2017 Draft Signings, Notes and Rumors

  On 6/16/2017 at 3:30 PM, Mike Sixel said:

It's very important that a 22 yo college player go to Elizabethton. Man, I hope you are wrong.

I agree with you.  If the best college hitter can't make it past Elizabethton they can't believe in him that much.  Cedar should be the lowest he goes with an early chance at high A so that he can possibly start in AA next year.  This guy isn't 18.  He is older and talented.  He can handle it.

Interesting. I think most thought Rooker was an underslot high. Will this affect the ability to sign Enlow in any way?

Having him walk would be a blow to the quality of this draft, which I'm very happy with once the dust has settled, despite my initial grumbling after day 1.

Would love to see Brent Rooker and Jaylin Davis become the CR Kernels' version of the Bash Brothers!   Add in Blankenhorn, Palacios, Whitefield, Diaz....that's a potent lineup.  Too bad Luis Arraez is hurt this year.

  On 6/16/2017 at 5:15 PM, Seth Stohs said:

I used to care about where a guy would start too... but I don't any more. I think getting them acclimated to pro ball, wood bats, travel, playing every day is all part of it. 

 

I also believe that the relationships are important. I think if Rooker spent two weeks in E-Town, he'll develop relationships with the 2017 draft guys, plus the ET coaches. If it was me, I'd then send him to Cedar Rapids for 2-4 weeks. Let him get to know 25 more guys and three more coaches. Then, if it was me, I'd send him to Ft. Myers for the final 4-5 weeks. Again, 25+ more teammates and 3 more coaches. 

 

Then to Instructs... maybe even the AFL... again, that'd be aggressive.

 

If Chattanooga is in the playoffs, and they probably will be, maybe push him up there for the last week and the playoffs. But regardless, he'll most likely start 2018 in Chattanooga (unless he's just awful in FM or CR), and from there, he could be up in the big leagues by midseason... That would be incredibly aggressive... Very unlikely, but at almost 23, possible, I guess. Some of Rooker's timeline could be based on Eddie Rosario and Zack Granite and Daniel Palka too. If someone steps up and joins Kepler and Buxton as a regular in the outfield, there's little reason to rush him if he's not going to play every day. 

While I agree that relationships are important I am not sure how much that applies to Rooker in this situation.  Three Fourths of the guys he is going to "bond" with down there aren't likely to make it to his level.  They also aren't going to change his swing in Elizabethton either.  I think the value to going there is low.

 Given his age, playing against tougher competition as soon as possible is far more important.  I think Kieth Law mentioned there are already a handful of guys his age in MLB already.  His draft stock was lowered because of his age. I think the team that takes him needs to be as aggressive as possible to get him from point A to B.  

Yep two weeks in E-town won't hurt him but again I am not seeing an incredible benefit to sending him there either.

He should go immediately to CR and become acclimated there. Too talented, too mature to do otherwise, IMO. Get half a season there and then half a season for Ft Myers. Perfect first half season for him.

  On 6/16/2017 at 5:17 PM, Thrylos said:

Even the "old" FO had 1st round College picks like Jay, Michael, and Wimmers start their pro careers with the Miracle. 

 

 

How did that work out for those 3 guys?

  On 6/16/2017 at 5:15 PM, Seth Stohs said:

I used to care about where a guy would start too... but I don't any more. I think getting them acclimated to pro ball, wood bats, travel, playing every day is all part of it. 

 

I also believe that the relationships are important. I think if Rooker spent two weeks in E-Town, he'll develop relationships with the 2017 draft guys, plus the ET coaches. If it was me, I'd then send him to Cedar Rapids for 2-4 weeks. Let him get to know 25 more guys and three more coaches. Then, if it was me, I'd send him to Ft. Myers for the final 4-5 weeks. Again, 25+ more teammates and 3 more coaches. 

 

Then to Instructs... maybe even the AFL... again, that'd be aggressive.

 

If Chattanooga is in the playoffs, and they probably will be, maybe push him up there for the last week and the playoffs. But regardless, he'll most likely start 2018 in Chattanooga (unless he's just awful in FM or CR), and from there, he could be up in the big leagues by midseason... That would be incredibly aggressive... Very unlikely, but at almost 23, possible, I guess. Some of Rooker's timeline could be based on Eddie Rosario and Zack Granite and Daniel Palka too. If someone steps up and joins Kepler and Buxton as a regular in the outfield, there's little reason to rush him if he's not going to play every day. 

Seth, can you remember any other Twins prospects that hit three affiliates during their draft year? Can't think there would be too many.

  On 6/16/2017 at 3:22 PM, Seth Stohs said:

I'd put money on Rooker spending at least a little bit of time in Elizabethton and then getting up to Cedar Rapids with a possibility of finishing in Ft. Myers. 

 

From what I'm told, the guys in the Top 10 rounds come to Minnesota to sign, and guys in rounds 11-40 do all that in Ft. Myers.

Looks like you were right yet again.  I don't see the logic but I am not gonna get my undies in wad over it either.  Hoping he does really well for us.  We could use another right handed power bat.

Question - The term "senior sign" is used a lot. What does that mean? I understand that the person is a senior in college (I assume), but what else is implied?

  On 6/17/2017 at 2:14 PM, terrydactyls1947 said:

Question - The term "senior sign" is used a lot. What does that mean? I understand that the person is a senior in college (I assume), but what else is implied?

A few different things. They can't play college ball anymore so they’re option after this year are limited, so their bonuses are usually only a few thousand dollars, not hundreds of thousands of dollars. If drafted in the top ten rounds, the team did this to save money to spend elsewhere in the draft. If drafted after the top ten rounds, the team is just looking to fill out their rookie league teams, and some scout suggested their name. They tend to only last a few years in the minors, getting replaced by top prospects or other senior signs. This isn’t always the case, after all, Brian Dozier was a senior sign. Dozier stock has always been... deflated because of it. He was always consider “old” for a prospect compared to the guys who sign out of high school. So even when he was a top 10 prospect, he was never the top prospect. He also will reach free agency at an older age, reducing his potential earnings.  And though I can’t prove it, you'd think a 40 home run hitting, 2nd baseman All star would get more trade interest. His age I believe plays a factor in that as well.