2014 MLB Draft

[imref]

Nats draft #18.  Bleacher Report's predicts that we take Cameron Varga

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2049801-2014-mlb-mock-draft-latest-1st-round-projections-one-month-from-draft-day/page/13

The Washington Nationals, much like Toronto, love taking power right-handers in the first round. Cameron Varga has a strong powerful frame already at 6'3", 205 pounds with a low-90s fastball and deceptive delivery that allows the pitch to play up.

Varga's curveball lacks consistent shape, but it has the break and velocity to project as a plus pitch in the future. He's a great athlete with the simple mechanics to repeat his delivery, and he also possesses a changeup that flashes average.

Other projections for our pick:
Catcher Max Pentecost: http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2014/mlb-draft-profiles/Max-Pentecost

Pitcher Luis Ortiz: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/3/10/5485534/2014-mlb-mock-draft-version-1

Others:
http://dcprosportsreport.com/MLBMocks.htm

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Other projections for our pick:
Catcher Max Pentecost: http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2014/mlb-draft-profiles/Max Pentecost

I've heard many people speaking about him but it was in a variety of languages so I could not understand it. 

[zimm_da_kid]

We'll take highest upside for sure.  Probably someone who falls.

[zimm_da_kid]

This is who we're drafting folks.

2:14pm: Perfect Game’s Frankie Piliere has more details on the situation, noting that Hoffman was recently shut down due to what was thought to be swelling in his elbow but turned out to be a small tear. A meeting with Dr. James Andrews led to the recommendation for Tommy John, which will happen next week.

Piliere reports that many teams were aware of this situation prior to today’s news, and there are even clubs with picks in the No. 5-10 range that are still considering Hoffman. One of the teams in the range to which Piliere refers — the Twins, who pick fifth — will not consider Hoffman in the first round, reports 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson (via Twitter)

1:44pm: East Carolina University right-hander Jeff Hoffman — a projected Top 5 pick in this year’s amateur draft — will miss the remainder of the season with an arm injury, reports Kendall Rogers of PerfectGame.org (via Twitter). ESPN’s Keith Law adds that the news is even worse than that, as Hoffman will require Tommy John surgery (Twitter link).

Scouting reports indicate that Hoffman is an excellent athlete with a fastball that reaches 97 mph and a plus curveball when he’s at his best. The 6’4″, 192-pound right-hander has posted a 2.94 ERA in 67 1/3 innings this season, striking out 72 batters against 20 walks and holding opponents to a .216 batting average.

Hoffman’s injury doesn’t necessarily preclude him from being selected in the first or second round of the draft. In 2012, right-hander Lucas Giolito was considered a potential No. 1 overall pick before he sprained his UCL, causing him to drop to the Nationals with the 16th pick. Last season, injury concerns over former projected Top 5 pick Sean Manaea caused him to fall to the Royals with the No. 34 pick. Clubs with extra draft picks and/or large draft pools could take a chance on Hoffman, conceding the year of development time and a slower start to his career in order to land a Top 5 talent far later than originally anticipated.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/05/potential-top-5-pick-jeff-hoffman-to-undergo-tommy-john-surgery.html

[sportsfan882]

I'm down with that. freak it

[tomterp]

Fine, Hoffman it is. 

Who's going to be around in the 2nd round?

[HalfSmokes]

Sounds like a Rizzo pick, as long as it's not a shoulder, I'm fine with drafting injured pitchers

[Vega]

I wonder if Giolito and Rendon have teams reconsidering passing on injured players? That may keep him from dropping to us. Seattle and KC specifically probably feel really dumb for passing on Rendon. Hultzen got seriously injured later anyway and Starling is remarkably crappy.

[daggerrrrrr]

Baseball America's 2014 Draft Preview: Track Record Lands Rodon Atop First Mock
May 8, 2014 by John Manuel

18: NATIONALS: Washington has benefited in past seasons from players who started the year high on draft boards but fell, usually due to injury. The Nats could benefit again if an injured pitcher falls, or by gambling on the powerful but erratic bat of Fresno high school shortstop Jacob Gatewood. He started the year regarded as one of the top prep bats available but has had an iffy spring.

Projected Pick: Jacob Gatewood

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-mock-draft-track-record-lands-rodon-atop-first-mock/?sm_id=social_20140508_23487044


I hope Jeff Hoffman falls to us at 18



 

[sportsfan882]

Any Max Pentecost fans? Would be nice to draft a catcher with our first round pick.

