Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

[Gary Armida]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

I have the Red Sox.

J_Smith has the Reds

We did this just to confuse people. And it's working MUAHAHAHAHA j/k

LOL...Too funny.

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

I'm officially scared of Joey Gallo.

Folks, if you have to pitch to this guy. Don't. Even balls aren't safe. If you could swing at pitch outs, he might hit a HR on a pitch out.

I just hit a long HR over the bullpens in Fenway on a pitch 4 inches below the knees on the outer half.

The velocity was 123 MPH. That's not a misprint.

I'm glad he's on my side.

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

I'm officially scared of Joey Gallo.

Folks, if you have to pitch to this guy. Don't. Even balls aren't safe. If you could swing at pitch outs, he might hit a HR on a pitch out.

I just hit a long HR over the bullpens in Fenway on a pitch 4 inches below the knees on the outer half.

The velocity was 123 MPH. That's not a misprint.

I'm glad he's on my side.

Luckily for me he's on the Rangers so I've only faced him in 3 games! Held him hitless, but the rest of the squad killed me

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Gallo's final line, 5-for-6, 4 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI. Two of those hits against southpaws. One was a double on a ball he pulled off on outside off the plate. Took it down the line and hustled in for two bases.

The team as a whole was hitting BP + HR derby on the poor Twins. Never seen an explosion like this. In all 17 runs on 25 hits, 8 doubles, 6 home runs.

Absolutely insane. If Bonifacio or Mateo would have hit one out, I'd hurry up and end the game before the bats get checked lol.

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

The bats are unbelievably cold. Shut out again, losing a 2 game series in Kansas City. The royals travel to Cincy to play 2 more against the Reds. Hoping the bats will wake up!

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Having a dilemma...

I am strongly considering upgrading my outfield via trade. Cf is not a problem (although pollock is a FA at seasons end). RF is set for the time being with Hamilton (FA at end of year -won't be resigned) and Marisnick splitting time. So there in lies the issue, if a move is made, it would address LF.

I have looked into some possible trades/candidates.
LF Marte - Sea; I would be able to acquire Marte as things stand, but it would kill me prospect wise.
LF Yelich - SF; same as above, although Yelich is a little younger.
RF Nick Markakis- LA; Markakis won't take too much to get, and would really improve the outfield defense. He is signed through next year as well.

Long Term Plan:
With 34.6 million sitting around, people have questioned what the Reds are doing/if anything. With A.J. Pollock a free agent at seasons end, he will assuredly be looking for more than 5.4 mil a year. 23.1 million will clear the books just between Hamilton/Turner/Kinsler's contracts expiring.

The plan seems to be, to AGGRESSIVELY pursue the young superstar RF that currently patrols Yankee Stadium, Bryce Harper. There will most certainly be a bidding war for Harper's Services, but the Reds are ready to go all in

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Zunino Optioned as Catcher Woes Continue

At this point, the Red Sox might use all their draft picks on catchers in the June draft.

Mike Zunino, who was borderline with his batting average last year, hasn't been able to even maintain that. He's dipped down to below .150 and the team just couldn't take it any more.

Gary Sanchez isn't exactly inspiring confidence again as he's hitting just .272 at Pawtucket.

Tomas Telis is not starting material.

So that would leave the Sox reaching down to AA for Derrick Chung. He's been the best performer at the position in the system, though that probably won't last.

Still, he should do better than .150.

To make room on the 40-man roster, 3B/OF Alex Guerrero was placed on waivers.

Many in the Boston sports media are thinking the Sox will have to make a trade...but there's only a few talents that seem likely to move...and they are mostly mediocre as well on paper. The best catchers are either higher-end veterans or young hopefuls with a chance, and no team is giving up young catching at this point.

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

@kb

Jr Murphy might be worth a look. Sure he wouldn't cost too much and he's usually serviceable

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Boston Hones in on Pitchers
Hurlers Taken With All but One Selection

The Red Sox said they were going to focus on pitching in the draft. They weren't kidding. Six picks. Five pitchers.


