2009 Amateur Draft Mock #3 Supplemental
Here's my latest continuation of my mock draft series. Thanks for comments and questions about specific players and teams, as your individual input helps me in terms of getting second opinions. Here's what I have your teams doing in the supplemental round:
33. Seattle - Tommy Joseph, C, Horizon HS (AZ) - Joseph gets by on a huge bat, and his Spring has been just as good as any of the other prep catchers. He'll go somewhere in this range, as I don't think he'll be on the board when the second round starts. Previously: #30.
34. Colorado - Kendal Volz, RHP, Baylor - Volz continues to hurt his cause, but his talent in enough that someone will snap him up before the second round starts. Enter the Rockies, king of the college drafters. Previously: #32.
35. Arizona - Brian Goodwin, OF, Rocky Mount HS (NC) - Arizona will be looking to stock up with a nice mix of high-ceiling and low floor players in this draft with their numerous picks, and Goodwin fits the high-ceiling profile. If he's still around this late, someone will pick him and sign him away from a UNC commitment. Previously: #29.
36. Los Angeles (NL) - Austin Maddox, C, Eagle's View Academy (FL) - I still think the Dodgers will be zeroing in on this year's prep catching class, and Maddox has always been included in the top tier group. He has his flaws, but with Russell Martin behind the plate, the Dodgers have plenty of time. Previously: #36.
37. Toronto - Jason Stoffel, RHP, Arizona - Stoffel has gone from a potential first rounder to a questionable top fifty pick due to overuse and the steady decline of his stuff. I still believe he's the best college closer, and someone will pick him before round two. Previously: #26.
38. Chicago (AL) - Ben Tootle, RHP, Jacksonville State - Another pick I've kind of set in stone. I don't know why, but the fit here seems really good. If he comes back strong from his bout with sickness, though, Tootle could be off the board before Chicago makes their pick here. Previously: #38.
39. Milwaukee - Bobby Borchering, 3B, Bishop Verot HS (FL) - Power prep bats are hard to come by, and Borchering has one. Questions linger about his mechanics and his fielding, but his talent is unquestioned. Milwaukee won't pass up Borchering if he's still around here. Previously: #35.
40. Los Angeles (AL) - Everett Williams, OF, McCallum HS (TX) - Williams is still one of the best prep outfielders around in this class, and I doubt he's around at the start of round two. The Angels love their toolsy players, and Williams fits that bill. Previously: #39.
41. Arizona - Sam Dyson, RHP, South Carolina - Dyson's arm is still huge, but there's still questions about his long-term health. Do the Diamondbacks gamble good money on him? I would venture a yes to that question, simply because they're making a bold attempt to re-build a bad system. Previously: #37.
42. Los Angeles (AL) - Chad James, LHP, Yukon HS (OK) - As I expected last week, James has begun to sneak his way up my board. Big lefties with plus fastballs tend to do that. Kevin Goldstein loves this kid, and I think that's a function of what he's hearing from scouts. Previously: #65.
43. Cincinnati - Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College - He's throwing out runners well, hitting better as of late, and is still the best college catcher in this class. That all adds up to Sanchez being a top fifty pick. Am I too stuck on him going to Cincinnati? Previously: #43.
44. Texas - Kentrail Davis, OF, Tennessee - There was a Tennessee outfielder, advised by Scott Boras, who had a disappointing draft year, fell to the supplemental round and signed for an overslot bonus. His name was Julio Borbon. Don't be surprised if there's some connection here. Previously: #40.
45. Arizona - Jason Kipnis, OF, Arizona State - I didn't say that Arizona would be bankrupting their team. Kipnis is a signable 22 year old junior who will provide good value at a lower signing bonus. There's local connections here, too, so maybe there's something there. Previously: #49.
46. Minnesota - DJ LeMahieu, SS/2B, LSU - LeMahieu has switched to playing second base since my last update, so I'm wondering how that affects his draft value. I've consistently slid him down in my mocks so far, but I do think he's a top fifty player. Where he goes has a lot to do with how much he wants. Previously: #44.
