Draft Day - Dodger Draft Thread
by Phil Gurnee on Jun 9, 2009 11:49 AM PDT
in Draft
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PrintThe Major League Draft kicks off today at 03:00 PCT but the Dodgers won't be involved for quite a while as they gave up their number one pick to sign Orlando Hudson and didn't get one back when the Braves signed D Lowe. The first few picks of the Dodgers will go like this thanks to SilverWidow:
#36 Supplemental 1st round pick (for Derek Lowe)
#56 Braves' 2nd round pick (for Lowe)
#65 Dodgers' 2nd round pick
#96 Dodgers' 3rd round pick
Here are some excellent links to whet your appetite for the draft.
Baseball Analysts are covering every aspect of the draft, not just the Dodgers.
Andy Seiler did a fan post on SB Nations Minor League Baseball which has a review of the Logan White drafts, this is a great read from a different perspective. I wish he went into more detail on all the picks but this is a great read and one I recommend for anyone interested in how Logan White handles his drafts.
Brendan found this review of prior Dodger drafts by Fangraphs
To really make you appreciate how much Logan White means to the organization I did a review of the 1999 - 2001 draft pre - Logan White back in Sept of 2007.
Also back in Sept of 2007 and it needs to be updated I did a review of the 2002/2003 drafts
The current Dodger roster has the following players drafted by Logan White
1st James Loney - 1st round, 2002, 19th pick, High School
2nd Blake DeWitt - 1st round, 2004, 28th pick, High School
C Russell Martin - 17th round, 2002, 511th pick, Chipola College
CF Matt Kemp - 6th round, 2003, 181st pick, High School
SP Chad Billingsley - 1st round, 2003, 24th pick, High School
SP Clayton Kershaw - 1st round, 2006, 7th Pick, High School
SP Eric Stults - 15th round, 2002, 451st pick, Bethel College
SP James McDonald - 11th round, 2002, 311rd pick, Golden West College
RP - Jonathan Broxton - 2nd round, 2002, 60th pick, High School
RP - Corey Wade - 10th round, 2004, 298th pick, Kentucky Wesleyan College
RP - Brent Leach - 6th round, 2005, 196th pick, University of Southern Mississippi, Delta State
Complete Dodger Draft provided by Baseball Reference from 2002 - 2008
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Thomas Mendonca
A player I’d like to draft today is Thomas Mendonca. He’s the 3b from Fresno State’s championship team. Scouting reports describe him as athletic and power-hitting, while my memories of him are of his toughness and “clutchness.” Not sure when he’d go, but I wouldn’t mind taking a chance on him.
"Heck, he’s the best shortstop in the entire draft."
Over at MLB’s site they are projecting ~30% of the 1st-rounders to be California kids.
This (of course) caught my eye & would be a good home for Grant since the Dodgers have very little chance of him falling down to 36th. -
“19. St. Louis Cardinals: Grant Green, SS, USC
Green remains one of the tougher guys to pinpoint, with his name still in the mix all over the board. He could go higher or he could slide until the end of the first round. For now, he stays put.”
.
: ) Phil – This is from The Baseball Analysts site that you linked above }
“Rich: Although (USC’’s Grant) Green didn’t live up to expectations as a junior, he is still a first-round talent. Heck, he’s the best shortstop in the entire draft.” Fight On!
Green
The big thing with Green is most in the industry don’t think he can stay at SS.
really?
Cause that’s been pretty much the big talking point with Green for pretty much the entire year. That and his disappointing junior year.
Power numbers were very disappointing though especially after his performance in the Cape Cod League.
Some scouts I talked to think that Green was suffering from a case of draftitis. Wouldn’t surprise me, but most of the hype on him as died, especially with the questions of his position.
In this morning’s mock draft, BA didn’t even have him in the first round. Sounds like he can go anywhere from 8 to somewhere in the supplemental round.
My morning paper - OC Reg "... (Green) could be better than Casey Blake..."
Green’s advocates say he has the potential to develop into a “five-tool” player. Even the scout who said Green isn’t a top-five choice said he could be “better than Casey Blake,” who just so happens to be the starting third baseman for the NL West-leading Dodgers.
