Stefan Sabol Leaning Towards Signing With Braves

by gondeee on Aug 16, 2010 9:25 AM EDT

The Atlanta Braves have until midnight tonight (Eastern Time) to reach agreements with any of their unsigned draft picks from this year's First Year Player Draft. It has already been a banner year for amount of talent signed, as the Braves have wrapped up 34 of their 51 draft picks.

Two big picks remain unsigned though. The highest unsigned pick is 17th-round selection Stefan Sabol. He was considered top-round talent who fell in the draft, and the Braves picked him late and have followed him in the West Coast League this summer. They are now apparently putting on the full court press in an effort to sign the talented prep player. Sabol is committed to The University of Oregon, and their head coach has his doubts that he'll ever see him in a Ducks uniform:

Sabol, a catcher taken in the 17th round by the Braves, "sounds like he’s leaning toward signing," Horton said entering the weekend.

Sabol is the highest Atlanta selection unsigned, and the Braves "are making a run at him. … They’re offering him a significant amount of money," the UO coach added.

Wrapping up a talented player like Sabol would turn this 2010 draft for the Braves from a really good draft into one of the best drafts the team has ever had -- and this is taking into account the lack of a true first-round pick.

While this is excellent news about Sabol that many of us Braves fans have waited all summer for, one more under-draft player remains on the board. There is no word on whether the Braves will be able to lure talented second baseman Zach Alvord away from a commitment to Auburn. Alvord is the only player the Braves drafted this year from Georgia, so if they don't sign him, considering this draft a success without Atlanta signing any player from Georgia would be weird considering how the team has relied upon the state to fuel their drafts in years past.

Consider this an open thread to discuss any updated news about the Braves last minute signings. I will keep everyone updated if any news breaks about either of these guys.

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Comments

I'd love to see us sign Sabol, but...

…I don’t think we can honestly talk about this being a great draft or a really good draft yet. Drafts just can’t be judged this early. It takes years to know how well they really worked out.

by cavebird on Aug 16, 2010 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

On paper it would be a great draft

Sabol would hopefully be immediately moved to the OF where he’d grade out as a 5 tool player.

by Jay212033 on Aug 16, 2010 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

On MLBN

The guys stated that the deadline was at 11 PM EDT but 1 hour really doesn’t matter.

Also that Minnis kid would be a huge sign as well! Come on Braves don’t be cheap bring these guys home especially Alvord and Sabol!

by Jay212033 on Aug 16, 2010 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

No on Minnis

Looks like a no on Albert Minnis. This is from last week:

Minnis, a lefty from Lawrence High, is even more set on the Shockers. The Atlanta Braves drafted him in the 33rd round. Bryan Minnis, his father, said there has been little contact this summer.

"They were at one place," he said. "Albert was at another place. He’s pretty solid on going to Wichita State. That’s going to happen for sure."

He was an interesting kid, but very raw. The Braves might have gone after him if they weren’t able to sign some other guys.

by gondeee on Aug 16, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Dang

Would’ve been a nice sign! Thanks for the read gondee.

by Jay212033 on Aug 16, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

From Kevin Goldstein last night

His tweet answer in italics:

Good, and bet on Alvord RT @bennetthipp: @Kevin_Goldstein #Braves chances of signing at least one of Zach Alvord and Stefan Sabol?

by gondeee on Aug 16, 2010 9:59 AM EDT reply actions

Hopefully

Mr. Goldstein is correct and we get at least one but i’m really, really hoping for both!

by Jay212033 on Aug 16, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Same here...

Sabol just sounds like somethin we need, another potential LF slugger. While Alvord is a Georgia boy, and it just doesn’t seem right not having a single kid from the home state in a Braves draft.

So who else is possible besides these two, as I assume Minnis, Wark, and certainly some others are definite no’s by now.

by Mr. Sanchez on Aug 16, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

This FO did a great job with the draftees this year.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Aug 16, 2010 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

In case no one has heard yet, Medlen’s TJ is scheduled for Wednesday…..

