MLB draft updates

[Derek Terry]

Here's an update on UK players/commits who have been drafted so far:

No. 74 - Akil Baddoo (Minnesota Twins)
No. 79 - Nick Hanson (Cincinnati Reds)
No. 120 Easton McGee (Tampa Bay Rays)
No. 141 Zack Brown (Milwaukee Brewers)
No. 142 JaVon Shelby (Oakland Athletics)

Gotta think Kyle Cody will be selected any minute now.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Here's an update on UK players/commits who have been drafted so far:

No. 74 - Akil Baddoo (Minnesota Twins)
No. 79 - Nick Hanson (Cincinnati Reds)
No. 120 Easton McGee (Tampa Bay Rays)
No. 141 Zack Brown (Milwaukee Brewers)
No. 142 JaVon Shelby (Oakland Athletics)

Gotta think Kyle Cody will be selected any minute now.

You mean these 5 were picked ahead of Cody ?...... Zack Brown, Easton McGee ????

 

[Derek Terry]

At this point I would expect everyone else from the recruiting class, maybe with an exception or two, to go to school. Baddoo, McGee and Hanson will probably sign with the teams who drafted them.

 

[Derek Terry]

Kyle Cody selected in the sixth round by the Texas Rangers with the 189th pick. Was drafted 73rd overall last year.

 

[Comebakatz3]

You never know with the draft who will sign and who will stick with college. They could be a late round pick and get offered a good deal of money and they turn pro due to that.

You also have to worry a bit about Kentucky not having a coach that can possible talk some of the guys into going to college.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

I'm sorta shocked that TJ Collett hasn't been drafted yet. I really hope he comes to campus.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

Nick Hanson will probably get offered more than slot value since the Reds have already drafted 3 college seniors who have no leverage and will have to take whatever they're offered.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Kind of surprised that Jaren Shelby didn't go in the first 10 rounds. Everyone taken in the first 10 is likely gone imo.

 

[Derek Terry]

I'm sorta shocked that TJ Collett hasn't been drafted yet. I really hope he comes to campus.

I've seen where people are still trying to figure out if he's a catcher or a first baseman at the next level. I read one article that talked about how little success high school first basemen have had when they went straight to the pros. Might be something holding him back, though I don't know. He's always struck me as a kid who wants to sign out of high school.

 

[Derek Terry]

Beggs goes in the 16th round to the Marlins.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Draft strategy for High Schoolers is to usually draft the middle of the field...if things don't work out perfectly, they can fall to the corners of the field...if they think the kid may be a 1b, that'd probably be a waste of a high pick.

 

[Derek Terry]

J.C. Flowers taken in the 18th round by the Reds.

 

[Derek Terry]

Into the 30th round now and Jaren Shelby, T.J. Collett and Chris Machamer have yet to be drafted.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

Into the 30th round now and Jaren Shelby, Zack Thompson, T.J. Collett and Chris Machamer have yet to be drafted.

Zach Thompson was drafted in the 11th round by Tampa Bay.

 

[Derek Terry]

Zach Thompson was drafted in the 11th round by Tampa Bay.

Whoops, missed that one. Thanks.

 

[ulismyman]

Anybody know if Autin Warner from Bellarmine got drafted?

 

[Derek Terry]

T.J. Collett was selected in the 40th round by the Twins.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

T.J. Collett was selected in the 40th round by the Twins.

He must have been asking for a lot of money. He was more highly regarded than AJ Reed coming out of high school.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

JJ Cooper of Baseball America: "Scouts complained Kentucky didn't let Zack Brown throw his changeup enough. CHG often disappeared from bullpen to mound."

 

[BluegrassBlake]

Zach Thompson: "As of right now, I'm going to school," Thompson said, "but I'll talk it over with my parents, and we'll see how the negotiations go. If it comes up that it's my best situation (to go pro), then I'll go for it."

 

[Derek Terry]

T.J. Collett tweeted to Brett Marshall that he'd see him in August, which means he's going to UK. Trying to confirm it with him. Drafted in the 40th round so I'd be shocked if he signed a deal. Lots of upside and should be selected much higher in a few seasons.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

T.J. Collett tweeted to Brett Marshall that he'd see him in August, which means he's going to UK. Trying to confirm it with him. Drafted in the 40th round so I'd be shocked if he signed a deal. Lots of upside and should be selected much higher in a few seasons.

