2007 MLB Draft

[bigmike]

Since it's techincally later today on ESPN 2, (2 PM eastern time), I figured it'd be a decent idea to get a thread started, so it's seperate from any talk that goes on in the MLB thread about actual games tomorrow. I'm stoked to see it happen.

This is how I think the top 5 will go:

1) Tampa Bay - David Price
2) Kansas City - Rick Porcello
3) Chicago Cubs - Matt Wieters
4) Pittsburgh - Josh Vitters
5) Baltimore - Beau Mills

I'm stretching that Porcello goes No. 2 overall, but if I were drafting that's what I'd do in the Royals spot. He's 6'5", 190 lbs so he's got the frame. He throws what should become 3 plus MLB pitches with a good chance for a 4th. I really think he's got a higher/better ceiling as a prospect then Price, but Price is the best right now and the best bet among pitchers to reach his potential and accelerate through the minors.

I would not be surprised if Matt Dominguez or Mike Moustako's goes in the top 5 ahead of Vitters. They're all bunched pretty tightly together.

I'll be updating this post with the picks as they're made.

1) Tampa Bay - David Price, LHP, Vanderbilt.
2) Kansas City - Mike Moustakas, 3B/C, Chastworth HS, Chatsworth, Calif.
3) Chicago Cubs - Josh Vitters, 3B, Cypress HS, Anaheim, Calif.
4) Pittsburgh Pirates - Daniel Moskos, LHP, Clemson.
5) Baltimore Orioles - Matt Wieters, C, Georgia Tech.
6) Washington Nationals - Ross Detwiler, LHP, Missouri State University.
7) Milwaukee Brewers - Matt LaPorta, 1B, University of Florida.
8) Colorado Rockies - Casey Weathers, RHP, Vanderbilt.
9) Arizona Diamondbacks - Jarrod Parker, RHP, Norwood HS, Indiana.
10) San Francisco Giants - Madison Bumgarner, LHP, South Caldwell HS, Hudson, NC.
11) Seattle Mariners - Phillippe Aumont, RHP, Ecole Du Versant, Gatineau, Quebec.
12) Florida Marlins - Matt Dominguez, 3B, Chatsworth HS, Chatsworth, Calif.
13) Cleveland Indians - Beau Mills, 3B, Lewis-Clark State.
14) Atlanta Braves - Jason Heyward, OF, Henry County HS, McDonough, Georgia.
15) Cincinatti Reds - Devin Mesoraco, C, Punxsatawney HS, Punxsatawney, Penn.
16) Toronto Blue Jays - Kevin Ahrens, SS/3B, Memorial HS, Houston, Texas.
17) Texas Rangers - Blake Beavan, RHP, Irving HS, Irving, Texas.
18) St. Louis Cardinals - Peter Kozma - SS, Owasso HS, Oklahoma.
19) Philadelphia Phillies - Joe Savery, LHP, Rice University.
20) Los Angeles Dodgers - Chris Withrow, RHP, Midland HS, Midland, Texas.
21) Toronto Blue Jays - J.P. Arencibia, C, University of Tennessee.
22) San Francisco Giants - Tim Alderson, RHP, Horizon HS, Scottsdale, Arizona.
23) San Diego Padres - Nick Schmidt, LHP, University of Arkansas.
24) Texas Rangers - Michael Main, RHP, DeLand HS, DeLand, Florida.
25) Chicago White Sox - Aaron Poreda, LHP, University of San Francisco.
26) Oakland Athletics - James Simmons, RHP, UC Riverside.
27) Detroit Tigers - Rick Porcello, RHP, Setan Hall Prep, New Jersey.
28) Minnesota Twins - Ben Revere, CF, Lexington Catholic HS, Lexington, Kentucky.
29) San Francisco Giants - Wendall Fairley, OF, George County-Lucedale HS, Mississippi.
30) New York Yankees - Andrew Brackman, RHP, North Carolina State University.

The first round is over. I'm not going to post pick by pick the Supplemental draft until it's done, if I even watch the supplemental round.

First round winner right now: Detroit Tigers. Number 2 pitcher on all boards (number 1 on mine. I like his ceiling better then Price's and the gap isn't that far between the two) taken at number 27.

[youkwalks]

Ill be at the game tomorrow, but Brad Mills' (Boston's bench coach) son should go in the 5th round people think. Supposedly he's a good defensive thirdbase with good power.

Wonder is the sox will try and grab him.

[kbauer]

all i know is that david price has only lost 1 game all year and that was to michigan the other day so im guessing hes good. oh and tampa has the first pick, detroit is picking...27th.

dammit bigmike i was i could gain your immense knowledge. im always so in the dark about the colleges and minor leagues of...everything. which needs to stop because im doing college baseball play by play for OU next year.

but i will watch the draft because i want to learn about these players. any mid contienent conference players like from orel roberts maybe expected to go in the first few rounds you know about?

[bigmike]

Ill be at the game tomorrow, but Brad Mills' (Boston's bench coach) son should go in the 5th round people think. Supposedly he's a good defensive thirdbase with good power.

Wonder is the sox will try and grab him.
Beau Mills? All drafts I've seen have him in the top 15. Though, I've read he's a sub-par 3B but probably will stick for a bit there to see if he can develope. Some compare him to a Ryan Braun-type. Immense power, should hit for average, but the defense leaves some to be desired. Personally, I think it's just best that he gets moved to 1B, which is what I think will happen pretty quickly in his career.

