I’d have to pick Posey here, because I think he is the BPA. In the real draft, I see him going in the top 5-7 picks.

My second choice, if Posey is gone, would be Shooter Hunt. I’m not the biggest fan of his because he walks way too many batters, but you can’t argue with his stuff. Plus the Cards have a propensity for taking those college righties.

Lance Lynn

Although I wouldn’t mind Hunt. I think Hunt is getting knocked a little on his control but before this year it really wasn’t an issue. He’s been nearly unhittable this year and he may be fighting his stuff at times. He’s better at this point than Ottavino was so I’d like the pick. It would be sweet to get Posey here though.

As a Giants fan, Brian Sabean (In his talk show), said he’s looking for a pitcher more than a bat.

That’s bad, yes I know….

I say the Giants take Brian Matusz with the #5 pick. He SHOULD reach them

I’m a big fan of taking the Best Player Available regardless of organization strengths or needs. Just look at what having extra pieces got Atlanta last year at the trade deadline. If Anderson turns out to be a good Catcher and sticks, then I wonder what an A+ Catching prospect with plus plus offensive potential could net us?

Lets be realistic here. Posey is listen at 6’ and closer to 5’10-185/190. Not ideal size at the position. Buster,in my opinion, PROBABLY slides back to his natural position of SS (where he played as a freshman at FSU).

If im the cardinals i dont pass on Ethan Martin, who is the complete package, at this spot, particularly given how pathetic their minor league pitching looks. Martin is the rare arm this draft that runs it up as high as 96 with a plus slider and a potentially plus split/change.

Posey is not going to hit for the power you need to take a catcher at 13.

I can respect that argument.

But Posey doesnt have ideal size or enough pop for me to take up at 13 knowing hes a sure bet at Catcher.

Ethan Martin, on hte other hand has pitched from 91-94, touching 96 with great command, has a powerful plus slider, and a good third pitch in his split-fingered pitch (acts as a change). Hes got the power pitchers body, and is poised on the mound. The Cards shouldnt pass on him at 13 in this situation.

You get an athletic (key word) catcher who has the potential of being above average defensively and the offensive potential to hit .300 with 15-20 HR and maybe another 20-25 doubles and that’s not worth the 13th pick? Joe Mauer is every bit the player the Twins thought he was going to be and he hit .293 with 7 HR and 27 doubles last year and he is widely considered one of the best young catchers in the game. Posey could be that, he doesn’t have the ultimate ceiling of Mauer but the Twins felt okay enough with an athletic catcher with plus offensive potential to spend the #1 pick on Mauer.

BTW, I don’t how long you’ve been following prospects, but a kid like that playing a premium position like catcher and putting up a line in the neighborhood of 300/360/450 is an A+ prospect.

I have seen him throw a couple times. I saw him at the LaGrange Invitational (huge preseason tournament) where he set down Eric Hosmer, Adrian Nietto, and a slew of other top prospects on strikeouts. He ran it up to 96 that night and was doing the same 2 months later when i saw him again.

He locates well, and has 3 plus potential pitches. Hes the best arm in the draft. Melville has struggled with control this year and as a result Ethan should be the first prep arm taken (Cole over Martin is silly).

As far as all these Buster Posey references:
1) Yogi Berra is not a valid reference. That was TOO long ago to apply to TODAY’s athlete and his size, tools needed. Weight room, training regimens, etc have changed the size of players since Berra.

2) Guys like Towles and Kendall are fair comparisons. Kendall is 6’, 6’1 and Towles is 6’2. Posey may be LISTED at 5’11 or 6’ but hes right at 5’10. Posey is NOT Mauer at the plate. He isnt that pure of a hitter. Posey is also NOT Russ Martin, because he doesnt have that power or speed.

Posey’s reasonable projection is to be a plus hitter with average power( id give him a 55 if my hand was forced, more likely a 50).

Nothing against Posey Very talented kid, but to me Ethan Martin should be taken as the best available player here. I just joined this forum, otherwise i would have thrown a fit seeing Cole ahead of Martin, and would have argued that Melville is no longer ahead of Martin either. This is more about how Martin’s ceiling is that RARE number 1 sp. Simple as that.

no. coming into the year i (and many other scouts) had him in the 2nd-4th rounds. His hands are a little slow at the plate, and his swing is more muscle than fast hands. Defensively hes the real deal, but hes also not too quick down the line. 4.45-4.51 H-1st. Great 3b prospect, not elite like he is on hte mound

I’m okay with Hunt at 13 it just seems like the Cardinals have worn out the college righty with control conerns pick the last few years. I think it would be nice to grab a position player who could move fairly quickly.