This is a re-post from last month…

Your Tankathon simulations were futile. Sorry. The Miami Heat will be drafting 13th.

With that finally being settled, the Heat Beat/Five Reasons crew will be rolling out some piping hot draft #content for you. We — as in myself, Greg “Leif “Sylvander, and Jack Alfonso — will kick things off with some general big boards, covering players that may be available around Miami’s range. We started with the guards; now it’s time to knock out the wings.

Tier 1

Cam Reddish, Duke, Freshman, Wing, 6’8” 218 lbs

Stats: 13.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 36/33/77 shooting split

Considered by many to be one of the most intriguing, yet unpredictable prospects at the top the 2019 draft class. Recent reports of the potential for Reddish to slide in the draft seemed impossible a year ago. His strength as a shooter seemed to fade as the season came to a close. That dip in outside shooting, combined with questions regarding his effort, intensity and defensive IQ have contributed to him potentially being this year’s Caron Butler or Justise Winslow who slides down the board.

Let’s start with the good. Reddish displays some of the traits that have drawn comparisons to Paul George, Gordon Hayward and Rashard Lewis. He’s a versatile scorer with outside shooting touch. His catch-and-shoot ability (particularly as a trailing player in secondary fast breaks) make him an attractive option for Miami who lack wing scoring and are intent on updating offensive schemes to help find ways to get easy buckets in transition. If he reaches his potential, Reddish’s upside is that of an All Star.

His lone year at Duke may be a sign that it may take more time for him to reach his potential than some anticipated. He struggled as a third banana alongside Zion Williamson and R.J Barrett. It felt like he could never find his groove in Duke’s cramped up offense, and that was reflected in his efficiency numbers.

That being said, his size, ball handling, passing and scoring make for a strong base skill set that eventually could blossom into the ability to even initiate offense from the wing, a la PG. He has the tools to be a good defender on the wing at the pro level. His 7-1” wing span is intriguing as the Heat continue to try to build a roster that is as position-less and switch-capable as possible.

In short – Reddish could be JR Smith or the next PG or discount bin KD. If he is there at 13, some within the Heat organization with Duke ties would be heavily inclined to select Reddish. -Leif

De’Andre Hunter, Virginia, Sophomore, Wing, 6’7”, 225 lbs

Stats: 15.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 52/44/78 shooting split

De’Andre Hunter is one of those prospects that can get you day-dreaming. Wingspan. Athleticism. Wingspan! Hunter has long arms. It may sound like a trivial thing to harp on, but it’s not. Miami’s three young guys are all versatile defenders, with the ability to guard at least two positions. Adding a guy like Hunter with his impressive wingspan, strong body, and consistent effort, could help turn the Heat into a nightmare for opposing offenses.

Hunter should be a good shooter at the next level. He also seems to be a smart guy with a feel for where to be on the floor. There aren’t any huge red flags in his game. The question for Hunter is, weirdly, upside. He’s not the youngest guy in the draft, and he’s not one of those guys who could just take over games at the college level. There isn’t much “shake” in his game, which puts a cap on his potential as a shot-creator.

I think Hunter will be a valuable role player on offense. If you’re looking for a go-to scorer, Hunter doesn’t seem to be that guy. If Miami calls his name on draft night, fans should still be thrilled. He just isn’t the sexiest prospect out there. -Jack

Tier 2

Sekou Doumbouya, France, N/A, Wing, 6’8 205

Stats (per 36): 13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.0 blocks, 47/29/76 shooting split

Oooh, buddy, am I intrigued here.

Doumbouya is raw, but he has the kind of tools (hello, 7’2 wingspan!), athleticism chops, and ball skills to make him the type of late lottery flier the Heat should consider. There’s legit point-forward potential here, and that shines through when he’s running the open floor. He’s showcased some nice reads in half-court situations, but I’d like to see a little bit more.

He’s come on pretty strong overseas over the last month or so, getting accustomed to the physicality of playing against guys much older/stronger than he is. It’s not fair to make “Next Giannis” declarations; I have some questions (that’ll come in a breakdown further down the line) that gives me pause. However, it’s hard not to be excited about his ability to handle the ball and finish inside. His length and athleticism also makes him an ideal fit in a switch-y scheme, provided he gets stronger. -Nekias

Nassir Little, North Carolina, Freshman, Wing, 6’6 205

Stats: 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 48/27/77 shooting splits

Not many players disappointed relative to their pre-season hopes quite like this guy.

Little entered the season as one of the nation’s top five prospects, an tremendous athlete with an NBA-ready frame. He projected as arguably the best 3-and-D (and more) prospect in the class, but things quickly fell apart during his lone year at North Carolina.

