(Updated 8/2/2022) 2022 MLB Draft and Roster Management Discussion Thread

[Volprofch05]

According to Baseball America, Chase Valentine has signed with the Padres.

Yep, bummer

2022 Undrafted Free Agent Signings Tracker • D1Baseball

Edit: biggest surprise is that he didn’t sign with the Red Sawx, seeing as he’s a SS and all

 

[TN_gal]

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Damn, Valentine didn’t even get drafted and he still signed with the Padres? Surprised he wouldn’t try and come here for one year to increase his stock.

 

[StarRaider]

I thought the 9 jersey on the right had "Honcho Jr" on it.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Good Lord. Talk about worst case scenario as it pertains to losing guys to the pros.

 

[vol66]

You been gone for awhile, @vol66 ? Don’t recall seeing you around lately until today. Hope all has been ok.

Everything is good! Leading up to and into the draft, it’s kinda the same convo every year. I chose to sit this one out, that’s all. Hope e’rbody is good!

 

[Volprofch05]

Damn, Valentine didn’t even get drafted and he still signed with the Padres? Surprised he wouldn’t try and come here for one year to increase his stock.

Yeah, but he plays SS and now we have Ahuna on board there. The other IF positions have multiple contenders as well. So, if he's thinking of only one year in Knoxville, may not be much opportunity for playing time to increase draft stock.

 

[@1RBFjr]

Everything is good! Leading up to and into the draft, it’s kinda the same convo every year. I chose to sit this one out, that’s all. Hope e’rbody is good!

Glad all is ok.

 

[vol66]

Glad all is ok.

Thanks for asking!

GBO!!!

 

[BP4Prez]

Damn, Valentine didn’t even get drafted and he still signed with the Padres? Surprised he wouldn’t try and come here for one year to increase his stock.

Vitello kinda alluded to this the other day in the interview. Said we had a jump ship or something of that sort after Ahuna committed.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Vitello kinda alluded to this the other day in the interview. Said we had a jump ship or something of that sort after Ahuna committed.

Different player. He went to Georgia instead.

 

[TN_gal]

Re: Jack Alexander and his free agent signing with the Kansas City Royals -

This nugget of information from Matt Dixon caught my attention in today’s Tony Basilio blog entry:

The Vols did lose Austin Peay transfer catcher Jack Alexander, who signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals’ team president is the dad of Arkansas’s 2nd baseman Robert Moore and Moore and Alexander worked out together leading up to the draft.

Alexander spent two seasons at Notre Dame before playing the past two years with the Govs. In 2022, he hit .346 with 14 long balls and would’ve been the Vols’ starting catcher in 2023.

The Tony Basilio Show

 

[Volprofch05]

The athletic most intriguing picks for each MLB team:

MLB Draft: The Athletic selects the most intriguing draft pick from all 30 teams

Los Angeles Angels — Ben Joyce, RHP, Tennessee (Round 3)

The Angels’ third-round pick was one of the more interesting selections in the whole draft. Joyce regularly throws 102-103 miles per hour and has topped out at 105.5 mph. So why wasn’t he the top pick in the whole thing? Well, he’s a 22-year-old reliever who only has about 32 innings of Division I experience. He dealt with Tommy John surgery and was seldom used by the Volunteers despite his velocity. That all leaves some question marks about his durability at the pro level. He also struggles with control at times. There’s a very high ceiling for Joyce, but also a lot we don’t know.

Colorado Rockies — Jordan Beck, OF, Tennessee (Compensation Round A)

Colorado’s third pick, at No. 38, might have the highest ceiling in their class, an All-Star-level profile. As we sit, though, Beck has shown big power in the cage but too many Ks in the box. He strikes out five times for every three walks and that won’t translate well to the major leagues. His quick hands suggest he can keep up with professional pitching, he just needs to get better and do it. If the 21-year-old right-side swinger from Tennessee can put the package together, he may be Hunter Renfroe. That’s his projection: a roving outfielder with power and pop, a 30-homer hitter with a great bat.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Yeah, but he plays SS and now we have Ahuna on board there. The other IF positions have multiple contenders as well. So, if he's thinking of only one year in Knoxville, may not be much opportunity for playing time to increase draft stock.

He had a great opportunity to win the 2B spot, especially since Moore could play OF. Moore will have to play 2B now.

 

[Ttucke11]

I'm not sure Valentine would've played much anyway he only hit .270 in JUCO. Chapman and Stanwich will have plenty of opportunity to steal an outfield spot now. We will also get to see Booker in a full-time role which I'm excited about.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

He had a great opportunity to win the 2B spot, especially since Moore could play OF. Moore will have to play 2B now.

Some guy aren't all that crazy about going to college. It's a lot of work to do that and play ball, too. Valentine might be one of those guys who just wants to focus on baseball and doesn't enjoy school.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I'm not sure Valentine would've played much anyway he only hit .270 in JUCO. Chapman and Stanwich will have plenty of opportunity to steal an outfield spot now. We will also get to see Booker in a full-time role which I'm excited about.

You can bet @Juanita is excited about it!

 

[TN_gal]

 

[chuckiepoo]

Nice bump!

 

[OldTimer]

Nice bump!

It will be interesting to see how much of a “bump” Blade and Reggie get and they will get a bump!

 

[txbo]

Freaking awesome!

 

[chuckiepoo]

Was inspired to post due to a milf that just happened by…

 

[Volfan1000]

View attachment 473916
And we lost our catcher..

McKee said on the podcast yesterday that Vitello and his staff are going to fill this position within the current roster.

 

[TN_gal]

 

[youcancallmeAl]

If Ben can transform from a thrower to a pitcher he will be a monster closer in the bigs.