2009 FYPD Mock Draft

by Matt Garrioch on Apr 13, 2009 2:25 PM EDT

Here is the top 5 with a write up them. I will continue add information on the rest of the players as I can at my blog. Link at the bottom. 1. Nationals: Stephen Strasburg, P, SDSU

The consensus #1 pick. The hard throwing strikeout artist has been ridiculous so far this year may get $20 million if Scott Boras pulls the right strings. I would have reservations taking him there but the Nats have money to spend and he could be in there rotation by 2010. (Mark Prior)

2. Mariners: Dustin Ackley, 1B/OF, North

The best pure hitter in this draft will make runs at batting titles. He has inate ability to get the barrell on the ball. He has potential to be a plus defender, plus hitter with plus speed at 1B or CF. (Johnny Damon)

3. Padres: Grant Green, SS, USC

Green is a big guy to play SS at 6'3" but looks as if he will stick. He has been compared to Tulowitzki and Longoria a lot but I think Longoria is a stretch. He has shown he can hit in the Cape cod league the last couple years and I think he is a safe pick to be a solid big leaguer. (Troy Tulowitzki)

4. Pirates: Alex White, RHP, NC

Big athletic guy with smooth mechanics who can carry a low to mid 90's Fb deep into games. He compliments it with a nasty slider and a change he needs to refine but has potential. I could see him ending the 2009 season in AA. (Gil Meche)

5. Orioles: Mychal Givens, SS, HS

A two way star. He could be a 5 tool shortstop or a power arm. He has a upper 90's fastball with a good slider and good confidence. He also has plus speed and great athleticism but I have a feeling he won't hit for high average. (Shawon Dunston) http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/

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No way Givens goes that high.

And if he does, it will be as a pitcher. Even then, his secondary pitches are too crappy to be the first HS pitcher off the board. Tate is the better position prospect, and Matzek, Miller, and Purke are all better HS pitchers.

by Andy Seiler on Apr 13, 2009 6:23 PM EDT reply actions

Why do you have Gibson falling that low?

I know he’s been slagged a bit, but is that a reason for him to drop to late 1st round?

Marcus Lemon is the Third Baseman/Leadoff Hitter of the future.

by FirebatM3 on Apr 13, 2009 6:26 PM EDT reply actions

Every year

there is a guy that falls farther than he should, I predict it will be Gibson. He could go in the top 10 if he has a great season but I think he’ll slip. Nothing against his potential.

http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/

by Matt Garrioch on Apr 13, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

absolutely no way he falls that far

At worst he goes 10 to the Nationals…

by byronlhsdrmr on Apr 14, 2009 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions

"if he has a great season"

Kid has a 81/11 K/BB ratio in 60 IP, I think it’s safe to say he’s having a great season.

by bigboy1234 on Apr 14, 2009 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions

He is

having a hell of a year. So did Tanner Scheppers last season. It’s very early and I could be very wrong here, just a guess.

http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/

by Matt Garrioch on Apr 14, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

mmm

strasburg and ackley are no-brainers in the top 5. but afterwards you can make a good case for about 5-10 others to fill out the remaining 3 spots.

while i believe grant’s upside is top 5 material, i don’t agree with you that he is a “safe” pick to be an avg big leaguer or better. amongst the top college hitters i think he’s a rather risky pick, you could say he’s the total opposite of ackley (who probably has johnny damon upside with better batting average and develops more power earlier on).

by bk11 on Apr 13, 2009 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

Green

I said he’s a safe pick due to the fact he has shown he can hit with wood and has a great chance of sticking at SS but I agree he’s not a lock like Ackley seems to be.

http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/

by Matt Garrioch on Apr 13, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

#19

The Cardinals took Brett Wallace last year knowing he would have to stick at 3B or be trade bait. I think it’s highly unlikely they take a first baseman at #19 over guys like Gibson, Oliver, Minor, LaMahieu or even Robbie Shields. The draft is always unpredictable but I would like to know the reasoning behind that pick.

In what St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa called a "big day" for his club, starter Chris Carpenter took the mound for his first session of live batting practice and promptly buzzed the fuzz on catcher Jason LaRue’s chin with an errant fastball.

"Sorry," Carpenter called from the mound.

"Don’t say you’re sorry," LaRue barked back.

"He said it," pitching coach Dave Duncan said from the side of the cage, "but he didn’t mean it."
~ DG

by mateodh on Apr 13, 2009 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

agreed

there is no way they are taking Poythress, who is in the same situation as Wallace, when there will be plenty of great pitching options available.

by byronlhsdrmr on Apr 14, 2009 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions

The guy can crush.

He may be adding to the logjam of 1B in STL but a guy who can hit 30 HR in pro ball has good trade value. The Brewers had some success with this logic with Laporta.
I debated about D.J. LeMahieu and Scheppers here but stuck with this idea.

http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/

by Matt Garrioch on Apr 14, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

that's reasonable

Draft the BPA regardless of position. Still, I’ve got to think the Missouri product Gibson is everything they would want. College guy with high upside and he’s a Mizzou product.

"Sorry," Carpenter called from the mound.

"Don’t say you’re sorry," LaRue barked back.

"He said it," pitching coach Dave Duncan said from the side of the cage, "but he didn’t mean it."
~ DG

by mateodh on Apr 14, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

except he ain't getting to 19

or probably even 10 for that matter

Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.

by doublestix on Apr 14, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

But he lasted to #30 in the mock draft above, and I believe the Cardinals are one of many teams who wouldn’t let that happen.

"Sorry," Carpenter called from the mound.

"Don’t say you’re sorry," LaRue barked back.

"He said it," pitching coach Dave Duncan said from the side of the cage, "but he didn’t mean it."
~ DG

by mateodh on Apr 14, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

yup

agreed.

i don’t think either Missouri team would mind him. :-)

Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.

by doublestix on Apr 14, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Where's Zach Wheeler?

Wheeler is the guy I’d like to see the Astros grab, I would certainly take Oliver though. Three average to plus pitches, and a tall projectable frame.

by byronlhsdrmr on Apr 14, 2009 1:27 AM EDT reply actions