a fairly weak district. His younger brother, Blake, is really good, too. He is class of 2019 and already in the low 90's on the mound. Cole also has an older brother, Dillion, that pitches for UCF.

[Nate Colbert]

Another mock today from Callis and MLB.com noting:

A lot of hitters get linked to Houston, such as [Jake] Burger and UC Irvine outfielder/second baseman Keston Hiura in the college ranks and Beck, Adell and Pratto on the high school side. If the Astros' favored choices are already gone, they could shift gears, look for a discount deal here and try to sign a half-dozen players to seven-figure bonuses.

BA also out with their Mock 4.0 today has the Astros pairing up with previously-mentioned Kentucky 1B Evan White noting his "top-of-the-scale defense, hitting ability and the possibility he could move to the outfield".

[jbm]

Don't often see a college first baseman who projects as an MLB outfielder.

[Jacksonian]

Another mock today from Callis and MLB.com noting:

BA also out with their Mock 4.0 today has the Astros pairing up with previously-mentioned Kentucky 1B Evan White noting his "top-of-the-scale defense, hitting ability and the possibility he could move to the outfield".

An athletic 1b that can play outfield I can see.  An unathletic slugger just doesn't fit Luhnow's first round profile.[/brokenrecord]

[Nate Colbert]

In super regionals action, Evan White just hit an oppo homer in the 9th but Kentucky loses the first game against Louisville. Game #2 tomorrow.

[Nate Colbert]

Passan: Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich removed from some MLB draft boards after revelation of molestation conviction

A LHP who was ranked at #43 on the BA500 list.

[juliogotay]

Passan: Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich removed from some MLB draft boards after revelation of molestation conviction

A LHP who was ranked at #43 on the BA500 list.

Yikes.

[Reuben]

Passan: Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich removed from some MLB draft boards after revelation of molestation conviction

A LHP who was ranked at #43 on the BA500 list.

I'm sure the Yankees will welcome him with open arms as long as he agrees to never do anything truly unseemly like grow a beard.

[Jacksonian]

Passan: Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich removed from some MLB draft boards after revelation of molestation conviction

A LHP who was ranked at #43 on the BA500 list.

Would not be surprised if he never threw a pitch for any team in affiliated baseball.  Also would t be surprised if he was not allowed to return to a OSU mound.

[WVastro]

I'm sure the Yankees will welcome him with open arms as long as he agrees to never do anything truly unseemly like grow a beard.

I figured that would be more of a Ranger project. Just ask Matt Bush's DUI victim.

[Reuben]

I figured that would be more of a Ranger project. Just ask Matt Bush's DUI victim.

I was referring to Aroldis Chapman.

[Nate Colbert]

News from Callis & Mayo:

• Puerto Rican OF Heliot Ramos' stock is rising from late 1st rounder to possible middle of 1st round with the Astros listed as a possibility. Described elsewhere as toolsy, lotsa power and speed but plate discipline a possible issue. One of the youngest players eligible for this draft (turns 18 in September).
• UCLA RHP Griffin Canning's medicals have drawn some concern.

Also Keith Law said in his chat yesterday that there's a rumor Shane Baz has an "big deal" in place and the (more or less obvious) speculation is it could be the Astros.

[jbm]

Would not be surprised if he never threw a pitch for any team in affiliated baseball.  Also would t be surprised if he was not allowed to return to a OSU mound.

I was under the impression OSU knew about it. If they didn't, they should have. Same goes for MLB clubs. Any club taking him off their board now hasn't done their homework.

[Jacksonian]

I was under the impression OSU knew about it. If they didn't, they should have. Same goes for MLB clubs. Any club taking him off their board now hasn't done their homework.

They may have, but the public didn't.  This could harm OSU substantially if we learn they knew about it all along.

I've heard it's VERY unlikely he'll be drafted.

[Reuben]

This morning, Mayo says Burger, Callis says Kendall. Callis has Burger going 24th.

[moriartp]

And BA says Bukauskas. Seems like a pretty tough draft to predict.

[Jacksonian]

And BA says Bukauskas. Seems like a pretty tough draft to predict.

Too many if's before 15.

[toddthebod]

I am predicting that the Astros get Shane Baz in the first round. 

And that the Astros get Seth Romero with pick 53.

[Jacksonian]

I'll predict that for picks 1-14 there will be 3 players taken who are not in either mlb's or ba's top 15 and are not in either of their mocks for the top 1-14.

[Reuben]

Both Callis and Mayo had the Braves cutting a deal with Hiura at 5.

I'll predict Baz is gone before 15.

I'm starting to wonder if I have name bias against Jake Burger. He just sort of sounds like a John Jaha-type fatass who waddles out there and "plays" 3B, bats .260 with 28 homers and 180 strikeouts every year, and clogs up the bases. Maybe that's what any team would love to get 15th overall, or maybe he's projected to be more than that, I dunno. 

[Jacksonian]

Both Callis and Mayo had the Braves cutting a deal with Hiura at 5.

I'll predict Baz is gone before 15.

I'm starting to wonder if I have name bias against Jake Burger. He just sort of sounds like a John Jaha-type fatass who waddles out there and "plays" 3B, bats .260 with 28 homers and 180 strikeouts every year, and clogs up the bases. Maybe that's what any team would love to get 15th overall, or maybe he's projected to be more than that, I dunno.

He hit well over 300 this year and last year with real power.  But he disappeared in the conference tournament, regionals, and super regionals.  A quick look at their schedule and box scores tells he he didn't fare all that well against Friday night starters.  I can't help but think he might be the guy the "experts" have over projected and will fall to the 20's or 30's before being picked.

Also, looking at the other guy in the latest mlb mock they have going to the Astros, Jeren Kendall, he looks more like Jared Mitchell than George Springer to me.  Someone will take him in the first round on his athleticism alone but I'd bet he'll struggle against minor league pitching.

[Mike S.]

In other words, Jeren Kendall is Michael Rosamond redux?

[moriartp]

From my reading of Luhnow's history, Kendall would really surprise me.

[Nate Colbert]

Longenhagen of FG with a mock draft today that has the Astros going for Hiura (but also says if Baz falls to #15 would select him instead).

Baz to Astros in his final mock today.

[Nate Colbert]

Baz to Astros in his final mock today.

Mock 5.0 from BA also says Baz to Houston.

And the final mock from Mayo and Callis stays with their picks from this morning: Burger & Bukauskas (they have Baz going at #12 to the Pirates).

[MusicMan]

Royce Lewis to the Twins. MLB network gives him a George Springer Comp.

No offense to Springer but he's never struck me as a 1-1 talent.


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[WVastro]

Royce Lewis to the Twins. MLB network gives him a George Springer Comp.

No offense to Springer but he's never struck me as a 1-1 talent.


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Maybe the Astros can land a 1-25 talent like Mike Trout...?

[MusicMan]

Maybe the Astros can land a 1-25 talent like Mike Trout...?

I'd prefer the most major league ready starter. Like, can he be at Minute Maid this week?


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[Nate Colbert]

Hiura to the Brewers at #9.

[Reuben]

Hiura to the Brewers at #9.

i think in a few years people are gonna be laughing about the fact that everyone was so concerned about his elbow problem.

[Nate Colbert]

i think in a few years people are gonna be laughing about the fact that everyone was so concerned about his elbow problem.

Agreed.

[Nate Colbert]

Burger to the White Sox at #11.

[Jacksonian]

Burger to the White Sox at #11.

Shows what I know

[Nate Colbert]

Baz to the Pirates at #12.

[Nate Colbert]

J.B. Bukauskas, Jeren Kendall, David Peterson, Alex Faedo, Evan White, Nick Pratto all available with the Royals yet to pick.

[Reuben]

Faedo wasn't expected to fall this far, was he?

[MusicMan]

Baz to the Pirates at #12.

From Maz to Baz


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[MusicMan]

Faedo wasn't expected to fall this far, was he?

I know it was Faedo. He broke my heart.


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[Nate Colbert]

Faedo wasn't expected to fall this far, was he?

No.

[Nate Colbert]

J.B. Bukauskas, Jeren Kendall, David Peterson, Alex Faedo, Evan White, Nick Pratto all available. with the Royals yet to pick.

[Jacksonian]

I predict peterson

[Nate Colbert]

I predict peterson

That wouldn't hurt my feelings.

[MusicMan]

It's Bukauskas


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[austro]

Somebody please tell me if I'm supposed to be happy or sad about this pick.

[Nate Colbert]

In their final mocks, BA and MLB.com had Bukauskas going at #10 and #11 to the Angels and White Sox respectively. In their draft rankings (not the mocks) he was slotted at #6 and #7 overall. One wonders if his very poor start against Davidson in the NCAA regionals didn't cause a last minute dip in his draft stock.

[astrosfan76]

Somebody please tell me if I'm supposed to be happy or sad about this pick.

I'm good with it.  Throws in the mid-90's (and holds it), slider that gets some 80 grades, making progress with his changeup.

[Nate Colbert]

Somebody please tell me if I'm supposed to be happy or sad about this pick.

It's a solid pick. The only real knock against him is his height, or lack thereof (listed at 6'0").

[MusicMan]

Jim Bowden says he could be in the pen THIS postseason.


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[austro]

I'm good with it.  Throws in the mid-90's (and holds it), slider that gets some 80 grades, making progress with his changeup.

It's a solid pick. The only real knock against him is his height, or lack thereof (listed at 6'0").

Thanks, guys.

[Jacksonian]

It's a solid pick. The only real knock against him is his height, or lack thereof (listed at 6'0").

I like the Gray/McCullers comps much more than the short can't repeat his mechanics so he ends up in the bullpen comps.

[chuck]

Jim Bowden says he could be in the pen THIS postseason.

This what?

[astrosfan76]

John Manuel from BA had some encouraging things to say (from a game writeup):

North Carolina has had its share of ace pitchers in the past dozen seasons, from 2006 College Player of the Year Andrew Miller through future big leaguers such as Matt Harvey, Daniel Bard and Adam Warren, right on through deft college Friday starters such as Kent Emanuel and Zac Gallen.

J.B. Bukauskas has a chance to be as good, or even better, than any of them.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/j-b-bukauskas-continues-to-roll-north-carolina-tar-heels-baseball/#YR0zh7alHPhzjwij.97

[BudGirl]

Random question.  What percentage of draft picks are high school kids?

[Nate Colbert]

Couple of other things re Bukauskas: (1) he's relatively young, at least as far as college guys go--doesn't turn 21 until October and (2) Luhnow continues to like those UNC guys--Moran, Emanuel, Trent Thornton (and several others who have since washed out of the system).

[jbm]

Don't know crap about him before now, but that tape on the MLB show was mighty impressive.

[Reuben]

Couple of other things re Bukauskas: (1) he's relatively young, at least as far as college guys go--doesn't turn 21 until October and (2) Luhnow continues to like those UNC guys--Moran, Emanuel, Trent Thornton (and several others who have since washed out of the system).

I remember from the 2014 draft that Elias had some connection to JB's family, too.

[MusicMan]

I like the Gray/McCullers comps much more than the short can't repeat his mechanics so he ends up in the bullpen comps.

What use do the Astros have for a short righty?


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[Reuben]

Is there anyone in particular we should be hoping falls to the Astros at 53? I know they aren't likely to save any money on Bukauskas, but the 56 and 75 picks could allow them to get creative.