I would not be surprised to see Mills go No. 5 to Baltimore, or Vitters to be replaced in the top 5 by Matt Dominguez or Mike Moustakos.
all i know is that david price has only lost 1 game all year and that was to michigan the other day so im guessing hes good. oh and tampa has the first pick, detroit is picking...27th.

dammit bigmike i was i could gain your immense knowledge. im always so in the dark about the colleges and minor leagues of...everything. which needs to stop because im doing college baseball play by play for OU next year.

but i will watch the draft because i want to learn about these players. any mid contienent conference players like from orel roberts maybe expected to go in the first few rounds you know about?
Haha, yeah. Top 5 is Tampa, KC, Cubs, Pirates, Baltimore.

I cruise through a ton of different prospect websites/blogs/whatever else at night when I can't sleep and whatnot.

Edit: And I don't know of any Mid-Con kids, but Miami of Ohio has a couple kids, RHP Conor Graham and RHP John Ely that could go in the 4-5 round area. Maybe later. Also, SS D.J. LeMahieu out of Brother Rice HS could go in the 3-6 rounds, as well.

[Smithers]

Ill be at the game tomorrow, but Brad Mills' (Boston's bench coach) son should go in the 5th round people think. Supposedly he's a good defensive thirdbase with good power.

Wonder is the sox will try and grab him.

you see the picture of him on SoSH? he looks like tom brady's evil twin.

http://goldpanners.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/Mills2-web.jpg

[xbrokendownx]

which guy is the one from the NJ prep school? a few of my friends have played with him before i think

[HoustonCalling]

arg i wanted to watch this, ill be in the city though all day

[aloneatlastnj]

which guy is the one from the NJ prep school? a few of my friends have played with him before i think

rick porcello from seton hall prep. he's all over today's papers, it's nuts.

[bigmike]

rick porcello from seton hall prep. he's all over today's papers, it's nuts.
I think he's the best pitcher in the draft. I also and going to re-work my top 5. I think Beau Mills goes No. 5 to Baltimore.

[we are cured]

i won a little league championship with the first team all-america at this link:

http://www.tcnjathletics.com/News/bb/2007/5/25/07baseAA.asp?path=bb

[LeftWideOpen]

matt wieters will be the best player from this draft, IMO. How often is there a switch-hitting, well-rounded C prospect that you can count on for the next 10 years? The last was Joe Mauer, and that worked out for the Twins.

He may not have the highest upside, but he's the safest choice. For a club like the Cubs (who have swung and missed w/ high choices in the past decade), he's a great fit.

[bigmike]

I like Wieters but there's questions with him being so big if he'll stick at C. Either way, he should hit. I personally think Matt LaPorta out of the U of Florida is the safest bat in this draft. 1B, should mash in pro ball and be Billy Butler version 2.0.

This is my top 10, based on talent:

1) Rick Porcello*
2) David Price *
3) Mike Moustakas
4) Josh Vitters
5) Matt Weiters
6) Ross Detwiler
7) Jason Heyward
8) Jarrod Parker
9) Beau Mills
10) Madison Bumgarner

*Note: I said in another thread that I think Porcello has a higher ceiling then Price, but if Price is almost a sure bet to accelerate through the minors and to reach his potential. I just like Porcello a bit more.

*Note 2: Nevin Griffith is my 'sleeper' per se. Kid has long armed wind-up, but I prefer his delivery to someone like, say, Phillippe Aumont. I like Griffith more then Aumont, though Nevin will fall due to only being 6'1"-6'2".

[LeftWideOpen]

i find it hilarious that Todd Frazier is a 1st round prospect. Not because he isnt talented, but because I remember following him at the LLWS.

oh and dont forget the name Jack McGeary. Dude is from around here and he is a stud. Everything I have read about him is that he'd be a Top 10 pick if people werent scared he'll go play at Stanford. He's a tall southpaw w/ great makeup. Not the hardest thrower, but he can command 4 above average pitches and he's smart as hell on the mound. He could go as high as Toronto at #21, but is more likely to be in that 25-35 range. I just pray to god he doesnt wind up a Yankee.

or hopefully the yankees do draft him and he decides to go to stanford

[bigmike]

Definitely. I've seen mock drafts that have him going late 1st. Like the one on mymlbdraft.com has him going 28 to the Twins.

Apparently Porcello has a chance to have a slide down the draft that would make Aaron Rodgers feel bad. Like, being available at No. 30 to the Yankees. Jesus christ. I think the dude's the best pitcher in the draft (like his ceiling better then Price's, though Price is the safest bet on the rubber to make it to the majors and quickly). Nuts. My top 5 looks fucked as he should be donning a Royal's uni, not falling 28 spots more then he should. I hope the Tigers grab him at 27 if he's going to fall that far, jesus.

[bigmike]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=64

Jim Callis is reporting that Moustakas is going to KC, Vitters to the Cubs. This means that Parker drops from the Cubs at 3 to out of the top 5 (probably 9-10, no later then 12) and that Baltimore is still unpredictable. Some people on John Sickels blog have said there may be a chance that Wieters, Porcello, and Vitters all drop out of the top 3.

[deadstar]

I will be very annoyed if the Pirates take another pitcher.

