Royals ***** Official 2009 MLB Amateur Draft Thread ***** [Archive]

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KChiefs1

06-08-2009, 09:07 PM

Royals draft 12th. TSN has them taking the USC SS Grant Green.

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft/entry/view/25204/mock_draft_update_gibson_slides;_purke_ups_price;_stassi,_myers_and_bullock_all_debut#page_break

Mock Draft Update: Gibson Slides; Purke Ups Price; Stassi, Myers and Bullock All Debut (http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft/entry/view/25204/mock_draft_update_gibson_slides;_purke_ups_price;_stassi,_myers_and_bullock_all_debut)

Monday, June 08, 2009
Posted By Michael Huang (http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft/author/mhuang) 8:00 AM

1. Washington Nationals (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/nationals)
Stephen Strasburg, San Diego State, RHP
So what's the over/under on the signing bonus? $30 million?

2. Seattle Mariners (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/mariners)
Dustin Ackley, North Carolina, 1B/OF
Enough questions about whether Ackley can hit for power. He stroked his 22nd roundtripper Sunday to help eliminate E. Carolina, as the Heels head to Omaha.

3. San Diego Padres (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/padres)
Aaron Crow, Fort Worth Cats (Independent), RHP
Ended his month-long stint with the Cats on May 31. Final numbers: 3-0, 1.06 ERA, 17 strikeouts in 17 innings and just five walks. Yeah, right he's rusty.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/pirates)
Alex White, North Carolina, RHP
Not only did he breathe a sigh of relief after his 8.1 inning, 12-strikeout 10-1 win over E. Carolina on Friday, but so did a lot of interested teams.

5. Baltimore Orioles (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/orioles)
Tyler Matzek, Capistrano Valley (Calif.) HS, LHP
With a 9-1 record and 1.23 ERA, Matzek has solidified himself as the best prep arm in the draft. Reminiscent of last year's No. 1 pick Brian Matusz.

6. San Francisco Giants (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/giants)
Donovan Tate, Cartersville (Ga.) HS, OF
For some reason, it's easy to see the Giants drafting Tate, then being unable to sign him because of exorbitant demands by agent Scott Boras. Is that a stretch?

7. Atlanta Braves (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/braves)
Zach Wheeler, E. Paulding HS, Dallas, Ga., RHP
If Wheeler isn't grabbed by the Pirates at No. 4, then the Georgia boy will find himself in the home of the Braves.

8. Cincinnati Reds (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/reds)
Shelby Miller, Brownwood (Texas) HS, RHP
Miller's devastating sinking fastball will eventually play well at a launching pad like the Great American Ball Park.

9. Detroit Tigers (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/tigers)
Jacob Turner, Westminster Christian (St. Louis) HS, RHP
Boras representation won't scare off Tigers, who have paid over slot for Rick Porcello and Casey Crosby.

10. Washington Nationals (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/nationals) (for not signing Crow)
Chad Jenkins, Kennesaw State, RHP
Big-bodied right-hander throws hard and is tenacious on the mound. Visited the Nationals on Wednesday. Considered signable after the Nats pick Strasburg.

11. Colorado Rockies (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/rockies)
Kyle Heckathorn, Kennesaw State, RHP
A reach, but also a gut feeling here. They also like Norco (Calif.) High School right-hander Matt Hobgood, but I think they like Heckathorn as a reliever.

12. Kansas City Royals (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/royals)
Grant Green, USC, SS
He slides this far because of a suspect glove and the fact that he is advised by Boras. That's not a problem for KC GM Dayton Moore.

13. Oakland Athletics (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/athletics)
Tim Wheeler, Sacramento State, OF
Projectable body, legit big-league range in centerfield. Above-average power with plenty more to come. Good speed and above-average arm.

14.Texas Rangers (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/rangers)
Rex Brothers, Lipscomb, LHP
It's a toss up between him and Kentucky's James Paxton. Either way, Cleveland gets a top-tier polished lefty in a draft full of them.

15. Cleveland Indians (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/indians)
Tanner Scheppers, St. Paul Saints, RHP
His shoulder looks completely healthy after rehabbing from a stress fracture. Hitting 96 mph with regularity. With two picks, the D-backs can take the gamble.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/diamondbacks)
Mike Minor, Vanderbilt, LHP
Still remains the most polished college lefty in the draft. A near duplicate of another Vanderbilt southpaw, Cleveland Indian Jeremy Sowers.

17. Arizona Diamondbacks (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/diamondbacks) (from Dodgers)
Mike Leake, Arizona State, RHP
Hometown pick is an easy one. Leake is perhaps one of the most underrated pitchers in the draft.

18. Florida Marlins (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/marlins)
Bobby Borchering, Bishop Verot (Fla.) HS, 1B/3B
Best pure high school hitter in the draft. Scouts say the Chipper Jones comparisons are no joke. Switch hitters like Borchering are rare.

19. St. Louis Cardinals (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/cardinals)
Kyle Gibson, Missouri, RHP
If a team is willing to take a risk on Gibson after the stress fracture, it will be the Cardinals, who probably would be thrilled to have him fall in their laps.

20. Toronto Blue Jays (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/bluejays)
Andrew Oliver, Oklahoma State, LHP
Oliver looked good in regionals, flashing 95 mph gas early, but ran out of steam in later innings.

21. Houston Astros (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/astros)
Drew Storen, Stanford, RHP
A near-barren farm system needs an infusion of talent. Draft-eligible sophomore touched 96 this season as a closer and thus, has limited mileage.

22. Minnesota Twins (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/twins)
Jared Mitchell, LSU, OF
Stole his 35th base against Rice in the Super Regionals. Twins have always liked Mitchell--drafted him in the 10th round in 2006.

23. Chicago White Sox (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/whitesox)
Mike Trout, Millville (N.J.) HS, OF
This guy can't wait to get on the field. Gritty football player type, sort of like GM Kenny Williams himself during his younger days.

24. Los Angeles Angels (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/angels) (from Mets)
Matt Hobgood, Norco (Calif.) HS, RHP
Won duel with friend and Temecula (Calif.) High ace Brooks Pounders--with his bat, by hitting a home run--then came in to pitch in the eighth to seal it.

25. Los Angeles Angels (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/angels) (from Yankees)
Matt Davidson, Yucaipa (Calif.) HS, 3B
Big kid, good plate discipline. Has stayed consistent all season. Possesses exactly what the Angels system is lacking: massive light-tower power.

26. Milwaukee Brewers (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/brewers)
Eric Arnett, Indiana, RHPBig, durable arm will help the Brewers' system. Milwaukee has been partial to Midwestern arms in the past.

27. Seattle Mariners (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/mariners) (from Phillies)
Everett Williams, McCallum (Texas) HS, OF
Worked out for Seattle late last week. Athletic prep outfielder will cover some serious ground in Safeco. Pro sports lineage; not fazed at all by the hype.

28. Boston Red Sox (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/redsox)
Max Stassi, Yuba City (Calif.) HS, C
Worked out for the Red Sox yesterday. Plus hitter with above-average catch-and-throw skills. Heir apparent to Jason Varitek.

29. New York Yankees (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/yankees) (for not signing Gerrit Cole)
Matt Purke, Klein (Texas) HS, LHP
Struck out 91 batters in just 47 innings pitched. But he is looking for waaay over-slot money. This pick only makes dollars and sense here.

30. Tampa Bay Rays (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/rays)
A.J. Pollock, Notre Dame, 2B/OF
If the Rays select Pollock, it will be as a second baseman. Pollock, like Wil Myers, is versatile and athletic and can lead off.

31. Chicago Cubs (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/cubs)
Wil Myers, Wesleyan Christian Academy, N.C., C/3B
One of the most versatile players in the draft, Myers has great projecability. Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken has history of selecting these players--see Jason Werth, Josh Phelps--high school catchers who moved positions.

32. Colorado Rockies (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/rockies) (from Angels)
Billy Bullock, Florida, RHP
Gators closer Bullock upped his stock late, but rust from 10-day layoff was evident in Super Regionals. His long, tall body offers good leverage and sink. Could be a starter or reliever.

Deberg_1990

06-08-2009, 09:08 PM

IM excited to see the next Royals draft bust!

doomy3

06-08-2009, 09:10 PM

IM excited to see the next Royals draft bust!

What's the point of continuing to do this?

doomy3

06-08-2009, 09:10 PM

when is the draft?

cdcox

06-08-2009, 09:11 PM

Imagine the NFL holding their draft on a Saturday in October.

Kyle DeLexus

06-08-2009, 09:13 PM

WOOOOT!!! A suspect glove at SS!

Reaper16

06-08-2009, 09:13 PM

What's the point of continuing to do this?
Do what? Be a fan of the Royals and the Chiefs?

I have no acceptable answer to that question.

KChiefs1

06-08-2009, 09:14 PM

Grant Green
Scouting Report:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=green

<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #162f61 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #162f61 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #162f61 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #162f61 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #162f61" vAlign=top><TD style="COLOR: #fff" colSpan=2>Biographical Data
</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Player Name:</TD><TD align=middle>Grant Green</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Position:</TD><TD align=middle>Shortstop</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>School:</TD><TD align=middle>University of Southern California</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>School Type:</TD><TD align=middle>College</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Academic Class:</TD><TD align=middle>Junior</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Birthdate:</TD><TD align=middle>9/27/87</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Height:</TD><TD align=middle>6'3"</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Weight:</TD><TD align=middle>180 lbs.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Bats:</TD><TD align=middle>Right</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Throws:</TD><TD align=middle>Right</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Report Date:</TD><TD align=middle>3/21/09</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Game(s):</TD><TD align=middle>UCLA</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #162f61 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #162f61 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #162f61 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #162f61 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #162f61" vAlign=top><TD style="COLOR: #ffffff">Focus Area
</TD><TD style="COLOR: #ffffff">Comments
</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Hitting ability:</TD><TD>Green got off to a slow start in 2009 and was striking out more than usual. He was chasing pitches and getting himself out. He's started to come around though, hitting balls in the gap with his inside-out swing.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Power:</TD><TD>He does have it -- he's capable of turning on an inside pitch and driving it -- but he has more of a line-drive stroke that shoots balls in the right and left-center field gaps. He could be a 15-20 homer guy down the road.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Running speed:</TD><TD>When he's going full-tilt, he's got solid-average to plus speed and can really get down the line.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Base running:</TD><TD>He is a little bit low energy at times, but does turn it up when he wants to.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Arm strength:</TD><TD>He's got a solid-average to plus arm which is very accurate.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Fielding:</TD><TD>Has good glove action, though like with his hitting, he struggled early, making uncharacteristic errors.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Range:</TD><TD>He's a little better to his right than up the middle, making the play in the hole better than the one to his glove side. But he's capable of making all the plays.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Physical Description:</TD><TD>Green is lean and wiry with an athletic frame and strong wrists. He has some room to get stronger as he matures.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Medical Update:</TD><TD>An ankle injury on the Sunday of the series with UCLA forced him to miss a Tuesday doubleheader, but he was back at short the following weekend.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Strengths:</TD><TD>He has five-tool potential at a premium position. He's capable of hitting for average and a little power while playing a fine shortstop.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" vAlign=top><TD>Weaknesses:</TD><TD>He can be a little low energy and has frustrated some at times with a perceived lack of effort.</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff" vAlign=top><TD>Summary:</TD><TD>Premier college shortstops don't come around all that often and when they do, they get drafted early. That should be the case for Green, who has the potential to shine on both sides of the ball with all five tools. He shook off some early struggles to perform up to expectations, though his lack of energy at times has bothered scouts. Even with that, he's a confident and accomplished college player who shouldn't wait long to hear his name called.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Reaper16

06-08-2009, 09:15 PM

Imagine the NFL holding their draft on a Saturday in October.
That would only make sense if the NFL had a minor league system that signed talent could get in on for a half season or so.

KChiefs1

06-08-2009, 09:15 PM

when is the draft?

First round is tomorrow at 5pm on the MLB Network.

KCChiefsMan

06-08-2009, 09:15 PM

is Strasburg the guy who throws 100 and has been getting a lot of hype?

Sure-Oz

06-08-2009, 09:16 PM

We need a SS in the worst way

cdcox

06-08-2009, 09:18 PM

That would only make sense if the NFL had a minor league system that signed talent could get in on for a half season or so.

Yeah, but shouldn't the brain trust be focused on winning games or something, rather than talent acquisition? Or focused on talent acquisition, instead of some pesky detail like the season?

KCChiefsMan

06-08-2009, 09:18 PM

it doesn't matter if we draft the next Pujols or the next....several 1st round royals picks

Reaper16

06-08-2009, 09:22 PM

Yeah, but shouldn't the brain trust be focused on winning games or something, rather than talent acquisition? Or focused on talent acquisition, instead of some pesky detail like the season?
I guess so.

But if you hold the MLB draft in December during winter meetings or something, then prospects will be out of high school or college training/conditioning programs for seven months or so. I would want to get my signees into the franchise fold as soon as possible.

KevB

06-08-2009, 09:22 PM

A college SS with 5 tools? Sign me up. This guy was a consensus top 2 or 3 pick coming into the season. He wasn't quite as good as everyone anticipated, but he was still good. I'd be surprised if he fell to the Royals, but if he does, they should be all over him.

KChiefs1

06-08-2009, 09:24 PM

here's another mock draft with the Royals taking Green:

http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=1503

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=articleheader>MOCK DRAFT: Strasburg, Then Lots of Questions
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=articlesubheader style="HEIGHT: 34px">
Monday, June 08, 2009</TD></TR><TR><TD>By David Rawnsley (with contributions from Allan Simpson)

Aside from the obvious existence of San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg at the top end, the defining theme in the 2009 draft, which will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, seems to be the uncertainty and the variables that exist.

There have been an unusually high number of prospects mentioned this year as potential first-round picks, and the various mock drafts that have popped up on the eve of the proceedings are all over the board in their prognostications. One respected media outlet listed more than 50 players as potential first-round picks in a recent exercise of predicting how the first round will unfold.

In a normal year, though, it’s safe to say that there are probably 65-70 different names on the combined draft boards of the 30 major league clubs up to 48 hours before the first selection. But this year may be different as there appears to be less consensus among teams in how the top prospects are viewed.

Much of the reason for the uncertainty comes from the upper end of the draft. The only constant aside from Strasburg being a lock for the Washington Nationals at No. 1 and North Carolina hitting machine Dustin Ackley being an apparent lock for the Seattle Mariners at No. 2, has been the continued quality shown by the top tier of high school pitchers. Ironically, the status of a number of college pitchers, normally the safer demographic, in the top half of the first round is clouding the picture.

Some of the uncertainty and variables that have cropped up involving the elite college arms:

How serious is the forearm injury to Missouri righthander Kyle Gibson?

Did the real Alex White step up for North Carolina this weekend in the NCAA super-regional?

Which teams have removed independent-league righthander Tanner Scheppers for medical reasons, stemming from the injury that essentially knocked him out of the 2008 draft?

Does Vanderbilt lefthander Mike Minor have enough raw stuff to be chosen in the first 10 picks?

What has righthander Aaron Crow, the ninth overall pick a year ago, done in the last 12 months to improve his draft status and earn the money that he turned down last year?

Can Lipscomb’s power-armed lefty Rex Brothers remain a starter at the professional level?

There is another obvious variable this year that may play a profound effect on not just the first round, but all the early rounds: signability—the ability of clubs to sign players for bonuses commensurate with their draft slot. That issue has been compounded in this draft by two factors: the significant downturn in the economy (both in baseball and in real world), and the commissioners office’s latest attempt to lower its recommended bonus slots by 10 percent.

It’s entirely possible we could see a lot more players than normal take a big hit in their draft status due to the financial realities of this draft. Some players whose talent warrants being a top-100 pick could even slide out of the draft altogether—and the attached list is noticeable by the absence of Georgia prep outfielder Donavan Tate, a significant two-sport talent who may have out-priced himself.

The history of the draft and basic human nature tell us that in uncertain times people tend to become more conservative in their decision-making process. The accompanying mock draft encompasses a conservative approach and tends to steer away from teams reaching for traditionally-risky selections, whether for signability reasons or the prospect’s risky profile.

Here’s how we see the first round (32 picks) unfolding:

1. WASHINGTON. Stephen Strasburg, rhp, San Diego State
No reason to change this selection. In fact, it is the only real sure thing in the first round.

2. SEATTLE. Dustin Ackley, 1b-of, North Carolina
I’ve been a bit reluctant to buy in on Ackley as the No. 2 pick for awhile as it is a bit troubling to think about spending big money on a player who has a below-average tool (throwing arm), an average offensive tool (power) and doesn’t even play the position he’s supposed to play at the next level (center field). But most everyone seems to thing Ackley is a lock at No. 2.

3. SAN DIEGO. Tyler Matzek, lhp, Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, Calif.
Matzek was outstanding in his last few outings, and has clearly shot ahead of the other high-school pitchers, as good as many of them have been. With uncertainty all around this spot, the Padres may go for the surest thing. But Southern California shortstop Grant Green and Georgia prep outfielder Donavan Tate have been mentioned more prominently than Matzek.

4. PITTSBURGH. Aaron Crow, rhp, Fort Worth (American Association)
Why do Brad Lincoln, Brian Bullington and John Van Benschoten, all recent Pirates early first-rounders, keep coming to mind as I type this? And how has Crow gone from the ninth pick in 2008 to possibly the fourth pick over the last year by throwing 20 innings in independent ball and getting a year older? There are rumblings the Pirates may just take a player from their short list and pay slot money in this spot to the first player willing to take it, and open up their pocketbooks later on. It may not be a surprise if a player like Florida prep third baseman Bobby Borchering, a consensus mid-first-rounder, is a compromise choice here.

5. BALTIMORE. Alex White, rhp, North Carolina
The Orioles are feeling good after drafting polished, high-profile college performers the past two years in catcher Matt Wieters and lefthander Brian Matusz. White’s strong performance, possibly his best of the season, at the NCAA super-regional over the weekend may have eliminated some of the doubt about picking him this high. Independent-league righthander Tanner Scheppers is a similar pitcher, but may have his own lingering doubts.

6. SAN FRANCISCO. Zack Wheeler, rhp, East Paulding HS, Dallas, Ga.
Positive feedback is a great instruction tool and the Giants have certainly gotten that from 2007 first-rounders Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson, two high-school arms that have excelled in pro ball. Wheeler grades out better than both at the same age, and should not be a signability problem. If Matzek falls to this spot, he could trump Wheeler.

