2009 MLB Pre-Draft Discussion

[Chisoxfn]

Yep, I've heard he's asking for Porcello money. I think some team will take a chance on him.

 

Is is true the Yankees will be going after an easy sign after missing out on Cole last year? Cause there's a good chance some really good HS players fall to the yankees, notably Purke and Tate.

With the make-up pick, they'll be taking an easy sign because if they lose out they lose the pick. And since that is pretty much the only pick they got due to the signings they made this off-season, I could still see them getting agressive but I think they want a guy that they've already talked money with and are comfortable will sign.

 

That said if the Yanks are willing to spend 5-6M they will have a shot at a real good talent. Those prep demands are going to make this an interesting draft, there will be quite a few guys moving up into the 1st roudn and supplemental/2nd rounds.

[BearSox]

One guy I could see the Yanks going with is Slade Heathcott. They've been associated with his name for a while now, and while 29 might be a little early for Heathcott, it'll be the only time the Yankees have a chance to grab him. Plus, he should be a fairly easy sign, as I believe he has hopes of playing for the Yankees one day.

 

Also, Heathcott is a legit 5 tool player though, but I guess there's some character concerns with him. He's a hell of an athlete as well.

[Flash Tizzle]

If we didn't have three picks in the first 61 overall I'd be whining for the White Sox to take a chance on one of these prep players projected to drop due to signability concerns. However, we're still in a good position with 23 and 38 to find decent players.

 

There's no question, if one ever existed, that the Yankees are going to draft the highest profile prep player, regardless of salary demands. It's obviously a question of whether they'll sign this person, but looking at their draft, and how their first two selection are at #29 and #76, you know they're shooting high.

 

I'd really hate to see another Rick Porcello type of situation occur where top talent falls well out of their projected slot. The recent rule of having your draft slot (minus one position) guaranteed for the next season should be motivation for teams to sign a good name and take the risk of losing it.

Edited June 9, 2009 by Flash Tizzle

[longshot7]

what channel is it on and when? MLB Network wasn't working this morning for me.

[dasox24]

what channel is it on and when? MLB Network wasn't working this morning for me.

If your MLB Network isn't working, you can watch it on MLB.com. Draft starts at 5pm Central.

[Chisoxfn]

If we didn't have three picks in the first 61 overall I'd be whining for the White Sox to take a chance on one of these prep players projected to drop due to signability concerns. However, we're still in a good position with 23 and 38 to find decent players.

 

There's no question, if one ever existed, that the Yankees are going to draft the highest profile prep player, regardless of salary demands. It's obviously a question of whether they'll sign this person, but looking at their draft, and how their first two selection are at #29 and #76, you know they're shooting high.

 

I'd really hate to see another Rick Porcello type of situation occur where top talent falls well out of their projected slot. The recent rule of having your draft slot (minus one position) guaranteed for the next season should be motivation for teams to sign a good name and take the risk of losing it.

The problem is if they don't sign the pick, they lose the pick and than they are screwed, especially since they have so few picks in the early rounds this year. They'll take an athletic prep, but its going to be one they know they can sign.

[BearSox]

I think the Yanks will go with an easy sign at 29, but there's a chance one or more of the top prep players fall to 76, and that's where the Yankees take a chance.

[longshot7]

If your MLB Network isn't working, you can watch it on MLB.com. Draft starts at 5pm Central.

 

Thanks!!

[Chisoxfn]

Jonathan Mayo has Tony Sanchez going 4th overall to the Pirates now. The Pirates are going to stay close to slot, if not under slot (they plan on spending a significant amount internationally on July 2nd), but Sanchez would be a clear reach. He can definately hit though.

 

4. Pittsburgh Pirates: Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College

Bound to be the first "Huh?" pick of the Draft, Sanchez seemed more like an end-of-first-round supplemental type. But he plays a premium position, and he plays it well, with some pop in his bat to boot. Is it a reach? Could be. But in a muddled Draft class, this could be the time to do this and save money for some later-round selections. Aaron Crow, Zach Wheeler and Grant Green are still being considered.

[Chisoxfn]

He also has Scheppers going after the Sox to the Mariners (same as what he had last night).

[southsider2k5]

If there is any reason Scheppers drops 23 spots to us, I'll guarantee he'll just pass right on by.

 

Although I believe there's no way gets by Detroit.

 

Detroit has no money to spend. They are hemorrhaging cash right now.

[BearSox]

According to multiple team sources, several of the draft's best high school players blew them away when they revealed their price tags. California lefthander Tyler Matzek, the best prep prospect in the draft, wants "precedent-setting money," which is interpreted to mean that he wants to surpass the record $7 million guarantee for a high schooler given to Josh Beckett and Rick Porcello. Texas righthander Shelby Miller, previously believed to be signable for around MLB's bonus recommendations, is asking for $4 million.