[livethesounds]

wake me up in the 3rd round when the Astros actually get a pick.

[bigmike]

Okay, I'm revising how I think the top 5 will go:

TB - Price
KC - Vitters
Cubs - Moustakas
Pitt - Detwiler
Baltimore - Jarrod Parker

[livethesounds]

if im not near a tv, wheres the best place to see who's picked, in close to real time.

[bigmike]

you can try www.mymlbdraft.com, they're supposed to be updating their draft board as picks come in. Otherwise, I'll update the first post in this thread if need be.

[livethesounds]

theres a mlb draft tracker i found, if that sucks ill check out that one.

[livethesounds]

well..lets see if my best friend gets drafted (wont be till the late rounds most likely).

[livethesounds]

today would have been a good day to call in sick. stros come on in an hour, plus this and the finals tonight. damnit.

[fire on my lips]

I don't know that much about the MLB Draft process and haven't made my way to my television yet. Do picks go in order of how poorly each team's regular season was?

I know ESPN wouldn't have wanted to commit to showing the MLB Draft on ESPN (the original channel) for however many years, in case it ended up being poor, but I just saw arm wrestling on ESPN, and I know the Hotlist starts at 2. Even if just some people like me, who are done with school and are home watch this, it should get better rating than arm wrestling.
That being said I did watch five minutes of arm wrestling, before laughing out loud at the announcer on ESPNews saying the Yankees' "last game of the season" was tomorrow. He meant series.

[deadstar]

Man two commercial breaks within 45 seconds of each other. This is almost as bad as the NFL draft.

[livethesounds]

Man two commercial breaks within 45 seconds of each other. This is almost as bad as the NFL draft.

this isnt actually going to start for another hour is it?

[livethesounds]

nevermind.

theres a shocker, Price to the D-Rays.

[thejetstolehome]

only 2 Yankee first rounders are on the roster now? goddamn...:-(

[deadstar]

this isnt actually going to start for another hour is it?
Haha. They came back from commercial to hear Selig make a terrible 45 second speech, then went straight to commercial.

I just wish the Pirates take the best players and dont worry about whether they will be able to sign them.

[fire on my lips]

this isnt actually going to start for another hour is it?

no it just started. I guess ESPN feels that it doesn't have the necessary hype to delay it for an hour like the NFL and NBA drafts.

The fact that there are five minutes between picks is great.

Who's the guy that Boras represents and was drafted last year, but wouldn't sign a contract and played in the Independent League? I remember reading a quote that a Boras client would easily be a top 5 pick if he had any other agent, but that because he had Boras he could fall to the Yankees at 30.

Price just said the DRays "are already a good team."

[bigmike]

I don't know that much about the MLB Draft process and haven't made my way to my television yet. Do picks go in order of how poorly each team's regular season was?

I know ESPN wouldn't have wanted to commit to showing the MLB Draft on ESPN (the original channel) for however many years, in case it ended up being poor, but I just saw arm wrestling on ESPN, and I know the Hotlist starts at 2. Even if just some people like me, who are done with school and are home watch this, it should get better rating than arm wrestling.
That being said I did watch five minutes of arm wrestling, before laughing out loud at the announcer on ESPNews saying the Yankees' "last game of the season" was tomorrow. He meant series.
Yes, worst record gets No. 1 pick. No trades. After the first round is the Supplemental round for teams that lost Free Agents this past offseason, then continues on with Round 2, 3, 4, etc.

[deadstar]

It annoys me how its referred to as the "first year player draft"

[fire on my lips]

Okay, I'm revising how I think the top 5 will go:

TB - Price
KC - Vitters
Cubs - Moustakas
Pitt - Detwiler
Baltimore - Jarrod Parker

So you're 1 for 3. Meat Loaf wouldn't be proud. Why did Porcello drop out of your top five?

[Smithers]

no it just started. I guess ESPN feels that it doesn't have the necessary hype to delay it for an hour like the NFL and NBA drafts.

The fact that there are five minutes between picks is great.

Who's the guy that Boras represents and was drafted last year, but wouldn't sign a contract and played in the Independent League? I remember reading a quote that a Boras client would easily be a top 5 pick if he had any other agent, but that because he had Boras he could fall to the Yankees at 30.

Price just said the DRays "are already a good team."

luke hochevar.

[bigmike]

I don't like the Moustakas pick. If you're going to take a Scott Boras client, they should've gone with Rick Porcello.

[bigmike]

So you're 1 for 3. Meat Loaf wouldn't be proud. Why did Porcello drop out of your top five?
Signability. People say Porcello's going to command a monster bonus/contract.

[fire on my lips]

Yes, worst record gets No. 1 pick. No trades. After the first round is the Supplemental round for teams that lost Free Agents this past offseason, then continues on with Round 2, 3, 4, etc.

"No trades" meaning a team can't trade it's first round pick? The ticker said the Mets haven't had a first round pick in two or three years.

[livethesounds]

mlb.com's tracker sucks. i want it updated without me having to refesh all the damn time.

[fire on my lips]

Signability. People say Porcello's going to command a monster bonus/contract.

ok thanks. And thanks for clarifying the draft order. I forgot to say that.

[bigmike]

I had it right, but just switched up the picks. I thought the Royals would go Vitters since he's not a Boras client. But, close. Doing well so far.

Also, Mike Moustakas teammate, Matt Dominguez, will be a 1st round pick as well. They hit 3-4 in their HS lineup.

[fire on my lips]

The Vitters pick makes it look like they could have drafted Moustakas. I'm hoping Vitters turns out well, since I'm a Cubs fan (or maybe I just like the atmosphere surrounding Wrigleyville, popping my collar in Wrigleyville, and the karma I'm receiving from being a fan of the most and least succesful baseball teams of the last 100 years).

How does the Dodgers 4 straight ROY awards stat matter when the last one was 11 years ago? (rhetorical)

[deadstar]

"No trades" meaning a team can't trade it's first round pick? The ticker said the Mets haven't had a first round pick in two or three years.
I'll let someone else explain it better, but signing free agents in the offseason means you give up draft picks. The higher classififcation of free agents, the better a draft pick.

[bigmike]

"No trades" meaning a team can't trade it's first round pick? The ticker said the Mets haven't had a first round pick in two or three years.
Free Agent signings. This year it's:

# 16 - Toronto is awarded Texas's First Round Pick for the signing of Frank Catalanotto
# 17 - Texas is awarded Houston's First Round Pick for the signing of Carlos Lee
# 20 - LA Dodgers is awarded Boston's First Round Pick for the signing of Julio Lugo
# 22 - San Francisco is awarded LA Dodgers First Round Pick for the signing of Jason Schmidt
# 24 - Texas is awarded LA Angels First Round Pick for the signing of Gary Matthews Jr.
# 29 - San Francisco is awarded the NY Mets First Round Pick for the signing of Moises Alou

[fire on my lips]

Also, Mike Moustakas teammate, Matt Dominguez, will be a 1st round pick as well. They hit 3-4 in their HS lineup.

That must have been a pretty damn good team.

[fire on my lips]

Free Agent signings. This year it's:

# 16 - Toronto is awarded Texas's First Round Pick for the signing of Frank Catalanotto
# 17 - Texas is awarded Houston's First Round Pick for the signing of Carlos Lee
# 20 - LA Dodgers is awarded Boston's First Round Pick for the signing of Julio Lugo
# 22 - San Francisco is awarded LA Dodgers First Round Pick for the signing of Jason Schmidt
# 24 - Texas is awarded LA Angels First Round Pick for the signing of Gary Matthews Jr.
# 29 - San Francisco is awarded the NY Mets First Round Pick for the signing of Moises Alou

Thanks.

[bigmike]

Pitt should take Beau Mills. I doubt it, though.

[bigmike]

Uhhh.... Moskos at No. 4? Sorry deadstar....

[deadstar]

Gammons says his arm has been protected. I think 7 of our last 9 1st round pitchers had tommy john. That obviously played a part in it.

[bigmike]

That's just pretty bad pick. A reach taking Moskos at No. 4 when he's a borderline top 12 pick, I think. Is he a starter? A closer? How high is his ceiling? I just don't like that one.

I have no idea what baltimore will do. I have a feeling it's Phillippe Aumont out of Canada.

[bigmike]

Baltimore could've gone a number of ways there. I'm not as sold on Wieters though. He doesn't impress me that much.

[deadstar]

Most mock drafts I saw had Moskos at 7 or 8th. Not too much of a reach.

[bigmike]

I think the Nationals go with Ross Detwiler out of Missouri State.

My top 5 prediction:

TB - Price
KC - Vitters
Cubs - Moustakas
Pitt - Detwiler
Baltimore - Jarrod Parker

Essentially I was right with the top 3, just had the 2-3 switched. Pitt shocked me with a reach at No. 4 and Baltimore was unpredictable. They could've gone numerous ways. I am dominating this thread, haha, but whatever.

[bigmike]

The only worry about Detwiler is that he's 6'4" and only 175 lbs. Top 5 arm, though. No question.

I think Jarrod Parker is next to Milwaukee.

[bigmike]

Interesting. Laporta to Milwaukee? He's the safest bat in the draft to get to the big leagues quickly, I don't get this pick with fielder.

[thejetstolehome]

Interesting. Laporta to Milwaukee? He's the safest bat in the draft to get to the big leagues quickly, I don't get this pick with fielder.

same.

[kbauer]

Interesting. Laporta to Milwaukee? He's the safest bat in the draft to get to the big leagues quickly, I don't get this pick with fielder.

yeah idk, maybe milwaukee is planning on moving back to the AL and having the Prince DH hmmmm?

i would love it if they did that but seriously i dont get it either. if he was a high school kid with 4 or 5 years of development yeah, but not out of a successful college career. maybe theyll move him into the outfield or something like that.

[bigmike]

I think it'll go Jarrod Parker to Arizona and Jason Heyward to SF. Beau Mills going in the next 2 picks wouldn't shock me either.

[kbauer]

i like these 5 minute picks.

also big mike, are there any good infielders mainly a catcher, first or third baseman the tigers can nab and get up here within the next 3 or 4 years?

[fire on my lips]

yeah idk, maybe milwaukee is planning on moving back to the AL and having the Prince DH hmmmm?

i would love it if they did that but seriously i dont get it either. if he was a high school kid with 4 or 5 years of development yeah, but not out of a successful college career. maybe theyll move him into the outfield or something like that.

They said he had a very good arm, so maybe he'll go to third?

