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cardinalsfever44 wrote: ↑30 Apr 2025 17:06 pm

craviduce wrote: ↑30 Apr 2025 16:46 pm mocks are pouring in now, finally

Prospects Live ~ Eli Willits, SS, Ft. Cobb-Broxton HS, Okla.



paywall for the write up, sorry.

If the top 4 fell like this Crav, are you taking Willits at #5 or someone else? Love reading your insights. Thanks!

I'd probably go Carlson over Willits, mainly b/c I have a ton of info on him and his seasons. Plus I've watched several of his games. Getting info on a lot of these HS kids is tough....if their school gives a live feed and provides current stats, it sure helps a lot.

The two College bats I like are Arquette and Kilen.

What you'll hear/read is there is no consensus top group of players...that's why you'll see some guys we're probably targeting in the 20's on this draft....or you'll see them in the Top 10 in Baseball America's Mock draft...it's strange draft this year. Pundits are banking on the High School Short Stops cluttering up the draft (I use "cluttering" affectionately) . It feels like 2021 draft all over again, which was dominated with High School SS throughout the 1st round.

Nick Kurtz isn't a proper comp for Jace LaViolette. Kurtz contact rate is a 60-65/80. LaViolette will get a generous 50 from Pundits, but he'll probably grade out at 45 once the minor league seasons start in 2026.

I don't want CT thinking he's Kurtz at all.

Edit ~ I just looked at Callis' and Mayo'(poop) grade for LaViolette, and I nailed it...."45/80"....that's not good.

What would you say Jordan Walker graded out at as compared to Jace/Kurtz?

TraveledLessRoad wrote: ↑30 Apr 2025 17:25 pm What would you say Jordan Walker graded out at as compared to Jace/Kurtz?

I think Walker was a ? on his hit tool at draft time, I think he was 45...he went to 50-55 hit as the 2021 Minor League Season went along and he destroyed A and High A.

I think lucid thinking people would say he's 40-45 in the Majors...and AAA

craviduce wrote: ↑28 Apr 2025 12:35 pm and not to sound like an echo...not my thing, so forgive me

Middle Infielders are the easiest position to move. Hundreds/Thousands/Millions have been moved the CF or 3B or 1B or RF or LF. They are the most athletic position players out there.

that should erase the "Need" when it comes to drafting. Best Person/Player Available

Great point. Shortstops in high school are typically the best athletes on the team.

craviduce wrote: ↑30 Apr 2025 17:17 pm Nick Kurtz isn't a proper comp for Jace LaViolette. Kurtz contact rate is a 60-65/80. LaViolette will get a generous 50 from Pundits, but he'll probably grade out at 45 once the minor league seasons start in 2026.

I don't want CT thinking he's Kurtz at all.

Edit ~ I just looked at Callis' and Mayo'(poop) grade for LaViolette, and I nailed it...."45/80"....that's not good.

What you and I and all the draft pundits feel about LaViolette is immaterial. It's what that Cardinals feel about his potential. Agree?

Shady wrote: ↑30 Apr 2025 18:43 pm

craviduce wrote: ↑30 Apr 2025 17:17 pm Nick Kurtz isn't a proper comp for Jace LaViolette. Kurtz contact rate is a 60-65/80. LaViolette will get a generous 50 from Pundits, but he'll probably grade out at 45 once the minor league seasons start in 2026.

I don't want CT thinking he's Kurtz at all.

Edit ~ I just looked at Callis' and Mayo'(poop) grade for LaViolette, and I nailed it...."45/80"....that's not good.

What you and I and all the draft pundits feel about Laviolette is immaterial. It's what that Cardinals feel about his potential. Agree?

Absolutely no one can move the goalposts like Ole ShadyButter!

Shady wrote: ↑30 Apr 2025 18:43 pm

craviduce wrote: ↑30 Apr 2025 17:17 pm Nick Kurtz isn't a proper comp for Jace LaViolette. Kurtz contact rate is a 60-65/80. LaViolette will get a generous 50 from Pundits, but he'll probably grade out at 45 once the minor league seasons start in 2026.

