2009 MLB Draft

[TakeItToManHat]

Anyone?

[rcrook]

Can we just let Bryce Harper apply?

[TakeItToManHat]

So be it.

Couple of kids i've played with/versed are supposedly going really in this draft.

[PunkyPoo]

For a change my Royals don't have a top three pick. I think we're at #12.

[Scott Weber]

bump. nobody else interested in this? sheesh.

[sweetforever]

This is being shown on ESPN, correct?

[Scott Weber]

This is being shown on ESPN, correct?
MLB Network.

[QuikTrig]

i cant wait. today is an awesome sports day, especially for a tuesday. mixed feelings about who the giants will take, although for some reason i suspect that matzek wont make it to #6. i love how theres no clear cut order this year, it seems like every mock draft board is different.

[deadstar]

Hopefully the Pirates will spend some money now that we dumped McLouth.

[J.C.]

Wish I was more into the draft today than I am.

How many rounds/picks tonight?

[sweetforever]

I know a couple of kids who might go in the top 5 rounds.

[QuikTrig]

111 picks tonight...not really sure how many theyre showing on tv though.

[Chris M.]

So many other things going on tonight that I doubt I'll have time to watch any of it.

[gonz]

I'm wondering if the Indians are going to take a chance and draft Scheppers. I'd be happy with a safer pick like Eric Arnett though.

[aloneatlastnj]

Wish I was more into the draft today than I am.

How many rounds/picks tonight?

rounds 1-3 today, 4-30 tomorrow.

this year's draft is so exciting, at least to me. outside of strasburg at 1 and maybe ackley at 2 it's a total crap shoot. i didn't hear about crow maybe falling out of the 1st round until this afternoon. pumped.

[deadstar]

Keith Law says the Pirates will overdraft Sanchez the C from Boston College. Although I take anything he says about the Buccos with a grain of salt. The guy has a serious vendetta against the team.

[bigmike]

From my understanding, it's just the top 32 picks on MLB Network -- everything else today is streamed on MLB.com. But I may be wrong on that.

[bduke13]

I'm probably going to watch the first hour before the O's game

[Scott Weber]

Hahahaha Pirates have agreed to take Tony Sanchez at #4. Totally cost cutting move. Joke franchise.

[J.C.]

I feel bad for the 'base. I'd like to see the Pirates good again.

[deadstar]

Hopefully its not true.

[bigmike]

I think I'll blindly believe that's not a true report until it happens. If it does, I feel really, really bad for Pittsburgh fans.

[Bigalan2004]

my best friends neighbor is projected as the #6 overall pick. dude is still in high school and throws close to 97.

[CstSnow]

I am genuinely excited at the rumours that the M's have a realistic shot at Ackley plus one of the big pitchers (crowe/purke/shcheppers/paxton)

[CstSnow]

Keith Law says the Pirates will overdraft Sanchez the C from Boston College. Although I take anything he says about the Buccos with a grain of salt. The guy has a serious vendetta against the team.

Thats what JAC from prospectinsider is saying as well, though he may just be getting it from KLaw since they are working together on the draft for the sports leader.

[deadstar]

I think I'll blindly believe that's not a true report until it happens. If it does, I feel really, really bad for Pittsburgh fans.
Well hopefully it means they go after Sano then. And as much as it sucks, they aren't passing up on a lot of sure things like previous regimes had done.

[Scott Weber]

Here we go!

[CstSnow]

from Dave Cameron of USSM via Lookout Landing

He says a friend in another organization tipped him that:

“If you guys are feeling spendy, you might get Ackley and Crow. I don’t think he’s going in the first round if Seattle doesn’t take him.”

[Scott Weber]

from Dave Cameron of USSM via Lookout Landing

He says a friend in another organization tipped him that:

“If you guys are feeling spendy, you might get Ackley and Crow. I don’t think he’s going in the first round if Seattle doesn’t take him.”
eeeeeeeeeek. i don't think it'll happen.

[CstSnow]

eeeeeeeeeek. i don't think it'll happen.

realistically no, but it would be amazing.

[DaveFeelsRight]

big shocker here

[Scott Weber]

and there he goes. take ackley!

[bigmike]

M's should have their pick in already. Ackley's easy No. 2.

[DaveFeelsRight]

there you go weber

[Scott Weber]

Phew.

[bigmike]

Good pick. This is where it gets interesting.

[Scott Weber]

I don't like Donovan Tate there. Too risky for a guy who isn't even certain he's playing baseball, and generally just not a fan of high school picks that early.

[Scott Weber]

lol pirates.

[Scott Weber]

I like Hobgood. A little high for him, but can't fault it.