Trojan fans are great. You criticize one of their own and they defend him to the death.
Green could be 5 tool player but it probably won’t be at a premium up the middle position. Here is some info on him from Keith Law
Green remains one of the top college bats in this draft, but his stock has taken a hit due to his light power production and problems on defense at short.
n the field, Green is athletic enough to play shortstop but has had trouble both with fielding and throwing all spring.
n a deeper year, he’d probably slip to the back of the first round or the sandwich round because of the issues with his swing and defense
Still we'd be thrilled to get him with the 36th
pick, don’t you think?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Was just curious
if you were down on him.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Not at all
but it can’t be argued that he had a disappointing draft year. If he hadn’t he would be a lock for the top 5. Something Trojan fan can’t wrap his head around.
Is a Pac-10 fight going to break out
we need some UCLA folks to step.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
How is taken out of context? He’s had a disappointing year, there are question marks about his defense, and he’s obviously fell on draft boards.
I just read the whole piece. You were selective.
I don’t blame you. Agree to disagree.
See what happens real soon.
Really?
Cause that’s been the main talking point with Green for pretty much the entire season. That and his disappointing junior year.
How about taking
Carlos Beltran’s nephew (in the 2nd or 3rd rounds?) Looks like a player.
Meanwhile, some good analysis from Steve Henson in his draft preview on Yahoo, broken out by college and HS. On the Yahoo Sports MLB home page.
Interesting to note
we don’t have one player on the major league roster from a big time College baseball program.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Though I was pleased we drafted Clayton Allison
last year after watching him pitch Fresno State to the NCAA World Series Championship last summer, just because he was fun to watch.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
2008 draft had several big college players drafted
Russell from Texas
Lindblom from Purdue
Buss from USC
Allison from Fresno State
St. Clair from Rice
Austin Young from Standford
Could see three of those make it to the show
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Thanks
he really changed up in 2008 and the results might be worth it.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Seems like it
I remember Canuckdodger (I Believe that’s his handle) commenting on Logan White changing up his approach in last year’s draft on the old Dodgerthoughts site. I will try and find it.
Here ya go
http://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1013023.html
Some of his conclusions ended up being a tad wrong (Linblom going back to starting for example) but it is an interesting read.
Interesting
But not surprising. Dodgers have always leaned HS especially in the Logan White era. Seems like he favors juco players as well.
Recently he’s dipped into the college ranks (Russell comes to mind as a player from a big program)
Can't count, he was drafted by another team.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
For all the love we give Logan
other then Kemp we are still missing an impact bat from all his drafts. His strong suit and the scoutings strong suit certainly seems to be finding power arms that have major league ability.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Well what about Martin? Slow start this year but I’d still call him an impact bat.
But yea, he’s focused on pitching with his first rounders.
Also sort of ironic that one of the better bats he drafted (Loney) was coveted by other teams as a pitcher.
Impact Bat?
Not in my book. This is 2009, not 2007.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
He has showed something though
and he’s still young. I think it is a bit early to give up on Martin as an impact back.
Not giving up
but you can’t call a guy with a sub 300% slug% an impact bat. Against RHP he’s been the worse position hitter in baseball after 1/3 of the season.
Even at his best, he was a good bat, but not an impact bat. Even Kemp has not yet delivered on what I would call an impact bat. Someone who can post a 120 OPS for a full year. I don’t think I’m setting the bar to high for what an impact bat is.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
List of players with a 120+ OPS since 1954 for the Dodgers
http://www.bb-ref.com/play-index/shareit/kNwv
who qualified for the batting title with 502 plate appearances.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I also forgot to add Xavier Paul to the list above since he's on the DL
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
True- but I consider him part of the 25 man because
he will be before the year is out.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Troncoso is the only e Amateur international signee
on the active big squad with Kuo on the DL.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Sounds like the top 8 is set
According to JIm Callis of BA
These eight picks look fairly certain:
1. Nationals: San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg.
2. Mariners: North Carolina first baseman Dustin Ackley.
3. Padres: Georgia HS outfielder Donavan Tate.
4. Pirates: Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez.
5. Orioles: California HS righthander Matt Hobgood.
6. Giants: Georgia HS righthander Zack Wheeler.
7. Braves: Vanderbilt lefthander Mike Minor.
8. Reds: North Carolina righhander Alex White.
Totally sucks to see Alex White
going with that early. While Price wanted to go to College and we never had a shot at him, we did have a shot at Alex White if McCourt had opened his wallet.
