Sickels: Toronto Blue Jays Top 20 Prospects for 2014

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But in the cases of Beede and Bickford becoming potential top 5 choices down the line, it does seem worth it to try and select them in the latter half of the 1st round.

I mean, we're risking a year of development for a lesser prospect for the chance to get a top 5 talent. I think I'm ok with that though.

Agree completely with this.

Except Bickford wasn't a late first round pick, he was drafted in the first third of the round. Furthermore, while the pick is comped, when you get to the end of protection, you may feel forced to make a conservative pick to ensure you aren't left empty-handed. So you might end up with the loss of development time PLUS a conservative pick.

I say there is nothing better than doing proper due diligence to avoid cases like Bickford. At least with Beede, it came down to money and only money, and the gap, though large was not something fantastical. But with Bickford, we were being prepared for a non-signing weeks in advance - something else came into play along with money.

[flatjacket1]

Lot of upside in the Jays system, lot's of low-minors arms.

With this years draft class we should be pretty well re-stocked for the future.

[Ong_dynasty]

But in the cases of Beede and Bickford becoming potential top 5 choices down the line, it does seem worth it to try and select them in the latter half of the 1st round.

I mean, we're risking a year of development for a lesser prospect for the chance to get a top 5 talent. I think I'm ok with that though.

Agree completely with this.

Except Bickford wasn't a late first round pick, he was drafted in the first third of the round. Furthermore, while the pick is comped, when you get to the end of protection, you may feel forced to make a conservative pick to ensure you aren't left empty-handed. So you might end up with the loss of development time PLUS a conservative pick.

I say there is nothing better than doing proper due diligence to avoid cases like Bickford. At least with Beede, it came down to money and only money, and the gap, though large was not something fantastical. But with Bickford, we were being prepared for a non-signing weeks in advance - something else came into play along with money.

I highly doubt they dont do their due diligence, Im pretty sure they did and they thought the gamble was worth it. Do not forget for every Bickford and Beede, there were unsignable HS players who were also going to college, but after throwing a boat load of cash they decided to change their mins. It can happen.

I agree, with regards to they have to be more careful with their comp picks and i assume he will, lets see what he does this year with the comp pick. i presume it will be slightly safer.

[flatjacket1]

I say there is nothing better than doing proper due diligence to avoid cases like Bickford. At least with Beede, it came down to money and only money, and the gap, though large was not something fantastical. But with Bickford, we were being prepared for a non-signing weeks in advance - something else came into play along with money.

All amateurs are asked their number by scouts. A lot of times they will say something reasonable then jack it up the second they get drafted, know the organization has a tough decision to make. Another thing that happens is the number will change for different teams, so if you hear a kid asked for 500k, maybe that is just the Yankee price.

It's extremely rare to draft a kid that high and not have talked to him.