Looking ahead to the 2009 Draft
by BruteSentiment on Aug 4, 2008 3:00 PM PDT
Email
PrintI just did this in response to a question at another site, and I thought I'd post it here.
First, getting into the Top 3 is pretty important. Eric Hosmer (the #3 overall pick) has a good chance to not sign. If he doesn't, the Royals will get #4 overall in compensation, so if the Giants have the fourth worst record, they'd still get the #5 overall pick.
As it stands, the Giants have the 4th-worst record in baseball. San Diego has the third worst, four games ahead of the Giants. Seattle is 4.5 games ahead of the Giants, while Washington is 5.5 games ahead of the Giants. On the other side, Cleveland is currently 5th-worst, two games behind the Giants. It should be noted the Giants have two games in hand on San Diego, and one game in hand on both Seattle and Washington.
So, here are some players who some think will be in the Top 5 picks.
Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State
I don't think this guy needs any introduction.
Mychal Givens, SS/RHP, Plant HS (FL)
Givens has been anointed the 'next' version of Tim Beckham by BA, which may be too early. Givens throws mid-90's, and has a 6.79 time for the 60. Heck, he even has time at catcher (look out Posey). However, as a high schooler, there's a lot of projection and risk.
Kyle Gibson, RHP, Missouri
Fastball in the 1990's with a good slider as a sophomore. He has very good control and picture perfect mechanics, and is very projectable. Probably is one of the safest picks in the draft.
Matt Graham, RHP, Oak Ridge HS (TX)
Graham is one of the hardest throwers in the draft already, and this comes from a guy who is scouted only as a junior in high school. Has a lot of work on his offspeed pitches to do, however.
Alex White, RHP, North Carolina
Mid-90's fastball, but he works better with a splitfinger in the low-90's. Big righthander who works well with changing speeds. Probably not a big strikeout pitcher in the future, but has the stuff to be the next Brandon Webb.
Dustin Ackley, 1B/OF, North Carolina
He's been one of the top hitters in the ACC since he was a freshman, and will compete with Givens to be the top offensive player in the draft. However, his power is suspect, and he won't be a 40-50 HR guy...he'll have to develop to get to 25. But he has the approach to work that. He's a good defensive 1B, and may be a good corner OF as well.
Matt Purke, LHP, Klein HS (TX)
Purke will compete with Graham to be the top high school pitcher. He doesn't have the velocity, but he has very good control and a Low-90's fastball, so he has plenty to work with.
Donovan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS (GA)
Tate is a top football player, but is expected to choose baseball. He has the range for center field, and a good arm. Scouts like his power, but like Fairley, there's questions about his contact hitting.
Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy, MO
He has a low-90's fastball, but his 12-6 curve is his calling card. At 6'4" and 205 pounds, his body should be as prototypical as you can get for a pitcher. He has the intangibles to continue to improve.
Austin Maddox, C, Eagle's View Academy (FL)
Maddox is the best catcher in the draft, and throws low-90's as well. He has great bat speed, but still has to improve his production to a degree to be a Top 5 pick.
Grant Green, SS, USC
Green is the longest shot of this group to make it into the Top 5. He's got the range and arm to stick at short, he has quick hands, and the speed to work with it. However, he does not have the power or overwhelming line drive bat to be a premium prospect, even at short.
This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.
40 comments
|
3 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Thanks!
I hadn’t seen that list, awesome stuff.
It definitely looks like Givens will be a controversial player in the upcoming draft, and a big flashpoint for the potential vs. production debate.
SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!
by BruteSentiment on Aug 4, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
there goes my afternoon....
From McC to cyberscouting to the AFLAC All American site (some great names on those teams, btw: Slade Heathcott? Kyrell Hudson?? Braxton Lane??? awesome!)
damn this worldwide web!!!
Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.
also, for our SoCal brethren and sistren
3 days of open practices for the AFLAC AA: http://www.aflacallamerican2008.com/practiceSchedule.asp
so cool
Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.
Thanks for the info. I think you mean fastball in the 90s for Gibson, not 1990s. That’d be impressive though.
Adopted Giant: Travis Denker. Good?
I say stay away from Gibson if he had a good fastball in the 1990s
So did William Van Landingham.
I’d hate to be his catcher.
Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal
by nostocksjustbonds on Aug 4, 2008 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions
a couple of things
first, I would be absolutely shocked if Hosmer doesn’t sign
Dustin Ackely played 1B last year because he had an arm injury (he is missing the Cape Cod League because of the same injury) but he projects as an OF and leadoff hitter in pro ball. He will most likely play the outfield for UNC next season.
I think you underrate Grant Green quite a bit, most of what I have read has he and Ackley as the top two college position players in next year’s draft. He is currently tearing up the Cape Cod League and just won the All Star game MVP last week.
+1…he also slugged .644 this year as a sophomore. I’m no scout, but his stats look great. He’s my favorite prospect.
