somehow Tigers are still heavy underdogs tonight. I’m betting on theTigers for first time all season. LFG
Fulmer looks really fucking good this year. Wonder if he keeps it up, if we look to deal him at deadline. Doubt we would want to pay him long term.
Swept the Astros on the road after being embarrassed by the Indians. Who knows where this team is gonna end up. I will say the bullpen is beyond bad and starting pitching is good which is the complete opposite of last year.
Law’s updated draft top 10 Spoiler 1. Jack Leiter, RHP, Vanderbilt Leiter would absolutely go 1-1 if the draft were today, but I think he might actually be getting too much hype after his recent run of a nine-inning no-hitter, a seven-inning no-hit start, and two almost-as-dominant outings since then where he allowed six hits in 13 innings with 25 strikeouts. He’s the best guy in the class, but I don’t think it’s fair to assume that because he’s the top prospect this year, he’s going to be Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg – Leiter is different, and has less chance to become an ace than either of those guys did. But he’s still atop this board, and right now I don’t think it’s that close. 2. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas I do know scouts who think Lawlar is the best prospect in the draft, and with the paucity of bats at the college level, he’s probably going to go off the board in the first three picks. He’s one of the toolsiest kids in the draft, with plus speed, future plus defense at short, and great bat speed. He’ll turn 19 right before the draft, so he’s one of the older high school players, and doesn’t have the same advanced instincts and feel for the game as Bobby Witt, Jr. (another Metroplex-area high school shortstop who went second overall in 2019), but may have even more upside. 3. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt Rocker’s velocity has been down the last few outings, with a lot of 89-91 or 89-92 mph, although there’s no evidence that there’s something more serious here than just fatigue. He also hasn’t pitched that well with the lower velo, which is hardly surprising. If he doesn’t regain his usual velocity before the end of the college season, it might hurt his standing, but I’m not ready to say this is much more than a midseason slump in a year when a lot of college and high school pitchers are dealing with fatigue earlier in the season than usual. To be entirely fair to Rocker, he’s still struck out 39 guys in 25 innings in four SEC starts, so he’s not really “slumping.” 4. Henry Davis, C, Louisville Davis has mashed all year, with huge power and a patient eye, and he’s got a plus arm and enough receiving skills to stay behind the plate. Joey Bart went second overall with less bat and more glove; I don’t think it’s a stretch to think Davis could be the first college position player taken. 5. Sal Frelick, OF, Boston College And if it’s not Davis, it will probably be Frelick, who has taken to center field while walking more than he strikes out and already topping his career-best in home runs. He may not hit for the same kind of power in pro ball, but it’s very promising to see him make so much hard contact given his 5-foot-9 frame. 6. Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Ole Miss Before last weekend’s rough outing against Arkansas, where he walked five Hogs in 5 1/3 innings, Hoglund had been the most consistent starter in college baseball, allowing no more than three walks or three runs in any start, and punching out 10 or more in every start but one. He pitches with a lot of above-average stuff, but the curve could be a real out pitch if he uses it more. With his command and control, however, he’s going to go in the top 10 either way, and could even pass Rocker if the latter’s velocity doesn’t eventually pick up. 7. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake (CA) HS Mayer is a definite shortstop with feel to hit and average speed, probably not projecting to power but with sufficient strength to hit enough to profile as an above-average regular at short. Lawlar has bigger tools, and he’ll be first off the board among prep bats, but Mayer should be second. 8. Brady House, SS, Winder-Barrow (GA) HS House has some of the best exit velocities in the draft with unreal power in games this spring, and thanks to some small swing adjustments he’s showing that he can use the whole field better. He’s not going to stay at shortstop, and may have to work to become an average defender at third. 9. Ryan Cusick, RHP, Wake Forest Cusick might have the draft’s best fastball, up to 100 mph with spin and elite extension, and he can really spin a breaking ball, although the pitch isn’t consistent. He’s punched out 39 percent of the batters he’s faced this year, and the Deacons’ defense hasn’t done him many favors (he’s allowed a .450 BABIP), but even improved control hasn’t gotten him to average yet. Ryan Cusick in 2020 (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images via AP) 10. Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (NC) HS Watson’s season won’t begin for another two weeks, but he showed enough last summer and fall to profile as a top-10 pick, with no below-average tools, potentially plus-plus defense at shortstop, and hard contact. He’s very strong for his size, although some teams will shy away from a 5-foot-9 high school player.
I don’t see Al and Chadd drafting a 5’9” kid from BC. Seems like Rocker or Hoglund if Leiter and Lawler are gone.
I’m still team Mayer at this point. I guess that catcher could be an option too. I’d stay away from pitchers not named Leiter with first pick.
Hopefully Skubal shows up today. His velo and spin rate are down compared to last season. Not a great sign.
I'm starting to become intrigued by Brady House, as well. He's a year younger than Lawlar (who I would still take over him, but he turns 19 a month after House turns 18 in June), and he allegedly has huge power. Law tends to be down on guys with his profile, so I think it's relevant to how improved he might be this year if Law has him up to #8 on his list.
Matt shepherd is a clown. Striking out the side is striking out all 3 batters you face. Not striking out 3, and allowing 4 base runners.
Another top 5 pick incoming. Which is good for Avila because Skubal and Mize won't be prospects anymore so he needs to keep up those prospect rankings
I wouldn’t mind us going under slot at 3, especially with the extra comp pick this year. Would love to snag Alex Mooney at 32