In the first rund with the 6th overall pick the Cubs selected Albert Almora. No surprise here.
Almora is a latter-day A.J. Hinch in that he has become a go-to player for USA Baseball national teams from a young age. Almora was USA Baseball's 2011 athlete of the year after being MVP of the 18-and-under Pan American Championships in Colombia in November 2011. He tied Hinch's USA Baseball record by playing on his sixth national team, and scouts love his grinder approach and in-game savvy. What's more, Almora has outstanding tools. The Miami signee, in one scout's words, "has no issues. He's got above-average tools everywhere, and they all play. He has tools and he uses them." He doesn't turn in blazing times when he runs in showcases (generally he's a 6.8-second runner in the 60), but his game instincts help him steal bases and cover plenty of ground in center field. Scouts consider his defense major league-ready right now, with plus grades for his accurate throwing arm. With natural hitting rhythm and plenty of bat speed, Almora is a line-drive machine with a loose swing who stays inside the ball, relishes velocity and handles spin. He should have 20-homer power down the line, sufficient if he slows down and can't play center, and a definite bonus if (as expected) he stays in the middle garden. He plays the game with both ease and energy and may have some projection left in his athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. The Miami signee is considered one of the draft's safer picks and could sneak into the first 10 selections. — Baseball America
From mlb.com on Almora
Almora has played for USA Baseball as much as any player in history. He's played in big situations and shown natural leadership abilities over the years.
He's also got many tools to get excited about. He should be an above-avearge hitter at the next level, with an ability to drive the ball to all fields. He'll have above-average power as well and shows it in games now, especially to the pull side. He's a solid average runner and knows what to do on the basepaths. Defensively, he's a plus center fielder with excellent arm strength and range.
All of his tools play up because of his plus makeup and work ethic. That combination should have plenty of teams in the first round taking a long look at him.
More updates to come.
i’m good with it
Yeah, I’m fine with it too. He’s a very good player. I’d have gone with Appel, but he’d have been my next choice.
Anyone else think there HAS to be something wrong with Appel, like an injury or something? He’s in free fall.
I like it. I trust the people who made the decision.
@ Akabari:
There is something wrong with him. He wants a fuck ton of money and is represented by Scott boras.
@ Akabari:
Maybe demanding too much money, but now he’s screwed if that’s true so I don’t think I believe that. It’s not like he was a consensus number 1 or anything.
*inserts terrible Appel pun*
@ bubblesdachimp:
That doesn’t make sense, bubbles. What are his options at this point? If he wants money he goes first overall. Anything after that gets him less money.
It’s funny how context colors our opinions. Had this been the pick in the Hendry era, I would have been going crazy that we arguably passed up the best pitchers in the draft for a guy with “incredible makeup.”
@ Akabari:
Apparently there are signability issues?
its Boras. And with these new budgets teams under us can’t spend on him either and have money left for anyone else.
The one thing I am thinking mb is Scott boras is smarter then anyone in the room. I bet he goes to the nats and gets more then anyone don’t know how but I bet it happens.
when is the signing deadline? didn’t it move up under new CBA?
Shawn- he has good makeup sure but they didn’t draft David Eckstein he has all the tools you want with an early pick
Shit Appel could slide a long long way here
The Pirates, Marlins, and Rockies can’t even sign Appel for as much as as the 1st round slot money given their budgets. The A’s could, but barely. The Mets can’t. Neither can the White Sox, Reds, Indians and Nationals. Only the Blue Jays, Cardinals and A’s could sign him for 1st pick money and the Cardinals can’t considering they have 14 picks including 2 in the first round. The blue Jays are in the same boat. There just isn’t a team who can sign Appel for that money so I’m confident that’s not what’s going on here.
My buddy just texted me he sees Appel going a weird free agency route in 2013.
Ok he goes to the Nats who ONLY HAVE 4.4 to spend. They aren’t going to blow their draft on 1 freaking guy.
Or maybe they should since they are in the NL (dying laughing)
@ shawndgoldman:
I mentioned earlier today that I have a hard time getting excited about a toolsy player and I’m still that way. I do think Appel was behind Zimmer and Gausman, but not far behind and definitely better than Almora.
Boras should have realized he lost the war with this new CBA and taken the deal.
@ dylanj:
No doubt. But if this were a year ago, it would have really grated on me that they “passed” on Appel for a guy that everyone was gushing about “makeup” and “work ethic.”
Don’t get me wrong: clearly this guy has tools. What’s more, I trust these guys. But that’s part of why I’m not complaining right now.
“@keithlaw: All I can say is it’s not about ability or injury. RT @SoxFanForsyth: @keithlaw Signability problems with Appel?”