Kyle Blair is also expected to be a number one pick next year. If he ends up being a top ten it will really show how shortsighted Frank/Ned have been with trusting Logan on his draft picks and not going the extra mile to bring these high school kids into the fold.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
White and Blair were the ones that got away. 2 Big screw ups by management. Blair had some arm problems this season and couldn’t finish the year for USD. But if he signs with the Dodgers he might not have those problems with lower workloads.
Thing is
that one thing Logan has proven is his ability to nail these high school power arms. When have that going for you, you should take advantage of it for as long as he’s in the organization.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Zach Cox
Keep an eye on Zach Cox also, he’ll be playing as a freshman for Arkansas in Omaha. In two more years we could be talking about him as “one that got away” :(
What is Robert Stock's
stock these days? He was like the best prep high schooler in the West Valley and then skipped his senior year to go to USC.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I've read
that his stock is back up after two bad years as 2-way player. He didn’t perform as the Trojans starting catcher but may how found a niche as a starting pitcher.
He could be an interesting pick because he’s young for a college player because of his situation. And his arm is pretty fresh for a college junior since he started off as a two way player. He looked great against us this year.
That was a big jump
he attempted going in as USC’s starting catcher at a senior high school age.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Haha
I was gonna say, another guy who screwed up going to USC too early. I bet the song girls were worth it though!
I still believe Logan White does not like to throw money at picks.
He likes guys that are not high on BA’s list, he signs guys at slot. Now, its fair to argue that McCourt hamstrings him with a budget but if they thought they could sign White, why wouldn’t they have drafted him higher in 2006.
Kyle Blair still puzzles me because White has never made that kind of pick (signability issues) with that high a pick before.
Tate
I’m surprised the Padres are taking Tate. He has big money demands and I didn’t think the Padres would be spending that much money in the draft. If they would why not just take Matzek. He seems to have less question marks surrounding him as a high school player than Tate does. Perhaps there is more risk because he is a position player. Anyways color me surprised.
He probably still won't drop out of the first round.
The Yankees or the Red Sox will snap him up at least, but damn. I want him.
Seven minutes
the suspense is killing me.
Kind of like when the Clippers will be on the clock for the first overall pick:)
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
And the Clippers select:
Jeff Ross: OH MY GOD! ITS TAYLOR HANSBROUGH. THE CLIPPERS SELECT TAYLOR HANSBROUGH IN A UPSET.
Jinx
Don’t jinx them, the Clippers could easily screw that up.
You can't screw up the overall first pick
when it is a no – brainer. Besides Elgin is no longer in charge of the draft.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
no way they screw it
griffin will be the pick
So we will barely have our first pick done
by the time I leave for the game.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Per Keith Law’s chat this afternoon, I didn’t realize that teams wanting to draft re-entries that didn’t sign with them (i.e. Aaron Crow with the Nats or Tanner Scheppers with the Pirates last year) have to get permission from the player to re-draft him in year 2.
Just because two sides can’t agree doesn’t mean one side screwed up.
The rule, to me, prevents vindictive “keep away” drafting, like if the Nats re-drafted Aaron Crow just to say “I’ll show you” by not signing him again and making him wait a year. Then again, that’s stupid for the team to waste a pick on, and they would pay dearly anyway.
Yea
Interesting, I didn’t know that either.
Crow didn’t make Law’s mock draft, I would be excited if he fell all the way to our pick. Scheppers seems like more of a medical risk than Crow but recently hit triple digits in an Independent League game. Wouldn’t mind either guy at 35 obviously.
