2008 Draft (Predictions)

by Dewey Finn on Mar 20, 2008 7:35 PM EDT

I am really excited about the upcoming draft. I've decided to predict the Top 10...

1. Tampa Bay Rays - Aaron Crow (Missouri)

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Pedro Alvarez (Vanderbilt)

3. Kansas City Royals - Brian Matusz (San Diego)

4. Baltimore Orioles - Tim Beckham (High School)

5. San Francisco Giants - Justin Smoak (South Carolina)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville (High School)

7. Cincinnati Reds - Tanner Scheppers (Fresno State)

8. Chicago White Sox - Shooter Hunt (Tulane)

9. Washington Nationals - Yonder Alonso (Miami)

10. Houston Astros - Christian Friedrich (Eastern Kentucky)

What do you agree/disagree with? Please feel free to post your own top 10 picks!

1 recs | Comment 28 comments

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Comments

I think Matusz is still #1. But, I like Crow their as well. Either way, solid list. Thanks for posting!

by speedchaser9 on Mar 20, 2008 7:43 PM EDT 0 recs

IMO

Matusz would probably be the safer pick to reach his potential, but I absolutely love Crow's upside with that lethal fastball/wipeout slider combo & great command. Can't go wrong with either pitcher though.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Mar 20, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

What exactly are the Rays going to do with another pitcher?

Make him their lefty specialist? At this point, Wade Davis may not have a slot in their projected rotation in 2 or so years. Why get another starter?

by OldProspects on Mar 20, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

How does the saying go...

You can never have enough pitching?

A lot can happen(injuries, trades, etc) by the time Matusz OR Crow are ready to contribute at the Major League Level. I do realize that the young Rays arms on the farm get a lot of hype, but nothing is guaranteed in terms of their ability to succeed at the highest level.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Mar 20, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

+1

by killa on Mar 20, 2008 11:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

I left my grammar skills...

at home...

there*

by speedchaser9 on Mar 20, 2008 7:44 PM EDT 0 recs

Smoak

Giants should draft him and plug him in the lineup @ AT&T immediately.

by Goat on Mar 20, 2008 7:45 PM EDT 0 recs

Definitely

The Giants definitely need a bat that can help them soon. They took a couple of high upside HS pitchers (Bumgarner/Alderson) in last year's draft so I think they will/should take a much need bat early in this draft. Smoak and Alonso fit the bill, but I am leaning towards Smoak due to his excellent defense.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Mar 20, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hosmer

I wanted include Hosmer in the top 10 somewhere (best HS bat), but I have a feeling he will drop out of the top 10 based on the team needs and signability (Boras factor).

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Mar 20, 2008 8:29 PM EDT 0 recs

The Other Beckham

Where do you see Gordon Beckham going?

The Dodgers won't win a playoff series until the Cool-a-Coo returns.

by mckeeno on Mar 20, 2008 9:40 PM EDT 0 recs

Mid 1st round...

He has been red hot this spring and has definitely shot up the rankings for draft prospects. I dont see him sneaking into the top 10, but selecting him around 15-20 wouldn't be a reach. The middle infield crop is weak this year, making Gordon Beckham more valuable. He should be able to stay at SS from what I have read, and has decent pop (20+ HR). I've read their are concerns about his approach at the plate and whether he will make enough contact to hit for a good avg. FYI, I like GB more than Brandon Crawford.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Mar 20, 2008 11:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

Gordon Beckham

While teams should take the best available, I wouldn't be shocked if the Nationals were to target a middle infielder like Beckham with the #9.

by NFA Brian on Mar 21, 2008 5:11 AM EDT up 0 recs

Lots of questions here

Just don't see Rays taking yet another arm when their outfield depth is suspect. Do they have any options though? Does an injured Alvarez get taken that high? I would, but all my GM buddies think more conservatively. Huntington will make a good pick, regardless. Saw some video of Matusz (supplied by SDFan on Youtube). I'm no expert on motion, but it sure looked like he was short-arming. I think the Orioles will want a college power bat. They just have so little in their org. But they're goofy.

by The commentator formerly known as Yoda on Mar 20, 2008 10:18 PM EDT 0 recs

Rays/O's

I dont think Alvarez' injury will scare off people, but Scott Boras might. Right now, Alvarez is considered a decent 3B (defensively), however, Longoria will be firmly entrenched there before long. In the OF, Crawford in LF and Upton in CF. It's too bad that Baldelli's career is in jeopardy, but this should open a door for toolsy prospect Desmond Jennings. So I honestly dont believe the OF is a major concern for the Rays. If they do draft Alvarez, I would assume they would consider moving him to 1st or LF, with Crawford sliding over to RF. My gut tells me that they will go with either Matusz or Crow.

As for the O's, they needed a lot of help all over the diamond. At pick #4, I just dont see how they will pass up on the chance to take Tim Beckham. This kid has the potential to be something special with an incredible upside.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Mar 20, 2008 11:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

If the Rays don't take Alvarez...

I see them taking Tim Beckham more than I see them taking a pitcher. I think shortstop could be more of a problem area than pitching in the future because there still are questions about Brignac's bat and glove. Pure shortstops with Beckham's 5 tools are rare finds. I wouldn't mind having T. Beckham fall to the Giants at #5 but that is highly unlikely since he would be an attractive pick for any of the four teams picking ahead of them.

by baseballjunkie on Mar 21, 2008 3:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

I Still Think They Should Take Alvarez

Top prospect coming out of high school.
All-American as a freshman
All-American as a sophmore
#1 rated prospect for the 2008 draft since his freshman year
Performed great for Team USA

That's a pretty good track record, so unless his injury is something that they think will impact him in the long run, then they should look at him as the same player he was entering the year. He should be back in time to show something on the field and in workouts. If he doesn't dissapoint them, and his health checks out, take him. Also, he's a Boras client, so odds are he won't sign in time to play in 2008, so he should be evaluated as the player he'll be next spring, by which time he should be healthy. Plus, if the Rays want more pitching...or anything else, they're going to have the 1st pick in each of the following rounds, so plenty of opportunities to get quality prospects. I say take Alvarez and move him to RF or 1B.

