Draft Board
by John Sickels on Jun 2, 2009 5:53 PM EDT
35 comments
Here is the first draft of my top 50 draft board (pun intended). This is all very raw at this point. Feel free to share yours.
1) Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State
2) Dustin Ackley, OF-1B, North Carolina
3) Kyle Gibson, RHP, Missouri
4) Aaron Crow, RHP, Fort Worth
5) Tyler Matzek, LHP, California HS
6) Donovan Tate, OF, Georgia HS
7) Alex White, RHP, North Carolina
8) Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State
9) Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul
10) Matthew Purke, LHP, Texas HS
11) Grant Green, SS, Southern Cal
12) Zach Wheeler, RHP, Georgia HS
13) Jacob Turner, RHP, Missouri HS
14) Shelby Miller, RHP, Texas HS
15) Bobby Borchering, 3B, Florida HS
16) Jared Mitchell, OF, LSU
17) Tim Wheeler, OF, Sacramento State
18) Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State
19) Matt Hobgood, RHP, California HS
20) Drew Storen, RHP, Stanford
21) Rex Brothers, LHP, Lipscomb
22) Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana
23) Reymond Fuentes, OF, Puerto Rico HS
24) Mike Trout, OF, New Jersey HS
25) Max Stassi, C, California HS
26) Chad James, LHP, Oklahoma HS
27) Garrett Gould, RHP, Kansas HS
28) Kyle Heckathorn, RHP, Kennesaw State
29) James Paxton, LHP, Kentucky
30) Andrew Oliver, LHP, Oklahoma State
31) Everett Williams, OF, Texas HS
32) A.J. Pollock, OF, Notre Dame
33) Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College
34) Jason Kipnis, OF, Arizona State
35) Tyler Skaggs, LHP, California HS
36) Brad Boxberger, RHP, USC
37) Keyvius Sampson, RHP, Florida HS
38) Aaron Miller, LHP, Baylor
39) Wil Myers, C, North Carolina HS
40) Matt Davidson, 3B, California HS
41) David Renfroe, SS-RHP, Mississippi HS
42) Madison Younginer, RHP, South Carolina HS
43) Brett Jackson, OF, California
44) Robert Stock, RHP-C, Southern Cal
45) Jiovanni Mier, SS, California HS
46) Sam Dyson, RHP, South Carolina
47) Rich Poythress, 1B, Georgia
48) Brody Colvin, RHP, Louisiana HS
49) Alex Wilson, RHP, Texas A&M
50) Kent Matthes, OF, Alabama
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dustin ackley
i don’t really have a good read on him. i mean, darrin erstad excepted, there don’t seem to be a lot of CF/1B tweeners. does he project to be a plus defender in center? does he have the arm to play right? and why was he slotted in at 1B? i’d think he’d have more value at 2nd or 3rd base, and that would seem like a more natural move for a CFer, who should have the athleticism to play that position.
as far as offensive ability, he’s not matt wieters. but, is he even as good or as refined a hitter as buster posey? does he have the plate discipline of yonder alonso, the power of brett wallace?
i mean, if we’re annointing him the 2nd overall pick, what’s his future line look like? is he a .320/.420/.500, a todd helton, in his prime, clone? is he better than that? more average/less power/better discipline? where does he stand?
these are just questions that i have, at this point.
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jun 2, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You're right
let him fall…
…please
signed, Padre fan
by pffriberg on Jun 2, 2009 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
These are all questions....
…easily answered by Google. No offense, but when a player like Ackley has had Tommy John on his throwing arm and is forced to play first base because of it, this is universally reported.
by James F on Jun 2, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
now that is something i hadn't put together.
i knew about the TJ surgery, but i hadn’t put 2+2 together.
i think a few of the questions still apply, though. is he a good enough defender to stick in CF, does he have the arm to move over to right, and how will his bat play if he can’t stick in either.
i’m not trying to denigrate him either. if he’s the april/may dustin pedroia, that’d probably be worth the #2 overall pick, especially if he can be that while playing CF, but i don’t see anyone making that comp. i don’t really see anyone making any comp.
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jun 2, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
Re: his position, the thing I’ve heard is that scouts BELIEVE he can play CF but they feel better about seeing him actually play there in the past few weeks. 2B is probably the fallback option.
Re: comps. The ones I’ve heard have come with heavy caveats – Tony Gwynn or Ichiro, for his pure contact ability. That is to say even those making the comps realize it’s a stretch to comp to those guys, but they do see a batting title type ability.
I’ve never heard anyone say RF.
He seems like a fine player but I think it says a lot about this draft that a college player with SOME question about his ultimate position is a strong contender to go #2 overall.
by FI2 on Jun 2, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The comp I feel works best.....
