So we really get a supplemental pick this year? I was under the impression that the league ruled that the A’s would not receive a pick for Shannon Stewart because he was signed to a minor league deal. And I am fairly sure the A’s first pick is at number 12.

As far as who to target with the first pick I think the A’s will look for a college player, at first I was thinking hitter but I’m not sure that the value will be there for a position player. If somehow Beckham or Alonso slip that would be nice but I doubt it.

http://pgcrosschecker.com/draft/2008/orderofselection.aspx

or (depending on which format does it for you visually)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/news/2008/265820.html

Don’t see this as an issue. Smith, Eveland, Gio, Anderson…that’s plenty enough not to specifically target LHP. The obvious issues with the A’s are infield and catcher. Impact bats as well. You can never ignore pitching, but if the A’s were to ever focus less on pitching in a draft, this would be the one.

So, at 12, they’re too low most likely to get Beckham, Posey, or Smoak, and they’re too high to take the polished low-upside guys they like. They might have to step outside their box. I’m guessing Alonso is too similar to Doolittle for the A’s to keep the A’s from another player. One of Hunt or Scheppers will get to them, but the A’s traditionally don’t take guys with command issues.

If Posey, Beckham, or Smoak somehow get to them, I think the A’s would take any of the three. Jemile Weeks is a strong possibility. Christian Friedrich would the closest pitcher to what the A’s usually do. Casey Kelly will probably get a strong look. Brett Wallace would be a reach, but if the A’s think he can play third, he could be a go here.

The A’s are at 12, 58, 90, and 124 btw.

I think the A’s can afford to gamble a little in this draft with picks that are high risk and high reward type players. Two I would love them to go after would be Gerritt Cole and Ethan Martin if either is available. Cole for his power arm and Martin for his bat(Yes I think his bat will play out.) I pray pray they don’t select Christian Friedrich and waste a pick on him. He’s got major league journeyman written all over him if he even makes it.

I really hope that they’re new approach to expanding the developement budget in Latin America applys to this years draft as well especially with the 2nd-6th round picks where I hope they get some players and PAY over slot to get some serious upside talent.

I for one am not a big fan of picking Prep arms early in the first round. Unless the kid really looks like a can’t miss talent who has shown some picthability already. I have to say that none of the HS pitchers really impresses me right now, but I will admit I don’t know too much about them so I could be convinced.

I am definitely not sold on Cole, he seems like he is rated this high solely on velocity which concerns me a bit. From what I’ve heard his control, pitching motion and secondary stuff is all suspect right now. While that doesn’t mean he can’t progress I think it makes him too much of a risk for the 12th pick, especially when the A’s are so deep in pitching.

If I were to look for a high-upside prep player I would be interested in Aaron Hicks at this spot. While raw 5-tool position prospects can be just as risky as prep pitchers, with the lack of athletic, toolsy players in the system it might be worth the risk.

What do you guys think about Reese Havens and Connor Gillespie? They would both be reaches at 12 but they generally fit the profile of A’s recent first rounders and would help at shallow positions in the A’s system.

Is there enough potential in their bats to justify grabbing them this early or is their just too many question marks about their ability to be plus hitters at the highest level?

It’s definitely too early at 12

What’s the consensus on Weeks? During the community Mock Draft voting the A’s ended up with Jemile Weeks but he hasn’t been mentioned here yet. Has his stokc dropped or raised in the last month or so?

I’m kind of luke warm on Weeks as he tends to remind me of a more athletic Cliff Pennington. I wouldn’t be upset if we ended up with him but I wouldn’t really be excited either.

you can never have enough good pitching. Considering the amount of pitching the A’s have in the high minors, and the lack of offense that they are currently suffering from, I would say that the emphasis should be on position players. There aren’t too many OFs/INFs that have stood out. I’m not a big minors guy though, I know a little about a little. Am I wrong here?

