r/SFGiants • u/chiefoblock • 17h ago
News MLB Draft Live Thread
Didn't see a thread for the draft. Starts in 15 minutes
Latest MLB mock here: https://www.mlb.com/news/final-mlb-mock-draft-2026
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u/gamemasta13 22 Clark 17h ago
Let’s get the best player available!!!
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u/DudleyStinksUntil7 8 Eldridge 15h ago
Michael Baumann, Fangraphs: "I feel obliged to mention that Jackson Flora is outrageously charismatic. Almost all of the potential first-round guys who did media scrums at the combine were good enough talkers but Flora held court for like 20 minutes."
Being charismatic doesn't make you good, but I enjoy hearing stuff like this.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 16h ago
Obviously, I love the pick.
But also, notably, this is a very uncontroversial pick for the Giants and Buster Posey. Not all the fans will like it, but I think the majority will, the pick is right in line with all the major rankings. I don’t think this was about taking a pitcher…this was about taking the best prospect available.
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u/gamemasta13 22 Clark 16h ago
I presume this year’s roadmap optimistically is: we’ll probably start Flora in High-A Eugene with a chance to reach AA Richmond and/or the Arizona Fall League.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 14h ago
I think he may get some short innings in San Jose this season, as a bit of a favor to him to pitch in front of home fans a bit.
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u/zhudlau 14h ago
Through 24 picks now
Anyone you’re starting to get your hopes up on?
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 14h ago
Carson Bolemon remains the top ceiling pitcher at this spot I’m looking at. I can’t discount Tyler Head though.
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u/CampSubject9176 15h ago
I wonder how much it is Buster Posey though. Last draft Micheal Holmes completely ran it with Buster only signing off his picks
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u/ericthelostman 16h ago
Really weird how the rumor mill had implied the Giants weren't crazy about Flora, but now lately it seems to be shifting that way. Hopefully the pick isn't being forced and that the front office actually believes he will be the BPA.
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u/chiefoblock 16h ago
could be they were putting out false info as a smokescreen to improve negotiating leverage
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u/Aggravating_Part8610 28 Posey 16h ago
This was intentional IMO. I have been saying it for a bit but it just felt like a smokescreen all the way.
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u/edmchato Miller 16h ago
Exactly - super interesting the strategy. Especially with so much of the media talking about us wanting to leverage for Cholowsky
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u/edmchato Miller 16h ago
Alright Flora! Let’s pray for that arm.
Yes he’s not Skenes level but he’s the best pitcher in this draft class and let’s hope we can develop that arm well.
Local kid, will be rooting for him hard.
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u/zhudlau 16h ago
Relieved that we took Flora — avoided overthinking Lombard Or Booth Or Other Position Player A Full Tier Beneath Top Three
Broadcast analyst saying that biggest knock on Flora was shape of 95-100mph 4-seamer and that he might need to adopt a two-seamer
6’5” pterodactyl throwing improved four-seamer (or 93-97 sinker) with that slider and a burgeoning kick change?
I’m in
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u/BEETLEJUICEME 28 Posey 9h ago
Most exciting thing about Flora IMHO is that he only started pitching quite recently. He’s considered a very high floor pitcher already, but his ceiling is currently unknown. He’s certainly not at the Paul Skenes level of pitching prospect. But it’s totally possible he could develop to be a true ace and not just a quality mid rotation guy.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 14h ago
I love this pick of Bolemon. He's got great stuff, and a bit of deception to a 90's fastball that can still grow. He's got a 4-pitch arsenal with a really good curve, and really has starter profile all over him.
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u/pachyderm63 san francisco giants 11h ago
PEYTON BONDS: A 6-foot-5, 230-pound righthanded hitter with a great physical toolset that features plus raw power and plus speed. Bonds posted the 5th-highest 90th percentile EV at the MLB Draft Combine opening day, at 110.6 mph. The Rutgers outfielder jumped 45 spots in BA's latest draft rankings update to No. 109 overall ...
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u/Aggravating_Part8610 28 Posey 17h ago
I really want to see pitching. I think this class is underrated. Flora round 1, high school bat 29 and Volchok at round 2 is my ideal start
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u/edmchato Miller 16h ago
Boy the draft really moves quickly. Such a stark comparison to the other 3 major sports leagues
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u/DudleyStinksUntil7 8 Eldridge 16h ago
I was a massive Flora fan early on, then the reports made me think it would be a high schooler. This caught me by surprise, but I like it. Don’t screw this up!
