Round 1, Pick 9: Kyler Murray^ (Athletics) - Slot Value: $4,761,500
---------------Signed 6/7 - $4,660,000 - Article
Round 1, Pick 11: Grayson Rodriguez (Orioles) - Slot Value: $4,375,100
---------------Signed 6/9 - $4,300,000 - Article
Round 1, Pick 29: Noah Naylor (Indians) - Slot Value: $2,332,700
---------------Signed 7/3 - $2,578,138 - Article
Round 2, Pick 76: Mitchell Kilkenny (Rockies) - Slot Value: $787,200
---------------Signed 6/23 - $550,000 - Twitter
Round 4, Pick 119: Mason Englert (Rangers) - Slot Value: $464,700
---------------Signed 6/12 - $1,000,000 - Article
Round 5, Pick 148: Nolan Hoffman (Mariners) - Slot Value: $350,600
---------------Signed 6/13 - $300,000 - Twitter
Round 7, Pick 207: Cason Sherrod (Marlins) - Slot Value: $210,200
---------------Signed 6/13 - $20,000 - Article
Round 11, Pick 334: Michael Helman (Twins) - Slot Value: $125,000*
---------------Signed 7/5 - $220,000 - Twitter
Round 11, Pick 344: Stephen Kolek (Dodgers) - Slot Value: $125,000*
---------------Signed 6/14 - $125,000 - Link
Round 39, Pick 1182: Brandon Birdsell (Astros) - Slot Value: $125,000*
---------------Coming to A&M - Twitter
Free Agent Signing: George Janca (Rangers) - Slot Value: $0
---------------Signed 6/12 - $? - Facebook
* Maximum offer without using the bonus pool allocation
^Former Aggie Quarterback (2015)
With the draft just 41 days away (June 4-6), we should start to see a lot more projections, mock drafts, prospect lists etc. I thought I'd lump everything to watch out for in one post.
Draft Targets:
Seniors
Kaylor Chafin
Baine Schoenvogel
Cason Sherrod - Pick #207
Juniors
Cole Bedford
Michael Helman - Pick #334
Nolan Hoffman - Pick #148
George Janca
Mitchell Kilkenny - Pick #76
Stephen Kolek - Pick #344
Chandler Morris
Allonte Wingate
Draft-Eligible Sophomores (Turn 21 by July 21st)
Chris Andritsos
Hunter Coleman
High School/Junior College Recruits
Brandon Birdsell RHP (6-3, 195, Willis, TX Willis HS) - Pick #1182
Brett Brown SS (6-2, 185, Godley, TX Godley HS)
Jonathan Childress LHP (6-4, 205, Forney, TX Forney HS)
Ty Coleman SS (5-9, 175, Midland, TX Lee HS)
Mason Englert RHP (6-4, 215, Forney, TX Forney HS) - Pick #119
Colson Geisler LHP/OF (5-11, 165, Columbus, TX Columbus HS)
Joseph "Moo" Menefee LHP (6-1, 210, Richmond, TX Richmond HS)
Noah Naylor C/SS (6-1, 190, Ontario, Canada St. Joan of Arc Catholic HS) - Pick #29
Grayson Rodriguez RHP/1B (6-5, 220, Nacogdoches, TX Central Heights HS) - Pick #11
Miko Rodriguez OF (6-2, 200, Ada, MI Forest Hills Central HS)
Hunter Townsend OF (6-0, 190, Alto, TX Alto HS)
Hunter Watson 3B/1B (6-4, 210, Pottsboro, TX Pottsboro HS)
Chris Weber LHP (6-4, 215, Boerne, TX Champion HS)
Landry Wideman RHP (6-5, 220, San Antonio, TX Churchill HS)
Other Names to Follow
Jorge Gutierrez - Alvin CC (2017 Aggie OF/Util)
Of the recruits, Noah Naylor and Jonathan Childress will probably never make it to campus as each has seen their name in the Top 3 rounds of mock drafts. Grayson Rodriguez also might be a stretch as his velocity has ticked up to the mid-90s, and he has started to fill into his 6'5 frame. Two other names to watch out for are Brandon Birdsell who has appeared in a few Top 200 lists as well as Joseph Menefee who was with the 18U Team USA squad this past summer. Another potential name, though not as highly rated as the five above, is Hunter Watson who is listed as a top of line corner infielder among high school prospects.
I've heard repeatedly that Hunter Coleman wants to play at Texas A&M with his younger brother Ty next year. With his injury, slow start, and lack of a true position other than first base or a weak-armed catcher, Hunter will probably not be drafted high enough to entertain walking away from that chance. Chris Andritsos is worth watching with a low 90s fastball and massive light-tower power; however, I've not seen his name mentioned in any lists or mock drafts so far. He was highly touted coming out of high school.