…that I’ve heard is Nick Markakis at the bat. He’s got great contact, great gap power, good plate discipline and figures for about 20 HRs a year. He’s a good baserunner who can swipe some but isn’t a burner.
There are a lot of defensive questions about Ackley, and those won’t have answers. He doesn’t have the arm for right even when fully recovered from injury; by the same token, he doesn’t have the arm for third. He could be a CF with a below-average arm, a 2b, a 1b, or a LF eventually. His bat should play regardless, but obviously some of those positions will add a lot more value to it.
I’m not sure that I feel comfortable comparing pitching prospects and hitters; that said, Ackley is far and away the #1 hitter in this draft. Making the case that he’s a better prospect that Kyle Gibson isn’t one that I’d even know how to make. But looking at John’s draft board, and everyone else’s, it seems clear that there are a lot more teams thinking they’d want the second best (or fifth best, for that matter) pitcher in this draft than the second best hitter.
by James F on Jun 3, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ackley and Wheeler
he was at first b/c he had Tommy John surgery a year and 1/2 ago (something like that) on his throwing elbow. that moved him from the CF, his natural position (but i think he’s more a LF), to keep the bat in the lineup w/o causing stress on the elbow. he reminds me alot of george brett with more power. more like a .330/.410/.480 player. not the power of helton, but the guy can rake it when need be.
and Zach Wheeler is not #12. i’d put him 7-9 range. just me, though.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Jun 3, 2009 4:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Donovan Tate
I haven’t felt the Donovan Tate vibe coming from the Giant’s lately. They haven’t done very well ever with the high risk, high reward high school position players and Tate hasn’t really blown people away with his tools. I’m sure that he’s the best HS position player in this draft, but I’ll echo varibles on his Ackley concerns; how good is he compared to other HS tool projects?
My guess is that if they go after Tate, they will lowball him (with slot money) in hopes that he’ll go to college and they’ll get the #7 next year.
I see Matzek being more in line with what the Giants will go after if he’s there. Also White. The Giants just don’t deveop HS position players…
by dogdays on Jun 2, 2009 7:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
...
Honestly, I’m starting to warm up to potentially moving Borchering above Tate as the top HS position player, especially after hearing about his latest domination in the Florida HS All-Star showcase.
by metafour on Jun 2, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep
i’m really looking hard for a position player worth taking at #12 in my shadow if Leake isn’t available. it might be Borchering. can he play LF maybe?
baseball rules.
by doublestix on Jun 2, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's unlikely Borchering can play LF.
He’s got a really thick lower half and is almost certainly a 1st basemen in the future. Although there are scouts that think he will be able to make it as a 3B for at least a few years Brett Wallace style. But probably by 30, he’ll be done with 3B. But oh my does he have a pretty swing. I love Borchering.
Tools Whore
by Tyler on Jun 3, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder
I wonder/think if John listed the top 50 players in order regardless of the teams picking them. Looks like it to me. ESPN or someone had Purke falling to the Yankees due to signability
by krgrecw on Jun 2, 2009 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thats what a draft board is
it isnt a mock draft of where you think they will go it is ranking the best players in the draft
by Pelferized on Jun 2, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Andrew Oliver
Is it just me or is he somewhat overrated? In most places, I see him at 21. He’s a setup guy waiting to happen, that’s not a first round pick. I like how he is down to 30 here.
by murda2626 on Jun 2, 2009 8:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
board
This is a DRAFT BOARD. Not a MOCK DRAFT.
I did a Mock Draft for Rotowire today.
by John Sickels on Jun 2, 2009 9:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
has that been posted?
i can’t find it.
by Snake the Jake on Jun 2, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Outrage!
What do you mean, (name) is # (x)? He should be (x-1)!
Etc.
by FI2 on Jun 2, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
What about
Mike Minor? About where does he rank?
Yadi is my hero
by Big Phil on Jun 2, 2009 11:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No Mychal Givens?
Too raw? Surprised to see Raymond Fuentes that high. I know he’s rising, but I hadn’t seen anyone project him as a first rounder.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Jun 3, 2009 9:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Stassi
Isn’t he from Yuba High, in Yuba City, California?
bringing you moral turpitude since 1963
by Idaho Nick on Jun 3, 2009 9:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yes
yeah. fixed that. stuff happens when you are in a hurry.
by John Sickels on Jun 3, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Strasburg
I’m surprised that he didn’t fall a few spots after his epic fail in his last game.
;)
Reviews of some great baseball sites and other cool stuff on my web magazine @ The Casual Observer
by kosmo on Jun 3, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He did.