1st round
Bio: Ozzie Rodriguez, 19, LHP
Current/Future Grade: 73/88
Strengths: Endurance, deception, velocity
Weakness: Makes mistakes up, not overpowering, gets rattled easily
Scout's Notes: That cutter, though. I followed this kid just because I couldn't believe how he was just jamming every hitter. I mean, no one got extended on this boy. Ozzie routinely garnered praise for his ability to keep pitches on the thumbs (or on the shoe tops). In the HS setting, he was frequently allowing 5 or less hits in an outing. His movement isn't exceptional and his velocity is plus but not elite, but he still confounded hitters with his offerings. He works east and west with his combination of movement and speeds - the kid has the nerve to have five pitches. Almost unfair. This lanky Venezuelan product is for real.
ETA: Now. Seriously, this kid is ready to face major league competition. Perhaps work him as a #5, or in the minors just to get him used to a routine, but I don't see anything for him to learn in AAA. That level should be just a formality or "learning how to be a big leaguer." Kid can pitch already. Heck, give him some Winterball and play him next spring. Seriously.


2nd round
Bio: Pedro Morales, 18, RHP
Current/Future Grade: 65/88
Strengths: Velocity, competitiveness, fielding
Weakness: Pitch selection, throwing accuracy, thrower instead of pitcher
Scout's Notes: Pedro will light up a radar gun. He rapidly developed a power fastball and just shows it off. Like a lot of HS kids with this ability, he used it to get through games on sheer power, mixing in the change only occasionally. Against tougher competition, I think that will get him exposed, but as a teenager, this is not unusual. I love his competitive spirit when things go against him, a real leader in the rough. Moves well off the mound, but sometimes panics when throwing and rushes too much.
ETA: 1-3 years. I could see him being in the bigs before his 21st birthday, though it would not surprise me if he needed the full three years I'm projecting. He'll need time to hopefully learn how to pitch and use his change and curve as well as his sinking fastball to end ABs quickly at times.


3rd round
Bio: Hitoki Kaneko, 18, RHP
Current/Future Grade: 67/77
Strengths: Movement, velocity, command
Weakness: Mental toughness, fielding, works up a bit much
Scout's Notes: Hitoki is an interesting kid. Might be a nice little project for the organization that could surprise in some years. His biggest asset is the completeness of his arsenal and the quality of his offerings. He has five pitches, all of them strong and only one of them a fastball. The others? Change up, splitter, slurve, overhand curve. When he's on, good luck. When hitters peck away at him or a few bloops fall in, he starts overthrowing. It's one thing to get that bulldog mentality, it's another to pitch angry. Hitoki needs to learn the difference and control his emotions and intensity more.
ETA: 2-4 years. I have a hard time projecting Hitoki. On one hand, I think we might have reached for him. On the other hand, he could work out and maybe be a steal. A lot will hinge on his head rather than his arm.


4th round
Bio: Paul Roberts, 20, RHP
Current/Future Grade: 74/86
Strengths: Efficient, Good health record, throwing arm
Weakness: Throws too many strikes, gets anxious in K situations
Scout's Notes: I really like Paul and have no idea how he fell to the 4th round. That makes me a little nervous (did we miss a red flag?), but maybe we were one of the few who discovered him. Regardless, Paul is an efficient pitcher that has only a few real weakness...one of them being that focus on using as few pitches as possible. That can lead to him laying too many pitches in or getting overconfident after getting a few guys to roll over. His other potential weakness is his limited repertoire. He has just three pitches, so I wonder how well he'll cope if he doesn't have his best stuff.
ETA: 2-3 years. I think Paul, arm and arsenal-wise could be ready in 1-2 years, but I think he'll need time to really get his mind right so his stuff and know how in the zone can play up like it should.


5th round
Bio: Bruno Ozuna, 19, LHP
Current/Future Grade: 66/86
Strengths: Well-rounded on the mound, no big holes
Weakness: History of shoulder issues, terrible defense
Scout's Notes: I think the injury history scared a lot of teams off. Young pitchers are a risk as it is, let alone ones who have been hurt often already. However, if healthy, he's got a strong foundation for being a reliable major league pitcher. I can see him easily a #2 or #3 starter. He's got a good head on his shoulders, already has the makings of being a pitcher, and though he has just three pitches, he moves them around and mixes well. Health is the biggest question mark on this Dominican kid. Just don't expect much effort defensively.
ETA: 3-4 years. I think he'll need a little more time to get going because of no real "dominant" ability to help him move up the system. However, once that foundation is perfected and he gain experience, he should start flying up the organizational chart. I project slow going for a year or two, then a rapid spurt upward. If he stays healthy.


