FutureSox 2008 MLB Draft Discussion

[Chisoxfn]

Screw Beckham, I have fallen in love with Crawford out of UCLA. He has all the ability you could ask for out of a SS. He possesses a short, quick swing that generates good power. On top of that he has a f***ing rocket-ship for an arm and very good range out at shortstop. He was one of the top players in the country entering the year and like many of the Bruins they had trouble handling the pre-season accolodes but he's came on strong as of late and is VERY VERY projectable.

 

If this kid is there in the 3rd round the Sox better take him (even if they took Beckham in the 1st). I am absolutely convinced he'll be the 2nd to 3rd best SS in this draft, possibly even the best (although the Beckham's are both rock solid as well).

[Chisoxfn]

Because you take the best person available and Silverio is actually 20.

On top of that, middle infielders tend to be the premiere athletes on the field, which means, if come AA or AAA time you have 3 top middle infield guys, you can always opt to trade one of them or consider a move to 3B/2B/CF as they should be able to easily handle any of those positions (and in most instances they'll have the ability to become plus defenders at those positions, assuming that they are an "athletic" SS and not a "David Eckstein").

[ptatc]

I like the major league comparison of Smoak. A switch-hitting Paul Konerko

 

[insert your own joke here]

[whitesoxbrian]

If that's the case, we don't need another DP/pop out to 1st machine

 

In all seriousness, if Alvarez falls to us because he wants too much money, and we don't take him, I'll be mighty POed. He will one day be an All Star. He will hit .320 with 25 HR repeatedly, year after year.

 

This way, maybe we can deal Crede to a team this year at the break, and bring up Fields. He can play until Alvarez is ready, and then hopefully deal Fields to another team to get some more in the farm.

 

However, if CQ gets hurt 1 or 2 times for a fairly long stretch between the time we draft Alvarez (IF we take him) and he's ready, maybe we can keep Fields and stick him in LF if CQ does in fact get injured.

[BearSox]

Mayo's got some rumors...

 

The Chicago White Sox, while looking hard at some of the corner infield power bats -- namely Justin Smoak or Yonder Alonso -- are also looking at a power arm. Word has it that GM Kenny Williams is in Stillwater, Oklahoma this weekend for the regional hosted by Oklahoma State. At that regional is Texas Christian University, whose closer is power-armed Andrew Cashner, the fast-rising reliever who's been hitting the upper 90s as a short man, but has the size and delivery to make many think he can be a frontline starter.

http://draft.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/05/...rumor_mill.html

 

I'd be sick to my stomach if draft Cashner. The only pitcher I'd be happy about at no.8 is Crow. I wouldn't even be happy about Matusz as he reminds me too much of Jeff Francis.

Edited June 3, 2008 by BearSox

[DBAHO]

Uhh Matusz at #8 would be a fantastic result for the Sox, unless you would prefer a Brett Wallace there instead.

 

I'll re-post the Cashner write up from SS;

 

19. Andrew Cashner, RHR, Texas ChristianBio: 6′5, 185, Bats R, Throws R, 21 years oldThe Skinny: This 6-foot-6 righty has been flying up the boards of late, and at least in our eyes, is now the top college reliever in the class. With a fastball that’s been reportedly touching 98 MPH, the TCU righty has been close to untouchable out of the pen. Teams may balk at his lack of track record and closing experience, but others will salivate over his electric arm, projectable frame, and makings of an out-pitch slider. Many teams like his clean arm and feel for a changeup enough to project him as a starter with his newfound velocity, but Cashner lacks feel and command at times and is still raw. Some teams think he could start, which would boost his profile significantly, and there is reportedly interest in the top 10, all the way up to #6 (Marlins). Otherwise, teams like Seattle, Philadelphia, and the Mets are rumored to be looking college reliever in the late teens and early 20s.Pros: Fresh arm, Fastball velocityCons: Track record, PolishComparison: Chris RayAdjusted OFP: 55

[BearSox]

Uhh Matusz at #8 would be a fantastic result for the Sox, unless you would prefer a Brett Wallace there instead.

I'm not a big fan of pitchers with no real plus/out pitch with the no. 8 selection. His curve and change are borderline, but he has some mechanical issues and has trouble repeating his delivery. I see too much Jeff Francis in him.