Now he’s #1. Before he was -18
TheSouthWing.com - A Magazine of essays, prose and poems
by OldProspects on Jun 3, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My top 50:
Stephen Strasburg
Dustin Ackley
Donovan Tate
Jacob Turner
Aaron Crow
Tyler Matzek
Zack Wheeler
Grant Green
Mike Leake
Tanner Scheppers
Kyle Gibson
Shelby Miller
Matt Purke
Alex White
Tim Wheeler
by pffriberg on Jun 3, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Here is my top 50..top 100 at my blog
1. Dustin Ackley CF/1B North Carolina
2. Stephen Strasburg RHP San Diego State
3. Alex White RHP North Carolina
4. Grant Green SS USC
5. Kyle Gibson RHP Missouri
6. Jacob Turner RHP Academy (Mo.)
7. Aaron Crow RHP Fort Worth Cats
8. Max Stassi C Yuba City HS (Calif.)
9. Shelby Miller RHP Brownwood HS (Tex.)
10. Matt Davidson 3B Yucaipa HS (Calif.)
11. Everett Williams CF McCallum HS (Tex.)
12. Tanner Scheppers RHP St. Paul Saints
13. Kentrail Davis LF Tennessee
14. Rich Poythress 1B Georgia
15. Tim Wheeler CF Sacramento State
16. Chad Jenkins RHP Kennesaw State
17. Zack Wheeler RHP East Paulding HS (Ga.)
18. James Paxton LHP Kentucky
19. Donovan Tate CF Cartersville HS (Ga.)
20. Tyler Matzek LHP Capistrano HS (Calif.)
21. Matt Purke LHP Klein HS (Tex.)
22. Tony Sanchez C Boston College
23. Mike Minor LHP Vanderbilt
24. LeVon Washington CF Buchholz HS (Fla.)
25. Wil Myers C/3B Wesleyan Christian
26. Mike Trout CF Millville HS (NJ)
27. Bobby Borchering 3B Bishop Verot HS (Fla.)
28. Jiovanni Mier SS Bonita HS (Calif.)
29. Tyler Skaggs LHP Santa Monica HS
30. Austin Maddox C Eagles View Academy
31. DJ LeMahieu SS LSU
32. Chad James LHP Yukon HS (Okla.)
33. Matt Hobgood RHP Norco HS (Calif.)
34. Jared Mitchell RF LSU
35. Rex Brothers LHP Lipscomb
36. Tommy Joseph C Horizon HS (Ariz.)
37. Garrett Gould RHP Maize HS (Kan.)
38. Billy Bullock RHP Florida
39. Jake Marisnick OF Riverside Poly HS
40. Ryan Jackson SS Miami
41. Mychal Givens RHP/SS Plant HS (Fla.)
42. Ben Tootle RHP Jacksonville State
43. Sam Dyson RHP South Carolina
44. Alex Wilson P Texas A&M
45. Jorge Reyes P Oregon State
46. AJ Pollock CF/2B Notre Dame
47. Ben Paulsen 1B Clemson
48. Drew Storen RHP Stanford
49. Andrew Oliver P Oklahoma State
50. Madison Younginer RHP Mauldin HS (SC)
http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/
by garrioch13 on Jun 3, 2009 5:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why so low on Matzek?
He’s moving up on most boards, and you have him well lower than anyplace I’ve seen him yet.
by James F on Jun 3, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matzek
I’ve heard a lot of good things about him but I just don’t get a good feeling about him. I know he has above average stuff and is pretty polished. I just think the guys ahead of him will be better in the long run.
http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/
by garrioch13 on Jun 5, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bold
Why Ackley over Stras?
Kanye, you want to be the voice of this generation? Get in line! It goes me, Obamagirl, the Freecreditreport.com guys, then It's a tie between you-and Crocs.
-Stephen Colbert
by Conjunction on Jun 4, 2009 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The odds
I would bet Ackley has a much better career than Strasburg. I think Strasburg’s stuff is amazing but I think he’ll get hurt and loose that edge and I think it will happen within 4 years. He could dominate until that happens though. I could see Ackley hitting .325 for his career with moderate power and plus speed and defense, whether it is in CF or at 1B.
http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/
by garrioch13 on Jun 5, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Strasburg isn't #1?
Care to explain?
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 5, 2009 5:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Will Kyle Gibson drop?
Considering his drop to around mid-80s mph recently and rumored arm troubles, do you think there’s a chance he drops out of the 1st Round altogether? This year’s pitching depth in HS and college is pretty good so I think there’s a chance.
He may be a killer supplemental or 2nd Rd pick.
by basemonkey on Jun 5, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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