What do you all think are the chances we could get Harold Martinez at 58? Or even 90? Hard to know just how far his stock has slipped, but I’m still intrigued by him (a right handed hitting Chavez?).

Scheppers getting hurt makes it a lot less likely that one of the premium guys slip through the cracks, unless the Reds reach for Melville or Kelly. There’s a good chance even Alonso is off the board. Farhan has said the A’s can gamble a bit with this pick. Aaron Hicks may be the guy, as an outfielder.

One dark horse that I think should be mentioned is Eric Thames. Production caught up with tools this year (and not driven by a big fluky batting average). His bat was damn near as good as the premium players save Beckham, plus speed/steals, plus CF. He’d be considered a big reach, but it’s not like the A’s care what BA thinks. I’d actually be very pleased if the A’s took the chance. Local guy too.

Some good discussion above but where do we stand in regards to the first pick. I’m still heavily leaning towards a hitter, none of the pitchers who look like they’ll go around our pick really do much for me.

My preferences of guys we could have a shot at:

1. Gordon Beckham (probably won’t last to 12 but doesn’t hurt to have him atop the draft board)
2. Yonder Alonso
3. Aaron Hicks
4. Brett Wallace
5. Shooter Hunt
6. Jemile Weeks
7. Ike Davis
8. Conor Gillespie
9. Eric Thames
10. Reese Havens

Alonso is there, I’m taking him…I think myself and Fisch have agreed on that…Hicks is also on top of my board (of players who would be realistically there at 12).

Also, it looks like I’ll be doing the drafting since Fisch will likely not be there on draft day

Anybody got any ideas on guys to target in the 2nd-5th rounds of the draft?

I don’t really know too much about guys outside the first round but in poking around some draft sites I came across a few names I thought I would throw out there;

Harold Martinez, 3B
Brandon Crawford, SS
Tyler Ladendorf, SS
Ryan Flaherty, SS
David Adams, 2B
Cutter Dykstra, INF

And a pitcher who I like in later rounds is Jacob Thompson out of UVA

No thanks on Brandon Crawford.

Scott Gorgen is someone I think the A’s will be interested in at some point.

A serious man crush on Scott Gorgen…Honestly, I value him as a late 1st rounder (prob. b/c I don’t put too much weight in height and build)

Oh and Fisch, I think our pitcher might be there in the 3rd

There are so many things with Gorgen to like that his size becomes near irrelevant, imo. He didnt start pitching full time until his senior year of high school so his arm is fresh. Not to mention the fact that he doesn’t throw a slider, another plus to the condition of his arm. His change up is absolutely remarkable and will become one of the best in professional baseball the second he’s signed. While he can be erratic at times, his command within the zone is very good. As I said, he’s a guy the A’s could very likely target. I personally could see him going to Oakland in the 4th round.

While the A’s are at it, I wouldn’t mind seeing them take Scott’s brother Matt near rounds 15-20

Hey fisch, this is Smokey Joe. For the A’s first rounder, I think they should definitely go with Alonso if he’s there. He is the perfect type of hitter the A’s love, and would provide another left handed presence in the lineup. You could stick Barton or Alonso, who ever is the lesser defender, at DH.

I think the LAST thing they should do is draft anyone glued to 1B/LF with the #12 pick. Short of Justin Smoak somehow trickling down that way, you just can’t do it. There’s no need in the organization for them. I think the talent level at this high in the first round and the need for SS/2B/3B/CF, you almost HAVE to draft a player from them.

I just don’t think you’re going to get the talent you want, and you need to justify the pick at that position at the number #12 slot.

Think the upside is too much to pass up.

He’s probably behind Hicks (and maybe others) as far as HS outfielders, and the main reason for that—the fact that he may not be a true CF—is of particular concern given the organizational needs we’ve outlined. Still, I like Collier a lot and if I were running the draft I’d be tempted to grab him. Anybody else have any interest in him at #12? Over Hicks, even?