[Biggp07]

We signed both free agents overnight, assigning Jimmy Nelson to our Triple-A team and placing Riley Pint in the Midwest League A+ with the Quad City River Bandits. No teams seem interested in claiming Adam Frazier off waivers, and he will clear tomorrow unless someone picks him up overnight. Therefore, we will release him to gain a bit more in salary next season.

We are in a good position to sign any extensions if that becomes a consideration, but right now, I think we should focus on getting through the draft and signing the best talent we can from the top 50 prospects. We pick 6th in the first round, then 9th in the first-round supplement, then 2nd in round 2, and so on. This means we have three picks within the Top 50 prospects and four within the Top 100 with an estimated total spend of around $14.0 million. That being the case, here's where my head's at on draft choices.

On April 12th, when the draft pool was officially released and we reviewed it that day, we identified about 10 players of interest. We planned to reevaluate their progress as draft day approached. They are LHP Hagan Smith, 2B/UT J.J. Wetherholt, 1B Peyton Stovall, RF Carson Benge, RF Braden Montgomery, CF Will Taylor, LF Ian Petrutz, C Cade Arrambide, and LF Jac Caglianone. After a second review today and considering current roster needs, team standings, and ownership desires, here's who we remain interested in.

Unless RF Braden Montgomery goes to Oakland as the #4 pick, I think he will be our first-round pick. We assessed him earlier this year to be a 55-rated plus power hitter with league-average speed. He's expected to have a slot demand at signing of $4.8 million, and we should not have any problem signing him.



I think we'll select a starting pitcher in our supplement round, which will be LHP Hagan Smith. He’s projected to go to the Padres as the #14 pick in round 2 (#53 overall), but we still like him, and I believe we need to secure a solid starter in case Ragans faces a tough recovery and has limited potential. His bonus demand is $5.5 million, and our ability to sign him looks good.



As a second-round pick, if any of the candidates we looked at earlier are still available, I think we’ll try to get C Cade Arrambide or LF Jac Caglianone. It's most likely that Arrambide will still be available, as he's not projected to go until the third round to the Marlins. We might have a tough time signing him, though, since he’s demanding a $2.2 million bonus, so we’ll look for other catchers with the same 60+ defensive ratings.



Honestly, anyone we choose is a risk throughout the entire 20 rounds. I'll be relying almost entirely on my scout, exclusively, to advise us on the best picks in the draft order.

Game Summary – July 4th – Royals Sunk by Rays



The Tampa Bay Rays secured a narrow victory over the Kansas City Royals, largely thanks to Jeffrey Springs. The Tampa Bay left-hander played a crucial role in the 3-2 win. In 8 innings, Springs gave up 7 hits, struck out 5 batters, and walked 4. He allowed 2 runs. Pete Fairbanks was credited with the save, having successfully converted 19 of 26 save opportunities. Who knows how it might have turned out if not for Yandy Díaz? The fan favorite hit a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth inning to give Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead. For the game, he went 3 for 5, with 1 double and 2 singles.

"We had a good game plan," Springs said, "and we were able to execute it." Tampa Bay has now won 3 straight games, while Kansas City has lost 3 in a row.

Once again, we lack any offense, and Bernardino suffered a leg injury and had to be taken out of the game. We can't catch a break right now.

GAME NOTES
Player of the Game: Jeffrey Springs
Ballpark: Kauffman Stadium
Weather: Partly Cloudy (76 degrees), wind blowing out to the center at 11 mph
Start Time: 7:10 PM CT
Time: 3:19
Attendance: 18117
Special Notes: RP Brennan Bernardino was injured while pitching.