Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. There are all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans every day. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s OK, though, we’re going to do the heavy lifting for you each morning, and find the things you need to see from within the SB Nation baseball network as well as from elsewhere. Please hold your applause until the end, or at least until after you subscribe to the newsletter.
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College baseball isn’t watched with the same nationwide fervor as NCAA’s basketball and football campaigns, so the MLB draft ends up being its own unique thing in terms of how fans pay attention to the sport and its players. The players picked, except in rare instances, aren’t headed to the majors shortly after they’re drafted, and the selection process itself happens in-season instead of during the offseason, so there isn’t the same break to digest what you’ve just seen at the amateur level. All of this creates a bit of a disconnect, with fans becoming more aware of who these players are after their teams pick them, but that’s OK: you don’t need to be ashamed if you’re a fan who digests the draft this way.
We’re 10 days out from this summer’s draft, so let’s hook you up with some preparation so you can act like you’ve known all about these dudes for months already. MLB’s prospect team has a list of the top-200 draft prospects with accompanying scouting reports, and in many cases, even video — they also have a separate breakdown of the top-200 if a list that large sounds too daunting for you. FanGraph’s Kiley McDaniel posted his latest mock draft on Thursday, with all 26 first-round picks projected, and again, with video included. ESPN’s Keith Law also dropped his second mock, and while that’s behind the Insider ol’ paywall, if you have access, there’s plenty of scouting for you to read there as well.
Finished reading? All of it? Now you’re as prepared for the draft as everyone else who hasn’t seen a single college baseball (or high school) game this spring! Congratulations on your achievement, but know that the projected draft order is ever-changing as teams make last-minute decisions, so you’re going to want to keep up with this stuff for the next 10 days. Yeah, it sounds like work, but don’t worry, we’ll be here to help out.
- If you would like to see some draft prospects over the next few weeks, there are quite a few of them participating in the College World Series.
- The Marlins keep rebuilding, but none of their attempts have been as successful at building what looks like a long-term success as those of the Astros or Cubs.
- The A’s are just 2-15 in one-run games, a number so mind-boggling that it merited further investigation.
- Archie Bradley hasn’t been the same pitcher since he was struck by a line drive.
- The Mets can’t hit, but a specific Met, Lucas Duda, is very good at it.
- A guide to getting autographs from your favorite players, whether they’re any good at baseball or not.
- Eduardo Rodriguez made his major league debut against the Rangers, and threw 7-2/3 shutout innings. Get to know the newest Red Sox starter, who has exceeded expectations at a young age for his entire pro career.
- The Royals’ outfield defense is great! The Padres’ outfield defense is trash. Their difference serves as a reminder that every out matters.
- OK, so not everyone thinks Ryan Howard is a fit for the Cardinals with Matt Adams injured.
- Brandons Belt and Crawford are much of the reason for the Giants’ recent winning.
- Fans at stadiums can no longer vote for the All-Star Game rosters, but they’re still getting things right through the first unveiling of the ballots.
- Dee Gordon thought Giancarlo Stanton was joking when general manager Dan Jennings was named the Marlins manager. Don’t worry, Dee: So did everyone else.
