Latest Atlanta Braves Draft Rumors and News
TomahawkTake will have live draft coverage tonight as the draft gets underway. This thread is to track rumors as they are leaked today.
Leading Off
Let’s start off with a guess on the #1 overall pick tonight:
Do not follow draft with rigor but scouting director I respect said buzz is #Phillies will take OF Mickey Moniak with overall 1st pick tmrw
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 9, 2016
That’s an interesting shift which suggests strongly that the Phils have moved off of A.J. Puk of the Florida Gators… and are eschewing the high school pitchers Riley Pint and Jason Groome.
Braxton Garrett
Probably tire kicking but #Braves showing late interest in Braxton Garrett at 3. More heavily linked to Ian Anderson if they go that route
— Frankie Piliere (@FPiliereD1) June 9, 2016
Braxton Garrett is from my general neck-of-the-woods in the Shoals area of North Alabama. He’s a lefty pitcher with excellent upside – ranked 10th at MLB Pipeline and 9th on BaseballAmerica – and a Vanderbilt commit at the moment.
I agree on the “tire-kicking”, but if the nightmare scenario happens for Atlanta – that the Phillies take Mickey Moniac and the Reds take Kyle Lewis – then this pick would be in play. Well, that’s assuming my own nightmare scenario. The Braves may have other ideas.
Live Feed
District on Deck
Joe Frisaro (Marlins beat writer) suggests a strong Marlins link to Garrett for tonight. He also tweets that Garrett is the “real deal“.
Ian Anderson is a name that’s being floated a lot – Ben has mentioned him fondly as well… but up until recently, that had been for their second pick. He’s another Vanderbilt signee if he doesn’t get a decent draft offer.
Ian is a RHP from Shenendehowa HS in New York who is gaining a bit of ‘helium’ as we get closer to the draft. Whether the Braves go underslot at #3 or not, they may try for Anderson with their #40 pick. Unfortunately, he’s definitely on the radar – MLB Pipeline has him at #13; BaseballAmerica #11.
Kyle Lewis
Baseball America comments on Kyle Lewis. In a raw Q&A video, BA’s John Manuel and Hudson Belinsky discuss Kyle Lewis. They are concerned about the ‘moving parts’ in Lewis’ swing. Calls him a significant risk for a college bat. Comments than both he and Corey Ray are more raw than you’d typically want for a college bat.
Also comments about Nick Senzel being a “no doubt” safe pick with higher upside.
All that said, BA still ranked Lewis above Senzel in their last draft prospects chart, with Ray immediately behind both at 4-5-6.
UPDATE: LEWIS MAY BE OUT
It doesn't sound like the Braves will take Kyle Lewis if he's available. Corey Ray or Ian Anderson are now the most likely targets at No. 3.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 9, 2016
It sounds like at least two teams have dropped off Lewis after recent workouts.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 9, 2016
This is being confirmed by Tommy Stokke (FanRag Sports): Braves OUT on Kyle Lewis.
Ian Anderson Bombshell
Beep, beep – back the truck up: that came outta nowhere! Burkhart is with MLB Pipeline and Fangraphs, so this isn’t to be taken lightly.
This suggests VERY strongly to me that Atlanta would go after bats LATER in the draft… and possibly multiple bats.
MLB.com’s last mock
Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo both are predicting the following:
- Phillies: Mickey Moniak
- Reds: Nick Senzel
- Braves: Corey Ray
- Rockies: A.J. Puk
- Brewers: Zack Collins (Mayo: or Blake Rutherford)
- A’s: Kyle Lewis
- Marlins: Braxton Garrett
- Padres: Jason Groome
- Tigers: Riley Pint
Jason Groome
Word is that Groome could be in freefall today & asking price is huge. Teams like Atlanta think if they can save $ early he's in play later
— Frankie Piliere (@FPiliereD1) June 9, 2016
Latest buzz is it may be a wild day for Jason Groome. #Braves trying to land him at 40 if they get Anderson at 3. Wow, would be a huge haul
— Frankie Piliere (@FPiliereD1) June 9, 2016
Well, maybe it is possible for a kid to scare off 29 teams. That could be unbelievable. I mean, it’s pitchers again, but Groome is freaking ranked 1st or 3rd on the MLB/BA boards!
But… Bats!
We heard #Braves wanted a college bat. If they go arm early w/ Anderson rumor is they may target Anfernee Grier later to get a bat #MLBDraft
— Frankie Piliere (@FPiliereD1) June 9, 2016
That would be nice… except that Grier may not be the bat you’re looking for. Auburn University product with a middling 40 grade power tool. His game is fielding (60) and running (60). This tweet doesn’t really pass the smell test with me.
Latest Latest Mock from BaseballAmerica (4pm EDT)
- Phils: Moniak
- Reds: Senzel
- Braves: Kyle Lewis
- Rockies: Pint
- Brewers: Ray
- A’s: Puk
- Marlins: Garrett
- Padres: Cal Quantrill. Really?
BA is completely ignoring the reports from earlier today that Atlanta is ‘out’ on Lewis. Maybe that was disinformation. Maybe that was a smokescreen… whatever. This is their call.
When pressed on that question – in fact, I asked it in J.J Cooper’s chat session just now – here’s the answer:
Brave Knight (Alabama): So you're completely discounting reports from earlier today that the Braves are 'out' on Lewis?
J.J. Cooper: Yes.
BA also is suggesting Ian Anderson with next pick… that will be tougher, though it’s plausible that Atlanta could have access to either Groome or Anderson at pick #40, given the bonus demands of each.
LESS THAN TWO HOURS TO GO.
Ben’s Mock Drafts
Next: Time to shed just a small tear
More to come as new information is received.