Sox 2007 Draft

[ORS]

Hey, it's the "Soul of Sports".

 

Nice over-slot pick at #834. Grandal. Open the wallet and sign that f***er.

[CrespoBlows]

Hey, it's the "Soul of Sports".

 

Nice over-slot pick at #834. Grandal. Open the wallet and sign that f***er.

 

Scouting report?

[ORS]

Hitting Ability: There is a question to how much he'll hit at the next level. He guesses a lot and gives away the outer half of the plate. Right now, he's got a non-professional swing. He hit only left-handed in this game, though he took swings right-handed during batting practice.

Power: Grandal does have some power potential, moreso from the left side of the plate, though his swing is longer from that side. His stroke from the right side is quicker, but doesn't produce as much power.

Running Speed: He's a catcher and running isn't a part of his game.

Arm Strength: Graded on pure strength, Grandal wouldn't get a plus mark. But he's got a good arm and a very quick release, making the entire "arm strength" package a plus.

Arm Accuracy: Grandal is extremely accurate with his throws. That, combined with his quick release, make him very difficult to run on.

Fielding: Grandal has excellent catching skills. He has good hands and centers the ball well.

Range: He has very quick feet and moves very well behind the plate.

Physical Description: Grandal is a strong, athletic backstop.

Medical Update: Healthy.

Strengths: A tremendous defensive package. He's a leader behind the plate, moves his feet well, has good hands, throws well. You name it, he can do it behind the plate.

Weaknesses: His bat is behind his glove. If he can make adjustments, there is some potential there, but there are definite holes in his swing.

Summary: Grandal is one of the, if not the, best defensive catcher in the draft class. He does everything well behind the plate, from throwing to handling pitchers. Unfortunately, his bat is behind his glove. The switch-hitter has some skills, but also has some holes. How much teams think they can fix that could help determine Grandal's ultimate draft status.

 

Maybe I overstated it due to his need for work with the bat.

[ORS]

BA

 

42. Yasmani Grandal, c

School: Miami Springs (Fla.) HS. Class: Sr.

B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 205. Birthdate: 11/8/88.

Scouting Report: Grandal was born in Cuba and moved to Miami when he was 11, and he started catching when he was 13 at the encouragement of his stepfather. He emerged as the country's top prep catching prospect last summer when he played in the Aflac Classic and committed to Miami. He has since been surpassed by Devin Mesaraco for top high school catching honors, and his all-around game is solid but not exceptional. He has soft hands and receives fine, and he has an above-average arm that produces quick throws with carry and accuracy. His ability to make contact from both sides of the plate enhances his value, but his bat speed is fringe-average. He makes sharper contact and drives the ball much more consistently from the left side. Grandal has good makeup and instincts, and should be taken no later than the second round.

[ORS]

They've got some signability picks there to make some hay with.

 

From the 11th round on, they picked Grimm, Bailey, Presley, Grandal, and Tepesch, who all projected to go much higher based on talent. Be interesting to see who gets signed and who goes on to school.

[jacksonianmarch]

Grandal is a solid pick for a team that really has a dearth of catching talent.

[jacksonianmarch]

If both teams can sign their picks, we may be 1 and 2 again in the draft, even though none of our teams picked before the 30th pick.

[CrespoBlows]

If both teams can sign their picks' date=' we may be 1 and 2 again in the draft, even though none of our teams picked before the 30th pick.[/quote']

 

How many of these guys are in the top 200?

[jacksonianmarch]

How many of these guys are in the top 200?

 

not sure, give me a minute. I have to use a member from another board to get access to BA.

[jacksonianmarch]

BA

 

42. Yasmani Grandal, c

School: Miami Springs (Fla.) HS. Class: Sr.

B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 205. Birthdate: 11/8/88.

Scouting Report: Grandal was born in Cuba and moved to Miami when he was 11, and he started catching when he was 13 at the encouragement of his stepfather. He emerged as the country's top prep catching prospect last summer when he played in the Aflac Classic and committed to Miami. He has since been surpassed by Devin Mesaraco for top high school catching honors, and his all-around game is solid but not exceptional. He has soft hands and receives fine, and he has an above-average arm that produces quick throws with carry and accuracy. His ability to make contact from both sides of the plate enhances his value, but his bat speed is fringe-average. He makes sharper contact and drives the ball much more consistently from the left side. Grandal has good makeup and instincts, and should be taken no later than the second round.

 

You have a prep kid who is THAT advanced defensively, you must make it work. He's 18, if you get the negotiations over with early, he'd essentially have 6 yrs to hone his hitting skills. And even if he never hits, a solid defensive catcher always has a chance as a backup. Sounds like a mediocre ceiling offensively, but his overall ceiling is well within reach. He's a safe prospect who you got in the late rounds. He'll be in your system for a very long time if signed.

[jacksonianmarch]

sox have 13 of the top 200.

[CrespoBlows]

Good stuff, thanks.

[jacksonianmarch]

Keith Law loves your first pick and the Middlebrooks pick. Granted, it is Keith Law, but he has a point. I thought the Middlebrooks pick was a great one, provided the sox sign him.

[example1]

I love the impact baseball article about The Mailman (love the nickname too!)

 

"One of the things I love about The Mailman is when he steps up to the plate, it strikes fear in opposing coaches and players. The guy is unbelievable. You just think something good is going to happen every time he steps up to the plate. He is a huge offensive threat to opposing teams."