@ bubblesdachimp:
I’ll take that bet. $100?
and this holds true for us too. We only have 7 some million to spend. Thats how much the Astros had for the first pick. If they couldn’t cut a deal then we couldn’t either
I bet Pitt signs him for more then we think…
WOW. Unless Boras gave in the Pirates won’t have much to spend
@ mb21:
I will do 50 bucks he gets more then any pitcher.
@ dylanj:
And Bubbles who addressed him, that makes sense. Interesting.
Well as I typed this Pirates took him. Thats interesting. And very unexpected.
@ bubblesdachimp:
That route doesn’t exist. He could go play in Japan first and that would make him eligible to sign with a team here, but they’d probably have to post him in order for that to happen.
We didn’t pick Hayden Simpson #2 so I’m happy.
The Pirates budget is $6.5 million. Appel just screwed himself.
mb21 wrote:
That’s if there were money demands and I don’t believe there was. The Pirates wouldn’t have selected him if that’s true.
yeah MD you have to wonder if once Boras saw they were fucked he had to swallow his pride. Unless Boras convinces the Pirates to fuck the rest of their draft (lets hope so) he just got pwned
@ bubblesdachimp:
Ok. He wasn’t rated the highest by the rankings so the only way that would have happened is if he was taken before them. $50 is fine, but I’ll bet you $500 if you want.
@ dylanj:
I’m guessing he just wasn’t as high on the team boards as some people thought. I thought the best pitchers were Zimmer and Gausman and they were taken back to back. Based purely on talent Appel probably should have been the 3rd pitcher taken, but Fried is a lefty so that may push him higher at that point in the draft.
This cba is so dumb.
@ bubblesdachimp:
So a small market team in the middle of rebuilding is going to pay a large tax and give up their first round pick next year? There’s no way that happens. None. That’s the opposite of good thinking and the opposite of how a team rebuilding would handle the draft.
@ mb21:
Alright 50 bucks. I bet he will get the most money of any pitcher.. Although part of me thinks we will never know because there will be some serious side shit going on.
@ mb21:
I think they are going to give him a lot and give about everyone else 100k
I’m fine with Almora, but I think it’s a clear signal this FO doesn’t plan to contend in 2013 and maybe even 2014. Appel was the clear pick if that was plan.
@ bubblesdachimp:
I actually like how the best players have been taken and no team has stretched into the 30s, 40s or 150s in the rankings to grab a player.
another thing to consider is this- This is a weak weak year and next year is supposed to be better. The Pirates can offer Appel the recommended amount and if he says no his only recourse is to go back to Stanford. In that case the Pirates get the # 9 next year plus their other pick.
ALL the power is with the teams in this new CBA
@ bubblesdachimp:
OK, so they give 9 other picks $100,000, which isn’t possible, and they’re left with $5.5 million to give Appel. You do realize even if a team drafted the worst player in the draft with the 1st overall pick he’d get more than a million bucks, right? He’d get nowhere near slot, but he’d get a hell of a lot more than he’d have gotten if he was picked last. So they can take the worst players available and they’re still going to be spending more than $900,000 on those 9 picks.
Maybe I’m reading too much into things (And I probably am, (dying laughing) ), but Jed saying “We’d be hard pressed to walk away not being content with the pitching we took” or whatever, and making it pretty obvious that they wouldn’t take a pitcher with the first pick, maybe that means something? Need based picks are always iffy in baseball since you can’t predict, but maybe all this Theo “I’m in disguise!” stuff means they have a lot of pitchers they feel are undervalued, and not so for other positions?
I dunno, maybe I’m crazy.
mb21 wrote:
This
@ bubblesdachimp:
@ mb21:
@ dylanj:
If the Pirates can get him signed and still say within budget they will. If Appel wants all that much money they won’t budge and they shouldn’t.
Mb you make a lot of sense. I trust boras I just do
Baez with a bb and stolen base
@ bubblesdachimp:
I don’t trust him to get the Pirates to give draft picks away or pay a tax. Teams just didn’t like Appel as much as some did. It happens.
mb21 wrote:
Errr…190s?
By Harold Reynolds’ logic, if I beat Fridge Perry in a footrace, I have elite speed. Good to know.
“@BenBadler: Maybe they should http://t.co/mt7CRcxA RT @jontehGreat how the hell are the pirates going to sign him? they punting the rest of the draft?”
My question to ben
Is Hayden Simpson the Cubs-draft 9/11??
Never forget.
@ Mish:
Too soon.
@ mb21:
The new constraints make it so much easier for teams to tell the players
@ GBTS:
Yeah, it’s probably in poor taste to make Hayden Simpson jokes.
@ mb21:
I’d much rather every team except the Cubs stretched into the 150′s or so.
@ Mish:
Mono is a serious issue, Mish.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I was not aware.