"I hate the people that love me, and they hate me!"

by Brett Keith on Mar 20, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

here's mine

i went to 13 b/c i'm a cardinals fan

1. Rays- Aaron Crow
2. Pirates- Pedro Alvarez
3. Royals- Tim Beckham
4. Orioles- Brian Matusz
5. Giants- Tanner Scheppers
6. Marlins- Yonder Alonso
7. Reds- Tim Melville
8. White Sox- Justin Smoak
9. Nationals- Kyle Skipworth
10. Astros- Christian Friedrich
11. Rangers- Eric Hosmer
12. Athletics- Gordon Beckham
13. Cardinals- Harold Martinez

by fewgoodcards on Mar 20, 2008 11:34 PM EDT 0 recs

That's exactly how I have the top 4.

I see the Giants going Smoak or Melville though.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Mar 20, 2008 11:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

If G Beckham slipped to #13

Would the Cards take him? How much would it depend on what Greene and Kozma do in May and June?

by siddfynch on Mar 21, 2008 11:08 AM EDT up 0 recs

gonna see

Aaron Crow pitch tomorrow pending weather. Will report. He's like on white hot flaming suns worth of fire right now.

I'd say normally a guy like Crow could get ruined by carrying so many innings and his team for what will probably be deep into CWS baseball. However, Missouri is amazingly deep with really good pitching. He might not get the abuse. I think their coach trys to hold back a little too. With Scherzer, they didn't quite have the depth to lay off I think. Looks like he's coming back, but I think his innings took a toll.

If he stays healthy, I think Crow goes tops. Otherwise its Alvarez even with the injury. For everyone else, I am weak on insight, so nice post!

by roaddog on Mar 21, 2008 2:19 AM EDT 0 recs

My take

1. TB Tim Beckham
2. Pit Aaron Crow
3. KC Tim Melville
4. BAL Pedro Alvarez
5. SF Justin Smoak
6. Fla Yonder Alonso
7. Cin Brian Matusz
8. CWS Kyle Skipworth
9. Was Tanner Scheppers
10. Hou Eric Hosmer
11. Tex Isaac Galloway
12. Oak Harold Martinez
13. STL Christian Friedrich

by glennpan on Mar 21, 2008 10:00 AM EDT 0 recs

RE

I think Tex will take a college pitcher (Lynn, Hunt, Shceppers if he drops)

Oakland will grab Gordon Beckham I have a feeling if he is these (depending on how Crosby plays)

Houston and Hosmer is interesting...they never want to spend on the draft and Boras is his agent..so that is not likely. Looks for Houston to grab a college player, like Beckham or Friedrich

http://21nunder.blogspot.com/

by jsmall404 on Mar 21, 2008 11:37 AM EDT up 0 recs

Lance Lynn - UMS

No mention? He's already in a couple top 10's and he's started white hot.

Baseball is a lot like life. The line drives are caught, the squibbers go for base hits. Its an unfair game.

by moonlighter on Mar 21, 2008 10:15 AM EDT 0 recs

RE

1) the giants wont take smoak when the have villalona

2) the white have repeatedly said they want more athleticism (IE Aaron Hicks)

1. TB - Crow
2. Pit - Alvarez
3. KC - Beckham
4. BAL - Matusz
5. SF - Melville
6. Fla - Smoak
7. Cin - Skipworth
8. CWS -Hicks
9. Was - Alonso
10. Hou - Scheppers

** Guys who could move up - Lance Lynn, Gordon Beckham, Shooter Hunt, Gerrit Cole

http://21nunder.blogspot.com/

by jsmall404 on Mar 21, 2008 11:33 AM EDT 0 recs

If Sabean speaks out for selecting a pitcher...

the rest of the Giants brain trust at the table should pounce on him, wrestle him to the floor, and shove a resin bag in his mouth until the Giants turn passes. Then someone should hand the name of Justin Smoak over to the emcee. Lincoln Hamilton of projectprospect.com feels Smoak is a good enough athlete to play in the outfield. Or if Smoak's Gold Glove caliber defense at first base is too valuable to move, the Giants should consider having an Angel in their outfield. They are obviously no strangers to large, immobile objects in left field that are only in the lineup for offensive firepower. Besides, Villalona is said to have a very strong arm.

by baseballjunkie on Mar 21, 2008 3:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

Smoak

Cannot play the OF...that is common knowledge..I have seen him play for about 4 years now.

NOT drafting a player because you MIGHT have someone at the same position is not a good strategy in my mind..if they 100% feel smoak is the best player out there then they should take him.

I just do not think they will do that...

http://21nunder.blogspot.com/

by jsmall404 on Mar 22, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Darkhorses!

Steven Hensley, RHP, Elon College.
Big fastball, great slider.
Top college player in NC... sorry Dykstra.

His teammate, CF Chris Dove, is a super-sleeper (wasn't recruited by D-I teams out of HS), but is strong and fast, with an arm is good enough to pitche some, and killing pitchers this spring.

by nms on Mar 22, 2008 5:51 PM EDT 0 recs

Josh Fields is back!

He has been the best pitcher in college baseball on a per-inning basis... he had 2 more Ks in .2 IP against a strong TN lineup on Fri
8.1 IP, 24 K, 2 hits, 4 saves and obviously 0 runs.. oh and he has hit 2 homers at the plate

by nms on Mar 22, 2008 6:16 PM EDT 0 recs