2009 MLB Draft Discussion

[Cocos Disciples]

This is for the real draft, not the Talksox draft. One of my favorite parts of the baseball season that doesn't involve the actual playing of the game. Here are my projections.

 

1. Washington Nationals: Steven Strasburg is the obvious #1 pick for Washington. 102 MPH fastball, could be a front of the rotation starter right now, etc...you've heard it all. The rest of the draft is where the questions are at.

 

2. Seattle Mariners: For #2 I think Dustin Ackley goes to Seattle. His TJ surgery may be a worry, but he's probably the best hitter in the draft. At UNC as a 1B/OF he hit .417 with a 1.301 OPS. For anyone interested, here is an interview.

 

3. San Diego Padres: I think the Padres play it relatively safe and go with Alex White. They've had some poor drafts recently, highlighted by the Matt Bush pick. White spent three years at UNC at is relatively polished. Donovan Tate was a guy I considered here, but he's a signability risk, so I don't think he'd go this high.

 

4. Pittsburgh Pirates: Rumor has it that the Pirates are looking at high school prospects for this draft. That, along with their organizational need for some serious pitching, leads me to Zach Wheeler. He has a low-mid 90s fastball and he already has solid mechanics for a HSer.

 

5. Baltimore Orioles: I'm going with Grant Green. He was the consensus 3 pick before his poor season this year. However, the Orioles are in need of a guy like him, and they're usually not afraid to deal with Boras clients. One of the reasons Green is going this high is because of hitter scarcity in the draft.

 

I'll post more later.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Just imagine if Washington passed on Strasburg.

 

 

They'd have to fold the team.

[Dipre]

Even the Natinals aren't that stupid.

 

They have to empty the bank for Strasburg either if they want to or not.

[Cocos Disciples]

6. San Francisco Giants: According to my super secret sources (Keith Law), the Giants are looking more for a college position player than anything else. Tim Wheeler, though he may be a reach, seems like that guy. A center fielder, he has some fielding mechanical issues but has good range. Seems like a solid hitter. In most other drafts he wouldn't go this high.

 

7. Atlanta Braves: Donovan Tate would normally go higher though, as I said earlier, he has some signability issues because he plays multiple sports. The Braves like high school hitters, and they don't have a lot of organizational outfield depth.

 

8. Cincinnati Reds: At this point in the draft there are a good amount of pitchers left. I think the Reds take advantage of this and take Tanner Scheppers. He's probably a risk because of his shoulder injury last year, but stuff-wise he is said to be the second best in the draft after Strasburg.

 

9. Detroit Tigers: I see Tyler Matzek going here. He has a low 90s fastball and three more good secondary pitches. Some say he's the best prep pitcher in the draft, and that there shouldn't be any issues in signing him.

 

10. Washington Nationals: Taking their second pitcher in the Top 10, the Nats take Kyle Gibson in this spot, trying to further improve their pitching depth. ESPN says that he's possibly the most MLB ready pitcher in the draft and should fit into their rotation pretty quickly.

[Dipre]

So you think Crow will NOT be a top 10 pick?

 

I find that doubtful.

[Cocos Disciples]

He could very well be a Top 10 pick. That's not how I have it shaking out but I wouldn't be surprised at all. The Giants could opt to take the best available talent rather than a need which would probably lead to Crow in the Top 10.

[Dipre]

My bet's either Baltimore or San Francisco.

[BoSox21]

1. Strasburg

2. junk

3. junk

4. junk

5. junk

7236. bryce harper....cause someone will think he'll go to dipreland and becomes afree agent

[ORS]

Can you merge the other two into this thread? Given the amount of people that frequent this site that will actually follow the draft and comment, one thread for the whole shebang should suffice (provided Jacko's copy and paste from PinstripeCircleJerk.com doesn't include the full bio from first words to the present).

[jacksonianmarch]

What is the problem with having separate draft threads for both our teams?

[Cocos Disciples]

True, the draft isn't really huge. Which is unfortunate.

[jacksonianmarch]

There should be a separate page for the drafts if only to archive for later.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'm not going to merge them yet. But I think everyone can guess the level of activity in all three.

[jacksonianmarch]

Its official. Strasburg goes #1 to Washington

[Cocos Disciples]

Ackley 2, Tate 3.

[Cocos Disciples]

BC's Tony Sanchez to Pittsburgh. Color me surprised.

[Cocos Disciples]

I urge you guys to follow the smartest guys in baseball at Baseball Prospectus talk about the draft at their roundtable. They report Atlanta will pick Mike Minor 7th overall. Yuck.

[Youk Of The Nation]

He'll be playing for another team within a half season of his callup to the bigs.

[Cocos Disciples]

^ Who, Minor?

[Youk Of The Nation]

No, Sanchez. That's the way the Pirates roll!

[Cocos Disciples]

Hobgood to Baltimore, Zach Wheeler to SF.

 

I think the Hobgood decision was a financial one.

[jacksonianmarch]

Its official. Strasburg goes #1 to Washington

#2 Dustin Ackley to Seattle

#3 Donovan Tate to SD

#4 Jorge Sanchez to Pitt

#5 Matt Hobgood to BAL

#6 Zach Wheeler to SF

[Cocos Disciples]

Its official. Strasburg goes #1 to Washington

#2 Dustin Ackley to Seattle

#3 Donovan Tate to SD

#4 Jorge Sanchez to Pitt

#5 Matt Hobgood to BAL

#6 Zach Wheeler to SF

 

I was most surprised by the Sanchez and Hobgood picks. Both seemed like mid-late 1st rounders.

[Cocos Disciples]

Ughhhh they took Minor. Not a fan. Goldstein says his ceiling is #4.

 

Alex White would have been a much better pick.

[Cocos Disciples]

Leake is a solid pick though maybe a reach. He's more polished than Minor and has a higher ceiling.

 

So, either White or Crow for the Nationals?

[Cocos Disciples]

Ho hum, Tigers get the best HS pitcher in Jacob Turner.

[Cocos Disciples]

So you think Crow will NOT be a top 10 pick?

 

I find that doubtful.

 

What's goooooood

 

So, either White or Crow for the Nationals?

 

Nope, Drew Storen.

 

I got 4 correct in the top ten, only two in the correct slots. I'm not good at this.

[Cocos Disciples]

The Tigers have had some pretty awesome first round picks lately:

 

Justin Verlander

Cameron Maybin

Andrew Miller

Rick Porcello

 

Which will probably turn out to be their #s 1-2 and their best hitter (Cabrera for Maybin/Miller).

 

Jacob Turner?

[Teddyballgame10]

How many more picks till the Sox?

[Cocos Disciples]

How many more picks till the Sox?

 

They're at 12 now, Sox are 28.

 

Matzek to the Rockies, I'm gonna guess Grant Green to KC. Not bad.