Reds Draft Diary

I like Braun a lot.  Terrific power and speed.  Only complaint is that he's a 3b when the Reds have Encarnacion knocking on the door of the majors, but Braun supposedly is likely to convert to OF.  Great job to take the best player available regardless of position.

For what it's worth, The Commisioner of this draft is pretty high on Braun too.

Who's on your radar for the next picks?

I wanted Headley but the Red Sox took him.  I took Costanzo who might end up a pitcher:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/2005draft/050317notebook.html

In the same tournament at Myrtle Beach , S.C., Coastal Carolina's Mike Costanzo showed more aptitude on the mound than one National League area scout expected, touching 92 mph with his fastball and throwing three pitches for strikes. "He's got a sweet, clean delivery and a big, strong body," the scout said. "I thought he was going to walk off the mound, grab four seams and start throwing. Nope--his upper body was still, his arm was clean, and he threw a two-seamer, a wicked slider at times for strikes, and he also showed the ability to throw it off the plate and get guys to chase. Plus, he wants the ball."

How about Micah Owings, Tulane for the third round?  If he lasts that long.  [whoops, I guess he didn't - taken with the pick right after our 2nd round slot.]  Another possibility also out of Louisiana, Matt Green of Univ. LA-Monroe.  And with the Reds' health record on prospect pitchers, I hesitate to mention Chris Mason, North Carolina-Greensboro, whose frame might not be as durable...