[Chisoxfn]

Matsusz would be a very good value pick at 8. I have some questions about him ever developing into an ace, but he has the clear cut makings of a mid-rotation starter with an upside of being a front line starter (just not an ace). There is a risk/reward area and I think Matsusz would be a similar pick as the Wallace pick.

 

I don't think Wallace will ever be an MVP, but I think he's the type that is very likely to be a good major league player and there is a solid chance he makes at least a few all star games. I feel similarly about Matsusz.

[BearSox]

With a Top 10 pick, is it EVER a good idea to draft a reliever???

If it is the second coming of Rivera, then yes

 

IIRC, Colorado drafted the closer out of Vanderbilt last in the top 10. However, they might be converting him to a starter, so I don't know.

[BearSox]

I guess I'm just tainted by the whole Royce Ring fiasco. (I know he was drafted 18)..

oh, what could have been with Cole Hamels going all of 1 spot ahead of us. We still probably wouldn't have draft Hamels if he was there, but it's fun to think about.

[fathom]

I know this isn't much, but the word around the BA offices today is don't expect any surprises in the top 7. That means T. Beckham, Matusz, Crow, Posey, Alvarez, Smoak, and who, Alonso?

[BearSox]

I know this isn't much, but the word around the BA offices today is don't expect any surprises in the top 7. That means T. Beckham, Matusz, Crow, Posey, Alvarez, Smoak, and who, Alonso?

Hosmer. Word is the Royals are willing to pay the big bucks for him, and he is a legit top 5 talent, IMO. I see that top 7 going as:

 

1. Rays - Tim Beckham

2. Pirates - Pedro Alvarez

3. Royals - Eric Hosmer

4. Orioles - Brian Matusz

5. Giants - Buster Posey

6. Marlins - Kyle Skipworth

7. Reds - Aaron Crow

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see a flip-flop with Matusz and Crow, and I wouldn't be surprised if KC changes their mind to Smoak. One surprise I could see happening is if Crow is gone by 7, I could see Cincinnati going with Casey Kelly.

Edited June 3, 2008 by BearSox

[fathom]

Hosmer. Word is the Royals are willing to pay the big bucks for him, and he is a legit top 5 talent, IMO. I see that top 7 going as:

 

1. Rays - Tim Beckham

2. Pirates - Pedro Alvarez

3. Royals - Eric Hosmer

4. Orioles - Brian Matusz

5. Giants - Buster Posey

6. Marlins - Kyle Skipworth

7. Reds - Aaron Crow

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see a flip-flop with Matusz and Crow, and I wouldn't be surprised if KC changes their mind to Smoak. One surprise I could see happening is if Crow is gone by 7, I could see Cincinnati going with Casey Kelly.

 

I've heard Cubs will take Kelly if he's there for their pick. I really think we might see Posey fall to us (despite what my brother says).

Edited June 3, 2008 by fathom

[BearSox]

I've heard Cubs will take Kelly if he's there for their pick. I really think we might see Posey fall to us (despite what my brother says).

If KC doesn't go with Smoak, then San Fran is a definite possibility for him. And if that's the case, it would look likely that one of Posey or Skipworth would be there at 8. I for one would rather have Skipworth and am not as high on Posey as some, but if Posey was there (and Smoak and Crow were not), I'd have no problem with the pick. Catcher has been such a need for this organization for so many years, it's hard to complain about a guy like Posey who could fix our problems at catcher for the next 10 years.

 

EDIT: I've also heard that San Fran could go after Gordon Beckham. I for one hope they do. An ideal (but not-likely) situation would have Hosmer go at 3, have the Orioles go with Crow instead, and have the Reds go with Casey Kelly.

 

With Beckham and Kelly being somewhat reaches, IMO, that would likely leave two of Matusz, Smoak, Skipworth, and Posey there at 8 for our picking.

 

Worst case scenario is that Smoak goes no. 3 overall, Baltimore goes with the safe lefty Matusz (meaning the Reds will go with Crow by default), and San Fran goes with Posey (and Florida with Skipworth by default). That would leave us with our picking from Beckham, Wallace, Alonso, Hunt, and Cashner.

Edited June 3, 2008 by BearSox

[dasox24]

I could see Cincinnati going with Casey Kelly.

I hope he doesn't go that early. I want him to come to UT to play QB, and he'd be fun as hell to watch on the baseball diamond. The UT baseball team is needing some talent.

