High School Outfielders

by nzach54 on Mar 2, 2008 7:53 PM EST

Just want to get some opinions out there... if Jason Heyward had been a part of the loaded 2005 high school outfielder draft class, where would he have ranked heading into that draft?

The 1st round that year yielded Justin Upton (1st overall pick) Cameron Maybin (10th), Andrew McCutchen (11th), Jay Bruce (12th) and Colby Rasmus (28th).

Heyward seems to be getting a lot of run as the next high school outfielder to be a big-time prospect, along the lines of the guys mentioned above.

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Heading into the draft

probably behind Bruce, but before Rasmus

Now he still ranks behind all 4 because he has yet to really prove himself.

The 05 OF class is amazing. Besides the 4 you listed Upton and Ellsbury also went in the 1st. As did Braun who will be making the move to the OF.

For the future I think it turns out

Upton
Bruce
Rasmus
Heyward
Maybin
McCutchen
Ellsbury

by nyy601 on Mar 2, 2008 7:58 PM EST reply actions

yikes..

Oops... yeah, hard to forget Upton...

by nzach54 on Mar 2, 2008 8:09 PM EST reply actions

fyi

you can edit the diary
:)

I'm shaving my head!

by ufoboy90 on Mar 2, 2008 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

Me

Rasmus
Heyward
Upton
Bruce
Ellsbury
McCutchen
Maybin

by Bravesin07 on Mar 2, 2008 8:37 PM EST reply actions

you posted your top 50 on how you think they will turn out in the majors. You had Bruce Over Heyward. I guess that devastating quad injury that will keep Bruce out 2-3 days caused you to drop him down the list?

by nyy601 on Mar 2, 2008 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

um bruce was 10th, heyward 11th

interchangeable, depends how I feel. Bruce has been doing good though this spring.

by Bravesin07 on Mar 2, 2008 9:03 PM EST up reply actions

And we all know

That how you feel changes every at bat:)

by killa on Mar 2, 2008 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

Upton 3rd????

Behind Heyward? I know it's just opinion, but that's absurd. Heyward doesn't have a single tool that is better than Upton. Neither does Rasmus, but at least you could debate power there. Heyward isn't in the same stratosphere as Upton.

by Tyler on Mar 2, 2008 8:52 PM EST up reply actions

+1

I may not like Heyward as much as most here and I may be underestimating him, but there is zero chance Heyward has more talent than Upton. Personally, I'd have Heyward behind everyone but McCutchen and Ellsbury. I can understand how some would rank him higher, but over Upton? Someone has some explaining to do.

by elrey34 on Mar 2, 2008 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

I'll give it a shot

Upton
Rasmus
Bruce
Heyward
Maybin
McCutchen
Ellsbury

I put Rasmus (barely) ahead of Bruce solely because Rasmus is a better defender in center, and I'd rather have an All-Star, Gold Glove centerfielder. I also don't see Maybin hitting his absolute ceiling, though he'll be good.

by demondeaconbaseball on Mar 2, 2008 8:44 PM EST reply actions

+1

I would rank them the same although I thought about flip-flopping McCutcheon and Ellsbury. I didn't because I think McC's ceiling is ever so slightly higher.

by scstrato on Mar 2, 2008 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

McCutchen's ceiling is a good bit higher

but his chances to reach it is much lower. Last year, in what was consider a very down year for him, he still hit 11 homers. Ellsbury hit 10 his whole minor league career. You also have to realize that when Ellsbury was McCutchen's age he hadn't even taken a professional AB. He was just starting his junior year in college and finished off the year in low A ball. McCutchen will start off in AAA, he is much more advanced at his age than Ellsbury was.

by nyy601 on Mar 2, 2008 10:28 PM EST up reply actions

No offense, but I wasn't going to bother,

but I try not to leave my criticisms without leaving my contributions.

Upton
Rasmus
Bruce
Maybin
Heyward
McCutchen
Ellsbury

I pretty much agree with demondeacon.

by elrey34 on Mar 2, 2008 9:55 PM EST reply actions

Based On...

their stock going into each of their drafts, I'd have to say...

Justin Upton
Cameron Maybin
Jason Heyward
Jay Bruce
Colby Rasmus

Heyward slipped beyond where he was ranked by most people, so I thnk he would have gone before Bruce. Plus, at the time, the only tool Bruce would have had an edge in would be speed, and I believe Heyward's bat would have been considered to have a higher ceiling.

by Brett Keith on Mar 2, 2008 10:19 PM EST reply actions