7. ATLANTA. Drew Storen, rhp, Stanford
The Braves are normally the most high-school-oriented team in the draft and Wheeler would be made to order for them in this slot, considering their penchant for local players, if he falls to them. But the Braves have less tolerance for high-school players and their accompanying signability problems than most people realize, and they’ll occasionally go off the board for a player who can help them immediately. They especially appreciate plus stuff and plus pitchability, and Storen had both qualities this spring as a dominant closer for Stanford.

8. CINCINNATI. Mike Minor, lhp, Vanderbilt
Minor would look very good in the Reds rotation in a few years as a nice complement to some of their power-armed righthanders. It shouldn’t take long for the polished lefty to get there, either. It seems apparent that the Reds will go the college route, and Green and Missouri righthander Kyle Gibson are other possibilities.

9. DETROIT. Jacob Turner, rhp, Westminster Christian Academy, St. Charles, Mo.
This seems like an obvious choice for the Tigers, given Rick Porcello’s meteoric rise. The Tigers have shown no hesitancy to spend big money in the first round for the right player, and Turner won’t come cheap. By the way, has anyone noticed that the Tigers, under the director of former Twins minor league pitching coordinator Rick Knapp, lead the AL in team ERA?

10. WASHINGTON. Tanner Scheppers, rhp, St. Paul (American Association)
The Nationals have two selections in the first 10 picks for the first time in draft history, and it’s impossible to tell how they’ll handle this pick after taking Strasburg at No. 1. Missouri righthander Kyle Gibson and Kennesaw State righthander Chad Jenkins have been mentioned prominently here, but Scheppers has a higher upside than either. It’s difficult to tell, though, if the Nationals are among the teams that have become increasingly wary of Scheppers’ medical issues. But with Strasburg already in the fold, how do you pass on another potential top-of-the-rotation power arm?

11. COLORADO. Rex Brothers, lhp, Lipscomb
There should be a number of attractive college pitchers, especially lefthanders, on the board at this point and it’s just a matter of which one the Rockies like the best. White might have been the choice here until his powerful weekend performance.

12. KANSAS CITY. Grant Green, ss, Southern California
Green seemed like a sure bet to be one of the first 3-4 selections early on, but has become one of the wild cards in the draft. It’s more of a talent issue, rather than the signability or medical issues impacting other top prospects. The Summer ’08 version of Green would never have lasted nearly this long. In a perfect world, the Royals might prefer a high-school player here and Texas righthander Shelby Miller, and possibly even North Carolina catcher Wil Myers, somewhat of a darkhorse, would be logical candidates.

13. OAKLAND. Mike Leake, rhp, Arizona State
The A’s have gone increasingly to younger arms with raw stuff in their drafts in recent years, but Leake may be too good to pass up at this point, especially for a team that values surety and approach as much as Oakland does. Save for the massive strikeout numbers, Leake matched Strasburg’s performance this spring. Two local college products, Stanford’s Storen and Sacramento State outfielder Tim Wheeler, also hold appeal to the A’s.

14. TEXAS. Shelby Miller, rhp, Brownwood (Texas) HS
The Rangers have seen the wisdom of investing in strong young arms to bolster a farm system that was near barren of pitching the past few years, and there is no reason that should change. There is no stronger high-school arm that should be on the board for them more than Miller, who conveniently is a Texan and lives about two hours from Arlington. It’s one of the more natural fits in the first round, though another in-state prep pitcher, lefthander Matthew Purke, might be available for the taking, as well, though his price tag might be too excessive.

15. CLEVELAND. Eric Arnett, rhp, Indiana
Some interesting athletes could start coming onto the draft board about this point, but Cleveland’s recent draft history is not full of reaching for that type of player. College pitching seems more appropriate, and Arnett is not only an Ohio native but had a seamless spring—and is a top athlete himself. Leake and Scheppers would also fit, if still available.

16. ARIZONA. Bobby Borchering, 3b, Bishop Verot HS, Fort Myers, Fla.
The Diamondbacks would not hesitate to grab an independent leaguer again (Scheppers) or a significant local product (Leake), if still available, but the switch-hitting Borchering emerged as the top high-school hitter in the draft—something Arizona fans could appreciate in their lineup in the short term, but also in the long term.

17. ARIZONA. Chad Jenkins, rhp, Kennesaw State
With the second of back-to-back picks, the Diamondbacks might see a bit of staff ace Brandon Webb in Jenkins, whose draft stock steadily rose throughout the spring. Brothers, another college pitcher with impressive raw stuff who make a significant climb this spring, would be a logical candidate, as well.

18. FLORIDA. Mike Trout, of, Millville (N.J.) HS
No two talent evaluators appreciate high-ceiling, five-tool-type talent more than the Marlins front office duo of Jim Fleming and Dan Jennings. Trout fits the profile, but Borchering comes close—and he’s a local product.

19. ST. LOUIS. Kyle Gibson, rhp, Missouri
With the recent revelations of his forearm injury, it’s easy to see Gibson falling—perhaps even right out of the first round just as Scheppers did in 2008. But if Gibson’s injury passes the review of Cardinals doctors, it would be difficult for the Cardinals to pass on a home-state star. If they have reservations, Brothers or Minor might still be available from the strong pool of college lefthanders.

20. TORONTO. A.J. Pollock, of, Notre Dame
The Blue Jays took a liking to two Oklahoma lefthanders this spring, Oklahoma State’s Andrew Oliver and prepster Chad James, and Kennesaw State righthander Kyle Heckathorn is also a possibility if they prefer an arm. But Pollock, a Connecticut native and Notre Dame standout, has intriguing tools and will be scooped up soon, if not by the Blue Jays.

21. HOUSTON. Matthew Purke, lhp, Klein HS, Spring, Texas
Initially seen as the best prep pitcher in the draft, Purke has scared away many teams with his excessive bonus demands but those could be compromised for his hometown Astros. It would be a coup for Houston, badly in need of impact talent to beef up a depleted farm system, to nab the talented southpaw at this point in the draft. Should Purke’s asking price scare off even the Astros, three other prominent Texas high-school products, outfielders Randal Grichuk, Slade Heathcott and Everett Williams, might be more to their liking.

22. MINNESOTA. Wil Myers, c, Wesleyan Christian Academy, Thomasville, N.C.
The Twins hit it big with a high-school catcher eight years ago in Joe Mauer, and could again in 2009. Myers will never win a batting championship but scouts say he has the kind of power that rarely comes around in a catcher. The Twins drafted Louisiana State outfielder Jared Mitchell in the 10<SUP>th</SUP> round three years ago, after thinking long and hard about taking him in the first round before being scared off at the last minute by his football ambitions. The interest in Mitchell remains strong.

23. CHICAGO WHITE SOX. Tony Sanchez, c, Boston College
Sanchez’ name has been mentioned all over the latter part of the first round and frequently above this slot. Catching is always at a premium in the draft, and remember that Stanford’s Jason Castro shot up the draft list late a year ago. Athletic outfielders are always a priority for the White Sox, too, so Trout (if still available), Mitchell, Texan Everett Williams and Puerto Rican Reymund Fuentes are sure to be in the discussion.

24. LOS ANGELES ANGELS. Matt Hobgood, rhp, Norco (Calif.) HS
Hobgood has significant talent, and yet has never quite broken into the upper echelon of the elite crop of 2009 high-school pitchers (Matzek, Wheeler, Turner, Miller, Purke), but he’s close. He also lives in the Angels backyard, and that club is partial to its own. Matt Davidson is also a significant southern California prep talent, and he holds similar appeal to the Angels.

25. LOS ANGELES ANGELS. Jeff Malm, 1b, Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, Nev.
The record-setting Malm has possibly the most advanced high-school bat in the draft, but few clubs see him as a true first-rounder. The Angels have a known special interest in Malm, though, and it is one of the more persistent draft rumors around, so let’s run with it. The Angels could probably get him with one of their sandwich picks, but why risk it?

26. MILWAUKEE. Jared Mitchell, of, Louisiana State
Milwaukee needs pitching in its system and would consider some of the better arms that will still be available here, but drafting the best prospect available who is also signable applies here. There are no better athletes still available on our draft board than Georgia prep outfielder Donavan Tate and Mitchell, but Mitchell’s signability is a better fit for the Brewers.

27. SEATTLE. Rich Poythress, 1b, Georgia
New Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik loves power bats and the Mariners have precious few at any level in their system. Remember Zduriencik’s controversial pick of Matt LaPorta in 2007 with the seventh pick, when he was the Brewers scouting director? Poythress is the 2009 equivalent, only 20 picks later. Adding two mature college bats in Ackley and Poythress would change the Mariners prospect dynamic immediately.

28. BOSTON. Max Stassi, c, Yuba City (Calif.) HS
The word has been out all spring that the Red Sox are going to pick a catcher, and Stassi has shone for Boston’s entire front-office brass. In the outside chance that Sanchez, a Boston College product, is still available, it might be too tempting to pass on a local kid considered the best college catcher in the draft. The Red Sox pulled a surprise by selecting Casey Kelly, a two-sport, two-way product, with their pick in the first round, and Kelly’s clone, Mississippi prep shortstop/righthander David Renfroe, is an equivalent talent and would be available.

29. NEW YORK YANKEES. James Paxton, lhp, Kentucky
The Yankees could make a splash here and jump on Georgia prep outfielder Donavan Tate, possibly the best athlete in the entire draft, but it would come at a significant cost. Texas high-school outfielder Slade Heathcott may be the closest thing to a five-tool talent still left on the board, so he’s a distinct possibility. There’s also a distinct possibility that Purke may still be available, and the Yankees would have a tough time passing on him. In the end, the Yankees have invested very heavily in top-round pitchers the past three years and there is no reason to think that approach will change. Paxton seems to be one of the forgotten prospects of this draft, but might be an ideal fit for the Yankees.

30. TAMPA BAY. Brett Jackson, of, California
The Rays should have a whole board of quality athletes to pick from here and you know, being the Rays, they will be looking hard for the best athlete available. Texas prep outfielder Everett Williams is a possibility, so is Sacramento State outfielder Tim Wheeler. Jackson isn’t their typical high -school pick, but he certainly is that level of athlete.

31. CHICAGO CUBS. Andrew Oliver, lhp, Oklahoma State
Oliver would become the first player ever selected in the first round with the 31st pick, courtesy of the new draft rules that allow extra picks for teams that did not sign their previous year’s first-round selection. Had he shown signs of a better breaking ball this spring, Oliver would go much higher. Pollock (if he slides) and Kansas prep righthander Garrett Gould are also possibilities here.

32. COLORADO. Slade Heathcott, of, Texas HS, Texarkana, Texas
Heathcott was the hot new name leading up to the draft, but he does not come without multiple layers of risk. Still, he is an elite athlete who grades out plus in just about every area on the field. If the Rockies feel the risk is too high, they could consider Sacramento State outfielder Tim Wheeler among players not identified with the 31 selections above.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

OnTheWarpath15

06-08-2009, 09:24 PM

We need a SS in the worst way

I feel your pain, the Cardinals do as well.

Everything I've heard leads me to believe that the STL front office thinks AJ Pollock can play SS, and will take him if he's there.

Guess we'll see.

KChiefs1

06-08-2009, 09:24 PM

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2009-06/47390797.gif Email Picture (http://www.latimes.com/sports/lat-stephen_kkopzanc225633,0,605048,email.photo)
Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press
San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg is considered the top prospect in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft and will be selected first overall by the Washington Nationals.

Eric Sondheimer (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-columnist-esondheimer,0,4106056.columnist):
Nationals will draft Stephen Strasburg; after that, it's anybody's guess

Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press
San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg is considered the top prospect in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft and will be selected first overall by the Washington Nationals.

Bud Selig urges owners to trim player bonuses, but the San Diego State pitcher is expected to demand a juicy deal. Here's a look at some other local players expected to go in the early rounds.
Eric Sondheimer
2:27 PM PDT, June 8, 2009
The only certainty about today's baseball draft is that the Washington Nationals, picking first, will choose right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State. Then come the games -- the guessing game, the waiting game and the negotiating game.

Commissioner Bud Selig has suggested to owners that bonuses to players selected in the first five rounds be cut by 10% from last year, when the recommendations ranged from $150,000 to $4 million. But that flies in the face of expectations that Strasburg will command a record-setting deal. Teams have until Aug. 15 to sign their choices.

The draft will begin at 3 p.m. PDT and the first round will be televised live on MLB.com (http://mlb.mlb.com/index.jsp). Here's a look at the some of the local players expected to go in the very early rounds:

From high school

Tyler Matzek, Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley, pitcher: He's the best left-handed high school pitching prospect in the draft and proved it during the Southern Section playoffs, allowing no runs in 18 1/3 innings while going 4-0, with his fastball hitting 97 mph.

Matt Hobgood, Norco, pitcher and first base: At 6 feet, 4 inches, 250 pounds, with power at the plate and on the mound, Hobgood is a polished, ready-to-perform prospect who appears well prepared to handle the grind and unpredictable environment of the minor leagues. He was selected the Gatorade national player of the year after hitting 21 home runs and going 11-1 on the mound.

Matt Davidson, Yucaipa, third base: He is perhaps the top hitter in the Southland, having batted .553 with 11 home runs and 18 doubles. He's 6-4, 225 pounds and a USC signee.

Jiovanni Mier, La Verne Bonita, shortstop: Mier also has signed with USC, but he's considered the best defensively in the Southland and probably won't make it to college.

Tyler Skaggs, Santa Monica, pitcher: An ankle injury late in the season forced the left-hander to the sideline for several weeks. His velocity was inconsistent, but at his best Skaggs left little doubt his fastball and curveball were worthy of first-round consideration.

From college

Grant Green, USC, shortstop: Last summer, Green batted .348 using wood bats in the Cape Cod League and was selected the league's top pro prospect. The former Anaheim Canyon High standout led USC in hitting this season with a .374 average.

Hold-out

Tanner Scheppers, who played at Dana Hills High, was Fresno State's best pitcher last season until he was injured before the Bulldogs made their national-championship-winning run at the College World Series. After undergoing shoulder surgery, he was a second-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, he failed to sign and, after choosing to make his comeback with the Independent League St. Paul (Minn.) Saints, is expected to go early in the first round.

No guarantees

Here are the last five No. 1 overall picks and where they are now:

2008: Timothy Beckham, a shortstop from Griffin, Ga., received a $6.15-million signing bonus from the Tampa Bay Rays and went on to hit .246 in rookie ball.

2007: David Price, a left-handed pitcher from Vanderbilt, is in the Rays' starting rotation.

2006: Luke Hochevar is a starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals.

2005: Justin Upton plays right field for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2004: Matthew Bush, a shortstop and pitcher, was chosen by the San Diego Padres out of San Diego Mission Bay High. Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in February, he was released on April 1 after the latest in a series of off-the-field incidents.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com (eric.sondheimer@latimes.com)

Reaper16

06-08-2009, 09:28 PM

Baseball America's mock draft has Green to the Royals, too.

Ceej

06-08-2009, 09:47 PM

Any clue where Gould from Maize may end up? I'm sort of hoping he's unhappy where he falls that way he signs with WSU.

I've heard he's projected as a late 1st rounder.

DeezNutz

06-08-2009, 09:53 PM

What's not a problem for Moore? The suspect glove?

Yeah, check. Fuck me.

KChiefs1

06-08-2009, 09:54 PM

Baseball America's mock draft has Green to the Royals, too.

Manuel and Callis make their first-round picks

By John Manuel and Jim Callis
Baseball America
June 8, 2009

What's more fun than playing scouting director? Playing scouting director for 16 teams. Our draft experts, Jim Callis and John Manuel, alternate picks and let you know who they'd choose if they were running the draft for each club, staying true to their finances and needs. Jim won the coin toss, so he gets to start off by taking the best prospect in draft history.

1. NATIONALS (Jim). Gee, who am I going to pick here? It's obviously San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg, and I can't come up with a single reason to hesitate. He'll smash Mark Prior's record of a $10.5 million big league contract, but he's not getting close to the $50 million that adviser Scott Boras is floating out there. I think he'd get it if he were on the open market, but there's no path that would take Strasburg to free agency. His options are going to be a) sign with the Nationals and b) re-enter the 2010 draft, and he'll get offered enough to make re-entering the draft too risky. Here's a question for you—if you get your choice between Strasburg and Sports Illustrated cover boy Bryce Harper, who do you take? I'm taking Strasburg, because he's proven himself against much better competition and he's going to help me quicker, but it's not an easy decision.

2. MARINERS (John). If Harper were available, I'd probably pop him at 2. That's quite a statement considering North Carolina first baseman Dustin Ackley also is available. I wrote about Ackley about a month ago (http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/college/column/2009/268092.html), and still believe he's a unique player, a future all-star. To me, that's worth paying for, even is the price tag gets close to eight figures. Ackley should hit so much, he'll be a bargain, even if he remains at first base. And if he moves to center or even second base, then all the better.

3. PADRES (Jim). I'm with you on Ackley, I'd take him No. 2 without hesitation. It starts to get a little more interesting at No. 3, and I'm sure we'll start disagreeing with each other soon. The Padres are leaning toward Georgia high school outfielder Donavan Tate, the best athlete in the draft. If I'm a San Diego fan, I'm happy my club is doing something other than looking for a lower-ceiling college guy with a track record of statistical success. But I'm not the biggest Tate fan—I worry about his bat some, and he spurned my alma mater's football program for yours, though Georgia is demonstrably better than North Carolina—so I'd go with a different potential superstar. Give me California high school lefthander Tyler Matzek. He came into the year as the top lefthander available and his stock has only gone up. He has been spectacular in playoff starts the last two weeks, and some teams would be tempted to take him over Ackley.

4. PIRATES (John). Like you said, now it gets interesting. Pirates officials have told us they don't have to go cheap at No. 4, and honestly I think the recent history of this franchise means there's no way they can avoid taking the best player available. In this year's draft, though, I think the consensus runs out at about No. 3 with Matzek. The Pirates can't go safe, they have to get some upside. At the same time, they are the Pirates, they can't take a $6-8 million guy such as Tate or Missouri prep righthander Jacob Turner. If money were no object, I'd take Turner here as the top prep righty on the Manuel board, but I think Fort Worth Cats (American Association) righthander Aaron Crow makes the most sense. He's motivated to sign as a virtual college senior, he has front-of-the-rotation upside and he commands the fastball, so he should get to the big leagues quickly.

5. ORIOLES (Jim). You know who the big loser is if Crow goes No. 4? The Nationals. Crow's probably going to get paid at least close to the $4 million he wanted last year, while Washington will get a lesser talent. That's no knock on who goes No. 10, just a reality. Crow might have been in the Nationals' big league rotation by now had they signed him. Now for Baltimore . . . I think they're going to take Georgia high school righthander Zack Wheeler with this pick, but I'd go with Missouri prep righty Jacob Turner. Admittedly, I'm spending some extra hypothetical cash to take the guy I think is the best talent on the board here. If I wanted someone I felt I could sign before Aug. 15, I'd lean toward Wheeler too.