"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones

by MBL1 on Aug 16, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Honestly

I think that the Braves signed as many quickly as possible and those that didn’t sign they just, well, forgot about and focused on Sabol and Alvord. If we get those two (and, from what I’ve read yesterday and today it’s looking more and more like the Braves are ponying up to pay them 1st day money (making us somewhat forgot the A. Rendon debacle)) this draft will be very very very productive for us. The position players alone int he upper minors (Leonard, Cunningham, etc.) will be replenished with the lower minor talent (Lipka, Sabol (hopefully) and Alvord (hopefully)) and we will be a very exciting organization for the next 10 years.

Here’s hoping.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 16, 2010 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

How was Rendon a debacle? They drafted him and couldn’t sign him. It happens.

And most teams tend to sign all the guys they can sign quickly, then have a few they can’t sign until right at the deadline, so it’s not like this is something abnormal.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 16, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

do you know WHY they didn't sign Rendon?

because they brought him to Atlanta and “didn’t like how he hit with wooden bats.” If that’s not a debacle, I don’t know what is.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 16, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

fwiw

he’d be ready for the Majors now. To play 3B. You think we need that?

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 16, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, he hasn’t played with wood bats yet. We could find out eventually that they were right. Also, link or it never happened.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 16, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

seriously? ok

http://www.camdenchat.com/2010/7/14/1569176/who-is-anthony-rendon

The 5’11 Rendon was a star shortstop for Lamar High School in his native Houston, leading his team to the District 20-5A championship in 2007 as a junior and being selected as the First team 5A all-state shortstop as a senior in 2008. Rendon hoped to be selected in the fifth or sixth round of the 2008 draft, but fell all the way to the Atlanta Braves in the 27th round. The Braves flew him out to Georgia to play in a wood bat tournament, but didn’t like what they saw enough to offer him first day money, so Rendon went to school in the fall in his hometown for the Rice Owls. Rice coach Wayne Graham, who appeared in thirty games in the majors as a third baseman, thought that Rendon had the kind of defensive skills that would make him a plus defender at the hot corner.

and here’s proof that he’s GOOD with a wooden bat, hence the asinine notion of saying he’s not and not giving him the money:

http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/07/23/anthony-rendon-scouting-report-part-ii

it was a debacle. now that you’ve been proven wrong, will you shut up about it?

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 16, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

two things

1. grow up

2. and you might want to check out the definition of debacle….it may have been a mistep or an improper valaution of talent…however it was certainly not a debacle…. it was a mistake maybe…but these things happen all the time. A debacle is not signing the first overall pick bc you argued over $100, 000.

"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."

Dwight Schrute

by Swo12bv on Aug 16, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Both of these. And still, no proof yet he can hit with a wood bat at a professional level, so the Braves may still end up being right. He may come out and mash and win MVP award after MVP award, but it certainly wasn’t a debacle. They weren’t the first team and won’t be the last to miss on a guy coming out of HS.

Also, who the heck are these guys writing these stories?

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 16, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

The fact that this kid seems to have chronic ankle problems as a 20 year old is enough to make me glad we didn’t tie a bunch of money up in him.

"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010

by Rhyno18 on Aug 16, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

what?

he had one injury. and that’s “chronic ankle problems”. again, i quote cb, if you don’t link it, it didn’t happen.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 16, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

This article references the fact that the ankle he just tore apart in July was the same ankle that kept him out of NCAA playoffs.

There’s your link, and 2 injuries to the same ankle means there is clearly a problem there.

"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010

by Rhyno18 on Aug 16, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

bah, left out that the previous injury was in 2009.

So, to recap his career, 2009-bad ankle, surgery. 2010-bad ankle, surgery. I see a pattern here, but I’m sure you won’t

"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010

by Rhyno18 on Aug 16, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

owned.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Aug 16, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

another trick in debating when you don’t have anything to add:

attack the sources.

obviously we have different opinions on what “debacle” means. let’s just leave it at that. for when the kid is a perennial all-star at a premium position (one that we don’t have any reasonable candidates in the minors) and raking and posting lines of .320/.370/.580, i’ll tell you i told you so.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 16, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

You’re not telling me so, I wish they had signed him. Every time I tell somebody about Rendon I say I wish the Braves had signed him.