[bigmike]

Kyle, someone like Todd Frazier, who's a SS now at Rutgers but will be a 3B in pro ball will be there, but could go early in the supplemental round. I don't think it'd be that big of a reach taking him at 27. However, if Porcello keeps dropping and somehow falls to us at 27, we'll take him. As we should.

[bigmike]

They said he had a very good arm, so maybe he'll go to third?
They have Ryan Braun who's their 3B of the future there. He'd move to a corner OF, i just don't think he'd be good enough in the field. He's the typical, to me, 1B that is on a team because of his bat alone.

[kbauer]

i have to take care of some business and will be gone until late tonight so bigmike do me a favor and post atleast the tigers first round pick and what you know or think about him.

thanks.

[bigmike]

i have to take care of some business and will be gone until late tonight so bigmike do me a favor and post atleast the tigers first round pick and what you know or think about him.

thanks.
I'm updating the first post of the thread with each pick as it comes in. I'll let you know for sure.

[avengedtbs]

why hasnt porcello gone yet....another jersey boy (frazier) might go before him now

[bigmike]

Porcello hasn't gone yet because he wants a deal similiar to what Beckett got, just in todays money range. Beckett got $7 million 8 years ago to sign. Porcello will want around $12+. If we sneak him passed the White Sox here at 25, he's probably Detroit Tigers property. And god I hope we can get him.

[bigmike]

RICK MOTHER FUCKING PORCELLO IS TIGERS PROPERTY. Fuck yeah. The Draft could end and we would've had a successful draft.

[fire on my lips]

Porcello hasn't gone yet because he wants a deal similiar to what Beckett got, just in todays money range. Beckett got $7 million 8 years ago to sign. Porcello will want around $12+. If we sneak him passed the White Sox here at 25, he's probably Detroit Tigers property. And god I hope we can get him.

You must be pretty happy. Arguably the best pitcher in the draft goes at 25

[fire on my lips]

Now it's 3 years in a row that the Yankees select righty pitchers.

[bigmike]

You must be pretty happy. Arguably the best pitcher in the draft goes at 25
Yeah, I'm ecstatic. I think we're the winners of the first round with the value of getting him so low in the draft.
Now it's 3 years in a row that the Yankees select righty pitchers.
Brackman's got some concerns, but if he pans out, at No. 30, he'll be a very, very good value. I think he's most likely to not reach his potential though, to be honest.

[Split2nd]

Fuck you, bigmike.

[Brownpants06]

i know absolutely nothing about baseball prospects, know anything about Kevin Ahrens?

[bigmike]

Fuck you, bigmike.
hahaha. I'm loving it. I was reading somethings that said Porcello could slide into the 20's this morning and I was like "Yeah right. Way to over-react" and then he did. I was shocked and I'm fucking stoked.
i know absolutely nothing about baseball prospects, know anything about Kevin Ahrens?
Here's his (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2007/index.jsp?mc=ahrens) MiLB.com scouting report.

[Brownpants06]

thanks


they shoulda taken that pitcher that fell to the tigers though, haha.

[bigmike]

Haha. I like how the Giants had 3 picks in the first round, meaning they could've used 2 on players they needed and one on Porcello and hope he signed. But they didn't. And I'm glad.

[KidRobot]

RICK MOTHER FUCKING PORCELLO IS TIGERS PROPERTY. Fuck yeah. The Draft could end and we would've had a successful draft.

My team faced him last year in the Greater Newark Tournament (Essex County, NJ tournament) he is just amazing. We actually beat them 6-2...but beat Mike Ness (Duke U, ACC pitcher of the year).

2-3 years....he's gonna be amazing.

[Split2nd]

Haha. I like how the Giants had 3 picks in the first round, meaning they could've used 2 on players they needed and one on Porcello and hope he signed. But they didn't. And I'm glad.
So weird for the Giants to have first round picks again.

[Split2nd]

I'm happy with Heyward, but what the fuck is up with the Braves refusing to draft a SP?

[aloneatlastnj]

attn: bigmike

the last first round pitching prospect to come out of jersey, Bobby Brownlie (drafted by the Cubs), never really had much going for him. he was released by the ball club this season and now he's playing for the newark bears trying to make a come back.

not saying porcello will follow the same fate, which i dont because i think he's lightyears better than brownlie at his age, just saying.

[bigmike]

I'm happy with Heyward, but what the fuck is up with the Braves refusing to draft a SP?
I don't know. Heyward's a real good pick in the 1st round. Gearrin can be a decent sidearm reliever. I like Josh Fields power arm. Jon Gilmore can become and above average offensive player and hit for good power. Decent draft for the Braves.
attn: bigmike

the last first round pitching prospect to come out of jersey, Bobby Brownlie (drafted by the Cubs), never really had much going for him. he was released by the ball club this season and now he's playing for the newark bears trying to make a come back.

not saying porcello will follow the same fate, which i dont because i think he's lightyears better than brownlie at his age, just saying.
I know. but the potential to have 4 above MLB average pitches and being 6'5" and him having the chance of being the best pitcher from this draft, and we get him 3 picks before the end of the 1st round? I'll take it.

[bigmike]

Here are draft results for the Supplemental round (http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2007/round1a/), 2nd round (http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2007/round2/), 3rd round (http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2007/round3/), 4th round (http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2007/round4/), and 5th round (http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2007/round5/). The Draft will continue tomorrow. The 1st round is in my first post (http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=6727771#post672777 1) of this thread.

