Congratulations, and welcome to the Houston Astros draft class of 2015! Also, welcome, undrafted free agents! I did zero research whatsoever leading up to the draft, so I just ended up saying "good pick" every time. This thread, like this one and the one before that, will deal with matters pertaining to the 2015 draft class. News concerning whether these picks will sign or return to school, what their signing bonus is, and where they'll be assigned, should be placed here, instead of in the main draft thread to avoid being buried. Also, undrafted free agent news will go here. Bold - Pick has signed/intends to sign/has apparently agreed to terms/has given indications that he is leaning towards signing. Name stricken through - Pick will not sign or has indicated that he will not sign. Most of the bolded names, especially in the first few days after the draft, will fall under the third category, "has given indications that he is leaning towards signing." Round 1, Pick 2: Alex Bregman, SS, LSU (JR) Round 1, Pick 5: Kyle Tucker, OF, Plant High School (Tampa) (committed to Florida); signed for $4,000,000 ($188,700 below slot) Competitive Balance A, Pick 37: Dazmon Cameron, OF, Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Georgia) (committed to Florida State); apparently close to a $4 million deal Round 2, Pick 46: Thomas Eshelman, RHP, Cal State Fullerton (JR) Round 3, Pick 79: Riley Ferrell, RHP, TCU (JR) Round 4, Pick 109: Anthony Hermelyn, C, Oklahoma (JR); signed for $250,000 ($272,700 below slot), to Tri-City Round 5, Pick 139: Trent Thornton, RHP, North Carolina (JR); signed for $325,000 ($66,500 below slot) Round 6, Pick 169: Nestor Muriel, CF, Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (Florida, Puerto Rico); signed for $250,000 ($43,100 below slot) Round 7, Pick 199: Michael Freeman, LHP, Oklahoma State (redshirt SR); signed for $100,000 ($119,600 below slot), to Quad Cities Round 8, Pick 229: Garrett Stubbs, C, USC (SR); signed for $100,000 ($76,000 under slot), to Tri-City Round 9, Pick 259: Zac Person, LHP, LSU (SR) Round 10, Pick 289: Scott Weathersby, RHP, Ole Miss (redshirt SR); signed for $5,000 ($148,400 below slot), to Tri-City Round 11, Pick 319: Patrick Sandoval, LHP, Mission Viejo High School (Mission Viejo, California) (committed to USC) Round 12, Pick 349: Myles Straw, OF, St. John's River State College (JUCO SOPH) (committed to South Alabama) Round 13, Pick 379: Kevin McCanna, RHP, Rice (JR); signed for $100,000 Round 14, Pick 409: Johnny Sewald, OF, Arizona State (JR); heading to Tri-City on Sunday, says his brother, Paul, a pitcher in the Mets system Round 15, Pick 439: Pat Porter, RF, Ohio State (SR) Round 16, Pick 469: Adam Whitt, RHP, Nevada (SR) Round 17, Pick 499: Justin Garcia, LF, Nova Southeastern (redshirt JR) Round 18, Pick 529: Kevin Martir, C, Maryland (JR); caption on Instagram post suggests that he is ready to turn pro Round 19, Pick 559: Drew Ferguson, CF, Belmont (SR) Round 20, Pick 589: Makay Nelson, RHP, College of Southern Idaho (JUCO SOPH) (committed to Sacramento State) Round 21, Pick 619: Alex Winkelman, LHP, Southeast Missouri State (JR) <strike>Round 22, Pick 649: Cole Sands, RHP, North Florida Christian High School (Tallahassee, Florida) (committed to Florida State)</strike> Round 23, Pick 679: Matt Bower, LHP, Washington State (JR) Round 24, Pick 709: Chris Murphy, RHP, Millersville University of Pennsylvania (SR) Round 25, Pick 739: Jorge Martinez, C, Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (Florida, Puerto Rico) (committed to El Paso CC); signed for $50,000 Round 26, Pick 769: Ralph Garza Jr., RHP, Oklahoma (JR) Round 27, Pick 799: James Carter, RHP, UC-Santa Barbara (JR) Round 28, Pick 829: Zac Grotz, RHP, Embry-Riddle (SR) Round 29, Pick 859: Brooks Marlow, 2B, Texas (SR); to Tri-City Round 30, Pick 889: Bobby Wernes, 3B, Arkansas (JR) Round 31: Pick 919: Keach Ballard, SS, Oklahoma Baptist (redshirt SR) Round 32: Pick 949: Aaron Mizell, OF, Georgia Southern (SR) Round 33, Pick 979: Kolbey Carpenter, 2B, Oklahoma (JR) Round 34, Pick 1009: Conor Biggio, OF, Notre Dame (SR) <strike>Round 35, Pick 1039: Kody Clemens, SS, Memorial High School (Houston) (committed to Texas)</strike> Round 36, Pick 1069: Ryan Deemes, RHP, Nicholls State (SR) <strike>Round 37, Pick 1099: Luken Baker, RHP, Oak Ridge High School (Shenandoah, Texas) (committed to TCU)</strike> Round 38, Pick 1129: Nick Rivera, 1B, Florida Gulf Coast (JR) Round 39, Pick 1159: Alex Vargas, RHP, Monroe Community College (NY) (JUCO SOPH) Round 40, Pick 1189: Steve Naemark, LHP, Angelo State (JR); signed for $5,000 Undrafted Free Agents Christian Correa, C, Nicholls State Jacob Dorris, RHP, Texas A&M—Corpus Christi David Schmidt, RHP, Stanford The First 12, with slot values 1-2: Alex Bregman ($7,420,100) 1-5: Kyle Tucker, signed for $4,000,000 ($4,188,700) = -188,600 CBA-37: Daz Cameron ($1,668,600) 2-46: Thomas Eshelman ($1,325,700) 3-79: Riley Ferrell ($765,600) 4-109: Anthony Hermelyn, signed for $250,000 ($522,700) = -272,700 