[deadstar]

We shouldnt be in money saving mode, but if it means we spend more elsewhere I'll be alright with it.

[rcrook]

Bud Selig is terrible at the mic.

[Scott Weber]

Reach for Minor.

[Scott Weber]

Clearly signability is a big deal here....college pitchers falling.

[SilenceBrokenTT]

I don't get how you could be drafted twice... how is that possible?

[Scott Weber]

I don't get how you could be drafted twice... how is that possible?
If you don't come to terms on a deal with the team who took you, that team gets that pick again in the next year's draft (along with their one from the current year) and that player is eligible to be taken again.

[rcrook]

Drafted out of high school, choose to go to college.

[Scott Weber]

Drafted out of high school, choose to go to college.
Right. And if that's the case, they can't be taken til after their junior year.

[rcrook]

jesus how many people do you need in a draft room?

[SilenceBrokenTT]

Ah, thanks for that info.

And anyone else think Harold Reynolds cocky as hell? Seems like EVERY interview he does, he starts it out "Hey _____ it's Harold Reynolds here..." waiting for the interviewee to be all praise-y towards him, which he didn't get with Stephen there. I don't see/hear any other broadcaster do that nearly as much as him.

[Scott Weber]

Ah, thanks for that info.

And anyone else think Harold Reynolds cocky as hell? Seems like EVERY interview he does, he starts it out "Hey _____ it's Harold Reynolds here..." waiting for the interviewee to be all praise-y towards him, which he didn't get with Stephen there. I don't see/hear any other broadcaster do that nearly as much as him.
Nah. I just think he's genuinely friendly. He's a humble and kind guy.

[rcrook]

Well considering Strasburg was on the phone it'd be nice for Strasburg to know who he is talking to.

[rcrook]

Nah. I just think he's genuinely friendly. He's a humble and kind guy.

Especially friendly towards lady friends that work at ESPN.

[Scott Weber]

Aw. There goes Matzek.

[SilenceBrokenTT]

Especially friendly towards lady friends that work at ESPN.

Read my mind, lol...

And there goes Crow...

Angels with back to back in about 13 picks..

And what's up with Selig's bounciness? Dude can't stand still.

[Scott Weber]

gahhhhhhh was hoping Green might fall.

[Scott Weber]

wow, tyler matzek is a douuuuuuuuuche.

[rcrook]

nice earings, nice short answers, wants to play first base?

[StandMyBrothers]

stoked to see Grant Green drafted by a California team. Known him since was like 10.
Right. And if that's the case, they can't be taken til after their junior year.
technically you could have red-shirted a season, or could be like an old sophomore.

[RockVocalPower]

All I care about is where Aaron Crow and Kyle Gibson end up.

[zizou1790]

Especially friendly towards lady friends that work at ESPN.

+1

hahaha

[Scott Weber]

All I care about is where Aaron Crow and Kyle Gibson end up.
posted after crow was taken by KC?

[zizou1790]

im not watching this but are any players actually there and get called up on stage like in other drafts?

[RockVocalPower]

posted after crow was taken by KC?

The draft tracker on MLB.com only showed me the first 6 picks for some reason.

[rcrook]

Wow Shawon Dunstan didn't know he was the first pick of the draft until he got to the minors.

[Scott Weber]

im not watching this but are any players actually there and get called up on stage like in other drafts?
no.

[StandMyBrothers]

JIO! played with him on the same when I was 9 and 11. Couldn't be more happy for the dude. My dad gave him his first infielders glove, a Kelley one haha.

[SilenceBrokenTT]

Nice pick for the Sox...

Time for the Angels. :D

[SilenceBrokenTT]

no.

Actually yeah, there's that dude there who was in the "dugout" with his family... watch, he won't get picked at all, lol.

Hahah.... spoke too soon.

[rcrook]

Angels feel bad for the only player present at the draft so we draft him. We draft two outfielders. Smart considering we have 5 outfielders over the age of 30.

[gonz]

I like White falling to the Indians. So far so good.

[Scott Weber]

gah. i wanted the M's to go get Scheppers or Rex Brothers there.

[gonz]

I'm really interested to see who takes the chance and drafts Scheppers

[QuikTrig]

ha seems like noone will.

[Scott Weber]

i think scheppers tests might have come back bad.

[QuikTrig]

i wasnt able to watch the draft, but i read on MLBTR that when the giants picked wheeler, he was nervous as hell in the interview? he is 18 after all, but i hope it isnt an indication of weak nerves.

[Scott Weber]

mariners went cheap again at 33. fuck them.

[PunkyPoo]

Royals took the pitcher from MU who was drafted last year but never signed. Hope they have better look with him than they did the last guy who refused to sign after he was drafted (Hochevar).