Winners of the draft so far:
Texas Rangers (Took Blake Beavan No. 17 overall and still got Michael Main 7 spots later. Main is a top 15 talent. Julio Borbon makes a great first 3 picks.)

Oakland Athletics (Simmons, Doolittle, Brown are good first 3 picks, but not blow-you-away great. But their depth and solid projectable players they got throughout the first 5 rounds is just a great day. Gregory "Grant" Desme has great chances of being a very good power hitter and at No. 74 is a steal.)

Detroit Tigers (solid draft in round 1a - round 5, but Porcello in round 1 elevates it a lot).

Losers of the draft so far:
Pittsburgh Pirates (Reach taking a kid that's a 12-15 pick talent at No. 4. If you're going to take a pitcher in that spot with the Pirates lack of any hitting in their system, the pitcher better be more then a mid-1st round talent. Ross Detwiler would've been better there or Matt Wieters or Beau Mills would've looked good in the ugly Red Vests for a few years to come.

New York Yankees (Brackman has durability issues and his size/stuff is intriguing but do they really need someone with the ''stuff" but isn't ever on the mound? Brackman, I think, is most likely to never reach his potential whether it's just underachieving or injuries killing his chances).

St. Louis Cardinals (A couple solid picks, but too many mid-level ceilings taken with better, higher ceiling kids on the board. Kozma at 18 is a big time stretch and might be the worst pick of the 1st round. He's the best middle infielder in a weak middle infield draft, but it was still a big reach at 18.)

[vandalroyale]

I played with Mills last summer in Alaska. That kid can mash. His fielding is average, but if he can stick it in the minors they'll find a place for him to play. He was injured, much like me, up there for a while. I think it was a foot injury or ankle injury so hopefully it doesn' flare up again. I'm interested to see how he pans out. He's a good guy.

[deadstar]

The Bucs arent looking for infielders. Plus since their last 7 or so 1st round pitchers have all had tommy john surgery, they wanted a kid who didnt pitch a lot of innings. I wouldn't mind help in the bullpen. You can never have ebough pitching. I didnt mind the pick.

[bigmike]

I think Mills may have the most power in the draft. He could hit 40+ HR's in the majors. Unfortunately, it'll be in Cleveland. He make sense there. If he shows he can be an average defender like a Ryan Braun, he can stick at 3B in Cleveland. If not, he's a safe bet at 1B or DH.

[vandalroyale]

Yeah I could see Mills putting up some pretty sweet power numbers in the minors...I had no idea he transferred to LCSC, and hopefully the lack of better D1 pitching didn't hurt him too much

[bigmike]

The Bucs arent looking for infielders. Plus since their last 7 or so 1st round pitchers have all had tommy john surgery, they wanted a kid who didnt pitch a lot of innings. I wouldn't mind help in the bullpen. You can never have ebough pitching. I didnt mind the pick.
I don't necessarily hate the pick, I just don't like it at No. 4, that's my only 'beef' with it. Especially with some of the other arms available, namely college pitcher Ross Detwiler.

The Bucs should be looking for IF'ers though. Matt Wieters would've made sense minus the fact he's a Boras client.
Yeah I could see Mills putting up some pretty sweet power numbers in the minors...I had no idea he transferred to LCSC, and hopefully the lack of better D1 pitching didn't hurt him too much
Yeah, there'll be an adjustment period but I really think Mills will adjust fine and accelerate through Cleveland's system.

[deadstar]

We also dont need catchers. We just converted Neil Walker to 3B because of Paulino and Doumit. I understand what you're sayign with the 4 pick though.

[Scott Weber]

I'm happy with the M's pick. I also love that they drafted a "Denny Almonte" in the 3rd round. I did a double take when I read that.

[Broken Parachute]

The Mets drafted a 6'11 pitcher. Damn.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

I'm not sure what to think of Kozma at all. A lot of people have slammed the Cardinals for picking him, but the Cardinals seem to really like him a lot.

I'm really excited about the Cardinals picking up Jess Todd from Arkansas. I'm a big Arkansas fan and he really has some plus stuff. He might be better suited for the bullpen, but I'd love it if he can make it as a starter.

[bigmike]

I'm not sure what to think of Kozma at all. A lot of people have slammed the Cardinals for picking him, but the Cardinals seem to really like him a lot.

I'm really excited about the Cardinals picking up Jess Todd from Arkansas. I'm a big Arkansas fan and he really has some plus stuff. He might be better suited for the bullpen, but I'd love it if he can make it as a starter.
from Baseballanalysts.com:

Kozma is a solid player who does not project to be a star, but an average major leaguer. He is a hard worker who gets the most out of his abilities. Kozma has excellent hitting skills and developing power. He also has above-average speed and is a solid base runner. Defensively, Kozma has an average arm and range at shortstop. He is comparable to Mark Loretta, albeit with more athleticism. Kozma is a relatively advanced high school player and he has committed to play college ball at Wichita State University.

Doesn't sound like something you want at 18. But, he's the best of the best in a weak middle infielder class this year and they may have been afraid he wasn't going to be there at pick 36.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

from Baseballanalysts.com:



Doesn't sound like something you want at 18. But, he's the best of the best in a weak middle infielder class this year and they may have been afraid he wasn't going to be there at pick 36.
Yeah, still not sure what to think. The Cardinals have pretty much zero big middle infield prospects, so I hope he can develop the way the Cardinals think he can.

