MOD III: Rangers

by RCCook on Jun 3, 2006 3:32 PM EDT

Less than 24 hours until the start of the mock draft. Rangers pick at 12, 88, 118, and 148.

Here's my current top 20:

Andrew Miller, lhp, North Carolina
Brad Lincoln, rhp, Houston
Brandon Morrow, rhp, California
Tim Lincecum, rhp, Washington
Evan Longoria, 3b, Long Beach State
Luke Hochevar, rhp, FW Cats
Kyle Drabek, rhp, The Woodlands HS
Max Scherzer, rhp, Missouri
Clayton Kershaw, lhp, Highland Park HS
Jeremy Jeffress, rhp, Virginia HS
Drew Stubbs, OF, Texas
Joba Chamberlin, rhp, Nebraska
Pedro Beato, rhp, St Petersburg CC
Jordan Walden, rhp, Mansfield HS
Greg Reynolds, rhp, Stanford
Bill Rowell, 3b, New Jersey HS
Travis Snider, OF, Washington HS
Matt Antonelli, 3b, Wake Forest
Hank Conger, C, California HS
Kyle McCulloch, rhp, Texas

I don't believe any of the first six will still be on the board at #12. Kershaw and Stubbs are good bets to be gone as well.

Right now, I'm looking at Drabek, Scherzer, Jeffress, Stubbs, Chamberlin, or Beato for the Rangers' first-rounder. I'll probably do best player available for the other three picks, with a strong leaning towards hitters. I generally prefer college players, though not to the extent that would cause me to pass on a high schooler if he's the right guy.

Any and all advice or suggestions welcome. I'll also be using this thread as the official "war room" tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

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The pick

After some research and looking at the MLB scouting videos, I'm pretty decided that I'll be going with Drabek or Jeffress, unless Kershaw somehow slips to 12.

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

Rounds 3-4-5

Here are some of the players I'm considering with the later picks:

Adam Ottavino, rhp, Northeastern
Zach Britton, lhp, Weatherford (TX) HS
Ryan Adams, ss/2b, Jesuit (LA) HS
Brandon Belt, lhp, Hudson (TX) HS
Matt Sulentic, of, Hillcrest (TX) HS
Cedric Hunter, of, MLK (GA) HS
Zach McAllister, rhp, Illinois Valley Central HS
Chris Coghlan, 3b, Mississippi
Caleb Clay, rhp, Cullman (AL) HS
Wade LeBlanc, lhp, Alabama
Harold Mozingo, rhp, Virginia Commonwealth
Aaron Bates, 1b, North Carolina State
Jess Todd, rhp, Navarro JC
Sergio Perez, rhp, Tampa
Justin Reed, of, Hillcrest Christian (MS) HS
Jordan Craft, rhp, Dallas Baptist
Chris Valaika, 2b/ss, UC Santa Barbara
Zech Zinicola, rhp, Arizona State
Ryan Scott, of, Archbishop Rummel (LA) HS
Tyler Robertson, lhp, Bella Vista (CA) HS
Matt McBride, c, Lehigh
Nick Papasan, ss, Granbury (TX) HS
Brett Bigler, of, UC Riverside
Martin Beno, rhp, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Tyler Colvin, of, Clemson
Chase Fontaine, ss, Daytona Beach CC
Garret Olson, if, Franklin Pierce
Glenn Gibson, lhp, Center Moriches (NY) HS
Whit Robbins, 1b/3b, Georgia Tech
Bryan Casey, rhp/3b, Arizona Western JC

Robertson is the son of Rangers scout Jay Robertson. Fontaine was drafted by the Rangers last year, but did not sign.

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

good pick

If Scherzer falls in the real draft he'd be a steal.

by Ian Miller on Jun 4, 2006 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

Scherzer

I think so too. I was hoping that either Kershaw or Jeffress would fall- I looked at MLB's scouting video on both earlier today, and they each appear to have clean mechanics and projectable frames.

Drabek definitely has good stuff, though his delivery is a bit violent. Lots of effort, which may be due to his short stature.

