jacksonianmarch

he used to have range and he used to have very soft hands. He has neither now.

Jeter isnt the defensive wizard he once was

ah, gotcha.

Here's to hoping it ends here.

FARNS IS AWFUL Enter Sandman.

Interesting. BA rated Suttle the best pure hitter in the draft. SIGN THIS KID.

gyro's with authentic tzatziki sauce? Yum. None of the reheated BS they sell in Price chopper I'll tell ya.

1- Brackman- Interesting pick. High upside, Extremely high reward. May need TJ. Not the end of the world if he does. 6'11" and hasnt played a full season of baseball yet. Sits at 95 can touch 97 and has even more projectability. Harvey was on the board, but the fact that he was available at our 2nd pick makes me very happy with this pick 2- Romine- I dislike this pick, not the player. What made me like the Brackman pick makes me hate this pick. Harvey was available, and we take a HS kid who is ssentially a safe pick. A solid D, fantastic arm, projectable defense catcher who is raw offensively yet has a lot of projectability. If Harvey wasnt available, I'd like this pick a whole lot more, and he will likely be a solid pick for us as he climbs the minors, but we passed with a pick in the 90s on a pitcher who should have been a top 10. 3- Pope- No SR on him, but got enough from the draft audio. The "experts" loved him. Multiple pitches, great control, can get it up into the mid 90s. I like this pick. He fell because he pitched in the NAIA at Savannah A&D. When I was in college 4 yrs ago, we played Savannah A&D and they were good. I was at a DII powerhouse too (2 CWS appearances in my 4 yrs). So they are pretty good, likely an equivalent of a lower tier DI school or an upper level D2 team. I like this pick. From the sounds of it, it is a safer pick. 4. Suttle- GREAT pick after consulting with the draft gurus and seeing the BA rankings. A guy who should have gone in the comp round, but fell due to his 1mil asking price. Switch hitting, professional hitter with power projectability and a guy who dominated this yr at UT. High risk in that he might not sign (draft eligible sophomore) but high reward if he does. 5. Olbrychowski- a sinkerballer who sits low 90s and can get it up to mid 90s. He's a starter by trade but threw in relief for Pepperdine because they lacked a closer. A safer pick. Limited projectability with his curve and change, mid rotation to back end potential, high likelihood that he'll reach it. Overall, the Brackman and Suttle picks are very high risk with the potential for great reward. Pope (the control master with possible power projectability) and Olbrychowski look like they are the safer pitching picks. Romine looks like he has limited top tier potential, but is a safer pick as a catcher because of his defensive skills. Overall, I'd give this draft a B+ right now based upon where guys were projected to go and where they actually went. Harvey at 2 would have made this an A.

1st and 3rd, 1 out.

if you want to have a clubhouse without any character issues, why would you sign a guy to a 4 yr deal after he was released a few yrs earlier for beating the piss out of his wife?

absolutely. Hawk Harrelson was yelling and screaming and then Melky caught it at the wall.

Rd 1A- Player Name: Nick Hagadone- this is a safe pick IMO. Limited projectability, limited ceiling, high probability of reaching it Rd 1A- Player Name: Ryan Dent- I really dislike this pick for the sox. Pedroia and Ellsbury are essentially the same player and both are in or near the majors. He seems to have a limited ceiling, no power and fully reliant on his speed. Arm is meh and looks like he'll be a 2b or a CFer. The sox may be better suited to let this kid go and take the compensation pick they'll get if he doesnt sign. Rd 2- Player Name: Hunter Morris- Kid sounds like a project. High ceiling, high risk. Good pick in the second round though Rd 3- Brock Huntzinger- dont know enough about this guy Rd 4- Christopher Province- dont know enough about this guy Rd 5- Player Name: Will Middlebrooks- I like this pick because of versatility. If he is forced to pick one, he could seriously improve. AND, if he tries one and fails, he always has that second option to go to. future.

Myers is becoming less and less useful.

Well, you were right. BTW, Mussina after 6 is a bad idea if you arent ahead by 5.

ar you sensing some Moose PMS coming on?