George Janca, Mitchell Kilkenny, and Stephen Kolek all started the year named in various mock drafts and top prospects lists. Of those three though, only Kilkenny has remained steady. He currently projects as a 3rd round draft pick with the potential to be a late 2nd round pick. I would still assume that Janca with his power bat and power arm will still hear his name within the Top 10 rounds with Kolek as a late Top 10 round or early teen round pick. Michael Helman has recently started to creep into some draft lists and could be a 7-9 round pick. Nolan Hoffman too has started to generate some buzz, but it is still unclear where he will wind up in the draft. I would also imagine that Cole Bedford will generate some interest more with his plus defense as a catcher than with his bat and might hear his name called on the third day of the draft.
I am assuming that teams will still be interested in Cason Sherrod as a potential power arm prospect, and with his senior status, may end up as a pick towards the end of the second day when teams are more inclined to draft college seniors to help with bonus pool allotments. Kaylor Chaffin may need to turn his season around sooner rather than later to have any consideration going forward.
Jorge Gutierrez is having a decent year at Alvin Community College. He could be a late round target, but he will play at Lamar University in 2019 if undrafted instead of returning to the Aggies after being ruled academically ineligible for 2018.
Last year, the Aggies only lost 4 non-seniors to the draft. This year, we should lose a bit more including the majority of our trusted arms in the rotation and bullpen. Our biggest hit to the lineup should be Michael Helman although Janca's defense will be missed too.
What to look forward to next year:
The Aggies should return the majority of their offense for a second year in a row. Returning Shewmake, Foster, Coleman, DeLoach, and Frizzell will be a huge plus. Add in guys like Wingate, Walters, a healthy Cam Blake, and possibly Andritsos, and the Aggies should be almost set for 2019. If Hunter Watson makes it campus, I could definitely see an infield of Watson, Shewmake, Wingate, and Andritsos/Frizzell. Doxakis will return to lead the Aggies on Friday nights with the potential to add Asa Lacy and Chandler Jozwiak to the rotation. The majority of the Aggie bullpen will also be comprised of Sophomores and Juniors so I'm excited to see what these guys can do with a year of D1 experience and a summer developing.
---------------Signed 6/7 - $4,660,000 - Article
Round 1, Pick 11: Grayson Rodriguez (Orioles) - Slot Value: $4,375,100
---------------Signed 6/9 - $4,300,000 - Article
Round 1, Pick 29: Noah Naylor (Indians) - Slot Value: $2,332,700
---------------Signed 7/3 - $2,578,138 - Article
Round 2, Pick 76: Mitchell Kilkenny (Rockies) - Slot Value: $787,200
---------------Signed 6/23 - $550,000 - Twitter
Round 4, Pick 119: Mason Englert (Rangers) - Slot Value: $464,700
---------------Signed 6/12 - $1,000,000 - Article
Round 5, Pick 148: Nolan Hoffman (Mariners) - Slot Value: $350,600
---------------Signed 6/13 - $300,000 - Twitter
Round 7, Pick 207: Cason Sherrod (Marlins) - Slot Value: $210,200
---------------Signed 6/13 - $20,000 - Article
Round 11, Pick 334: Michael Helman (Twins) - Slot Value: $125,000*
---------------Signed 7/5 - $220,000 - Twitter
Round 11, Pick 344: Stephen Kolek (Dodgers) - Slot Value: $125,000*
---------------Signed 6/14 - $125,000 - Link
Round 39, Pick 1182: Brandon Birdsell (Astros) - Slot Value: $125,000*
---------------Coming to A&M - Twitter
Free Agent Signing: George Janca (Rangers) - Slot Value: $0
---------------Signed 6/12 - $? - Facebook
* Maximum offer without using the bonus pool allocation
^Former Aggie Quarterback (2015)
With the draft just 41 days away (June 4-6), we should start to see a lot more projections, mock drafts, prospect lists etc. I thought I'd lump everything to watch out for in one post.
