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Posted 06/09/2009 at 12:12 PM
The Stephen Strasburg Show, otherwise known as the Major League Baseball Draft, takes place today. Just like the more publicized NFL and NBA drafts, this is a huge crap shoot. But also just like the drafts in the other sports, part of the fun is guessing who ends up where. So here’s my rundown on today’s first round, along with a quick comment on the prospect or the team I’m projecting will draft him.
1. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals: Duh.
2. Dustin Ackley, Mariners: Not a perfect fit for CF at Safeco, but he’s the surest position player in the draft.
3. Donavan Tate, Padres: All the tools. Will the Padres pay the freight?
4. Jacob Turner, Pirates: Best high school pitcher in the draft. Will cost plenty. And the Bucs don’t like spending bucks. So I’m probably wrong on this one.
5. Aaron Crow, Orioles: If the Pirates don’t take him, I think the O’s will. Although rumor mill says it’s Zack Wheeler.
6. Tyler Matzek, Giants: They need bats more, but I’ve been told they really like Matzek, and he’s from Capistrano Valley.
7. Zack Wheeler, Braves: Georgia high schooler, and the Braves love locals. If he’s on the board, I’m very confident he’s the pick.
8. Kyle Gibson, Reds: Has a forearm stress fracture, but that may enable Reds to get him at slot price.
9. Tanner Scheppers, Tigers: Motown reportedly covets Turner and Matzek, may have to gamble instead on hard throwing but health risk (?) Scheppers.
10. Chad Jenkins, Nationals: Signability is a must with this Nats pick, so Jenkins is the guy.
11. Rex Brothers, Rockies: I don’t think anyone else has him this high. But I know Rox want a power lefty, and they’ve been known to reach.
12. Alex White, Royals: Stock dropped late, but his Super Regional effort likely moved him back up the ladder.
13. Tim Wheeler, Athletics: Appears to me to be a Billy Beane type of pick. College guy, not overly toolsy but solid.
14. Shelby Miller, Rangers: Big, hard throwing Texan. I’m actually pretty confident on this call.
15. Grant Green, Indians: Had kind of a down year at USC, but he projects as a big league regular at SS.
16. Mike Leake, Diamondbacks: No secret D-Backs are sold on ASU’s star lefty.
17. Bobby Borchering, Diamondbacks: Only sure tool is power, but he’s got loads of it, and he’s supposedly signable at slot.
18. Chad James, Marlins: Big lefty fits Marlins draft profile, money will be the determining factor.
19. Matt Purke, Cardinals: Top 10 talent, but wants a boatload of bucks. That could scare off Redbirds, but word is they definitely want a lefty pitcher.
20. Mike Minor, Blue Jays: I don’t think he’s anything more than a back of the rotation lefty, but everyone seems to have him even higher than I do.
21. Jared Mitchell, Astros: Great athlete, but very raw. ‘Stros are going for offense, and Mitchell would likely be a quick sign.
22. Mat Hobgood, Twins: I was thinking Mike Trout here, but Twins went for OF’s each of the last two drafts, so I’ll guess power pitcher here.
23. Mike Trout, White Sox: Reports are Chisox want an athletic OF, so if Trout is still around, he should be the pick.
24. Eric Arnett, Angels: Stock has risen considerably this year, and Halos will take a pitcher with one of their back to back picks.
25. Everett Williams, Angels: I was torn between Matt Davidson and Williams, decided to opt for the athletic OF.
26. Garrett Gould, Brewers: Uptick in velocity has attracted scouts as he already owns a plus curve. Brewers need pitching prospects.
27. Max Stassi, Mariners: I’m pretty sure Mariners will take a catcher here, and Stassi’s power is a selling point.
28. Tony Sanchez, Red Sox: Bosox will gladly grab BC receiver, but if a big bonus demand star drops because of money concerns, Red Sox won’t back away.
29. David Renfroe, Yankees: Same story as Red Sox, Yanks will snatch up lingering big bonus potential studs. Renfroe has all the tools and NYY needs to draft a future replacement for Jeter.
30. Wil Myers, Rays: Highest ceiling of any catcher in the draft, but scouts are divided as to whether he can actually play that position. But his bat alone gets him into the first round.
31. Jiovanni Mier, Cubs: Like Red Sox and Yankees, Cubs are hoping to land a bigger fish who drops due to big dollar demands. Mier has speed and a big league SS glove, bat is a big question.
32. A.J. Pollock, Rockies: Fits the Rockies profile, college kid, great makeup, and his stock rose this season.
I’ll have some thoughts on what actually took place in the draft in tomorrow’s blog.
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