I don't want CT thinking he's Kurtz at all.

Edit ~ I just looked at Callis' and Mayo'(poop) grade for LaViolette, and I nailed it...."45/80"....that's not good.

What you and I and all the draft pundits feel about LaViolette is immaterial. It's what that Cardinals feel about his potential. Agree?

LaViolette seems to have that power stroke going. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/baseba ... ngNewsSerp

#11 Arkansas upset #1 Texas tonight, 9-0

draft prospect LHP Zach Root threw 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K for Arkansas

draft prospect SS Wehiwa Aloy was 1-3, Double, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, BB

it's the Marlin's guy again....but he's always given pretty decent Draft Prospect coverage....he's listed the draft board with their FV grade (on scale of 20-80, with FV standing for Future Value)

https://fishonfirst.com/news-rumors/mia ... on-update/

LaViolette is exactly the type of player I don't trust us to develop. How many guys have we had the past 10 years or so that can hit the ball a country mile but not be able to hit the broad side of a barn?

Off the top of my head

Grichuk
O'Neill...to a degree
DeJong
Lane Thomas
Yepez...to a degree
Baker
Gorman
It might still be early, but Walker might be one of these guys, too.

Some of those guys found traction after us. But I can't find a single guy who's been a big power/light contact hitter who's managed to thrive here beyond one season. You could even argue that Justin Williams and Carlson should be on this list.

Crave-

Know anything about this cat? Is he a first rounder or someone to be had in the 2nd or 3rd round you think: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/20 ... aa42&ei=60

/

TraveledLessRoad wrote: ↑05 May 2025 17:38 pm Crave-

Know anything about this cat? Is he a first rounder or someone to be had in the 2nd or 3rd round you think: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/20 ... aa42&ei=60

this is his college profile. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/mason ... osition=OF Nothing he's done prior to this year is something you build on. That said, you have to give him a serious nod and "atta boy" to being a 20 HR, 20 Double (6 more needed) in college...that's not easy in a 50-60 game schedule.

he's gone from nothing...maybe a Day 3 pick in the late teens, to a bonafide Day 1 (Round 1-3) pick. I have him at late 20's, early 30's right now. No foundation, and he's coming off 35% K rate. He's down to 20% on the K rate, that's great, but that's not his profile. low .300 avg only once in his career....with an aluminum bat??? That's 40-45 hit tool.

Helluva year, no doubt, he's made himself some serious Buck with this performance. Not a Top 5 pick, imo. Oregon is new to the BIG Ten...their opponents might be worse than the PAC 12 was last year. Probably are. Upper Midwest Baseball isn't a hot spot

@Traveledlessroad

if you want a player to get hyped about....someone who will probably hit .260-270 (50/80 hit tool), and give you 20-25 HR power over a year....

try Alex Lodise with FSU. I know he's hitting .400, but the body of work doesn't suggest that'll hold in Pro Ball with a wooden bat, but the power is probably there.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/alex- ... osition=IF

craviduce wrote: ↑05 May 2025 18:03 pm @Traveledlessroad

if you want a player to get hyped about....someone who will probably hit .260-270 (50/80 hit tool), and give you 20-25 HR power over a year....

try Alex Lodise with FSU. I know he's hitting .400, but the body of work doesn't suggest that'll hold in Pro Ball with a wooden bat, but the power is probably there.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/alex- ... osition=IF

and Wehiwa Aloy....had to adjust to SEC basesball last year, but his closed strong last year to give you a real glimpse of what 2025 could be. That's why the pundits liked him entering the year, he's delivered. Arkansas' starting pitching is top tier this season...now you add some beefy hitters...they're one of my 3 teams to win it all. LSU and Florida State are the other 2.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/wehiw ... osition=IF

someone will break rank and make Wehiwa a Top 10 pick. You can't afford let him go to a rival.