The Braves played the Mets over the weekend. That didn’t go well. The Braves play the Nationals next. That might not go well. But something else should.
#BestPlayerAvailable. That’s the mantra of the Atlanta Braves today as the 2017 edition of the MLB Draft kicks off tonight. Here’s the schedule:
- Rounds 1 and 2: starts 7 pm EDT tonight
- Rounds 3-10: Tuesday, starting at 1 pm EDT.
- Rounds 11-40: Wednesday, starting at noon eastern time.
According to CBS Sports, The MLB Network will have the broadcast of Round 1 through Competitive Balance Round A. All of it will be on MLB.com.
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Given that #BestPlayerAvailable thing, it’s amazing to me just how many people are predicting that the Braves will be ‘cutting deals’ to spread their money around. If there has been one consistency, it’s the message that they will go with the best draftee they see.
Of course that’s the question: what does that draft board look like?
We don’t often go to Jim Bowden for advice here… and there’s probably a good reason for that.
Top 5 picks in this MLB Draft go to the #Twins #Reds #Padres #Rays #Braves. Best players in this draft: McKay, Wright, Greene, Pratto,Lewis
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) June 12, 2017
Well, almost. The “consensus” seems to be wrapped around MacKenzie Gore rather than Nick Pratto. Pratto is ranked 24th by BaseballAmerica. But I just wanted to ping him about that odd mention.
Among the majority of the real pundits, the list is (RHP/SS) Hunter Greene, (1B/LHP) Brendan McKay, (RHP) Kyle Wright, (SS/CF) Royce Lewis, and (LHP) Gore… in some order.
So here’s what I’m seeing this morning:
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thescore.com: Royce Lewis (CF/SS)… or one of the other four above.
Sooo… Lewis or Gore? That’s the general expectation, it seems.
My guess? Probably whichever of those ‘top 5’ that’s still available. For it’s not just guessing the Braves’ pick…. it’s also guessing all of the others ahead of them. And that will be just as tricky as figuring on #5.
May the Braves never have to draft that high in the order again.
Next: Here's more on the draft... kinda
#BestPlayerAvailable watch starts tonight! Oh, and there’s a game: Mike Foltynewicz and Stephen Strasburg are throwing tonight. That should be good too.