BP's Kevin Goldstein
has Schepper and Crow going in the first 15. He also had Matzek going to the Orioles
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Fuentes from BP
Massive Helium Watch: Reymond Fuentes, OF. The top talent in Puerto Rico has been in the US this week, and his private workouts have been nothing short of stunning. He’s a 70-plus runner with impressive bat speed and some power, and the teams that like him think he could develop into a true power/speed threat in center field. He wasn’t even in my Top 50 on Saturday, but in the last 24 hours he’s been attached to teams as high as Detroit at #9 (where his workout for them bordered on legendary), to plenty of teams picking in the 20s. Most likely to take a shot at him? The Astros at 21, the Angels with one of their picks at 24 and 25, or the Rays at 30.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Seems so strange to see the Rays with the 30th pick
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
More BP on our James McDonald
Don’t you, forget about him
James McDonald, RHP, Dodgers (Triple-A Albuquerque)
Monday’s stats: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 10 K
McDonald opened camp in the big leagues as part of the Dodgers rotation, but control issues moved him to the bullpen, and further control issues sent him back to Double-A. Don’t let those 18.2 innings suddenly write him off as a prospect. His ceiling isn’t tremendous as a guy whose secondary stuff is better than his heater, but he’s striking out more than a batter per inning at Triple-A while limiting Pacific Coast League hitters to a .226 batting average while most importantly, throwing strikes. He’ll almost certainly be back at some point.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Donovan Tate is a really good football prospect
But he is a better baseball one and he lacks a defined position in football, so I hope he does fall to A’s and they take him.
Jim Callis
How uncomfortable does Jim Callis look on TV.
Cool, I loved the 68 Series.
69 was the first series I saw on TV, good way to start out a TV series career.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I remember the buildup of McDonald
injuries did him in
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I've seen arguments
that your boy will have a better career
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Leake?
Really? I’m as big an ASU homer as there is but I can’t see it. I think he’ll have a long major league career for someone though. Hopefully not the Dbacks.
Leake projects to a mid rotation type and should be able to reach it fairly easily.
Nobody really knows how Strasburg will develop, I guess.
Prior and McDonald
are good comp’s and while they both started out great, they fizzled due to injuries very quickly.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Clock
The clock would be much more dramatic if you could trade picks.
I don't see what the big deal is with Ackley.
He just has great contact abilities?
Put up big numbers for a guy that projects at center or second
and this draft is just not that deep with elite talent.
But
Projected average power and average defensive ability doesn’t sound so gret to me unless he hits like Tony Gwynn. Certainly not worthy of being the first position player picked.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Still not seeing
The high ceiling. If he can’t be a top 5 player at a position he shouldn’t be the number 2 pick.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow, they got Tate.
Great pick for them in my opinion.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Will Hart ever say, he hates the pick?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
The Pads have Adrian Gonzalez and Peavy
I’d much rather watch them than McCutchen.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Not to mention
The X-Factor
HEART
GRIT
HUSTLE
Austin Kearns???
That is what you lead off the 98 draft with and call it good?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Scheppers
Fresno State coach Batesole is on the record as saying he’d take Scheppers over Strasburg. Yes, that’s a non-sequitor.
Yeah
I like how it said Tony on the bottom of the screen even though Selig said Jorge.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions
A bit but earlier Law had this pick nailed.
It is definitely a reach and IMO a stupid pick.
Rumors are Pittsburgh wants to use a lot of their amateur budget to sign this Dominican SS Sano.
at least they are planning on spending money
in the international market. That budget to sign Sano is probably more then McCourt has spent on the international market since he bought the team
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
When does he not like a pick?
A nation waits…
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Jason Churchill:
It’s not Matt Bush, but it’s certainly not the best player available. The Padres are just bad at this. Big risk, but if he maxes out, it’s a big payoff. The video Keith took of Tate is interesting when you watch his swing. It’s not a mess, and a lot of prep hitters have bad swings or major concerns with them, at least, cough (Bobby) Borchering.
Really?
I like taking the high ceiling guys, but then what do I know. I’d compare taking Ackley to the Chiefs taking Tyson Jackson in the NFL draft. Just not enough potential to be worth it.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Atheltic?
I’m guessing this dude played 1B and didn’t have much range.
