From Our Partner Site MLB Sweet Spot: Trade Deadline Tracker

Baseball MTJAG is pleased to announce a collaboration with MLB Sweet Spot, a baseball blog by Alex Vacca. The numbers-savvy baseball fan from the East Coast will provide a fresh perspective of the sport compared to my West Coast insight, so be prepared for some interesting articles to come. Below is Vacca's trade deadline tracker, with an analysis of the recent James Shields trade.
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Baseball Prospectus

2016 TRADE DEADLINE TRACKER

by Alex Vacca

Now that the baseball season has entered June, teams are at the point where they need to begin evaluating how they would like to proceed with the rest of the year, and more specifically, in the next two months leading up to the *trade deadline. As trades begin to materialize, I will be summarizing them here. I will give my take on the trade as a whole, as well as winners and losers in both the short term and the long term.

*2016 Non-waiver Trade Deadline: August 1st at 4:00 pm ET

June 4th, 2016:

San Diego Padres trade RHP James Shields to the Chicago White Sox for RHP Erik Johnson, INF Fernando Tatis Jr. and Cash

Initial Reaction: When the trade was first announced and I was unaware of the cash involved, I felt that the return for Shields was right along the lines of what I would have expected. After seeing that the Padres would be paying $29 million of the remaining $56 million on Shields’s contract (as reported by Bob Nightingale of USA Today), it hit me that maybe the Padres forced a trade too soon, as I felt they could have gotten more had they waited.

Analysis: Shields, of course, is the primary piece being moved in this deal. While he is no longer the ace that helped bring the Royals to the World Series in 2014, he is still as durable as pitchers come (over 200 innings each of the past 9 seasons), and will be slotting into a rotation that already includes Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. At the age of 34, and having a big fly ball/home run tendency, Shields is probably more of a mid-4s ERA pitcher than a top of the rotation option he once was, but this is all that the White Sox will need from him to contend, and at the price of approximately $10 million over the next two years, it is well worth it.

Through his first 98.0 career innings, the now 26-year old Erik Johnson has not looked like anything more than a number 5 starter in the majors. Even that may be a bit too much to expect, as his 4.50 ERA and 5.98 FIP do not bode well for his future. The Padres will likely use him as a spot starter with the hopes that he can maintain just enough success to take the ball every fifth day in the future.

To read about the other component of the deal, Fernando Tatis Jr., as well as many other insightful articles on his blog, continue here.

Looking Back On Baseball MTJAG's Offseason Free Agent Bargains

Even though he wasn't covered on this blog, Rich Hill has been the ultimate free-agent bargain/Carlos Osorio, AP

During the off-season, Baseball MTJAG wrote up three articles on potential free-agent bargains, categorized in three groups: The Solartes (career minor-leaguers), The Villanuevas (underrated pieces), and The Madsons (injured or rehabbing players). In this article, we will check on these players and see if they have provided any value for their respective organizations.

Part 1

Erik Cordier, RHP (video)
Signed with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan, has 14 strikeouts in 12 innings but with a 4.50 ERA and 8.2 BB/9.
Juan Gonzalez, RHP
Joined the Cardinals organization on a minor league deal, has a 2.66 ERA and 11.1 K/9 for AAA Memphis. Despite not being on the 40-man roster, he could be in line for a call-up soon if the middle relievers struggle in St. Louis.
Andrew Barbosa, LHP
Signed with the Mets, back in AA as a 28 year old despite good numbers. Has been very good in AA Binghamton and had a start in AAA, throwing 5 innings of 1-run ball with 6 strikeouts and no walks. Being a hard-throwing big lefty, its puzzling why he hasn't been challenged more.
Robert Zarate, LHP
Has been injured all year for AAA Indianapolis of the Pirates organization. Displayed good stuff in Spring Training despite being hit hard.
Conner Crumbliss, 2B/OF (video)
Listed as inactive on milb.com, probably retired.
Tommy Field, INF (video)
Released by the Tigers after a slow start in AAA, but signed on with Minnesota and is hitting well in AAA Rochester, batting .281/.324/.469, should get a call-up soon on a struggling Minnesota club.
Destin Hood, OF (video)
Still a toolshed but development has stagnated. Mashed a team-leading 8 homers for AAA New Orleans of the Marlins organization, with 5 stolen bases as well. Plate discipline still needs work, but with the lack of minor league outfield options he might be the next man up should any Marlin outfielders get hurt.

