June 8, 2015

On the clock: MLB Draft, Day 1

BY JOHN PERROTTO Getting ready for the Diamondbacks to go on the clock … Event: 50th Major League Baseball Draft, Rounds 1-2, 7 p.m., Secaucus, N.J. Pirates’ picks: Nos. 19, 32, 62 TV: MLB Network Online: Draft Tracker / Multimedia / Media notes UPDATE 8:56 p.m.: The Pirates drafted University of Arizona shortstop Kevin Newman,

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51 Comments Newest to oldest

Biz
6-8-2015, 6:22 pm
Is this considered a weak draft !

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pieratz
6-8-2015, 7:25 pm
Yes

Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
6-8-2015, 6:39 pm
This used to be the most important day of Pittsburgh's baseball season.
Now I'd bet a lot of "fans" do not even know the draft is today!

I'd like to see the Pirates take Michael Matuella, a 6'6" right-handed pitcher from Duke University.
Matuella was slated to go in top 3 . . . . . compared to Carlos Rodon, who went #3 last year to White Sox . . . . . but had Tommy John surgery in March. If Bucs draft him, he already has his Tommy John out of the way. He would be back throwing 97 by April/May of his normal first full season in Minors.

Good value at #19. Don't think he'll be there at #35.

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 6:48 pm
Pitcher or SS. The SS could move to 2nd or 3rd, I don't think positions are a lock, especially if it's a high schooler. Prefer a LHP but the typical big, hard throwing NH righty is fine too. Doubt Bickford would fall to them.

Interested if they take a lot of prep pitchers or move away from that strategy.

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Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
6-8-2015, 6:59 pm
Prep pitchers take a long time.

Jameson Taillon was drafted a year before Gerrit Cole, and even without the Tommy John, he would have been almost two years BEHIND Cole getting to Majors. Now delayed even more.

bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 7:01 pm
They had so many of them guys fail I think they'll take a few more college types.

A sexy move would be to take a college reliever at 32 and bring him up right away. A la Huston Street. Doubt it. But if there was a kid there at 32 who threw 99 Id consider it.

fried003
6-8-2015, 6:48 pm
For what it's worth - -

Keith Law of ESPN has the Pirates taking a high school right-handed pitcher from the eastern part of PA with their first pick (who's name escapes me).

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Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
6-8-2015, 6:56 pm
MLB has the Pirates taking Tyler Stephenson, a high school catcher from Georgia.

Sports Authority has Bucs taking Ashe Russell, a high school righty pitcher from Indiana.

Sean
6-8-2015, 10:47 pm
Mike Nikorak, I wish they would've taken him over Newman.

IndyPittFan
6-8-2015, 6:53 pm
I'd like to see them take a shot at one of the local kids here from Indy (a bit selfish?) and go with Ashe Russell from Cathedral High School. It's where my kids go to school as well. 6' 5", 97mph fastball, nice slider with a couple different looks at it.

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Rick in Tampa
6-8-2015, 6:56 pm
Why do the Bucs have #32?

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Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
6-8-2015, 7:00 pm
Losing Russell Martin.

bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 7:02 pm
Comp for Martin.

bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 7:12 pm
So strange to hear a commissioner not get booed.

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6Lombardis
6-8-2015, 7:45 pm
So true.

Arriba Wilver
6-8-2015, 10:17 pm
+1

bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 7:26 pm
Thank god Mark Appel didn't sign with the Pirates. Dudes got an ERA of 5.50 in 10 starts in minors. Heard Houston brass is disappointed.

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Biz
6-8-2015, 7:36 pm
It's early, but it's funny how things work out. Look at Strasburg right now

Smiley57
6-8-2015, 8:29 pm
True on both accounts. It's so hard to predict who will make it and which of them will be consistent major leaguers. They draft the tools and ceiling, then hope for the best. Craziest draft in all of sports!

Dodkong
6-8-2015, 7:50 pm
Regarding the end of 1st round comp picks for lost FAs, how is the draft ordered determined?

