I'm sure he has high hopes for them, and is more optimistic than me. Obviously he has to believe Appel is a potential star, which he is. I think Appel has Oswalt upside, he just was my 4th-5th choice, though he is a young senior, which is positive. There are tons of factors Luhnow has to take in to consideration. I'm for going after lots of high ceiling guys, which Luhnow has shown last year with Phillips, Correa, Ruiz, & McCullers. For all I know he didn't see high ceiling guys or that signability are a concern. I trust Luhnow's judgement, but doesn't mean I can't disagree with him.
Without a clear pre-draft agreement like they had with Correa, it would make a lot of sense to take your signability risk pick at 11-1, where it won't cost you bonus money if you fail to sign him.
On Nottingham: Power could be plus. Has some offensive potential. 6'3", 200. Could play a corner outfield. Picked baseball (committed to OU) over football (could've played TE at Arizona). 1.93 pop time, so he could improve to the 1.8 range. He is #115 on the BA Top 500. First HS kid taken. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oBcKSOkoO7I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kohl Stewart informed Kevin Sumlin earlier today of his decision to go for baseball. Sumlin told him he's got a spot for him whenevr <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Aggies">#Aggies</a></p>— Howard Chen (@ho_chenCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ho_chenCSN/status/343094302542557185">June 7, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> edit-I should have looked at his Twitter earlier. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>So much love from the Twins fans can't wait to meet you guys</p>— Kohl Stewart (@KohlStewart1) <a href="https://twitter.com/KohlStewart1/status/342828238806069249">June 7, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> 7th rounder USF CF James Ramsay best fielder in D1 this year; insane +15 runs (still +10 regressed/1000 BIP), using our pbp d metric</p>— CollegeSplits.com (@collegesplits) <a href="https://twitter.com/collegesplits/status/343099529991684098">June 7, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ramsay's bio Unranked in BA Top 500. As noted above, a great defender, so possible Aplin clone. Probably a below-slot sign. 2013: 57 games, .337/.409/.449, 3 HR, 43 RBI, 37 R, 29 BB (2 HBP), 21 K, 12 SB (6 CS)
I like it for position players, but not so much with pitchers. Even the pitchers with lower velocity that find success in the majors usually overwhelm college hitters with off-speed stuff. Hitters just need the bat speed to go with the patience, eye, and they'll be successful. Thats how you end up with the John Jay (pick 74) and Allen Craig (256). People were too focused on what they didn't have, and not enough on what they were doing right.
Martin is #271 on the BA 500. Committed to Long Beach State. Grinder. No plus tool, but no weaknesses either. Good makeup, plays above his tools.
Round 9, Pick 257: Brian Holberton, C, North Carolina Was the backup for the Tar Heels this season. However, he spent most of his time as the DH. Has some power. Not ranked in the BA Top 500. 2013: 63 games (58 starts), .308/.420/.498, 10 HR, 52 RBI, 51 R, 40 BB (6 HBP), 27 K, 8 SB (6 CS)