Max Pentecost
Ht/Wt: 6' 2"/190 lbs
Position: C
Team: Kennessaw St.

Hit/On-base – Pentecost has a smooth, line-drive swing and has shown both a good idea of the strike zone and a willingness to go the other way with the pitch.

Power – Pentecost transfer’s his weight well and has good bat speed and strength, but his swing is more geared towards contact than big power totals. I could see a 15-18 homer type player but I wouldn’t expect a lot more.

Speed – Pentecost is a very good athlete for the position and will not be a liability on the bases like many backstops are.

Glove– Pentecost has really improved as a receiver since he was a 7th round pick by the Rangers three years ago, and looks like he’ll be able to stick behind the plate. He blocks pitches well and has above-average arm strength and a quick release. He’s not Yadier Molina, but he’s closer to that than he is Jesus Montero.

[HalfSmokes]

I don't like a team that relys on a catcher's bat- they just don't play enough

[tomterp]

Any Max Pentecost fans? Would be nice to draft a catcher with our first round pick.

Who are you quoting?

[sportsfan882]

Who are you quoting?

http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2014/mlb-draft-profiles/Max-Pentecost

[tomterp]

http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2014/mlb-draft-profiles/Max-Pentecost

Thank you.

Christopher Crawford of MLB Draft Insider should learn the proper use of apostrophes.   "transfer's"?   

[tomterp]

BP mock draft

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=23506#commentMessage

Note the top 10 picks came out just before Hoffman's injury was fully diagnosed, they had him going 4th to the Cubs.

1:19 Washington Nationals
Making Selection: Todd Gold
 Selects: Marcus Wilson, OF, Junipero Serra (Gardena, CA)

After highly coveted left hander Kodi Medeiros got snatched away one pick before this spot, Wilson becomes the next best upside pick. He has present plus speed and future plus power, and significant physical projection—he won’t turn 18 until months after the draft and he has been exposed to relatively little training. He's shown enough hit tool development for me to believe that the power will play, and though the defense needs work the raw tools give him a chance to develop into a quality defensive center fielder. While the lack of present refinement out of high school makes him a risky proposition at this draft position, there is a realistic chance that he reaches his lofty ceiling, and if it happens he will look like a steal.

[DPMOmaha]

Any Max Pentecost fans? Would be nice to draft a catcher with our first round pick.

There's a religion joke in here somewhere, but I'm gonna leave that alone for now.

[aspenbubba]

There's a religion joke in here somewhere, but I'm gonna leave that alone for now.

JCA beat you to it. I'm sure many missed it. Sorta tongue in cheek.

[DPMOmaha]

JCA beat you to it. I'm sure many missed it. Sorta tongue in cheek.

I was gonna go with the Shavuot or Ascension or something by my clever synapses aren't firing right now.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

JCA beat you to it. I'm sure many missed it. Sorta tongue in cheek.

Freakin' Ivy League religious studies major.  Fat lot of good it did me in life.  My one chance to make a joke based on the New Testament and it flies over the audience's heads, like they were on a silver platter. 

[aspenbubba]

Freakin' Ivy League religious studies major.  Fat lot of good it did me in life.  My one chance to make a joke based on the New Testament and it flies over the audience's heads, like they were on a silver platter. 

I barely graduated a third rate school and my mother had to plea bargain me out........whoops, that was high school.

[zoom]

MLB Mock:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/mock-draft-pitchers-aplenty-in-first-round?ymd=20140516&content_id=75655476&vkey=news_mlb

Spoiler: Nats take Jeff Hoffman

[sportsfan882]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft-preview/

I'd be happy with either of these 3  guys (we pick 18).

17   Max Pentecost   C   Kennesaw State   Ga.   1   
Scouting

18   Kyle Schwarber   C/1B   Indiana   Ind.   2   
Scouting

Video
19   Sean Newcomb   LHP   Hartford   Conn.   1   
Scouting

Video

[RD]

There should be some interesting guys on the board for our pick. Should be able to land a very good player.

One kid I wanted entering the year but have since done a 180 on is Jacob Nix. At one point he had a shot to move into the first but is more of a 3/4 rounder now. Talented kid but after the things Ive heard(kids a headache), I wouldn't be surprised at a bit of a draft slide and he may end up going to college instead.

[blue911]

Jaycob Nix.

[zimm_da_kid]

MLB top 50 draft prospect countdown on at 10 pm eastern