6th round
Bio: LF Kurt Hamm, 22, RHB
Current/Future Grade: 43/92
Strengths: Work ethic, very coachable and receptive
Weakness: Extremely raw, possibly a DH only
Scout's Notes: Kurt's a project in every sense of the word. He had the misfortune of having a big injury in his first year of college ball and that set him back. In an effort to get better quickly, he might have learned some bad habits. However, that kind of effort and determination is what makes me keep such a high projection on him. He is very open-minded, puts in the time in the cage and the video room, and simply loves all the work it takes to be a ballplayer. I hope Kurt will be able to prove these projections true, but I think he'll evolve into something useful...although his fielding will likely keep him at DH, even with Fenway's LF.
ETA: Unknown. It's hard to say when Kurt might make it...or if he'll make it at all. I don't think he'll give up, so I hope we don't give up on him as an organization. Stash him away and check back in 4 or 5 years. We have nothing to lose by doing this.


Overall Draft Grade: B+
I think we as an organization did a fine job this draft. We were down in the order and still was able to address our needs with players we had scouted out well during the season. I think Kurt Hamm and Hitoki Kaneko will be the two that raise the most eyebrows and will have the most skeptics, but there's no doubting the other arms we obtained.

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Buxton Out as Boston Suffers First
Major Injury

The Red Sox had been blessed with good health this year. However, the first blemish on the injury report occurred as Buxton fractured his hand after being hit by a pitch.

The injury derails a season of decent improvement for Buxton. His OPS sits at .770 on the strength of significantly improved slugging percentage. His SLG is up over 100 points with strong growth in all extra bases hits, including home runs.

Scouts have taken notice and are slowly improving their opinions of Buxton.

The injury is expected to take 4-8 weeks to heal. Mallex Smith makes his return and will handle starting RF duties in most situations. Mallex batted .256 in Pawtucket to this point.

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Buxton Out as Boston Suffers First
Major Injury

The Red Sox had been blessed with good health this year. However, the first blemish on the injury report occurred as Buxton fractured his hand after being hit by a pitch.

The injury derails a season of decent improvement for Buxton. His OPS sits at .770 on the strength of significantly improved slugging percentage. His SLG is up over 100 points with strong growth in all extra bases hits, including home runs.

Scouts have taken notice and are slowly improving their opinions of Buxton.

The injury is expected to take 4-8 weeks to heal. Mallex Smith makes his return and will handle starting RF duties in most situations. Mallex batted .256 in Pawtucket to this point.

Not good kb...not good at all

I thought you would have fired the training staff after last season! Lol

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

The Red Sox have optioned Brandon Finnegan and Hector Neris to AAA, citing "disappointing levels of ineffectiveness" as the primary reason.

The Sox are short of options for replacements in both roles, allowing Julio Urias to get a second shot at things in the rotation. Meanwhile, Derek Law will make his big league debut in the bullpen.

With the "Oz-Rod" hype already building from his play in the Rookie level, players like Urias will need to impress to hold on to their chances, and for Finnegan, pretty much the worst time to leave a bad impression.

There are rumors that Finnegan has been placed on the trade block as well.

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

On the heels of an 11-0 blowout of the reeling Cardinals (the cards have only 3 wins as the calendar creeps closer to May) the Reds are looking good. Logan Verrett improved to 4-0 on the season, with a complete game shutout.

Boom Goes The Dynamite
It's not often you see the calendar this close to May, and watch a team more than double their HR total for the season. Going into the game, the Reds had just 4 total hr. In the second inning, Justin Turner-A.J. Reed-and Nick Hundley went back to back to back hitting solo hr. A.J. Pollock hit a 3 run jack in the 6th, and Ian Kinsler hit #199 for his Career.

Trade block
With the cards playing so poorly J.D. Martinez is reportedly on the trade block.

(Did this update while at work, don't know specifics)

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Playing away...end of April update should be up tonight

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

The Sox catcher woes continue as Derek Chung broken his arm sliding into third base advancing on a wild pitch.

It was a serious break and will require as much as 3 months to heal.

This will give Mike Zunino another chance. The organization continues to shy away from Gary Sanchez - and scouts may be starting to do the same. Granted, Zunino will need to prove he can be at least decent at the plate.

This will get calls for the Sox to deal for a catcher going again, though the Sox might not have much they'll want to trade. They may have to do something, though, especially if the offense hit another rough patch or gradually slows down as it did last season.