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craviduce wrote: ↑10 Mar 2025 16:18 pm Heads up.... Bonus pools were announced for the 2024 MLB Draft and 2025 IFA back in April on the 2nd. I expect the 2025 Draft Bonus Pools and 2026 IFA Bonus Pools around the same date this year. 3-4 weeks away.

We're likely to have a Top 7 or 8 Bonus pool allotment. That's a lot to spend.

good

Jace LaViolette crushed his 5th HR of the season tonight....5 HR, 20 RBI on the season. He's well behind his pace from last season of 29 HR, 72 RBI.

He has lowered his K% below 22% for the season. Which is down from last season. He may be heating up going into SEC play this weekend. His draft stock has taken a big hit falling all the way down to 11th in BA's mock on Monday, so he has a bit of damage to repair.

LSU's Jared Jones, C, hit his 7th HR, 28th RBI....now batting over .430 on the season, and 1.400 OPS. He crushed 28 HR last season. His BB/K ratio has drastically improved vs previous years....he's 18% BB vs. 10% K heading into SEC play. 25% and 34% K rates the last 2 seasons.

Game is in the 4th inning, but LSU leads 17-2, Run Rule will be triggered in a couple of innings. Maybe time for 1 more AB

craviduce wrote: ↑11 Mar 2025 20:11 pm Jace LaViolette crushed his 5th HR of the season tonight....5 HR, 20 RBI on the season. He's well behind his pace from last season of 29 HR, 72 RBI.

He has lowered his K% below 22% for the season. Which is down from last season. He may be heating up going into SEC play this weekend. His draft stock has taken a big hit falling all the way down to 11th in BA's mock on Monday, so he has a bit of damage to repair.

I hope LaViolette is available for the Cardinals if one of the top three pitchers aren't there.

Vandy's CF, RJ Austin with a 2 for 3 night, 2 runs scored. He's not going to hit HR's, but he's 4 tool player with lots of speed. Stole 28 bases last year. 10 SB so far, hitting over .350 on the season, OPS north of 1.000.

He's ranking around 40-60 on all draft boards. Could be good get in the 2nd round.

Tennessee's 1B, Andrew Fischer hit his 7th HR, and ran his RBI total up to 19 on the season. He has an Outrageous walk rate at 31%

Dean Curley was 1 for 3, 2 HBP, 1 Run scored
Gavin Kilen was 1 for 4, BB

The Volunteer 3 is the best offensive infield we've seen in college in a long time.

all 3 have vaulted up the draft boards, and I can confidently say, as of today, they'll all go First Round. Where exactly remains to be seen. Kilen is arguably the best hitter in the Big 4 conferences, and Curley is playing some elite SS and a formidable leadoff bat.
Kilen and Curley are easily Top 15 picks right now.

craviduce wrote: ↑10 Mar 2025 16:18 pm Heads up.... Bonus pools were announced for the 2024 MLB Draft and 2025 IFA back in April on the 2nd. I expect the 2025 Draft Bonus Pools and 2026 IFA Bonus Pools around the same date this year. 3-4 weeks away.

We're likely to have a Top 7 or 8 Bonus pool allotment. That's a lot to spend.

This is why I have been proposing deals with the Mariners who not only have the number 3 pick but also comp pick 35. If the Cards could get that then they could sign a big bat at #5 then have enough pool money to get a hard to get HS arm with a high contract demand. With NIL money some of these high school players can make much more with 3 years of college then with a bonus and minor league pay. There are bench warmers in the SEC basketball making $500 grand per year. I’m sure a top flight baseball player can make that much or more in the SEC.

kyace wrote: ↑11 Mar 2025 20:57 pm

craviduce wrote: ↑10 Mar 2025 16:18 pm Heads up.... Bonus pools were announced for the 2024 MLB Draft and 2025 IFA back in April on the 2nd. I expect the 2025 Draft Bonus Pools and 2026 IFA Bonus Pools around the same date this year. 3-4 weeks away.

We're likely to have a Top 7 or 8 Bonus pool allotment. That's a lot to spend.

This is why I have been proposing deals with the Mariners who not only have the number 3 pick but also comp pick 35. If the Cards could get that then they could sign a big bat at #5 then have enough pool money to get a hard to get HS arm with a high contract demand. With NIL money some of these high school players can make much more with 3 years of college then with a bonus and minor league pay. There are bench warmers in the SEC basketball making $500 grand per year. I’m sure a top flight baseball player can make that much or more in the SEC.

That's what I'm feeling right now....2nd round and comp round go big with HS picks. As for the 5th overall pick, I'm torn. I like quite a few players at the moment. Very interested in Hernandez and Carlson from Corona HS, and Houston, Kilen, Curley are legit college hitters. I don't think Arnold will be there at #5. I like Doyle, but we need to see more from his secondary pitches going forward. BA had great VOD the other day talking about the top College Pitchers, and they mentioned that Doyle is throwing 60-70% fastballs...now those are a variety of fastballs, so his command has to be out of this world...but I'm hesitant, as of now. Show me more offspeed.