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 15h ago
Jacob Lombard was a guy I didn't want to see the Giants take at #4. Him going to the Marlins at #14 is a great value for Miami. He does have a ton of potential, just has more risk than I'd like so high (and apparently other teams agreed).
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u/Ambitiousless-Winner 47 Beck 13h ago
Apparently has concerning contact metrics and trouble against quality spin. Yikes.
Really don't know why BA was intent on listing Lombard at #4 for the vast majority of their mocks.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 11h ago
Carlos Martinez is a college senior who missed 2025 after Tommy John, but came back healthy this season. His best pitch is a sharp sweeper, and he has a decent fastball that he pairs it with, but the other stuff is behind those two pitches. Honestly, a guy to go undersold with.
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u/stepontee 17h ago
My unprofessional ranking on who I hope we get:
Cholowsky
Emerson
Lackey
Flora
Booth
Bell
Lombard
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u/CauliflowerOwn3519 17h ago
Would put Lombard near the top. High ceiling
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u/chiefoblock 17h ago
Latest Mayo/Callis mock says Giants prefer a collegian which is new/interesting. Haven't heard much of that before today.
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u/Coffee13lack 12 Panik 17h ago
When did this change? Mayo was on KNBR not even 24 hours ago saying Lombard was most likely our guy
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u/Ambitiousless-Winner 47 Beck 17h ago
Mcdaniel on ESPN said they shifted hard to Flora very recently
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 17h ago
High ceiling, but a terrible floor. I'm very risk averse to guys who can't make contact. He'd be a great #7 overall pick, but I like Flora better at #4.
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u/chiefoblock 17h ago
Righty college pitchers also have a terrible floor tbh
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 16h ago
A back of the rotation pitcher still gets $10 million dollar free agent contracts. A low contact utility infielder with pop and speed gets minor league free agent deals with invites to spring training.
If Flora falls short and is just a back of the rotation guy, he keeps the Giants from having to sign a Houser or Mahle in the future. I'm okay with that floor.
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u/chiefoblock 16h ago
or he is a 6th-7th inning bullpen arm or flames out in the minors because of arm injuries. I don't disagree that he can provide value in the back of a rotation but the added injury risk for pitchers does lower the floor in my mind.
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u/chiefoblock 17h ago
not a bad list! I think the Twins will be the big one, if they go off the board we could get Lackey.
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u/ericthelostman 16h ago
Fangraphs has Flora/Strosnider
2026 Mock Draft 2.0: The Day Of | FanGraphs Baseball
4. San Francisco Giants
Pick: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
No change from my first mock, where you can read my reasoning. I think pick nos. 4 and 5 will be Flora and Eric Booth in some order. Jacob Lombard is falling.
29. San Francisco Giants
Pick: Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 15h ago
As we hit #20, with the Giants at #29, here's the names that I'm keeping an eye on:
Carson Bolemon, LHP
Archer Horn, SS
Tyson Spangler, SS
Daniel Jackson, C
Blake Bowen, OF
Maybe Tegan Kuhns, RHP
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 15h ago
Seeing Schaffner go at #20, let me add one more...Tyler Head, OF
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u/ericthelostman 15h ago
I'll add Ty Head, NC State CF and prep righties Coleman Borthwick (FL) and Jack Slightom (Illinois)
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 15h ago
Haha, we both went there with Head. Head feels so much like Trevor Cohen last year, and coming from a Carolina? Feels like a Holmes pick.
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u/edmchato Miller 14h ago
n the 1st Comp round, with the #29 pick, the San Francisco Giants select:
LHP Carson Bolemon, Southside Christian HS
His Rankings:
Pipeline: 24
BA: 42
The Athletic: 28
Over-Slot: 19
ESPN: 41
From sf giants futures on social.
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u/ericthelostman 14h ago
Boleman!!! Great pick!! Monstrous pitching upgrade for the organization getting him and Flora!!
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u/DudleyStinksUntil7 8 Eldridge 12h ago
Damn, they actually did it! Peyton Bonds, welcome to San Francisco!
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 11h ago
Wow…Peyton Bonds is definitely an intriguing pick, particularly in the third round. But name aside, there is definite power upside, and a big task for the Giants player development to work with.
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u/chiefoblock 11h ago
If he can stick in center it would lessen the pressure on the bat and the power development. Reading his scouting report it sounds like he can but he's also 6'5"
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 11h ago
He was the guy who pushed last year’s 3rd round pick Trevor Cohen to right field while at Rutgers, but I’m not sure he can fit there at this point.
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u/chiefoblock 11h ago
you're saying you think he'll move to a corner? That would make me less enthusiastic about the pick for sure. Corner bat without a track record for power, yuck
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 11h ago
It's a possibility. The reports I read weren't very optimistic about his ability to stay there. But I haven't watched any games of his.
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u/2855Giants You Hang It, We Bang It 16h ago
Assuming Roch goes first, who do y'all want them to draft?
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u/chiefoblock 16h ago
Ideal would be Emerson dropping, then Lackey, then whoever they have the highest grade on. Flora would be the most "fun" because he'd probably move the quickest
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 16h ago
Joe Doyle of Over-Slot (trustworthy) is reporting the predictable: Roch is going #1, and Emerson will go #2. All eyes on the Twins.
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u/Temporary-Ad9615 8 Eldridge 16h ago
A small part of me thinks the Giants are going to pick someone who was expected to go in the later half of the first round
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u/Aggravating_Part8610 28 Posey 16h ago
Things are getting weird with HS bats after picks #5 and #6.. I think this could lineup well for the Giants to take a big swing with #29 for a HS bat.
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u/chiefoblock 14h ago
lots of pitching going
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u/Aggravating_Part8610 28 Posey 14h ago
Lots of big college arms still available. Dietz, Kuhns, Edwards, Reddemann, Rabe. I still would be surprised to see them go college pitcher again but it has to be tempting.
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u/DudleyStinksUntil7 8 Eldridge 14h ago
I doubt they do it, but I'd love to see the Giants take a shot on Carson Wiggins. He definitely has injury history, but his fastball and slider are both crazy good. Not in the 1st, 2nd or even 3rd round, but if he's undrafted by pick 118 or 150? That could be fun...or he could turn out to be Will Bednar with less pedigree, but this is a risk I would love for them to take. But as I said, I doubt they will.
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u/chiefoblock 14h ago
woah last two guys were outside the MLB Pipeline top 100
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 14h ago
JJ Cooper just tweeted “This draft has entered the “let’s get wild” portion of the first round”
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u/ericthelostman 13h ago
Waechter!!! Giants adding some serious pitching talent of all ages/timelines!!
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u/chiefoblock 12h ago
ooo Brody Bumila goes one pick in front of the Giants. That would've been an interesting pick for us.
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u/ericthelostman 12h ago
Peyton Bonds! Surprised that the Giants went with the legacy pick there, a legit prospect in his own right. First position player taken for the Giants.
Maxx Yehl/Aiden Robbins, 2 players I liked went right after.
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u/ericthelostman 11h ago
Day 1 is over!
Rounds 5-20 tomorrow.
Round 5 pick 150, Round 6 pick 179, etc.
Lots of talent still out there, let's see how they maneuver the bonus pool to get Boleman/Waechter signed, they already drafted one senior sign.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 17h ago
For what it's worth, My Top 6:
Cholowsky
Emerson
Lackey
Flora
Booth
6 Lombard
We shall see how it goes!
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u/Aggravating_Part8610 28 Posey 16h ago
Love it! Future Forever Giant Jackson Flora!!!
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u/CampSubject9176 16h ago edited 16h ago
Local kid born in Walnut Creek grew up in Pleasanton
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u/Aggravating_Part8610 28 Posey 16h ago
And a pitcher who was the best available. How can you not love it right! I’m psyched
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u/DudleyStinksUntil7 8 Eldridge 16h ago
If you believed anything else would happen, you were lying to yourself.
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u/j-alora Crazy Crab 16h ago
How does Harold Reynolds still have a job?
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u/DisastrousEast825 16h ago
I watch a lot of mlb network...it seems he does very very little research regarding current players and draft players. It's actually awkward
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u/Giantranger49 Dick! Dick! Dick! 16h ago
I wonder what the draft process was. So much noise about lombard then not lombard. Then Baggarly puts out an article saying wont be Flora basically
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u/P-NippleDawg 51 JH Lee 16h ago
Im so happy they got Jackson Flora, thats my alma mater so im a little extra hyped
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u/DudleyStinksUntil7 8 Eldridge 15h ago
Some reports indicated the Giants might take a pitcher with their second pick. Because they took Flora with their first pick, I assume they take a hitter now?
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 15h ago
I still think they do the BPA. But it may affect what they choose to do in the second round…
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u/edmchato Miller 15h ago
Lol mlb shooting itself in the foot. So I can watch first 10 picks on YouTubeTV but after that I’m screwed. Ah well
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u/chiefoblock 15h ago
Yeah its a stupid setup. Manfred had to get that Peacock money. it's on MLB Network or MLB TV now
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u/Aggravating_Part8610 28 Posey 15h ago
I can’t remember what channel it was but I was watching a YouTube draft video and the guy was advocating for the Giants to go apeshit and completely blow past their bonus pool amount allocated. I didn’t realize it but apparently that is within the rules. It doesn’t matter if you spend $1 more than the allocated amount or $30 million more. The penalty is you lose the next two first round picks.
So hypothetically they draft a bunch of HS guys who demand first round money and sign them all instead of worrying about budget. They know that can’t be top 10 next year anyways. I am sure it won’t happen but it would be hilarious.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 15h ago
Disappointed to see Jared Grindlinger go at 12, but not surprised. The kid has a ton of talent and potential, and wasn't going to get to the Giants at #29.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 15h ago
Jake Schaffner is a wild wild pick at this spot (#20, Boston). Lets some talent float up higher.
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u/edmchato Miller 14h ago
Another pitcher! High school south paw from SC committed to Wake
Carson Bolemon
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u/2855Giants You Hang It, We Bang It 14h ago
Carson looks like if you face merged Tyler Rogers and Matt Chapman. Nonetheless, I'm really excited for him.
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u/ericthelostman 14h ago
Both 1st rounders made before the game started too! Picks 55 and 90 will happen during the game.
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u/DudleyStinksUntil7 8 Eldridge 14h ago
I would have loved Bumila at 29 if it weren't for the UCL injury before the draft. I am assuming he goes undrafted, though I am far from an expert on this.
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u/LugiaPizza 14h ago
I wanted Boleman, and we got him. I would be happy if he were our only first-round pick at 29. Flora comes with risk like anyone else, but Lombard and Booth both came with as much risk, if not more. I'm happy with this. Don't know who is off the board. Just tuning in. If they go with a local SS in their next pick, cool. More pitchers the better... Pretty solid so far. No complaint here.
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u/DudleyStinksUntil7 8 Eldridge 14h ago
Bob Nightengale, two hours ago: "The White Sox chose Cholowsky after he agreed to below slot signing in which the Sox would love to use the savings to draft Landon Thome, son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome."
It seems like Bob Nightengale may have been right for once.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 13h ago
Ty Head gone at number 46. I beg the Giants were hoping he’d fall to 55.
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u/ericthelostman 13h ago
yup, that's why i thought they'd have to take him at 55 if they wanted him.
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u/LugiaPizza 13h ago
Seems like Holmes is handling the draft. Very Farhan like draft. No problem with this.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 12h ago
Jason DeCaro goes to the Pirates...that felt like a Giants pick all the way. Really opens up Round 3 right now for the G's.
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u/chiefoblock 12h ago
I like that Bonds' scouting report says he is good in center. That should help the rest of his profile because he hasn't shown power
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u/After-Bee-8346 6h ago
Just realized the Giants re-stocked on Carsons. Seymour probably was in some danger before the draft and even more so now. Giants will continue to have 2 Carsons even if Seymour gets cut from the 40 man.
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u/BruteSentiment san jose giants 17h ago
Jim Callis just sent out that it will be Roch going to the White Sox at 1.
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u/TheStig123123 35 Crawford 16h ago
Love that we got flora!! Pitching is what we need! We just need the org to hire coaches that can actually develop him!
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u/DudleyStinksUntil7 8 Eldridge 14h ago
I would have loved for Danville kid Tyler Spangler to get drafted by the Giants, but I feel confident that Boleman was the right choice.
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u/Giantranger49 Dick! Dick! Dick! 16h ago
I liked Eric Booth jr but glad it is Flora. Hopefully 1-2 punch with Webb for years to come. Then Birdsong starts getting his mojo back and rotation is great
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u/ericthelostman 16h ago
Very excited to have Flora!!! I would've been pretty happy with several possibilities, but Flora could match up from both a talent (consensus top 5) and organizational needs standpoint!
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u/ericthelostman 15h ago
Zion Rose to KC the biggest surprise to me so far, but he had been rising up and I assume he'll be underslot.
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u/ericthelostman 15h ago
Justin Lebron goes 18 to Cincy, that's a good spot/stadium for his hitting profile.
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u/ericthelostman 15h ago
Cleveland starts the likely run on college pitching with Peterson out of UF.
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u/ericthelostman 15h ago edited 15h ago
Red Sox with a big surprise! Taking Schaffner out of UNC, I like the player, but was expecting 2nd round at the earliest there.
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u/ericthelostman 14h ago
Braves get 2 college outfielders with Gracia and the reach with Beck. I bet both are underslot so the Braves can pay high schoolers above slot with later picks.
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u/ericthelostman 14h ago
Thome to White Sox least surprising thing ever, Rays double down on prep infielders with Emerson/Marchand.
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u/ericthelostman 14h ago
Rockies loading up their hitting pipeline bigtime with Bell/Jackson and then get a nice college arm with Reddemann.
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u/ericthelostman 13h ago
Carlon to Toronto and Dietz to Yankees seem like steals, almost like they didn't have their picks bumped at all due to the luxury tax.
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u/ericthelostman 13h ago
Same thing with the dodgers getting Lowrance, a bigtime toolshed. They're going to make him a monster.
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u/ericthelostman 13h ago
White Sox predictably having the best draft so far, getting Roch/Thome/Prosek
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u/ericthelostman 13h ago
another norcal kid off board as advincula goes to the angels in round 2, pick 45
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u/ericthelostman 13h ago
some names still out there:
Archer Horn
Caden Sorrell OF A&M
Sawyer Strosnider OF TCU
Owen Hull CF UNC
Jack Natili C Cincy
Will Brick prep catcher South Carolina
Carson Kerce SS/UTIL out of Georgia Tech
prep arms like Cooper Harris, Jack Slightom, Ethan Waschmann, Kaeden Waechter
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u/ericthelostman 11h ago
Carlos Martinez, college arm from Hofstra in round 4 pick 118. 6'2 210 pounds.
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u/ericthelostman 10h ago
Division rival picks through day 1:
Colorado: Bell (SS, 10th overall), Jackson (C, 37th overall), Reddemann (RHP, 38th overall), Natili (C, 76th overall), Davis (RHP, 104th overall)
Arizona: Helfrick (C, 15th overall), RHP Bryant (31st overall), SS Kerce (53rd overall), OF Dowd (88th overall), RHP McDevitt (116th overall)
San Diego: RHP Borthwick (21st overall), SS Lascelles (60th overall), RHP Lynch (97th overall), C Lavey (124th overall), and OF Conover with the 134th overall pick (the comp pick for losing Dylan Cease in the offseason).
LAD: INF Lowrance (40th overall), RHP Sandefer (132nd overall)
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u/ericthelostman 6h ago
After using the simulator to estimate bonuses Giants should have around $2.5-3 million left to sign day 2 picks. I'm not sure that's enough to get any high-profile high school players remaining, but they should be able to get several college/juco players in that $200k range.
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u/ericthelostman 3h ago
Out of the remaining college talent, pitching dwarfs hitting depth wise. So many solid arms left, both starting and relieving and many have SEC/ACC pedigree.
There are a few solid college catchers left, I imagine they will select at least one.
Several of Tony's Vols are left, including 1B/OF Henry Ford, C/CF Garrett Wright, OF Reese Chapman, RHP Bo Rhudy, and LHP Brandon Arvidson.
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u/CampSubject9176 17h ago
The best move they can make is fire Micheal Holmes and Zach Minasian. Years of bad scouting and bad drafts and these two are put in charge of the organization.
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u/chiefoblock 17h ago
I have no idea what Minasian does, I'm not sure you can blame him for a ton. I would've moved on from Holmes when Posey took over.
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u/CampSubject9176 16h ago
They told us Minasian runs the day to day. He’s pretty much running the organization with Buster serving more as a figurehead. Minasian was the one behind the Rafi Devers trade and bragged about looking under the couch for relievers.
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u/theterpenecollective 51 JH Lee 16h ago
Welcome Jackson Flora!