6. GIANTS (John). Interesting point on Crow. I can't say I disagree, nor do I disagree that Turner is the best prep righthander available. The Giants in the past would be all over someone like Wheeler at No. 6 in this situation, and we know that general manager Brian Sabean has seen Wheeler pitch himself. But the Giants have become much more daring about rebuilding their franchise the last few years, particularly in terms of position players. They've paid large bonuses internationally and domestically, and shouldn't be scared off by Georgia high school outfielder Donavan Tate's price tag. He has a high upside as a potential premium defender, and the Giants have enough prospects to be patient with Tate's bat, which could need more time than most clubs are willing to give.

7. BRAVES (Jim). I wouldn't take Tate quite so high, though I'll acknowledge that he's a good fit for the Giants. That leaves me with a very easy pick. If the draft unfolds like this, the Braves will get the player they covet, Georgia high school righthander Zack Wheeler. He's also a good fit for them because he's a relatively easy sign compared to a lot of the other top talents, plus he's the top player remaining on my draft board at this point.

8. REDS (John). I love it when a plan comes together. There are certain players who will come up that I know I like and you don't, and I'll be taking them. Tate was one of them. I don't think you're down on North Carolina righthander Alex White, though I'm pretty sure I was higher on him than you throughout most of this process. I don't have any problem with White using a split-finger fastball, like some scouts do. I know he's going to be an impact big leaguer, because at the least he'll pump 96-mph fastballs with life and that splitter out of a closer role. I have faith in White's athleticism and ability to spin a breaking ball. He has lost faith in his slider but the pitch is still there. He'd be a great fit with the Reds.

9. TIGERS (Jim). Here's where it gets tough, because Texas high school lefty Matthew Purke is the best player on the board. The Tigers haven't been afraid to spend big to get players such as Justin Verlander, Andrew Miller and Rick Porcello, and they're happy with how all three of those guys have turned out. But Purke's father apparently wants Porcello money ($7 million) for his son, and while Matthew is very talented, that's at least twice what I'd want to pay him. I'm not ready to pull the trigger on St. Paul Saints (American Association) righthander Tanner Scheppers yet either. He has thrown hard this spring, but he had serious shoulder issues a year ago, and shoulder issues scare me. I'm going to go for a little gamesmanship here, because there are a couple of players I like that I don't think you're going to pop, so I'll take Texas high school righthander Shelby Miller. He's got the best high school fastball in this draft, and that works for me.

10. NATIONALS (John). This is one of the toughest choices, as a couple of very tempting picks are on the board and Washington has to get it right. The Nats don't get compensation if they fail to sign this player. With that in mind, I'm taking a player that I can take with conviction, someone with upside but also someone who won't break the bank, which is how the real-life Nats are handling things. I know acting GM Mike Rizzo told you that they can spend here (http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=864), but I think that means they can spend slot. I'll go off the board here and take Florida prep shortstop Nick Franklin at 10. Why? First, when you have to do something like this—where money is a huge factor—I think you stick to some scouting truisms. Take an up-the-middle player. Take a player whose bat you can believe in. Take a good-makeup guy. Scouts in Florida say Franklin fits all those parameters and he finished very well in Sebring at the Florida high school all-star games. For me, he's the top prep shortstop in the draft because his bat is better than Jiovanni Mier's. So Franklin's my guy.

11. ROCKIES (Jim). I like it. Let's mix it up . . . OK, you knew this was coming at some point: I'm taking Missouri righthander Kyle Gibson, even after we broke the news Saturday that he has a stress fracture in his forearm. (http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=959) You know I love Gibson as a prospect, probably more than his own parents do. The guy has starred since day one as a freshman, he has three quality pitches, command, athleticism . . . and that stress fracture. But I'll explain why this makes some sense. Gibson will be able to throw by the end of July, giving the Rockies 2-3 weeks to evaluate him before the Aug. 15 deadline. They want a college pitcher here, and if he checks out, they get a guy they really didn't have a shot at a week ago. And here's the thing: If he doesn't look good, they can walk away and put the roughly $2 million in this pick into signing their bonus picks (for losing Brian Fuentes) at No. 32 and No. 34. It all makes sense to me, at least, but you knew I'd be rationalizing a way to take Gibson.

12. ROYALS (John). I knew, but I didn't anticipate you'd pop him that early. As a guy who relies on the two-seamer, Gibson makes all kinds of sense there. Now we get to Kansas City, which has gone all-Boras Corp. the last three years. Luke Hochevar, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer . . . two outta three ain't bad. The buzz around the draft has the Royals going for a catcher and taking Boston College's Tony Sanchez. I can see that being a logical pick because they could use help behind the plate, and Sanchez is the best college catcher on the board. But a Boras client that's too good to pass up also is available, and Southern California shortstop Grant Green makes more sense for me here than Sanchez. He's not as safe a pick, but he's got more upside. Usually, I think the Cape Cod League is over-rated, but I'm banking that Green's rumored hand injury is the reason he didn't hit for power this spring. Get him healthy, get him back with a wood bat and get the Royals a middle-of-the-diamond talent with offensive upside.

13. ATHLETICS (Jim). Bravo. There's buzz that the Royals are after Green, too, and he makes all kinds of sense there. I would have done the same thing. Maybe he's not as good as he looked in the Cape Cod League last summer, where he drew some crazy Evan Longoria comps, but he has more power than he has shown this spring. As for the Athletics, I've heard them on all sorts of players, from Tate (hard for me to believe) and other high-ceiling high school athletes to proven college performers with less upside, such as Vanderbilt lefthander Mike Minor. Minor, by the way, probably is off the board to someone by this point, but not for me. Or you apparently. Oakland needs position players more than pitchers and is more comfortable with collegians than high schoolers, so I'll grab Sacramento State outfielder Tim Wheeler. He has the best bat/power combo of the athletic college outfield crop that also includes Notre Dame's A.J. Pollock, Louisiana State's Jared Mitchell and California's Brett Jackson.

14. RANGERS (John). The Rangers would love to get a Texas prep fireballer to put into a system already deep with power arms. Shelby Miller and Matthew Purke both fit that bill. But the Rangers have plenty of young fireballers, and Purke's pricetag worries me. They could use a fast-rising college pitcher who knows how to lead a pitching staff and win, while also having wicked stuff. That's Arizona State righthander Mike Leake. I'm not too worried about the 370-plus innings Leake has thrown in college. Maybe I should be, but he's been so efficient, it's hard to look past him at this spot.

15. INDIANS (Jim). The Indians want an experienced pitcher and there's a guy sitting right here who may have the second-best stuff in the draft after Strasburg. We're not privy to the medical reports on St. Paul Saints (American Association) righthander Tanner Scheppers, but if they're clean, this is the point where his value clearly begins to outweigh any nagging doubts about his shoulder. I couldn't take Scheppers at No. 9, but I can take him here.

16. DIAMONDBACKS (John). No way Vanderbilt lefthander Mike Minor lasts this long, even if we're not as enamored of him as clubs are. His pitchability profile isn't my cup of tea, but he makes more sense at 16 than some of the power arms remaining here, most of whom profile as relievers. I can't let Minor go by here.

17. DIAMONDBACKS (Jim). Florida high school third baseman Bobby Borchering. He's the best prep power hitter in the draft and a good fit for Arizona.

18. MARLINS (John). Now we're getting to the tough part, because I would think most teams in the second half of the first round were thinking, "Wow, we might get Minor or Borchering or Scheppers," and at this point, those hopes have been dashed. The Marlins love their Oklahomans, and they have had all kinds of success with prep pitching in the draft and less so with college arms. That makes me think Oklahoma prep lefthander Chad James makes sense here, and I'd do what it takes to get the deal done (within reason, of course).

19. CARDINALS (Jim). We're agreeing way too much. I'm on board with the James pick, for his talent and for the reasons you suggest. I don't think he'll be that hard to sign, though like almost every first-rounder, he's not just going to roll over and accept MLB's decision to cut its slot recommendations by 10 percent. The Cardinals need some lefthanders and they would have thought long and hard about James. Purke is still out there and easily the best player available, but I'm not sure St. Louis is hopping on that train. There's still an obvious choice, for both talent and need: Lipscomb lefthander Rex Brothers.

20. BLUE JAYS (John). Kennesaw State righthander Chad Jenkins is too attractive. Yes, there are college closers we could convert (and we've had success doing it), but why do that when Jenkins is on the board? He has stuff, he has pitchability and he has relatively low mileage on his arm because the Owls were never postseason-eligible while Jenkins was in college. Make it so.

21. ASTROS (Jim). We keep hearing outfielders, outfielders and more outfielders for the Astros, especially those with Texas connections, such as high schoolers Everett Williams, Slade Heathcott and Randal Grichuk. If they look out of state, Mitchell, Pollock, Jackson, New Jersey prepster Mike Trout and Puerto Rican high school Reymond Fuentes are also talented. We're going to see a bunch of these guys go in the bottom third of the first round.

22. TWINS (John). Twins need help in the bullpen in the short-term, and I think Stanford closer Drew Storen fits here. He's a candidate to set up in the majors as soon as 2010, and Joe Nathan is closing in on 35 years old. Storen, more of a strikeout pitcher than Gutierrez, would move to the front of the line of Nathan's successors.

23. WHIITE SOX (Jim). Outside of Donavan Tate, Louisiana State outfielder Jared Mitchell is as athletic as it gets in this draft. He also doubles as a wide receiver for the football team, and while he still has to figure things out with the bat, he made impressive and encouraging strides this year.

24. ANGELS (John). Texas prep lefthander Matthew Purke is just too good for the Angels to pass up. They pick again at 25, plus 42, 44 and 48 in the supplemental round. Purke will be a tough, late sign, but with all those extra picks, scouting director Eddie Bane will hold a tough line, get everyone else signed and get something done with Purke—around 11:58 p.m. on Deadline Day.

25. ANGELS (Jim). Pollock is a more advanced hitter who would deliver a quicker return, but I see the Angels opting for New Jersey prep outfielder Mike Trout.

26. BREWERS (John). I don't think an organization constantly short on pitching could pass on Indiana righthander Eric Arnett if he fell this far. That's a good value for a college power pitcher with fairly low mileage on his arm.

27. MARINERS (Jim). After getting Ackley at No. 2, the Mariners can balance him with power-armed California high school righthander Matt Hobgood. Everyone keeps telling me he's going in the first 20 picks, certainly the first 25, though I still can't figure out what his destination will be.

28. RED SOX (John). Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez probably won't be there at 28 either. I expect a tough sign to fall to Boston—Purke? Turner?—but in this exercise, no one fits that bill. Sanchez has gotten some Kelly Shoppach comparisons, and the Red Sox took Shoppach way back when and have seen him develop into a useful catcher with the Indians. The Red Sox could use a catcher, and I think they take the local (though Sanchez is actually from south Florida).

29. YANKEES (Jim). Another two-way star, Texas high school outfielder Slade Heathcott, has been on fire in the state playoffs and drawing lots of high-level scouts. He was very impressive in front of top Yankees officials and they're looking at a lot of outfielders, so Heathcott makes sense.

30 RAYS (John). This draft gives them plenty of options, and there's enough depth that the Rays don't have to pop a catcher in the first round; they can get one later. But I will anyway with North Carolina prepster Wil Myers, who has one of the better high school bats in the draft. The best thing about Myers is, if he catches, it's a big bonus. He's also athletic enough that he has value if he moves elsewhere, such as right or even center field (he's a 55 runner on the 20-to-80 scouting scale). That separates him from Stassi, for me. I love Stassi, but have to pass here.

31. CUBS (Jim). They're on Pollock, Jackson and Kansas high school righthander Garrett Gould, and they'd have to consider California prepster Jiovanni Mier, the best shortstop in the draft if you think that Green may have to move off the position. Chicago's greatest need is in center field and they love Notre Dame, so A.J. Pollock is the choice.

32. ROCKIES (John). If California prep catcher Max Stassi is still here at 32, I think Colorado has to jump up and get him, whether Chris Iannetta is the real deal (which I think he is) or not. You can never have too much catching, and Stassi reminds me a lot of Iannetta as a catcher with a rock-solid swing, solid tools otherwise and savvy. He's not as physical but might have a more pure swing. I'm fairly confident he'll hit.

Sure-Oz

06-08-2009, 09:57 PM

I feel your pain, the Cardinals do as well.

Everything I've heard leads me to believe that the STL front office thinks AJ Pollock can play SS, and will take him if he's there.

Guess we'll see.

I'll be pissed if they pass on Green if he is available, they can't fuck this pick up. Interesting if the Cards do what they think they can if Pollock is available.

DeezNutz

06-08-2009, 09:59 PM

At least the Stephen Strasburg contract will likely force a slotting system.

Good news for all teams.

KChiefs1

06-08-2009, 10:42 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1241140.html

Former MU pitcher Crow expected to go in first round again

<HR class=infobox-hr-separator>Crow expected to go early
It shouldn’t take long to see whether former Missouri pitcher Aaron Crow’s decision to walk away from a $3.5 million offer last year will pay off.
Crow, who was selected ninth overall by the Washington Nationals, is expected to again go in the top of the first round — perhaps as early as third.
He was the first first-round selection to go unsigned since a new rule that gives teams a compensation pick. It was done by baseball to give teams more leverage — the Nationals pick 10th this year in addition to first overall.
Crow, who is represented by Hendricks Sports Management, is thought to be insistent on signing for more than what he turned down a year ago.
Crow, who was 3-0 with a 1.06 ERA this spring for the Fort Worth Cats, is taking the same approach as Luke Hochevar, who went from the No. 40 selection to first overall by the Royals in 2006, and fellow MU pitcher Max Scherzer, who eventually signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

KChiefs1

06-08-2009, 10:44 PM

At least the Stephen Strasburg contract will likely force a slotting system.

Good news for all teams.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=4240374

Mecca

06-08-2009, 11:31 PM

So the Royals will draft a USC player before the Chiefs do...

You don't worry about things like suspect glove when you're drafting if he proves in the minors he can't play short you can find him another position to play.

58kcfan89

06-09-2009, 01:20 AM

Anyone else gunna be pissed/disappointed if the Royals can't grab a catcher (preferably one in college) early?

I guess Green sounds really good for the spot, but I hope his glove isn't as bad as it seems from the reports. I can't say I know anything about him other than what's been posted in this thread.

Coach

06-09-2009, 04:18 AM

I also think they need a catcher in a bad way as well....

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 04:27 AM

We need a SS in the worst way

true but you never draft for need in baseball.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 04:30 AM

At least the Stephen Strasburg contract will likely force a slotting system.

Good news for all teams.

Never going to happen.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 05:26 AM

Never going to happen.

Absolutely will.

The current players aren't happy with rookie salaries, according to reports. And if push comes to shove in negotiations, the vets are going to want to keep money for themselves, not the n00bs.

The n00bs will be the first to go.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 05:29 AM

I think Green is off the board when you pick, here is your man

C Wil Myers from Wesleyan Christian Academy.

Wil Myers is the best athlete among a strong group of prep catchers, creating further options should his bat prove worthy of third base or right field and the vigor of catching everyday dare not agree with his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame.

Myers, a right-handed hitter, profiles as a plus bat with average or better power and good contact skills. He runs well and has a plus arm, but his athleticism, versatility and feel for the game are the attributes that incline scouts to believe he's a big leaguer.

Myers' advantage over Max Stassi of Yuba City, Calif. lies in the versatility he brings to the table. Prep catchers are up against the odds as it is -- less than five percent drafted in the top 100 since 1990 have started more than 100 games in the big leagues -- and Myers' ability to play other positions, such as third base and the outfield, give him an edge that the other prep backstops do not. If they can't catch, it's likely they are stuck as first baseman or designated hitters, if their bats play there, while Myers can simply move to another spot on the field.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 05:32 AM

Absolutely will.

The current players aren't happy with rookie salaries, according to reports. And if push comes to shove in negotiations, the vets are going to want to keep money for themselves, not the n00bs.

The n00bs will be the first to go.

It will also bring with it the right to trade picks, I dont like that at all.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 05:42 AM

It will also bring with it the right to trade picks, I dont like that at all.

Why? I'd love for teams to be able to trade picks just like every other major sport.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 05:47 AM

Why? I'd love for teams to be able to trade picks just like every other major sport.

GM's/Owners could further cripple small market teams by dealing away these picks to the large markets leading to even less parity than there currently is now.

I do think MLB needs a salary cap though.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 05:57 AM

If you're willing to give up a ton of picks for 1 guy, that's the organizations decision.

BAS

06-09-2009, 08:48 AM

Yes, I know that the Royals need a SS in the worst way, but I have this bad feeling about most of the platers to which we are linked. Green hit a slump, is inconsistent, and might be a "low energy" guy. Kyle Gibson has injury concerns. The catchers all seem to be a reach at 13.

Instead, I would like to see the Royals draft Mike Leake (RHP) from ASU. Nearly every commentator has suggested that he is polished, he gets the job done, has good control, and has a strong mental makeup. They also project him as the first pitcher to make it to the majors. To me, it would be a low risk pick that would likely help our starting rotation sometime next year.

I know pitching is a strength and that we have a core of starters, but to me, you take the player that will hold value, has really low bust potential, and that can potentially make your starting rotation one of the very best in baseball. Two reasons why: 1) he could allow us to send one of the weaker arms to the bullpen for long relief (Bannister or Davies), which could allow us to use Tejeda in some high pressure situations (he has been a great pitcher for us when healthy). 2) It generates tradeable value at a premium position in baseball. Our starters are decent, and even some of the back end starters that we curse a lot would be starters on a lot of other teams, which we cannot say about nearly any other position on our team. Some of these guys will have contracts coming (or arbitration raises) that will make them desirable to move, and with even mediocre starting pitching, you can get major ready (or near) offensive talent.

To me, you don't just slap at a weakness with someone who probably will not play for a year or two and may not pan out -- you build a strength that can be used to get more certain talent.

That's just my opinion. I could be totally out in left field.

OmahaChief

06-09-2009, 08:54 AM

At least the Stephen Strasburg contract will likely force a slotting system.

Good news for all teams.

This is needed in the worst way. I really wish they would get rookie contrats under control in all sports. These guys have proved nothign and they are getting paid more then some all star type guys. I know the union is against this but I would aslo thing the vets would start pushing back. They are the ones due more money not these kids.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 09:36 AM

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 09:43 AM

cmh6476

06-09-2009, 09:51 AM

The Royals need everything. You don't draft in a baseball draft to fill holes like you do in the NFL. You take the best talent available. I fyou have a log-jam when your draftee is ready to be called up, you make a trade. We don't need to take a damn catcher if there are better big league players that are still available.