Part 2

Ryan Webb, RHP (video)
Has a 3.31 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen. Settling in as the middle reliever, but with a low 5.5 K/9. Good production for the cost.
Cesar Ramos, LHP (video)
Solid swingman for the Rangers thus far with a 3.58 ERA in 27.2 innings. Carries a 5.33 FIP though, so might be due for regression
Domonic Brown, OF
Scuffling away in AAA Buffalo. May never reach the potential he once had.
Justin Ruggiano, OF (video)
Went 1-4 with a double on April 6, his only major league game of the year. Not doing terrifically well in AAA Round Rock either.
George Kottaras, C (video) 
Batting .161 for AAA Sacramento. Solid defensively, but behind Posey, Brown and Susac on the depth chart.

Part 3

Bobby Parnell, RHP
Bullet Bob pitched well in AAA and has been called up by the Tigers to save their mess of a bullpen. Averaged 94.2 mph on his fastball in his one inning of major league work. Not quite back to his flamethrower status yet, but a major improvement from last year.
Jeff Beliveau, LHP (video)
Still recovering from injury, has struck out 16 in 10.2 rehab innings this year.
Cliff Lee, LHP
Not playing this season, may be retired.
Cory Luebke, LHP
Made the team after a strong showing in spring training, but sent down after a rough start (6 ER, 5 BB in 3.2 innings). Sent down to AAA and has a 14.2 K/9 and 29/3 K/BB ratio. Has received a well-deserved call up again, and will definitely try to pitch better than his first time around.
Carlos Quentin, OF (video)
Didn't make Opening Day roster out of Spring Training and decided to not play.

Overall, this years free agent class did not produce many value signings outside of the Rich Hill deal with Oakland, and most of the players on this list have struggled so far. One player to note is Robbie Grossman, the last man cut from this list, and he has hit .327/.441/.527 in 15 games for the Twins. The gaudy numbers likely won't keep up, but he will provide some plate discipline (10 BB/11 Ks) and a little pop as well. From these writeups, Gonzalez, Field, and perhaps Hood seem like possible callups soon, and Webb and Ramos have been serviceable for their respective teams. Parnell and Luebke have both shown flashes of their pre-injury selves and will try to build on them going forward. While we didn't discover the next Jose Quintana star out of nowhere, overall this list of players has produced decent value for their low costs.

How the Phillies Can (sort of) Contend

Hector Neris, the breakout set-up man with a nasty splitter/Metropolitan Diario

Overlooked by almost everyone at the beginning of the season and pegged as the worst team in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies have gotten off to a surprising 27-29 start so far this season. Boasting a strong pitching rotation and some timely hitting, the Phillies are outperforming expectations, just by not being terrible. With the addition of the second Wild Card spot, it no longer takes much over a winning record to make the playoffs. The Astros and Yankees both made it last season with just 87 wins, and clubs hovering around .500 all year like the Angels and the Twins were in the hunt until the end. By no means have the Phillies been good, in fact their hitting has pretty much been terrible, and their run differential is negative. But this is baseball, and crazier things have happened than the consensus worst team making the playoffs.

Coming into the season, the Phillies pitching staff lacked any solid presences. It consisted of several young up-and-comers like Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, and Vince Velazquez, but all three were inconsistent with their stuff despite flashes of brilliance. Offseason acquisition Jeremy Hellickson was the Opening Day starter, but outside of a Rookie of the Year campaign in 2011 he had been pretty bad throughout his career. However, this season the Phillies pitching has collectively broken out with the increased usage of the curveball (article courtesy of Fangraphs). Hellickson has had a career year, and Nola, Eickhoff, and Velazquez have all established themselves in the majors. The bullpen, also looking like a mess pre-season, has been supported in the middle innings by the career rejuvenations of the always-injured Andrew Bailey and the recently-mediocre David Hernandez. Hector Neris has come out of nowhere with his power splitter to become one of the top setup men in the game, and somehow Jeanmar Gomez, the same one who was a middling swingman just last year, now leads all of baseball in saves. Some may say its good luck, some may credit pitching coach Bob McClure, but the Phillies now boast one of the top pitching staffs in all of baseball.

The offense, however, has been an utter disaster, albeit with some glimmers of hope. The Phillies are second to last in the NL in runs scored, ranking just above the pitiful Atlanta Braves, but Phillies fans have had plenty to cheer for. Odubel Herrera, who last year was a free-swinging, powerless outfielder has developed into an MVP candidate with his speed, defense, and now improved plate discipline. Maikel Franco has a sub-.300 OBP and been inconsistent at times, but he has bopped 9 homers to showcase some of his top notch power. Andres Blanco, a utility infielder who broke out and posted an .863 OPS last season has returned and continued to rake, hitting .270/.333/.486 so far.  Catcher Cameron Rupp has hit well, with 11 doubles and 3 homers in a part time role, and rookie Tommy Joseph is slugging .490 in his first 16 games. It is hitters like these who keep the Phillies playoff hope alive despite the miserable offensive performances by the likes of Ryan Howard, Peter Bourjos, and the recently DFA'd Emmanuel Burriss.