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Round 1

Max Scherzer, rhp, Missouri

The first round has just finished. Only 58 more picks until we go again!

I'm leaning offense in the third round, but still sticking to best player available as much as possible.

Dodgers had a nice first round, picking up two local products, Clayton Kershaw and Jordan Walden.

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

Third round

Now about to start. Here are the 15 highest remaining players on Baseball America's list:

Bryan Morris, rhp, Motlow State CC
Jeff Samardzija, rhp, Notre Dame
Jason Place, of, Wren (GA) HS
Jared Mitchell, of, Westgate HS
Wes Hodges, 3b, Georgia Tech
Zach McAllister, rhp, Illinois Valley Central HS
Chris Coghlan, 3b, Mississippi
Caleb Clay, rhp, Cullman (AL) HS
Wade LeBlanc, lhp, Alabama
Harold Mozingo, rhp, Virginia Commonwealth
Aaron Bates, 1b, North Carolina State
Jess Todd, rhp, Navarro JC
Sergio Perez, rhp, Tampa
Justin Reed, of, Hillcrest Christian (MS) HS
Jordan Craft, rhp, Dallas Baptist

I'm most likely going to take Place, who has been compared to Jeff Francoeur. I also like McAllister, Clay, and LeBlanc.

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 5:46 PM EDT reply actions

I took place with the Cardinals

by Ian Miller on Jun 4, 2006 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

re:

Jared Mitchel and Wes Hodges have also been taken, I believe.

by Ian Miller on Jun 4, 2006 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Place

Good pick. I had a list of a half-dozen players ready when the third round started, and they all went before my pick.

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Round 3

As explained above, I had to scramble a bit when my entire board vaporized early in the third round.

Knowing that the Rangers need some impact bats, I went with Justin Reed from Hillcrest Christian High in Mississippi. He's been compared to Matt Lawton, and profiles as a solid leadoff guy, though he's a bit of a tweener defensively.

I'd like another hitter this round, but the best one on my list, Matt McBride of Lehigh, just went. There are a few intriguing pitchers available as well, so I may take another pitcher if that's the best option. The hitting in this draft is proving to be very thin!

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

Round 4

This one came down to a couple of Texas products, Navarro JC pitcher Jess Todd, and Dallas Baptist righty Jordan Craft.

I decided to go with Craft, who has some control problems, but a good sinker and slider, which profile well for Ameriquest Field.

I'll almost certainly go back to the offensive side in round five.

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 7:12 PM EDT reply actions

Nathan Karns

is a big power righty from Arlington. He might be a good fifth round pick, assuming he lasts that far.

by Ian Miller on Jun 4, 2006 7:19 PM EDT reply actions

Here's my current list

Brett Bigler, of, UC Riverside
Tyler Colvin, of, Clemson
Jess Todd, rhp, Navarro JC
Garrett Olson, if, Franklin Pierce
Justin Edwards, lhp, Olympia (FL) HS
Brad Mills, lhp, Arizona
Ryan Scott, of, Archbishop Rummel (LA) HS
Nick Papasan, ss, Granbury (TX) HS
Chris Valaika, 2b/ss, UC Santa Barbara
Preston Claiborne, 3b, Newman Smith (TX) HS
Tyler Robertson, lhp, Bella Vista (CA) HS
Martin Beno, rhp, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Chase Fontaine, ss, Daytona Beach CC
Whit Robbins, 1b/3b, Georgia Tech
Bryan Casey, rhp/3b, Arizona Western JC

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Fifth round

Despite Todd still being on the board, I decided to go with Olson. He's not only capable of playing short, second, third, outfield, and catcher, but his conference used wood bats. He hit .355-8-49 in 200 at-bats, with 18 steals.

by RCCook on Jun 4, 2006 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

Recapping the picks

1.12 Max Scherzer, rhp, Missouri
3.88 Justin Reed, of, Hillcrest Christian HS
4.118 Jordan Craft, rhp, Dallas Baptist
5.148 Garrett Olson, ss/3b, Franklin Pierce

by RCCook on Jun 5, 2006 9:37 AM EDT reply actions