re: The Official MLB Draft Thread

I want Appel. The only thing Gray has on Appel is fastball velocity. Gray's changeup is below average while Appel's is plus. They probably have near equal control but Appel has much better command. I think both of their sliders are a little overrated. Neither of them consistently throw it as a plus pitch; you never know if their slider will break sharply or be more slurvy. Let's not forget track record. Appel came into this season under the microscope after turning down the Pirates offer last season and improved considerably.

On the subject of Bryant, yes he does have prodigious power (not generational or 80 grade) but how does that power play with his average (if that) hit tool? How does his bat play versus better competition. He never hit worth a damn in any summer league versus good competition. He hit decently for Team USA this past summer but he led the team in strikeouts (30% K rate or thereabouts). I think something like 40% of his HRs this year were off freshman. People also rave about his plate discipline, but look at how many IBBs he has on the year and how often he was pitched around.

Not a fan of Moran. There are some who say he will grow into power (he's really young for a college draft eligible player). He hit something like 14 HR this year which isn't too shabby, but he also hit a pathetic amount of doubles. You would like to see a lot more doubles if he's supposedly going to grow into some power. It's much easier to believe in his plate discipline since he wasn't pitched around to the extent of Bryant.