Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper came in consecutive years. Rodon is still the favorite for #1, but like No Worries said, let's be real here. He's not that transcendent.
Before the season, they felt he was better than Appel. During and after the season they though Appel was better, and after the summer, Rodon is back to being better.
Rodon's stuff was down for a large portion of the first-half last year. In the 2nd half and over the summer he had his grade A stuff back and was excellent. If he's throwing mid 90s from the left side with a plus-plus slider and a useable change, then he's a top-of-the-rotation starter. If he regresses to where he was in March, when he was sitting 88-90 with his fastball and with a more average slider, then he's not. That's why pitching is so risky to draft that early, but if he's healthy and in top form, without a comparable bat available, I don't know how he's not the top candidate.
I'm fine with that. After the Marlins decided to completely quit yet again, I really do hope that the Astros finish with a better record.
He's not transcendent, but he's the first consensus, no brainer #1 that's been in the draft the past three years we've been picking #1.
Since the Marlins decided to quit yet again, you now want them rewarded by getting exactly what they want?
All of the remaining opponents are fighting for wild cards spots, so that should suppress the Astros record.
FYI: Unless the rules have changed recently, the tie-breaker for draft pick order is the prior year's standings, so, we win that, obviously. So, we are essentially "up" 5 games with 11 to play. I think we got this.
My business partner went to the season ticket holder forum they had earlier this week. Reid Ryan spoke at it...talked about how good the minor league talent was...talked about getting the 1st pick in this draft...and called Carlos Rodon by name, saying a lot would have to change for him not to be the guy.
Carlos Rodon is SPECIAL... Only guy that can dominate Cuba the way he did. He reminds me of the Andrew Luck version of baseball.
Carlos Rodon is the worst "transcendent" player ever. I mean he's transcendent, but towards the bottom of the scale.