We hate to say what are our "needs" when talking about our drafts, especially 1st round pick, but I think we should talk about it. Front of the rotation starter who can get to the majors pretty quickly. Same with an athletic, college bat. CF and 3B and 1B are need. Power bat in the OF is a need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9EFUG-h5eY

Baseball America breaks down their Top picks from their latest mock (3/10). Pick 1-11

CC did the mock with an anonymous scout, CC picked Odd, Scout picked Even.

good 30 minute vod.

reminder, Cards picked Ethan Holliday in this mock, SS/3B, Stillwater, OK

craviduce wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025 09:05 am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9EFUG-h5eY

Baseball America breaks down their Top picks from their latest mock (3/10). Pick 1-11

CC did the mock with an anonymous scout, CC picked Odd, Scout picked Even.

good 30 minute vod.

reminder, Cards picked Ethan Holliday in this mock, SS/3B, Stillwater, OK

I would be fine with Holliday, but I'd really like to snag a pitcher. We aren't drafting this high next year regardless of record.

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025 10:55 am

craviduce wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025 09:05 am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9EFUG-h5eY

Baseball America breaks down their Top picks from their latest mock (3/10). Pick 1-11

CC did the mock with an anonymous scout, CC picked Odd, Scout picked Even.

good 30 minute vod.

reminder, Cards picked Ethan Holliday in this mock, SS/3B, Stillwater, OK

I would be fine with Holliday, but I'd really like to snag a pitcher. We aren't drafting this high next year regardless of record.

Bremner, BA's 2nd pick (scout pick), had Forearm discomfort 3 weeks ago, and hasn't finished a 4th inning in 4 starts. I'm not trying to knock him, I just wanted to get all the info out there for people to chew on. I don't think I would pick him in my Top 5....even though he has the best/complete arsenal of pitches....pitches that are MLB ready.....which is 3. Everyone else has 2 that grade MLB ready, with a new offering or two that might be average...as of now.

craviduce wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025 11:03 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025 10:55 am

craviduce wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025 09:05 am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9EFUG-h5eY

Baseball America breaks down their Top picks from their latest mock (3/10). Pick 1-11

CC did the mock with an anonymous scout, CC picked Odd, Scout picked Even.

good 30 minute vod.

reminder, Cards picked Ethan Holliday in this mock, SS/3B, Stillwater, OK

I would be fine with Holliday, but I'd really like to snag a pitcher. We aren't drafting this high next year regardless of record.

Bremner, BA's 2nd pick (scout pick), had Forearm discomfort 3 weeks ago, and hasn't finished a 4th inning in 4 starts. I'm not trying to knock him, I just wanted to get all the info out there for people to chew on. I don't think I would pick him in my Top 5....even though he has the best/complete arsenal of pitches....pitches that are MLB ready.....which is 3. Everyone else has 2 that grade MLB ready, with a new offering or two that might be average...as of now.

I would steer clear of that. Forearm discomfort can often mean TJ surgery. I would take the risk if it were a guy who was older, but it concerns me more if it needs to happen pre-pro.

craviduce wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025 09:05 am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9EFUG-h5eY

Baseball America breaks down their Top picks from their latest mock (3/10). Pick 1-11

CC did the mock with an anonymous scout, CC picked Odd, Scout picked Even.

good 30 minute vod.

reminder, Cards picked Ethan Holliday in this mock, SS/3B, Stillwater, OK

further break down with Peter Flaherty and Carlos Collazo

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... t-of-2025/

Peter would've chosen one of the top 3 College SS at #2....Houston, Arquette, Curley

two Liams met in Knoxville.

What a battle so far on Opening SEC weekend

Liam Doyle (Tenn) vs. Liam Peterson (UF)

Tied 1-1 in the 5th.

======

Peterson 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K
Doyle 4 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Forbes (Louisville) and Root (Arkansas) not so good outings

Forbes ~ 4 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 6 K ...... Louisville squeaks by UNC 8-7

Root ~ 3 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 2 BB, 3 K .... #13 Ole Miss stomps #3 Arkansas 10-6

craviduce wrote: ↑14 Mar 2025 19:11 pm two Liams met in Knoxville.

What a battle so far on Opening SEC weekend

Liam Doyle (Tenn) vs. Liam Peterson (UF)

Tied 1-1 in the 5th.

======

Peterson 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K
Doyle 4 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Peterson tried the 5th inning, but didn't record an out, gave up 3 more runs before being pulled.

Doyle was lifted after 4 2/3 IP, his line is above. Runners were stranded by reliever.