5-139: Trent Thornton, signed for $325,000 ($391,500) = -66,500 6-169: Nestor Muriel, signed for $250,000 ($293,100) = -43,100 7-199: Michael Freeman, signed for $100,000 ($219,600) = -119,600 8-229: Garrett Stubbs, signed for $100,000 ($176,000) = -76,000 9-259: Zac Person ($164,200) 10-289: Scott Weathersby, signed for $5,000 ($153,400) = -148,400 The signing deadling this year is July 17. Seniors are not subject to this deadline; teams can negotiate with them up until one week before next year's draft. However, with 4 seniors in the first 10, it would be nice if they signed quickly and entered the system so the Astros can go all-in on the first three. Unless they have other, better things to do with their lives than play baseball, I expect all of the seniors to sign. Breakdown The Astros made 42 selections in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. 21 pitchers 21 position players 3 junior college 8 high school 31 college 16 juniors 12 seniors (Justin Garcia is a redshirt junior; MLB.com's draft tracker lists him as a senior) 8 high school players 3 5th-year seniors 3 sophomores (all JUCO players) 15 right-handed pitchers 10 outfielders (4 listed as "OF," 4 CF, 1 LF, 1 RF) 6 left-handed pitchers 4 catchers 3 shortstops 2 second basemen 1 third baseman 1 first baseman Oldest: Steve Naemark (born March 23, 1990) Youngest: Nestor Muriel (born June 11, 1998) Baseball America Top 500 Players 4. Alex Bregman 5. Daz Cameron 8. Kyle Tucker 58. Luken Baker 59. Riley Ferrell 79. Cole Sands 126. Thomas Eshelman 257. Michael Freeman 310. Kevin McCanna 336. Garrett Stubbs 341. Johnny Sewald 392. Patrick Sandoval 423. Adam Whitt Players currently playing in College World Series 1. Alex Bregman (LSU) 2. Thomas Eshelman (Cal State Fullerton) 3. Riley Ferrell (TCU) 9. Zac Person (LSU) 30. Bobby Wernes (Arkansas) High School 3 OF (Kyle Tucker, Daz Cameron, and Nestor Muriel) 2 RHP (Cole Sands and Luken Baker) 1 C (Jorge Martinez) 1 LHP (Patrick Sandoval) 1 SS (Kody Clemens) I'll be ecstatic forever if Kyle Tucker actually does turn into Ted Williams. He and Preston couldn't be any more different physically, but both can swing the bat. Kyle is a Florida commit, but he removed that part from his Twitter header, which might indicate that he's inclined to sign. Maybe the allure of playing alongside his brother will be a major factor. Daz Cameron has the Major League pedigree and the premium athleticism he inherited from his father. He's indicated that he's excited to join the Astros. May be unlikely, but it'd be cool to get Cole Sands. I don't know too much on Sandoval. The Astros got a couple of players from Carlos Beltran's Academy in Muriel and Martinez. Both are committed to JUCOs. Muriel looks like an intriguing project worth undertaking. He's the only player in this draft class born in 1998. Martinez, I don't know anything on. Even less likely that Kody Clemens signs. If the Astros somehow convince Luken Baker to not go to TCU, then.... College 11 RHP (Eshelman, Ferrell, Thornton, Weathersby, McCanna, Whitt, Murphy, Garza, Carter, Grotz, Deemes) 6 OF (Biggio, Sewald, Ferguson, Garcia, Porter, and Mizell) 5 LHP (Freeman, Person, Winkelman, Bower, and Naemark) 3 C (Anthony Hermelyn, Garrett Stubbs, Kevin Martir) 2 2B (Brooks Marlow and Kolbey Carpenter) 2 SS (Alex Bregman and Keach Ballard) 1 3B (Bobby Wernes) 1 1B (Nick Rivera) Alex Bregman has been one of the premier college performers for three seasons and parlayed that into being selected 2nd overall. Now, Mr. Correa is at shortstop, but we can revisit that when Bregman actually reaches Houston, which might not take too long. Thomas Eshelman brings elite command and control to the table, and that's going to be what propels him to Houston. For 3 years, he's been the workhorse of the Cal State Fullerton rotation and he's walked 16 in 370 innings. Sixteen! Pitchers who don't issue walks are usually good assets to have in a system. He'll be eased into pro ball after a heavy workload, but he could zoom to Houston rather quickly. Riley Ferrell is one of the best pure relievers of the draft and could emerge as an in-house option at closer. Hope he stays as a reliever; he could help the Astros soon. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Astros great draft keeps getting better Riley Ferrell could help the Houston bullpen late this year or next year.</p>— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) <a href="https://twitter.com/jjcoop36/status/608320492706144256">June 9, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> With Bregman, Tucker, and Cameron commanding most of the Astros' $17,289,200 bonus pool allotment for the first 10 rounds, the Astros went with senior signs to close out Day 2. However, a couple of them stand out. Michael Freeman has been singled out as a possible sleeper. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Potential solid senior in LHP Michael Freeman of OK State to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a>. Probably a reliever, 6-8 with a whiffle ball fastball, ++performer</p>— John Manuel (@johnmanuelba) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnmanuelba/status/608364303188688898">June 9, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Love that pick by the Astros. LHP Michael Freeman. Dominant season. Was a SP at Okla. St but could move quick as LHRP. Lively FB.</p>— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) <a href="https://twitter.com/jjcoop36/status/608364379638235137">June 9, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Garrett Stubbs, a catcher from USC, looks like a heady player, and he brings an outstanding defensive reputation with him, being named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He looks like a guy who might outperform the expectations. Justin Garcia, who has already agreed to terms, brings huge power to the table. Yeah, it was Division II, but you can't scoff at a .906 slugging percentage, right? Steve Naemark's 138 strikeouts were 2nd in all of Division II. He's got a bit of a backstory to him as well. Junior College 2 RHP (Makay Nelson and Alex Vargas) 1 OF (Myles Straw) Straw slashed in the .400s at St. John's River State and Makay Nelson is described as having a big arm by Sacramento State's head coach. Alex Vargas didn't have mind-blowing stats, but performed well enough. I suppose the scouts saw something they like with these three picks. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hornets welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/MakayNelson26">@makaynelson26</a> RHP Makay Nelson from College of Southern Idaho. Teammate of <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantKukuk">@GrantKukuk</a> Big-time arm! Closer stuff!</p>— Reggie Christiansen (@SacStBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/SacStBaseball/status/532749514814136320">November 13, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Max McCombs is a sportswriter for the Twin Falls Times-News, in Twin Falls, Idaho, where the College of Southern Idaho is located. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just got off the phone with Makay Nelson. Signed last fall with Sacramento St., but said he plans to sign a pro contract with the Astros.</p>— Max McCombs (@MaxMcCombs_TN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxMcCombs_TN/status/608762690136354816">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Craig Biggio on son being drafted: "We're pretty excited around here." Conor says he might go to grad school, has couple job offers, too.</p>— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/608752353433530368">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Roger Clemens, in a text to <a href="http://t.co/mDPUQE6013">http://t.co/mDPUQE6013</a> about son, Kody, drafted by Astros: "What a nice surprise." Roger said son will go to UT.</p>— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/608756737122926592">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> have agreed to terms with 17th-round pick Justin Garcia, a lefty OF from Nova Southeastern University (J.D. Martinez's school).</p>— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/608698715772063744">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Awesome story. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Angelo State pitcher Steve Naemark will forgo his senior season and sign a professional contract with the Houston Astros. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamFam?src=hash">#RamFam</a></p>— Carlos Silva Jr. (@cmsilvajr) <a href="https://twitter.com/cmsilvajr/status/608775431525797888">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Astros 40th round pick, Steve Naemark, is a fantastic story. He agreed to a deal for $5,000. Last rd guys can be good: see Tyler Brunnemann</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/608773855985795072">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Signs point to Adam Whitt (16) signing. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just spoke with <a href="https://twitter.com/abomb34">@abomb34</a> and he says barring anything unforeseen he will sign with the <a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@astros</a>. Already graduated from <a href="https://twitter.com/NevadaWolfPack">@NevadaWolfPack</a></p>— Dallas Colodny (@DallasColodny) <a href="https://twitter.com/DallasColodny/status/608796485719695360">June 11, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Fun fact: One of James Carter's (27) aunts is the model, Christy Turlington. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to my nephew James Turlington Carter <a href="https://twitter.com/JTC_23_">@JTC_23_</a> So proud of you! ⚾️⚾️⚾️���� <a href="https://t.co/lunBWlTCHz">https://t.co/lunBWlTCHz</a></p>— Christy Turlington (@CTurlington) <a href="https://twitter.com/CTurlington/status/608722318366511105">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