High schoolers drafted after the 20th round rarely sign. I'm not sure what position he will play next year but he will probably lead the team in home runs.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

Don't be surprised if Brett Marshall contributes next year. He was the best player in the city of Louisville this season.

 

[Derek Terry]

Collett will go to UK.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Is he our possible DH next year?

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

JJ Cooper of Baseball America: "Scouts complained Kentucky didn't let Zack Brown throw his changeup enough. CHG often disappeared from bullpen to mound."

To be fair, Brown can shake off the catcher and throw what he felt was best !

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Is he our possible DH next year?

CBC, there is a guy who transferred to UK from UNC, who sat out this season, Joe Dudek, he had decent numbers for the Tar Heels, with some power. He is listed as a 1st baseman, but you know who reigns supreme at that position. Dudek may be our DH, or someone else may get the nod.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

CBC, there is a guy who transferred to UK from UNC, who sat out this season, Joe Dudek, he had decent numbers for the Tar Heels, with some power. He is listed as a 1st baseman, but you know who reigns supreme at that position. Dudek may be our DH, or someone else may get the nod.

There was talk towards the end of last season that White may be moved to the outfield. This was for a couple of reasons. 1. Most people believe that's where he will play at the next level. 2. You have to have his bat in the lineup and Dudek is thought to be as good of a defensive first baseman as White is. But that is a mute point now that Henderson is gone.

 

[Comebakatz3]

CBC, there is a guy who transferred to UK from UNC, who sat out this season, Joe Dudek, he had decent numbers for the Tar Heels, with some power. He is listed as a 1st baseman, but you know who reigns supreme at that position. Dudek may be our DH, or someone else may get the nod.

Well, with a new coach I think that everyone is going to be fighting for their positions once again. I don't think anyone, not even Evan White, will be safe. However, you have to imagine that most of the guys who had the positions last year will have them again this year. Collett projects to be either a catcher or a first baseman. White should be at first (but could be moved to the outfield due to his athleticism). You have to imagine that Cottam can be our catcher. So, will Collett be a guy that sits out, be a backup catcher, or will White move and Collette be at first?

Really, the kind of funny thing is that we have a logjam of first basemen. Collette, White, Dudek, and McNeill. Plus, I believe we have Brayden Combs coming in next year as well. Meanwhile, we don't have a really good option at third or at short (and possibly not at second).

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

Did Jaren Shelby get drafted?

 

[Derek Terry]

Did Jaren Shelby get drafted?

No

 

[Comebakatz3]

Did Jaren Shelby get drafted?

Jaren was not drafted. He may have basically told people that he is going to college so the managers backed off.

Kentucky should name something after the Shelby family considering that John has sent most of his family to UK. haha

 

[BluegrassBlake]

I would move White to RF, put Dudek at 1st, and have Collett and McNeill share the DH.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I would move White to RF, put Dudek at 1st, and have Collett and McNeill share the DH.

Close for me. I'd likely put White in left but I'd move him and it would depend on his arm.

 

[Derek Terry]

Jaren Shelby will not enroll at UK in the fall. Big blow to the class.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

Jaren Shelby will not enroll at UK in the fall. Big blow to the class.

Any reason as to why? And this pretty much guarantees Javon turns pro.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

Zack Brown has signed with Milwaukee.

 

[Derek Terry]

Any reason as to why? And this pretty much guarantees Javon turns pro.

He didn't tell me why but one person told me he's going the JUCO route. I assume he wants to try his luck in the draft again next season.

EDIT: Jaren told me he'd keep me updated throughout this week on his plans.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

I would move White to RF, put Dudek at 1st, and have Collett and McNeill share the DH.

I would not move White anywhere. He probably saved our infielders 10-12 additional errors this season with his glove work. I would move Mahan to 3rd base, he played some there as a freshman, and put Zeke Lewis at SS. If S Wilson returns, he would be in CF, with Reks and Pompey at the corners. Dudek and McNeill could share DH duties, Cottam should catch, and Marshall and Heady be utility players.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

He didn't tell me why but one person told me he's going the JUCO route. I assume he wants to try his luck in the draft again next season.

EDIT: Jaren told me he'd keep me updated throughout this week on his plans.

So you're saying there may be a chance he comes to UK?