[Jacksonian]

Is there anyone in particular we should be hoping falls to the Astros at 53? I know they aren't likely to save any money on Bukauskas, but the 56 and 75 picks could allow them to get creative.

I'm not counting on signing money creativity.  I think it'll be straightforward.

[Nate Colbert]

Seth Romero goes at #25 to the Nationals.

[Nate Colbert]

Random question.  What percentage of draft picks are high school kids?

Something like 25-30%.

[BudGirl]

Something like 25-30%.

Thanks

[juliogotay]

will Astros pick again tonight?

[Reuben]

Jim Callis, in his running Draft analysis:

This could be a tremendous value for the Astros, because Bukauskas looked like he'd go around No. 6 or 7 before he slipped at the end of the season. Both his fastball and slider can be plus-plus pitches at their best.

[Nate Colbert]

will Astros pick again tonight?

At #53, #56 and #75.

Rounds 3-10 tomorrow (with the Astro's first pick at #91).

[Reuben]

Is it time for the Astros to take a college hitter with a plus tool or two, but some worrisome flaws?

[Nate Colbert]

At #53, Astros select Archbishop McCarthy HS 3B Joe Perez.

JJ Cooper  @jjcoop36 52s ago
The Joe Perez pick got a lot of "Wows" in the BA offices. We didn't see that coming.

Perez recently had TJS. MLB draft tracker said 3B but he's also a RHP. Touched 99 before the surgery. BA writeup said the U of Miami commit was also extremely impressive as a hitter this spring.

[Reuben]

#56 (AKA 1st pick from the law-breakin' Cardinals) RHP Corbin Martin from TX A&M

edit: Callis thinks he has a chance to be a starter. MLB.com ranked him #32 overall. He's bounced between bullpen and rotation, pitching 91-95 but flashing 98 out of the pen.

[WVastro]

At #53, Astros select Archbishop McCarthy HS 3B Joe Perez.

JJ Cooper  @jjcoop36 52s ago
The Joe Perez pick got a lot of "Wows" in the BA offices. We didn't see that coming.

Perez recently had TJS. MLB draft tracker said 3B but he's also a RHP.

First time I read this I thought they'd drafted a guy named Archbishop McCarthy and I was extremely excited. I'm sure Joe Perez will be great.

[MusicMan]

First time I read this I thought they'd drafted a guy named Archbishop McCarthy and I was extremely excited. I'm sure Joe Perez will be great.

Would have been perfect to take Archbishop with a Cardinal pick.


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[Reuben]

Keith Foulke has reallllllly puffed up since his playing days. Wow.

[Reuben]

Everybody's drafting catchers all of a sudden. The Astros could use another good catching prospect or three.

[Nate Colbert]

U of Arizona J.J. Matijevic taken at #75. BA blurb: "he's a hit-over-power first baseman in the John Jaso mold."

Hit .383/.436/.633 for the Wildcats this year with 23 walks vs 38 strikeouts in 240 ABs.

Hit well in the Cape last summer, batting .376/.449/.553 in 23 games in the regular season and .300 with 3 home runs in 8 games during the playoffs. Ranked by BA as the 21st-best prospect in the CCBL.

[Nate Colbert]

#56 (AKA 1st pick from the law-breakin' Cardinals) RHP Corbin Martin from TX A&M

edit: Callis thinks he has a chance to be a starter. MLB.com ranked him #32 overall. He's bounced between bullpen and rotation, pitching 91-95 but flashing 98 out of the pen.

In the Cape last summer:

Made the 30-player All-Cape Cod League team as a closer. Had a 1.15 earned run average in 14 games with six saves while pitching 15 2/3 innings, striking out 22 and walking three. BA ranked him 20th-best prospect in the league.

[Nate Colbert]

At #53, Astros select Archbishop McCarthy HS 3B Joe Perez.

JJ Cooper  @jjcoop36 52s ago
The Joe Perez pick got a lot of "Wows" in the BA offices. We didn't see that coming.

Perez recently had TJS. MLB draft tracker said 3B but he's also a RHP. Touched 99 before the surgery. BA writeup said the U of Miami commit was also extremely impressive as a hitter this spring.

Jake Kaplan  @jakemkaplan 6m ago
The Astros plan on developing Perez as a third baseman.

However, the BA writeup says footwork/lateral movement/hands all questionable at the hot corner and that he'll end up a 1B.

[Nate Colbert]

Jacob Gonzalez went at #58 overall to the Giants. He's the son of former Astro Luis.

[moriartp]

Jake Kaplan  @jakemkaplan 6m ago
The Astros plan on developing Perez as a third baseman.

However, the BA writeup says footwork/lateral movement/hands all questionable at the hot corner and that he'll end up a 1B.

It'd be a real shame to have to move that kind of arm to 1B.

[VirtualBob]

It'd be a real shame to have to move that kind of arm to 1B.

It worked for Keith Hernandez.

[Duman]

If you need to fill time waiting for day 2 to begin.  Take this quiz: MLB Draft names - fake or real. I am sure Nate & Jacksonian will do better than my 77%.

[Andyzipp]

#56 (AKA 1st pick from the law-breakin' Cardinals) RHP Corbin Martin from TX A&M

edit: Callis thinks he has a chance to be a starter. MLB.com ranked him #32 overall. He's bounced between bullpen and rotation, pitching 91-95 but flashing 98 out of the pen.

Watched him the last two years.  Don't think he's necessarily "bounced" between the bullpen and rotation as much as he's progressed (slowly to some) to being a reliable to very good weekend starter for the Aggies this year.  Somewhere after March of this year, a switch flipped, and he's been very solid (50 Ks, 2.30 ERA in SEC play).

He was very effective in the Regionals against Iowa (7.0 ip, 9 ks, 2 ERs) but let himself be a victim of some shoddy defense in the Supers against Davidson (4.2 ip, 7ks, 5 ERs). 

Over his time at A&M, he's gotten much better at his craft.  Worrisome thing for me is mental toughness.  He has a history of not being able to pitch around errors and miscues.  2017 was much better in that regard, but he did get pounded pretty good in the Supers after a misplayed pop fly.

[Nate Colbert]

At #91 (3rd round), Astros take RHP Tyler Ivey from Grayson County CC.

He was ranked #302 on the BA500 list. NR on the MLB.com Top 200 Draft Prospects list.

Pitched at Texas A&M as a freshman and was a weekend starter for the Aggies to start the year and was extremely effective over his first six appearances with a 1.97 ERA and 41 Ks vs 12 BBs in 32 IP but struggled in his last 5 games. Transferred to Grayson for his sophomore year. Okla State commit.

Decent FB (touching 95) but the secondaries apparently need work.

[Duman]

according to the NJCAA website, Ivey went 9-0 in 12 games with a 2.08 ERA.  Fanned 122 in 78 IP while walking only 28 and surrendering 1 HR.

[Nate Colbert]

Coogs' catcher Connor Wong went at pick #100 to the Dodgers.

[Nate Colbert]

At #121 (4th round), Astros take RHP Peter Solomon from Notre Dame. Used primarily as a reliever by them. Major control issues (77 walks in 131 career innings for the Golden Domers).

Some success in Cape last summer with just 9 hits allowed in 33 IP. 15 walks vs 28 whiffs.

Frankie Piliere‏ @FPiliereD1  6m ago
#Astros might have gotten the steal of the draft, Peter Solomon @NDBaseball Explosive 92-96 mph, + curveball, + slider. Let him try to start.

JJ Cooper  @jjcoop36 5m ago
Thing with Astros pick Peter Solomon is he runs out of gas when he gets to pitch 75 or so as a starter.

[moriartp]

@KendallRogersD1: "Wow, @astros go with a surprising pick in JUCO RHP Tyler Ivey. Was very good at times as a Fr. At A&M, but makeup an issue. Live arm."

[Nate Colbert]

At #151 (5th round), Astros select lefty-hitting C Nathan Perry out of Bassett HS in Virginia.

Ranked at #314 on the BA500 list. The scouting report there says "most scouts" believe he'll have to move to 1B.

NR on the MLB.com Top 200 list.

[toddthebod]

@KendallRogersD1: "Wow, @astros go with a surprising pick in JUCO RHP Tyler Ivey. Was very good at times as a Fr. At A&M, but makeup an issue. Live arm."

I like the responses to this Twitter post.

CoachK43 (from San Jac) wrote:  "Makeup issue? Only issue I saw was we couldn't hit him. Best RHP we saw all year and we wore RHP out. Couldn't sniff him."

Grayson Baseball responded:  "If there is a "makeup issue", we didn't see it. That dude competes his tail off."

Sounds pretty good to me.

[Nate Colbert]

At #181 (6th round), Astros take U of Iowa junior 1B Jake Adams. Hit 29 home runs this year to set a single season Big Ten record. That also led all of D1 in 2017.

.335/.417/.747 this year for the Hawkeyes with 29 walks vs 57 strikeouts in 245 ABs after spending his first 2 years in juco.

Considered more of a future DH than 1B.

Listed at 6'2" 250 lbs.

Ranked #296 on the BA500 list. NR on the MLB.com Top 200 list.

[BudGirl]

At #181 (6th round), Astros take U of Iowa junior 1B Jake Adams. Hit 29 home runs this year to set a single season Big Ten record.

Ramked #296 on the BA500 list.

Kid has some power.  He hit one in a loss against the Cougars, but I think it landed in the McDonald's parking lot.  I did know one person that said he looked very angry.

[Nate Colbert]

Second year in a row that the Astros selected the NCAA leader in home runs. Last year they took Spencer Johnson in the 16th round after he led D1 with 24 home runs for Missouri State. Johnson is currently struggling at BC (just 21 games however).

[Nate Colbert]

At #211 (7th round), Astros pick junior LHP Parker Mushinski out of Texas Tech. Shaky control with 25 walks in 37 IP out of the Red Raider bullpen but also 47 strikeouts.

#453 on the BA500 list. NR on the MLB.com Top 200 list.

[astrosfan76]

Second year in a row that the Astros selected the NCAA leader in home runs. Last year they took Spencer Johnson in the 16th round after he led D1 with 24 home runs for Missouri State. Johnson is currently struggling at BC (just 21 games however).

Third time in 4 years (Reed).

[Nate Colbert]

Third time in 4 years (Reed).

The one we missed on in 2015? Andrew Benintendi.

[Nate Colbert]

At #241 (8th round), Astros nab Coogs' junior CF Corey Julks. Hit .335/.426/.572 with 35 BBs and 35 Ks in 215 ABs.

#500 on the BA500 list.

[Reuben]

The one we missed on in 2015? Andrew Benintendi.

And let's not speak of 2013.

[Jacksonian]

And let's not speak of 2013.

SOB You're banned.

[Nate Colbert]

At #271 (9th round), Astros select LSU junior C Michael Papierski. Hit .260/.414/.455 this season.

[Nate Colbert]

#301 (10th round): Astros select former U of Tennessee pitcher RHP Kyle Serrano. The redshirt junior left team in midseason for "personal medical reasons". Dad is the HC for the Vols. Had TJS in 2016.

75 walks in 127 IP while at Tennessee.

[Mike] Elias said Serrano has an arrangement to pitch in the Cape Cod League this summer.

