Bryan Smith (6:09:28 PM PT): Logan White is certainly my favorite character around the draft, because he’s always there to throw a surprise. I never understood the people that thought of Aaron Miller as an outfielder — he could never hit lefties, he had too long a swing, etc. But as a pitcher he caught on quickly, and he has a real nice chance to succeed. White is a sucker for lefties with good stuff, as Elbert and Kershaw and James Adkins and plenty of others could tell you.

They talked about Blake Smith as a pitcher not a hitter

Bryan Smith (6:36:22 PM PT): I think there’s better relievers available than Blake Smith, who got popped by the Dodgers. Smith has a nice, loose arm, but there’s better and more proven arms available, in my opinion.

Kevin Goldstein (6:38:48 PM PT): Blake Smith is an interesting pick at 56 as a pure arm strength guy to the Dodgers. His numbers at Cal are downright bad, but he can bring it.

Kevin Goldstein (6:47:51 PM PT): The Dodgers take Garret Gould in the second round and ends the announcement by calling him very lucky. In reality, L.A. is lucky he was still on the board and it’s a great pick.

Kevin Goldstein (7:33:26 PM PT): The Dodgers love bloodlines, and use their third round pick on Brett Wallach, a California Juco righty, and the son of Tim.

Wallach is the son of Tim Wallach, a 1979 first-round draft pick who was a longtime major leaguer with the Expos and Dodgers. Brett possesses a nearly ideal frame for a pitcher; at 6-foot-3 he’s lanky and projectable. Right now his fastball ranges from 88-89 mph, and his body promises more velocity in the future. His secondary pitches are excellent. Wallach features a slurve, which when thrown well has quick and late break. His changeup is his best pitch, showing sudden late drop while thrown with the same arm speed as his fastball. He has a smooth delivery, and his fluid arm action permits the ball to leave his hand easily. Wallach presents scouts with a complete package. He combines a big league lineage, projectable frame, smooth delivery, and an excellent feel for three pitches.

Gould just keeps getting better and was quickly pitching his way into the first round. He was the Kansas 6-A pitcher of the year in 2008, when he broke big leaguer Nate Robertson’s Maize High record with 95 strikeouts in 57 innings. He won MVP honors at the World Wood Bat Association championship last October, beating Shelby Miller in the quarterfinals and allowing just one hit and one walk while fanning 18 in eight shutout innings. After adding strength in the offseason, Gould has taken his fastball from 88-91 mph in 2008 to 91-94 mph this spring—and it’s not even his best pitch. He has one of the best curves among this draft’s high schoolers, a power breaker he delivers from a high three-quarters arm slot. He also dabbles with a changeup. Some scouts worry a little about effort in his mechanics, while others like how he stays tall and gets good extension out front. Gould is a quality 6-foot-4, 200-pound athlete who starred as a quarterback in football and as a forward in basketball before deciding to focus on baseball as a senior. He plays the outfield when he’s not pitching and has enough righthanded power to play both ways for Wichita State should he attend college. But he’ll probably go too high in the draft for that to happen.

Gould has one of the better arms in the high school class after the five big guns (Matzek, Miller, Purke, Wheeler, Turner), but a rough delivery will keep him out of the next group of prep arms selected once those five are off the board. Gould’s stuff is certainly as good as anyone’s after that quintet. He’ll sit 90-92 and hold that velocity for an entire outing with good downhill plane on the pitch. His out pitch is his power curve, 79-81 mph with a very sharp 12-to-6 break. But he doesn’t always finish the pitch the way he should, leaving the break a little shorter and softer than it is when he really snaps one off. The curve is good enough that his changeup is a show-me pitch now, although he’ll need to improve his feel for it and get his arm working a little quicker on it. His delivery has multiple problems. He reaches down and back after taking his hand out of his glove, adding length and some stress on his shoulder when he starts to come forward. He lands very stiffly and often bounces on his front foot after releasing the ball. He has some head violence as he finishes — not a lot, but enough that it’s noticeable. The implications of these delivery issues for his future health and command probably will push him down half a round or so, but the stuff and body are good enough to keep him in the top two rounds. He has committed to Wichita State.