Little showcased his athleticism in the open floor and show plus-impact as an on-ball defender. That’s pretty much where the positives ended. His lack of fluidity limited his shot creation abilities. The lack of feel reared its ugly head with questionable decisions with the ball, and a plethora of off-ball lapses on the other end.

There’s hope for him, of course. You can’t teach that kind of athleticism, and by all accounts he’s a tremendous young man with a great work ethic. The Heat would love him as a person. There’s a plus-shooter with the ability to abuse opponents on shaky close-outs in there. With more reps (and some patience), there’s potentially a good defender in there. For now, the mocks that have him going mid-late first round are well within reason.  -Nekias

Tier 3

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech, Sophomore, 6’5 205

Stats: 16.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 47/37/78 shooting split

I’m pretty confident calling NAW (boy, do I love that) one of the most skilled players in this draft. He isn’t just a good shooter, he’s a multidimensional one. He can make teams pay on spot-up attempts, come off pindowns or flares, or catch, pump, then fire off the bounce. There’s secondary creation ability to like, as he has all of the basic high pick-and-roll reads down. His ability to pull-up can hurt teams that employ “Drop” schemes”, and that’s certainly something the Heat need someone other than Josh Richardson to do on a consistent basis.

It’s cliche, but my concerns with NAW are all based on his athleticism. He just isn’t explosive, and I just worry that he won’t be the kind of three-level threat his skills should allow him to be. Airspaces will close quicker in the NBA. Teams are more physical at the rim, and he wasn’t this super elite finisher in college. He should be a fine team defender, and his near 6’10 wingspan should make him somewhat switchable. He may not be able to handle elite-quickness guys, but that’s what Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow should be there for. This would be a good value pick for the Heat if they trade back. -Nekias

Keldon Johnson, Kentucky, Freshman, Wing, 6’6, 211 lbs

Stats: 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 46/38, 70 shooting split

I’m sure Bam Adebayo wouldn’t be mad about getting to play with another high-flying Kentucky Wildcat.

Keldon Johnson has a lot of tools to be excited about. He’s an impressive athlete with a work ethic that could earn the adoration of the Miami Heat coaching staff. Physically, Keldon has everything you could possibly ask for in a young wing prospect. He has the potential to be a more-than-reliable defender, and his 38 percent accuracy from behind the arc should give people hope that he can do more than just jump at the next level. If Keldon puts it together he could be a valuable 3&D player with the ability to get out and finish in transition.

I have concerns about the shooting though. He shot a solid percentage in his one season at Kentucky, but his relatively low free throw percentage may be cause for concern with regard to his jumper. He’s certainly not a natural born shooter, and if he can’t succeed as a catch and shoot guy, his offensive utility becomes incredibly limited.

Johnson has good physical tools, but doesn’t seem like a guy you can count on to break down a defense. Creation in general seems like a question mark. He’s not a great passer or shooter. He isn’t the most creative scorer. I think Johnson has a spot in this league, but with his question marks on the offensive end, I worry that Miami is not that spot. -Jack

This is a re-post from late May….

Your Tankathon simulations were futile. Sorry. The Miami Heat will be drafting 13th.

With that finally being settled, the Heat Beat/Five Reasons crew will be rolling out some piping hot draft #content for you. We — as in myself, Greg “Leif “Sylvander, and Jack Alfonso — will kick things off with some general big boards, covering players that may be available around Miami’s range. We started with the guards and added the wings. Now it’s time to knock out the forwards.

Tier 1

Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga, Junior, Forward, 6’8” 215 lbs

Stats: 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 3.2 blocks, 71/27/69 shooting split

Can you say Miami Heat player? Defensive versatility is the calling card for Gonzaga’s best all around player last season. Clarke possesses the fast twitch athleticism and defensive IQ necessary to be an All-NBA defender. He has that type of upside on defense.

Clarke moves his feet on defense like Bam Adebayo when guarding quicker players and is explosive off the ground, especially on the 2nd or 3rd jump. These physical gifts help offset his lack of size as a projected 4 at the pro level. His versatility also should allow him to defend multiple positions, even as a small ball 5 or oversized 3. Again, the versatility is intriguing. Instincts and ability to slide into pretty much any defensive scheme make him a particularly intriguing option for the always defensive oriented Heat. His success as a pick and roll defender add to his intrigue as it pertains to fitting in Miami.