 

Not a neutral assessment by any stretch. This guy sounds dangerous.

[riverside sluggers]

I am happy about this draft, pending on who they are able to sign. Theyve got themselves a group of mostly project players. If done right, well then hooray for the Sox! Middlebrooks was a great pickup, I mean you have a guy that could be a great hitter or a pitcher with potential and can throw in the mid to high 90s!

[jacksonianmarch]

he throws in the low 90s right now. With potential he could, but adding 4-5 mph isnt something that typically happens to everyone.

 

BTW, it really sounds like this kid is more of a thrower on the mound. His bat is what will bring home the paychecks IMO. He'll be a good 3b in your system.

[riverside sluggers]

Mustve been thinking about different scouting report on someone else. But his fastball sits in the low 90s, topping out at 94/95. Agreed his swing is one to take awe in. But hey maybe someday in the majors and his team is in a blowout (or extra innings), at least they know who to turn to if no one is left to pitch

[ORS]

I think Keowen is going to be interesting to follow.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think Keowen is going to be interesting to follow.

 

I agree. His size is a great asset. If the sox org can make his swing more compact, you could be looking at an Adam Dunn kind of player.

[Beckett95]

Anyone know what the Sox plan on doing with Middlebrooks? If they sign him, are they going to use him at 3B or do they want him as a pitcher?

[jacksonianmarch]

Anyone know what the Sox plan on doing with Middlebrooks? If they sign him' date=' are they going to use him at 3B or do they want him as a pitcher?[/quote']

 

BA loves his offensive possibilities. I think the sox should explore those.

[Cityofchampions33]

BA loves his offensive possibilities. I think the sox should explore those.

 

Do you know which way they are leaning, or which he is better at? Is it possilbe to start him as a 3b, and if he doesn't succeed use him as a pitcher? kind of like Edgar Martinez?

[jacksonianmarch]

Do you know which way they are leaning' date=' or which he is better at? Is it possilbe to start him as a 3b, and if he doesn't succeed use him as a pitcher? kind of like Edgar Martinez?[/quote']

 

The report is that he has a low to mid 90s heater, but that he is not polished at all as a pitcher. It sounds like he would be a major project pitching wise. More of a thrower right now. He is much more advanced as a hitter. And his projection as a hitter (all-star type talent) is much higher than his pitching projection, which is very hard to see right now because he really has nothing other than the heat as a pitcher. I would think the sox would stick with him as an offensive player.

[riverside sluggers]

soxprospects.com

Sox sign six draftees

 

According to various media sources, the Red Sox have signed C Daniel Milano (rd. 20, #624), SS Aaron Reza (rd. 21, #654), LHP William Lattimer (rd. 22, #684) 3B Deshaun Brooks (rd. 26. #804) and C Peter Gilardo (rd. 45, #1340). Additionally, The Flower Mound Leader is reporting that 11th round pick (#354 overall) RHP Ryan Pressly is expected to sign on Thursday.

[jacksonianmarch]

that is Thomas Pressly. Bagging a big framed HS kid is pretty nice I'd say.

[phillysoxfan115]

I'm very confused, can someone clear up the Pressley situation. I know they drafted a pitcher named Pressley in the 11th round and an outfielder named Presley in the 24th round. Any info to help me decipher between the two would be great. I know the outfielder was considered the best prospect in Colorado and his name is Matt, but this Ryan vs. Thomas business is very confusing. Thanks for any possible info.

[riverside sluggers]

I'm very confused' date=' can someone clear up the Pressley situation. I know they drafted a pitcher named Pressley in the 11th round and an outfielder named Presley in the 24th round. Any info to help me decipher between the two would be great. I know the outfielder was considered the best prospect in Colorado and his name is Matt, but this Ryan vs. Thomas business is very confusing. Thanks for any possible info.[/quote']

 

Here's Ryan Pressly's profile on soxprospects.com

 

EDIT: source, soxprospects.com

Sox sign Buller

 

The Fresno Bee is reporting that the Red Sox have signed draftee LHP Daniel Buller (rd. 31, #954). The website of the Lowell Spinners (SS) is listing RHP Adam Mills, RHP Chris Province, RHP Eammon Portice, OF David Marks and OF Kade Keowen as on their 2007 roster (as of June 14), indicating that they have signed.

[riverside sluggers]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/08/draft_signings.html

 

The Sox have finally come to terms with shortstop Ryan Dent, but 3rd round pick Hunter Morris will not be signing with the Red Sox

[Rdsxmbnt]

It appears they will sign Middlebrooks which would be awesome, stay tuned.

[scaffolds]

The Red Sox have released that they have signed their 6th round pick first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo who just turned 18 yrs a week ago is 6-3 220 L/L is a power hitting first baseman. After having watched Lars Anderson play in different tournaments last year and having follow Rizzo for the last three years honestly can say that Rizzo is as good as a hitter coming out of H.S. as Anderson was and is a better fielder, with better mobility. Rizzo should be among the top 30 Red Sox prospects this off season. I believe that Rizzo's bonus was for$ 325 000.

 

There are a lot or rumors going on about which draft pick the Red Sox may sign before tonight midnight, but one who isn't a rumor is after talking with Yasmany Grandal a couple of days ago its very unlikely that he will sign.