The main thinking is that Keith Law has mentioned him in chats at least twice as a lock for a top 5.
yeah, he is my favorite too
and trust me, that takes a lot for me to say about a USC guy (although I was praying Matt Leinart would come out and the 49ers would draft him).
I just went back and looked a few things up to satisfy my own curiousty
here is what Keith Law said about him a couple weeks ago:
Tim (Appleton, WI): I know it is early, but who do you see going number 1 in next year’s MLB Draft?
Keith law: Steve Strasburg and Grant Green are the two most likely college players. Haven’t seen any HS stuff yet – I will in about two weeks – but names like Mychal Givens and Donovan Tate are pretty hot right now.
and here is what Kevin Goldstein from Baseball Prospectus said in one of his chats:
bill (nj): is it ok that i love me some grant green in 09? close second to big steve or distant second?
Kevin Goldstein: I love me some Grant Green as well, but the SoCal shortstop is a top five pick, which is great, but not in Strasburg’s rarified air.
I love what I have seen from him in the Pac-10 baseball I’ve watched on TV, but I always try to not put too much stock into my own impressions after seeing just a few games.
by FluLikeSymptoms on Aug 4, 2008 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Here's the other time he was mentioned
Hillary (Seattle): Have you seen Steve Strasburg yet this summer? Just looking for a scouting report in the likelihood the Mariners end up wtih the No. 1 pick.
Keith Law: I did see him. 94-97 with some life, gets in on hitters quick, quick arm, doesn't have a knockout second pitch - maybe an average slider. The very top of the draft looks fine for next year - Strasburg, Gibson, Oliver, Ackley, Green, Davis, maybe White if his arm is still attached. It's the middle of the first round where the weakness of the college crop is going to start to show.Here's what Law said withou the weird formattin
I did see him. 94-97 with some life, gets in on hitters quick, quick arm, doesn’t have a knockout second pitch – maybe an average slider. The very top of the draft looks fine for next year – Strasburg, Gibson, Oliver, Ackley, Green, Davis, maybe White if his arm is still attached. It’s the middle of the first round where the weakness of the college crop is going to start to show.
also I should say
that is a great list, thanks for taking the time to put it together (rather than just being an asshole and nit-picking it).
by FluLikeSymptoms on Aug 4, 2008 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Tate sounds really appealing to me
I could see this kid’s stock soaring by draft time. Athleticismwise, he seems like something extremely unique. If he truly wants baseball as his future, I could see him looking phenomenal his senior year and have his stock soar to a no. 2 pick (hard to imagine Strasburg not being the no. 1, unless he collapses or gets hurt this year)
www.wazzel.com (prove your sports knowledge if you can)
im kinna iffy
on Donovan Tate. I mean on one hand there are a chosen few who have legit 80’s on their speed and arm grades.
however, not making consistent contact at the high school level turns me off. and its not like we are exactly the kings of producing hitters either
waiting for 2011....
Great stuff!
Great stuff, Brute. Hopefully you’ll keep the updates coming between now and the draft.
Oh,and could you get the Giants to lose a few more games. :)
Hard to say at this point
On one hand, Price had better secondary stuff at the time of his draft, and a fastball that was close to being as good. Plus, Price played in a premium conference where Strasburg plays in a weaker one. That does take a little shine off of Strasburg’s individual performances.
On the other, Strasburg has a year to catch up on his secondary stuff, and his fastball does hold an edge on where Price’s was at the time of being drafted. He could end up being more dominating, but Price is more polished right now.
Ask me again in April.
SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!
by BruteSentiment on Aug 4, 2008 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd say Strasburg is ahead
Strasburg (Soph Year) 8-3, 1.57 ERA, .188 BA Avg, .781 WHIP, 12.3 k/9, 8.31 k/bb
Price (Soph Year) 9-5, 4.16 ERA, .222 Avg, 1.226 WHIP, 12.67 k/9, 3.60 k/bb
Crow (Soph Year) 9-4, 3.59, (109 hits in 117 IP), 1.212, 6.9 k/9, 2.73 k/bb
Matusz (Soph Year) 10-3, 2.85, .214, 1.09 whip, 11.93 k/9, 4.41 k/bb
Prior (Soph Year) 10-6, 3.49, (122 hits in 129 IP), 1.279 whip, 9.98 k/9, 3.33 k/bb
waiting for 2011....
David Price
might have comparable pure stuff but his command is not on the same level
waiting for 2011....
Brute, by any chance
will you be heading south for the Area Code and AFLAC games? It would be great to get a scouting report from the summit of ‘09 HS players.
My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.
I wish I had the resources for that.
SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!
by BruteSentiment on Aug 4, 2008 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Road trip?
I’ll make snacks.
"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 Aug 5, 2008 7:00 AM PDT up reply actions
You forgot step 3
/Pitcher ends up being crazy good
Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com and on it I make jokes about things.
Step 4
/McC again goes crazy, but in a different way.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
right
the second trilogy is the equivalent of that line replayed continuously for 8 hours.
My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