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Sean
6-8-2015, 10:45 pm
Not how it should be. Every team that was awarded a comp pick selects in reverse order of the 2014 standings. It's not like the NFL where the talent of the player lost determines the pick. That's why the Rockies had the top comp round pick even though it was for the loss (if you can call it that) of Michael Cuddyer.

BCroft
6-8-2015, 8:03 pm
I just hope they take another linebacker.

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chethejet
6-8-2015, 8:19 pm
Corner or safety and trade them to the Devils under the Ray Shero method of using them for chips as trades.

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chethejet
6-8-2015, 8:21 pm
No thanks of the Duke pitcher, he has a bad back as well. Seriously, the BPA is the way to go. But I take the best bats all things being equal.

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 8:30 pm
Lot of people had Allard to Bucs.

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cmat0829
6-8-2015, 8:48 pm
PROGRESS = the draft not overshadowing the MLB team playing games..... we had 20 years of that.

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Robert
6-8-2015, 8:52 pm
If he's available, I'd take Funkhouser at 19.

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 8:53 pm
Damn. Bickford was my choice. Oh well.

Nathan Kirby?

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6Lombardis
6-8-2015, 8:58 pm
Newman!

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 9:00 pm
Interesting. High average guy.

There were a few nice pitchers there.

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6Lombardis
6-8-2015, 9:05 pm
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6Lombardis
6-8-2015, 9:06 pm
Source on that is SI.com sorry

chethejet
6-8-2015, 9:08 pm
smart player and is someone who comes to work every day. Complementary type player but the SS position is considered good.

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 9:13 pm
It makes sense stacking him Tucker and Jacoby Jones. Chances are one pans out. I think I've heard Tucker could move to 3rd.

aglebagel
6-8-2015, 9:14 pm
So, this guy is like the anti-Cole Tucker, basically.

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zidanesdagger
6-8-2015, 9:14 pm
Nice to see the Pirates get a position player and not another pitcher. Position players are what have been lacking for so long in the minors for them.

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 9:18 pm
Wonder if cards take Harris or Funkhouser.

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thebaldtruth
6-8-2015, 9:30 pm
I don't love using the first pick on a low-ceiling 2B.

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 9:33 pm
Yea, reading about him I would have taken a pitcher. But hopefully all these SS translates into one working out.

bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 9:44 pm
If Atlanta gets Allard and Harris or Funkhouser that's a nice draft.

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Dan16
6-8-2015, 9:46 pm
Perhaps Newman's a guy they can "feature" in Morgantown this summer.

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Robert
6-8-2015, 10:06 pm
Funkhouser is still available. Just saying... And I despise Louisville. Lol

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 10:10 pm
McKay will be a high pick next year.

bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 10:11 pm
Ha. Charlie Hayes kid. Where's Dejan and Pat Meares?

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Arriba Wilver
6-8-2015, 10:21 pm
http://youtu.be/tNsgckvAJNQ

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 10:24 pm
My favorite episode was the JFK parody with the 2nd spitter. Keith Hernandez.

Sean
6-8-2015, 10:41 pm
The first pick, meh, but I love the second selection. Hopefully they find another steal in the second round and sign him!

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 11:40 pm
The Seinfeld draft.

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bpn8pitt
6-8-2015, 11:57 pm
I understand it was a weak draft but man, Newman and Kramer at SS. Passed up a few good pitchers.

egwatson
6-9-2015, 12:10 am
Is there a "Seinfeld" connection? Newman and Kramer??

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Mizery
6-9-2015, 12:27 am
I love getting Charlie Haye's kid. My best Charlie Hayes memory was when he played for the Rockies and got beaned. I can't remember by who. Don Baylor went to check on him. Charlie was lying on the ground and they were asking if he was ok and all Charlie said was "Let me get him. Let me get him coach, please?" That always stuck with me.

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On the clock: MLB Draft, Day 1

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