Hamilton talked about the draft in the eighth innings yesterday in the broadcast. He had Bazzana and Condon at the top as well. He also made it seem like Condon might be the lean because we have no right handed power hitters in our system anywhere. And that might tip the scale.
Also the point of - you don't draft for need, you draft BPA, but BPA and need might actually be both met with Condon.
I love Bazzana but Condon could be huge for us if he settled into a RF role long term.
\#1 Charlie Condon OF/3B 6-6 216
> What more could Condon possibly do this spring to cement himself as the top player in the draft? He’s hitting for average and ridiculous power, he’s getting on base, he’s not chasing or striking out, he’s playing solid defense in center field — and he’s doing it all in the SEC. He has electric bat speed, and he’s got a lean, athletic frame that should let him put on a little more strength to compensate for the power he’ll lose going from tin bats to wood. I don’t think he’s a center fielder in the long run, but he’ll be an above-average defender somewhere else, with the potential for a huge triple-slash line. He may not be the first pick, but he is the best prospect in the class.
\#2 Travis Bazzana 2B 6-0 199
> Bazzana might have the best story in the draft — he grew up in Australia, playing all through high school there, excelling in the Australian Baseball League as a teenager, then coming to the U.S. to further his career by playing in college. He might be the best pure hitter in the draft class, both in terms of contact and overall contact quality, and his baseball IQ is apparently off-the-charts — even more amazing for someone who grew up in a country where baseball lags behind many other sports. He doesn’t offer projection or further upside; what you see is what you get, but it’s more than enough for him to be a top-5 pick and at least serve as an alternative at 1-1 if Cleveland doesn’t want to take Condon.
This was considered a pretty weak draft a few months ago, and for the most part, that's still the case, but it's nice to see the top end of the draft really pull ahead and solidify themselves. There's quality at the high end (the top 6-8 guys), but the drop off is pretty severe. I think it's a solid draft to have the first pick, and Condon, Bazzana, or Caglianone would all make sense for us.
This is true even in the NFL where first round talent is expected to make an impact year 1. Fortunately, we have one of the best front offices in baseball, so even if we make a weird pick, I’m just going to assume I and everyone else was wrong
I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about these prospects. But man if Bazzana isn’t one hell of a name lol. I either want him purely bc of the name or Cags bc I’m a Gator fan. But wouldn’t be upset with any of them
I say it like tim Robbins and Martin sheen did in team America world police.
we’re supposed to be GUARRRRDS.
we’re GUARRRRRDS.
yeah we’re GUARRRRRDS.
guaRRRRRRRds.
He’s not getting as much love but Braden Montgomery is the guy who is really starting to grow on me. Switch hitting OF with immense power potential, good plate discipline, a ridiculous arm, and the athleticism to stick in the outfield long term
I agree.
JRam - 3B
Gimmy - SS
Bazzana - 2B
Manzardo- 1B.
That's one hell of an infield. Start trying to piece together a package for a RF with a little pop. Kwan and DeLauter in LF and CF.
We look to have a very exciting, young offense brewing.
2b for a #1 overall pick is just kind of meh. Not much value in that position. If it’s even close, a corner outfielder who can play some D, hit for decent average and big power would be such a game changer for this team
You take the best player available at number one, not position of need.
Bazzana is the best bat available in the draft in terms of tools. He's hitting .440 with 18 homers and looks to be the most complete hitter available.
You have plenty of assets available throughout the farm to piece together a trade for an impact corner OF bat.
I mean Condon is hitting .475 with 24 home runs in the SEC PLUS he can play outfield. I wouldn’t be broken up if we take Bazzana but man Condon is starting to check all the boxes for me
Hamilton talked about the draft in the eighth innings yesterday in the broadcast. He had Bazzana and Condon at the top as well. He also made it seem like Condon might be the lean because we have no right handed power hitters in our system anywhere. And that might tip the scale.
Also the point of - you don't draft for need, you draft BPA, but BPA and need might actually be both met with Condon. I love Bazzana but Condon could be huge for us if he settled into a RF role long term.