Many will say that this is not the Phillies year, it is not their turn to succeed in the competitive NL East yet, but the young team will be out to prove everyone wrong. The youth and inexperience on the team is bound to make mistakes with their near-reckless style of play, but sometimes, it also drops fans jaws with their amazing plays. Check out this throw from Rule 5 draft pick Tyler Goeddel, whose defense in left field and flashes of hitting ability has won the hearts of the Philly faithful:

In order to succeed, the Phillies young core will need to step up and play even better. Herrera and Franco can be counted on to anchor the offense, but the additions of Joseph and Goeddel, as well as a breakout for Rupp, will do wonders to improve the abysmal team batting line of .231/.287/.359. In AAA Lehigh Valley, the Phillies have impact hitting on the way, and top prospects JP Crawford and Nick Williams should be able to improve on the offensive performances of Cesar Hernandez and Bourjos. While the two young bats should not be rushed because the Phillies focus should still be on development and the future, when they are ready they have the talent to succeed at the major league level from the get-go. Trading for another bat without sacrificing major prospect cost is also not out of the question if the Phillies can climb out of their recent slump, and shoring up the rotation with one more starter could also be beneficial, even though prospects Zach Eflin, Jake Thompson, and Ben Lively are on the way. Scott Van Slyke of the Dodgers could be a target, as well as Yangervis Solarte of the Padres. The Phillies have already taken the proactive and claimed Jimmy Paredes, who provides a sweet swing and a bit of pop despite horrendous defense, off waivers from the Blue Jays, and if general manager Matt Klentak feels his team is legit, watch for more moves to come. Last year, the Texas Rangers were 43-49 and 9.0 games back the AL West as late as July 20. They didn't have the best run differential, but with impact acquisitions as well as a lot of fairy sprinkle dust luck, they were able to not only make the playoffs but also win the AL West. The Phillies have already had a lot of magic, with the breakouts and rejuvenations on the team, and they will need plenty more to continue succeeding and make the playoffs. Yet with all the stars aligning on this team, the success they've already had individually and as a team, it is time to wonder: maybe this really is their year.

In Memory of a Rising Star, Donny Everett

Donny Everett, d1baseball.com

Yesterday, while watching the local Golden State Warriors take on the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals with my parents, my mom declared, "American life would be so boring without sports." This, especially to me, rings so true. I never watch basketball, drawn in only because the Warriors are a local team, and with all the media hype and coverage, it was supposed to be an event not to miss because sports play such a major role in American culture. Baseball is the biggest part of my life, and for many others like me around the nation as well. We marvel at the plays made by Mike Trout, the moonshots hit by Giancarlo Stanton, and the 100 mph bullets fired by Aroldis Chapman. We are astonished by the phenoms like Bryce Harper, and root for the underdog story that is Jose Altuve. Our days brighten when our favorite teams win, our hearts crushed when Billy Beane inexplicably brings Daric Barton back for yet another season. These players we admire, despise, and track everyday are almost superheroes, yet the letters that spell out C-l-a-y-t-o-n K-e-r-s-h-a-w might not mean much more to us than the zeroes that follow his name in the box score. But in reality, every single one of these players is a living, breathing, human being, their lives spontaneous and prone to change at any given moment. We are reminded of this by what happened to Donny Everett, the freshman pitcher at Vanderbilt University on Thursday, June 2nd 2016.

Just a few days ago, while compiling draft data for the upcoming community mock draft on minorleagueball.com, I came across several pitchers who were considered tough signs because of their strong commitments to college, and I dropped their names several spots lower on my Excel spreadsheet. I was immediately reminded of two Vandy commits from the last draft, Everett and fellow righty Chandler Day, and checked up on their stats for this season. Looking at Everett's numbers, I remember thinking how it justified him turning down the $2.5 million dollar signing bonus to go to Vanderbilt. I then watched some film of him firing 98 mph fastballs and blowing them by helpless high school hitters. Never once did it cross my mind how he felt passing up the lucrative bonus, the thoughts, the feelings, the human emotions behind him. All I could see was a 6'2'' 230 lbs hulk who threw in the upper 90's, not the 19-year-old college freshman who enjoyed Fast and Furious movies. This morning while checking USA Today, I clicked on the headline that read "College pitcher drowns day before tournament." When I saw that Donny Everett had passed away in a fishing accident, a heart-sinking feeling overcame me. As a baseball fan, this wasn't the first time I read in the news a player I recognized passed away. The first one I remember was Greg Halman, then Oscar Taveras, followed by Mariners prospect Victor Sanchez. But as a high school baseball player, it is hard for me to relate to these big named superstars of Taveras' caliber in pro ball. Everett was a high school senior just last year, and it is not difficult for me to imagine him going from class to class, hitting the weight room, Snapchatting friends, and doing homework just like normal teenagers all around me. If I lived in Tennessee, I easily could have been one of the kids that flailed away at his triple digit heat. Last year, at around this time of the year, Donny Everett to me was just a few letters on the draft screen of MLB.com, categorized under "Best Available" until the Brewers snatched him in the 29th round. Today, he reminds me that all these idols we admire, analyze, and sometimes complain about, are all human, lives volatile and unpredictable. 