 

New Jersey outfielder Mike Trout (upwards of $2.5 million), Texas outfielder Slade Heathcott (upwards of $2 million), Florida third baseman Bobby Borchering ($2 million) and North Carolina catcher Wil Myers ($2 million) all want top-10-pick money. Oklahoma southpaw Chad James seeks $1.75 million. Previously, Missouri righty Jacob Turner and Texas lefty Matt Purke alluded to Porcello money, while Georgia outfielder Donavan Tate will cost $6 million or more.

This is ridiculous. All these demands could really turn this whole drafts 1st round into a crap shoot.

[BearSox]

This is my top 10 as of now... I'll try and finish up the rest a little later, but don't expect any more explanations.

1.) Nationals - RHSP Stephen Strasburg, San Diego St.

Shocking, I know.

2.) Mariners - OF/1B/2B Dustin Ackley, UNC

There's been some talk of the Mariners backing off a bit, but I still think they go with Ackley. They could use his bat at either CF, LF, 2B, or 1B.

3.) Padres - RHSP Aaron Crow, Independant

This is a tough one. I would say they would go in the route of a prep player, but the two that make the most sense here are asking for a ton (Matzek and Tate). I think they'll go with Crow who can help them out sooner and is a damn good prospect as well, and they could save 3+ million while doing it.

4.) Pirates - RHSP Alex White, UNC

This pick looks like it will be either a catcher or pitcher. They've been rumored to be really interested in Tony Sanchez, but that would be quite the reach. They would prefer to not spend more than 4 million on this pick, and they seem to really want a pitcher. Alex White's draft stock has taken a hit in recent weeks, but some scouts feel he's still a top 10 pick and the Pirates should be able to sign him at around 4 million.

5.) Orioles - RHSP Zack Wheeler

This was a tough one, but it looks like it will be a pitcher. I narrowed this pick to 3 players: Wheeler, White, and Turner. I thought about going White here since he seems like he might sign for slot, but decided to go with Wheeler because he has a lot of potential, IMO and is considered an easier sign than Turner.

6.) Giants - LHSP Tyler Matzek, California HS

The Giants aren't usually afraid to pay a lot, and while they would prefer a position player here, Matzek would be too good to pass up. Matzek reminds me of a less polished version of Matusz (O's top pick last year), and if the Giants aren't afraid to match that 7 million dollar bonus he wants, they could get quite the player here (would probably be San Diego's pick if not for the contract demands).

7.) Braves - 3B/1B/LF Bobby Borchering, Florida HS

Another tough one. If Wheeler was here, he'd be a lock to go to the Braves. The big question is if the Braves are willing to spend big money. If so, Donovan Tate would make a ton of sense as he fits the Braves MO of local high school players. However, I don't see them willing to pay that much money to a player with as many question marks as Tate. I think they'll go Borchering here. They need a potential replacement for Chipper in the near future, and Borchering is a similar player. If they feel he can stick at 3B, I think he'll be the pick, but even if he can't, his bat would play well at either 1B or LF.

8.) Reds - LHSP Mike Minor, Vanderbilt

Rumors are that the Reds are looking for a left handed starter. Purke would be an option here, but I think they'd prefer a college arm and with Purke's contract demands, he could fall out of the 1st altogether. That leaves Rex Brothers and Mike Minor. I really wanted to go Brothers here, but Minor's name has been connected with Cincinnati more and he's a safer pick who could rise through the ranks faster.

9.) Tigers - RHSP Shelby Miller, Texas HS

The Tigers have some financial concerns and it looks like they will have to be careful with how much they spend this year. Purke and Turner seem to have priced themselves out of consideration here. However, the Tigers love pitching and especially power arms. Shelby Miller here makes a lot of sense, especially if the Tigers feel his 4 million demands aren't too much.

10.) Nationals - RHSP Chad Jenkins, Kennesaw St.

Nationals are likely going to go cheap here to try and save money because of Straburg's contract demands. However, Jenkins is a really good pitcher and the Nats are said to really, really like him and that he'll be the pick if he's available.

[harfman77]

Mitchell would be a decent comp pick, as he is really boom or bust. His only tools that are rated above average are his speed and fielding. The scouting report on ESPN says "His problem is at the plate, where his swing is long and his trigger -- a toe tap and big stride that closes his stance -- comes very late. When he squares something up, it takes off, but the squaring-up frequency isn't high enough and his pitch recognition isn't advanced enough yet to overcome the problems in his swing. "

 

I am not sure who did the evaluation, but we do not need another Joe Borchard.

 

Also in their latest mock Fuentes is going 14 to the Rangers and Brothers to the Sox.

[Chisoxfn]

Heyman of SI is reporting that the signing deadline will be August 17th this year as opposed to the 15th. It is because the 15th falls on a Saturday. This gives teams two additional days to get someone signed.

[danman31]

If Aaron Crow falls outside the top 5, it's a joke. He's an absolute stud and this is a much weaker draft than last year.

 

I'm unpinning this thread. Hopefully this will force people to use the other one now that the draft is almost starting.

[Chisoxfn]

Agreed.