Mussina is locating everything. The heat isnt there, but he is featuring 2 different curves, something I havent seen before. His loopy knuckle curve and then a harder power curve that he has used when he needs the K.

Well, it goes both ways. The best players in the game seem to be all HS draftees. But you bomb out more on HS kids. High risk, high reward it seems.

In terms of Harvey, the only thing that precluded him was the fact that he was a Boras client and he was asking for 8 mil and a MLB contract. I seriously thought the yankees or the sox could have met the monetary demands and kept him off the MLB contract.

but the 5th pick looks like a very solid pick. Tons of projectability on both ends. I am very surprised he fell so low with potential in both power hitting and power pitching.

3 HS players is strange for the sox, who have always had sort of a money ball feel since Theo took over. And I am surprised the sox used their first pick on a pitcher who has limited projectability when Harvey was available. And their second pick is very baffling. Not a very good pick IMO when you have a guy like Pedroia and Ellsbury in the system. This kid sounds like he's destined for CF or 2b and both are far more advanced than this kid. I would have thought the sox would want to go power or even with more pitching in that spot.

it has been an interesting draft for the sox. Here's the breakdown Rd 1A- Player Name: Nick Hagadone Position: Starting Pitcher School: University of Washington School Type: Four-Year College Academic Class: Junior Birthdate: 01/01/86 Height: 6'5" Weight: 230 lbs. Bats: Left Throws: Left Report Date(s): 05/04/07 Game(s): Oregon State Focus Area Comments Fastball: Hagadone throws his fastball in the 90-93 mph range. FB Movement: Hagadone has some nice arm side run on his fastball. Slider: Hagadone has an above-average slider that gives left-handed hitters fits. It has good bite and depth to it. Changeup: Hagadone has the makings of a change and it has the chance to be an average or better third pitch. When he's throwing it well, it has good fade. Control: Hagadone has the ability to command all three pitches. Poise: Clearly the leader of Washington's pitching staff, he has a quiet confidence and is known for a tremendous work ethic. Physical Description: Hagadone is a big, strong lefty who has experience as a Friday night starter and closer. Medical Update: Healthy. Strengths: He has the chance to be a three-pitch guy. He's got plus makeup and leadership qualities. Even though he's closing now, he's much more than a one-inning guy. Weaknesses: He needs to stay back more. His future role is unclear, with some thinking he should stay in the pen and others wanting him back as a starter. Summary: After spending last year starting behind Tim Lincecum, Hagadone became Washington's Friday night starter to begin the year. He was moved to the bullpen after two starts because of team need and has been oustanding for the Huskies, showing the ability to save games and pitch multiple innings. With a chance to have a good three-pitch mix, some teams may want to move him back into a rotation once drafted, but worst-case, they'd have a pretty good lefty setup man on their hands. Rd 1A- Player Name: Ryan Dent Position: Shortstop/second base School: Wilson HS, Long Beach, Calif. School Type: High school Academic Class: Senior Birthdate: 03/15/89 Height: 5'10" Weight: 180 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right Report Date(s): 02/05/07 Game(s): Urban Academy Showcase Focus Area Comments Hitting Ability: Dent has some life in his bat and makes consistent contact. Power: Though not his top tool, Dent does have some pop. Running Speed: Dent may have been the fastest player at the Showcase, with one of the better 60 times at the event. Base Running: Dent puts his speed to very good use on the basepaths. Arm Strength: Dent has some arm strength, though there is some question over whether he'll be able to stay at shortstop. Fielding: Dent can play the middle infield, with his speed being his best asset. He's also a good enough athlete to handle a move to the outfield if needed. Range: Dent uses his plus speed to cover a decent amount of ground. Physical Description: Dent is a small, speedy and very athletic middle infielder. Medical Update: Dent was hurt last year, missing some of the summer showcases, but appeared healthy at the Urban Academy. Strengths: Speed and bat. Dent profiles as a future leadoff-hitting type. Weaknesses: Defense. There's debate over whether he'll be able to play shorstop long-term, with a move to second