What do you think about Jess Todd?

[StandMyBrothers]

so Dominguez ends up at #12. This dude is a gold glove man. Wes Roemer at #50 the only reason CSUF was fun to watch, and Freddie Freeman who terrorized our school this year at #78. Romine to the Yanks, pretty funny he got drafted before his older bro.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

The Razorbacks top 3 pitchers ended up going in the first 2 rounds. I'm really excited to see how they all develop.

[bigmike]

Yeah, still not sure what to think. The Cardinals have pretty much zero big middle infield prospects, so I hope he can develop the way the Cardinals think he can.

What do you think about Jess Todd?
I like him out of the bullpen more. Very good command, plus fastball, average slider that should develope; there's a lot to like.
so Dominguez ends up at #12. This dude is a gold glove man. Wes Roemer at #50 the only reason CSUF was fun to watch, and Freddie Freeman who terrorized our school this year at #78. Romine to the Yanks, pretty funny he got drafted before his older bro.
Dominguez will be really good. He's a better fielder then Moustakas, but Moustakas should hit for bigger power. That had to be a killer 3-4 in the lineup in Chatsworth, Calif.

[LeftWideOpen]

well, you can count on McGeary going to Stanford. He still isnt off the board.

as for the sox picks, nothing really jumps out at me ..but they all seem solid. Nick Hagadone is a 6'5 southpaw w/ a fastball in the low 90's, a sick slider and a decent change. He can close and start, so hes versatile.

Ryan Dent is the guy w/ the best upside. Middle infielder who was the fastest guy at the showcase and he can hit the ball to all fields. He projects as a future leadoff guy ..but it'll take some time. He's only 18.

Jeffrey Morris, a 3B from Huntsville, AL was the next choice. He's got a lot of power but he's raw. So, he's expected to need a lot of time to refine his overall game.

After that, we pretty took a handful of RHP's, w/ William Middlebrooks perhaps having the highest potential. He's an athletic kid w/ a lot of hitting power, so they may actually put him at 3B. He can run well too, and was one of those 2 sport phenoms in high school (was the football team's QB, too).

anyway, McGeary will continue to slide today, I'm sure, now that its apparent he's going to Stanford. Someone could take a chance on him, like the Sox did on Laporta, but he's probably not going to budge.

[Smithers]

well, you can count on McGeary going to Stanford. He still isnt off the board.

as for the sox picks, nothing really jumps out at me ..but they all seem solid. Nick Hagadone is a 6'5 southpaw w/ a fastball in the low 90's, a sick slider and a decent change. He can close and start, so hes versatile.

Ryan Dent is the guy w/ the best upside. Middle infielder who was the fastest guy at the showcase and he can hit the ball to all fields. He projects as a future leadoff guy ..but it'll take some time. He's only 18.

Jeffrey Morris, a 3B from Huntsville, AL was the next choice. He's got a lot of power but he's raw. So, he's expected to need a lot of time to refine his overall game.

After that, we pretty took a handful of RHP's, w/ William Middlebrooks perhaps having the highest potential. He's an athletic kid w/ a lot of hitting power, so they may actually put him at 3B. He can run well too, and was one of those 2 sport phenoms in high school (was the football team's QB, too).

anyway, McGeary will continue to slide today, I'm sure, now that its apparent he's going to Stanford. Someone could take a chance on him, like the Sox did on Laporta, but he's probably not going to budge.


if we didn't sign lugo this year, we could have had porcello. :-(

but thank fucking god detroit took him. if he fell to the MFY, i would have lost it.

[LeftWideOpen]

if we didn't sign lugo this year, we could have had porcello. :-(

but thank fucking god detroit took him. if he fell to the MFY, i would have lost it.

for real ..and its that much better that they took someone like Brackman. The odds of him actually making it to the pro's are long.

[LeftWideOpen]

McGeary went only a few picks into the 2nd day (Round 6, #190). He got drafted by the Nationals though haha, so expect him to attend Stanford.

also, I didnt even realize that a kid I got to play against in high school 5 or 6 times got picked yesterday in the 4th round. Lance Zawadski is his name ..he was a stud in high school but I lost track of him when he went to college (Lee). I opened up the paper this morning and saw his name and I was like "whaaat!". I got to pitch against him a few times ..luckily, he never took me deep, haha.

[deadstar]

My friend who I played with in high school went 350th. I guess that means he'll go to LSU and try to learn how to throw some offspeed pitches.

[Kman223]

The Dodgers 4th pick Glenn A Gallagher (goes by Austin) was on the rival team of mine. I pitched against him many times growing up, got a couple of K's, but no doubt about it, he got a lot of me. Always knew he was gonna get drafted relatively high.

[Split2nd]

Dan Moskos graduated from my high school.

[livethesounds]

quick question, how many rounds are there?

my friend said he's been talking to the giants about a signing bonus if they draft him. he's also talked to the d-backs and pirates.

[LeftWideOpen]

50

[livethesounds]

50

jesus. well...almost halfway there.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

These guys basically start playing in the minors once they're signed, right? or not? What kind of rest do players/pitchers get after the College WS is over?

