That Smoak is reported to have a super glove…I know that might not be our biggest problem now but since JT Snow retired nobody that has played there has displayed an averge glove. It would be nice to have a guy on the corner who can actually nab a ball down the line….

Pretty good call by BP on their Dec 2007 report. Smoak did hit 20 HR and may have even exceeded some scouts’ expectations by dispelling doubts that he could hit for a high average. I just hope that he has not moved up the draft board of other teams as well. I could even see the Pirates, Royals or Orioles taking him.
But I also agree with BP that if Smoak is gone the Giants must consider Hosmer, Boras’ contract demands notwithstanding. Hosmer might even be a better candidate to move to the OF if the need arises.
As for the idea of taking a SS or C at #5 and a 1B at #37, it really depends if the drop off from Smoak to say a Cooper or Dykstra is equal to the difference from G. Beckham or Posey to a Reese Havens or Jason Castro, just for example.
It’s a tough call but the gist of the argument is that I think it is better to take the potential franchise type power hitter like Smoak, Hosmer, and Alvarez when you have the chance and build around him. As we saw during the Bonds Era, having that power hitting threat in the lineup really does change the game.
The Giants’ obvious shortcoming in the past was that they did not provide a sufficient supporting cast for their franchise player, and that they were a station to station offense. I think they have seen the error of their ways and are now intent upon developing better position players, with speed and defense, to go along with the pitching development that is already well under way. But I strongly feel that having that franchise power hitter will make them a more complete team. And in my perfect baseball world, they will someday have two such players in AnVil and either Alvarez, Smoak, or Hosmer.

I think he is more of a sure bet – he has consistenly put up better numbers. He was also great in the Cape Cod league. They put up pretty similar numbers as freshman, but Alonso was much better as a sophmore and this year has been slightly better.

Smoak’s name does sound more like an all-star. That is big. On the other hand, I don’t like switch hitters.

I am still holding out hope that Alvarez or T Beckham falls. I fear Gordon Beckham.

Smoak put up pretty good numbers in the Cape Cod league and that is something the G-men consider in looking at hitters. He looks impressive in the videos I have seen and he appears to have good plate discipline – something we could sorely use. I would be pleased should the Giants select Mr. Smoak.

The organization is still having him take ground balls at third so they can always move him back if needed. They just don’t want his defense to hold back his bat, which apparently should advance quickly.

this one breaking down the mechanics of his swing:

Justin Smoak

Not sure about anybody else, but his swing looks pretty good to me.

A major part of the reason that 1Bs drafted in the first round have such a tremendous track record is, paradoxically, that people are afraid of drafting true 1B in the 1st round. They’re generally considered to be 1 tool players who aren’t bringing enough things to the table to justify a high pick on. The result of this thinking is that if there’s a 1B who scouts have any questions about at all they’re sure to fall lower in the draft. It’s only the guys who’s bat and power create consensus that they’re likely to be major league All-Stars who rise above the doubts and go in the 1st round. That process has a way of separating wheat from chaf and seems to limit busts. This year seems destined to produce a record amount of 1st round true 1B. It’ll be interesting to follow the class and see if their success mirrors the numbers from decades past.