[Nate Colbert]

Thru 10 rounds (12 picks):

9 college juniors
1 juco
2 HSers



5 RHPs
2 Catchers
2 Infielders
1 First Baseman
1 CF
1 LHP

[Duman]

#301 (10th round): Astros select former U of Tennessee pitcher RHP Kyle Serrano. The redshirt junior left team in midseason for "personal medical reasons". Dad is the HC for the Vols. Had TJS in 2016.

Dad was also fired after the season.  So I am sure that made going back for Sr year unlikely.

[Nate Colbert]

[Mike] Elias said Serrano has an arrangement to pitch in the Cape Cod League this summer.

If Serrano does indeed go and play in the Cape this summer, the Astros can still monitor him and sign him up until the July 15 signing deadline.

[Jacksonian]

If Serrano does indeed go and play in the Cape this summer, the Astros can still monitor him and sign him up until the July 15 signing deadline.

The Astros may want to see him pitch before trying to sign him anyway.

[Reuben]

The Astros may want to see him pitch before trying to sign him anyway.

Hopefully the bats will be very very afraid of his curveball.

[Duman]

Astros in18th rd draft LHP Tim Hardy from Tusculum College.  Tusculum is the home of Pioneer Park where the Gville Astros play. 

[drew corleone]

6th-rounds pick Jake Adams has signed, per Tags.

Astros 6th-round pick, Iowa slugger Jake Adams, has agreed to terms: "It's a sigh of relief knowing I finally got this done," he said.

Adams gets bonus slot value of $249,500.
"It's a great feeling & I'm glad it's all done and over with and we don't have to worry about it."

[Jacksonian]

6th-rounds pick Jake Adams has signed, per Tags.

2nd rounder Matijevic has signed.

[Nate Colbert]

Passan: Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich removed from some MLB draft boards after revelation of molestation conviction

A LHP who was ranked at #43 on the BA500 list.

In case you wondered, he did not get drafted.

[Nate Colbert]

At #241 (8th round), Astros nab Coogs' junior CF Corey Julks. Hit .335/.426/.572 with 35 BBs and 35 Ks in 215 ABs.

#500 on the BA500 list.

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26 1h ago
.@UHCougarBB CF @CoreyJulks, 8th-round pick, 241 overall, has a deal with the #Astros (for $140K)

Slot value was $158,100.

[Reuben]

In case you wondered, he did not get drafted.

I did wonder that, thanks. Now the question is will he be a NDFA signing for some team whose scruples can be waived if they're getting a bargain.

[Jacksonian]

I did wonder that, thanks. Now the question is will he be a NDFA signing for some team whose scruples can be waived if they're getting a bargain.

No team can afford to run out on the field a known child molester.

[Nate Colbert]

#301 (10th round): Astros select former U of Tennessee pitcher RHP Kyle Serrano. The redshirt junior left team in midseason for "personal medical reasons". Dad is the HC for the Vols. Had TJS in 2016.

75 walks in 127 IP while at Tennessee.

[Mike] Elias said Serrano has an arrangement to pitch in the Cape Cod League this summer.

More on Serrano's situation came out yesterday:

Josh Ward‏ @Josh_Ward  Jun 14
Right now, Kyle Serrano intends to play baseball at Tennessee next season. He said he told the Astros he won't sign for less than $300,000.

[Nate Colbert]

Thru 10 rounds (12 picks):

9 college juniors
1 juco
2 HSers



5 RHPs
2 Catchers
2 Infielders
1 First Baseman
1 CF
1 LHP

And for all 42 picks:

21 4-yr college underclassmen*
9 4-yr college seniors (no eligibility remaining)**
5 juco
7 HSers

*17 juniors, 1 RS junior (Serrano), 1 RS soph (18th rounder Tim Hardy), 2 sophs (25th rounder Marty Costes, 38th rounder Trey Cumbie)
**Includes Roman Garcia (19th round), Hunter Martin (20th), Chas McCormick (21st), Josh Rojas (26th), Adam Bleday (27th), Richard Slenker (28th), Cody Bohanek (30th), Martin Figueroa (32nd), Reid Russell (33rd)

11 RHPs
5 Catchers
9 Infielders (including 3 listed as 2Bs, 4 listed as 3Bs and 2 listed as SSs)
2 First Baseman
9 Outfielders (including 5 listed as CFs and 3 as RFs)
6 LHPs

[Reuben]

Just came across this post-draft video, where Mayo picks Bukauskas as one player who could make it to the majors the fastest. His caveat is if the Astros just used him out of the bullpen - in that case he thinks JB has the present slider/FB combo to get major league hitters out this season.

[Nate Colbert]

If Serrano does indeed go and play in the Cape this summer, the Astros can still monitor him and sign him up until the July 15 July 7 signing deadline.

FIFM

[Navin R Johnson]

Julks will play in the majors at some point.

[Mike S.]

More on Serrano's situation came out yesterday:

Josh Ward‏ @Josh_Ward  Jun 14
Right now, Kyle Serrano intends to play baseball at Tennessee next season. He said he told the Astros he won't sign for less than $300,000.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, it's now a question of whether the Astros can save at least $175k from signing their other picks?

[Jacksonian]

So, if I'm understanding correctly, it's now a question of whether the Astros can save at least $175k from signing their other picks?

And whether they want him that badly or are hoping he'll come down from that price.

Prior to leaving the team he was putting up Madden type strikeout numbers.

[Duman]

More on Serrano's situation came out yesterday:

Josh Ward‏ @Josh_Ward  Jun 14
Right now, Kyle Serrano intends to play baseball at Tennessee next season. He said he told the Astros he won't sign for less than $300,000.

Here is more of what he had to say. 

Serrano said he "took advantage of a lot of situations" during his first stint at Tennessee and he "made a lot of mistakes" playing for his dad, "mistakes that wouldn't have been allowed at a lot of other places."

"I had my dad as my coach," Serrano said. "I wasn’t looking at him as my coach and I wasn’t respecting him as my coach a lot of times and I kind of got a little payback for it.

"I’m really looking forward to maybe possibly having the opportunity to play for coach Vitello and being held to a higher standard. And I think it’s going to work out really good if I got back to Tennessee."...

"I told him (Vitello) I’m actually really looking forward to playing in college and finally being just Kyle Serrano, the baseball player," Serrano said, "and not the coaches’ son."

[Nate Colbert]

Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggart 7 hours ago
Astros 7th-round pick Parker Mushinski, a LHP from Texas Tech, has agreed to slot deal ($195,300). He’ll start in Tri-City.

[Nate Colbert]

Michael Papierski and LSU on ESPN tonight at 7 CT in their CWS game vs Florida State. And Corbin Martin goes to the mound tomorrow as the Aggies take on Louisville (ESPN, 1 CT).

[Nate Colbert]

Brian McTaggart  @brianmctaggart 20m ago
Astros and 4th-rd. pick Peter Solomon, a RHP from Notre Dame, have reached deal for slot ($437,400). He's going to Tri-City.

[Nate Colbert]

Rhody Baseball ⚾️ @RhodyBaseball 1h ago
Officially an Astro! Best of luck to @marty_figue, who will start his pro career with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League.

32nd rounder Martin Figueroa (known as Martin Taveras during his freshman and soph seasons at U of Rhode Island) was a senior so no doubt he was going to sign but above tweet does have his team assignment. Originally from the DR. Had a very fine junior season in 2016 in which he hit .327/.388/.543 with 20 Ws and 23 Ks in 223 ABs but did not get drafted. That summer, the switch-hitter was named 1st Team All-NECBL as an outfielder after hitting .336/.389/.626 for the Mystic Schooners. Had a disappointing senior season for the Rams, falling off to .248/.363/.363 in 2017 with 24 BBs vs 16 Ks in 157 ABs. Moved to catcher his senior season after primarily playing 3B previously (might have accounted for the dropoff in his offensive numbers).

Drafted as a catcher by the Astros.

[Nate Colbert]

Astros press release

The Houston Astros have signed 10 players who were selected in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Those players include right-handed pitcher Tyler Ivey (3rd round), catcher Nathan Perry (5th round), first baseman Jake Adams (6th round) and center fielder Corey Julks (8th round)...

Rounding out the Astros signings today were second baseman Kyle Davis (15th round), left-handed pitcher Tim Hardy (18th round), right-handed pitcher Hunter Martin (20th round), right-handed pitcher Alex House (24th round), left-handed pitcher Adam Bleday (27th round) and outfielder Reid Russell (33rd round).

[Nate Colbert]

From yesterday:

"Former Moody baseball player Patrick Mathis has signed with the Houston Astros after being drafted by the team in the 22nd round last week. He leaves for his first minor league assignment later this week. Mathis was drafted by Houston out of the University of Texas where he just finished his junior season. Injuries plagued him throughout this past year but he was still drafted in the 22nd round. Now, Mathis heads to Greenville, Tennessee to play advanced Rookie League ball for the Astros organization."

[Nate Colbert]

Officially signed: 10*
Unofficially signed: 5**
Yet to sign: 20
Won't sign: 3***
Questionable to sign: 4****

*per today's press release from the Astros
**per news articles and/or tweets from MacTaggart, Berman and others this includes JJ Matijevic (2nd), Peter Solomon (4th), Parker Mushinski (7th), Patrick Mathis (22nd) and Martin Figueroa (32nd).
***Brett Bond (23rd), Trei Cruz (35th), Trey Cumbie (38th)
****Kyle Serrano (10th), Marty Costes (25th), Josh Breaux (36th), Chase Farrell (40th) [May be others]

[Reuben]

Thanks, Nate! So is there anyone besides Serrano who's seen as a question mark to sign?

[Nate Colbert]

Thanks, Nate! So is there anyone besides Serrano who's seen as a question mark to sign?

Courtesy pick Trei Cruz of course is headed to Rice and 23rd rounder Brett Bond (Missourian article) and 38th rounder Trey Cumbie (Lufkin News article) have said they're returning for their senior seasons (junior season in Cumbie's case).

Another of the draft-eligible sophomores, 25th rounder Marty Costes, is off playing in the Cape for the Brewster Whitecaps so he's definitely questionable to sign at this point.

One of the juco guys is also playing in the CCBL, making him questionable as well. 36th rounder Josh Breaux is with the Falmouth Commodores.

40th rounder Chase Ferrell out of Valencia HS in California is a UCLA commit and therefore highly unlikely to sign.

Still checking so there may be a few others in the question mark category.

[Reuben]

Thanks for the excellent info.

[Nate Colbert]

Thumbnails on Day 3 picks signed in the last couple of days:

CF Jake Meyers (13th round)--a two-way player for the Huskers (he was one of five finalists this year for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award), the lefty thrower was in their starting rotation for the past two seasons after working out of the bullpen as a freshman in 2015. However the Astros think his future is as an outfielder. Minimal playing time in the field during that freshman year gave way to a breakout season as a sophomore outfielder in 2016, batting .326/.402/.458 with 20 walks and 24 strikeouts in 227 ABs. Experienced some regression in 2017 with a .297/.439/.349 line but with an impressive 29 BBs and 25 Ks in 173 ABs. Swiped 20 out of 22 bases in 2017 and 30 out of 35 for his 3-year career. No Cape Cod experience that I could see, though in the summer of 2015 he did spend time with the Mystic Schooners of the NECBL and hit .315/.386/.382 with 7 walks and 8 strikeouts in 87 ABs. Described in one scouting report as a 70 runner who plays a solid center field with an above average arm. But will the guy with just 3 home runs in 122 games during his college career ever develop even a modicum of pop?