Clarke’s offensive development, particularly increasing his range to beyond 17 feet, will determine his offensive upside. He may end up a bit like Shawn Marion was as an offensive player, which while limited, can still be valuable. The one downside would be the Heat sorely lack offense and this pick would be almost solely about defense initially.

One scout I spoke with, on the condition of anonymity, said of Clarke: “Incredible finisher, great leaper, super mobile, excellent rim protector and shot blocker, can switch a bit on the perimeter, has some passing chops, shot is not completely broken. He was the 2nd, or at worst 3rd, best player in college basketball this year.”

While I personally think that opinion is probably on the slightly optimistic side for Clarke, it can’t be ignored that Clarke turned heads with his team first play and all around defensive dominance last season. Think Kenyon Martin meets Paul Millsap with a smidge of Jordan Bell, an evolved Taj Gibson and maybe even a little Paskal Siakam from a stylistic perspective. If the offensive scoring punch cannot be acquired at 13, I expect Clarke (if he makes it to 13) to be another primary player of consideration for Miami. -Leif

Tier 2

PJ Washington, Kentucky, Sophomore, Forward, 6’8” 235 lbs

Stats: 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, 52/42/66 shooting split

Early indications are the Heat are intrigued by the skill set and potential fit of Washington as a stretch 4 alongside the existing core of #TheKids. The Heat like the offensive versatility that Washington brings to the table. He’s also wiry strong in a way that lends itself to being able to eventually matchup physically with most 4s in the league. Heat strength and conditioning regiments will only further develop the already strong Kentucky forward.

While Washington is undersized in a traditional sense, measuring 6’ 6.5” barefoot and 6’8” in shoes, he has some of the physical traits that are typically coveted by Heat brass, posting 7′ 2.5” wingspan, 8′ 11” standing reach and 6.85% body fat. A front court duo of Adebayo and Washington has the potential to be a potent combination due to both players ability to pass and initiate offense. Heat fans will also recognize Washington’s signature elbow jumper, reminiscent of a similar shot cultivated by Mr. 305 himself Udonis Haslem.

Ball handling and post scoring project to be two of the biggest areas of opportunity for Washington to expand his game. Luckily those are not necessarily the aspects of the PF position necessary to fit alongside the Heat’s core, provided they eventually find a way to add another alpha play maker at another position.

Although some may say #13 may be a bit high for PJ Washington, he is currently among my leaders in the clubhouse should the Heat stay at 13. Although I will caution that is far too early to nail down the most likely candidates at the back of the lottery. Surprises are sure to unfold as the draft nears. That said, Heat fans should get to know PJ Washington. -Leif

Rui Hachimara, Gonzaga, Junior, Forward, 6’8 230

Stats: 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 59/42/74 shooting split

It’s easy to see the intrigue with Hachimara. He’s a good athlete with elite measurables (hello, 7’2 wingspan!) and has no issue getting buckets. The Heat not only need a bucket-getter, but a long term option at the 4. Hachimara appears to check those boxes.

He’s a monster in the mid-post with the ability to finish over and through contests. The three-point shot isn’t as good as the numbers advertise, but there’s enough touch there to project plus-impact in that regard.

There are just some very obvious holes that I can’t really get past.

The biggest one: Hachimura has virtually no feel for the game at all.

He’s an absolute train wreck defensively with no real ability to track two actions at the same time. It’s true that he hasn’t played basketball for long, but that’s also part of the problem. You can (mostly) improve your tangible skills with enough reps — ball-handling, shooting, finishing. Feel is a trait that you either have or you don’t. Unless you’re putting Hachimura in a switch-literally-everything scheme so he doesn’t have to think, it’s hard to see him being able to defend well enough to be a real impact player on the next level.

I want no parts. And don’t worry, he’ll be one of the players I break down with film to further hammer home the point. -Nekias

Tier 3

Grant Williams, Tennessee, Junior, Forward, 6’7 236

Stats: 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blocks, 56/33/82 shooting split

We can get the negatives out of the way early. The perimeter stroke is questionable. Williams is very much a mid-post-and-in type of player. He projects as a 4 at the next level, and his size makes that an odd fit in Miami long term.

What makes Williams intriguing is what makes Hachimura a no-go as a prospect for me. He knows how to play the game. Williams sees the floor incredibly well and can make the skips needed to keep an offense flowing. Add in his ability to finish, and he projects as a guy that can dice teams up in short-roll situations. He’s also a darn good defender that doesn’t mind mixing it up with players with a size advantage.