tellitlikeitis, thanks as always for this thread. Always love to check in on it. A couple of questions: Where are Luken Baker and Cole Sands on your "BA Top 500" list? They are ranked 54th and 55th, respectively, on MLB.com. And is Sandoval really ranked #392? MLB.com has him ranked much higher (139). As someone who also has done no pre-draft research (and doesn't know much about this stuff anyway), this looks like a fantastic draft by the Astros, strategically. Having two top-5 picks put them in unique position to be able to amass enough slot money to sign a third top-10 player (Cameron, at #37 overall). Although the Astros had to select several seniors and below-slot guys in Rounds 4-10, it'll be worth it to secure Cameron and (I think) at least 1-2 other above-slot players. (I'll be curious to see what it takes to sign Nestor Muriel, though.) Given that the Astros used their 11th round selection on him, I would imagine they like their chances of signing Patrick Sandoval. Cole Sands is an intriguing possibility. As a 22nd rounder, I doubt the Astros are holding their breath on signing him. But depending on how much of the bonus pool the top 3 picks require, and maybe if Sandoval doesn't sign, there could be just enough bonus money to make Sands think long and hard about Houston. Luken Baker is a pipe-dream, I'd imagine. But in the 37th round (after throwing away "token" picks in the 34th and 35th rounds on Biggio's and Clemens's kids), it's a lottery ticket JUST IN CASE Baker changes his mind or his circumstances otherwise change. All in all, a terrific draft. Bregman, Tucker and Cameron will likely all fall among the Astros's top 5 or 6 prospects overall, especially after Correa, Velasquez and McCullers graduate. We'll probably see Ferrell, Eshelman and (if he signs) Sands crack the Astros' top 30 prospects as well. Great job by Mike Elias and Jeff Luhnow!
Thanks, I just went back and fixed that. I don't know how I forgot Baker and Sands being in the BA Top 500.
Myles Straw's header photo on his Twitter profile is the Astros wordmark, and the first part of his bio says "Houston Astros organization," so it seems like he's down to sign... Also, Anthony Hermelyn is the highest Astros draft pick to agree to terms at this point. Charlie Hannema is the sports anchor for KOTV in Tulsa. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm told <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sooners?src=hash">#Sooners</a> Anthony Hermelyn (Astros, 4th round) and Jacob Evans (Cardinals, 6th round) have already agreed to pro deals.</p>— Charlie Hannema (@CharlieHannema) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlieHannema/status/608781063511416832">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> This story on Millersville's athletics page on Chris Murphy (24) contains the following sentence: Maybe he's agreed to terms, too?
Everything you're doing in here is awesome, tellitlikeitis.... just wanted to make sure you knew that.
Nestor Muriel's header on his Twitter page has the Astros logo with "H-Town Pride" at the bottom, and his bio includes "Professional Baseball Player Houston Astros." Trent Thornton may be inclined to sign.... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Words cannot express how grateful I am that the <a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@astros</a> have given me the opportunity to pursue my lifelong dream! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThisonesforyouGRAMPS?src=hash">#ThisonesforyouGRAMPS</a></p>— Trent Thornton (@Trent_Thornton1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Trent_Thornton1/status/608352921156239360">June 9, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It feels great to be drafted by my favorite team! Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@astros</a>. I pray things work out and they draft me after my TCU career. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gofrogs?src=hash">#gofrogs</a></p>— Luken Baker (@lukenb9) <a href="https://twitter.com/lukenb9/status/608780786968322048">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
A post on James Carter's Instagram page: https://instagram.com/p/3xI0rtJoIK/ Caption: "Blessed to be drafted by the Houston Astros Organization and have the opportunity to chase my dream! #DreamChasin"
I'm guessing it was a bigger discount than that. He wasn't even on BA's Top 500 List. Pretty sure the primary draw for drafting him in the 4th Round was that he would be a significantly below-slot signing. As in, WAYYY below slot.
semoball is the sports section of the Southeast Missourian, a newspaper in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the home of Southeast Missouri State University. Here's a passage from an article on Alex Winkelman:
Elias says the club expects to make a run at signing Sandoval. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...port-Familiar-names-called-on-Day-6320167.php Sands wasn't mentioned in the article. My guess is he is likely insurance for Cameron, but who knows. Sandoval sounds like he would add some nice high upside pitching to the class.