2B Kyle Davis (15th round)--third pick of a U of West Virginia player by the Astros in the last 4 drafts (previous: Bobby Boyd in 2014 and Chad Donato in 2016). The junior hit .316/.405/.526 this past season with 35 walks and 47 strikeouts in 234 ABs. Probably defensively-challenged as he played multiple positions for the Mountaineers over the course of his three years, including time spent at 2B, 3B, and LF as well as quite a bit of work at DH. His Cape Cod experience last summer wasn't particularly long (just 15 games) or successful (.175/.298/.325).

3B Adrian Tovalin (16th round)--lotsa pop from the 6'3" 215 lb Azusa Pacific junior who hit .352/.423/.740 and was 5th in DII this year with 21 homers. But also a whopping 57 Ks (and just 17 BBs) in 196 ABs. His summer 2016 numbers in the Cape also reflects significant swing and miss issues with 31 strikeouts in 83 at-bats for Wareham while hitting .217/.286/.434. Plus, he's apparently not likely to stick at 3B long-term.

LHP Tim Hardy (18th round)--after redshirting his first year at Tusculum, the draft eligible sophomore saw limited action out of the bullpen as a freshman. But this season he moved into the starting rotation for the DII school and finished the year with 94 Ks in 78 IP with 21 walks. A big boy at a listed 6'7" 260 lbs.

RHP Hunter Martin (20th round)--up and down career with the Vols, moving back and forth from the pen to the starting rotation. Walks were a problem his first 3 years at Tennessee with 71 free passes handed out in 139 IP. Once he got his control sorted out, he moved into the rotation for good his senior season and ended the year with 89 Ks vs just 16 BBs in 92.2 IP. His results last summer in the Cape were decent in some respects--a 2.82 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 17 walks but just 35 strikeouts in 51 IP for the Brewster Whitecaps. Described as having an 88-92 mph heater and an excellent change.

OF Patrick Mathis (22nd round)--mediocre numbers in the Cape last summer playing for Chatham, batting .217/.284/.358 in 30 games with 27 strikeouts vs 9 walks in 106 ABs. That was followed by not-so-stellar numbers for the Horns this past season with a .245/.376/.432 line and 42 Ks and 28 BBs in 139 ABs. He put up better numbers his soph season, batting .297/.379/.477. Was injury-plagued during his 3-year career on the Forty Acres.

RHP Alex House (24th round)--his Cape Cod experience was shaky in 2016 with a 6.18 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 27.2 innings for Hyannis with 22 strikeouts and 7 walks. At Florida Atlantic, he went from pitching out of the bullpen as a sophomore in 2016 to the starting rotation as a junior this past season. He allowed 90 hits in 2017 (including 12 longballs) in 93.2 IP with just 68 strikeouts versus 25 walks.

2B Josh Rojas (26th round)--Arizona native who spent 2 years at Paradise Valley CC before transferring to Hawaii and spending his junior and senior seasons with the Rainbow Warriors. An underwhelming .239/.324/.284 in 2016 gave way to a .294/.404/.541 line this year with 28 walks and 19 whiffs in 170 ABs.

LHP Adam Bleday (27th round)--the 5'11" 170 lb senior spent his freshman year at UVA (making just one appearance), transferred to juco for his sophomore year and moved on to the U of Pennsylvania for his final two seasons. Spent time in both the pen and rotation for the Quakers. In those two years, a combined 107 strikeouts and 43 walks in 103 innings for the Ivy League school.

C Martin Figueroa (32nd round)--known as Martin Taveras during his freshman and soph seasons at U of Rhode Island. Originally from the DR. Had a very fine junior season in 2016 in which he hit .327/.388/.543 with 20 Ws and 23 Ks in 223 ABs but did not get drafted. That summer, the switch-hitter was named 1st Team All-NECBL as an outfielder after hitting .336/.389/.626 for the Mystic Schooners. Had a disappointing senior season for the Rams, falling off to .248/.363/.363 in 2017 with 24 BBs vs 16 Ks in 157 ABs. Moved to catcher his senior season after primarily playing 3B previously (might have accounted for the dropoff in his offensive numbers). Drafted as a catcher by the Astros.

OF Reid Russell (33rd round)--the senior from Longview spent his first two years at Tyler JC before transferring to Lamar for his final two years. Went undrafted after a .354/.410/.655 junior season for the Cardinals in which he was named Southland Conference hitter of the year. His numbers this year were down some at .317/.427/.511 with 41 walks and 45 strikeouts in 221 ABs.

[das]

Lots of official signings today:

June 21, 2017   Agreed to terms RHP Tyler Ivey, C Nathan Perry, 1B Jake Adams, CF Corey Julks, 2B Kyle Davis, LHP Tim Hardy, RHP Hunter Martin, RHP Alex House, LHP Adam Bleday and OF Reid Russell to minor league contracts.

[Nate Colbert]

Lots of official signings today:

June 21, 2017   Agreed to terms RHP Tyler Ivey, C Nathan Perry, 1B Jake Adams, CF Corey Julks, 2B Kyle Davis, LHP Tim Hardy, RHP Hunter Martin, RHP Alex House, LHP Adam Bleday and OF Reid Russell to minor league contracts.

Astros press release

The Houston Astros have signed 10 players who were selected in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Those players include right-handed pitcher Tyler Ivey (3rd round), catcher Nathan Perry (5th round), first baseman Jake Adams (6th round) and center fielder Corey Julks (8th round)...

Rounding out the Astros signings today were second baseman Kyle Davis (15th round), left-handed pitcher Tim Hardy (18th round), right-handed pitcher Hunter Martin (20th round), right-handed pitcher Alex House (24th round), left-handed pitcher Adam Bleday (27th round) and outfielder Reid Russell (33rd round).

[Nate Colbert]

Two more guys in the "signed" category: 13th rounder Jake Meyers and 26th rounder Josh Rojas.  According to Mark Singelais (beat writer for the Albany Times-Union), both are in Troy and will be added to the V-Cats roster shortly (along with Adams, House, Martin, Davis, Julks and Russell).

And looking at that Greeneville roster that just got posted, we can add six more names as signees: Adrian Tovalin (16th), Roman Garcia (19th), Chas McCormick (21st), Cody Bohanek (30th), Noel Pinto (34th) and Colton Shaver (39th).

Separately, two players who we knew were headed to Greeneville (22nd rounder Mathis and 32nd rounder Figueroa) are in fact listed on their roster.

[das]

I should just stop posting; I've been Cabrera'd by the Nate so many times...

[Nate Colbert]

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 11m ago
Supp 2nd-rder J.J. Matijevic signs w/@astros for $700k (pick 75=$767,400).

Combined underslot savings on Matijevic and Julks = $85,500.

[Nate Colbert]

Updated 6/21

Officially signed: 20*
Unofficially signed: 3**
Yet to sign: 12*****
Won't sign: 3***
Questionable to sign: 4****

*the 10 listed in yesterday's press release (Tyler Ivey, Nathan Perry, Jake Adams, Corey Julks, Kyle Davis, Tim Hardy, Hunter Martin, Alex House, Adam Bleday, Reid Russell) plus an additional 2 signees confirmed to be at Tri-City (Jake Meyers, Josh Rojas) and 8 more signees at Greeneville (Adrian Tovalin, Roman Garcia, Chas McCormick, Patrick Mathis, Cody Bohanek, Martin Figueroa, Noel Pinto, Colton Shaver)
**per tweets from MacTaggart, Berman, Callis and others this includes JJ Matijevic (2nd), Peter Solomon (4th), and Parker Mushinski (7th)
***Brett Bond (23rd), Trei Cruz (35th), Trey Cumbie (38th)
****Kyle Serrano (10th), Marty Costes (25th), Josh Breaux (36th), Chase Farrell (40th) [May be others]
*****J.B. Bukauskas (1st), Joe Perez (2nd), Corbin Martin (2nd), Michael Papierski (9th), Brandon Bielak (11th), Jonathan Lacroix (12th), Carlos Diaz (14th), Matt Ruppenthal (17th), Richard Slenker (28th), Andres Santana (29th), Cole Watts (31st), Matthew Merrill (37th)

[Nate Colbert]

Thumbnails on some more Day 3 picks who have signed:

1B Roman Garcia (19th round)--two years of juco before heading for the U of San Diego, he hit .313/.359/.482 as a part-time player as a junior. As a senior this spring, he hit .292/.353/.598 for the Toreros with 14 walks vs 44 whiffs in 209 ABs. The bat will be his calling card as defensively it appears he's a 1B/DH-only type of a player.

RF Chas McCormick (21st round)--.384/.437/.605 as a senior at Millersville U sounds like a helluva year but was actually a comedown (in some respects) for him from the year before. In 2016, he put up .412/.488/.525 numbers which got him bupkis in terms of being drafted. 93 walks vs 85 whiffs over 821 ABs in his four years at the DII school. Not the first draftee by the Astros out of Millersville--RHP Chris Murphy was taken in the 24th round back in 2015 (he was released this spring).

SS Cody Bohanek (30th round)--.287/.391/.379 in his four seasons at U of Illinois-Chicago (most famous baseball alum: Curtis Granderson). That included a .297/.411/.448 senior season in which he led UIC to the NCAA regionals for just the 5th time in its history. Batted just .249/.346/.320 in the summer of 2016 in the Northwoods League over 225 ABs.

LHP Noel Pinto (34th round)--another Jim Stevenson Oklahoma juco selection. A Puerto Rico native, the 6'2" 210 lb Pinto whiffed 89 versus 26 walks in 65 IP for Connors State this season. Justin Ferrell (currently at Buies Creek) was a previous selection by the Astros out of the same school as a 36th rounder in 2014.

3B Colton Shaver (39th round)--Terrific numbers for the BYU Cougar as a freshman (.314/.407/.598) with continued improvement as a sophomore (.335/.452/.582 with 39 walks vs 34 strikeouts in 194 ABs). But whether it was the pressure of entering his draft year or something else, the numbers were way off in 2017: .269/.351/.486 with 22 walks and 45 whiffs in 216 ABs. Hit .252/.368/.467 in the CCBL last summer (he was a teammate of Adrian Tovalin at Wareham) and led the league in home runs and RBIs. Drafted as a 3B by the Astros but I believe his prior experience has been limited to catcher and 1B. Ultimately one suspects he's a bat only guy.

[Reuben]

Shaver doesn't sound like a guy who normally lasts all the way to round 39. I wonder if he sent out signals that he's intent on going back for his Senior year to try to bounce back and improve his stock.

[Nate Colbert]

Shaver doesn't sound like a guy who normally lasts all the way to round 39. I wonder if he sent out signals that he's intent on going back for his Senior year to try to bounce back and improve his stock.

And then had a change of heart and signed with the Astros almost immediately upon being drafted?