California’s lefthanded-hitting, righty-pitching Smith perplexed scouts all spring. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, he has premium size to go with athleticism,. He had emerged as a premium prospect last summer with USA Baseball’s college national team, when he hit .327 with three homers (second on the team) while also throwing nine scoreless innings, striking out 11. Smith flashes terrific stuff on the mound but struggled in getting hitters out. After early-season difficulties on the mound he has rarely pitched since, finally being relegated only to a DH role by a lat muscle strain. As a pitcher, Smith fires a 92-94 mph fastball, which exhibits fine arm side movement but is straight to his glove side. His 82-84 mph changeup resembles an old-fashioned palm ball, and that pitch shows both arm side movement and "drop dead" action. Unfortunately for Smith, he has poor command and control and gets behind hitters too often. A pitcher with his quality of stuff should not get hit as hard or as frequently as he did this year, when he walked 20 in 20 innings. As an outfielder, Smith has a well above average right fielders arm, and his long, sweeping lefthanded swing produces provocative home run power. However, the length and severe uppercut path of his swing may produce holes that professional pitchers can exploit. Observers who saw him regularly with Team USA last summer believe Smith might be better suited for the everyday player role than working on the mound, and see him as fitting the right-field profile perfectly if his bat emerges. However, plenty of scouts believe in Smith’s future as a short stint relief man. To be successful in that venture, Smith must greatly improve his command. No one doubts he has the raw stuff to succeed in a middle relief capacity, but he may make it as a hitter as well.

Smith came into the spring as a potential top-40 pick, but his struggles on the mound and a season-ending oblique injury are going to push him at least to the second round. When healthy, Smith has a big fastball with sink. He is a potential impact reliever if he can improve his command, sitting close to 96 — as a starter, Smith would sit 92-93 — and he gets hard downward motion on the pitch from his arm slot and grip. His secondary pitches need work — his arm is visibly slower on his changeup, and he doesn’t get consistent break on his downer curve. In fact, everything Smith throws is vertical (fastball with sink, changeup without tail, 12-to-6 curve), making it tough for him to pitch laterally, and his arm slot isn’t good for a slider. He’s also had command issues, exacerbated this year with control trouble. He’s a good athlete with a quick arm, and he takes a nice long stride to the plate during his delivery. He does play the outfield but has nowhere near the bat to make him a prospect as a position player. Smith’s struggles and early departure from the mound may have some teams sleeping on him despite his track record of better stuff and performances; call me old-fashioned, but I think guys who hit 96 with sink are good fliers to take.

Baylor was supposed to have one of college baseball’s best rotations, and instead it has been the biggest disappointment. Kendal Volz, a projected early first-rounder when the season opened, has seen his stuff regress. A pair of possible second-rounders, Shawn Tolleson (elbow issues) and Craig Fritsch (command woes and a lack of mental toughness), fared even worse, and the trio combined for just eight wins this season. Though he faded down the stretch, Miller was the Bears’ best pitcher for much of the spring and pitched himself into the top two rounds in the process. Though he hadn’t pitched regularly since high school, Miller repeatedly showed a 91-94 mph fastball and a nasty 82-83 mph slider. His command is spotty, but the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder has the athleticism to improve with more experience. Miller first emerged as a top pitching prospect when he threw 90-91 mph as a high school sophomore, but by his senior year he was more highly regarded as a right fielder in the mold of Paul O’Neill. Miller didn’t want to pitch as a freshman for Baylor and made just six mound appearances in 2008. He still started in right field for the Bears when he wasn’t pitching, and hit .310 while rankings second on the club with 12 homers and 47 RBIs. But it’s clear now that his future will be on the mound.

This was the part of the quote I liked.

He’s 6-2, 220 pounds and some scouts consider him a pitcher, but the Dodgers drafted him as a power-hitting corner outfielder, especially after the long-ball display he put on during a workout Monday at Dodger Stadium, where he showed a shoulder injury was healed.

Sounds a lot like Kyle Russell but with a gun in the outfield.

Taking Miller who some considered an outfielder first and pitcher 2nd, and taking him as a pitcher. Then Blake Smith who many considered a power relief pitcher first and a hitter 2nd, and taking him as an outfielder. Garrett Gould fell to us and now we need to find out if they will spend the bonus money on him. They certainly should have it in the budget since Aaron Miller sounds like he wants to sign without a fuss and get to pitching as quickly as possible and we didn’t have a 1st round pick.

Three college players with one high risk/high reward high school pitcher. I like it so far.

hit two absolute rockets last night. The ball just exploded off his bat, compared to the dull thud that accompanied the sound of Loney’s bat meeting the ball.

From 2008:

#36: $988,000
#56: $715,000
#65: $625,000
#96: $391,000

Mario Songco, CF, Loyola Marymount U

I added the audio link above

Damon Berryhill’s son just went to the Braves

C Jeremy Wise (from U of Oklahoma)

Jeremy Wise, C, U of Oklahoma

I was under the impression players didn’t need to apply for the draft, but everyone seems to have a draft ID, so I’m wondering how those are compiled.

http://www.dailynews.com/dodgers/ci_12558107

Despite all he has done, a spot on the bench still is in Juan Pierre’s near future.