 

Oh, and if we draft Cashner, that would be a terrible pick. We already have Closers tearing it up at, like, every minor league level anyway. You don't draft a Closer with a Top 10 pick. I would be so happy if we got either Smoak or Posey/Skipworth.

[whitesoxbrian]

BearSox said this already, but just to restate it- Mayo says we have Alonso, Cashner, and Smoak on our radars.

[chimpy2121]

I really hope Buster doesn't go to the Giants. I've also heard the Marlins like Crow even though they need a catcher. I would be extremely ecstatic is he got to us, but who knows, we might not even take him as his stock seems to be falling a little bit.

[bighurt4life]

From what I've been reading Beckham has a serious hitch in his swing and isn't terribly athletic, that's kinda scares me off of taking him at #8. It seems like we might have a shot at any one of Skipworth, Hosmer, Smoak, or Crow. I'd be happy with any one of those picks, my top pick out of the four would be Hosmer. He's got plus plus power potential, has a cannon arm and good athleticism. If he slides to us and we pass on him for someone we can pay slot money to I'll be pissed

[BearSox]

From what I've been reading Beckham has a serious hitch in his swing and isn't terribly athletic, that's kinda scares me off of taking him at #8. It seems like we might have a shot at any one of Skipworth, Hosmer, Smoak, or Crow. I'd be happy with any one of those picks, my top pick out of the four would be Hosmer. He's got plus plus power potential, has a cannon arm and good athleticism. If he slides to us and we pass on him for someone we can pay slot money to I'll be pissed

 

Hosmer ain't happening in a million years. Even if he is there at 8, we aren't paying him 7+ million and even possibly throwing in a major league clause.

[Chisoxfn]

I hope he doesn't go that early. I want him to come to UT to play QB, and he'd be fun as hell to watch on the baseball diamond. The UT baseball team is needing some talent.

 

Oh, and if we draft Cashner, that would be a terrible pick. We already have Closers tearing it up at, like, every minor league level anyway. You don't draft a Closer with a Top 10 pick. I would be so happy if we got either Smoak or Posey/Skipworth.

Posey falling to the Sox is better than Alvarez falling to the Sox. Thats how much I like Posey. The Sox should be thrilled if he lands in our laps. As far as drafting a closer goes, it should be noted most scouts believe he'll transfer from the pen to the rotation (and he possesses some plus plus pitches). Risky pick, but his arsenal is very good (according to scouts).

[fathom]

Posey falling to the Sox is better than Alvarez falling to the Sox. Thats how much I like Posey. The Sox should be thrilled if he lands in our laps. As far as drafting a closer goes, it should be noted most scouts believe he'll transfer from the pen to the rotation (and he possesses some plus plus pitches). Risky pick, but his arsenal is very good (according to scouts).

 

My brother brought up a good point....many teams say they'll make a closer into a starter, but how often does that work? The Blue Jays thought David Bush was going to go from superb closer to frontline starter....and that hasn't worked out that well.

[Ozzie Ball]

From John Manuel's blog:

 

• The White Sox have been linked to Arizona State’s two-time Pac-10 triple crown winner, Brett Wallace, at the No. 8 spot, but the Sox may be more interested in another Pac-10 lefthanded hitter. Chicago farm director Alan Regier was given extensive scouting duties in the wake of Dave Wilder’s firing. Regier, a former assistant coach at California, is the godfather of Stanford catcher Jason Castro. Regier’s recent promotion to the scouting side has fueled speculation that Castro, whose profile is similar to Chicago’s current catcher, A.J. Pierzynski, could be the Sox’ pick.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=286#more-286

Edited June 4, 2008 by Ozzie Ball

[danman31]

If the Sox take Castro, they need to quit the draft. Seriously, that's so embarrassing to even be discussing or connected to drafting him at 8.

 

Any player who hit .167 a year ago and only has one season hitting over .300 (with numbers this year that aren't anywhere near top 10 in the country status) shouldn't be considered for the first round, little #8. I don't care if he is the greatest defensive catcher the Pac 10 has ever seen.

[BearSox]

Looks like Bureau was wrong about Regier getting fired...

[quickman]

as I have stated previously I like Brett Wallace, I watched him play, but that being said I know little about these kids, but I do know you do not make organizational decisions on God Children. Thats stupid, but this org has done some stupid things in the past.