[Nate Colbert]

Astros Press Release

The Houston Astros have signed 15 additional players who were selected in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft, including second baseman J.J. Matijevic (Competitive Balance Round B), right-handed pitcher Peter Solomon (4th round) and left-handed pitcher Parker Mushinski (7th round). The Astros also signed center fielder Carlos Diaz (14th round), third baseman Adrian Tovalin (16th round), right-handed pitcher Matt Ruppenthal (17th round), first baseman Roman Garcia (19th round), right fielder Chas McCormick (21st round), third baseman Richard Slenker (28th round), shortstop Cody Bohanek (30th round), left-handed pitcher Cole Watts (31st round), catcher Martin Figueroa (32nd round), left-handed pitcher Noel Pinto (34th round), right-handed pitcher Matthew Merrill (37th round) and third baseman Colton Shaver (39th round).

[Nate Colbert]

Updated 6/22

Officially signed: 28*
Unofficially signed: 0**
Yet to sign: 7*****
Won't sign: 3***
Questionable to sign: 4****

*the 25 listed in the two press releases (JJ Matijevic, Tyler Ivey, Peter Solomon, Nathan Perry, Jake Adams, Parker Mushinski, Corey Julks, Carlos Diaz, Kyle Davis, Adrian Tovalin, Matt Ruppenthal, Tim Hardy, Roman Garcia, Hunter Martin, Chas McCormick, Alex House, Adam Bleday, Richard Slenker, Cody Bohanek, Cole Watts, Martin Figueroa, Reid Russell, Noel Pinto, Matthew Merrill, Colton Shaver) plus an additional 2 signees confirmed to be at Tri-City (Jake Meyers, Josh Rojas) and 1 more signee confirmed at Greeneville (Patrick Mathis)
**per tweets from MacTaggart, Berman, Callis and others
***Brett Bond (23rd), Trei Cruz (35th), Trey Cumbie (38th)
****Kyle Serrano (10th), Marty Costes (25th), Josh Breaux (36th), Chase Farrell (40th) [May be others]
*****J.B. Bukauskas (1st), Joe Perez (2nd), Corbin Martin (2nd), Michael Papierski (9th), Brandon Bielak (11th), Jonathan Lacroix (12th), Andres Santana (29th)

[Nate Colbert]

Also from today's press release:

Additionally, the Astros signed two non-drafted free agents in left-handed pitcher Austin Kerns (University of Oklahoma) and right-handed pitcher Chauncey Nunez (Doral Academy).

[Nate Colbert]

A few more thumbnails on recent signees (Day 3 picks and NDFAs only):

RHP Matt Ruppenthal (17th round)--listed at 6'4" 225 lbs. With Walker Buehler, Carson Fulmer, Kyle Wright and Jordan Sheffield on the Vandy staff in 2015, Ruppenthal was used sparingly as a freshman and threw just 10 innings. More work came his way as a sophomore and he ended up throwing 46 innings out of the pen. Allowed just 24 hits but walked 27 while striking out 59. As a junior in 2017, he did make four starts but was still primarily used in relief. In 54 IP, allowed 40 hits and 19 walks while whiffing 45. CB is said to be his best pitch while his FB works best in the 91-92 range (even though he can touch 94-95). Change is a work in process.

3B Richard Slenker (28th round)--the Ivy Leaguer hit .342/443/.473 as a senior this spring, numbers comparable to what he put up as a junior. 72 walks and 84 strikeouts in 592 ABs over his 4-year Yale career. He also played for the Mystic Schooners of the NECBL last summer (someone for the Astros sure spent a helluva lot of time scouting that team--this year's picks Brett Bond and Martin Figueroa were also on the club as well as Toby Handley who was a 2016 pick of the Astros). Slenker was named 1st Team All-NECBL and Most Improved Player after batting .338/.396/.510 with 16 walks and 22 strikeouts in 151 ABs.

LHP Cole Watts (31st round)--did not play baseball for two years while attending San Diego State. Dropped out and went the juco route. Didn't pitch much for Skyline JC in 2016 due to control problems which also plagued him in HS. The 21-year old seemed to have turned a corner in 2017. In 42.2 IP, he struck out 58 while walking just 16 and his 12.23 K/9 led all California community college pitchers.

RHP Chauncey Nunez (NDFA)--it's not often you see a non-drafted free agent who's a high-schooler but Nunez is one of those rarities. At Doral Academy (located in the Miami area), he was a teammate of Andres Santana who was the 29th round pick of the Astros so perhaps that's one of the reasons he chose to sign with Houston. For Doral this spring, Nunez had 55 Ks in 37.2 IP with 28 walks. He's listed at 5'10" 185 lbs.

LHP Austin Kerns (NDFA)--after a year at juco, Kerns spent his next two years with the Sooners. Used almost exclusively out of the bullpen at OU, in 2016 he gave up 11 walks, 1 wild pitch and 5 HBPs in 22 IP while whiffing 13. The control problems continued in 2017 as he walked 18, uncorked 6 wild pitches and plunked 4 batters in 26 IP with 22 Ks. FWIW, he did much better pitching in the Texas Collegiate League last summer: 30 strikeouts and just 7 walks and 12 hits allowed in 26 IP.

[Nate Colbert]

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 11m ago
Supp 2nd-rder J.J. Matijevic signs w/@astros for $700k (pick 75=$767,400).

Combined underslot savings on Matijevic and Julks = $85,500.

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 2h ago
4th-rder Peter Solomon signs w/@astros, $420k (pick 121=$437,400). Notre Dame RHP can be dynamic, FB to 96, curve & SL flash plus.

Combined underslot savings on Matijevic, Julks and Solomon = $102,900

[Nate Colbert]

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 2h ago
4th-rder Peter Solomon signs w/@astros, $420k (pick 121=$437,400). Notre Dame RHP can be dynamic, FB to 96, curve & SL flash plus.

Combined underslot savings on Matijevic, Julks and Solomon = $102,900

A couple of other bonus amounts as reported in the BA Draft Database (I don't believe these amounts have yet been reported by Callis or Mayo at MLB Pipeline):

BA says 5th rounder Nathan Perry signed for $230,000. Slot value was $326,600. Savings = $96,600.

BA says 6th rounder Jake Adams signed for $210,000. Slot value was $249,600. Savings = $39,600.

Combined underslot savings on Matijevic, Perry, Adams, Julks and Solomon = $239,100.

[Nate Colbert]

A couple of other bonus amounts as reported in the BA Draft Database (I don't believe these amounts have yet been reported by Callis or Mayo at MLB Pipeline):

BA says 5th rounder Nathan Perry signed for $230,000. Slot value was $326,600. Savings = $96,600.

BA says 6th rounder Jake Adams signed for $210,000. Slot value was $249,600. Savings = $39,600.

Combined underslot savings on Matijevic, Perry, Adams, Julks and Solomon = $239,100.

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 7m ago
3rd-rder Tyler Ivey's bonus w/@astros = $450k (pick 91=$597,800). Grayson CC RHP, 90-95 FB for strikes, solid CH.

Combined underslot savings on Matijevic, Ivey, Perry, Adams, Julks and Solomon = $386,900.

[Nate Colbert]

Michael Papierski and LSU on ESPN tonight at 7 CT in their CWS game vs Florida State. And Corbin Martin goes to the mound tomorrow as the Aggies take on Louisville (ESPN, 1 CT).

Papierski just hit a 3-run shot for his 2nd home run of the CWS (LSU currently up 4-0 in the 3rd inning of the elim game against Oregon State).

Also, here's a recent article on Papierski.

ETA:
Make that 3 home runs--just added a solo shot.

[jbm]

It's been interesting watching him. The first game, he was jumping around mid windup on almost every pitch.  It was distracting. Yesterday, it seemed less frequent and today, he is doing it occasionally, but has been pretty quiet, often with one knee on the ground.

If people haven't seen the guy yet, try to see LSU's freshman closer. He's fantastic.

[jbm]

I think I cursed the reliever. He's coming unglued.

[austro]

I think I cursed the reliever. He's coming unglued.

He was helped quite a bit by a called strike that would have embarrassed Maddux.

[jbm]

He was helped quite a bit by a called strike that would have embarrassed Maddux.

It really did bail him out.  OSU had some tough calls the last two games.

[Navin R Johnson]

He was helped quite a bit by a called strike that would have embarrassed Maddux.

This one?

https://twitter.com/ConnorPelton28/status/878732495440683009

Oof.

[juliogotay]

This one?

https://twitter.com/ConnorPelton28/status/878732495440683009

Oof.

It didn't even catch the batters' box.

[Jacksonian]

You pitch to the strike zone the umpire sets.  He was consistently off the plate that way.  Shame on Oregon State not going out there all game.

[Nate Colbert]

This came up in my twitter feed earlier but I had a hard time believing so I held up from posting until I saw some additional confirmation (which came in the form of the team transactions page). The Astros signed a NDFA pitcher from East Carolina U. But get this--he wasn't a pitcher on the varsity team for the Pirates. He was a pitcher on the club team. Kid's name is Tanner Duncan. A 6'4" righty.

[WVastro]

This came up in my twitter feed earlier but I had a hard time believing so I held up from posting until I saw some additional confirmation (which came in the form of the team transactions page). The Astros signed a NDFA pitcher from East Carolina U. But get this--he wasn't a pitcher on the varsity team for the Pirates. He was a pitcher on the club team. Kid's name is Tanner Duncan. A 6'4" righty.

Duncan pitched all 10 innings striking out 14 in a 1-0 shutout to give ECU the club national title.

http://www.witn.com/content/sports/ECU-club-baseball-team-win-national-title-425840344.html

[JimR]

It didn't even catch the batters' box.

Good grief!

[MusicMan]

You pitch to the strike zone the umpire sets.  He was consistently off the plate that way.  Shame on Oregon State not going out there all game.

Ward, you were pretty hard on the Beavers last night.


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[juliogotay]

Ward, you were pretty hard on the Beavers last night.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good one!

[Mr. Happy]

You pitch to the strike zone the umpire sets.  He was consistently off the plate that way.  Shame on Oregon State not going out there all game.

+ 1 Geaux Tigers!

[Nate Colbert]

According to the mlb transactions page, the Astros have signed LHP Kit Scheetz as a NDFA out of Virginia Tech. He's been assigned to the GCL club.

[Nate Colbert]

According to this translated article from last week, looks as if 12th rounder Jonathan Lacroix signed a contract for $125K (max allowed for rounds 11-40 picks without counting against overall pool amount).

Article isn't totally clear but also sounds as if he might not play this summer due to a foot injury.

And as far as 2nd rounder Joe Perez, a report in the Sun Sentinel newspaper last week says he's agreed to terms but is waiting for J.B. Bukauskas to sign. He of course won't be playing this summer either due to the TJS.

And according to Mark Berman, another 2nd round pick Corbin Martin will take his physical tomorrow and sign on Wednesday.