(dying laughing), we should do a Mono Awareness month in honor of Homer Simpson
@ Berselius:
Apparently it’s worse for a pitcher to get mono than have TJS.
@ Berselius:
I’d take the money.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
(dying laughing)
GROTA Rob is disappointed that Correa didn’t come up to the stage with his scantily clad girlfriend and attempt to mug Bud Selig
“@CarrieMuskat: #Cubs Jason McLeod says Almora was top player on their board. “He fits the criteria of what we were looking for.””
When is the Cubs next pick? Late 30s?
@ bubblesdachimp:
Jason McLeod is no stormtrooper.
Never mind, it’s 43 and 56 for Rodrigo and Pena
@ Rice Cube:
I bet he could actually hit something if you gave him a blaster
Just sayin’
AJ Hinch: 350 g, 953 AB .219/.280/.356
And a Quade-like managerial career.
I love the make-up/leadership commentary. I think that’s great. I hope he gets to use it in the majors.
OK, maybe I’m being a little harsh on the manager comparison.
Gioloto ———> Nats
Berselius wrote:
I love their drafts.
They’ve taken guys who were considered to be the top pick at some point for 4 straight years
@ Berselius:
Yeah, the Cubs have a long way to go before their next pick.
I was hoping giolito would be available for cubs in second round
Lots of college juniors so far along with the high schoolers.
@ Rice Cube:
Most college draft picks are juniors.
@ mb21:
I’m guessing by the time they get to their senior year that means they’re not that good. Saw that Gausman was a sophomore.
I love these draft picks that can help a big league club the year they’re drafted. Great pick by the Jays.
@ Rice Cube:
If it takes four years you’re probably not that good or coming off a serious injury. Some guys are draft eligible sophomores. Can’t remember the qualifications though.
Anyone else think that Uncle Bud hesitates EVERYTIME he says “(Next Team) is now on the………….clock”, because he’s repeating in his brain “Don’t say cock. Don’t say cock.”
@ mikeakaleroy:
(dying laughing)
Just noticed the pause.
How can a dude named Stryker not be a pitcher? Seems like a travesty!
@ mikeakaleroy:
Perhaps he strikes the ball with great force.
@ Rice Cube:
Perhaps, or he throws strikes back to the pitcher after every pitch? If the umpire will allow him that is.
/comedycallback
@ mikeakaleroy:
That seems to break all kinds of unwritten rules.
@ Rice Cube:
Who’s in charge of that book anymore, is it Angry Old Man Stone, or is Brenly in charge? I can’t keep track since the owner of the book is also unwritten.
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
@ Aisle424:
I guess Mr. Appel has two choices…
1. Go back to school.
2. Take the money, be set for life, and STFU.
Cubs threatening 97 year old franchise record: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/cubs-approaching-franchise-futility-mark/
I CAN HAZ UZED TOYZ?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/science/space/repurposed-telescope-may-explore-secrets-of-dark-energy.html
@ mb21:
Doesn’t it have something to do with their having been previously drafted out of high school?
Are we pulling for anyone specific to drop to the Cubs?
I have no idea how the new rules work. Can they sign someone “over-slot” with this pick? My sense from almost-reading stuff on this is that they can’t do that anymore.
Ivan Rodriguez! Cool.
@ shawndgoldman:
I think they could go overslot but then they wouldn’t be allowed to spend on the other draft picks. You can spend the first-ten-rounds pool of money however you want but cannot exceed the total amount by too much.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Here’s the criteria
High school players, if they have graduated from high school and have not yet attended college or junior college;
College players, from four-year colleges who have either completed their junior or senior years or are at least 21 years old; and
Junior college players, regardless of how many years of school they have completed
@ Rice Cube:
I’d bet there’s some interesting calculus there. I mean… is it more likely a top-10 talent is more likely to make the majors than the guys you’d “normally” get in rounds 5-10, combined? Could you make headway by bundling your money to draft one guy overslot, and then grab a bunch of underslot guys in later rounds?
on the clock
Who do we want?
@ shawndgoldman: <—- incapable of thinking for himself today
@ shawndgoldman:
A girl worth fighting for.
http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/pierce-johnson-rhp-missouri-state/
@ shawndgoldman:
I can see some team doing something like this in the future. Or maybe they do it this year.
Pierce Johnson eh.
http://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/5/9/3009618/2012-mlb-draft-missouri-states-pierce-johnson-makes-keith-laws-top
Aaaaannnnd MLB Network cites his COLLEGE WIN-LOSS RECORD. HURRDURRDERP
new shit: http://www.obstructedview.net/minor-leagues/cubs-select-pierce-johnson-43rd-overall.html (scouting report for Johnson)
@ dylanj:
Forearm strains can be warning signs for elbow problems.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
… and loneliness.