Goldstein
KG: Sanchez is a tasty burger, Posey and Wieters are the best steaks and that expensive place downtown.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
At least Callis will probably say what he thinks of the picks
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Hate to say it
But this is a solid pick for the Giants. Another young arm to add to their stable.
They'll still be paying Zito when a lot their pitchers might be ready
But will they figure out who to deal.
Seriously
Can you imagine Goodell or Stern doing that?
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Bud Selig is an idiot.
I can’t believe he just did that.
Sleeper pick?
I don’t think you take sleepers at #7 overall John.
Retard
This guy is a retard (did you guys see The Hangover)
No need to worry about Wheeler and the Giants
one of my rules to live by:
“never trust a man from a city with a name from a city in another state” (Dallas, GA in this case)
This is a corollary of another rule of mine:
“never trust a man with a geographic location for a name” (one exception: Orlando Hudson)
Selig needs to have the cards written up
For what to say.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Projection
Not much projection with Leake, he’ll move fast.
MLB Network commercial, showed the brothers as kids playing little league or t-ball, wearing Dodger shirts
Were they dropping bombs back then too?
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions
That guy sounds amazing.
Were they standing out at least? Maybe huge guys?
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Good for the Tigers
Fuck Bud and his slot money.
Some Mississippi
Newspaper broke the story. That’s a bit odd.
Matzek?
What’s with the rest of the NL West getting aggresive all of a sudden?
Yea tough sign
Hopefully Uncle Phil gives Horton a lot of money to give to this kid under the table.
Green
For the SC fans, I think Green could go in the next two picks.
Grant Green is a baseball player
Fantastic analysis.
And he compares him to Bobby Crosby
And A’s Nation begins to weep.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions
No, remember when Bilas criticized Josh Smith so badly
That his parents starting talk crap about him during the draft?
No
But that sounds hilarious. I want to see that.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
MLB Draft
Definitely isn’t known for the excitement.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Just wait until it gets into conference call territory tomorrow!
Then we get to hear when one team puts everyone on hold and we hear hold music for 5-10 seconds before someone at MLB mutes them out :)
The conference call part, at least…I may have projected a bit from my own standard office experience about the hold music though :)
Not true
Sometimes they look good. Look it up. ;-)
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I miss the conference calls
It was lot more exciting especially when they would read off their draft number
MLBTV is going to have to go away
from the lifers if they want some interesting commentary. Most of these guys won’t pan out, yet they are all great picks.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Are any draft commentators ever interesting
The thing is for football and basketball they usually have tape.
I don't think the Draft will ever be considered that interesting
Just because people don’t know who the players are.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't about that,
The NBA draft is always hilarious because the TV crews on ESPN or TNT crews will act crazy in order to make it entertaining.
Yeah but
People actually watch college football and basketball, so they know who the players are. I don’t even know who most of the guys getting picked are other than reading a line or two about them.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Most of you guys are too young to remember when
All you knew from the draft was who were the first round picks, the rest of it was a mystery.
This guy can't hit right?
That’s what I read somewhere.
Nope
He’s not going to make it to the majors. ;-)
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions
This is a good pick.
He has a lot of upside, I think they took the best guy out there. I like this pick.
Another very good pick
according to the “experts”.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Isn’t Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and not “Notre Dame, Indiana?”
Bud Selig should be the Commissioner of Geography
Keith Law: The Diamondbacks were resigned to the idea that Borchering wasn’t going to get to them. He’s an upside player of a different sort, as all of his upside is in his bat — with the expectation that he’ll only play first base down the road.
Jason Churchill: Lot of risk there, since he’s a 1B only and hasn’t the best swing. Big-time bat speed and a switch hitter, though. Upside pick. I’d play him at first immediately and develop his bat.
Jason Churchill: I’d bet the farm they try Pollock at second base.
Keith Law: I have to think this is kind of a dream scenario for Arizona — two players they really wanted, at least one of whom looked like he’d go ahead of them in Borchering. I know some teams were looking at moving Pollock to second, like Jason said, and the Cardinals worked him out at shortstop. If he can convert to the infield, he’s a top-ten talent.