Updated 6/26

Officially signed: 28*
Unofficially signed: 3**
Yet to sign: 4*****
Won't sign: 3***
Questionable to sign: 4****

*the 25 listed in the two press releases (JJ Matijevic, Tyler Ivey, Peter Solomon, Nathan Perry, Jake Adams, Parker Mushinski, Corey Julks, Carlos Diaz, Kyle Davis, Adrian Tovalin, Matt Ruppenthal, Tim Hardy, Roman Garcia, Hunter Martin, Chas McCormick, Alex House, Adam Bleday, Richard Slenker, Cody Bohanek, Cole Watts, Martin Figueroa, Reid Russell, Noel Pinto, Matthew Merrill, Colton Shaver) plus an additional 2 signees confirmed to be at Tri-City (Jake Meyers, Josh Rojas) and 1 more signee confirmed at Greeneville (Patrick Mathis)
**per tweets from MacTaggart, Berman, Callis and others as well as news articles all indications are that Joe Perez (2nd), Corbin Martin (2nd) and Jonathan Lacroix (12th) have signed
***Brett Bond (23rd), Trei Cruz (35th), Trey Cumbie (38th)
****Kyle Serrano (10th), Marty Costes (25th), Josh Breaux (36th), Chase Farrell (40th) [May be others]
*****J.B. Bukauskas (1st), Michael Papierski (9th), Brandon Bielak (11th),  Andres Santana (29th)

[toddthebod]

Why do you have Bukauskas as questionable?  Have you seen anything to suggest he won't sign?

[Nate Colbert]

Why do you have Bukauskas as questionable? 

I don't have him as questionable. He's listed as "yet to sign".

[Nate Colbert]

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26 36m ago
#Astros 1st pick n 2nd round, #53 overall, 3B Joe Perez (@_jperez22) in Houston, took physical, will sign this afternoon at Minute Maid Park

MLB Pipeline  @MLBPipeline 1h ago
#Astros sign 2nd-round @MLBDraft pick Joe Perez for $1.6m (slot $1,265,500), per @JonathanMayo.

Overslot on this deal = $334,500

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 7m ago
3rd-rder Tyler Ivey's bonus w/@astros = $450k (pick 91=$597,800). Grayson CC RHP, 90-95 FB for strikes, solid CH.

Combined underslot savings on Matijevic, Ivey, Perry, Adams, Julks and Solomon = $386,900.

Combined net underslot savings on Perez, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams and Julks = $52,400.

Other Top 10 rounders who signed exactly for slot: Mushinski.

[Nate Colbert]

Astros with the press release confirming Corbin Martin signed his contract today.


Updated 6/28

Officially signed: 30*
Unofficially signed: 1**
Yet to sign: 4*****
Won't sign: 3***
Questionable to sign: 4****

*the 27 listed in the four press releases (Joe Perez, Corbin Martin, JJ Matijevic, Tyler Ivey, Peter Solomon, Nathan Perry, Jake Adams, Parker Mushinski, Corey Julks, Carlos Diaz, Kyle Davis, Adrian Tovalin, Matt Ruppenthal, Tim Hardy, Roman Garcia, Hunter Martin, Chas McCormick, Alex House, Adam Bleday, Richard Slenker, Cody Bohanek, Cole Watts, Martin Figueroa, Reid Russell, Noel Pinto, Matthew Merrill, Colton Shaver) plus an additional 2 signees confirmed to be at Tri-City (Jake Meyers, Josh Rojas) and 1 more signee confirmed at Greeneville (Patrick Mathis)
**per tweets from MacTaggart, Berman, Callis and others as well as news articles all indications are that Jonathan Lacroix (12th) has signed
***Brett Bond (23rd), Trei Cruz (35th), Trey Cumbie (38th)
****Kyle Serrano (10th), Marty Costes (25th), Josh Breaux (36th), Chase Farrell (40th) [May be others]
*****J.B. Bukauskas (1st), Michael Papierski (9th), Brandon Bielak (11th),  Andres Santana (29th)

[Nate Colbert]

Combined net underslot savings on Perez, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams and Julks = $52,400.

Other Top 10 rounders who signed exactly for slot: Mushinski.

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 6m ago
2nd-rder Corbin Martin signs w/@astros for $1 mil (pick 56=$1,178,600). Texas A&M RHP, 91-95 as SP, to 98 & wipeout curve as RP.

Underslot savings on this pick = $178,600

Combined net underslot savings on Perez, Martin, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams and Julks = $231,000.

Other Top 10 rounders who signed exactly for slot: Mushinski.

[Nate Colbert]

More thumbnails (Day 3 picks and NDFAs only):

RHP Matt Merrill (37th round)--a home-schooled kid out of OKC, he's listed at 6'4" 200 lbs. He was committed to DII Pittsburg State so it wasn't difficult for the Astros to sign him away. FB sits in the 89-92 range.

RHP Tanner Duncan (NDFA)--listed at 6'2" 205 lbs, as noted previously Duncan was not a pitcher on the varsity team at East Carolina U (even though he tried out as a walk-on his first three years at the school but was unable to make the roster). He was a pitcher on the club team for the Pirates and led them to a club national championship. Worked out for Astros representatives last week in Richmond (which I'm guessing included area scout Tim Bittner, who signed Derek Fisher among others) and he was offered a contract. Says he has a low 90s FB. His cousin is MacKenzie Gore, the LHP who was the 3rd overall pick in this year's draft.

LHP Kit Scheetz (NDFA)--RS senior for Virginia Tech. Listed at 5'10" and 180 lbs. Primarily a starter his first three years for the Hokies, he was used more out of the bullpen than in the rotation this past spring. Overall in his 4 years at the school he whiffed 181 and walked 80 in 252 innings of work. Pitched for the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape in the summers of 2015 and 2016 and his numbers there were not bad--32 Ks and 9 BBs in 38 IP.

[Reuben]

I'm starting to think Bukauskas must be a little over slot, and they're making sure they get every penny accounted for before making that official.

[MusicMan]

I'm starting to think Bukauskas must be a little over slot, and they're making sure they get every penny accounted for before making that official.

Sure looks that way to me.


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[Lefty]

Sure looks that way to me.

Serrano may be playing into this as well.

[Nate Colbert]

More thumbnails (Day 3 picks and NDFAs only):

RHP Carlos Pimentel (NDFA)--two years of juco at Western Oklahoma State (where Andrelton Simmons played and where the Astros drafted current CC Hook infielder Antonio Nunez out of) followed by a year at NAIA school U of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Split time between the pen and rotation this past spring for the Drovers, whiffing 76 in 56.1 IP while walking 20 and allowing 46 hits. Listed at 6'3" 225 lbs. Originally from the DR. A Jim Stevenson signing. Has been assigned to the GCL club.

[Nate Colbert]

Coming off CWS, 9th-rounder Michael Papierski "expected to sign" says Baton Rouge newspaper.

[Nate Colbert]

And makes it official...

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26 now
LSU catcher Michael Papierski (@mpappy14), taken 9th round,agrees to #Astros deal: "Great opportunity to be part of the Astros organization".


Updated 6/30

Officially signed: 30*
Unofficially signed: 2**
Yet to sign: 3***
Won't sign: 3****
Questionable to sign: 4*****

*the 27 listed in the four press releases (Joe Perez, Corbin Martin, JJ Matijevic, Tyler Ivey, Peter Solomon, Nathan Perry, Jake Adams, Parker Mushinski, Corey Julks, Carlos Diaz, Kyle Davis, Adrian Tovalin, Matt Ruppenthal, Tim Hardy, Roman Garcia, Hunter Martin, Chas McCormick, Alex House, Adam Bleday, Richard Slenker, Cody Bohanek, Cole Watts, Martin Figueroa, Reid Russell, Noel Pinto, Matthew Merrill, Colton Shaver) plus an additional 3 signees on the rosters at Quad Cities (Josh Rojas), Tri-City (Jake Meyers) and Greeneville (Patrick Mathis)
**per tweets from MacTaggart, Berman, Callis and others as well as news articles all indications are that Michael Papierski (9th) and Jonathan Lacroix (12th) have signed
***J.B. Bukauskas (1st), Brandon Bielak (11th),  Andres Santana (29th)
****Brett Bond (23rd), Trei Cruz (35th), Trey Cumbie (38th)
*****Kyle Serrano (10th), Marty Costes (25th), Josh Breaux (36th), Chase Farrell (40th) [May be others]

[BizidyDizidy]

Nate, far be it from me to critique your excellent contributions, but it's fucking confusing  that the footnotes are out of order

[Nate Colbert]

Nate, far be it from me to critique your excellent contributions, but it's fucking confusing  that the footnotes are out of order

Fixed.

[BizidyDizidy]

Above and beyond

[Nate Colbert]

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 6m ago
2nd-rder Corbin Martin signs w/@astros for $1 mil (pick 56=$1,178,600). Texas A&M RHP, 91-95 as SP, to 98 & wipeout curve as RP.

Underslot savings on this pick = $178,600

Combined net underslot savings on Perez, Martin, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams and Julks = $231,000.

Other Top 10 rounders who signed exactly for slot: Mushinski.

Jim Callis‏ @jimcallisMLB  3 hours ago
Michael Papierski LSU C gets $141,600 (pick 271 value). VG at @NCAACWS, HR from both sides of plate vs Oregon St.

 Combined net underslot savings on Perez, Martin, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams and Julks = $231,000.

Other Top 10 rounders who signed exactly for slot: Mushinski, Papierski.

[Reuben]

So they've got $231k plus, what is it, 5% overage on their entire bonus pool allotment that they could theoretically add to Bukauskas' slot money to sign him?

[Nate Colbert]

More thumbnails (Day 3 picks and NDFAs only):

RHP Brendan Feldmann (NDFA)--signing recently reported on the MLB transactions page. The senior led DII Lindenwood U in most pitching categories this past season. K'd 118 while walking just 23 in 121 IP. Two years at juco before transferring to Lindenwood for his final two seasons. Listed at 6'4" 205 lbs. Has been assigned to the GCL club.

[Nate Colbert]

19 players in the 1st 10 rounds currently unsigned, with the Astros having two of those. Deadline on Friday is 4 CT.

Per Mike Elias:

"Hopefully, we'll have a resolution here before the deadline where both players* and maybe even a couple of players from Day 3 in our Draft join the organization. At this point it's still an ongoing discussion."

*he's referring to Bukauskas and Serrano.

[Jacksonian]

19 players in the 1st 10 rounds currently unsigned, with the Astros having two of those. Deadline on Friday is 4 CT.

Per Mike Elias:

"Hopefully, we'll have a resolution here before the deadline where both players* and maybe even a couple of players from Day 3 in our Draft join the organization. At this point it's still an ongoing discussion."

*he's referring to Bukauskas and Serrano.

Dunno why but I am uncharacteristically pessimistic about signing Bukauskas.  I have an Appel style draft notion about him.

[toddthebod]

Seems like Bukauskas is about to sign.

https://twitter.com/jbukauskas22/status/882898993088430080

[Nate Colbert]

Indeed...

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26 9s ago
Sources:UNC(@DiamondHeels)RHP JB Bukauskas (@JBukauskas22) has deal w/ #Astros.In Houston to sign pending physical.

[Nate Colbert]

Jim Callis‏ @jimcallisMLB  3 hours ago
Michael Papierski LSU C gets $141,600 (pick 271 value). VG at @NCAACWS, HR from both sides of plate vs Oregon St.

Combined net underslot savings on Perez, Martin, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams and Julks = $231,000.

Other Top 10 rounders who signed exactly for slot: Mushinski, Papierski.

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26 10m ago
#Astros reach deal with RHP Kyle Serrano (@KSerrano11) from Tennessee (@Vol_Baseball). 10th round, 301 overall. Gets $203K. Slot is $133,500.