[xbrokendownx]

anyone know anything on kid the yankees drafted, Hetahcott?

[Scott Weber]

Rangers get Scheppers.

[SilenceBrokenTT]

TVHS draftee what!

Old dude slaughtered saying Temecula, was hilarious.

[StandMyBrothers]

i wasnt able to watch the draft, but i read on MLBTR that when the giants picked wheeler, he was nervous as hell in the interview? he is 18 after all, but i hope it isnt an indication of weak nerves.
yeah he was, but it could've been maybe he couldn't hear the mic well? It was funny when they asked about the Giants, he admitted he knew nothing about them. Surely he could've just said Tim Lincecum.

[J.C.]

Mets took Steve Matz, high school left-hander from New York with the 72nd pick. Keith Law had him ranked 47th.

Summary: Matz has been a late riser this spring due in part to rain in the Northeast that has made him tough for scouts to see. Matz will pitch with an average fastball now at 88-92 mph, showing plus velocity at times by touching 94, with some life down in the zone, and he has plenty of room to fill out and add velocity as he does. His curveball projects as an above-average pitch with good depth and some two-plane action, but it's not consistent yet; the projection comes from good arm speed and his current ability to get good spin on the pitch. He'll flash a changeup with a little tailing life but has no feel for it right now. Matz's delivery isn't clean; he has a very violent finish with a hard head-whack and recoil, and has a lot of drop in his drop-and-drive. A cleaner delivery and physical development should give him an average or above-average fastball, an above-average curve and perhaps average command as well. He's committed to Coastal Carolina.

[mjr20]

anyone know anything on kid the yankees drafted, Hetahcott?
yea, very very good athlete but very very raw as a baseball player. he could be a star but he has a long long way to go.
Rangers get Scheppers.
stole him there..but good for the rangers, A rotation of Feliz Holland, Purke, Scheppers, martin perez in a couple of years seems dominating.

yeah he was, but it could've been maybe he couldn't hear the mic well? It was funny when they asked about the Giants, he admitted he knew nothing about them. Surely he could've just said Tim Lincecum.
that was a terrifically hilarious interview

[mjr20]

im not watching this but are any players actually there and get called up on stage like in other drafts?
only one guy showed up...Mike Trout...it was awkward

[mjr20]

I don't like Donovan Tate there. Too risky for a guy who isn't even certain he's playing baseball, and generally just not a fan of high school picks that early.
i actually like him there. if another organization took him, i might be thinking differently but the Padres need a high upside hitter like Donovan. i think it could represent a turning point in their organization rather than taking low risk low upside guys like before, which has done nothing to help them. They were close to taking Mike Minor with the third pick who projects as a safe bet to be a fourth starter with zero upside after that. they aren't going anywhere by playing it like that, especially with their needs. the first round is all about landing upside, and while its a risk, it could pay off.

[mjr20]

Can we just let Bryce Harper apply?
someone needs to import him to the Dominican immediately to make him eligible.

[deadstar]

only one guy showed up...Mike Trout...it was awkward
He's obviously close enough so that it wasnt a big deal travel wise. I thought it was pretty cool.

[J.C.]

Mets took Robbie Shields at #103, a shortstop out of Florida Southern. Apparently had a good campaign up at Cape Cod. He kinda sounds like a right-handed hitting Reese Havens. Keith Law had hit ranked 67th overall.

#111 ROBBIE SHIELDS, SS, FLORIDA SOUTHERN

Shields wasn't highly recruited despite a strong senior season in high school, when he hit 18 homers for Pasco High. He wound up at Division II Florida Southern and was having a solid college career, hitting .348 as a sophomore with nine home runs. Still, he was not a well-known commodity before he went to the Cape Cod League. In a short stint with Cotuit, he burst on the scene as a potential first-round pick. Ten games into his stint there, he was hitting .429 with two home runs, but a hurt his right wrist sliding head-first into third base. He wound up staying for five more games before shutting down his summer with what proved to be a hairline fracture and some ligament damage. Shields has had plenty of scrutiny this season as the top talent in the competitive Sunshine State Conference and has had some draftitis, as he had just five homers after hitting 17 in his first two seasons. Shields showed early-round tools with strength in his hands, average speed and middle-infield actions, but he's more likely an offensive second baseman or perhaps a third baseman in the David Bell mode rather than a true shortstop. His modest spring performance likely drops him into the third-round range, but he still has a shot to challenge the second-round record set by Moccasins alumni Lance Niekro (1999) and Brett Tomko (1995).