The Vanderbilt Commodores take on Xavier tonight in the NCAA regionals en route to perhaps another berth in Omaha. They will send their ace, Jordan Sheffield to the hill, and with the Draft coming up next Thursday, scouts will be looking to analyze Sheffield the ballplayer. A month ago when I wrote my mock draft, I mentioned his hard fastball and worrisome mechanics, as well as how his lengthy injury history might affect his draft stock. But today it crosses my mind: how might his long list of injuries affect, not his draft position, but him as a person? What kind of difficulties did he have to go through to pitch on the big playoff stage tonight? Tonight, I will watch Vanderbilt, take the field with a heavy heart, no doubt playing for Donny Everett. Before today, I would be looking for the talent on the field, but today's game will feature Vanderbilt's ability to overcome mental adversity, to come together as a team and play for their lost teammate. Accomplished and recently retired college baseball coach Augie Garrido once said that baseball is a great sport because of its ups and downs and how it simulates life's highs and lows. But baseball is more than just a sport, more than just a game, and today in Vanderbilt's case, more than just a simulation of life. The baseball team, especially in college where they room and travel together, becomes more than just a team, it is a family, and tonight they will play without a member of their family. In baseball, as well as life, you never know if you will be given another opportunity. On May 27, Donny Everett threw a scoreless 9th inning with two strikeouts to finish off a 7-0 victory against Missouri. He had no way of knowing that was going to be the last game of his life.

As fans, we have been robbed of the experience of watching Everett pitch in the NCAA playoffs, watching him blow away hitters with the big fastball, watching our favorite team draft him and develop him into a top of the rotation pitcher in the big leagues. But it seems so shallow and pales in comparison to more importantly, a 19 year old kid losing the opportunity to fulfill his dreams and ambitions, and his families, both blood-related and baseball, losing a loved one. His passing reminds all of us to live in the moment and enjoy every day, and for the baseball players, to play hard and give everything you got on every play because we never know what tomorrow will bring. As for being a fan of the game, the best we can do is root for Vanderbilt in this tournament, cheer them on and support them, because that's what being a sports fan is all about. 

Donny Everett- Rest in peace.

Baseball MTJAG's 2016 MLB Mock Draft v1.0

Rick Schultz, Getty Images

With the young MLB season underway, fans have been treated to the extraordinary performances by rookies such as Trevor Story, Tyler White, and Ross Stripling. These homegrown ballplayers have all been picked by their organization through the June Amateur Draft, and their production serves as a reminder of the importance of picking well in the Draft. While the annual Amateur Draft is still two months away, I will take an early stab at who will go where in the first round this June.

1-1 Philadelphia Phillies: LHP Jason Groome, Barnegat HS (New Jersey)

Pros: As polished as high school pitchers get, fastball runs into the mid-90's with a plus curveball and changeup. Has the size, stuff, and command that are head and shoulders above his peers, with great pitchability and clean mechanics. 

Cons: High school pitchers are always a risk to be taken first overall, but Groome's polish should make him a safe bet. Has been throwing year round for many years, so injury concerns and overuse may be an issue later on.

MLB Comparison: Fastball/curveball combo with good command and pitchability reminds me of Jon Lester

I wrote more about him in a previous piece here.

1-2 Cincinnati Reds: OF Blake Rutherford, Chaminade College Prep (California)

Pros: Tall, strong and athletic, Rutherford is a true 5-tool prospect. He can play really run and play defense, but his calling card is his bat. Clean, easy swing with good bat plane and enough loft in his swing to generate power. Has a toe drag with his back foot that is quite common with big league hitters these days.

Cons: Front shoulder flies open early occasionally in games. Toe drag leads to weight being on front foot sometimes, but overall still a polished swing for a high schooler. At 19 years old, quite a bit older than most competition. Is he truly this talented or just beating up on younger pitchers?

MLB Comparison: Clean swing, big toe drag, big power, overall package similar to Carlos Gonzalez

1-3 Atlanta Braves: OF Corey Ray, Louisville

Pros: Package of tools are solid, with good power and speed to go with the ability to stick in center field. Very fast and smart baserunner, has power to all fields, good usage of entire body in his swing. Good makeup and work ethic.

Cons: Strikes out a bit excessively as swing can get long at times. Crouched stance and small leg kick could result in changes in eye level during swing.

