Should A's worry about Kyler Murray's decision?
The most-asked question of the MLB Pipeline crew these days comes with a quick answer. Many of you want to know when we'll update our Top 100 Prospects list. We'll reveal our new rankings in an MLB Network special on Jan. 26.
Now, let's look at some of your queries that require more detailed responses.
Yes, the A's should be concerned about losing Murray, an outfielder selected No. 9 overall in the 2018 Draft. I don't have any inside information, but it has been obvious that he's passionate about playing football since he took himself out of the 2015 Draft, in which he was the best athlete available and would have gone in the first round if he were signable.
A report by the San Francisco Chronicle surfaced on Wednesday that the A's expect Murray to declare for the NFL Draft prior to the deadline for collegiate underclassmen to do so on Sunday. The report also stated that Murray will play either baseball or football, not both.
Generously listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Murray is small by NFL quarterback standards and appeared to have a brighter long-term future in baseball. But Murray was so spectacular while winning the Heisman Trophy that it now appears he'd go in the first round of an NFL Draft lacking in top-tier quarterback talent.
Alec Bohm (No. 3 overall, Phillies), Jonathan India (No. 5, Reds) and Nolan Gorman (No. 19, Cardinals) were all first-round picks last June. Gorman, the best power hitter available in the 2018 Draft, has the highest ceiling. He slammed 17 homers in his 63-game debut and has the potential to deliver 35 or more on an annual basis.
India has the highest floor. He has a better track record against better competition than the other two and offers the most defensive value. Bohm has the best combination of hitting ability and power, so he can make a case for either category, though he may not be able to stay at third base.
Don't sleep on another first-round third baseman. Jordan Groshans went No. 12 overall to the Blue Jays as one of the best all-around hitters in the 2018 high school class and should be at least a solid defender at the hot corner.
Davis is a career .284/.354/.505 hitter in the Minors with huge raw power and a rocket arm, though he's already 25 and has yet to prove he can hit big league pitching or play an average third base at that level. He adds some corner-infield depth for the Mets, who also added fringe infield prospect Cody Bohanek. But I like this deal more for the Astros, who had no obvious spot for Davis on their roster.
Houston got three youngsters, none of whom is close to a Top 100 Prospect at this point, but all of whom are intriguing. Second baseman Luis Santana is the best of the group, a gifted hitter (.329/.426/.465 in three years of Rookie ball) with plenty of energy. Outfielder Ross Adolph has plus raw power and speed and posted an .857 OPS in his pro debut, while catcher Scott Manea has some power potential.
Marcano could be the next Padres farmhand to explode onto the prospect scene. Signed for $320,000 out of Venezuela in 2016, he batted .366/.450/.438 in his U.S. debut last summer. He led the Rookie-level Arizona League in hitting (.395), on-base percentage (.497) and OPS (.940) at age 17, then continued to thrive against much older competition in the short-season Northwest League.
Marcano is an advanced hitter with tremendous athleticism, instincts and makeup. He should have at least gap power, and the biggest question is whether he has enough arm strength for shortstop or fits better at second base.