Series Thread: Rangers Travel to Houston For Three Games July 12-14

[Senator_fan]

20. TORONTO BLUE JAYS - C MALCOLM MOORE​

SLOT VALUE: $4,073,400​

From Prospectives Live in their mock 3.0 draft:

The expectation is that Toronto will take a college catcher here, though the real question is which one that'll be. In our eyes, Malcolm Moore is the best available catcher of that group and has solid underlying data to boot. Of course, if it's not Moore, Lomavita, and Walker Janek make the most sense.

————-

A lot of different opinions.

 

[fanman8825]

This morning's Keith Law analysis:

30. Texas Rangers: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford​

No. 25 on Law’s big board

Malcolm Moore was a darling of models this year, as his batted-ball data was very strong and his baseball-card stats belied his true talent level as a hitter. He walked more than he struck out and still got to 16 homers, but had a .229 BABIP despite an above-average Barrel rate and strong exit velocities.

Scouts were mixed on whether he’d stick as a catcher, but I didn’t hear anyone say he absolutely couldn’t do it physically, just that he needed a lot of work and could end up at first base.

If he’d posted a triple-slash line commensurate with his batted-ball data, he would have been a top-15 pick.

Scouting report: Moore, a draft-eligible sophomore, is going to end up with a team that values batted-ball data over performance — he had terrible luck at the plate this spring but he was not punching out and his contact quality points to a higher average than he had on balls in play. Moore hit .255/.414/.553 for the Cardinal with just a .229 BABIP, a full hundred points down from his BABIP as a freshman, even though he makes plenty of hard contact.

There was a little more than bad luck at work here, to be fair; he put a lot of non-strikes in play and had worse results on those pitches than he did on pitches in the zone, so there’s a pitch selection aspect to his performance as well. He has great bat speed and had no trouble with elite velocity the few times he saw this spring. Moore is a below-average defender right now and scouts are mixed on whether he can stay at catcher; the arm is the worst tool here and his other deficiencies could improve with different coaching. He’s going to be a bat-first catcher if he stays there.

Great report with quite a bit if detail

 

[saddles]

20. TORONTO BLUE JAYS - C MALCOLM MOORE​

SLOT VALUE: $4,073,400​

From Prospectives Live in their mock 3.0 draft:

The expectation is that Toronto will take a college catcher here, though the real question is which one that'll be. In our eyes, Malcolm Moore is the best available catcher of that group and has solid underlying data to boot. Of course, if it's not Moore, Lomavita, and Walker Janek make the most sense.

————-

A lot of different opinions.

He was probably the best available catcher when we drafted. I just thought both Sloan and White were better options at #30. White may have to move to 1B like Moore will probably have too. White seems to be the better hitter. Sloan would have probably been my pick, even over Write,, but I had them close.

 

[Senator_fan]

I’m just making a generalized statement and I don’t know that much about scouting and rating players but it seems an emphasis is made on power and that’s only one part of it.
For instance, based on power and add in speed I would rate somebody higher if they had a 15 to 20 home run potential and average to above average speed than somebody who had 40 plus home run potential and was slow. That guy is going to clog up the basepaths whenever he gets on and doesn’t homer, and be pinch run for later in the game and usually not considered as athletic. I rate athleticism high but then again I’m not a GM.

Also I don’t get how a player can be rated for example with a 45, 50, 55, 50, 60 and the overall rating is a 40.

 

[saddles]

Also I don’t get how a player can be rated for example with a 45, 50, 55, 50, 60 and the overall rating is a 40.

That has always puzzled me.

 

[saddles]

Antoine Kelly has been claimed by the Rockies.

 

[saddles]

Some second round considerations:

Ryan Johnson
Drew Beam
Josh Hartle
Dylan Dreiling
Caleb Bonemer
Mason Russell
Josh Kiroda-Grauer

I believe Mason Russell is still available. He would make a good pick at the end of the third round. 11 more picks before ours.