MLB Comparison: Overall tools package with plus-plus speed and power similar to Gregory Polanco

1-4 Colorado Rockies: RHP Riley Pint, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Kansas)

Pros: Live arm that can reach 98 mph, sitting 95-96. Multi-sport athlete, plays basketball in winter, so fresh arm with less innings due to less time on travel circuit. 6'4'' frame with room to fill out and throw even harder, power curve with good bite.

Cons: Raw and relatively inexperienced, curveball and changeup flash serious potential but very inconsistent. Mechanics involve heavy whipping action of the arm, high effort delivery. Needs polish, but has plenty of time to develop.

MLB Comparison: Size, velocity, and pitch repertoire reminiscent of a prime Justin Verlander, but needs lots of development to get there.

I wrote more about him in a previous piece here.

1-5 Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Connor Jones, Virginia

Pros: Low-to-mid 90's fastball, very good cut-slider type pitch that is his go-to out pitch. Gets lots of ground balls with a plus changeup, might be the most polished and safe bet out of all pitchers in this draft class.

Cons: Lack of ace upside, sinkerballer will not pick up very many strikeouts, but his ground-ball based approach should shoot him through the minors and settle in as a solid #3 starter in the majors.

MLB Comparison: While Jake Odorizzi is more of a flyball pitcher, the overall numbers and pitch arsenal is generally what Jones could produce.

1-6 Oakland Athletics: OF Kyle Lewis, Mercer 

Pros: One of the top college hitters in the nation, has performed well during the regular season and in the Cape Cod League. Above average power, and overall athleticism, good work ethic. Very impressive stats at Mercer this spring, hitting .432/.565/.832 with 13 HRs so far.

Cons: Still a bit raw, aggressive at the plate but has toned it down this season with more walks and less K's. Attends a smaller school in a lesser conference, so he is facing inferior pitching than that of the SEC or ACC.

MLB Comparison: Impressive power and can draw walks, but he strikes out quite a bit, offensively similar to Khris Davis.

1-7 Miami Marlins: LHP A.J. Puk, Florida

Pros: Much has been made of Puk's troubles this spring, but he has done the exact same as the last couple years. Using his mid 90's fastball that touches 99 and a plus curve, Puk has collected strikeouts at a very high rate this season. Good track record of success in college, international competition, and Cape Cod. Solid mechanics that uses his size effectively with his body parts in sync.

Cons: High walk rate, 3.93 BB/9 so far in the college season, command issues have plagued him at every level, but his pure stuff has been able to cover it up so far. Got arrested for climbing a construction crane once, but at least it wasn't for something worse.

MLB Comparison: Sean Newcomb hasn't reached the majors yet, but the former-first round pick has the same traits as Puk: size, stuff, velocity, but control issues as well.

I wrote more about him in a previous piece here.

1-8 San Diego Padres: OF Mickey Moniak, La Costa Canyon HS (California)

Pros: The Perfect Swing, short to the ball and long through the zone with good extension, controls entire body well, great bat head control and two handed follow through. Can hit hard line drives all fields. Runs very well and also plays excellent defense. Exceptional bat speed.

Cons: Lack of present power might concern some, room to grow into some more pop but will take time as he fills into his frame.

MLB Comparison: Michael Brantley was a great contact hitter with plus defense in the minors and when he first broke through but has really tapped into the power in recent years, a career arc that Moniak could follow.

1-9 Detroit Tigers: SS Delvin Perez, Professional Educational HS (Puerto Rico)

Pros: Plus plus defender at short, strong arm, outstanding range, and smooth actions. Lanky with room to fill out, potential with the bat, but unbelievably gifted defensively. Very high energy and high effort ballplayer. 

Cons: Very raw at the plate, lacks plate discipline. Susceptible to offspeed, swing includes an unorthodox weight transfer and lots of excessive noise. Room to grow as a hitter but defense will take him a long way.

MLB Comparison: It may seem like a lazy comp, but Andrelton Simmons is similar to Perez as a shortstop with amazing defense but a questionable yet projectable bat with the tools ahead of production.

1-10 Chicago White Sox: OF Buddy Reed, Florida

Pros: Athletic and toolsy, Reed may have the most raw talent out of any college outfielder in the draft. Switch hitter with plus speed and is good at keeping his hands inside the ball, spray line drives. Frame suggests power to come, can lay down a bunt.

Cons: Prone to striking out, raw in terms of approach. Works count well but passive on hittable pitches early. Choppy hand path from the right side, sometimes out on front foot from the left, limits raw power. 

MLB Comparison: Speedy switch hitter with good defense and a bit of raw, undeveloped pop that he might tap into later on, similar to Coco Crisp

1-11 Seattle Mariners: RHP Ian Anderson, Shenendehowa HS (New York)

Pros: Tall, lanky, projectable frame for higher velocity but already sits comfortably in the low-90's, easy mechanics with good arm speed

Cons: Developing offspeed lacks present feel, from cold-weather state so a little more raw than prep pitchers from California or Florida, but Anderson already has decent command.

