Hey all. I think it's fun to look at how I would go about a draft vs the Braves. Overall, I'm pretty content with this year's draft, but that doesn't mean there aren't worries with spreading money out in an otherwise weak draft. I'd have rather put the money in a few higher caliber prospects with a focus on hitters. Why? I think the hit rate for hitters are better and they have more trade value.
This is just for fun and not to be taken seriously. The Braves have my deepest respects for their recent drafts, and I will trust the scouts as they've gotten a lot more right than wrong since AA has taken over. Also, the money would likely change where you are taking certain guys, but I can only go off what players ultimately agreed to for their signing bonuses. I have changed 9 total picks, including the first 7 picks in the draft. You can always refer to the Draft Pick Signing Tracker for the Braves draft picks.
Round 1, pick 20:
Drew Gilbert, OF, Tennessee (original pick was the Astros round 1, pick 28) - $2,500,000
Undersized, but the guy can flat out rake with high exit velos. Has speed and a good arm too.
Round CB-A, pick 35:
Justin Campbell, RHP, Oklahoma St (original pick was the Guardians CB-A, pick 37) - $1,700,000
Could be this year's Logan Gilbert pick. 6'7" RHP so there's likely a bit more velo to unlock, and has above avg curve and change-up to go along with solid control/command. He's a rare college pick with upside left.
Round 2, pick 57:
Ryan Cermak, SS, Illinois St (original pick was the Rays CB-B, pick 71) - $750,000
What a bargain for Cermak. Avg bat/power, but has carrying tools with plus speed, arm and defense. Earned a gold glove award this year in college too.
Ryan Cermak currently has 14 homeruns one of which is this inside the park homerun for @RedbirdBaseball game on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/ArRCOuzoD5
— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) April 22, 2022
Comp round, pick 76:
Ben Joyce, RHP, Tennessee (original pick was the Angels in round 3, pick 89) - $997,500
This is a lottery type pick in that he could shoot up to the majors quickly or blow his arm out completely. For under $1M, it's worth the gamble on 100-105 mph.
Round 3, pick 96:
Brock Porter, RHP, St Mary's prep (HS) (original pick was the Rangers in round 4, pick 109) - $3,700,000
The prize of the draft. Pick up a top 15 arm in round 3. Plus plus FB, plus change-up and slider. Has the ideal body you'd want in a frontline starter at 6'4" 208 lbs.
Round 4, pick 125:
Dominic Keegan, 1B/C, Vanderbilt (original pick was the Rays in round 4, pick 134) - $397,500
At this point, you just want players with some kind of carrying tool. He has that with the bat. Might be all bat. Also, had a good Cape Cod, so can hit with a wood bat. A better version of Drew Lugbauer?
Dominic Keegan (2022, Vanderbilt) with a big smash to left center for his fourth HR in seven CCBL games. 109 MPH off the bat, 24.6 degree launch angle, 461 feet. pic.twitter.com/ucgrFSLBiB
— Will Hoefer (@whoeferbaseball) July 25, 2021
Round 5, pick 155:
Brett Johnson, OF, Southern Illinois (original pick was the Diamondbacks in round 10, pick 288) - $55,000
Cheapy sign to make the money work, but he did put up fantastic numbers this season with 23 HR and solid BB/K rates.
SIU Edwardsville JR OF Brett Johnson had a mammoth DH vs. Oakland yesterday, homering three times to bring his season total to 8 (D1 lead is 10). He also stole home. Johnson transferred from JUCO in '21 and put up 1.002 OPS, 10 HR & 14 SB, upping his game this yr. w/ 1.460 mark. pic.twitter.com/0yrMSYrq28
— Spencer Morris (@ProspectSpencer) March 14, 2022
Round 6, pick 185:
Adrian Rodriguez, SS, Intl Baseball Academy (PR) (original pick was the Diamondbacks in round 8, pick 228)
An upside pick that didn't cost much. Has speed, arm and defense, but the bat is sus.
SS Adrián Rodríguez(International Baseball Academy), was the number one player from PR, according to MLB. Picked by Arizona in the 8th round(228th pick).
— Edwin Hernández Jr. (@LBPRCinEnglish) July 18, 2022
Not one scout questioned that Rodríguez can field, he fell in this Draft solely because of his hitting skills. pic.twitter.com/FkplbO89yj
Round 7, pick 215:
Ben Mezinger, 3B, Louisville (original pick was the Brewers in round 7, pick 222) - $97,500
Another cheapy sign that is coming of a good season like Brett Johnson. 19 HRs and had more walks than strikeouts.
Louisville 3B Ben Metzinger is one of the more intriguing 4th-year bats in the 2022 MLB Draft. HR no. 16 today. Entered today at .291/.410/.568 with more walks than strikeouts.
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) May 17, 2022
No. 298 on the new @ProspectsLive Top 500.
Full List: https://t.co/pfbrYLmKkKpic.twitter.com/z2GDbhuZG8
Round 13, pick 395:
Austin Charles, SS/RHP, Stockdale HS (original pick was the Royals in round 20, pick 595) - $429,500
The big signing after round 10. 2 way player that just has a lot of talent, but only just recently started to pitch. Very raw. 6'6" SS/RHP.
Round 14, pick 525:
Luke Franzoni, 1B/OF, Xavier (original pick was the Angels in round 19, pick 568) - $75,000
Only behind Ivan Melendez in HRs. Hit 29 bombs with a solid BB/K ratio.
2nd GRAND SLAM for Luke Franzoni.
— Barstool Xavier (@XuBarstool) May 29, 2022
3rd HR of the day
pic.twitter.com/3kJCQOZzp1
Final amount (including Austin as he was above the $125K max) - $10,705,500
Braves final amount was $10,736,600
Let me know how you'd have re-worked the draft to fit your style?
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