47. Milwaukee - Brooks Raley, LHP, Texas A&M - Raley continues to shine as a southpaw starter for the Aggies, and I wouldn't be surprised to find that he's pitched his way into the top fourty players. He's got above-average stuff, and he's athletic, so he's a solid supplemental pick. Previously: #55.
48. Los Angeles (AL) - Brad Boxberger, RHP, USC - Boxberger's been solid, not spectacular, this year for the Trojans, and I expect he'll go anywhere from the 40-55 range in June. The local connection is nice, but I was thinking more about the cost, considering the Angels will be picking quite often. Previously: #45.
49. Pittsburgh - Jeff Malm, 1B, Bishop Gorman HS (NV) - Malm has done a ton for his draft stock this year, and I think he's probably the top true prep first baseman off the board. The pop in his bat is good, his size is good, and he's a lefty, meaning he'll be attractive somewhere in this range. Lots of helium on this kid. Previously: #69.
That's it for my latest supplemental round installment. What do you think? Specific arguments are very welcome.
3 recs |
8 comments
Comments
Jays
I’d be shocked if they popped Stoffel in the supplemental round – unless they feel he could be converted into a start – ala Brett Cecil. I could see them taking either Raley or Boxberger, or even LeMahieu, who reminds me in some ways of an Aaron Hill type.
by ofsticksandbats on Apr 29, 2009 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dodgers
Is there a specific reason why you think the Dodgers are looking at prep catchers? I could see a kid like Chad James being their target, if he’s available.
by Thinkblue on Apr 30, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, James would be a nice fit.
It’s just that Logan White’s track record shows him using draft strengths to find the best value at any certain place. For example, he may think that Austin Maddox is the best prep catcher period, but he’ll still be available this far back due to a good number of teams shying away from prep catchers, and the ones that don’t shy away from them will go with someone like Stassi, who is now the best prep catcher now that Luke Bailey will be having TJS. White’s excellent at using that kind of draft leverage in any given draft.
In addition, I think White will be under some pressure to get a talented catcher in this year’s draft, simply because they have none in their organization and they’re realizing Russ Martin won’t be there forever. It’s a natural cycle for any organization to pick catchers once their system is devoid of them and their franchise catcher is within a few years of free agency or having to be moved from behind the plate defensively. Martin’s a super two, will be a free agent after 2012, and there are some signs that they will be willing to move him from behind the plate if they get someone to catch who can be as solid defensively as he is. I’m not sure Austin Maddox is that guy, but I have a feeling some prep catcher will land in the Dodgers’ lap at some point during day one.
by Andy Seiler on Apr 30, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jeff Malm
I just snagged him in my league’s monthly re-entry draft after keeping an eye on him the last year. Thanks for the information on him — great to hear his stock is rising!
by kiloman on Apr 30, 2009 5:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He's one of the hottest prep prospects out there at this moment.
Kid has been tearing the cover off the ball, and is now BA’s “Hot Prospect,” a spot held by Jiovanni Mier for quite awhile. I’m not sure how his USC commitment plays in, though. But anyone who rates as a 60 for both hitting and power who also grades out as someone who can be solid-average defensively at first is a nice prospect. People are paying attention.
by Andy Seiler on Apr 30, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Helium
I think Malm goes a little higher than this and I sense a great fit for him with the Rockies at pick 34.
by ofsticksandbats on May 2, 2009 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's a good chance that happens.
But Malm still comes with significant question marks, too. The competition he’s played against is one thing. Also, coming out of a power program like Bishop Gorman means he’s getting pitched around less than most top prep hitters. He hasn’t had to learn when to be patient and when to unleash. That will be interesting to watch in the pros. I’m not sure all of the scouting community has caught the fever for Malm yet, so even if there are teams that love him, they might take the risk and wait a round to see if he’s available a round later and pick someone else they like, too.
by Andy Seiler on May 2, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jays again
Based on John’s comments on Storen, I think the Jays would be more likely to target Stanford’s Storen in the Supplemental or 2nd round as a big program college closer who could be converted to the rotation as a pro. Another tendency for the Jays is to take athletic high schoolers from Florida in the 2nd-6th rounds. Finally, they stick to big programs (major conferences) when drafting college players.
by ofsticksandbats on May 3, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by 











