The 2010 amateur draft has already been one of the most successful drafts in recent years for the Atlanta Braves, but they may not be done yet. While the Braves have signed their first 16 picks, the next player remains unsigned -- talented high school catcher Stefan Sabol. Even though he was the 524th player taken in the draft, Sabol is considered one of the top all-around athletes in the field and a top-100 pre-draft prospect.
He is signed to play baseball at the University of Oregon this year, and in the mean time he is testing his talent in the West Coast League for the Cowlitz Black Bears. Sabol joined the team last week:
"I had a break after high school to let my arm rest, but I am chomping at the bit to get some action," said Sabol, who batted .391 with 10 home runs, 24 RBIs and stole 16 bases as a senior at Aliso Niguel, leading his team to the South Coast League title. "The Braves are going to come up and watch me as a summer draft-and-follow player. If I don't end up signing with them, I'll go to UO and be very happy with that."
So far in seven games Sabol is 9-for-24 with a slash line of .375/.444/.667. Their season runs through early August, so there's plenty of time for him to get into more games and for the Braves to get a good look at him before the signing deadline on August 16th.
Sabol fell to the 17th-round of the draft because of concerns that his defense is not good enough for him to remain behind the plate in the pros. The Braves took him as a catcher, so they may be willing to give him a chance there, at least until his bat proves to be enough for a corner outfield spot.
The potential with Sabol is very high, and the Braves would be making a wise choice if they were to dig into their coffers and give him a six-figure bonus. There is certainly a lot to be excited about with this young kid. I, for one, am hoping that the two sides can get a deal done. In the mean time I'll be bookmarking this page and checking it often.
0 recs | 29 comments
Just curious
What makes this one of the most successful drafts after only a few months?
UMass12 - July 13, 2010
CUZ GONDEEE SAID SO
THATS WHY DONT QUESTION TC
Erihury - July 13, 2010
Don't be a douche
You are free to disagree with anyone on this site. Just be prepared to back your opinions up.
buzzdeadwax - July 13, 2010
The success has been the number of players signed
The more players you sign, the better your chances of getting some prodcutive players. We won’t know the acutal success until 2012 and beyond, obviously.
buzzdeadwax - July 13, 2010
Thanks
UMass12 - July 13, 2010
I wonder if he’s any relation to NFL Films’ Steve Sabol.
UMDBHIK - July 13, 2010
I don't think so...
But he is Troy Polamalu’s cousin.
J-Turn14 - July 13, 2010
Damn, you’re right. Why aren’t there more Samoans in MLB?
TradeAndruw - July 13, 2010
20 seconds of checking. The total population for all Somoan Territory is only 188,359 (2008 est.). They just don’t have many people there…
bwellnjonesco - July 13, 2010
Yet 30 are in the NFL and 200 are in Division I college football.
TradeAndruw - July 13, 2010
They obviously play alot of football on that small island then…
bwellnjonesco - July 13, 2010
is he one half of the pair of draftees that were/are probably not going to sign but great prospects?
dank7 - July 13, 2010
Yes, along with Zach Alvord.
cbwilk - July 13, 2010
awesome, so there is some movement on this guy. any news on Alvord?
dank7 - July 13, 2010
Sorry, no clue.
cbwilk - July 13, 2010
both of these guys are going down to the wire I bet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we got one. Sure we have signed a lot of guys but we didn’t have that first rd pick and they probably have some money to burn. This is big news for me and I hope we get one of them
yondaime4 - July 13, 2010
Zach or Stefan?
If you were a slut, which would you? JKJK, but seriously which would you rather sign.
I think I’d rather have Zach. I’ve heard some neat rumblings about his bat speed and potential power.
bwellnjonesco - July 13, 2010
I’d like both, I’m greedy like that. I haven’t found any info on Alvord’s decision, though I continually check.
gondeee - July 13, 2010
Same here, give me both...
the 2B and C/OF. This sounds more encouraging on Sabol than anything I’ve read on Alvord though, who has strong family ties to Auburn and is said to be wanting a significant bonus (maybe mid to high 6 figures, if not low 7). I had seen 33rd round pick Albert Minnis mentioned as a draft and follow, and also who he was supposed to be rooming with at Wichita St, so I guess that’s doubtful at best. Still a pretty damn good haul to get so many of our top picks, and so many overall.
Mr. Sanchez - July 13, 2010
so if we sign him
will you be changing your top prospect lists?
BlueVol03 - July 13, 2010
Not till the end of the year, after we win the World Series. /optimism
gondeee - July 13, 2010
SIGN PLEASE
thx.
-P
PWHjort - July 13, 2010
Couple Things Guys...
1) Thank you to the gang at TC for opening the door to the world of minor league baseball to me. I knew about them, just not so much! I think it leads to me being even more excited about our future!
2) Only a few things I don’t know… How are these kids placed? Example: Andrelton Simmons and Joe Leonard. Or Stephen Foster and David Filak? Is it as simple as age or how refinded they are, or both?
3) Lastly, how long do these guys (both rookies and second, third, fourth year players) have to stay at a level before they get moved up?
Thanks again, guys! GO BRAVES!!!
UpstateNyBravesFan - July 13, 2010
The team decides where to put a player initially based on a number of factors, mostly his age and the level of competition he’s played against before. More experienced college guys are typically going to go to Danville, with a few heading to Rome, and the HS guys are typically going to go to the GCL (in fact, I can’t remember the last HS guy who started his career with Danville, maybe AJ Zapp in 96). It also has to do with who else in the organization plays his position. From day 1 the Braves care about some guys more than others and they guys they care about more are going to get the playing time at the level the team wants them at, which sometimes leads to a player they care less about having to play at a lower level.
Generally the players spend the whole year with the rookie level teams. You may see a guy or two move up right at the tail end of the season, either as a reward for a good season or to help out with a playoff push (like when Kyle Rose and Christian Bethancourt moved from the GCL to Danville last September). Usually the first season is just to get your feet wet, so guys don’t really get promoted in that first year.
cbwilk - July 13, 2010
Thanks CB; that sheds some light on things! So basically, the not so important guys have to work twice as hard then, or hope for the player ahead of them to be moved up to get their shot!
UpstateNyBravesFan - July 13, 2010
Some guys are in a hole from the moment they sign their first contract. They have to work twice, or thrice, as hard as other guys, and it still might not matter. It’s a very unfortunate thing that happens at ever level of the game.
cbwilk - July 13, 2010
That just seems weird. I don’t see why they would take the time or spend the money for that…
UpstateNyBravesFan - July 14, 2010
reply fail
UpstateNyBravesFan - July 14, 2010
As with most cases...
they probably know a little more about the details of the situation than we do (assuming this is regarding Fouch and his military commit).
Mr. Sanchez - July 14, 2010
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