 

[saddles]

Casey Ciok report by MLB.COM

171
Casey
Cook
OF, North Carolina

BioStatsNewsVideo

• AGE
  21
• BATS
  L
• DOB
  10/02/2002
• THROWS
  R
• HT
  6' 0"
• WT
  195

Video scouting report »
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40
Cook played just four games in his first year at North Carolina because of a left shoulder injury that required surgery, then returned last season to set a Tar Heels freshman record by reaching base in 44 consecutive games. He bounced back from a rough summer in the Cape Cod League to emerge as one of the best pure hitters in the Atlantic Coast Conference this spring, and added muscle has led to increased power. The redshirt sophomore homered twice off lock first-rounder Chase Burns of Wake Forest in late March, going deep against a 101-mph fastball and an 89-mph slider.

With a disciplined approach and a smooth left-handed swing, Cook controls the strike zone while making contact to all fields. He won't be a slugger but his strength gains and increased aptitude for driving balls in the air should produce in the neighborhood of 15 homers per season, mostly to his pull side. His .175/.313/.225 line with wood bats on the Cape is a concern for some clubs.

Cook's speed, arm strength and defensive instincts all grade as fringy, which probably will relegate him to left field. He has played briefly at second base with North Carolina and in the Cape League, and a pro team may try him there. He's not much of a factor on the bases but doesn't clog them up.

 

[saddles]

I wonder if the Rangers are preparing to go way over slot on their 4th round pick. The first three choices all seem like they could be signed under slot.

Schmidt???

 

[saddles]

The Rangers 4th round pick is David Hagaman.

 

[saddles]

David Hagaman review by Future Star Series:

244

RHP

David Hagaman​

West Virginia

HOMETOWN: Egg Harbor City, NJ
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 222
BAT/THROW: R-R
Hagaman has put in the work since arriving to Blacksburg having tacked on 35 pounds of muscle most of which came in a highly instrumental redshirt season in 2022. Hagaman was a Swiss Army Knife for the Mountaineers in 2024. At times he worked in a multi-inning relief role, though he also threw 103 pitches and 89 pitches on two different occasions in starts. His role at the next level is still in flux as Hagaman currently possesses streaky fringy command and walks can tailspin on him at times. He issued 19 free passes in 35 innings this spring, though six of those did come in a 1.2 inning outing toward the end of March. Eliminating that hiccup paints a picture of a more refined righty with just 13 walks in 33.1 IP. Hagaman throws a 93-95 mph fastball and has flirted with 98 mph in bullpen sessions. It's performed largely as an average fastball despite the velocity due to shape that will vary. His firm has been up to 88 and will sit 83-86 with short tilt and cutter-esque shape. There's a changeup, though he's reluctant to throw it against right-handed hitters and his conviction and command of the pitch against lefties has been spotty. The book isn't yet written on Hagaman. Bullish scouts see starter upside and three pitches. Skeptics think he fits more into a sixth/seventh inning role in a bullpen. Still, he'll likely come off the board on day two as his loose, athletic delivery will draw high marks from conventional scouts. Hagaman had a UCL brace put on toward the end of the season which will undoubtedly muddy his draft profile, but scouts and evalutors appreciate the clay and upside.

 

[saddles]

This is a really weak draft for the Rangers, it seems.

 

[saddles]

This guy actually sounds like he was a really good pick for the slot he was drafted at.

3B

Rafe Perich​

Lehigh

HOMETOWN: New Tripoli, PA
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: B-R
A three-year starter at Lehigh as a two-way player, Perich saw his offensive game explode in 2024 with added power and an approach that looked pro-ready. Perich has an old-school setup with low hands and a bit of a crouch over the plate. He loads the barrel deep behind his shoulder and lags the barrel creating whip and considerable bat speed. It's almost an identical swing from both sides and scouts believe he's got a shot to switch-hit because of it. Perich is a polished hitter who has walked more than he's struck out in 2024. He boasts high walk rates and low strikeout rates, supported by contact and chase rates that dwarf most of the rest of the country. The raw power is real with exit velos measuring north of 114 mph at times. It is an obscure swing, but it's worked and there's very few moving parts. He is a below average runner with long strides and generally slow foot speed. Defensively, Perich has a strong internal clock and generally showcases fundamental footwork and technique at the hot corner. He moves well around the dirt and has at becoming an solid average defensive third baseman. One critique scouts have had on his play is he tends to double-pump his throws across the diamond, likely a bad habit formed over time. The throwing arm is double-plus with huge carry when he reaches back for it, though sometimes he'll over-throw when not necessary. It's something of an Alec Bohm look at the position. The tools are certainly present. Perich and his unconventional offensive approach and budding defensive tools has a chance to go reasonably early on day two and could sneak into the 3-5 round range

 

[saddles]

You all will be relieved to know that Adolis has bought a new necklace to wear during the HR Derby.

 

[saddles]

This guy actually sounds like he was a really good pick for the slot he was drafted at.

3B

Rafe Perich​

Lehigh

HOMETOWN: New Tripoli, PA
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: B-R
A three-year starter at Lehigh as a two-way player, Perich saw his offensive game explode in 2024 with added power and an approach that looked pro-ready. Perich has an old-school setup with low hands and a bit of a crouch over the plate. He loads the barrel deep behind his shoulder and lags the barrel creating whip and considerable bat speed. It's almost an identical swing from both sides and scouts believe he's got a shot to switch-hit because of it. Perich is a polished hitter who has walked more than he's struck out in 2024. He boasts high walk rates and low strikeout rates, supported by contact and chase rates that dwarf most of the rest of the country. The raw power is real with exit velos measuring north of 114 mph at times. It is an obscure swing, but it's worked and there's very few moving parts. He is a below average runner with long strides and generally slow foot speed. Defensively, Perich has a strong internal clock and generally showcases fundamental footwork and technique at the hot corner. He moves well around the dirt and has at becoming an solid average defensive third baseman. One critique scouts have had on his play is he tends to double-pump his throws across the diamond, likely a bad habit formed over time. The throwing arm is double-plus with huge carry when he reaches back for it, though sometimes he'll over-throw when not necessary. It's something of an Alec Bohm look at the position. The tools are certainly present. Perich and his unconventional offensive approach and budding defensive tools has a chance to the na reasonably early on day two and could sneak into the 3-5 round range

I think for awhile, every time I hear the name "Perich" I am going to think of Matt Perisho.

 

[saddles]

Well, we just drafted a pitcher who had a 6.59 ERA at Arizona this year.

Anthony Susac

 

[Senator_fan]

Well, we just drafted a pitcher who had a 6.59 ERA at Arizona this year.

Anthony Susac

He lowered his ERA from over 8 a couple seasons ago plus his nickname is ‘Tonko’ which counts a lot.

 

[saddles]

Keith Jones II from New Mexico St. In the 9th round.

57

OF

Keith Jones II

New Mexico State

HOMETOWN: Brentwood, CA
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: L-L
After spending his first two seasons at Washington State University, Jones II transferred in search of more playing time and opportunity. He landed with NMSU where he became an immediate mainstay for the Aggies. He's hit north of .370 in consecutive seasons, 2024 being his showcase campaign where the power has really emerged. Jones II ranks among the best in college baseball in several exit velocity categories; a tremendous feel for the fat part of the bat; comfortably above-average raw power and maybe blossoming into more. The hit tool has taken a step forward this spring as well now posting above average contact rates with a far more discerning eye and approach in the box. Jones has impressed in his ability to cover pitches he swings at that are in the strike zone. His contact rate on pitches outside of the zone has jumped too. Jones is still the solid average runner he's always been in the field and on the bases. It's fringy arm strength likely destined for left field as a pro. Jones is a day-two prospect especially as a potential under-slot target in rounds 6 through 10.

 

[saddles]

He lowered his ERA from over 8 a couple seasons ago plus his nickname is ‘Tonko’ which counts a lot.

Yeah in three or four years he may have it down to 3.00.

 

[saddles]

These guys are still undrafted even though MLB has them ranked below 100. Signability issues, most likely.

16
--
William Schmidt
P, Catholic HS

--
--
56
--
Dax Whitney
P, Blackfoot HS

--
--
76
--
Garrett Shull
OF, Enid HS

--
--
79
--
Carson Wiggins
P, Roland HS

--
--
91
--
Sawyer Farr
SS, Boswell High School

--
--
92
--
Noah Franco
OF, IMG Academy

--
--
96
--
Tegan Kuhns
P, Gettysburg HS

--
--
97
--
Mason Russell
P, Casteel HS

--
--
98
--
Duncan Marsten
P, Harvard-Westlake HS

--
--
99
--
Jackson Barberi
P, Brookwood HS