[aloneatlastnj]

i was a bit disappointed by the pick of heathcott by the yankees. there was clearly a better player on the board in scheppers but i guess his tests must have come back bad or not liked what they had heard/seen out of him. it's not absolutely terrible but i think i let myself get really hyped up that gibson/crow/purke/turner/matzek would fall big time. silly me.

[J.C.]

What time's it resume tomorrow?

[aloneatlastnj]

What time's it resume tomorrow?

noon. they're going 26 rounds tomorrow via conference call.


in hindsight, i'll give the yanks a C+ for the first day. if it were me i would have taken scheppers at 29 and bailey at 76 but heathcott and murphy are solid prospects. this year they've got the philosophy of drafting guys who are clearly appropriate talent and have a lot of room to grow, while at the same time will fall into slot and not destroy the budget. good for them.

there's still some signability guys out there if they know where to look, so i'm hoping they go for blood tomorrow.

[bigmike]

I had to leave so I didn't get to see it, but I am a Jacob Turner fan. However, not over Tyler Matzek.

[Bigalan2004]

I had to leave so I didn't get to see it, but I am a Jacob Turner fan. However, not over Tyler Matzek.

haha tyler matzek is my best friends neighbor, the guy had like a huge private party at the espn zone at downtown disney today.

[Chris M.]

anyone know anything on kid the yankees drafted, Hetahcott?

I know that he has an awesome name.

[preppyak]

I know that he has an awesome name.
Speaking of which, I'd want my team to get this guy just for his name
Rex Brothers

[J.C.]

My boy Josh Zeid just got drafted by the Phils in the 10th round.

Anaheim just took Jake Locker. There's been a number of football guys taken already.

[StandMyBrothers]

nice, Jake Locker from UW a 10th round pick

[J.C.]

Speaking of which, I'd want my team to get this guy just for his name


Brooks Pounders > Rex Brothers

[Scott Weber]

nice, Jake Locker from UW a 10th round pick
Yeah...that's not going to happen.

[kshtoinks12]

nice, Jake Locker from UW a 10th round pick

Wasn't he a quarterback? I didn't realize he played ball too.

[emopunkfan]

scoot boras is an asshole

[deadstar]

Well the Pirates have drafted a shitload of HS pitchers in the later rounds. Lets see if we can sign any of them.

[TakeItToManHat]

So the Mets chose my friend, Steven Matz in the second round. It's gonna be interesting to see how this kid pans out with all the stuff he has.

Marcus Stroman, another long island kid goes later to the Nationals...insane

[TakeItToManHat]

Well the Pirates have drafted a shitload of HS pitchers in the later rounds. Lets see if we can sign any of them.
Did the same thing last year with a guy named Quinton Miller.

[gonz]

So apparently the Indians just decided to completely replenish their bullpen depth in one draft. We'll see how that works. Kind of iffy about it.

[TakeItToManHat]

Rumor has it Locker might sign now, but sit out a year of baseball to see how his football career goes

[Scott Weber]

Rumor has it Locker might sign now, but sit out a year of baseball to see how his football career goes
He can still play football for UW if he signs, so it's not that big of a deal.

[Broken Parachute]

Sean Black from Seton Hall got drafted by the Yankees today. If he signs, that means he'll be playing for Staten Island, haha, so I can see him play even more now.

[aloneatlastnj]

epic fail for the cleveland indians. they're going the seattle mariners route and developing alex white (1st round) as a reliever. what a waste of talent.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1244709223152920.xml&coll=2

[Scott Weber]

epic fail for the cleveland indians. they're going the seattle mariners route and developing alex white (1st round) as a reliever. what a waste of talent.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1244709223152920.xml&coll=2
the fuck? wow.

[aloneatlastnj]

the fuck? wow.

yeah seriously. i have no idea why they're gonna waste him like that - but they probably know more than i do.

[J.C.]

The Yankees just took Pat White, former Mountaineer QB and now Dolphin.

Another kid I grew up with (Casey Frawley) got drafted by the Indians in the 17th round.

[TakeItToManHat]

Just heard that pick haha.

Another kid I know, Kyle Hanson, brother of Craig got drafted a little earlier.

[xbrokendownx]

pat white hahaha

[bduke13]

Pat White has been drafted like 4 times.

The Orioles drafted Joe Flacco's brother today

[J.C.]

Evan Sharpley and Anthony Scirrotto just got drafted. I can't remember ever seeing this many football players.

[QuikTrig]

pat fucking white?

[Scott Weber]

pat white has gotten a LOT of baseball interest in the past - at this point, not a risk to take him THIS LATE. none of these players are likely going to make it above low minors anyways. white may choose to sign so that baseball can be a fallback and the Yankees will then control his rights for 6 years if he can't get it done in the NFL.