On the MLB.com feed, they have a Twitter feed of a lot of the insiders…this is from the A’s:
W/ our pick up, 5 players in our top 13 are still on the board..just showing that there’s a lot of difference of opinion in this yrs draft
If anyone is interested in seeing just about every nook and cranny of Petco Park (perhaps in advance of seeing Manny on July 3?), someone on Gaslamp Ball took in a game yesterday and posted some photos here.
I read that
if we get rained out on our road trip then Manny would not debut until July 4th. Just a FYI for the July 3rd Petco crowd.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I think that is school he was Class President of
and graduated from then went to play college football.
I on the other hand, did none of those things.
Will we make our pick before the Laker game starts?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
John Hart
Picked both the Lakers and the Magic to win the NBA Finals this year. true story.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions
John Hart
loved Bo Diaz so there you go
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Another great pick.
Mr. Hart,
I don’t think it’s possible for your analysis to be any more boring. 95% of the people watching have no idea who these players are, if you just call each one a great pick they don’t glean any insight from you at all. Please say something else one time.
Sincerely,
Brendan
Are the MLB Network guys
told to not say anything negative about any pick? Because I’ve been mostly listening to them so far while working and every pick has been “great” with no doubts or anything. Just seems odd. Or maybe they’re just in good moods!
(Sorry if this was covered before, been trying to catch up on comments here)
We are all in the same boat as you.
I’m wondering why I am watching this.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Just waiting
for the Dodgers first pick is probably the reason for most of us.
Maybe there will be at least a different person other than Bud Selig in the next round.
If MLBTV
uses Hart again next year then my hopes for them will fall off a cliff. They have Callis, how many times have they used him?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Maybe he's mocking their comments off camera
To be fair, Goldstein at BP hasn’t exactly said to much negative about most of these picks either.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
All of them.
No team has made a mistake thus far. Each and every pick has been excellent, a future All-Star. You are missing out on history. Just ask John Hart.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Angels
go for back to back outfielders. Interesting
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
It would be aweome
if the Dodgers are the first pick they scratch their heads at.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I was thinking this earlier
“I don’t know what ot think of this” from John Hart would convince me he’s a future first ballot HoFer
It'd probably mean
We actually made a good pick.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm afraid
that the first time these guys will say something critical will be with the Dodgers pick. Hopefully they’ll pick a gamer, or an athlete.
Randal Grichuk
Jason Churchill: I’ll refer to Keith on this one, but it seems to be a bit of a reach.
Keith Law: Worst pick of the first round for me. Has pull power but he’s a corner outfielder with an extreme pull approach. Will be very, very curious to see how he does once he reaches high A-ball.
I might remember him
Just because of how hilarious that whole setup was.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Trout, trout...
let it all out… these are the things I care about… come on! I’m drafting you, come on!
D Young
batting 3rd and playing 2nd is 2/2 tonight so far.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Mike Trout
Ed’s note: Keith Law grabbing food.
Jason Churchill: Trout is a power-hitting right-handed bat who, if he can stick in center field, is a good value at 25 for the Angels. He may ask for well over slot — those were the rumors coming in — but on talent alone, a solid selection.
Best available — Scheppers, Paxton, Stassi, Myers, Arnett, Bullock, Fuentes, Poythress.
I'm guessing the next pick
Will be either a five tool stud or a future ace. Just going out on a limb.
Franklin
OMG this guy is supposed to be a stud.!!!!
No
Hart called him a steady baseball player.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Reynolds:The Mariners are changing their ways! (with a sly smile)
That’s why Bavasi got fired. He forgot that he was supposed to select baseball players. Stupid Bill!!!
Some good players are going to be left
on the board when the Dodgers pick soon. (All silliness aside.) Including maybe Beltran’s nephew!
Goldstein less then impressed with the Franklin pick
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Be surprised
to see White go for a college guy first esp with his injury history but maybe he can’t resist Scheppers.
I want the Santa Monica HS kid!
The Red Sox don't rush players to the big leagues
That’s not a hard thing to do when your tea mis stacked. There’s no room for them.