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 10:03 AM

2009 MLB mock draft

Only one day remains until all the speculation ends with the beginning of the 2009 MLB draft.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/minors/blog/Stephen-Strasburg.jpg
The Washington Nationals likely will draft San Diego State right-hander Stephen Strasburg (right) with the No. 1 overall pick, but the rest of the first round is uncertain.
North Carolina’s Dustin Ackley is one of the best college players available, but he underwent Tommy John surgery last season. Some teams might be concerned with his health, but the Seattle Mariners will probably gamble with the second pick.
As evidenced by their reported efforts to reduce the payroll, the San Diego Padres would probably like to make a safe selection. Right-hander Aaron Crow, who declined to sign with the Nationals last year, would be a tremendous pick because he’s not going to want to miss another season in affiliated baseball.
While Donavan Tate is headed to North Carolina to play football and baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates could attempt to change his mind after making him the fourth overall pick. He’s going to command a lot of money, so it’s not out of the question that he slides down the draft board.
The Orioles are rumored to be considering a high school pitcher – California left-hander Tyler Matzek and Georgia right-hander Zach Wheeler are popular names – but they have selected college players in the first round during the past two drafts.
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail seems to like experienced college players, similar to Matt Wieters and Brian Matusz, so North Carolina’s Alex White would be a good choice at No. 5.
The first round of the 2009 draft will be broadcast live on MLB Network, beginning at 6 p.m. tomorrow night.
Below, I’ve listed my best guess at the projected picks for the first round. Remember, the MLB draft is a lot harder to predict than the NFL or NBA drafts because the players might not make an impact for several years.

1. Washington Nationals – Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State – Only question remains whether the Nationals will be able to sign the power-throwing right-hander.
2. Seattle Mariners – Dustin Ackley, 1B/OF, North Carolina – Hitting over .400 and leading the Tar Heels in home runs and RBIs, he’s clearly the best batter in the draft.

3. San Diego Padres – Aaron Crow, RHP, Fort Worth Cats – Didn’t sign with Nationals last season after being chosen at No. 9, which looks like a good move if his draft position improves as expected.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates – Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville (Ga.) H.S. – Draft position could be affected by college commitment, but he’s too good to let slide and not attempt to sign.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/minors/blog/Alex-White.jpg
5. Baltimore Orioles – Alex White (left), RHP, North Carolina – Statistics aren’t great (8-4, 4.13 ERA), but the 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander struck out 109 batters in 98 innings so far this season. As an experienced player, he would add another starting pitcher to the Orioles’ surplus in the minor leagues.
6. San Francisco Giants – Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley (Calif.) H.S. – Reminds me of former Orioles starting pitcher Erik Bedard with good command but some questions on attitude.

7. Atlanta Braves – Zach Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding (Ga.) H.S. – Doesn’t project to be ready for the major leagues in the near future, but his upside fits nicely with the Braves’ track record of developing pitchers.
8. Cincinnati Reds – Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt – Not as highly touted as another Commodores left-hander – Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price – but experience could push him quickly to the major leagues.
9. Detroit Tigers – Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul Saints – Pirates couldn’t sign 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-hander after taking him in second round last year. Shoulder injury ended his college career, but he seems to be healthy now.
10. Washington Nationals – Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State – With compensatory pick for failing to agree to terms with Crow, Nationals want someone they can sign. The 6-foot, 180-pound pitcher fits into that category.
11. Colorado Rockies – Mike Trout, OF, Millville (N.J.) H.S. – Won’t turn 18 until August, but the 6-foot-1, 200-pound outfielder climbed up draft boards with a great finish to high school career.
12. Kansas City Royals – Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian (Mo.) H.S. – Not as polished as some of the other high school pitchers, but he’s a great pick for the hometown Royals.
13. Oakland Athletics – Grant Green, SS, Southern California – Scouts seem to disagree on the 6-foot-3, 185-pound infielder’s skills, but he is one of the best shortstops in college baseball.
14. Texas Rangers – Shelby Miller, RHP, Brownwood (Texas) H.S. – Rangers have their pick of in-state pitchers, and they’ll likely grab the hard-throwing right-hander.
15. Cleveland Indians – Matt Purke, LHP, Klein (Texas) H.S. – Rumblings about the 6-foot-3, 175-pound southpaw commanding a big signing bonus, but Indians will be happy if he falls to them.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks – Rex Brothers, LHP, Lipscomb – Pitched to Orioles minor league catcher Caleb Joseph in college in 2007 and 2008. The 6-foot, 205-pound left-hander struck out 132 batters in 94 innings.
17. Arizona Diamondbacks – A.J. Pollock, OF, Notre Dame – Could move quickly through the minor leagues. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound outfielder batted .365 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs in 59 games for the Fighting Irish.
18. Florida Marlins – James Paxton, LHP, Kentucky – The 6-foot-4, 210-pound left-hander touches 98 mph with his fastball, but the biggest question is whether he will be a starter or a reliever in the future.
19. St. Louis Cardinals – Matt Hobgood, RHP, Norco (Calif.) H.S. – Listed as a 6-foot-4, 245-pound right-hander, he could turn into a power pitcher in the future. For now, he'll need some refinement but is worth this pick.
20. Toronto Blue Jays – Bobby Borchering, 1B/3B, Bishop Verot (Fla.) H.S. – While he reportedly struggles defensively, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound corner infielder is considered one of the best hitters available.
21. Houston Astros – Tim Wheeler, OF, Sacramento State – Speedy contact hitter who added power -- 18 home runs and 72 RBIs in 54 games -- to his repertoire this season.
22. Minnesota Twins – Jared Mitchell, OF, Louisiana State – Call it a hunch, but Mitchell is going to be one of the best values of this year's draft, in my opinion. The 6-foot, 190-pound outfielder has 35 stolen bases in 2009.
23. Chicago White Sox – Matt Davidson, 3B, Yucaipa (Calif.) H.S. – The 6-foot-3, 210-pound corner infielder projects to be an above-average power hitter in the future, but he's several years away from the big leagues.
24. Los Angeles Angels – Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana – An underrated starting pitcher who climbed draft boards with a strong season. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound right-hander would fit well in the Angels' system.
25. Los Angeles Angels – Kyle Gibson, RHP, Missouri – Although a stress fracture in his right forearm (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090606&content_id=5179572&vkey=draft2009&fext=.jsp) hurts his draft position, the Angels can gamble and select the 6-foot-6, 210-pound right-hander with this pick.
26. Milwaukee Brewers – Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State – Although he is inexperienced, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound right-hander provides a cheap option who could rise quickly to the major leagues.
27. Seattle Mariners – Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Santa Monica (Calif.) H.S. – The 6-foot-4, 180-pound left-hander could develop into a durable starter in the major leagues.
28. Boston Red Sox – Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College – With Jason Varitek getting older, the Red Sox should grab the local college product who is arguably the top catcher in the draft.
29. New York Yankees – Andrew Oliver, LHP, Oklahoma State – Hard-throwing left-hander, who touches 98 mph with his fastball, could help the Yankees in the rotation or bullpen in the future.
30. Tampa Bay Rays – Brett Jackson, OF, California – Considered to be one of the most athletic players in the draft, but he needs to pick up some power in order to become a solid contributor in the major leagues.
31. Chicago Cubs – Garrett Gould, RHP, Maize (Kan.) H.S. – Reportedly has one of the best curveballs among pitchers available in the draft, which should get the 6-foot-4, 205-pound right-hander picked in the first round.
32. Colorado Rockies – Everett Williams, OF, McCallum (Texas) H.S. – Uncertainty about his potential hitting ability in the major leagues bumps him down, but overall athleticism should keep the 5-foot-10, 200-pound outfielder in the opening round.

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 10:05 AM

Missouri baseball players wait for MLB Draft results

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 | 12:01 a.m. CDT
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/media/multimedia/2009/06/09/media/030609_gibson_1_t_w300_h600.jpg
Missouri junior Kyle Gibson might see his draft stock fall after an MRI revealed a stress fracture in his pitching arm. ¦ Missourian file photo
BY Dieter Kurtenbach
COLUMBIA — Several members of the Missouri baseball team are waiting to see what team will select them Tuesday in Major League Baseball's amateur draft.
Kyle Gibson, this season’s Friday night starter for the Tigers, has been predicted to be chosen as high as the top five, but that became questionable after Gibson’s last start of the season. In an eight-inning, shutout performance in an NCAA regional game against Monmouth, Gibson threw his sinking fastball in the mid-80 mph range, a far cry from the 91-to-93 mph range Gibson displayed throughout the 2009 season. The speculation came after Gibson mentioned forearm soreness, a common precursor to elbow problems. Gibson went in for an MRI, and found a stress fracture in his right forearm.
“It’s a good thing, it’s not an elbow problem, and I’ll be fine in six weeks,” Gibson said by phone Monday night.
Though the injury is short term, its proximity to the draft has done Gibson no favors. Not every organization can bring him in to see team doctors. The lack of certainty about the injury from each team’s standpoint has caused several teams to take Gibson off their draft board all together, according to Keith Law an ESPN baseball draft expert (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/draft).
Gibson, a 2009 Golden Spikes award semifinalist, said he is confident despite the lack of confidence in his arm.
Gibson, despite being 11-3 with a 3.21 ERA this season, might fall farther than he would like, but has no intention to follow the path of former Fresno State pitcher Tanner Scheppers (http://www.columbiamissourian.com/admin/core/article/114894/Tanner%20Scheppers), who faced a similar situation to Gibson’s a year ago and was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Scheppers did not sign with the Pirates, instead opting to pitch for the St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association, hoping to increase his draft status for 2009. Scheppers is expected to be a early pick on Tuesday.
“The best thing for me is to play with the team that drafts me, and to prove people who passed on me wrong,” Gibson said. "I’ve had to prove people wrong before. I’d like to do it again."
Another standout Missouri pitcher did follow Scheppers' route. Aaron Crow was selected with the ninth pick in the 2008 draft by the Washington Nationals, but Crow refused their contract offers, and played for the Fort Worth Cats (http://www.fwcats.com/roster/260/Aaron_Crow), also of the American Association, this past season.
Crow and his agents Randy and Alan Hendricks were looking for a deal worth $4 million. The Nationals offered $3.3 million, and no agreement could be made before the Aug. 15 signing deadline. Crow said he is looking for a similar contract to the one he asked for last year, but would not delve into specifics at the request of his agents.
Crow said he is convinced that his time in Fort Worth has made him a better pitcher and more desirable to Major League teams, despite his contract demands.
“I’ve been working on my changeup, and it has gotten a lot better from my time at Mizzou," Crow said by phone Monday. "I’ve been attacking hitters different ways, and throwing different pitches in different counts, and I think it’s made me better.”
Tigers catcher Trevor Coleman should also be selected over the course of the draft. A switch-hitter, Crow missed three weeks with a broken throwing hand in 2009 and experienced a season long funk at the plate before the injury. But he has always been solid defensively and was a Baseball America preseason second-team All-American in 2009 with a .295 batting average in 2008. Coleman has been predicted to go as high as the third round, but is far more likely be selected on the second day of the draft.
It is unknown precisely where 2009 Tigers like Michael Liberto, Ryan Lollis, Kyle Mach and Aaron Senne, as well Tiger recruits Eric Garcia, Eric Anderson and Dane Opel, will be selected in the draft, but each could be chosen in any of the 50 rounds over the draft’s three days.

penguinz

06-09-2009, 10:50 AM

The catchers all seem to be a reach at 13.
Good thing we draft at 12 and not 13!

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 11:28 AM

This is needed in the worst way. I really wish they would get rookie contrats under control in all sports. These guys have proved nothign and they are getting paid more then some all star type guys. I know the union is against this but I would aslo thing the vets would start pushing back. They are the ones due more money not these kids.

Agreed. Completely.

Again you never ever draft for need in MLB, guys just don’t jump from HS/college to the bigs this is not the NFL or NBA. Who knows in 3-4-5 years from now what you're going to need. Pitching is always the safe bet in the draft, and IMO the way to go.

Id question Who ever is saying Leake will be the first to the bigs since Stras is likely to play THIS year for the Nats.

Hmm...my inclination is that position players are a safer bet. Less threat of injury. All pitchers have arm problems, so it's a matter of "when," not "if."

I am willing to be proven wrong, however. Statistically, do you (or does anyone else) know what has proven to be the best? Or is it about 50-50?

CoMoChief

06-09-2009, 11:55 AM

is Strasburg the guy who throws 100 and has been getting a lot of hype?

Yes, he's the shit.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 12:08 PM

Yes, he's the shit.

so was Ben McDonald.......

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 12:08 PM

Drafting a pitcher #1 overall is the kiss of death.

Demonpenz

06-09-2009, 12:17 PM

per Llbtalk.com Grant Green Solid range, good arm, above average power, might fit better at 3rd. Could be the next Alex Gordon

Demonpenz

06-09-2009, 12:18 PM

Ben Mcdonald, wow sardines before the game guy? Todd van popple!

googlegoogle

06-09-2009, 01:45 PM

We will not take a shortstop. A pitcher instead.

BAP

KevB

06-09-2009, 01:50 PM

Keith Law said he's hearing college pitcher, possibly Mike Leake from ASU.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 02:05 PM

Keith Law said he's hearing college pitcher, possibly Mike Leake from ASU.

This dude is supposed to be very talented. Over 1 K per inning.

Buck

06-09-2009, 02:05 PM

I have ESPN Insider

Here is what Keith Law Says

1. Washington Nationals

Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State: This isn't changing.

2. Seattle Mariners

Dustin Ackley, 1B/CF, North Carolina: Fellow MLB Draft blogger Jason Churchill says the Mariners are still waffling between Ackley and one other candidate, potentially Crow, and there's concern Ackley eventually will ask for a bonus greater than that received by Pedro Alvarez. (That's not crazy -- he's a better hitter than Alvarez.) It's still hard to imagine them passing on the only really good bat in this draft.

3. San Diego Padres

Donovan Tate, CF, Cartersville (Ga.) HS: I did hear from one agent that he thinks Crow is their choice (the agent isn't advising Crow, or Tate, for that matter). Their mix also includes Zack Wheeler, and Mike Minor is still an emergency backup plan.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College: Update -- Pittsburgh's mix now is Tony Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, Matt Hobgood and Grant Green. There's some thought the Pirates could take Aaron Crow and offer him slot, given his lack of leverage.

5. Baltimore Orioles

Zack Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS, Dallas, Ga.: What isn't clear is what they'll do if Wheeler is off the board; they might take Tyler Matzek.

6. San Francisco Giants

Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, Calif.: They might take Crow over Matzek if he gets here, which would likely happen if San Diego takes Tate. Neither player is saying he would sign for slot.

7. Atlanta Braves

Alex White, RHP, North Carolina: Update -- Baltimore taking Zack Wheeler, San Francisco taking Tyler Matzek and Atlanta taking Alex White all seem pretty strong. Atlanta would love to take Matt Purke, but the word is the higher-ups won't pay that much over slot.

8. Cincinnati Reds

Shelby Miller, RHP, Brownwood HS, Brownwood, Texas: Miller has scared the heck out of teams with a big dollar figure, but the Reds have gone over slot in the past, and several execs I talked to this morning indicated they felt Miller would ultimately settle for less.

9. Detroit Tigers

Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy: They're also on Tanner Scheppers, and they're having Reymond Fuentes in for a workout today. Mike Trout was rumored to be in the mix here a month ago.

10. Washington Nationals

Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt: Word is the Nationals would like to leave this draft with two starters who can get to the majors quickly, and Minor wouldn't require them to go over slot here. They're also considering Drew Storen, Chad Jenkins and A.J. Pollock.

11. Colorado Rockies

Matt Hobgood, RHP, Norco HS, Norco, Calif.: Update -- Colorado is on Bobby Borchering, perhaps even over Hobgood.

12. Kansas City Royals

Wil Myers, C, Wesleyan Christian Academy: Update -- Kansas City is on Mike Leake at 12. That would mean Oakland would choose among Green, Mike Trout and maybe Donovan Tate at 13.

13. Oakland Athletics

Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State: Some chance they take Mike Trout or Grant Green, but Leake seems to be the preference, and it's likely at least two of their three choices are there for them. They could call an audible on Tate if he falls here

14. Texas Rangers

Reymond Fuentes, OF, Fernando Callejo HS, Manati, P.R.: Slade Heathcott is also in play here, but they could roll the dice and hope to grab him at 44. They would look hard at Shelby Miller if he falls here and they are perhaps the last good landing spot for Crow or Tanner Scheppers.

15. Cleveland Indians

Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana: Preference here is to add a pitcher, since their system is full of bats and mostly corner bats at that.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks

Bobby Borchering, 1B/3B, Bishop Verot HS, Fort Myers, Fla.: They're stuck to slot payments or below because of all of their extra picks.

17. Arizona Diamondbacks

Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Santa Monica HS, Santa Monica, Calif.: Other names include Eric Arnett if he gets here, A.J. Pollock and possibly Kyle Gibson if their doctors sign off on the medicals.

18. Florida Marlins

Chad James, LHP, Yukon (Okla.) HS: No word yet if James' anticipated bonus demand, which would be slightly above slot here, will scare Florida off him and on to Rex Brothers instead.

19. St. Louis Cardinals

Randal Grichuk, OF, Lamar Consolidated HS, Rosenberg, Texas: Update -- One potential destination for one of the high-ceiling high school arms is St. Louis, which is particularly high on Matt Purke.

20. Toronto Blue Jays

Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State: They're hanging in on Chad James, several other college arms and are on the fringes with Pollock.

21. Houston Astros

Jiovanni Mier, SS, Bonita HS, Pomona, Calif.: This is probably James' floor as well.

22. Minnesota Twins

Billy Bullock, RHP, Florida: I've also heard they're in on Mier, Drew Storen and the high school center fielders.

23. Chicago White Sox

Rex Brothers, LHP, Lipscomb: College pitchers here, or Trout or Fuentes.

24. Los Angeles Angels

Kyle Heckathorn, RHP, Kennesaw State: The Angels are in on everybody, from Heckathorn to Brothers to Bullock to Fuentes to Trout to Mier to Garrett Gould to Steven Matz. I wouldn't expect a college bat here but almost anything else seems like fair game.

25. Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout, CF, Millville HS, Millville, N.J.

26. Milwaukee Brewers

A.J. Pollock, CF, Notre Dame: Update -- Milwaukee isn't likely to go over slot at 26. The Brewers did make an over-slot overture to a high school player who is not likely to go ahead of them for signability reasons but were turned down.

27. Seattle Mariners

Drew Storen, RHP, Stanford: Seattle could convert him to the rotation, where he pitched in high school (including a couple of matchups against Jarrod Parker). Pollock probably doesn't get past here.

28. Boston Red Sox

Max Stassi, C, Yuba City HS, Yuba City, Calif.: Update -- Stassi worked out for the Red Sox on Tuesday at Fenway.

29. New York Yankees

Slade Heathcott, CF, Texas HS, Texarkana, Texas

30. Tampa Bay Rays

Everett Williams, CF, McCallum HS, Austin, Texas

31. Chicago Cubs

Andy Oliver, LHP, Oklahoma State: They could still go with Cal outfielder Brett Jackson, whom I projected them to take last week.

32. Colorado Rockies

Tim Wheeler, CF, Sacramento State: If Wheeler even gets here, this is a floor.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2009/insider/news/story?id=4245401

KevB

06-09-2009, 02:20 PM

This dude is supposed to be very talented. Over 1 K per inning.

Reports are that he's not big (6'0, 180), nor does he throw incredibly hard. But, he has four pitches that he controls extremely well, and he's got all the intangibles and polish you look for. Fastball in the low 90's, plus change and slider with an average curve ball. He was outstanding this year at a high level program. I'd be ok with this pick I suppose. He'd likely move quickly through the system.

Demonpenz

06-09-2009, 02:36 PM

Reports are that he's not big (6'0, 180), nor does he throw incredibly hard. But, he has four pitches that he controls extremely well, and he's got all the intangibles and polish you look for. Fastball in the low 90's, plus change and slider with an average curve ball. He was outstanding this year at a high level program. I'd be ok with this pick I suppose. He'd likely move quickly through the system.

oh great being polish means he will probably throw to second with no one on

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 02:40 PM

Reports are that he's not big (6'0, 180), nor does he throw incredibly hard. But, he has four pitches that he controls extremely well, and he's got all the intangibles and polish you look for. Fastball in the low 90's, plus change and slider with an average curve ball. He was outstanding this year at a high level program. I'd be ok with this pick I suppose. He'd likely move quickly through the system.

Short RHP, naturally draws a few similarities to Lincecum.

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 04:02 PM

It's live on MLB Network right now.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 04:09 PM

Yay!!

Buck

06-09-2009, 04:12 PM

Please let me know who the Padres select at #3...Thx

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 04:15 PM

shocker

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 04:26 PM

Please let me know who the Padres select at #3...Thx

Donovan Tate, CF, 6' 3-210, HS (GA), DOB- 9/27/90 (18)

Tate is a supreme 5-tool talent, and while some have concerns about his ability to hit good pitching, many believe he's the top prep position player in this draft, and will make the required adjustments. The son of former UG star and NFL running back Lars Tate has the total package of skills, including plus/plus speed, good range and an above average arm in CF. He's a good and dangerous hitter with easy power and has scouts drooling over his potential.

Buck

06-09-2009, 04:28 PM

Donovan Tate, CF, 6' 3-210, HS (GA), DOB- 9/27/90 (18)

Tate is a supreme 5-tool talent, and while some have concerns about his ability to hit good pitching, many believe he's the top prep position player in this draft, and will make the required adjustments. The son of former UG star and NFL running back Lars Tate has the total package of skills, including plus/plus speed, good range and an above average arm in CF. He's a good and dangerous hitter with easy power and has scouts drooling over his potential.

Thanks.

I was afraid they would pass up on him and sign a value pick, a la Matt Bush from 2004.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 04:29 PM

Thanks.

I was afraid they would pass up on him and sign a value pick, a la Matt Bush from 2004.

just hope you can sign him away from UNC.

Buck

06-09-2009, 04:33 PM

just hope you can sign him away from UNC.

I sure hope so, but I don't think Scott Boras will let him get away.

I'm not sure of what Boras' track record is on these sort of things.

I'm also pretty sure the Padres have never had a Scott Boras client before.

BigChiefFan

06-09-2009, 04:36 PM

We really need to hit on this draft.

The Franchise

06-09-2009, 04:38 PM

I'm not a huge baseball fan.....but why don't the Dodgers have a pick in the draft?

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 04:38 PM

Looking at these mock drafts & watching what is actually happening makes me realize that the MLB draft is nothing like the NFL draft.

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 04:42 PM

Keith Law is all over this draft...

Buck

06-09-2009, 04:42 PM

I'm not a huge baseball fan.....but why don't the Dodgers have a pick in the draft?

I'm guessing they traded it to the D'backs, or the Dodgers signed a Free Agent away from the D'backs or something like that.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 04:43 PM

I'm not a huge baseball fan.....but why don't the Dodgers have a pick in the draft?

they gave up their number one pick to sign Orlando Hudson

Mr. Arrowhead

06-09-2009, 04:44 PM

god i cant stand bud selig

teedubya

06-09-2009, 04:45 PM

Lots of good players left on the board.

KevB

06-09-2009, 04:51 PM

Lots of good players left on the board.

With no 2nd rounder, I'm praying we take a Matzek, Jacob Turner, Crowe or Greene.

Al Bundy

06-09-2009, 04:55 PM

Can scratch Turner off the wishlist.
Posted via Mobile Device

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 04:56 PM

Crow is looking like a definite possibility right now...he was a top 10 pick last year.

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 05:02 PM

A top 5 pick in Matzek is still on the board??????????

KevB

06-09-2009, 05:02 PM

Crow is looking like a definite possibility right now...he was a top 10 pick last year.

One of Crowe or Matzek, who's maybe the best prep pitcher in the draft, will be there.

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 05:03 PM

Matzek is the best available right now!

A top 5 talent.

OmahaChief

06-09-2009, 05:03 PM

One of Crowe or Matzek, who's maybe the best prep pitcher in the draft, will be there.

Pretty stoked about this development. I would gladly take either.

OmahaChief

06-09-2009, 05:04 PM

Expected the Rockies to take him. Matzek that is

Mr. Arrowhead

06-09-2009, 05:04 PM

do we go Crowe here

KevB

06-09-2009, 05:05 PM

One of Crowe or Matzek, who's maybe the best prep pitcher in the draft, will be there.

Wow, Rockies roll the dice that they can sign a guy that says he wants precedent setting money.

KevB

06-09-2009, 05:05 PM

do we go Crowe here

Do we take another pitcher who went Indy League for a year?

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:07 PM

What is Crowe all about?? Does he have better talent than hochevar?

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 05:07 PM

Crow or Green.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:08 PM

Crowe!

petegz28

06-09-2009, 05:09 PM

So we got another RHP??? Wow...paint me shocked

Mr. Arrowhead

06-09-2009, 05:09 PM

good pick IMO

KevB

06-09-2009, 05:09 PM

Do we take another pitcher who went Indy League for a year?

Guarantee the front office didn't think they'd get a shot at Crowe. I'd sold myself on getting the SS of the future, but getting Crowe is quite a nice coup.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:09 PM

mock had him at #3

teedubya

06-09-2009, 05:10 PM

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:10 PM

Guarantee the front office didn't think they'd get a shot at Crowe. I'd sold myself on getting the SS of the future, but getting Crowe is quite a nice coup.

I was set at SS too, how could they pass him at 12?

doomy3

06-09-2009, 05:10 PM

Anyone have any info on this guy? Power arm or finesse guy?

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 05:11 PM

So we got another RHP??? Wow...paint me shocked

the kid is money I don't see the problem

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:12 PM

Discussing on MLB.com now and MLBTV

Mecca

06-09-2009, 05:12 PM

Royals get Aaron Crow... from Wakarusa Kansas... maybe he will WANT to play for the Royals... he obviously didn't want to play for the Nationals last year.

Same shit Hochevar did... and we've seen how that's worked out so far.

I'm not all that familiar with the baseball draft but this kid better have a power arm and not be a pitcher like Hochevar is.

petegz28

06-09-2009, 05:13 PM

the kid is money I don't see the problem

We won't see him for 4 years so who knows?

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:13 PM

Grant Greene goes right after

teedubya

06-09-2009, 05:14 PM

Watch Green turn out to be a Hall of Famer.

Crow is already 23...

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 05:15 PM

We won't see him for 4 years so who knows?

that's baseball

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 05:16 PM

http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/crow_aaron00.html

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 borderColorDark=black cellPadding=0 width=430 bgColor=#333333 borderColorLight=gray border=4><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=430 bgColor=#333333 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=440 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=50>http://graphics.fansonly.com/graphics/mtt/number_button-43.gif </TD><TD vAlign=center background=http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/miss/graphics/miss-mtt-bg.gif> Aaron Crow</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=1 width=430 bgColor=#333333 border=0 valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=105>http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/miss/sports/m-basebl/auto_headshot/1696832.jpeg</TD><TD vAlign=top width=321><TABLE width=321 bgColor=#333333 border=0 valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2>http://graphics.fansonly.com/graphics/mtt/profile.gif </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top><TABLE width=160 align=top bgColor=#333333 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top>Class:
Senior
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top>Hometown:
Wakarusa, Kan.
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top>High School:
Washburn Rural HS
</TD></TR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD vAlign=top><TABLE width=160 align=top bgColor=#333333 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top>Height / Weight:
6-3 / 195
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top>Position:
RHP
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top>Bats/Throws:
R/R
</TD></TR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD>
</TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

* 2008 NCBWA PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
* 2008 LOUISVILLE SLUGGER PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
* 2007 ALL BIG 12 CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM

2007
Finished with a 3.59 ERA, which ranked 11th in the Big 12 Conference ... became the Friday night starter for the Tigers in 2007 ... pitched 117.2 innings in 2007, which was second most in the Big 12 and ranked fourth all-time in MU history ... led the team in strikeouts (90), wins (9), games started (18) and innings pitched (117.2) ... was third on the team with an earned run average of 3.59 ... his 18 starts matched a school record for starts in a season and the nine wins tied for eighth-most in the Missouri season record book ... pitched at least seven innings in 11 of his 18 starts on the year, including complete games against Texas A&M and Kent State ... had three-straight games from Feb. 17 to March 4 in which he turned in seven innings on the hill and did not allow an earned run ... was named the Most Outstanding Pitcher at the Coca-Cola Spring Training Classic after allowing two runs (none earned) on just two hits in seven innings pitched against Gonzaga on Feb. 17 for his first win of the year ... struck out eight and allowed only four hits in seven scoreless innings against Memphis on Feb. 25 ... recorded his second win of the year by striking out six in seven scoreless innings pitched against Youngstown State on March 4 ... win number three of the year came against Texas State, as he allowed four runs in 6.2 innings on the mound ... sruck out nine batters in seven innings pitched against Cleveland State on March 15, earning the victory for the third-straight start to improve to 4-0 on the year ... allowed just one run on four hits in eight innings pitched in the series opener against Nebraska, but was handed a no decision ... threw a complete game against Texas A&M on April 14, not allowing an earned run and giving up just three hits, but took the hard-luck loss as three unearned runs gave the Aggies the 3-1 win ... picked up fifth win of the year as he struck out six, allowing two runs on six hits in 7.1 innings of work against Baylor ... win number six came against Texas Tech on April 27, striking out six in seven innings ... allowed four runs (just two earned) in 6.2 innings pitched in the series opener with Texas and took a no decision ... turned in eight innings on the hill against Oklahoma on May 11, allowing two runs to pick up his seventh win of the season ... struck out a season-high nine in seven innings pitched to move to 8-2 on the year with a win over Oklahoma State on May 18, allowing three runs on six hits ... recorded his second complete game of the year in the opener of the NCAA Regional, striking out eight and allowing just two runs on five hits against Kent State on June 1 ... performance against Kent State was his second-straight complete game in NCAA Regional play ... did not allow a walk in his final three starts on the year .... ranked first among Top Prospects of the Cape Cod League last summer by Baseball America.
2006
Made 19 appearances, 13 of which were starts, as a freshman for Mizzou ... turned in best outing in the final start of the season at the NCAA Regional ... followed Rick Zagone's complete game win in the Regional with a one-run, six-hit complete game win over Pepperdine to keep the Tigers alive in the Malibu Regional ... the win was the first for Crow, who had been the hard-luck loser in several starts during the season ...he struck out seven in his first career start, allowing just two runs in six innings, but took a no decision against Kennesaw State ... struck out six in 5.1 innings on the mound against Ohio State, but took a loss ... went eight innings against UW-Milwaukee, striking out five, but fell to 0-2 on the year ... went at least five innings in four starts in Big 12 Conference play ... was third on the team with 77.2 innings pitched and 60 strikeouts.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was an All-State selection as a senior at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan. ... also named the All-Centennial League team in his junior and senior seasons ... was 4-2 with a 1.71 ERA as a senior with 53 strikeouts ... was on the Honor Roll. PERSONAL
Born in Topeka, Kan. ... son of Kevin and Julie Crow ... is a business major.

petegz28

06-09-2009, 05:17 PM

Watch Green turn out to be a Hall of Famer.

Crow is already 23...

Well I don't know enough about him to say I don't like him but...he better move up a littler faster than average if he is 23 already

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:17 PM

After draft analysis last year

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/news/2008/266273.html

Aaron Crow, rhp, Missouri
B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 205. Age: 21.

Scouting Report

In three years, Crow has gone from an undrafted high school senior to the best righthander in the 2008 draft, thanks largely to the best fastball package available. Other pitchers may throw harder, but no one can match the combination of Crow's velocity (92-96 mph with a peak of 98), hard sink, command and ability to maintain his fastball. He also has a plus slider, though he tends to rely on it too much. His changeup can become a solid third pitch, but he has had little use for it in college. He has control and command, keeping the ball down and throwing strikes to both sides of the plate. If there's a quibble, it's Crow's delivery, which has some effort but is cleaner than it was coming out of high school. Some teams wonder if his mechanics and size (generously listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds) might make him more of a closer than a frontline starter. Crow led the Cape Cod League with a 0.67 ERA last summer and was the No. 1 prospect in the league. He threw 43 consecutive scoreless innings early this spring, and was tied for the D-I lead with 11 wins. He wasn't as sharp after the streak and was pulled from a start with back spasms, but he solidified his place at the top of the first round.

doomy3

06-09-2009, 05:17 PM

We won't see him for 4 years so who knows?

You realize he's 23 years old, right?

Or were you just prepared to bitch no matter who was picked?

Mecca

06-09-2009, 05:18 PM

23? Jesus Christ he better be a real fast mover.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:19 PM

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=crow

more updated report

Focus Area

Comments
Fastball: Crow touched 94-95 mph in this outing, but will probably pitch at 91-92 mph.
Fastball movement: When he's on, he can produce some serious sink.
Slider: It's his best pitch and it's a plus offering at times.
Changeup: Much improved from a year ago, it's a Major League average pitch now.
Control: His command was inconsistent as he tried to nibble too much.
Poise: Has always been poised on the mound. In the past, he was very aggressive and went right after the hitters. He tried to be a little too fine at times in this start.
Physical Description: Crow has a loose and athletic frame.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: The chance to have three good pitches, with the slider a plus pitch.
Weaknesses: Command was inconsistent. He had a flaw in his delivery, a wrap on the back side, that probably didn't help with his strike-throwing ability.
Summary: Crow was taken No. 9 overall by the Nationals a year ago, but didn't sign. He went the independent ball route to show scouts this year what he could do and, for the most part, seemed close to the guy many teams liked in 2008. His command was a little off, but on the flip side, his changeup was much improved. Players who have gone the indy route while negotiating or re-entering the draft have tended to improve their standing and it's looking like Crow will be no different.

KevB

06-09-2009, 05:20 PM

We won't see him for 4 years so who knows?

Barring injury, we'll see him within 2-3 years.

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 05:20 PM

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/may/01/all-the-right-moves-aaron-crow/

By Matt Nestor (http://www.columbiatribune.com/staff/matt-nestor/)
Friday, May 1, 2009 (http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/may/01/)


Aaron Crow was just happy to be heading in the right direction once again.
No, there was never any doubt that the former Missouri ace would soon be back in baseball. He was trying to make his way to his temporary home after a bullpen session in Fort Worth, Texas.
http://media.columbiatribune.com/img/photos/2009/05/01/fr_B01_crow_mug_0501.jpg

Aaron Crow

“I’m trying to remember how to get back to my apartment,” Crow said in a phone interview yesterday. “OK, I think I’m back on track.”
He’ll be back on track professionally, as well.
Crow was the first-round selection of the Washington Nationals, ninth overall, in last year’s Major League Baseball draft. Talks eventually stalled, with Crow feeling that he would be better off in the long run waiting a year and re-entering the draft.
In preparation for this year’s draft on June 9, Crow, a right-hander from Wakarusa, Kan., will begin this season pitching for the Fort Worth Cats of the American Association, an independent minor league. Crow’s first start is scheduled for Monday, and he’s expected to get at least six appearances before the draft.
Accolades began piling up for Crow in the Cape Cod League in 2007, when he was the player of the year with a 0.67 ERA in the summer collegiate league. As a junior with the Tigers in 2008, Crow was the Big 12 pitcher of the year and a Golden Spikes Award finalist after going 13-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 15 starts. That included a string of 43 consecutive scoreless innings.
Because of those numbers, combined with a mid-90s fastball and sharp slider, Crow will likely again be a first-round pick. His stock, much like that of current Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar, shouldn’t drop because of his stint at Fort Worth.
Hochevar was originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005 and did not come to terms with the team. After a season pitching with the Cats, he quickly signed with the Royals after being the No. 1 overall pick in 2006.
“All I can do is go out, be competitive, throw strikes and get guys out. Just like I did last year,” Crow said. “I’m going to perform at the highest level I can and see what happens.”
The most recent mock draft on minorleagueball.com has Crow going to the Baltimore Orioles with the fifth overall pick. Missouri junior Kyle Gibson is projected to go eighth overall to the Cincinnati Reds.
Crow returned to Columbia to work out with his former Missouri teammates. Crow threw bullpen sessions and occasionally pitched to live hitters. On game days, Crow could be seen sitting in the stands, rooting on the Tigers.
Though he’s been working on all his pitches, Crow has seen vast improvement in his changeup, and he said he‘s grown more confident he can use it at the next level.
The failure of the Nationals to sign him created a stir that’s still being felt in Washington.
Seeking a major league contract right after the draft, Crow and his agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks, had a figure reportedly $700,000 higher than what the Nationals were offering.
Reports said that then-Nationals GM Jim Bowden didn’t talk to the highly sought pitcher for a month after draft day. There have been numerous conflicting reports — and inconsistent claims by Bowden — regarding the negotiations. Shortly after the draft, Crow grew uncomfortable with the situation, telling Blogtalkradio.com’s Baseball Digest Daily Live with Eric SanInocencio, “I just think any of the other 29 teams would have handled it a lot better.”
He was so disgusted with the process that he’s been quoted as saying he hopes the Nationals won’t draft him again.
“Early on, we just figured out that it wasn’t going to work for either side,” Crow said yesterday. “I was just ready to move on.”
And he’s moving in the right direction.

petegz28

06-09-2009, 05:21 PM

You realize he's 23 years old, right?

Or were you just prepared to bitch no matter who was picked?

Yes, I realize he is 23 ....thanks for reminding us though

Mecca

06-09-2009, 05:21 PM

Barring injury, we'll see him within 2-3 years.

He just better not be another Hochevar the last guy we took in the same situation hasn't turned out well.

petegz28

06-09-2009, 05:22 PM

Barring injury, we'll see him within 2-3 years.

I hope so. And I hope he works out better than the last guy...(Hochevar)

doomy3

06-09-2009, 05:22 PM

Yes, I realize he is 23 ....thanks for reminding us though

So, you think he will be 27 before we see him then?

petegz28

06-09-2009, 05:22 PM

He just better not be another Hochevar the last guy we took in the same situation hasn't turned out well.

LOL...we are on the same train of thought here

58kcfan89

06-09-2009, 05:23 PM

petegz28

06-09-2009, 05:23 PM

So, you think he will be 27 before we see him then?

Knowing our luck

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 05:24 PM

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/jun/09/back-and-better-than-before/?sports

By Matt Nestor (http://www.columbiatribune.com/staff/matt-nestor/)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 (http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/jun/09/)

Take 2 of Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft is already looking better for former Missouri pitcher Aaron Crow.

http://media.columbiatribune.com/img/photos/2009/06/09/tu_B03_coleman_0609.jpg

Coleman

http://media.columbiatribune.com/img/photos/2009/06/09/tu_B03_folgia_0609.jpg

Folgia

http://media.columbiatribune.com/img/photos/2009/06/09/tu_B03_gibson_0609.jpg

Gibson

http://media.columbiatribune.com/img/photos/2009/06/09/tu_B03_lollis_0609.jpg

Lollis

http://media.columbiatribune.com/img/photos/2009/06/09/tu_B03_senne_0609.jpg

Senne

Crow was the ninth overall selection of the Washington Nationals last season — Missouri’s highest pick ever. But because the Nationals failed to sign the right-hander, Crow is back in the draft.

MLB.com scouting reports said that, like many pitchers who have gone into independent leagues before re-entering the draft, Crow’s standing has improved.

“I’m really excited to get my career started,” Crow said. “It kind of took a little speed bump, ’cause I thought it was going to happen last year, but I’m excited. I think it’s going to be a great experience. … Hopefully, I’m out playing sooner rather than later.”

Missouri junior right-hander Kyle Gibson was expected to be taken sooner. Because of a stress fracture in his throwing arm, he could be waiting longer than originally thought.
The First-Year Player Draft is scheduled to begin at 5 tonight, when the first three rounds will be televised by the MLB Network. Rounds 4 through 50 will be held tomorrow.
After a successful three-start stint with the Forth Worth Cats (3-0, 1.06 ERA), recent mock drafts project Crow as a top-five pick this year — San Diego, which has the third pick, and Pittsburgh, which owns the fourth, are the teams most often mentioned as a possible destination.

Crow, who will watch the draft at his parents’ house in Wakarusa, Kan., said he hasn’t paid much attention to the speculation.
“I mean, it’s kind of the same as it was last year. I really don’t have too much of an idea what’s gonna happen,” Crow said, adding that he often read about the draft during his junior year at MU. “But last year, it was all wrong, the projections and stuff. So I’m just going to sit back and wait until tomorrow night. See what happens then.”
In recent mock drafts, Crow has been rated as the second-best pitcher in the draft — behind San Diego State’s Stephen Strasburg.

Both pitchers leapfrogged Gibson in the rankings.

Gibson’s stock has dropped in the past week after the 6-foot-6, 208-pound pitcher lost some speed off his fastball.
Gibson had consistently been throwing in the low 90s since his arrival in Columbia. But in his final two outings, his fastball was clocked in the 83-87 mph range. Showing good control of his slider and change-up — both of which he can throw for strikes — Gibson won his two postseason starts with a combined 14 shutout innings with 14 strikeouts and four walks.

Although the injury is not considered serious and likely won’t impact Gibson’s development as a pitcher, most mock drafts have Gibson dropping out of the top 10, and some have him falling to the latter half of the first round.

A phone call to Gibson was not returned.

It turns out to be a lucky break, so to speak, for Gibson. When the lanky right-hander first revealed at the Oxford, Miss., Regional that he was feeling tightness in his forearm, speculation was that it was a sign of a torn elbow ligament that would possibly require Tommy John surgery and a lengthy recovery.
The stress fracture will put Gibson on the shelf for about six weeks, and he would have time to work out with whichever team selects him before the Aug. 15 signing deadline.
Crow had a 13-0 record in his junior year for Missouri with a 2.35 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 1071/3 innings. He was named the Big 12 Conference pitcher of the year and won the Roger Clemens Award as college baseball’s top pitcher.

Crow has been working on all his pitches and has seen vast improvement in his change-up. Some experts believe that Crow could be in a major league bullpen as early as September.
“Everything went well, just about as good as I was hoping it would,” said Crow, who is represented by Randy and Alan Hendricks. “I was pleased with how everything turned out.”

A 36th-round selection by Philadelphia out of Greenfield, Ind., Central High School in 2006, Gibson struck out a school-record-tying 131 hitters against just 19 walks in 1062/3 innings this season. He pitched five complete games and finished with a 3.21 ERA. In Big 12 play, Gibson was 7-2 with a 4.13 ERA.

Other Tigers likely to be taken high in the draft include juniors Trevor Coleman, Greg Folgia and Aaron Senne and senior Ryan Lollis.

Lollis was previously picked out of high school and after his junior season at Missouri, by Pittsburgh and Detroit, respectively. He was selected in the 20th round both times.
Senne was a 13th-round selection of the Minnesota Twins, and Coleman was picked in the 38th round by Cincinnati in 2006.

A pair of seniors could get drafted in later rounds. Third baseman Kyle Mach was a stout defender throughout his four-year career and, bolstered by a career-best offensive season, is a strong possibility to get picked. First baseman Steve Gray has shown an ability to drive the ball and is solid defensively and will likely get some attention.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 05:24 PM

I like the pick of Crow, I really don't care if a pitcher is a righty or lefty as long as they can get guys out (bullpen is a little different) and it's not like everyone in the starting 5 is pulling their weight.

Now we just gotta go grab a C & SS. Soon.

You shouldn't be thinking this way...in baseball you draft the best players available.

The Royals can use any bats.

Mr. Krab

06-09-2009, 05:26 PM

I wonder how long it will be before we start hearing about how Crowe wants more money being picked at the 12th spot than he was offered at the 9th last year?

Mr. Arrowhead

06-09-2009, 05:27 PM

I think we could see him by next August or september

Mecca

06-09-2009, 05:28 PM

So basically the Royals either draft 18 year olds out of high school that are atleast 4-5 years away or guys who are 23 that didn't sign the first time they drafted.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:28 PM

he has no leverage this year, i mean wtf are you going to do go back to the indep league

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 05:31 PM

Some experts believe that Crow could be in a major league bullpen as early as September.

http://media.columbiatribune.com/img/croppedphotos/2009/06/09/tu_B01_teezcrop_0609_t620.jpg?fbf2daa044e08a86b24c9c38cd7501865a0e2373 (http://www.columbiatribune.com/photos/2009/jun/09/3655/)
Photo by Nick King (http://www.columbiatribune.com/staff/nick-king/)
Former Missouri standout Aaron Crow was selected ninth in last year’s First-Year Player Draft, but after not signing with the Nationals, he could be chosen even higher in this year’s edition tonight.

58kcfan89

06-09-2009, 05:32 PM

You shouldn't be thinking this way...in baseball you draft the best players available.

The Royals can use any bats.

I'm aware of this, who was better than Crow on the board? I would have liked to take a big college bat, but I like Crow. Our pitching outside of Grienke hasn't been good and if nothing else, we can use pitchers as trade bait or whatever.

I'm not a baseball expert or anything by any means, but I like Crow.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 05:34 PM

I'm aware of this, who was better than Crow on the board? I would have liked to take a big college bat, but I like Crow. Our pitching outside of Grienke hasn't been good and if nothing else, we can use pitchers as trade bait or whatever.

I'm not a baseball expert or anything by any means, but I like Crow.

Just hope it doesn't turn out like the last couple of drafts.

googlegoogle

06-09-2009, 05:37 PM

http://www.buccofans.com/2009/06/2009-draft-prospect-finalist-aaron-crow.html

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 05:39 PM

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=281&f=2054&t=4406275

MARCH 8, 2008 – SCOUTING AARON CROW

Despite the disgustingly cold weather, I braved the elements on Saturday afternoon and made my way to Taylor Stadium in Columbia to get my first look at Missouri ace Aaron Crow. The game was the Tigers’ home opener, the first of a weather-shortened series with Indiana State, and Mizzou prevailed, 5-1.

Of course Crow, who is a strong candidate to be the first player selected in this June’s draft, was the main attraction for RC, and he did not disappoint. Crow went seven innings, yielding just two hits and no runs while striking out nine batters and walking two. With the effort, he picked up his third win of the season in as many starts, and clearly left a positive impression on the band of scouts in attendance. On the season, Crow is now 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched (13.76 K/9 IP).

http://media.scout.com/media/image/52/527919.jpg

In the first inning, Crow came out firing, pushing his fastball (which reached 98 mph last summer in the Cape) into the mid-90s. He cruised through the first two frames, striking out four batters while yielding just one hit, a two-out single to right in the first.

Crow did run into some trouble in the third inning. He plunked the leadoff man, and after a sac bunt moved the runner to second, Crow struck out the next batter on a slider that got past Mizzou’s catcher, allowing the hitter to reach first base. To add to the mounting danger, Crow then hit the following batter, loading the bases with just one out. However, he bore down and retired the next two batters on a shallow fly to right and a harmless grounder to second, ending the threat.

By the way, both of those HBP’s by Crow were of the “college” variety. You know what I’m talking about. For whatever reason, collegiate hitters are pretty adept at dropping their elbows onto inside pitches to collect free bases. Either one of those hit batsmen could have easily been called back to the plate by the umpire, but he chickened out on both. Regardless, the point made here is that Crow’s command on the day was better than the two hit batsmen in the box score might otherwise suggest.

http://media.scout.com/media/image/52/527920.jpg

After their failure to score in the third inning, Indiana State never came close to touching Crow again. Crow struck out the side in the fourth and breezed through his final three innings, facing just one batter over the minimum. He recorded his ninth strikeout of the day in the seventh inning against the final batter he faced, and was greeted enthusiastically by his teammates as he walked to the dugout.

All told, it was an impressive performance, even though Indiana State doesn’t exactly have what you would call a “high caliber” offense. I don’t know if it’s just that as a Mizzou alum and grad student, I want to like Crow, but the truth is that over the past few years, I’ve seen many of the best collegiate pitchers in the country, and Crow already might be one of my favorites. I’m pretty used to being disappointed by hyped collegiate pitchers, but Crow really seemed to deliver everything I’d heard about him. He certainly did nothing to dissuade me that his preseason hype was legitimate.

As for his stuff, Crow was primarily working with three pitches: a four-seam fastball, a slider, and a changeup. His fastball sat at 91-93 for most of the afternoon, occasionally reaching 94 mph. Even though it was a four-seamer, Crow’s throwing motion creates a natural tailing action, so the pitch moves a bit, and he located it very well on both sides of the plate while keeping the ball down.

He’s also armed with a pretty special slider, which I saw him throw consistently between 81-84 mph. However, in a somewhat interesting contrast to some of the other collegiate pitchers I’ve seen with dynamite off-speed stuff, like Andrew Miller and David Price, Crow didn’t overuse the pitch. Rather, he worked off his fastball and used the slider primarily as his two-strike pitch, getting hitters to chase at balls in the dirt.

http://media.scout.com/media/image/52/527921.jpg

Too often you’ll see guys with good breaking balls relying too heavily on them to overwhelm younger collegiate hitters, only to get a rude awakening upon their arrival in the professional ranks. Crow seems to have a pretty advanced approach that could serve him well at the next level, where many of his peers will get a crash course in fastball command that he won’t need. He did seem to go to his slider a little more often when he got into trouble in the third inning, but he changed things up in the fourth, throwing fastballs almost exclusively before recording the third strikeout of the inning on a hard slider.

Crow’s changeup looked pretty good as well. He threw it a little harder than I’d prefer to see, around 84-85 mph, but that would probably become a nonexistent concern once the weather heats up and Crow’s fastball velocity rises a tick or two. He got the pitch over the plate consistently, and nobody got a good swing on it. He used it most often against lefties on the outside of the plate.

Here’s something you may or may not find useful. Because this was an afternoon game, the light was good and I was able to take photos at a higher speed than normal. I got lucky and captured Crow’s different pitch grips, compiled in the graphic below.

http://media.scout.com/media/image/52/527922.jpg

58kcfan89

06-09-2009, 05:39 PM

Just hope it doesn't turn out like the last couple of drafts.

Other than Hochevar, what's wrong with the past few drafts?

Mecca

06-09-2009, 05:40 PM

Other than Hochevar, what's wrong with the past few drafts?

You know that guy pitching for the Tigers, Rick Porcello, we coulda had him...

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:41 PM

From royalsauthority mock draft

didnt think crow would be there...and would gladly take him

http://royalsauthority.com/2009/06/the-annual-authority-royals-mock-draft.html

ROUND ONE - 12TH PICK OVERALL

A few weeks ago, I participated in an MVN Mock Draft and found myself presented with the option to pick Aaron Crow. At the time, I doubted that Crow would really be available at number twelve and I still do. However, Baseball America's Jim Callis, in his latest mock draft, that if Crow does not go to the Pirates with the fourth pick, he could be in free-fall through the first round. I really like the idea of picking Crow, despite the 'Luke Hochevar career path detour' he has taken - keep in mind, Crow was a far more dominant college pitcher than Hochevar - and fully believe that if the former Missouri righthander is available the Royals should nab him.

THAT BEING SAID, I don't think Crow will be there at number twelve. We have seen Kansas City linked to catchers Tony Sanchez and Wil Meyers, pitchers Alex White, Tyler Matzek, Chad Jenkins, Mike Minor, Mike Leake and Kyle Gibson. You can count on White and Matzek being long gone, probably Minor, too, and while Gibson was destined to go in the top five prior to going down with a stress fracture just recently, that is a pretty dicey pick for an organization who cannot afford to miss.

Also likely to be available is USC shortstop Grant Green, who as late as last November was the number three overall talent and, as of this morning, actually was out of the first round of Callis' mock draft. Green had a subpar spring season after tearing up the Cape Cod League last summer, but some of that was due to some nagging injuries. He is a plus defender at shortstop with some speed and some pop. An advanced prospect who could slot into the organization in front of the very young shortstop prospects in rookie ball (who outside of Jeff Bianchi are the next possible major league shortstops in the system), Green would be a great pick if the Royals are willing to go a little above slot to sign him - he is a Boras client, so 'slot' IS a dirty word.

My pick: Grant Green, SS

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 05:44 PM

he has no leverage this year, i mean wtf are you going to do go back to the indep league

this, no way he doesn’t sign this year.

Mr. Krab

06-09-2009, 05:45 PM

Well you can never have too much pitching. Maybe MLB will develop some way for teams to actually win the game with just pitching. Maybe by putting the other team into negative numbers with a certain number of strikeouts.

Royals - 0
Cleveland - (-2)

Royals win, Royals win!!!! PBJ PBJ

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:47 PM

I like reading the royals authority thing saying he was a far more dominant pitcher in college than hochaloogee

petegz28

06-09-2009, 05:48 PM

this, no way he doesn’t sign this year.

Oh he will sign...the question is how much will we overpay?

dirk digler

06-09-2009, 05:50 PM

I don't really get the baseball draft but why do the Royals always seem to draft pitchers when this team is devoid of offense?

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 05:52 PM

Oh he will sign...the question is how much will we overpay?

I doubt much if at all. This kid lost a ton of cash pulling that shit last year, he cant do that again this year.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 05:54 PM

I don't really get the baseball draft but why do the Royals always seem to draft pitchers when this team is devoid of offense?

its much easier AND cheaper to pick up a bat or two, pitching is very hard to come by.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 05:54 PM

Get dominant pitching when you can

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 05:58 PM

Crow visits former baseball team

Last years ninth draft pick enters the draft again.

By JJ Stankevitz (http://www.themaneater.com/staff/view/jj-stankevitz/)
Published April 9, 2009

http://www.themaneater.com/media/2009/0410/graphics/baseballfeature048t200.jpg (http://www.themaneater.com/graphics/2009/4/10/1129/) Megan Stroup (http://www.themaneater.com/staff/view/megan-stroup/)/Graphic Designer</SPAN>

« Previous (javascript:void(0);) Next » (javascript:void(0);) (View large image browser) (http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2009/4/9/crow-visits-former-baseball-team/images/)

As Missouri crushed Minnesota 20-5 on a sun-soaked afternoon April 8, a familiar face made an appearance at Taylor Stadium. Wearing a gray hoodie with "Mizzou" on the front, former Tigers pitcher Aaron Crow looked like just another fan sitting a few rows behind the home dugout.

What separates Crow from any normal fan, though, is that no other fan in the stadium went 13-0 with a 2.35 ERA for Missouri in 2008 and was the ninth overall pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft.

About a year has passed since Crow was mowing down hitters at Taylor Stadium, but he still can be seen there from time to time watching his former team. Crow and his agent Randy Hendricks turned down the Washington Nationals' contract offer last August, so Crow will re-enter the MLB draft in 2009 after playing in Texas for the Fort Worth Cats of the American Association, an independent league team that includes former Missouri pitcher and current Arizona Diamondbacks starter Max Scherzer. Crow said Scherzer told him to "hang in there and know it's going to work out.

So with some time to kill, Crow has been hanging around the Missouri baseball facilities, working out and staying in shape. On Monday, Crow threw a live batting practice session to Missouri hitters in which he used all his pitches -- a mid-90's fastball, a devastating slider and a changeup that coach Tony Vitello intimated was much better than it was in 2008.

"He's put in a lot of work into (his changeup) with others, and the guys catching and hitting against him said they saw a difference," Vitello said.

While Crow's slider is a great out-pitch, his changeup could be key in accelerating his progress to the major leagues.

"It's a lot better than it was at the end of last year," Crow said of his changeup. "I'm very confident in all three of my pitches and think they all should be better than where they were last year."

So, why was Crow in the stands at Taylor Stadium and not pitching somewhere in the Nationals' minor league system?

"It was a bad fit for the most part," Crow said of the Nationals. "I thought I would be better off going through the whole process again this year."

Going through the draft process again may ultimately help Crow's draft stock. San Diego State phenom pitcher Stephen Strasburg almost certainly will be the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, so Crow's main pitcher competition for a higher draft slot will be North Carolina's Alex White, Oklahoma State's Andrew Oliver and Missouri's Kyle Gibson, who, along with Missouri reliever Scooter Hicks, picked Crow's brain over some ice cream.

"I talk to him every now and then about the process and how he deals with things," Gibson said. "He's a great resource to have because he's been through it."

Crow had only good things to say about Gibson, who has 75 strikeouts in 51 innings this year.

"He's had a great season," Crow said of Gibson. "He's going to be drafted pretty high. We should both be excited about what lies ahead."

Gibson didn't feel like there was any competition between him and Crow.

"If he gets taken seventh and I get taken eighth I'm not going to be too mad about it," Gibson said.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 06:07 PM

bring me some Scheppers bitches :drool:

chiefqueen

06-09-2009, 06:08 PM

Royals get Aaron Crow... from Wakarusa Kansas... maybe he will WANT to play for the Royals... he obviously didn't want to play for the Nationals last year.

Same shit Hochevar did... and we've seen how that's worked out so far.

You nailed it!! It was rumored last year that Crow did not sign last year b/c he thought the chances were good last year if he did not sign he could be drafted by the Royals this year.

I guess DM likes having his 1st round picks being investigated b/c this is going to happen for the 2nd straight year.

IMO this has MLB investigstion written all over it!!!

Mecca

06-09-2009, 06:13 PM

I don't really get the baseball draft but why do the Royals always seem to draft pitchers when this team is devoid of offense?

They've taken position guys the last 2 years, you still have to get the picks right, no one here would be bitching if we had taken Lincecum and Porcello in back to back years looking at their resuls.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 06:17 PM

Picking Hochevar #1 overall was a HUGE mistake, but taking Crow at 12 could be a steal, i dont think you can compare the picks.

petegz28

06-09-2009, 06:17 PM

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 06:17 PM

doomy3

06-09-2009, 06:17 PM

They've taken position guys the last 2 years, you still have to get the picks right, no one here would be bitching if we had taken Lincecum and Porcello in back to back years looking at their resuls.

Moustakas could very easily end up being better than Porcello. Just because Porcello is in the majors already means nothing.

And he was drafted 27th overall, let's not act like the Royals were the only team to pass on him.

Hindsight is great, isn't it?

I would still take Moustakas even if the draft was today though.

doomy3

06-09-2009, 06:18 PM

Why take them when we get to see Moosetacos and Hosmer in 3 years?

Because Moustakas will be a better player?

petegz28

06-09-2009, 06:18 PM

Picking Hochevar #1 overall was a HUGE mistake, but taking Crow at 12 could be a steal, i dont think you can compare the picks.

I agree there. It isn't like we pissed away a #1 if for some reason Crow busts.

petegz28

06-09-2009, 06:19 PM

Because Moustakas will be a better player?

Let's hope so...that has yet to be determined.

SAUTO

06-09-2009, 06:19 PM

Moustakas could very easily end up being better than Porcello. Just because Porcello is in the majors already means nothing.

And he was drafted 27th overall, let's not act like the Royals were the only team to pass on him.

Hindsight is great, isn't it?

I would still take Moustakas even if the draft was today though.

wonder where pujols would have gone today, knowing now what we know. 1st of course, now where was he drafted?

BigChiefFan

06-09-2009, 06:21 PM

We got a heck of a player.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 06:22 PM

wow.....

SAUTO

06-09-2009, 06:23 PM

We got a heck of a player.

my father in law says this too, and he knows about as much about MU as anyone i know, esp baseball

SAUTO

06-09-2009, 06:23 PM

wow.....

what?

teedubya

06-09-2009, 06:25 PM

We drafted a ****ing MUron. :deevee:

chiefqueen

06-09-2009, 06:25 PM

One good think about taking Crow is b/c he would have used up his college eligibility this year, the Aug. 15th deadline does not apply I do believe.

DM has until next 5/31 to sign him.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 06:26 PM

what?

The Sox pick was well strange

petegz28

06-09-2009, 06:27 PM

One good think about taking Crow is b/c he would have used up his college eligibility this year, the Aug. 15th deadline does not apply I do believe.

DM has until next 5/31 to sign him.

Lets hope it doesn't take that long.....

Mecca

06-09-2009, 06:32 PM

Because Moustakas will be a better player?

That's hyperbole at best considering how many high picks never even make it in baseball.

And if the Royals would have been willing to pay he would have signed, he fell because he asked for more money.

I don't refer the Hosmer year, Lincecum was Hochevars year.

doomy3

06-09-2009, 06:37 PM

That's hyperbole at best considering how many high picks never even make it in baseball.

And if the Royals would have been willing to pay he would have signed, he fell because he asked for more money.

I don't refer the Hosmer year, Lincecum was Hochevars year.

Hosmer was selected last year. Go ahead, who would you have rather taken with that pick? Go ahead and decide now.

And it is not hyperbole at all. Moustakas could very easily end up being the better player. Just because another guy makes it to the big leagues earlier doesn't mean he is automatically better.

And the part about "And if the Royals would have been willing to pay he would have signed, he fell because he asked for more money, " is ridiculous. You have no idea if the Royals, or any of the other 26 teams that passed on him, would have drafted him or not.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 06:39 PM

OnTheWarpath15

06-09-2009, 06:40 PM

Goddammit.

AJ Pollock goes 2 slots early to the Diamondbacks.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 06:41 PM

Hosmer was selected last year. Go ahead, who would you have rather taken with that pick? Go ahead and decide now.

And it is not hyperbole at all. Moustakas could very easily end up being the better player. Just because another guy makes it to the big leagues earlier doesn't mean he is automatically better.

And the part about "And if the Royals would have been willing to pay he would have signed, he fell because he asked for more money, " is ridiculous. You have no idea if the Royals, or any of the other 26 teams that passed on him, would have drafted him or not.

Dude, I think the $ was the only reason he dropped. 8 mil is a ton of cash.

That said, you're right that Moosetacos could end up being the better player. Porcello was whom I wanted, but that doesn't mean shit.

Crow, as doomy correctly stated, will be here quicker than in 2-3 years. Hell, he'll be competing for a roster spot next spring.

SAUTO

06-09-2009, 06:41 PM

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 06:42 PM

shit and i thought the royals WERE paying here lately

They are, but not to the tune of 8 mil. for a single player.

They've been paying a lot, though. No way you can knock that.

doomy3

06-09-2009, 06:42 PM

Um he fell because he made it clear how much money he wanted...and there are teams that don't wanna rock the boat and overpay a slot. The Tigers are not one of those teams.

To say "he will be a better player" is hyperbole because no one knows that. That would have been like saying a few years ago when Zimmerman was up first "oh don't worry Godon's the better player" didn't turn out that way.

Me saying that he could very easily end up being the better player is absolutely accurate. I'm not saying he will be, but you acting like we completely missed on Porcello when we drafted Moustakas is every bit as much of an unknown.

You still haven't answered my question. Who would you have rather drafted last year than Hosmer at that spot. Or do you just want to wait until next year to comment and choose whoever is up in the big leagues doing well?

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 06:42 PM

Hosmer was a great selection last year, IMO.

petegz28

06-09-2009, 06:43 PM

They are, but not to the tune of 8 mil. for a single player.

They've been paying a lot, though. No way you can knock that.

No doubt about it, the Royals have been paying. Problem is they are paying too much for who the end up signing.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 06:43 PM

Hosmer was selected last year. Go ahead, who would you have rather taken with that pick? Go ahead and decide now.

And it is not hyperbole at all. Moustakas could very easily end up being the better player. Just because another guy makes it to the big leagues earlier doesn't mean he is automatically better.

And the part about "And if the Royals would have been willing to pay he would have signed, he fell because he asked for more money, " is ridiculous. You have no idea if the Royals, or any of the other 26 teams that passed on him, would have drafted him or not.

LMAO well put, however there are a few Id rather have than Homser.

Buster Posey maybe Justin Smoak.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 06:43 PM

No doubt about it, the Royals have been paying. Problem is they are paying too much for who the end up signing.

Gordon. Eh, everyone missed on that. Hochevar, ok. Probably a fuck up.

Moosetacos and Hosmer, who knows...

petegz28

06-09-2009, 06:44 PM

Hosmer was a great selection last year, IMO.

Moosetacos is the one I have a big ? on. I hope he works out.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 06:44 PM

LMAO well put, however there are a few Id rather have than Homser.

Buster Posey maybe Justin Smoak.

I'll pass on Posey.

Now, Wieters in the Moosetacos draft would have been very, very nice.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 06:44 PM

Royals spent the most in the draft last year...they probably will need to continue this because its their best chance to win

doomy3

06-09-2009, 06:44 PM

Dude, I think the $ was the only reason he dropped. 8 mil is a ton of cash.

That said, you're right that Moosetacos could end up being the better player. Porcello was whom I wanted, but that doesn't mean shit.

Crow, as doomy correctly stated, will be here quicker than in 2-3 years. Hell, he'll be competing for a roster spot next spring.

yeah I get that, but there is no way of knowing we would have drafted him over Moustakas anyway. To blame it completely on the money is stupid.

In fact, just last year we drafted that pitcher who most people didn't think had a chance to sign. So we took a chance on a player most teams wouldn't.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 06:45 PM

Me saying that he could very easily end up being the better player is absolutely accurate. I'm not saying he will be, but you acting like we completely missed on Porcello when we drafted Moustakas is every bit as much of an unknown.

You still haven't answered my question. Who would you have rather drafted last year than Hosmer at that spot. Or do you just want to wait until next year to comment and choose whoever is up in the big leagues doing well?

Jesus christ I used an example how no one would be complaining about taking pitching if they made the right picks, and now you're turning that into OMG who should we have taken other than Hosmer.

Pull the stick out of your ass.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 06:45 PM

Loved the Mellville pick

petegz28

06-09-2009, 06:46 PM

Gordon. Eh, everyone missed on that. Hochevar, ok. Probably a **** up.

Moosetacos and Hosmer, who knows...

I blame no one for Gordon but Gordon and maybe Bell\Baird for sticking him in the #3 spot as soon as he came up. Frank White and I believe also BMac said earlier this year that when you bring guys up you cannot bring them up to be "the man". They are rookies and they need to be treated like rookies. Which means batting lower in the lineup and not have the weight of the team on their shoulders. And I agree with them 100% on that. It's a good way to fuck up someone's head when you stick them in the #3 spot on day 1 and they don't cut it!

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 06:46 PM

yeah I get that, but there is no way of knowing we would have drafted him over Moustakas anyway. To blame it completely on the money is stupid.

In fact, just last year we drafted that pitcher who most people didn't think had a chance to sign. So we took a chance on a player most teams wouldn't.

Comparing a 1.5 mil. signing in the 4th is a big difference from the 8 mil. dollar Porcello.

Considering that we spent around 11 total or so.

SAUTO

06-09-2009, 06:47 PM

Jesus christ I used an example how no one would be complaining about taking pitching if they made the right picks, and now you're turning that into OMG who should we have taken other than Hosmer.

Pull the stick out of your ass.

just like the nfl draft people dont want all the negativity IMO, now is a time for fans to be excited

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 06:47 PM

I blame no one for Gordon but Gordon and maybe Bell\Baird for sticking him in the #3 spot as soon as he came up. Frank White and I believe also BMac said earlier this year that when you bring guys up you cannot bring them up to be "the man". They are rookies and they need to be treated like rookies. Which means batting lower in the lineup and not have the weight of the team on their shoulders. And I agree with them 100% on that. It's a good way to **** up someone's head when you stick them in the #3 spot on day 1 and they don't cut it!

He was batting #5.

doomy3

06-09-2009, 06:47 PM

Jesus christ I used an example how no one would be complaining about taking pitching if they made the right picks, and now you're turning that into OMG who should we have taken other than Hosmer.

Pull the stick out of your ass.

My point is, why should anyone be complaining because we took Hosmer or Moustakas? Simply because Porcello is already in the majors?

Mecca

06-09-2009, 06:48 PM

Young pitchers with ace stuff are hard to come by....

It also becomes laughable to talk about money when you realize how much money Jose Guillen makes, it's acceptable to pay him a ton but not a guy with ace stuff really?

doomy3

06-09-2009, 06:49 PM

SAUTO

06-09-2009, 06:50 PM

Mecca

06-09-2009, 06:51 PM

Explain to me why it's acceptable to pay Gil Meche a bunch of money but a guy who wants 8 mill out of the draft is written off like it's absurd.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 06:51 PM

difference guillen has ACTUALLY produced at the major league level

And that reasoning is why the Royals are the Royals.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 06:51 PM

it was more than $$$ with Porcello, Boras was telling everyone that he really wanted to go to school and to take that away would be Beckett like cash.

doomy3

06-09-2009, 06:52 PM

Explain to me why it's acceptable to pay Gil Meche a bunch of money but a guy who wants 8 mill out of the draft is written off like it's absurd.

Because the baseball draft is a complete crapshoot and more often that not, picks bust. Giving $8 Mil to one is a huge gamble.

Plus they drafted a potentially great hitter.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 06:52 PM

petegz28

06-09-2009, 06:54 PM

He was batting #5.

hmmm....seems I remember him at #3.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 06:54 PM

Because the baseball draft is a complete crapshoot and more often that not, picks bust. Giving $8 Mil to one is a huge gamble.

Plus they drafted a potentially great hitter.

Ok so the draft is a huge crap shoot but earlier you said the guy who's already in the majors is not guaranteed to be a better player than the one we picked, which is it?

This is double talking.

SAUTO

06-09-2009, 06:56 PM

Ok so the draft is a huge crap shoot but earlier you said the guy who's already in the majors is not guaranteed to be a better player than the one we picked, which is it?

This is double talking.

no it's not, the player in the minors could end up being better, the player in the majors could end up like dontrelle willis. good for a little while then complete suckage

petegz28

06-09-2009, 06:56 PM

I take a risk on 8 mil. for top of the rotation stuff. I'll take that gamble every single day because think of how much money his upside would command in FA. Teams like the Royals must make this gamble to get star power.

Guillen is an ok player with a terrible clubhouse presence. Signing him was a mistake. Still, he's legit. ML player and we need those.

I don't think it was a mistake. I know he has lost a step in the OF this year but I still like him. I would like him more if we could bat him at 5 or 6 but with this lineup we cannot. Well, we do when we bat Jacobs at 4 but that is just two wrongs there.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 06:58 PM

If you are committed to building your team through the draft then you should also be willing to pay the best players.

One approach or the other.

SAUTO

06-09-2009, 06:59 PM

If you are committed to building your team through the draft then you should also be willing to pay the best players.

One approach or the other.

thats the thing it's all subjective in MLB, who's the best in college does not =MLB

Mecca

06-09-2009, 07:00 PM

thats the thing it's all subjective in MLB, who's the best in college does not =MLB

You should atleast give yourself the best chance to get the best talent though.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 07:18 PM

hmmm....seems I remember him at #3.

#5 because he came up with the bases loaded, remember.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 07:19 PM

If you are committed to building your team through the draft then you should also be willing to pay the best players.

One approach or the other.

I think they are.

But as last year demonstrated, they want to get value throughout the draft, not blow their entire wad on one player.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 07:20 PM

You should atleast give yourself the best chance to get the best talent though.

true but you cant chastise your team because they passed on a guy that 27 other teams did as well.

doomy3

06-09-2009, 07:22 PM

Ok so the draft is a huge crap shoot but earlier you said the guy who's already in the majors is not guaranteed to be a better player than the one we picked, which is it?

This is double talking.

How the fuck did you come to this conclusion?

You really try hard NOT to understand things, don't you?

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 07:24 PM

Damn tex got a STEAL at 44

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 07:30 PM

Who?

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 07:31 PM

Who?

#7... Tanner Scheppers, RHSP, 6' 4-200, St.Paul Saints, DOB- 1/17/87 (22)

You know the story, hot shot pitching prospect gets hurt, team takes a flier in the 2nd round on a top-10 pick, doesn’t sign him, goes to the Indy leagues to prove he’s healthy and comes back to be a top-10 pick all over again. Well, questions abound, mostly about that shoulder of his, but while he is looking healthy and hitting 96mph regularly, do you take high risk/high reward? Cannot be taken by Pittsburgh.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 07:45 PM

Remember when the baseball draft was done during the day?

doomy3

06-09-2009, 07:46 PM

Remember when the baseball draft was done during the day?

Yeah, I remember last year.

Mecca

06-09-2009, 07:48 PM

I like how they moved even though it's covered about as lightly as any draft.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 07:48 PM

Yeah, I remember last year.

What was it like?

doomy3

06-09-2009, 07:50 PM

What was it like?

It was crazy. They drafted during the day and everything!

doomy3

06-09-2009, 07:51 PM

I like how they moved even though it's covered about as lightly as any draft.

I wouldn't say that. It's covered heavily enough that you knew Lincecum, Porcello, Longoria, Weiters, etc. were can't miss prospects that the Royals should have taken.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 07:52 PM

It was crazy. They drafted during the day and everything!

That's why the Royals fucked up. Walmart never has enough cashiers during the day.

KevB

06-09-2009, 08:26 PM

Sweet! Once again, Royals spare no expense and take C Wil Myers at 91, who some had mocked to the Royals at #12 overall.

KevB

06-09-2009, 08:28 PM

From MLB.com:

Myers is a very intriguing high school athlete with tools aplenty. His swing needs some work, but he's got the bat speed and strength to hit and hit for power in the future. He's played all over the field and has shown the versatility to handle it. He may deliver the most value from behind the plate, where his above-average arm and agility would play well. He hasn't played that much behind the dish, making it a little difficult to assess his skills there. The team that thinks he can handle the tools of ignorance might be the one to take him early.

MIAdragon

06-09-2009, 08:29 PM

Sweet! Once again, Royals spare no expense and take C Wil Myers at 91, who some had mocked to the Royals at #12 overall.

Ha I was right, kinda!

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 08:30 PM

Cool. Sounds like a great pick.

But it also sounds like this kid won't be a catcher for long. Hope he can swing it.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 08:30 PM

awesome pick!

KevB

06-09-2009, 08:33 PM

Cool. Sounds like a great pick.

But it also sounds like this kid won't be a catcher for long. Hope he can swing it.

We'll see. I'm sure we'll give him every opportunity to catch, as that's where his real value is. Of course first, we have to sign him. But I'm more confident after last year that Glass will do what is necessary.