MLB Comparison: Clay Buchholz has similar size and stuff, development path could be similar to Anderson's.

1-12 Boston Red Sox: 3B Nick Senzel, Tennessee

Pros: Very sweet swing, clean bat path and plane will generate lots of line drives, has some raw power. Good approach at the plate, solid baserunner despite lack of raw speed. Polished college hitter, should shoot quickly through farm system. 

Cons: Not much loft in his swing, will limit his power production if no change. Stiff actions on defense, but arm strength can compensate.

MLB Comparison: With a little more loft in his swing, could be a similar ballplayer with a skillset like Todd Frazier.

I wrote more about him in a previous piece here.

1-13 Tampa Bay Rays: 3B Josh Lowe, Pope HS (Georgia)
Pros: Has raw power to go with natural loft in his swing, strong arm at third base as well as plus speed. Loose and athletic, Lowe should become a dual threat on both offense and defense.
Cons: Swing can get long and loopy when he extends his hands, might have extreme flyball tendencies and pop up quite often.
MLB Comparison: Having plus power, strong arm and projectable plus defense, Lowe's ceiling may mirror Kyle Seager.

1-14 Cleveland Indians: RHP Jordan Sheffield, Vanderbilt
Pros: With his brother Justus already in the system, the Indians could take the flame-throwing righty this season. Sits 94-96 with his fastball, can hit 98 with a plus slider and a decent changeup.
Cons: Lengthy injury history, high-effort mechanics, short right handed pitcher, many scouts doubt that he can become a starter long-term.
MLB Comparison: Potential for three plus pitches and absolutely nasty stuff, his size and stuff is similar to Lance McCullers.

1-15 Minnesota Twins: RHP Logan Shore, Florida
Pros: Low 90's fastball with a plus changeup and decent curve, good command of all three pitches. Durable, ate innings for the Gators all three years, should continue to be a workhorse in the pros.
Cons: Low strikeout rate in college, may struggle with getting whiffs in pro ball. Seems to rotate hips before dragging arm across. If he can get them in sync and take advantage of his size, he could throw harder with even better command.
MLB Comparison: Without plus stuff, Scott Feldman has been a serviceable major league pitcher for many years and Shore could succeed with a similar package.

1-16 Los Angeles Angels: OF Bryan Reynolds, Vanderbilt
Pros: Disciplined approach at the plate, hits line drives to all fields with enough strength to hit balls out. A strong defender, he has good speed and can steal 20+ bags in the majors.
Cons: A switch hitter, Reynolds is prone to becoming too slappy from the left side, out in front on his swing. Happens when he hits righty as well, could sap power production. Average arm may limit him to left field.
MLB Comparison: Being a switch hitter with speed, some raw pop and decent defense, Angel Pagan is a reasonable comparison for what Reynolds could be.

1-17 Houston Astros: C Chris Okey, Clemson
Pros: Catchers who can run are a rarity, and Okey has a touch of speed to go with a line-drive swing and a bit of pop. A true catcher with good receiving and blocking skills, he has also has a very good pop time. Durable, has played in every single game in his college career. Might be able to play second base or catcher if needed.
Cons: Crouched stance and average bat speed may limit complete development of power, but he should be good for 10-15 homers with a good batting average.
MLB Comparison: The complete package behind the dish, Okey could develop in a similar mold as Jonathan Lucroy.
I wrote more about him in a previous piece here.

1-18 New York Yankees: RHP Cal Quantrill, Stanford
Pros: The son of former Yankee Paul Quantrill, Cal has better stuff than his dad, with a fastball that reaches 95 and solid offspeed offerings like a plus changeup and at least average curve and slider. His mechanics are decent, and has good command and pitchablity.
Cons: Still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but aside from the medical red flags, Quantrill has the complete package on the hill.
MLB Comparison: Assuming all the physical issues check out, the performance of Michael Wacha is something that Quantrill could match and achieve if he cracks the majors.

1-19 New York Mets: SS/3B Nolan Jones, Holy Ghost Prep (Pennsylvania)
Pros: Outstanding bat speed with raw power and sweet swing to match, Jones may have the highest hitting ceiling in the draft. Good extension in his swing. Big kid at 6'4'', could have 25 HR power as he fills out.
Cons: Strong arm and good hands, but he may be too big to play short and shift over to third base. Pre-swing load is kind of unorthodox with his elbows together, raw approach at the plate can lead to over-aggressiveness. 
MLB Comparison: Jake Lamb is still young and hasn't hit his prime yet, but the upside he has is similar to that of Jones.

