Carp4Cy wrote: ↑09 Dec 2025 18:01 pm
We did the absolute worst we could have in this lottery, right?
It totally would have been better to win the lottery this year than to be eligible for it next year. If we'd won it now, then we'd be guaranteed like 10th or 11th next year right, which is still better on balance than 13th plus a shot to maybe win it?
Our chances will be much better of winning the lottery after the debacle that will be 2026.
I wouldn’t bet on it. The rules will likely change again after this CBA expires and there will probably be even stronger anti-tanking prohibitions. What if they institute the old-school NBA lotto rules that give every team that missed the playoffs an equal shot at the top pick.
Also, what if they delay the winter meetings and the lottery until after the new CBA is hammered out?
cards53 wrote: ↑09 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Seems to me that a lot can happen between now and July for us to be spending too much time in December guessing who we can and should draft.
Their odds of landing the No. 1 pick were only 2.35%, so they weren’t expected to jump forward — but sliding backward this far was still considered disappointing-The St. Louis Cardinals ended up with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft
This is a year where falling to 13 might still yield a top‑10 talent, the shortstop-heavy top of the class pushes premium talent down the board.
earp wrote: ↑10 Dec 2025 07:21 am
Their odds of landing the No. 1 pick were only 2.35%, so they weren’t expected to jump forward — but sliding backward this far was still considered disappointing-The St. Louis Cardinals ended up with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft
This is a year where falling to 13 might still yield a top‑10 talent, the shortstop-heavy top of the class pushes premium talent down the board.
Well it’s common for the top position prep talents to be shortstops as 99% of the time the best HS athlete/player is put at the most premium baled position. Far less will be OF , other infielders, etc.
Do think though cardinsls will get a top notch kid at 13 .
Just less likely to be an elite pitcher type.
College Hitters
Grady Emerson (SS, Texas HS) — A polished prep shortstop ranked No. 2 overall by Baseball America, but some mocks push him outside the top 10 due to teams preferring college bats. If he slides, he becomes a dream value pick.
Jacob Lombard (SS, HS) — Another high‑end prep shortstop with strong bloodlines; MLB Pipeline lists him among the top four shortstops in the class.
Caden Sorrell (OF, Texas A&M) — A SEC outfielder with power/speed upside; appears in the 10–20 range on several boards.
Gavin Grahovac (3B/OF, Texas A&M) — Big power, SEC performer, and a classic mid‑first‑round bat.
College Pitchers
Liam Peterson (RHP, Florida) — One of the top college arms in the class; Bleacher Report lists him as a premier pitching option behind the elite shortstops.
Cameron Flukey (RHP, Coastal Carolina) — Big stuff, rising stock, and widely projected in the 10–20 rang
Position Players
Mid‑round college shortstop tier — MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 shows a heavy shortstop class, with multiple college SS prospects ranked outside the top 10 but inside the top 25.