Draft VI: Shumway, Shumhow
by Grant on May 30, 2008 12:29 PM PDT
36 comments
That's a pretty weak title, but when a player shares the same first name as ALF, I have little choice.
Before the season started, Gordon Beckham was Baseball America's 24th-best prospect for the 2008 draft, but he's rocketed up the list with his fantastic season. He has "all-around" tools, but nothing "explosive." Reading up on Beckham's scouting reports, I picture those fashionista dorks on E! or VH1 who go on-camera to talk about Paris Hilton's "wow factor", like...
But that's not entirely fair, as you can see why folks are skeptical about his power. Here's a YouTube selection with a bunch of Beckham clips, including a slow-motion replay of a home run swing (4:05). I like that he can get to that inside pitch, but if he uses that swing on that pitch in the majors, it'd be hard to imagine anything but a pop-up. And if G. Beckham doesn't hit for power, he still might be a nice player, but nothing near what you should expect from the fifth-overall pick.
The aforementioned steak, however, is a reference to the freaking year he's having. He's slowed down a bit, but he entered the postseason with a .394/.507/.798 line. He has almost as many home runs (23) as strikeouts (27). He can take a walk, and he can steal a base. That makes him half-interesting to the Giants for the wrong reason, but we'll take a patient hitter if we have to use speed to sneak him in. All this, and he plays shortstop too? I have my credit card out already.
Counterpoint: His swing isn't exactly traditional. If he needs to adjust it, do you trust the Giants' organization to be the ones who help him?
Point: He did well in the wood-bat Cape Cod League, so I wouldn't freak out about his swing just yet. Even if he settles in as a 15- or 20-homer shortstop, that still gives the Giants a huge roster-building advantage over most other teams.
Counterpoint: The difference between prime Rich Aurilia (non-2001 division) and the average schlub at short is significant, but so is the difference between Willie McCovey and Nate Colbert. If you pass on a top-of-the-draft first baseman for a 15- or 20-homer shortstop, you'll probably end up kicking yourself. And some people are worried that he won't even stick at short.
Point: What's the worst that can happen? He moves to third? Please, the Giants could use help there, too.
Counterpoint: His bat isn't the quasi-guarantee you want from the fifth pick, especially if he doesn't stick at short.
Point: He'll stick. Just like that manslaughter charge of yours.
Counterpoint: Oh, I see how it is. Okay, Kreskin, if you knew that my famed "balloon full o' bees"-gag would cause a fatal traffic accident, why didn't you stop me? Hmmm?
If you're new to the site, see, Point is married to Counterpoint, and they are always bickering, and they...ah, forget it. Just know that it used to be funny to some people.
Conclusion: I'm deeply in love with the idea of an offensive-minded shortstop. We were spoiled with Rich Aurilia for a good stretch, even when you don't take his silly 2001 season into account. Beckham could be better, and should move quicker than Aurilia did. Still, I'm not entirely sold on Beckham with the fifth pick, and that's only because I don't trust the Giants organization to develop anything but a fully formed hitter. As with everyone profiled so far, however, if the Giants take him, I'll be thrilled. We should be an easy bunch to please with this draft, at least in the short-term.
Links:
Camden Depot profile
Draft report from MLB.com
UGA bio with Cainesque photo.
MVN profile
Bio from his side job as CEO of an outsourcing firm
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The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (Beckham?)
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 30, 2008 12:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Smoak
of all the players, he seems to be the surest thing. Also, he was highly rated last year and then again this year. So he has shown some consistency, or something like that. Gordon might be great but one great year does not a player make.
Smoak for me, still.
by positiveuphemism on May 30, 2008 12:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh god what I’d give for somebody who could hit more than 20 homeruns in a season.
That this guy has the reasonably potential to double that from time to time… agahgaamurbledrool.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on May 30, 2008 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
By this guy, I mean Smoak.
Beckham would be cool. I love having hitters at non-hitting spots.
You just can’t replace Smoak’s power, though.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on May 30, 2008 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No to Beckham
The Giants should draft a can’t miss hitter (Alvarez, Smoak, Alonso, or even Wallace) or a top-flight pitcher. Gordon Beckham seems like just the kind of player that would be a bust in the Giants’ system. They need a positional talent that pretty much comes ready to go or if that’s not available then they should fall back on their specialty and draft a pitcher.
by Change Up on May 30, 2008 1:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Would LOVE to know what Tidrow is thinking
Always believe a team never has enough pitching and drafting a quality arm is good. Tidrow was said to be ga-ga over Linceum- yeah i know that was an easy thing to do but he also loved Cain. Would love to hear what he thinks about:
- Matusz
- Crow
- Melville
- Scheppers
If he fell in love with any of these arms SF should at the very least listen.
by wilriv21 on May 30, 2008 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smoak
If not Smoak, Alvarez. If not Alvarez, Alonso. If not Alonso, David Cooper!!11!!
No Posey. No Beckham. No other Beckham. No David Beckham. No Arturo McDowell. No one with any speed whatsoever.
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on May 30, 2008 1:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Point: He’s generating all of his power from a six-foot/185-pound frame. Imagine when he fills out!
A) He’s 22, so I’m not sure that the fact that he’s small should be a point in his favor.
B) No thank you. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have a SS who can hit 20 home runs and steal 40 bases. It’s just that from what I’ve read, GB is more likely to be a 2B with 15 home runs and 15 SB. Smoak please.
..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.
by Cookyman on May 30, 2008 1:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No Projects Please
it’s because of the Giants’ inability to develop hitters that they can’t take someone who isn’t already developed as one with the 5th pick. No matter what upside Beckham(s) may have, this organization must draft ready-made hitters, or can’t miss pitchers to use later to get ready-made hitters. Projects are a waste.
by Buck Henry on May 30, 2008 2:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
Polished hitter please. I really don’t have confidence in the Giants coachs’ ability to rework his swing if necessary. Tim Beckham, I like more, but I’d still prefer Smoak.
Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa
by raisingcain on May 30, 2008 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
:(
when Point and CounterPoint fight i cry a little.
Dodgers fans eat their young.
by redhornet78 on May 30, 2008 2:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
When they get a divorce, they’ll be doing it because of you.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on May 30, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Burn
It’s redhornet78’s fault that Point slept with Counterpoint’s sister?
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 30, 2008 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
That is just every mans dream.
Eugeniooooooo!!!!
by FairweatherFan on May 30, 2008 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On his chat today,
Jim Callis said he would take Hosmer over any of the college 1B, which, if it reflects the thoughts of the scouting community, explains the rumors of Hosmer going as high as #3 to the Royals. He also said that if the Orioles do not take an arm at #4 they are likely going to choose between Smoak and G. Beckham.
So if this does happen, my worst fears would be realized and the first four picks would go:
1. TB – T. Beckham
2. PIT – Alvarez
3. KC – Hosmer
4. BAL – Smoak
That would leave us with Posey, G. Beckham, Alonso, Skipworth, and of course Matusz and Crow. Soooo…. you have 5 minutes to make your selection… who’s it gonna be?
I think in this situation you do have to seriously consider Gordo. Even if he moves to 2nd, he will have more pop than most 2B and could likely handle it very well defensively. But if any of the top four picks are still on the board I would automatically choose any one of them over Gordo.
by baseballjunkie on May 30, 2008 2:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
personally, i’d take alonso in that case, and at that point i could see an argument for posey as well. either of those to over gordon, imo.
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on May 30, 2008 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Posey over Gordo. Catchers are most valued for their defense and ability to handle the pitching staff. Posey is regarded as a possible Gold Glover and seems to have the make-up to be a smart take charge guy. He will definitely not be an offensive sinkhole, but could make a good 3-hole or 6-hole hitter. Alonso could be the best pure hitter available and I would be OK with that pick although, not to beat a dead horse, he more than Hosmer or Smoak would be tied to playing only first base, so it raises a possible issue of blocking Villalona in the future. But I agree, it would be hard to pass on that bat if it is available.
by baseballjunkie on May 30, 2008 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's hope not, but
Well, if this happened, as sad at it would be, I would take Posey, Alonso, and Matusz in that order.
Lincecum's pitching - Grab some pine, meat!
by Buck Henry on May 30, 2008 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alonso, Crow, Matusz and then Posey.
by Change Up on May 30, 2008 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do not want
The fact that K-Law and Goldstein keep comparing Gordon Beckham to Khalil Greene is very scary.
by KCE on May 30, 2008 2:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Khalil Greene is scrappy.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on May 30, 2008 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, didn’t mean to type that second s. My finger was still on the button from the first one and it twitched.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on May 30, 2008 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Khalil Greene is Spicolli
Adopted father of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!
by SoFa King Mike on May 30, 2008 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My preference on shortstops
... is that fielding is job #1, hitting just needs to be adequate. We were spoiled by Richie, but even more so by Omar.
by achiappanza on May 30, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
ummm no
no way. don’t do this, Giants management. I beg you. Tim Beckham, Posey, Alvarez, Smoak, Alonso, Brett Wallace. one of these five will be there. please don’t pick Gordon Beckham over these guys. pleasee
by baetown415 on May 30, 2008 2:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
June 5: 2-9 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN2 (2-6 p.m. ET on June 5)
by wilriv21 on May 30, 2008 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
By the way, I liked Grant’s slipping in of the outsourcing firm bio. Nice.
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on May 30, 2008 3:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
But the really critical question is whether or not he has perfected the first ptich fake bunt. I am afraid he might be toiling in the Giants’ minor system for years trying to get that one down.
by allfrank on May 30, 2008 4:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ll only be disappointed with G. Beckham if we pass on Smoak or Alvarez. Ability to take a walk, and according to Grant’s links he lead the Cape in Hrs and is second in college in Hrs. Not bad for a SS.
Speed, defense... and an almost fanatical devotion to getting picked off.
by SF Pete on May 30, 2008 5:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
All I ask is for someone
who comes with a big bat and is VERY close to major league ready. Alvarez, Smoak, or Alonso, please (OK, I know Pedro won’t be there, but still).
No Beckhams, no high-schoolers, no pitchers, Posey: maybe.
This draft almost seems fuck-up proof for the Gints, so I’m most excited for Thursday to see what new and inventive ways they’ll find to fuck it up.
Bengie: Like an Aurilia kidney stone, slow-moving and tough to get out.
by juanboy on May 31, 2008 8:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t mind Gordon Beckham at all, but he’s in the second tier for me because of questions about his defense. The comments here are pretty negative, but Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus and ESPN all rank him pretty highly.
It’s not like he’s that raw. He’s had a helluva season at the college level.
by Dan from NM on May 31, 2008 10:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
hitter at 5: alvarez or smoak first choices
bret wallace or yonder alonso second choices
quoting milb on wallace: unbelievable plate discipline…one of the best hitters in college…(Ariz State) “He could be the kind of Major Leaguer who hits .300 with 25 homers and a high OBP annually. ” What’s not to like?
hosmer or tim beckham, third choices (it’s a long way from highs school to the big Phone)
pitcher like Crow or Matusz also down there for priority. But that’s what I expect. Or Posey, leaving Pablo Sandoval under employed.
adopter/sponsor of "Go, Antoan" Richardson
by foothillsfan on May 31, 2008 11:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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