1-20 Los Angeles Dodgers: RHP Dakota Hudson, Mississippi State
Pros: Mid-90's fastball reaches 97, hard cut-slider may be the nastiest pitch in the class. Curve and change are decent as well, extreme groundballer who can pick up lots of K's with his plus stuff.
Cons: Lack of track record as a starter, lack of polish in first two years of college. Seems to have turned a corner last summer at the Cape, but the inconsistencies still flash.
MLB Comparison: Dirty stuff and ground ball rates, combined with occasional command problems, could be another Tyson Ross.

1-21 Toronto Blue Jays: OF Will Benson, The Westminster Schools (Georgia)
Pros: Six-foot-six lefty with big time pop, Benson has the most power potential in the draft class. Smooth bat plane through the zone, slight uppercut to hit balls out. Strong and built, he moves well for his size and should be able to hold his own in right field. Young for his draft class
Cons: Lots of twitching pre-swing, occasional changes in eye level during swing. As he gets bigger he might take a step back defensively and slow down on the bases.
MLB Comparison: Jay Bruce has gotten a bad rep with poor recent seasons, but before his decline he was one of the top power producers in the National League, and Benson could match that production.

1-22: Pittsburgh Pirates: RHP Kevin Gowdy, Santa Barbara HS (California)
Pros: Skinny right-hander can run a fastball in the low-90s, up to 94 mph, with an above average slider and changeup. Pitchability is off-the-charts for a prep righty, and clean mechanics are a plus.
Cons: Doesn't throw as hard as other, more exciting prospects, but Gowdy can pound the zone with three consistent, above-average offerings. Maybe not as high of an upside, but should turn out as a solid #3/4.
MLB Comparison: While he doesn't blow it by hitters, with command of all his pitches, Sonny Gray has been able to rack up strikeouts and grounders, a projection Gowdy could follow.

1-23 St. Louis Cardinals: OF Nick Banks, Texas A&M
Pros: Polished college hitter with a flat bat plane, geared towards hitting gappers but with enough raw strength to hit 20 homers annually. Good plate discipline, willing to draw walks, solid baserunner as well, playing above his speed.
Cons: Flat bat path limits power, could use more loft. Athletic but a better fit in the outfield corners than in center field. 
MLB Comparison: Nick Swisher had more power when he first debuted, but Banks has the kind of patience and raw power to tap into to produce those numbers.

This concludes the end of the first round. In later versions, we will continue the mock draft into later rounds and shift some of the above picks based on overall performance this spring. 
All team logos courtesy of sportslogos.net.

Road to the Show: Top Draft-Eligible Corner Infielders

As the college baseball season passes the midway point in 2016, several draft-eligible players have seen their stocks go up and down. With a shallow college infield class this year, the big seasons of Nick Senzel and Will Craig have set themselves apart from the competition and put them in conversation to be taken in the first round. Major league teams like their college corner infielders to be polished hitters with big power to go with it, and that is exactly what these two hitters can provide.

Nick Senzel, University of Tenneseee

Senzel, ranked Baseball America's top college hitter going into the season, may not have the flashiest tools or big-time power production, but he has a track record of consistent hitting in college as well as an MVP award in the Cape Cod League in 2015. It is not hard to see why scouts put him in high perspective with his smooth swing and built frame that suggests power development to come. Senzel starts his swing with a wide stance with a small stride that is quiet like most components of his swing. He uses his lower body well to supply power without over-rotating while keeping his hands in through a clean, flat bat plane that will create hard line drives with his quick hands and above-average bat speed. He has a disciplined approach at the plate, walking more than he strikes out with good knowledge of the zone. While he may not be a burner on the base paths with his average speed, he has good baserunning instincts and can swipe a few bases, going 32-39 over the course of his college career. Defensively, he can play third or second and maybe even short in a pinch, but with his big frame he is probably better suited for third base, especially since he has a strong arm but iffy range and stiff motions sometimes. A pure hitter, line drive machine, Nick Senzel is the prototypical advanced college bat. While the raw power has not showed itself in games yet, with just 9 home runs in 136 college games thanks to his flat bat plane geared for line drives, he is strong enough to tap into it in pro ball if he makes the necessary adjustments. He could shoot quickly through the minors and have a .280/.350/.450 ceiling in the big leagues, and if the power really comes through he could resemble the next Todd Frazier.

