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Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Team isn’t the only thing Tanking

By Alan Carpenter

Original by Luis Villa del Campo from Madrid, Spain - Times Square - NASDAQ Market site TV Studio. Wikipedia.org, 2006. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Original by Luis Villa del Campo from Madrid, Spain - Times Square - NASDAQ Market site TV Studio. Wikipedia.org, 2006. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ /
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Apr 2, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; A radar gun used to measure pitch speeds during the first inning of a spring training baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; A radar gun used to measure pitch speeds during the first inning of a spring training baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Early MLB Mock Drafts Beginning to Appear

You realize that the MLB Draft is now just 7 weeks away?  Who will the Braves go after with the #3 overall pick?  That’s still a big question, and some ‘watcher’ sites are starting to get some answers (with my notes following):

DRAFT UTOPIA (MARCH 24)

More from Tomahawk Take

  • Phillies:  Jason Groome (LHP, HS)
  • Reds:  Riley Pint (RHP, HS)
  • Braves:  A.J. Puk (LHP, Florida)
  • Braves #40 Pick:  Dakota Hudson (P, Miss State)

Note:  I disagree strongly with these picks.  If Groome and Pint are indeed off the board, then Atlanta will not go after a college arm – it would be the best position player/bat available.  But even if they opted to go with Puk (he is a lefty), they certainly would not double-down on that with another college pitcher at pick #40.

DRAFTSITE.COM

  • Phillies:  Groome
  • Reds:  Delvin Perez (SS, Puerto Rico)
  • Braves:  Pint
  • Braves #40 Pick:  Bailey Clark (RHP, Duke)

Note:  I could see Perez sneaking up into the top tier… and I could see the Braves considering him too.  As suggested above, if Groome or Pint are somehow available, Atlanta likely would not pass on either.  Still not sold on the idea of a college arm at #40.  The depth of prospects available in the system now would seriously make it hard to add a kid ready for at least High-A ball the day he signs.

SCOUT.COM / Version 2.0 (March 29)

Scout had 2 of their editors make parallel picks:

  • Phillies:  Nick Senzel (3B, U Tenn) or Groome
  • Reds:  Delvin Perez or Senzel
  • Braves:  Corey Ray (OF, Louisville) or Blake Rutherford (HS OF)
  • they did not go as far as the Braves’ second pick

Note:  This is a different take all around, though the Braves’ picks match those suggested by Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo on mlb.com back in December.  I have to believe that the Phils will take Groome.  He’s the best pitcher on the board and he’s from the region (N. Jersey).  They also don’t really need Senzel with Maikel Franco looking like a keeper.

In the choice between Ray and Rutherford, you’re choosing between the ‘almost now’ and the ‘chance for something special.’  Rutherford is ranked 3rd on BaseballAmerica’s chart from mid-March; Corey Ray is 7th.

BASEBALL ESSENTIAL / Version 1.0 (April 19)

  • Phillies:  Groome
  • Reds:  Perez
  • Braves:  Corey Ray
  • they did not go as far as the Braves’ second pick

Note:  As this site notes, Ray is the safe pick and he has not hurt his draft status during this season at Louisville (29-7).  He is now hitting .331 in starting all 36 games:  157AB, 39 runs, 52 hits (12 doubles, a triple, and 10 dingers).  Slash line is .331/.398/.611/1.009, though charged with 4 errors in the outfield (1 OF assist).

Next: Wood Back With Chip on Shoulder

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