Combined net underslot savings on Perez, Martin, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams, Julks and Serrano = $161,500.

Other Top 10 rounders who signed exactly for slot: Mushinski, Papierski.

[Nate Colbert]

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26 10m ago
#Astros reach deal with RHP Kyle Serrano (@KSerrano11) from Tennessee (@Vol_Baseball). 10th round, 301 overall. Gets $203K. Slot is $133,500.

Combined net underslot savings on Perez, Martin, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams, Julks and Serrano = $161,500.

Other Top 10 rounders who signed exactly for slot: Mushinski, Papierski.

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 7m ago
1st-rder J.B. Bukauskas signs w/@astros for $3.6 mil (pick 15=$3,588,200). North Carolina RHP, mid-90s fastball, best slider in @MLBDraft.

Combined net underslot savings on Bukauskas, Perez, Martin, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams, Julks and Serrano = $149,700.

Other Top 10 rounders who signed exactly for slot: Mushinski, Papierski.

[Nate Colbert]

Updated 7/6

Officially signed: 30*
Unofficially signed: 4**
Yet to sign: 2***
Won't sign: 3****
Questionable to sign: 3*****

*the 27 listed in the four press releases (Joe Perez, Corbin Martin, JJ Matijevic, Tyler Ivey, Peter Solomon, Nathan Perry, Jake Adams, Parker Mushinski, Corey Julks, Carlos Diaz, Kyle Davis, Adrian Tovalin, Matt Ruppenthal, Tim Hardy, Roman Garcia, Hunter Martin, Chas McCormick, Alex House, Adam Bleday, Richard Slenker, Cody Bohanek, Cole Watts, Martin Figueroa, Reid Russell, Noel Pinto, Matthew Merrill, Colton Shaver) plus an additional 3 signees on the rosters at Quad Cities (Josh Rojas), Tri-City (Jake Meyers) and Greeneville (Patrick Mathis)
**per tweets from MacTaggart, Berman, Callis and others as well as news articles all indications are that J.B. Bukauskas (1st), Michael Papierski (9th), Kyle Serrano (10th) and Jonathan Lacroix (12th) have signed
***Brandon Bielak (11th),  Andres Santana (29th)
****Brett Bond (23rd), Trei Cruz (35th), Trey Cumbie (38th)
*****Marty Costes (25th), Josh Breaux (36th), Chase Farrell (40th)

[jbm]

Jim Callis  @jimcallisMLB 7m ago
1st-rder J.B. Bukauskas signs w/@astros for $3.6 mil (pick 15=$3,588,200). North Carolina RHP, mid-90s fastball, best slider in @MLBDraft.

Combined net underslot savings on Bukauskas, Perez, Martin, Matijevic, Ivey, Solomon, Perry, Adams, Julks and Serrano = $149,700.

Great news.  I am curious about the plan.  Do they rest him, or do they actually think he could help as a reliever and see how he takes to that role, and move him quickly should he look awesome?

Also, is there some potential overslot guy left unsigned that might be lured by that money?

[Nate Colbert]

Also, is there some potential overslot guy left unsigned that might be lured by that money?

Don't think there's any one guy like that left that the Astros are going to blow their entire remaining wad on. I'd look to Elias' comments yesterday about being able to possibly sign a couple more Day 3 guys and I think Bielak, Santana and perhaps Breaux are the most likely.

[Nate Colbert]

Seth Romero goes at #25 to the Nationals.

And actually signed for an overslot amount--$2.8MM vs slot of $2,530,400.

[moriartp]

Nats gonna Nats.

[Nate Colbert]

Don't think there's any one guy like that left that the Astros are going to blow their entire remaining wad on. I'd look to Elias' comments yesterday about being able to possibly sign a couple more Day 3 guys and I think Bielak, Santana and perhaps Breaux are the most likely.

In a press release this afternoon, the Astros confirmed the signings of Bielak and Santana.

Updated 7/7 (Final)

Signed: 36
Didn't sign: 6*

*Brett Bond (23rd), Marty Costes (25th), Trei Cruz (35th), Josh Breaux (36th), Trey Cumbie (38th) and Chase Farrell (40th)

Pretty outstanding job (IMO) of getting guys signed this year. With 36 of 42 draft picks inked this year (including the top 24 picks and 34 of the top 36),  that's certainly better than the 31 of 40 signed in 2016 (among the missing: 7th and 17th round picks) and comparable to the 35 of 42 signed in 2015.

[Nate Colbert]

Great news.  I am curious about the plan.  Do they rest him, or do they actually think he could help as a reliever and see how he takes to that role, and move him quickly should he look awesome?

Christian Boutwell @_CBoutwell 5m ago
Plan for J.B. Bukauskas this summer: Fly to West Palm tomorrow & join the Gulf Coast League Astros, Mike Elias says.

Elias also quoted as saying "don't expect it to be a very heavy innings load this summer".

[Nate Colbert]

Haven't seen the Brandon Bielak bonus reported yet, but 29th rounder Andres Santana signed for $250K which is the largest bonus for any of the Day 3 picks (rounds 11-40) for the Astros. And 7th highest among all their signees this year.

[Nate Colbert]

Thumbnails on Day 3 picks and NDFAs, updated for late signees along with bonus information on all draftees and a few other odds and ends:

RHP Brandon Bielak (11th round)--Very much an up-and-down pitcher for the Fighting Irish over the course of his three years there working mostly as a starter. His junior season this past spring was by far the worst as his control issues (which of always been a problem for him) really got out of hand with 41 walks in 73 IP. His numbers in the Cape in the summer of 2016 were actually pretty positive with 29 Ks vs just 7 BBs in 23.1 IP as the closer for the Orleans Firebirds (Kit Scheetz was a teammate on that squad). And the bully may be where he's headed long-term. Scouting report says his FB sits 91-92. Improving that control key to his development. Signed for $150K (2nd highest among Day 3 picks).

RF Jonathan Lacroix (12th round)--Another in a handful of Canadians who attended Seminole State and then get drafted by the Astros (including friend and fellow Quebecker Abraham Toro and L.P. Pelletier from the 2016 draft). Lacroix is from Montreal. Signed by Jim Stevenson (who himself is a Canadian transplant living in Oklahoma). Hit .447/.504/.829 this spring with 18 BBs vs 20 Ks in 199 ABs. That BA ranked 8th in NJCAA Division I and the slugging ranked 7th. The lefty hitter is listed at 6'1" 195 lbs. That report cited previously out of Canada said Lacroix was unlikely to play this summer due to a foot fracture. Signed for $125K.

CF Jake Meyers (13th round)--a two-way player for the Huskers (he was one of five finalists this year for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award), the lefty thrower was in their starting rotation for the past two seasons after working out of the bullpen as a freshman in 2015. However the Astros think his future is as an outfielder. Minimal playing time in the field during that freshman year gave way to a breakout season as a sophomore outfielder in 2016, batting .326/.402/.458 with 20 walks and 24 strikeouts in 227 ABs. Experienced some regression in 2017 with a .297/.439/.349 line but with an impressive 29 BBs and 25 Ks in 173 ABs. Swiped 20 out of 22 bases in 2017 and 30 out of 35 for his 3-year career. No Cape Cod experience that I could see, though in the summer of 2015 he did spend time with the Mystic Schooners of the NECBL and hit .315/.386/.382 with 7 walks and 8 strikeouts in 87 ABs. Described in one scouting report as a 70 runner who plays a solid center field with an above average arm. But will the guy with just 3 home runs in 122 games during his college career ever develop even a modicum of pop? Signed for $125K.

CF Carlos Diaz (14th round)--not a lot of information available on this 17-year lefty hitter out of Puerto Rico. Variously reported as attending Colegio Angel David HS and the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy. Had been committed to Broward Community College prior to be being drafted. Listed at 6'2" 175 lbs. Signed for $125K.

2B Kyle Davis (15th round)--third pick of a U of West Virginia player by the Astros in the last 4 drafts (previous: Bobby Boyd in 2014 and Chad Donato in 2016). The junior hit .316/.405/.526 this past season with 35 walks and 47 strikeouts in 234 ABs. Probably defensively-challenged as he played multiple positions for the Mountaineers over the course of his three years, including time spent at 2B, 3B, and LF as well as quite a bit of work at DH. His Cape Cod experience last summer wasn't particularly long (just 15 games) or successful (.175/.298/.325). Signed for $125K.

3B Adrian Tovalin (16th round)--lotsa pop from the 6'3" 215 lb Azusa Pacific junior who hit .352/.423/.740 and was 5th in DII this year with 21 homers. But also a whopping 57 Ks (and just 17 BBs) in 196 ABs. His summer 2016 numbers in the Cape also reflects significant swing and miss issues with 31 strikeouts in 83 at-bats for Wareham while hitting .217/.286/.434. Plus, he's apparently not likely to stick at 3B long-term. Signed for $125K.

RHP Matt Ruppenthal (17th round)--listed at 6'4" 225 lbs. With Walker Buehler, Carson Fulmer, Kyle Wright and Jordan Sheffield on the Vandy staff in 2015, Ruppenthal was used sparingly as a freshman and threw just 10 innings. More work came his way as a sophomore and he ended up throwing 46 innings out of the pen. Allowed just 24 hits but walked 27 while striking out 59. As a junior in 2017, he did make four starts but was still primarily used out in relief. In 54 IP, allowed 40 hits and 19 walks while whiffing 45. Used as a starter for Cotuit in the CCBL in the summer of 2016, K'ing 25 in 25 IP while walking 13. CB is said to be his best pitch while his FB works best in the 91-92 range (even though he can touch 94-95). Change is a work in process. Signed for $125K.

LHP Tim Hardy (18th round)--after redshirting his first year at Tusculum, the draft eligible sophomore saw limited action out of the bullpen as a freshman. But this season he moved into the starting rotation for the DII school and finished the year with 94 Ks in 78 IP with 21 walks. A big boy at a listed 6'7" 260 lbs. Signed for $75K.

1B Roman Garcia (19th round)--two years of juco before heading for the U of San Diego, he hit .313/.359/.482 as a part-time player as a junior. As a senior this spring, he hit .292/.353/.598 for the Toreros with 14 walks vs 44 whiffs in 209 ABs. The bat will be his calling card as defensively it appears he's a 1B/DH-only type of a player. Signed for $1K.

RHP Hunter Martin (20th round)--up and down career with the Vols, moving back and forth from the pen to the starting rotation. Walks were a problem his first 3 years at Tennessee with 71 free passes handed out in 139 IP. Once he got his control sorted out, he moved into the rotation for good his senior season and ended the year with 89 Ks vs just 16 BBs in 92.2 IP. His results last summer in the Cape were decent in some respects--a 2.82 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 17 walks but just 35 strikeouts in 51 IP for the Brewster Whitecaps. Described as having an 88-92 mph heater and an excellent change. Signed for $1K.

RF Chas McCormick (21st round)--.384/.437/.605 as a senior at Millersville U sounds like a helluva year but was actually a comedown (in some respects) for him from the year before. In 2016, he put up .412/.488/.525 numbers which got him bupkis in terms of being drafted. 93 walks vs 85 whiffs over 821 ABs in his four years at the DII school. Not the first draftee by the Astros out of Millersville--RHP Chris Murphy was taken in the 24th round back in 2015 (he was released this spring). Signed for $1K.