Nick Franklin
Jason Churchill: This might be the worst pick of the round, perhaps other than Grichuk. Franklin could stick at short, but is a little short on tools to be considered a future all-star.
Keith Law: I’m stunned — this seems like it has to be a below-slot deal. Otherwise it’s a big overdraft for me.
Stassi and Rex Brothers still available
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Slade Heathcott
That’s a damn cool name. Plus, he’s a baseball player.
Bay goes from 1 to 30, not so easy now, right boys
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Rays fans were scared for a second
That they had redrafted Livan Hernandez.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions
If they pick me #33.
But seriously, I’m a baseball player. I think it’s still a good pick. ;-)
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Hate having the Diamondbacks picking right before us
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Harold's favorite player in the draft
For the fifth time.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions
The thing about A-Rod
It’s not the power or the speed, it’s the grinder ability. That’s what got him where he is.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I swear to God
I have to thank Hart because I haven’t laughed this loud and hard for days. My coworkers think I’m psychotic.
Lol
Luckily I’m alone at home, or my family would think I’m psychotic.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Prediction
The Dodgers will draft a gamer, and/or athlete,.
And they will love the pick!
WHOA — Hart just said something semi-critical and/or worried.
Well he frankly hates the sport and rather be picking up trash
but needs the money to fuel his cocaine habit
Baseball player
Baseball junkie. Solid player. I like the move.
Must be the worst pick of the draft!
He’s only going to end up being an average major leaguer.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
They are leaving!!!!!!!! I need more John Hart.
Yep
I forgot, but they only cover the first round.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 9, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions
What gambles Hart??
I though every pick was great?
I'm sorry
But Rex Brothers is not a name.
Aaron Miller
is a great athlete!
But, no, really, he is! A two-way player. Guess they drafted him as a pitcher though, is what they said on MLB.
Aaron Miller report from BA
AARON MILLER, LHP/OF, BAYLOR
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.
Thanks me later!
College pitcher BUT
less wear and tear on him because of his two-way abilities. Good size and looks like ther’es some projection in him
Keith Law's report on him (less promising)
Miller wasn’t on many radar screens coming into the spring because he was behind bigger names on the Baylor pitching staff and because surgery on his nonthrowing shoulder cut his Cape Cod League season short in 2008. He’s a two-pitch reliever who was pressed into starting duty when Baylor’s vaunted starting staff of Kendal Volz, Shawn Tolleson and Craig Fritsch fell down and went boom. Miller’s fastball is solid-to-average at 88-92 mph with hard, boring action in toward right-handed hitters, and he has a sharp, long-breaking slider with pretty good tilt at 81-83 mph that looks as though it should wipe out left-handed hitters. He drifts off the rubber early but otherwise has a clean delivery, and his arm action isn’t too long. He doesn’t have great physical projection and may not have the velocity to work as a starter in pro ball. But as a two-pitch reliever with a good breaking ball, he’s a good third-round value.
I was thinking
Tyler Skaggs a prep from Santa Monica.
Interesting
But I really wanted Scheppers.
Medical Reports
Medical reports must be really scary on him. Didn’t think he’d fall this far.
Law is down on him as a hitter
He does play the outfield but has nowhere near the bat to make him a prospect as a position player.
Full Reports
Keith Law
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.
Baseball America
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.
Who said they were relievers?
Most thought Lindblom was drafted as a reliever and a year later he is starting in AA.
Garret Gould
Keith Law
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.
Baseball America
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
Is it safe to say we are most excited about our 2nd second round pick?
Let’s get this boy signed.
Gould
This is a typical Logan White pick that he would make in the first round. A projectable HS arm with a good fastball and also a good breaking ball.
Could be a tough sign to get him away from Wichita State. Let’s keep an eye on this.
I love the Brett Wallach pick
RHP from Orange Coast College, he’s of course another son of Tim, and very solid and interesting from scouting reports I’ve seen.
I’m guessing he’ll be an easy sign. Here’s a report on him from BA
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.
Video on him looks impressive
and I’ve heard good things. Nice pick.
Now then… can we take a position player pretty please?
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