Manager Joe Torre confirmed Tuesday when Manny Ramirez returns from his 50-game suspension early next month, he plans to sit one of the team’s hottest hitters.

Pierre entered Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres batting .360 with 21 RBIs. Since Ramirez went to the sideline May 7 he has bated .362 with 10 doubles, 18 RBIs, 23 runs, 12 walks and 12 steals. The Dodgers were 18-12 over that stretch.

“Yeah, I really didn’t consider any other option,” Torre said.

He called Matt Kemp his best option in center field and Andre Ethier one of the team’s best power threats. As for Ramirez, he’s in another category for Torre altogether.

http://www.dailynews.com/dodgers/ci_12558107

Despite all he has done, a spot on the bench still is in Juan Pierre’s near future.

Manager Joe Torre confirmed Tuesday when Manny Ramirez returns from his 50-game suspension early next month, he plans to sit one of the team’s hottest hitters.

Pierre entered Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres batting .360 with 21 RBIs. Since Ramirez went to the sideline May 7 he has bated .362 with 10 doubles, 18 RBIs, 23 runs, 12 walks and 12 steals. The Dodgers were 18-12 over that stretch.

“Yeah, I really didn’t consider any other option,” Torre said.

He called Matt Kemp his best option in center field and Andre Ethier one of the team’s best power threats. As for Ramirez, he’s in another category for Torre altogether.

Jeremy goes by J.T.

Here’s some info on him.

calls other players “butt kissers” apparently.

http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=4669652

Jan Vasquez, C, Puerto Rico

I wonder if this has anything to do with Martin’s performance?

is it Mario or Angelo, either way it looks like Logan is going for power these days.
From the MLB scouting report mentioned above.

Every Draft class has at least a few pure power hitters in it, usually from the college ranks. Songco fits the description, with plus power to all fields. He’s willing to take a walk, but he’ll also carry the bat back to the dugout quite a bit. He’s likely going to be stuck in left field as a pro as his defensive skill set wouldn’t allow another place. That’s OK, because the bat should play wherever he is stationed defensively. That kind of pop usually doesn’t last too long on Draft day.

Local boy from Granada Hills

Kevin Goldstein (9:24:50 AM PT): Dodgers at 127 take Mario Songco, one of the better pure college hitters/performers, just not a big tools guy.

“Governor Thomas Johnson High School” is a ridiculously long name for a HS

By the way, pronouncing Vazquez’s first name “Yon” helps him escape my wrath via one of my rules to live by:

“never trust a guy with a chick name”

Bryan Smith (9:14:14 AM PT): Jason, Kiley, readers, your Bud Selig comments!

Jon (SF): I have no idea how much Bud’s suit cost, but don’t you think he could fix his tie and not look so disheveled?

Frank (Vegas): Has anyone told Bud Selig that this event is being televised?

Will (Boston): Have you noticed Selig scowl everytime right after he says the next team is on the clock? What’s the deal with that?

But my favorite two:

strupp (Madison): Do you think Stern and Goodell mock Bud to the point of tears about his draft announcing during Commissioner Getaways?

David (Sonoma State University, CA): I bet Bud Selig and Al Davis drink the same brand of scotch.

http://www.sonsofstevegarvey.com/

Brandon Martinez, RHP, HS CA

Brandon Martinez RHP

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=4961152&content_id=4737151

Is that Kim Ng announcing the picks for the Dodgers?

if you had been a Brandon you’d be playing minor league ball right now instead of writing about it.

Martinez looks rail thin here (but we like our Martinezes thin).

is here

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/224/story/728016.html

Jonathan Garcia RF Puerto Rico

listed as 5’10", 185 here.

here’s his pic:

The Rockies last pick was Musick to my ears

Kevin Goldstein (10:10:02 AM PT): Tripon (L.A.): Seems the Dodgers are hitting Puetro Rico pretty hard with their draft picks so far. Is there a perceived talent gap the Dodgers are exploiting?

KG: I wouldn’t rule that out. Puerto Rico talent often does well on a talent vs. affordability level as well.

Brian Hernandez SS another Okie

Kevin Goldstein (9:56:32 AM PT): jdmurphy (Chicago): How can they make their picks so quickly?

It’s a lot of planning. At this point, you have your board and you cross guys off and in the end, you tend to say the name at the top. Meanwhile others are calling kids to make sure they’ll sign and stuff.

From the Oklahoman on Bryant Hernandez:

→Bryant Hernandez, Jr., SS: The slick-fielding Hernandez enjoyed a breakout season at the plate, banging 12 home runs and driving in 62 runs — tying for the team lead. A first-team All-Big 12 pick, Hernandez is a rising player at a coveted position.

and on Wise:

→J.T. Wise, Sr., C: Once Wise got readjusted at catcher — he spent two years at second base for LSU — his college career took off. And just in time. The Big 12 Player of the Year, Wise had a great season at the plate and behind the plate and put himself on the radar with scouts.