[TakeItToManHat]

pat white has gotten a LOT of baseball interest in the past - at this point, not a risk to take him THIS LATE. none of these players are likely going to make it above low minors anyways. white may choose to sign so that baseball can be a fallback and the Yankees will then control his rights for 6 years if he can't get it done in the NFL.
alot? he has never been a high pick. he's always been one of those late waste picks

[bduke13]

That's because teams knew baseball was never a priority for him. They aren't stupid

[TakeItToManHat]

That's because teams knew baseball was never a priority for him. They aren't stupid
o no shit!

[Scott Weber]

alot? he has never been a high pick. he's always been one of those late waste picks
Interest doesn't mean a high draft pick... Oof.

[TakeItToManHat]

Interest doesn't mean a high draft pick... Oof.
alot?

[Scott Weber]

alot?
Are you seriously 23 years old? Deion Sanders was drafted in the 30th round of his baseball draft. Teams aren't going to blow a high draft pick on somebody who prefers another sport, no matter how high the interest is. You draft kids you know are going to play early.

[TakeItToManHat]

Are you seriously 23 years old? Deion Sanders was drafted in the 30th round of his baseball draft. Teams aren't going to blow a high draft pick on somebody who prefers another sport, no matter how high the interest is. You draft kids you know are going to play early.
I'm kidding around guy

[QuikTrig]

pat white, the wvu quarterback, was drafted by the angels, reds, and yankees.

i'll remember that one for stump the schwab.

[TakeItToManHat]

Indians fans should be excited for Joe Gardner. Huge talent right there

[Scott Weber]

I'm kidding around guy
bleh. fuck this forum.

[bigmike]

Evan Sharpley and Anthony Scirrotto just got drafted. I can't remember ever seeing this many football players.
Sharpley was surprisingly good in 2008, but 2009 he was bad. He started to take a lot of walks this year, though. Not that that matters at all. Dude strikes out too much to ever make it to the majors.

[TakeItToManHat]

bleh. fuck this forum.
but to answer your question, I'm not 17.

[deadstar]

Sharpley was surprisingly good in 2008, but 2009 he was bad. He started to take a lot of walks this year, though. Not that that matters at all. Dude strikes out too much to ever make it to the majors.
Speaking of striking out too much....Pedro Alvarez with 59 Ks in 203 ABs. Batting a whopping .236...in high A. Pirates may never spend money in the first round again.

[TakeItToManHat]

Speaking of striking out too much....Pedro Alvarez with 59 Ks in 203 ABs. Batting a whopping .236...in high A. Pirates may never spend money in the first round again.
is this a serious post

[Broken Parachute]

My friend's brother, Keith Cantwell, got drafted by the D-Backs.

[bigmike]

Speaking of striking out too much....Pedro Alvarez with 59 Ks in 203 ABs. Batting a whopping .236...in high A. Pirates may never spend money in the first round again.
Well, it was no secret that Alvarez was high-strikeout player. He's still walking at a 13.5% BB rate and has a .214 Isolate Power, so he's been pretty much what i expected. He was hurt in his junior year, but even in his sophomore year he struck out 20.6% of the time (24.9% thus far in the minors).

[deadstar]

I guess. I still expected more considering how old Alvarez is and how "advanced" he was supposed to be. To have those numbers at high A seemed a little unsettling.

[bigmike]

But he is showing how "advanced" he is. Good power, great plate discipline and ability to control the strike zone. And I think his power will continue to rise given he's not that far removed from a Hamate bone injury that saps all power from most guys for a good 12-16 months. His K's are always going to be at the 20+% range. It's just no one in the media really ever talked about it.

[bduke13]

Mike Flacco, brother of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, will play all four corners once he signs - first base, third base, left field and right field - until the Orioles determine a position for him.

"I saw him in our workout here last Thursday," said Joe Jordan, director of scouting. "He's a big, good-looking kid, I guess like you'd think. He ran good, he threw good. He hit the ball out of the ballpark a few times. He's an athlete. I think professional instruction will be really good for this guy. He has physical ability. It's not the cleanest approach in the world and he works under the ball some, but you can help guys with that. But he's a good-looking kid. I'm anxious to see him play."

It would be so cool if he became a good player for the O's

[freewheelburnin]

i had a good friend of mine get drafted at #602 by the royals. was drafted last year at about 900 but opted to go back to school. we'll see what happens with him.

[kshtoinks12]

Guys! I was drafted 1490 by the cubs!

[Scott Weber]

Guys! I was drafted 1490 by the cubs!
lies!

[kshtoinks12]

They say I have a plus slider ;-)