Draft Targets:
Seniors
Kaylor Chafin
Baine Schoenvogel
Cason Sherrod - Pick #207
Juniors
Cole Bedford
Michael Helman - Pick #334
Nolan Hoffman - Pick #148
George Janca
Mitchell Kilkenny - Pick #76
Stephen Kolek - Pick #344
Chandler Morris
Allonte Wingate
Draft-Eligible Sophomores (Turn 21 by July 21st)
Chris Andritsos
Hunter Coleman
High School/Junior College Recruits
Brandon Birdsell RHP (6-3, 195, Willis, TX Willis HS) - Pick #1182
Brett Brown SS (6-2, 185, Godley, TX Godley HS)
Jonathan Childress LHP (6-4, 205, Forney, TX Forney HS)
Ty Coleman SS (5-9, 175, Midland, TX Lee HS)
Mason Englert RHP (6-4, 215, Forney, TX Forney HS) - Pick #119
Colson Geisler LHP/OF (5-11, 165, Columbus, TX Columbus HS)
Joseph "Moo" Menefee LHP (6-1, 210, Richmond, TX Richmond HS)
Noah Naylor C/SS (6-1, 190, Ontario, Canada St. Joan of Arc Catholic HS) - Pick #29
Grayson Rodriguez RHP/1B (6-5, 220, Nacogdoches, TX Central Heights HS) - Pick #11
Miko Rodriguez OF (6-2, 200, Ada, MI Forest Hills Central HS)
Hunter Townsend OF (6-0, 190, Alto, TX Alto HS)
Hunter Watson 3B/1B (6-4, 210, Pottsboro, TX Pottsboro HS)
Chris Weber LHP (6-4, 215, Boerne, TX Champion HS)
Landry Wideman RHP (6-5, 220, San Antonio, TX Churchill HS)
Other Names to Follow
Jorge Gutierrez - Alvin CC (2017 Aggie OF/Util)
Of the recruits, Noah Naylor and Jonathan Childress will probably never make it to campus as each has seen their name in the Top 3 rounds of mock drafts. Grayson Rodriguez also might be a stretch as his velocity has ticked up to the mid-90s, and he has started to fill into his 6'5 frame. Two other names to watch out for are Brandon Birdsell who has appeared in a few Top 200 lists as well as Joseph Menefee who was with the 18U Team USA squad this past summer. Another potential name, though not as highly rated as the five above, is Hunter Watson who is listed as a top of line corner infielder among high school prospects.
I've heard repeatedly that Hunter Coleman wants to play at Texas A&M with his younger brother Ty next year. With his injury, slow start, and lack of a true position other than first base or a weak-armed catcher, Hunter will probably not be drafted high enough to entertain walking away from that chance. Chris Andritsos is worth watching with a low 90s fastball and massive light-tower power; however, I've not seen his name mentioned in any lists or mock drafts so far. He was highly touted coming out of high school.
George Janca, Mitchell Kilkenny, and Stephen Kolek all started the year named in various mock drafts and top prospects lists. Of those three though, only Kilkenny has remained steady. He currently projects as a 3rd round draft pick with the potential to be a late 2nd round pick. I would still assume that Janca with his power bat and power arm will still hear his name within the Top 10 rounds with Kolek as a late Top 10 round or early teen round pick. Michael Helman has recently started to creep into some draft lists and could be a 7-9 round pick. Nolan Hoffman too has started to generate some buzz, but it is still unclear where he will wind up in the draft. I would also imagine that Cole Bedford will generate some interest more with his plus defense as a catcher than with his bat and might hear his name called on the third day of the draft.
I am assuming that teams will still be interested in Cason Sherrod as a potential power arm prospect, and with his senior status, may end up as a pick towards the end of the second day when teams are more inclined to draft college seniors to help with bonus pool allotments. Kaylor Chaffin may need to turn his season around sooner rather than later to have any consideration going forward.
Jorge Gutierrez is having a decent year at Alvin Community College. He could be a late round target, but he will play at Lamar University in 2019 if undrafted instead of returning to the Aggies after being ruled academically ineligible for 2018.
Last year, the Aggies only lost 4 non-seniors to the draft. This year, we should lose a bit more including the majority of our trusted arms in the rotation and bullpen. Our biggest hit to the lineup should be Michael Helman although Janca's defense will be missed too.
What to look forward to next year:
The Aggies should return the majority of their offense for a second year in a row. Returning Shewmake, Foster, Coleman, DeLoach, and Frizzell will be a huge plus. Add in guys like Wingate, Walters, a healthy Cam Blake, and possibly Andritsos, and the Aggies should be almost set for 2019. If Hunter Watson makes it campus, I could definitely see an infield of Watson, Shewmake, Wingate, and Andritsos/Frizzell. Doxakis will return to lead the Aggies on Friday nights with the potential to add Asa Lacy and Chandler Jozwiak to the rotation. The majority of the Aggie bullpen will also be comprised of Sophomores and Juniors so I'm excited to see what these guys can do with a year of D1 experience and a summer developing.