Will Craig, Wake Forest University

Craig has been the best hitter in college baseball by far this season, obliterating the ACC to a .466/.581/.909 slash line. A big man standing in at 6'3'', 225 pounds, he is not a great defender at third base, with awkward movements with stiff hands that will likely result in a move to first base, which would be a waste of his absolute cannon of an arm. But defense is not what scouts are watching for in Craig, it is his bat that excites everyone. Strong and powerful with good loft in his swing, expect lots of flyballs and homers from him when he reaches the low level of the minors. He is yet another example of an advanced college bat with a solid approach, also walking more than he strikes out, but his below average speed negates any baserunning value he may have. His swing is very dependent on his arms and upper body, his brute strength has been enough to demolish college pitching. As Craig transitions to pro ball, some improvements to look out for are a harder back foot pivot and more lower body rotation, where he can use his strong and built lower half to further generate power output. While Trevor Plouffe may not be a flashy comp, he has quietly produced good power numbers for Minnesota the last few seasons and as a former first-round pick, seems like a reasonable expectation as to what Will Craig can become.

Minor League Spotlight: Hartford Yard Goats

Chris Creamer/sportslogos.net

With a hot 5-2 start and four HRs from top prospect David Dahl, the inaugural season of the Hartford Yard Goats is underway. Formerly the New Britain Rock Cats, the Double-A team of the Colorado Rockies, the franchise moved to Hartford in the 2016 season. Hartford, being a historically rich city both in baseball and culture, was a prime landing spot for a minor league franchise.

Hartford is the capital of Connecticut, home of the Hartford Union train station, which serves as an important part of the historic New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad that has been around for 150 years. The Yard Goats moniker may seem like nonsense to non-Hartford residents, but it is one of major historic symbolism and significance. Yard Goats is a nod to Hartford's railway history, as it is a slang term for a locomotive that moves trains from track to track, much like a Double-A team is one that moves players from the low minors to the AAA team, just one step away from the majors. Like most minor league baseball teams, the name was chosen through a fan entry contest, narrowly beating out names such as the Whirlybirds (Hartford's history with helicopters), and the Praying Mantises (Connecticut's state insect). Props to Anthony Castora, a fan of minor league baseball, for coming up with such a creative and symbolic, if not a bit quirky, team name.

Raimel Tapia, zimbio.com

Not only do the Hartford Yard Goats have a catchy name, they are loaded with young and exciting talent too. Recently ranked as the third most-talented team in all of Minor League baseball, Hartford boasts a top-notch pitching rotation as well as explosive and potential-laden hitting that will strike fear in Eastern League pitchers. The aforementioned Dahl, a center fielder who has gone deep four times in just seven games, was a first-round pick in 2012 and has been a top 100 prospect ever since, ranked as high as #22 by Baseball America. Alongside him in right field is another top 100 prospect, Raimel Tapia, a fleet-footed, sweet-swinging outfielder who brings a good hit tool, batting over .300 in every level of the minors, and a strong arm to throw runners out. Not to be forgotten is the left fielder Rosell Herrera, who fell off prospect rankings after being two mediocre years removed from hitting .343/.419/.515 with 16 HRs in low-A Asheville, but still brings some tools and flash to the table.

At the infield corners, the Yard Goats have two of Colorado's top power prospects, third baseman Ryan McMahon and first baseman Correlle Prime. McMahon is arguably the top 3B prospect in the game, having dominated every level of the minors with his combo of power and patience. Prime has a flashy-name suitable for the Hartford Yard Goats, but he has an even flashier power in his bat that makes him a threat in the lineup. Coming off of a disappointing season in 2015, he is a year removed from the 47 doubles, 21 homers, and 102 RBI's campaign back in low-A. He is very raw and not a big name in most prospect circles, certainly not as big as McMahon, Dahl, and Tapia, but Prime has some tools that could take him up to Colorado when he figures out how to use them. Shortstop Pat Valaika was drafted out of UCLA in the 9th round in 2013, and while he isn't much of a prospect or hitter, I got to see him play in college and he is a smooth and reliable defender at short, profiling as a possible future big-league utility man.

On the pitching side, Hartford's rotation has three of Colorado's top pitching prospects, 2014 first round lefty Kyle Freeland, 2015 breakout Antonio Senzatela, and the recently acquired German Marquez. Freeland, a big lefty, has good command of the strike zone to go with a low-to-mid 90's fastball and hard slider from a 3/4s arm slot. Senzatela and Marquez are both live-armed Venezuelans, both just 21 years of age. Senzatela is another command artist, and he can really hit his spots and paint the corners without an overpowering fastball or particularly impressive off-speed. Marquez throws hard, but the secondaries lack as well, leading to a low strikeout rate. Set-up man Austin House, who came over in the Mark Canha trade, and closer Matt Carasiti should form a solid back of the bullpen for the starters to turn over to and finish off wins. With a strong pitching staff and powerful bats, the Hartford Yard Goats should be in for an exciting inaugural season in their brand-new stadium.

Fun Fact: the Hartford Yard Goats new home field will be named Dunkin' Donuts Park. Of course.

Yes, apparently this is actually a thing, Jeff Cohen/WNPR