Dodgers should pick a bunch of guys from The Conference That was Superior to the Pac10 in Baseball This Year. ;-)

Kneel before Zeid

Subway has found a new Jared, and his name is Hong-Chih Kuo. The Dodgers setup man is the sandwich chain’s pitchman in Taiwan and the star of this bizarre commercial in which he dons a No. 69 Subway jersey. If you’re wondering why, the six-inch subs cost NT$69, which comes out to two bucks in the states. If the advertising can be believed, it appears scarfing some Subway might help him come off the DL.

3 college pitchers
2 HS pitchers
2 college OF
1 HS OF
1 college C
1 HS C
1 college SS

What is the consensus? Is Gould the best pick so far, if he signs? Or is it Miller?

Bryan Smith (10:31:13 AM PT): Remember when Dennis Dixon almost won the Heisman Trophy, but was then playing summer ball with the Atlanta Braves? The Angels are going for a similar thing by drafting University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker. Like Dixon, he hasn’t played baseball since high school, but with an up and down college career, the Angels are going to see if they can’t get him to give up football.

Jeff Locker out of the Pac-10? Sweeeeeeet. Do it Angels!

Oklahoma Sooners seem to have a lot of people drafted today

Connor Powers 1B Mississippi State

1) Gould
2) Miller
3) Martinez (thin CA high schooler who throws 94)

I am shockingly unproductive today

things need to be done.

From this point forward, there’s only one guy I want the Dodgers to draft, because I can guarantee I can get an interview with him. But I don’t want to say who it is just yet.

Joseph Paxson RHP Western Kentucky

Casio Grider SS Newberry College

Jeffrey Hunt 3B, St Benedict Catholic HS

Michael Pericht, C St. Joseph’s College

Stephen Ames, RHP Gonzaga

Greg Wilborn (rhymes with Craig Kilborn), LHP, Louisiana Lafayette

Nick Akins, take two! LF Vanguard

Frederick Palo, RHP, HS, Tennessee

Cubs just selected a guy named Eric Erickson…that’s just lazy naming.

going on the all-name team? Dodgers just selected him, out of BYU.

reminds me of ex-Laker Mike Smrek. :)

Why do teams go out of their way to point that a player they just drafted is related to another?

Peter (Los Angeles)

Thoughts on Dodgers first pick Aaron Miller? LHP with minimal exp. Another snag by Logan White? Also odd the Dodgers sign Gould?
Klaw

I don’t think Gould needs first-round money to sign unless his price spiked in the last week before the draft. That’s a sleeper draft for me with him and Miller – Miller faded a little down the stretch and it may have depressed his value in a lot of eyes (including mine).

Astros’ getting a little pissy after the MLB guy interrupted them when he realized it was Toronto’s turn before them. It would have been funny if Toronto picked Houston’s guy just out of spite.

Matt (Austin)

Keith, The Dodgers just took Rich Shaffer in the 25th round….how does he project in the majors?
Klaw

I think that’s just a flier – he’s very likely to go to school.

I’d create some awesome articles about a player from bumfuckIdaho and then get a major league team to draft him and watch everyone link to the fake stories since they would never have heard of him and would have to rely on google searches for their info.

1. The person who posted on DT that the lead Dodger story was Manny was correct. He spent a page in a 1/2 talking about a pointless Manny conversation and then in passing mentioned in the last paragraph that the Dodgers had won the game last night. The headline on the inside page was about the four home runs but barely a mention of it in the story.
2. They talked about Aaron Miller and that is about it when it came to the draft even though the complete first day was in plenty of time for them to do a story.
3. Then again they did have six stories on page one and two about the Lakers losing. The world is ending again.

Brenden Webb.

Wait, what? It’s not the pitcher? Shit!

I don’t think he talks Dodgers much anymore.

my one sure fire interview hasn’t been drafted yet by anyone…looking slim

Must be rough.

The open to one of his blog posts today:

The current Red Sox-Yankees series, aside from featuring the two best teams in the majors — with apologies to the Dodgers, but let’s be serious — also features two of the game’s great first basemen

Emphasis mine.

DODGERS
Pierre, LF
Hudson, 2B
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Blake, 3B
Martin, C
Furcal, SS
Kemp, CF
Kershaw, LHP

PADRES
Gwynn, CF
Eckstein, 2B
A. Gonzalez, 1B
Kouzmanoff, 3B
Headley, LF
E. Gonzalez, RF
Blanco, C
Wilson, SS
Correia, RHP