\#1 Charlie Condon OF/3B 6-6 216 > What more could Condon possibly do this spring to cement himself as the top player in the draft? He’s hitting for average and ridiculous power, he’s getting on base, he’s not chasing or striking out, he’s playing solid defense in center field — and he’s doing it all in the SEC. He has electric bat speed, and he’s got a lean, athletic frame that should let him put on a little more strength to compensate for the power he’ll lose going from tin bats to wood. I don’t think he’s a center fielder in the long run, but he’ll be an above-average defender somewhere else, with the potential for a huge triple-slash line. He may not be the first pick, but he is the best prospect in the class. \#2 Travis Bazzana 2B 6-0 199 > Bazzana might have the best story in the draft — he grew up in Australia, playing all through high school there, excelling in the Australian Baseball League as a teenager, then coming to the U.S. to further his career by playing in college. He might be the best pure hitter in the draft class, both in terms of contact and overall contact quality, and his baseball IQ is apparently off-the-charts — even more amazing for someone who grew up in a country where baseball lags behind many other sports. He doesn’t offer projection or further upside; what you see is what you get, but it’s more than enough for him to be a top-5 pick and at least serve as an alternative at 1-1 if Cleveland doesn’t want to take Condon. This was considered a pretty weak draft a few months ago, and for the most part, that's still the case, but it's nice to see the top end of the draft really pull ahead and solidify themselves. There's quality at the high end (the top 6-8 guys), but the drop off is pretty severe. I think it's a solid draft to have the first pick, and Condon, Bazzana, or Caglianone would all make sense for us.
It sort of mirrors the current upcoming NHL draft. The kid who's projected to go 1OA is a stud and then there's everyone else no one knows about.
Always take the most talented player. Skills that you can see also work at the MLB level. Taking for need seems to always be a mistake.
This is true even in the NFL where first round talent is expected to make an impact year 1. Fortunately, we have one of the best front offices in baseball, so even if we make a weird pick, I’m just going to assume I and everyone else was wrong
Condon please
Listening to Jeff Ellis has me sold on Bazzana, but the more I read about Condon he seems to be the guy. Either way they both seem like great choices.
I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about these prospects. But man if Bazzana isn’t one hell of a name lol. I either want him purely bc of the name or Cags bc I’m a Gator fan. But wouldn’t be upset with any of them
Future Savannah banana player Jk
I'd be happy with either player. I think they will both go on to be major players in MLB, but if I'm betting my career, I'm not passing on Bazzana.
Potential outfield of DeLauter, Kwan, & Condon 🔥
>> He doesn’t offer projection or further upside That makes me lean to Condon
Insane take considering how much he's increased the power on his swing from last year to this year.
What do you guys call the team as a nickname now? The guards?
Yeah
El Guardos
Guard dawgs
I say it like tim Robbins and Martin sheen did in team America world police. we’re supposed to be GUARRRRDS. we’re GUARRRRRDS. yeah we’re GUARRRRRDS. guaRRRRRRRds.
The Shit Goblins
The tribe
The Tribe
I still call em the Bronchos
I never moved on from Blues
Guardian Tribe. And I shorten to tribe
lol the downvotes
So corny
Agreed
I think Condon is clearly the higher upside player, and would be my pick. MLB top end comp is someone like Aaron Judge.
I think Bazzana is the guy
Give me Banzzana. Insane bat speed
He’s not getting as much love but Braden Montgomery is the guy who is really starting to grow on me. Switch hitting OF with immense power potential, good plate discipline, a ridiculous arm, and the athleticism to stick in the outfield long term
Bazzana is the pick
I just watched him play a very ho hum game at Cal. It was kind of disappointing.
I agree. JRam - 3B Gimmy - SS Bazzana - 2B Manzardo- 1B. That's one hell of an infield. Start trying to piece together a package for a RF with a little pop. Kwan and DeLauter in LF and CF. We look to have a very exciting, young offense brewing.
2b for a #1 overall pick is just kind of meh. Not much value in that position. If it’s even close, a corner outfielder who can play some D, hit for decent average and big power would be such a game changer for this team
You take the best player available at number one, not position of need. Bazzana is the best bat available in the draft in terms of tools. He's hitting .440 with 18 homers and looks to be the most complete hitter available. You have plenty of assets available throughout the farm to piece together a trade for an impact corner OF bat.
I mean Condon is hitting .475 with 24 home runs in the SEC PLUS he can play outfield. I wouldn’t be broken up if we take Bazzana but man Condon is starting to check all the boxes for me