A Williams selection would make the most sense if the Heat trade back to the 17-21 range. I’m not sure that happens, but he’s a Heat pick if I’ve ever seen it. -Nekias

Cam Johnson, North Carolina, Senior, Forward, 6’9” 210 lbs

Stats: 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 5146/81 shooting split

Johnson is an incredibly reliable shooter with beautiful form. In an NBA world where spacing is everything, on a Heat team that has often been desperate for snipers, a guy like Cam who can move well off ball and knock down shots consistently is precious as gold. Ideally, Johnson and J-Rich beyond the arc give Justise and Bam the space they need to work inside.

There are question marks though. I’m not particularly high on his defensive potential. He’s not a great athlete and he’s pretty lanky. He can possibly hold his own on defense, but I’ll be shocked if he’s ever above-average on that end.

The biggest concerns are his health and age. He’s already 23, which is fine, but he wouldn’t give the Heat much upside. He’s also had knee issues and hip surgery that call into question his ability to stay on the floor consistently. There’s a fit in Miami, but I think he’s a guy you trade back for.  -Jack

Mfiondu Kabengele FSU, Sophomore, Forward 6’10, 240 lbs

Stats: 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 50/37/76 shooting split

This is another under the radar prospect worth keeping an eye on for Miami. Kabengele is one of the best shooting big men in this draft. He has a nice stroke from mid-range and can also make open threes from everywhere. He’s physically imposing to the point that he is unlikely to be pushed around by very many NBA bigs from day one. His athleticism and potential for a potent face-up game are intriguing.

He reminds me of Serge Ibaka — not as good in the low post, but maybe a bit more versatile. Already being 22 years old may cap his upside, but it doesn’t concern me much. He’s still raw in many ways, so this pick would require patience. However, his combination of NBA frame, strength, and shooting make him worth monitoring. -Leif

1,217 baseball players, both high school and college, heard their names selected in the 2019 MLB Draft. The glory of playing in the NCAA Tournament and College World Series will instantly be cashed in for a journey to the big leagues.

But that journey starts in the minor leagues, from the back fields in spring training facilities masquerading as a league to the various small towns in America to cites that look like they missed the cut.

Almost every matinee game ends with a long bus ride to the next venue. Those rides are the toughest part of the lifestyle but usually produce the best minor league stories.

“When you’re on the bus, you see all the crazy things guys try to do to find some sleep,” Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez said in 2018. “I’ve seen guys in the compartments up top lying there. I’ve seen guys with blankets trying to make a hammock. They take memory foams and put it on the ground. Basically guys are smart when it comes to finding their sleep.”

Batavia Muckdogs third baseman Andrew Turner recalled a time during extended spring training when one teammate, Kobie Taylor played a prank on Milton Smith during an hour long bus ride to Port St. Lucie.

“Kobie Taylor made a Craigslist ad in Milton’s name and phone number saying that he was selling a bulldog,” Turner said. “Cutest dog I’ve ever seen in the picture, said he was selling it for about $200 because his family is moving and he can’t keep it anymore. We get on the bus after the game with the Mets and Milton has about 30 missed calls and about 35 text messages all from people saying they want to buy his puppy and Milton had no idea what was going on. The night went on, he said he got 15-20 more calls and texts all throughout the night and the next day Kobie told him and took down the ad so that was pretty funny.”

The best part about that prank was that Smith in fact does not have a dog. Got to be careful about those Craigslist ads.

Marlins pitcher Ben Meyer, who reached the big leagues last season but opened this season in Triple-A New Orleans, recalled a funny result of a long bus ride in the Single-A circuit.

“We’re bussing up to Lakewood, New Jersey, after a game at Greensboro, North Carolina in Low A and we had a sleeper bus,” Meyer said. “So I was on the floor of the bus in a little bed to sleep in. We pulled into the hotel at probably 3 a.m., and I was so passed out that none of my teammates woke me up. I was still asleep and all of a sudden my phone was going off an hour later. ‘Hey! Where are you?’ I’m still sleeping on the bus. I didn’t know everyone got off. I was underneath some seats, it was kind of a weird setup. But I blame my teammate because they knew I was down there and they didn’t wake me up. Everyone was half asleep so they didn’t realize I was down there.”

And that was with a bus ride that went according to plan. What happens when the bus breaks down halfway through a trip in the middle of nowhere? New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit has that story from his time as a St. Louis Cardinals prospect in the Texas League.

“Our bus broke down in the middle of Arkansas,” Voit said last season, “and we had this church bus pick us up. We stayed at a church for three hours while we had to wait for another bus to come from Springfield to pick us up to take us another three hours. Our trainer went out and got us like 100 Taco Bell tacos and so we sat at this church for 3-4 hour eating Taco Bell and playing cards. We didn’t get back until 10:00 in the morning.”

