Ranking the 2008 draftees

by The Congo Hammer on Aug 16, 2008 11:51 AM EDT

I figure now that we know who signed and who didn't, soon everyone's going to be adding these guys to their top prospect lists, but before all the prospect groupthink, I want to see who everyone's top 15 signed 2008 draftee prospects are (I guess you could also do 10 or 20) based on their potential, likelihood of achieving it, ETA etc. I'm curious to see where you think Melville fits in, if he does at all. I guess this can be one of those things where you can look back at your post in a year or two and see how your initial rankings and predictions look now, for those who love to have bragging rights (me being one of them) :D

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Top 15 out of the draft? Or Top 15 prospects overall?

by mrkupe on Aug 16, 2008 12:34 PM EDT reply actions

top 15 out of the draft

Sorry I didn’t clarify that. I guess you could do top 10 or top 20 if you want. I’ll be screwed if I keep being this vague once my semester starts…

Hey fish, leave those kids alone!

by The Congo Hammer on Aug 16, 2008 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

counting only those that signed I'd go..

1-Matusz
2-Posey
3-G Beckham
4-T Beckham
5-Hosmer
6-Alvarez
7-Smoak
8-Weeks
9-Castro
10-Chisenhall
11-Ryan Perry
12-Chris Freidrich
13-Skipworth
14-Josh Fields
15-Alonso

Some of the high school kids I didn’t fit on there not because I don’t think they’re any good but just because I haven’t seen ’em play so I have a hard time getting strong feeling about ’em either way except for what I hear about em.

More interesting, I think, would be maybe the best of the guys that weren’t first rounders.
There are loads of interesting guys from not-the-first round (Gillaspie, Holt, Hensley, Justin Wilson, Mercer) but even as high as I might be on some of those guys I can’t say I like ‘em more than a first-rounder I don’t relaly like (like Alonso)

by nms on Aug 16, 2008 12:40 PM EDT reply actions

Here goes. I'll do 10

1. Alvarez- I think if he can stay at 3b he will be the best player out of this draft. Hits for power. Love his swing. Saw him a few times on TV. Seems to have average glove. ETA: Fall 2010.
2. Justin Smoak- Tons of power that will be amplified by playing in Texas. I think he will move rather quickly. ETA: Opening Day 2010
3. Buster Posey- Won’t be much in the way to block him. Should contribute soon. Hopefully reaches top 5 catcher in MLB ceiling. Probably number 1 prospect in Giants’ system. ETA: September call up 2010
4. Yonder Alonso- Refined approach at the plate. Nice swing. Should improve power. Liked what I saw of his overall baseball skills during the CWS. ETA: 2011
5. Tim Beckham- Have to be honest; never seen the kid play. Sounds like he has tools galore. Will take a while to put it all together probably. ETA: 2013
6. Brian Matusz- Saw him play a number of times. Refined arsenal. Big and strong. In a good position to move quickly. ETA: 2011
7. Eric Hosmer- Again, haven’t seen the kid play. Tons of power supposedly. Probably a ways off. ETA: 2012
8. Brett Wallace- Saw this kid a lot. Awesome bat. Enough power to play 1b. Looks like he might be able to stay at 3b. If so could be one of the steals of the draft. ETA 2010
9. Kyle Skipworth- Don’t know a lot about him. Here because of tools and defensive pos. ETA :2012
10. ( Warning:homer pick) Connor Gillaspie- Doing well in AZ. I think he will improve his power but doubles and singles will do for the Giants. No other option at 3b for Giants. Will hit for avg. and get in base. ETA: 2010

In retrospect I give a huge bonus to guys that will be ready sooner but whatever.

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by camwoody on Aug 16, 2008 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

Odd

That you think Gillaspie will reach majors earlier than Posey.

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by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Aug 18, 2008 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

At least you’re honest about Gillespie being a homer pick. I like him, but ten’s a little high. Nice to see Smoak getting his due, though.

by aap212 on Aug 18, 2008 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Response

Very preliminary thoughts, but off the top of my head, I’d go

1. Posey
2. Gordon Beckham
3. Smoak
4. Matusz
5. Alvarez
6. Hicks
7. Tim Beckham
8. Hosmer
9. Lawrie
10. Alonso
11. Skipworth
12. Weeks
13. Cooper
14. Castro
15. Fields (I’m assuming he’ll sign but it may take a while longer)

by mrkupe on Aug 16, 2008 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

Thoughts

1. Alvarez
2. Hosmer
3. Posey
4. Tim Beckham
5. Smoak
6. Matusz
7. Alonso
8. Skipworth
9. Aaron Hicks
10. Friedrich
11. Melville
12. Gordon Beckham
13. Kelly
14. Wallace
15. Lawrie

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by eazyb81 on Aug 16, 2008 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

brett hunter

any info on this guy

health is the issue, but couldve he been a top 10-15 pick?
the A’s gave him 1.1mill, the equivalent of the 29th pick overall
is he more of a reliever/sp?

by Asfan4ever723 on Aug 16, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

I like B. Wallace alot....

Hes a big strong kid who, from what ive seen has a great approach at the plate and in a very small sample size at A ball is putting up very very good numbers.

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by St Pete Native on Aug 16, 2008 3:34 PM EDT reply actions