likely. Summary: With a strong bat and even better speed, Dent will be a very intriguing prospect for many teams. Athletes like this don’t grow on trees and Dent has shown the ability to hit to all fields and use his speed to wreak havoc on the basepaths. He may not be a middle infielder long-term, but many feel he’s athletic enough to handle a move to the outfield if needed. Rd 2- Player Name: Hunter Morris Position: First base/Outfield School: Grissom High School, Huntsville, AL School Type: High School Academic Class: Senior Birthdate: 10/07/88 Height: 6'4" Weight: 200 lbs. Bats: Left Throws: Right Report Date(s): 04/19/07 Game(s): Cullman High School Focus Area Comments Hitting Ability: Morris has decent bat speed but his approach at the plate will need some adjusting. Power: Morris has plus raw power from the left side of the plate. Running Speed: Morris has below-average speed. Base running: Despite below-average speed, Morris is an average base runner. Fielding: Right now, Morris is a slightly below-average fielder but will improve. Arm strength: He has a fringy average arm. Range: His range is currently below-average. Physical Description: The big, strong left-handed hitter has a body type similar to Nick Johnson. Medical Update: Patterson missed a large chunk of the season with a broken hammate bone in his hand, but came back healthy at the end of the season. Strengths: His plus raw power and average bat speed. Weaknesses: His overall hitting approach needs an overhaul and his defense is below-average. Summary: Morris has put up some ridiculous numbers as a high school outfielder and he does have some pretty legitimate raw power from the left side, a commodity often in high demand. The rest of his game is behind the pop, with his overall approach at the plate needing some work and his defense average at best. Some see him as a fourth outfielder at the next level, but someone is sure to take a chance on his power potential. Rd 3- Brock Huntzinger Rd 4- Christopher Province Rd 5- Player Name: Will Middlebrooks Position: Starting Pitcher/Infielder School: Liberty-Eylau HS, Texarkana, TX School Type: High School Academic Class: Senior Birthdate: Not available Height: 6'4" Weight: 200 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right Report Date(s): 02/22/07 Game(s): Henderson Focus Area Comments Hitting Ability: Good bat with power potential; very athletic. Power: Middlebrooks has the kind of power potential you'd hope to see in a 6-foot-4, 200-pounder. Running Speed: Middlebrooks is a slightly below-average runner. Arm Strength: As a pitching prospect as well, Middlebrooks has above-average arm strength. Fielding: Middlebrooks is an average fielder with decent hands. Range: He has average range, at best, and will likely move to third at the next level. Physical Description: Big and athletic, Middlebrooks is a two-sport star who was the team's quarterback and was an all-state punter. Medical Update: Healthy. Strengths: Athleticism, makeup, arm strength, power potential. Weaknesses: Running speed, range. Summary: Middlebrooks is a legitimate two-way threat. Aside from running speed, he possesses the tools scouts like to see at the plate (and on the mound). Focus Area Comments Fastball: Middlebrooks' fastball topped out at 94 mph and he threw it between 88-94 mph in his outing. Curve: He threw his curve in the 75-79 mph range and has the makings of an above-average power curve. Changeup: Middlebrook's changeup grades out as average right now and he threw it in the 77-80 mph range. Control: His overall command is a little below average right now. Poise: Middlebrooks has terrific makeup and is extremely competitive on the mound. Agrressiveness: Middlebrooks is very aggressive and went right after hitters. Physical Description: Big and athletic, Middlebrooks is a two-sport star who was the team's quarterback and was an all-state punter. Medical Update: Healthy. Strengths: Athleticism, makeup, three-pitch mix. Weaknesses: Command, particularly of his curve. Summary: Middlebrooks opened some eyes with the start of his 2007 season. A two-sport star who is also a position player prospect, he hasn't done that much pitching. If he were to focus solely on pitching, he could take off in the future.

The last time we faced the White Sox, our pitchers heated up their bats. So it is give and take. Mussina has very good control tonight, so regardless of the team, I'd expect him to have success. This much, maybe not, but he is on tonight.

Joba 5IP 6H 9K 0BB 1ER This guy is something else.

the draft guru's on other sites seem to love the Olbrychowski pick.