The season’s still young so there are more funny minor league stories to tell.

Progreso.

Es lo mínimo que los fanáticos de los Marlins pedían de su equipo al comienzo de una temporada, en la cual se sabía que no sería de las más ganadoras en la historia de la franquicia.

Año dos de Derek Jeter al mando. Un período en el cual él mismo ha confesado que ha puesto a prueba su paciencia. La Pequeña Habana no es el Bronx; tal vez haya sido complicado aceptarlo desde el primer día que intercambió oficinas con David Samson.

No solo fue la adaptación geográfica de Jeter, sino el hecho de entender que el historial negativo de los Marlins lo perseguiría por mucho tiempo. El primer año estuvo plagado de polémica. “¿Vieron lo que hizo Christian Yelich? ¿Qué dijo Giancarlo Stanton sobre la postemporada? Eso no pasaba con Marcell Ozuna en los jardines. Estábamos a dos lanzadores, no hacía falta todo eso…”

Mejor pare usted de contar.

Pero esta tormenta está pasando, y con ella la exigencia irracional por ver incrementada la columna de victorias, en un equipo que no espera rendir esos frutos ahora.

El progreso en 2019 no se mide en victorias

El 2019 no sería evaluado por los triunfos. Estaba en los planes perder muchos encuentros, incluso volver a coquetear con la centena de reveses. Claro, sin llegar a ribetes históricos — llegó un momento en el que el equipo tenía una proyección de 122 derrotas en el año.

Pero el béisbol es muy noble. Es realmente difícil que un equipo pase una temporada completa sin tener al menos una racha positiva. Y los Marlins la tuvieron.

Llegó un momento que Miami era el equipo, junto a los Atléticos, más caliente en todo el béisbol. Un efímero período que pueden significar ciertos destellos del futuro, y no un simple período engranado por la casualidad.

El béisbol es un juego de pitcheo, dicen por ahí, y vaya que los Marlins se lo han tomado en serio. Esta reconstrucción está basada en los lanzadores; no es un secreto.

El progreso de Alcántara y López

Actualmente hay dos serpentineros que el aficionado común de los Marlins debe prestar atención especial. Sí, Caleb Smith, Trevor Richards y José Ureña han tenido sus momentos en esta zafra, pero son Sandy Alcántara y Pablo López quienes tienen la proyección de estar con este equipo por muchos años, hasta que la reconstrucción rinda sus frutos.

Es allí donde la palabra progreso entra en escena. Y no se refleja cuando Sandy está lanzando un blanqueo, o cuando Pablo tira siete tramos en blanco con un solo hit permitido. Sabemos que tienen el talento para hacer eso.

El progreso se evidencia, cuando están descontrolados en la loma, cuando un jonrón les cambia el panorama del juego, cuando no pueden sacar los outs. Cómo reaccionan a eso. A eso se le llama progreso.

Luego de la joya que lanzó en su primera apertura del año, Alcántara tuvo seis salidas que pudieron haber descarrilado a cualquiera. Acumuló récord de 2-5 con 6.25 de porcentaje de carreras limpias permitidas, con 23 boletos y 22 ponches en 36.0 tramos.

A partir de ahí, tiene cuatro aperturas en las que ha acumulado récord de 2-1, con 1.67 de efectividad (cinco carreras limpias en 27 tramos) con nueve ponches y 18 ponches. Progreso.

Ajustes = progreso

El 10 de mayo, López fue vapuleado con 10 carreras en solo 3.0 episodios ante los Mets.

Desde entonces, en cinco salidas, le han hecho seis carreras en 28.2 tramos, con 27 ponches y seis boletos, para una efectividad de 1.88. Incluidos siete episodios de un imparable ante el mismo equipo que ocho días antes lo había maltratado.

Nuevamente, progreso.

Si Sandy Alcántara y Pablo López lucen bien, no hace falta que vean la columna de victorias y derrotas, para saber que la reconstrucción va por buen camino.

Realmente, el nombre de este juego es pitcheo, y como dijo una fuente cercana del equipo, “Creo que estamos listos con los lanzadores. Tenemos un grupo élite”, dijo en estatus de anónimo. “Estamos mucho más cerca de lo que se piensa a nivel nacional”.

Por Ricardo Montes de Oca

Puedes escuchar los análisis de Ricardo Montes de Oca en este link de Cinco Razones Podcast junto a Alejandro Villegas y Leandro Soto. Nuestros enviados de cortesía al Marlins Park, para que se vea un poco mas lleno