OF Patrick Mathis (22nd round)--mediocre numbers in the Cape last summer playing for Chatham, batting .217/.284/.358 in 30 games with 27 strikeouts vs 9 walks in 106 ABs. That was followed by not-so-stellar numbers for the Horns this past season with a .245/.376/.432 line and 42 Ks and 28 BBs in 139 ABs. He put up better numbers his soph season, batting .297/.379/.477. Was injury-plagued during his 3-year career on the Forty Acres. Signed for $100K.

RHP Alex House (24th round)--his Cape Cod experience was shaky in 2016 with a 6.18 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 27.2 innings for Hyannis with 22 strikeouts and 7 walks. At Florida Atlantic, he went from pitching out of the bullpen as a sophomore in 2016 to the starting rotation as a junior this past season. He allowed 90 hits in 2017 (including 12 longballs) in 93.2 IP with just 68 strikeouts versus 25 walks. Signed for $30K.

2B Josh Rojas (26th round)--Arizona native who spent 2 years at Paradise Valley CC before transferring to Hawaii and spending his junior and senior seasons with the Rainbow Warriors. An underwhelming .239/.324/.284 in 2016 gave way to a .294/.404/.541 line this year with 28 walks and 19 whiffs in 170 ABs. The first 2017 draftee to be assigned to a full season club (Quad Cities). Signed for $1K.

LHP Adam Bleday (27th round)--the 5'11" 170 lb senior spent his freshman year at UVA (making just one appearance), transferred to juco for his sophomore year and moved on to the U of Pennsylvania for his final two seasons. Spent time in both the pen and rotation for the Quakers. In those two years, a combined 107 strikeouts and 43 walks in 103 innings for the Ivy League school. Signed for $1K.

3B Richard Slenker (28th round)--the Ivy Leaguer hit .342/443/.473 as a senior this spring, numbers comparable to what he put up as a junior. 72 walks and 84 strikeouts in 592 ABs over his 4-year Yale career. He also played for the Mystic Schooners of the NECBL last summer (someone for the Astros sure spent a helluva lot of time scouting that team--this year's picks Brett Bond and Martin Figueroa were also on the club as well as Toby Handley who was a 2016 pick of the Astros). Slenker was named 1st Team All-NECBL and Most Improved Player after batting .338/.396/.510 with 16 walks and 22 strikeouts in 151 ABs. Signed for $1K.

CF Andres Santana (29th round)--Hit .362/.479/.606 for Doral Academy in one of the stronger prep conferences in the country. Committed to Florida International prior to inking with the Astros. Listed at 6'1" 180 lbs. One scouting report described him as an above-average runner with above-average to plus arm strength. Signed for $250K, which is the largest bonus for any of the Astros' Day 3 picks and 7th highest among all of their signees this year.

SS Cody Bohanek (30th round)--.287/.391/.379 in his four seasons at U of Illinois-Chicago (most famous baseball alum: Curtis Granderson). That included a .297/.411/.448 senior season in which he led UIC to the NCAA regionals for just the 5th time in its history. Batted just .249/.346/.320 in the summer of 2016 in the Northwoods League over 225 ABs. Signed for $1K.

LHP Cole Watts (31st round)--did not play baseball for two years while attending San Diego State. Dropped out and went the juco route. Didn't pitch much for Skyline JC in 2016 due to control problems which also plagued him in HS. The 21-year old seemed to have turned a corner in 2017. In 42.2 IP, he struck out 58 while walking just 16 and his 12.23 K/9 led all California community college pitchers. Signed for $20K.

C Martin Figueroa (32nd round)--known as Martin Taveras during his freshman and soph seasons at U of Rhode Island. Originally from the DR. Had a very fine junior season in 2016 in which he hit .327/.388/.543 with 20 Ws and 23 Ks in 223 ABs but did not get drafted. That summer, the switch-hitter was named 1st Team All-NECBL as an outfielder after hitting .336/.389/.626 for the Mystic Schooners. Had a disappointing senior season for the Rams, falling off to .248/.363/.363 in 2017 with 24 BBs vs 16 Ks in 157 ABs. Moved to catcher his senior season after primarily playing 3B previously (might have accounted for the dropoff in his offensive numbers). Drafted as a catcher by the Astros. Signed for $1K.

OF Reid Russell (33rd round)--the senior from Longview spent his first two years at Tyler JC before transferring to Lamar for his final two years. Went undrafted after a .354/.410/.655 junior season for the Cardinals in which he was named Southland Conference hitter of the year. His numbers this year were down some at .317/.427/.511 with 41 walks and 45 strikeouts in 221 ABs. Signed for $1K.

LHP Noel Pinto (34th round)--another Jim Stevenson Oklahoma juco selection. A Puerto Rico native, the 6'2" 210 lb Pinto whiffed 89 versus 26 walks in 65 IP for Connors State this season. Justin Ferrell (currently at Buies Creek) was a previous selection by the Astros out of the same school as a 36th rounder in 2014. Signed for $10K.

RHP Matt Merrill (37th round)--a home-schooled kid out of OKC, he's listed at 6'4" 200 lbs. He was committed to DII Pittsburg State so it wasn't difficult for the Astros to sign him away. FB sits in the 89-92 range. A Jim Stevenson signing. Signed for $125K.

3B Colton Shaver (39th round)--Terrific numbers for the BYU Cougar as a freshman (.314/.407/.598) with continued improvement as a sophomore (.335/.452/.582 with 39 walks vs 34 strikeouts in 194 ABs). But whether it was the pressure of entering his draft year or something else, the numbers were way off in 2017: .269/.351/.486 with 22 walks and 45 whiffs in 216 ABs. Hit .252/.368/.467 in the CCBL last summer (he was a teammate of Adrian Tovalin at Wareham) and led the league in home runs and RBIs. Drafted as a 3B by the Astros but played multiple positions at BYU and in the Cape (including C, 1B and DH besides 3B). Ultimately one suspects he's a bat only guy. Signed for $30K.

RHP Chauncey Nunez (NDFA)--it's not often you see a non-drafted free agent who's a high-schooler but Nunez is one of those rarities. At Doral Academy (located in the Miami area), he was a teammate of 29th-rounder Andres Santana so perhaps that's one of the reasons he chose to sign with Houston. For Doral this spring, Nunez had 55 Ks in 37.2 IP with 28 walks. He's listed at 5'10" 185 lbs.

LHP Austin Kerns (NDFA)--after a year at juco, Kerns spent his next two years with the Sooners. Used almost exclusively out of the bullpen at OU, in 2016 he gave up 11 walks, 1 wild pitch and 5 HBPs in 22 IP while whiffing 13. The control problems continued in 2017 as he walked 18, uncorked 6 wild pitches and plunked 4 batters in 26 IP with 22 Ks. FWIW, he did much better pitching in the Texas Collegiate League last summer: 30 strikeouts and just 7 walks and 12 hits allowed in 26 IP. Another Jim Stevenson signing.

RHP Tanner Duncan (NDFA)--listed at 6'2" 205 lbs, as noted previously Duncan was not a pitcher on the varsity team at East Carolina U even though he tried out as a walk-on his first three years at the school but was unable to make the roster. His freshman year he tried out as a shortstop. He then converted to a pitcher on the club team for the Pirates and led them this season to a club national championship. Worked out for Astros representatives last week in Richmond (which I'm guessing included area scout Tim Bittner, who signed Derek Fisher among others) and he was offered a contract. Says he has a low 90s FB. His cousin is MacKenzie Gore, the LHP who was the 3rd overall pick in this year's draft.

LHP Kit Scheetz (NDFA)--RS senior for Virginia Tech. Listed at 5'10" and 180 lbs. Primarily a starter his first three years for the Hokies, he was used more out of the bullpen than in the rotation this past spring. Overall in his 4 years at the school he whiffed 181 and walked 80 in 252 innings of work. Pitched for the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape in the summers of 2015 and 2016 and his numbers there were not bad--32 Ks and 9 BBs in 38 IP.

RHP Carlos Pimentel (NDFA)--two years of juco at Western Oklahoma State (where Andrelton Simmons played and where the Astros drafted current CC Hooks RHP Josh James and infielder Antonio Nunez out of) followed by a year at NAIA school U of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO). Split time between the pen and rotation this past spring for the Drovers, whiffing 76 in 56.1 IP while walking 20 and allowing 46 hits. Listed at 6'4" 240 lbs. Originally from the DR. A Jim Stevenson signing. Has been assigned to the GCL club.

[Lefty]

If that's your research and writeup, man, I am impressed and thankful.

[Nate Colbert]

If that's your research and writeup, man, I am impressed and thankful.

Thanks.

[WVastro]

If that's your research and writeup, man, I am impressed and thankful.

No joke. This is high level shit, so much time and care. I know I likely only fully understand/appreciate about 12% of the info Nate C. and some others put up here but i can tell you this: it increases my knowledge of the farm system 100% and it has for quite some time now. Thank you!

Nate, I'd imagine the Luhnow era has made the fringe prospect analysis a bit more exciting? Like the "backfield aquisitions" of Paulino/Martes? Or is this more "par for the course" in most organizations?

Last thing.... (and I certainly don't mind if all of these questions go unanswered due to it being the wrong forum...) Do you get attached to some of these prospects insomuch that a trade deadline like this one is pretty tough? In particular, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this trade deadline regarding what seem to be top flight talent in discussions for (at this point at least) a slightly lackluster 2017 trade class (no "Randy Johnson/Andrew Miller etc").

[tbone421998]

If that's your research and writeup, man, I am impressed and thankful.

+1

[Duman]

Last thing.... (and I certainly don't mind if all of these questions go unanswered due to it being the wrong forum...) Do you get attached to some of these prospects insomuch that a trade deadline like this one is pretty tough? In particular, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this trade deadline regarding what seem to be top flight talent in discussions for (at this point at least) a slightly lackluster 2017 trade class (no "Randy Johnson/Andrew Miller etc").

I don't know about Nate but I do get attached to some of the minor league guys.  Regardless of the the loss is trade, free agency or being released.  I hate to see some of them go.   

[VirtualBob]

I don't know about Nate but I do get attached to some of the minor league guys.  Regardless of the the loss is trade, free agency or being released.  I hate to see some of them go.

+1

[Nate Colbert]

No joke. This is high level shit, so much time and care. I know I likely only fully understand/appreciate about 12% of the info Nate C. and some others put up here but i can tell you this: it increases my knowledge of the farm system 100% and it has for quite some time now. Thank you!

You're welcome.

Nate, I'd imagine the Luhnow era has made the fringe prospect analysis a bit more exciting? Like the "backfield aquisitions" of Paulino/Martes? Or is this more "par for the course" in most organizations?

Definitely not par for the course. Consider this Q&A from the recent BA Top 100 Prospects chat which I giggled at:

Brian (Bourbonnais): Any consideration for Yordan Alvarez or Yanio Perez?

J.J. Cooper: Yordan Alvarez didn’t miss by much. It’s my expectation that we’ll see him in the Top 100 at some point this year or by next February’s offseason list. Really good hitter for his age with power that is starting to play in games. Great trade for the Astros and one that could pay off for years to come. If Houston asks for a prospect on your team who is in the lowest levels of the minors and you’re another team, just say no.