And yes, I have to attack your sources because your entire argument is based on them. That’s part of debate.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 16, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Differing opinions on the word debacle...

And one of those opinions is wrong (yours).

It’s ok to use hyperbole, but at least admit when you’re using it and when you’re not.

Almost every great college player was also drafted out of high school and didn’t sign. It hapens dozens of times every draft. Far too common to be called “a debacle.”

It was highly unfortunate that the Braves did not sign Rendon. I agree.

by J-Turn14 on Aug 16, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

the most controversial part of it was his tremendous success as a freshman at rice. A lot of top college players get drafted and aren’t presently worth whatever money they’re asking for. He proved that he was an incredibly talented player right off the bat at rice.

by telemakhos on Aug 16, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

by Bronn on Aug 16, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

seriously?

were you IN the rooms? obviously, not signing a signable pick because you fear for his ability to hit wooden bats when it was evident that he could is obviously a debacle.

as for growing up? i won’t even get in to it with you.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 16, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, apparently, two things just aren't enough for you. Here's some more.

3) Debacle

4) I really don’t see how this is even an issue. The Braves drafted someone who was expected to go fairly high in the draft, took some to time to scout him further, and decided that they didn’t like what they saw. That’s exactly how the process is supposed to work, isn’t it? It was a 27th round pick, so it’s not like the wasted pick is going to cripple the organization for years

5) How can you possibly know how signable the guy was? If he thought he’d be taken much earlier, he might want more money than the Braves think he’s worth. A lot of these prep players who think they’ll be taken early and then fall will end up going to college unless they get a hefty signing bonus.

by Bronn on Aug 16, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Very interesting.

One nice scouting report is now proof of something.

by cavebird on Aug 16, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

one scouting report from projectprospect.com….now I don’t have anything against those guys…generally they do a lot of good work, but they are far from the authorities on baseball prospects (I don’t think anyone holds that title). this report would certainly have more wait if it was from BA, or BP, or Sickels…or any of the other top tiered prospect evaulators…but even then any single scouting report needs to be taken with a grain of salt, because it is on dude’s, or dudette’s, opinion

Dwight Schrute

by Swo12bv on Aug 16, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

wait….lol

Dude, that one made me laugh for real.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Aug 16, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

wow i must be off my game (or on my game depending on who you ask)

Dwight Schrute

by Swo12bv on Aug 17, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Am I the only one failing to see...

any evidence of his ability with a wood bat? Has he ever played in Cape Cod or any other wood bat league?

by Mr. Sanchez on Aug 16, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I’ve not been able to find any, but I only did 20 seconds of research so I could find a link about his injury history.

"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010

by Rhyno18 on Aug 16, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Me too.

Somehow one person who likes his swing with aluminum means he can definitely hit with wood. Who knew?

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.

by MichaelProcton on Aug 17, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Jim Callis just tweeted there’s a good chance they’ll sign one of sabol and alvord.

by telemakhos on Aug 16, 2010 11:26 AM EDT reply actions

There’s been a lot of non-information opinion giving from BA this morning. Nothing news-worthy though.

by gondeee on Aug 16, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

There is nothing going on...

…and BA is all geared up and ready to go, so they are just speculating like everyone else.

by cavebird on Aug 16, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Bill Shanks:

Braves will NOT sign 17th round pick Stefan Sabol, a high school catcher out of California, before tonight’s deadline.

http://twitter.com/billshanks

by ATLforlife on Aug 16, 2010 6:13 PM EDT reply actions

Come on Braves!!!

Don’t go the cheap route!!!

by Jay212033 on Aug 16, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Double dang it

"Check out this bitchin' homemade tesla coil!"

by bwellnjonesco on Aug 16, 2010 7:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I hate twitter.

Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.

"If I’m batting behind him (Heyward), I tell the umpire, ‘Will you please check that ball,’" Diaz said. "And he’d be like, ‘It didn’t hit the dirt.’ And I’d go, ‘It might be flat.’ He hits the ball so stinking hard."

by vooodooo on Aug 16, 2010 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions