Official MLB Draft Thread

[The Dude]

I guess I can take a wait-and-see approach. After all, catchers are late bloomers with the stick, anyway (with obvious exceptions). How long did it take Yadi to be a productive hitter?

Didn't post a 100 or better ops+ until his 5th season in the Majors. I agree with the wait and see approach. Scouts aren't 100% right all of the time, so there is definitly a chance Ward could exceed expectations or he could turn out to be a bust...another Mathis. Guess we'll know in a couple of years.

[Quinlanforthewin]

You're not going to get a Kris Bryant type player with all the hype where the Angels are picking this year.

 

No one is saying the Angels had to get a hype guy.  Just a player of value that addresses organizational needs.  

[Dave Saltzer]

I don't want to bash the kid, perhaps the Angels' scouts see more projection with the bat than others. My only real issue with the pick, well 2 issues are the fact that in the 1st round we should of been looking for the best player available and second, we have Perez and Bandy currently on the 40 man. Best case scenario this kid replaces Bandy as Perez' backup in 3-4 years.

If that is your best case scenario, that's projecting a lot of negativity. Why not a best case scenario of a starting catcher who hits .260 - .280 with 10 dangers in 120 games, all while throwing out 40% of all base runners?

[tdawg87]

If that is your best case scenario, that's projecting a lot of negativity. Why not a best case scenario of a starting catcher who hits .260 - .280 with 10 dangers in 120 games, all while throwing out 40% of all base runners?

 

I'd love to read the scouting report that says that.

[Kevin]

Can he throw to first when the runner is stealing second? If not, franchise over.

[Inside Pitch]

Blake Trahan, the guy people thought the Angels would take in the first round is still available...   Wouldn't mind them picking him up in the 2nd, although he might be a hard sign given he's a draft eligible sophomore and has options...

[Inside Pitch]

One more pick and then the mayhem can start up again!!!!!!

[Dave Saltzer]

0

Of course, Ward could end up being the next Yadier Molina and Stephenson could be the next Mathis. We just don't know at this point. But what we do know is the Angels likely could have had this guy in the 2nd or even 3rd round, and they took him in the first for some bizarre reason.

Did you see this from Jeff Fletcher?

@JeffFletcherOCR: MLB exec says Angels draft pick Taylor Ward was probably a reach at No. 26, but would have been "risky" to wait till 70 to get him.

In a weak draft, with very little consensus past the top 3, the Angels went in a different direction. Not whom I would have picked, but maybe this pick sets up their entire draft down the line. With a low draft rank and bonus pool, they do have to be more strategic. I'm not selling the pick, but it is growing on me.

[Mark68]

Jahmai Jones, OF, Wesleyan HS, GA

[NrM]

Did you see this from Jeff Fletcher?

@JeffFletcherOCR: MLB exec says Angels draft pick Taylor Ward was probably a reach at No. 26, but would have been "risky" to wait till 70 to get him.

In a weak draft, with very little consensus past the top 3, the Angels went in a different direction. Not whom I would have picked, but maybe this pick sets up their entire draft down the line. With a low draft rank and bonus pool, they do have to be more strategic. I'm not selling the pick, but it is growing on me.

 

Where do you expect the angels farm system to rank next year? 29nth or 30th?

[Quinlanforthewin]

Did you see this from Jeff Fletcher?

@JeffFletcherOCR: MLB exec says Angels draft pick Taylor Ward was probably a reach at No. 26, but would have been "risky" to wait till 70 to get him.

In a weak draft, with very little consensus past the top 3, the Angels went in a different direction. Not whom I would have picked, but maybe this pick sets up their entire draft down the line. With a low draft rank and bonus pool, they do have to be more strategic. I'm not selling the pick, but it is growing on me.

 

You are clearly selling this pick.  What makes you trust this organization's scouting lately?

[Inside Pitch]

Video of 2nd rounder 

 

 

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v82576083/draft-report-jahmai-jones-hs-2bof

[Stradling]

What makes you certain that publications know more about a player than the Angels who scouted him for over a year? I have zero idea whether it's a good pick or not, I just know the draft is more than one pick and true systems get strength by drafting well in later rounds.

[Angel Oracle]

Another GA HS OF?

This org never learns.

[tdawg87]

Black guy!

[Quinlanforthewin]

What makes you certain that publications know more about a player than the Angels who scouted him for over a year? I have zero idea whether it's a good pick or not, I just know the draft is more than one pick and true systems get strength by drafting well in later rounds.

 

No one is certain of that but it doesn't help.  Also in reading the scouting reports he's not what we need. 

[tdawg87]

What makes you certain that publications know more about a player than the Angels who scouted him for over a year?

 

The current state of the Angels' system, for one.

[Quinlanforthewin]

Fangraphs had this dude ranked 50th if that helps anyone feel better

[tdawg87]

Don't know anything about him. But early on it seems they have position players in mind.

[Dave Saltzer]

Where do you expect the angels farm system to rank next year? 29nth or 30th?

I would bet in the 25 to 30 rank. But I'm on record many times as saying that there's lot more to baseball player development than an organization's ranking in a national magazine. Did those magazines spot Shoemaker? How did that factor into their rankings?

[Chuck]

What makes you certain that publications know more about a player than the Angels who scouted him for over a year? I have zero idea whether it's a good pick or not, I just know the draft is more than one pick and true systems get strength by drafting well in later rounds.

This!

[Chuck]

Fangraphs had this dude ranked 50th if that helps anyone feel better

Dude, stop going by projections by fanboys and publications that don't know shit.

[Stradling]

The current state of the Angels' system, for one.

Are you happy with the pitching in our minor league system? Because that is what they have focused on. I'd prefer more balanced draft approach but I understand going pitching heavy since that's constantly the best currency in baseball.

[tdawg87]

Dude, stop going by projections by fanboys and publications that don't know shit.

 

Yeah! Go by projections by AW staff instead, ya dummy!

 

Come on Chuck. Really?

[bloodbrother]

Jeff Fletcher ‏@JeffFletcherOCR 1m1 minute ago

Angels scouting director Ric Wilson said Taylor Ward can be a 250 hitter with 12-15 HRs, but be elite defensive C, shut down running game