Law: Houston Astros I ranked Mark Appel as the best player in this draft coming out of last summer and throughout this entire spring, so I agree wholeheartedly with the Astros' choice to take him first overall. After that, however, they didn't go for much upside at all. Andrew Thurman (No. 40) could end up a midrotation starter, the most ceiling they drafted after Appel, following it up with potential fifth starter Kent Emmanuel (No. 74) and org-player types Conrad Gregor and Tony Kemp (both out of Vanderbilt) in the fourth and fifth rounds. James Ramsay (seventh round) is interesting because of his glove in center field -- Collegesplits.com rated him the best defensive player in Division 1 this year -- and ability to make contact. The one upside play of their first few picks was California prep catcher Jacob Nottingham (sixth round), a former tight end turned catcher who projects to have plus power and has a great athletic body. __________________________Upside plays Astros sixth-round pick Jacob Nottingham is an intriguing selection for a number of reasons. He's a two-sport standout from Redlands (Calif.) HS who was offered a scholarship in football -- from Arizona -- and baseball -- from Oklahoma. He's also a catcher with tools to hit and hit for power, and has a non-zero shot to stick behind the plate thanks to good athleticism and feel for the game.
That is a fine read, but I trust Luhnow more than Law. If Law was such a great baseball talent scout, he could probably make more running an organization instead of writing for ESPN?
Yea that is my thing about reading fans who like or do not like the picks, fact is most of the fan reaction is based on guys like Law or mlb.com or BA or whatever, and those are all fine sites to read and a lot of interesting information there. I just wouldn't over react about our picks because any of those guys think they are bad vs Luhnow and his team thinking they are good.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>UNC head coach Mike Fox - who let Kent Emanuel throw 175 pitches in 3 days - thinks pitch counts are stupid <a href="http://t.co/tdnvYmrxHB" title="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/07/4092457/morris-pitch-count-limits-on-college.html">charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/07/409…</a></p>— Astros County (@AstrosCounty) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosCounty/status/343209672095961088">June 8, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Emmanuel getting rocked out there. Last pitch was a belt high fastball that registered at 84 on the gun, and the batter just unloaded for a 400ft blast. So... his velocity certainly seems to be down. This kid should not be pitching right now.
As far as I can tell he's topping out at 87-88 out there. I'm sure the org knows about his downtick in velocity lately. Hopefully they let him rest up.
IIRC, Law actually turned down a position as Scouting Director with Houston back in 2011. I think he's just more comfortable in his current position.
German, ranked #286 on the BA 500, is committed to Nevada. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> fans, 11th-round <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23mlbdraft">#mlbdraft</a> RHP Devonte German is a physical beast. Had a scout tell me he'll throw 98 someday.</p>— Conor Glassey (@conorglassey) <a href="https://twitter.com/conorglassey/status/343413127074947072">June 8, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I think we will, after taking a glance at some of his tweets, he doesn't seem like college material haha
McDonald's bio on ECU's Athletics page 6'4", 260! <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> 12th: Chase McDonald. 6-4, 260=Power. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23mlbdraft">#mlbdraft</a></p>— Nathan Rode (@NathanRode) <a href="https://twitter.com/NathanRode/status/343417272372699136">June 8, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 2013: 55 games (53 starts), .299/.398/.519, 11 HR, 46 RBI, 34 R, 31 BB (3 HBP), 33 K
Perhaps this is obvious to others, but the strategy in picking a guy who is committed to go back to school is: A) Hope to talk him out of it by throwing extra cash at him? B) Knowing he wont sign, and using that money for someone else? C) Other