DJ's left nut

06-09-2009, 08:34 PM

Scherzer >> Crow > Gibson

I've had a chance to see all three down here in CoMo and Scherzer was just on another level, especially when his shoulder wasn't barking. All due respect to Crow and Gibson, but neither of them were Max's level.

Crow is a great pitcher and a very good pick for you guys. Unlike Scherzer, I don't think he really profiles to have ace caliber stuff, but he looks like a very safe bet to end up a plus #3 starter that could develop into a true #2 on a championship caliber rotation (i.e. a top 30 pitcher in MLB). He's a very nice pick, a very advanced pitcher that could challenge for a rotation slot as early as next season and will have one locked up by 2011.

Gibson, before the stress fracture, was a notch below Crow. I saw him going ahead of Crow in a lot of mocks and it didn't make much sense to me. After the injury he fell well behind Crow, but IMO he should've never been above him.

I like this Miller kid that the Cards got. Hard sinking fastball (rated best HS fastball in the country) and a plus curveball. With a plus plus fastball and a plus reliever, he looks like a guy that will bottom out as a plus reliever even if he can't get a third pitch down. Ultimately he could end up as a #1 starter if he's able to develop a changeup and learn to work down in the zone a little better. I love his motion (very free) and his build looks like he can put on another 15 lbs and even a couple more MPH on an already high octane arsenal.

KevB

06-09-2009, 08:35 PM

awesome pick!

Myers was Baseball America's #31 ranked player overall. So, we get a top 10 rated arm and another first round talent even without any supplemental picks or a 2nd round pick. Very nicely done.

DeezNutz

06-09-2009, 08:36 PM

We'll see. I'm sure we'll give him every opportunity to catch, as that's where his real value is. Of course first, we have to sign him. But I'm more confident after last year that Glass will do what is necessary.

Yep. Glass has assuaged any concerns about signability last season. And I wasn't at all confident that that Hosmer deal would get done, and I've voiced my disdain for DG enough on this forum.

He'll pay the picks.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 08:38 PM

Myers was Baseball America's #31 ranked player overall. So, we get a top 10 rated arm and another first round talent even without any supplemental picks or a 2nd round pick. Very nicely done.

Amazing getting another 1st rounder in a way...

He will want to get paid very likely too, but hell do what you gotta do Royals!

doomy3

06-09-2009, 08:41 PM

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 08:46 PM

Nice! Hopefully he can stick at Catcher. It would be nice to have a catcher prospect for the Royals that can actually stick at the position.

By the way, is this a guy we can sign, or is he a guy that may go to college?

If they pay him like they did with Melville he won't go...he wants the money and we should give it to him since we didnt have a 2nd rounder anyway

KevB

06-09-2009, 08:46 PM

Nice! Hopefully he can stick at Catcher. It would be nice to have a catcher prospect for the Royals that can actually stick at the position.

By the way, is this a guy we can sign, or is he a guy that may go to college?

Always a chance he could go to school, but the Royals have some money to spend with no picks between 12 and 91. Last year, they gave Melville $1M in the 4th round. If they throw a $1M+ at Myers, I have a hard time believing he could turn it down.

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 09:00 PM

http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2009/06/live_blogging_t_4.php

12. Kansas City Royals
AL Central | 24-31 | Fourth Place
General Manager: Dayton Moore
Scouting Director: J.J. Picollo
2008 1st Round: Eric Hosmer, 1B, Florida HS
2007 1st Round: Mike Moustakas, 3B, California HS
2006 1st Round: Luke Hochevar, RHP, Independent League
FanGraphs' Top 5 Prospects:
1. Mike Moustakas, 3B, High-A
2. Eric Hosmer, 1B, Low-A
3. Tim Melville, RHP, Low-A
4. Danny Duffy, LHP, High-A
5. Mike Montgomery, LHP, Low-A
Organizational Needs: Corner outfield, Shortstop, Left-handed pitching
Aaron Crow, RHP, Fort Worth Cats Height/Weight: 6-3, 195 | DOB: 11/11/86
2008 stats: 13-0 W-L | 2.35 ERA | 107.1 IP | 85 H | 127-38 K/BB (Missouri, NCAA)
2009 stats: Unavailable
Here we go again. This time... with more feeling. Aaron Crow was the Washington Nationals' first round pick (9th overall) in 2008 but the two sides failed to come to terms with the right-hander's camp looking for $4 million (Slot was $2.15 million). The former University of Missouri hurler chose not to return to school for his senior year and instead moved on to independent baseball with the Fort Worth Cats. By all accounts, his decision has not hurt has draft value whatsoever, and the right-hander is being mentioned as a possible fourth overall pick to the Pirates. With all the back story aside, Crow is a talented pitcher with an arm that could make him a No. 2 starter in the Majors. His repertoire includes a low-90s fastball that touches 96, a plus slider and a changeup. Crow varies his arm slot ever-so-slightly when throwing the breaking ball, scouts do not like his delivery, and he has struggled with his command in the past (as have most young pitchers). The team that drafts Crow should be getting a No. 2 or 3 starter who can help the big club within a year. Worst case scenario, some teams really, really like Crow as a late-game reliever as has fastball shows a little more consistent velocity and life. (Posted by Marc Hulet)

Marc: Oh. My. God. What a GREAT pick for KC and it came out of no where... I love what KC has done in the last two drafts. Did I mention this is a great pick?
Rich: This is the second time Kansas City has taken this route (drafting a player who re-entered the draft) in the past few years. However, this time they may have gotten at least as good of a righthander as Luke Hochevar without <STRIKE>wasting</STRIKE> spending the No. 1 overall pick.

Reaper16

06-09-2009, 09:35 PM

Holy Shit. I just get back from the Tivoli and see that Crow dropped to us? Fucking A.

Reaper16

06-09-2009, 09:45 PM

We got Myers in the 3rd, too? I saw mocks with him going to the Royals in the 1st. That could be a steal.

Sure-Oz

06-09-2009, 09:49 PM

Yeah, it could be another solid draft paper wise again this year

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 10:21 PM

It was a very successful day draft-wise for the Royals.

Who are the best players available starting tomorrow?

KChiefs1

06-09-2009, 10:23 PM

Coach

06-10-2009, 05:59 AM

Of course, outside of Grienke (2002), KC's first round picks in pitchers has really damaged this franchise, ESPECIALLY the 1998 and 1999 draft years. Holy mother of God. :shake:

1997 MLB Draft - 7 - Dan Reichert, Kansas City Royals, P, University of the Pacific
1998 MLB Draft - 4 - Jeff Austin, Kansas City Royals, P, Stanford University
1998 MLB Draft - 30 - Matt Burch, Kansas City Royals, P, Virginia Commonwealth University
1998 MLB Draft - 31 - Chris George, Kansas City Royals, P, Klein HS (Klein, TX) *Supplemental first round selection*
1999 MLB Draft - 7 - Kyle Snyder, Kansas City Royals, P, University of North Carolina
1999 MLB Draft - 25 - Mike MacDougal, Kansas City Royals, P, Wake Forest University
1999 MLB Draft - 32 - Jay Gehrke, Kansas City Royals, P, Pepperdine University *Supplemental first round selection*
1999 MLB Draft - 43 - Jimmy Gobble, Kansas City Royals, P, John S. Battle HS (Bristol, VA) *Supplemental first round selection*
2000 MLB Draft - 4 - Mike Stodolka, Kansas City Royals, LHP, Corona, CA
2001 MLB Draft - 9 - Johnathan Griffin, Kansas City Royals, RHP, Marshall, TX
2004 MLB Draft - 29 - Matthew Campbell, Kansas City Royals, LHP, University of South Carolina

Saulbadguy

06-10-2009, 06:56 AM

I used to work with Aaron Crows dad. Nice guy, I remember he used to bring his sons in to work in their baseball uniforms before practice.

WoodDraw

06-10-2009, 07:51 AM

I think he dropped to the 3rd round due to signability issues.

The Royals don't have a 2nd round pick, and won't have to shell out as much for their 1st rounder as normal, so they'll have some money to play with.

MIAdragon

06-10-2009, 08:01 AM

WoodDraw

06-10-2009, 08:03 AM

It was a very successful day draft-wise for the Royals.

Who are the best players available starting tomorrow?

Max Stassi, a HS catcher, was widely considered a first day prospect. He's committed to UCLA, but he'd sign for a decent bonus.

Here's BA's list of best available:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1140

MIAdragon

06-10-2009, 09:12 AM

Max Stassi, a HS catcher, was widely considered a first day prospect. He's committed to UCLA, but he'd sign for a decent bonus.

Here's BA's list of best available:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1140

Stassi wants big $$$ too.

KevB

06-10-2009, 10:20 AM

4th round pick (122) : Chris Dwyer, 6'3 LHP from Clemson. Baseball America had him rated as the 55th best player in the draft, and one of the top players left on the board. Plus fastball and curve.

KevB

06-10-2009, 10:30 AM

5th round pick : Louis Coleman, 6'4 RHP from LSU. He's a senior who won pitcher of the year in the SEC.

A scouting report from an opposing coach: "They've got a unique starter in Coleman; he's different. He throws across his body a little bit. He's like 6-foot-5, he's long and lanky, then he lifts up and steps toward the third-base coach's box and delivers the ball at a fairly severe angle toward the plate. Righthanded hitters feel like the ball's coming at your ribs a little bit. He's probably 89-91 himself, and using his breaking ball in there. It's not what you teach, but it works for him. He's just very, very deceptive. We didn't see anybody like him all year."

KCUnited

06-10-2009, 10:36 AM

Picollo was on the radio this morning saying that it would likely go to the wire, but they felt comfortable with what Myers wants and believes we can get him signed.

OmahaChief

06-10-2009, 10:43 AM

I really like how we are grabbing some college arms to supplement the young guys we have coming up.

Mr. Krab

06-10-2009, 11:03 AM

<table class="dataTable" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><th class="dtPickNumber">Pick (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/drafttracker.jsp?p=0&s=75&sc=pick_number&so=ascending&st=number&ft=TM&fv=kc)</th><th class="dtTeamCode">Team (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/drafttracker.jsp?p=0&s=75&sc=picked_team_code&so=ascending&st=text&ft=TM&fv=kc)</th><th class="dtName">Player (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/drafttracker.jsp?p=0&s=75&sc=last_name&so=ascending&st=text&ft=TM&fv=kc)</th><th class="dtSchoolName">School (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/drafttracker.jsp?p=0&s=75&sc=school_name&so=ascending&st=text&ft=TM&fv=kc)</th><th class="dtPosition">Pos (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/drafttracker.jsp?p=0&s=75&sc=primary_position&so=ascending&st=text&ft=TM&fv=kc)</th><th class="dtBats">B/T (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/drafttracker.jsp?p=0&s=75&sc=bats&so=ascending&st=text&ft=TM&fv=kc)</th><th class="dtHeight">Ht</th><th class="dtWeight">Wt</th><th class="dtBirthdate">DOB</th><th class="dtClass">Class (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/drafttracker.jsp?p=0&s=75&sc=school_class&so=ascending&st=text&ft=TM&fv=kc)</th><th class="dtVideo">http://mlb.mlb.com/images/icons/video.gif</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtPickNumber">182</td><td class="dtTeamCode sortedColumn">http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/38x45/logo_kc_38x45.gif</td><td class="dtName">White, Mathiew</td><td class="dtSchoolName">U New Mexico</td><td class="dtPosition">RHP</td><td class="dtBats">R/R</td><td class="dtHeight">6'03"</td><td class="dtWeight">205</td><td class="dtBirthdate" nowrap="nowrap">1988-01-22</td><td class="dtClass">JR</td><td class="dtVideo">Video (http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=4961152&content_id=4863571)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtPickNumber">242</td><td class="dtTeamCode sortedColumn">http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/38x45/logo_kc_38x45.gif</td><td class="dtName">Odenbach, Gardner</td><td class="dtSchoolName">U Connecticut</td><td class="dtPosition">RHP</td><td class="dtBats">R/R</td><td class="dtHeight">6'03"</td><td class="dtWeight">220</td><td class="dtBirthdate" nowrap="nowrap">1987-09-03</td><td class="dtClass">SR</td><td class="dtVideo">
</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtPickNumber">91</td><td class="dtTeamCode sortedColumn">http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/38x45/logo_kc_38x45.gif</td><td class="dtName">Myers, William</td><td class="dtSchoolName">Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC)</td><td class="dtPosition">C</td><td class="dtBats">R/R</td><td class="dtHeight">6'03"</td><td class="dtWeight">190</td><td class="dtBirthdate" nowrap="nowrap">1990-12-10</td><td class="dtClass">HS</td><td class="dtVideo">Video (http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=4961152&content_id=4751353)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtComment" colspan="11">Comments: Myers is a very intriguing high school athlete with tools aplenty. His swing needs some work, but he's got the bat speed and strength to hit and hit for power in the future. He's played all over the field and has shown the versatility to handle it. He may deliver the most value from behind the plate, where his above-average arm and agility would play well. He hasn't played that much behind the dish, making it a little difficult to assess his skills there. The team that thinks he can handle the tools of ignorance might be the one to take him early.
Enhanced Scouting Report (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=myers)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtPickNumber">122</td><td class="dtTeamCode sortedColumn">http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/38x45/logo_kc_38x45.gif</td><td class="dtName">Dwyer, Christopher</td><td class="dtSchoolName">Clemson U</td><td class="dtPosition">LHP</td><td class="dtBats">R/L</td><td class="dtHeight">6'03"</td><td class="dtWeight">210</td><td class="dtBirthdate" nowrap="nowrap">1988-04-10</td><td class="dtClass">FR</td><td class="dtVideo">Video (http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=4961152&content_id=4674549)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtComment" colspan="11">Comments: Since the Draft was instituted in 1965, there has never been a Draft-eligible freshman at a four-year college. Until now. Dwyer is in his first year at Clemson, but turned 21 in April. A high school teammate of 2008 first-rounder Anthony Hewitt, Dwyer is intriguing as a lefty with a plus fastball and curve. His performance doesn't equal his raw stuff as he's been more hittable than he should be. That said, with an athletic build and two plus pitches from the left side, someone will tread into uncharted territory by taking him early on.
Enhanced Scouting Report (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=dwyer)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtPickNumber">12</td><td class="dtTeamCode sortedColumn">http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/38x45/logo_kc_38x45.gif</td><td class="dtName">Crow, Aaron</td><td class="dtSchoolName">No School</td><td class="dtPosition">RHP</td><td class="dtBats">R/R</td><td class="dtHeight">6'02"</td><td class="dtWeight">205</td><td class="dtBirthdate" nowrap="nowrap">1986-11-11</td><td class="dtClass">NS</td><td class="dtVideo">Video (http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=4961152&content_id=4827535)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtComment" colspan="11">Comments: Crow was taken No. 9 overall by the Nationals a year ago, but didn't sign. He went the independent ball route to show scouts this year what he could do and, for the most part, seemed close to the guy many teams liked in 2008. His command was a little off, but on the flip side, his changeup was much improved. Players who have gone the indy route while negotiating or re-entering the draft have tended to improve their standing and it's looking like Crow will be no different.
Enhanced Scouting Report (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=crow)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtPickNumber">152</td><td class="dtTeamCode sortedColumn">http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/38x45/logo_kc_38x45.gif</td><td class="dtName">Coleman, Harold</td><td class="dtSchoolName">Louisiana St U</td><td class="dtPosition">RHP</td><td class="dtBats">R/R</td><td class="dtHeight">6'03"</td><td class="dtWeight">190</td><td class="dtBirthdate" nowrap="nowrap">1986-04-04</td><td class="dtClass">SR</td><td class="dtVideo">
</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dtPickNumber">212</td><td class="dtTeamCode sortedColumn">http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/38x45/logo_kc_38x45.gif</td><td class="dtName">Baumann, George</td><td class="dtSchoolName">Missouri St U</td><td class="dtPosition">LHP</td><td class="dtBats">L/L</td><td class="dtHeight">5'10"</td><td class="dtWeight">180</td><td class="dtBirthdate" nowrap="nowrap">1987-12-09</td><td class="dtClass">JR</td><td class="dtVideo">Video (http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=4961152&content_id=4350671)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Page 1 of 1 [ 7 player(s) found ] <script type="text/javascript"> //Promotions Component if ( typeof Promotions != "undefined" && typeof Promotions.includePromo != "undefined" ){ var promoSectionVal = (section) ? section.toUpperCase() : "ALL"; Promotions.includePromo({ type : "SM_SQ", section : promoSectionVal }); var promoIframe = document.getElementById("PromoComponent"); if( promoIframe!=null ){ promoIframe.style.marginBottom = "10px"; } }; //DC AD writeAd(160,600,1); </script>
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Mr. Krab

06-10-2009, 11:04 AM

All pitching, All the time.

HemiEd

06-10-2009, 11:37 AM

All pitching, All the time.

Yeah, it is a small wonder why they can't score any runs.

teedubya

06-10-2009, 11:42 AM

we need more fucking LEFT handed pitchers... and some fucking bats. JFC

Reaper16

06-10-2009, 11:45 AM

I don't get the complaining over drafting pitchers. We've got plenty of bats at the A level.

sedated

06-10-2009, 12:06 PM

its the fukn MLB draft. these guys won't be seen for several years, and who knows what our offense will look like by then.

and you can always trade pitching for hitting, not always the other way around.

DeezNutz

06-10-2009, 01:24 PM

WoodDraw

06-10-2009, 01:55 PM

KK calling Crow by the name of Crochevar.

Doesn't agree with sitting out a year. Embarrassed by it. Says it speaks to his character.

True, to an extent. Very strange to turn down a year of ball for 500k...

Very strange to turn down a top ten draft pick based on $500k. That's about what you piss away on a bench player, probably less. And you refuse to sign one of the top prospects in the nation over that?

I don't know, it goes both ways. Some teams will draft players and then try to take advantage of them during negotiations, knowing they don't have many options. The Royals used to do it all the time, picking up a college senior and offering an insulting contract, saying take it or kiss your pro dreams goodbye for a year.

DeezNutz

06-10-2009, 02:01 PM

Very strange to turn down a top ten draft pick based on $500k. That's about what you piss away on a bench player, probably less. And you refuse to sign one of the top prospects in the nation over that?

I don't know, it goes both ways. Some teams will draft players and then try to take advantage of them during negotiations, knowing they don't have many options. The Royals used to do it all the time, picking up a college senior and offering an insulting contract, saying take it or kiss your pro dreams goodbye for a year.

Absolutely. Happens all the time.

Supposedly Crow wanted 4 and Wash. offered 3.5. You're right, the club could have gone up a bit. But I agree with KK that it's probably a bit more strange for a young kid to walk away from 3.5 mil.

Remember, there's also the little bit about actually loving to play ball and being a competitor.