[livethesounds]

a 4th rounder gets an amazing signing bonus, but the giants are talking about a 3k signing bonus for my friend (must be taking him in a much later round).

anybody know what kinda $ the guys in the middle rounds get?

[livethesounds]

These guys basically start playing in the minors once they're signed, right? or not? What kind of rest do players/pitchers get after the College WS is over?

really not that much. I used to play against a guy from the area that was drafted by the reds after he went to the super regionals with Houston, and was closing for Cincy in early August.
but he was a closer, so maybe its different for starters.

[LeftWideOpen]

These guys basically start playing in the minors once they're signed, right? or not? What kind of rest do players/pitchers get after the College WS is over?

besides the kids still playing college ball, they pretty much start immediately. only exceptions are holdouts, of course.

[Smithers]

These guys basically start playing in the minors once they're signed, right? or not? What kind of rest do players/pitchers get after the College WS is over?

i believe that for college guys who had big workloads this season, they sometimes just shut them down for the year.

[bigmike]

These guys basically start playing in the minors once they're signed, right? or not? What kind of rest do players/pitchers get after the College WS is over?
It's really a case by case.

Some will go to short season, possibly (the lower round picks). If/when we sign Porcello I'd imagine him heading to Low-A ball out of the chute.
i believe that for college guys who had big workloads this season, they sometimes just shut them down for the year.
It took a month and a half I believe for the Tigers to sign Andrew Miller and then he went straight to Lakeland for 5 IP and then to Detroit in September when the rosters expand.

[livethesounds]

It's really a case by case.

Some will go to short season, possibly (the lower round picks). If/when we sign Porcello I'd imagine him heading to Low-A ball out of the chute.


yea, the lower round picks go to short season. i think its like an evaluation league to see where they want to put you in the minors.

[daftknight]

Joe Savery ftw!

[bigmike]

Joe Savery ftw!
...or the DL.

[bigmike]

http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2007/06/08/news/local/doc4668e6ba088b0737404827.txt

Casey Crosby, the Tigers 5th round draft pick, was set to going to the University of Illinois until we took him and agreed to give him a bigger bonus then the normal 5th round pick. With that, I think we've really had a good draft getting steals in the 1st and 5th rounds.

There was no action on the draft front for the first four hours for Crosby. Then, at 5:03 p.m., Crosby received a call from the Phillies, offering $375,000 to sign. He hung up the phone and announced to the party that he had just turned it down.

It was the start of a trend. Texas offered $400,000 to no avail. Washington, Baltimore, Milwaukee and the White Sox also were turned away. The most money offered was from Milwaukee, $500,000.

Detroit’s offer figures to be north of $700,000, plenty of money to cover what a scholarship to Illinois would net. Crosby and his representatives are expected to continue negotiations with the Tigers in the days ahead.

[topsecret]

my neighbor was selected #3 overall in the mlb draft. josh vitters. going to the cubs. so awesome. cubs are my national league team.

[SkyXplosions]

my neighbor was selected #3 overall in the mlb draft. josh vitters. going to the cubs. so awesome. cubs are my national league team.

from what i've heard, vitters is a beast...
and the cubs definitely need the help.

[topsecret]

from what i've heard, vitters is a beast...
and the cubs definitely need the help.

we live on a very small street, maybe 20 houses. he's directly next door to me. he's 5 years younger than me, but we used to play baseball every single day when we were kids. his brother christian, him, my brother, and i would play all day in their backyard. we would hit homers into my yard. its pretty crazy now seeing as they both have been drafted. christian in the 10th round a couple years ago by the a's. josh as the 3rd overall to the cubs. maybe i should have continued to play baseball in high school.

[SkyXplosions]

we live on a very small street, maybe 20 houses. he's directly next door to me. he's 5 years younger than me, but we used to play baseball every single day when we were kids. his brother christian, him, my brother, and i would play all day in their backyard. we would hit homers into my yard. its pretty crazy now seeing as they both have been drafted. christian in the 10th round a couple years ago by the a's. josh as the 3rd overall to the cubs. maybe i should have continued to play baseball in high school.

ha ya, but at least you got tickets to wrigley whenever you want em.

and i would picture him hitting a ton of homers into your yard, considering everything i've read about him talks about how amazing his bat is.

that's pretty insane you grew up with them, the closest i've gotten to knowing any pros is living near barry bonds and a bunch of the giants and/or knowing some of the kids from the University of San Diego baseball team.

sad.

[StandMyBrothers]

These guys basically start playing in the minors once they're signed, right? or not? What kind of rest do players/pitchers get after the College WS is over?
Most go to the rookie leagues unless your the cream of the crop than you go to High-Rookie

[StandMyBrothers]

haha my classmate Derek Hall got drafted by the Phillies in the 29th round. He's very dumb and probably needs to sign cause he is going to try out for Loyola Marymount University or CSUF...pretty funny I had to help him in freaking math and chem all year long.

[bigmike]

we live on a very small street, maybe 20 houses. he's directly next door to me. he's 5 years younger than me, but we used to play baseball every single day when we were kids. his brother christian, him, my brother, and i would play all day in their backyard. we would hit homers into my yard. its pretty crazy now seeing as they both have been drafted. christian in the 10th round a couple years ago by the a's. josh as the 3rd overall to the cubs. maybe i should have continued to play baseball in high school.
Christian's not as good as Josh though. He's struggling in Low-A ball. But that is really cool.