I see Ethan Martin being the Twins selection (if he’s there).

well, that’s not true. More I am trying to procrastinate a bit.

Here’s my random guesses:

1. Tampa Bay - SS Tim Beckham

It’s the right move, I think. The whole “Posey is ready” is a bit overrated as well, since 2010 is likely the earliest he would be up, and at that point, the team would have some contracts expired, or expiring soon enough.

2. Pittsburgh - 3rd Pedro Alvarez

I don’t buy the “hole in swing” issue that I’ve read of late as a big issue. I think they spend to reshape the team.

3. Kansas City - 1st Eric Hosmer.

This one has smelled like Hosmer for awhile.

4. Baltimore - SP Brian Matusz

I’ve got no clue. Seems like you get a different name with every mock drafter. I think McPhail wants pitching, and I think Matusz being safer wins out.

5. San Francisco - 1st Justin Smoak

Somewhat influenced by that Buster Posey demand, as I was leaning Posey here originally. Giants break the bank for Posey? Don’t see it.

6. Florida - C Kyle Skipworth.

This one seems like it’s been set for awhile.

7. Cincinnati - SS Gordon Beckham

This one has rumors left and right as well. I’m guessing based off the Enquirer article. Beckham makes more sense than Posey, IMO.

8. Chicago White Sox - C Buster Posey

Will they shell out the money? I have no idea, but with contracts clearing, maybe (and Posey’s demand likely will come down anyways).

9. Washington Nationals - 1st Yonder Alonso

I want to lean Crow, but I can’t help but think that Alonso works so well here.

10. Houston Astros - SP Aaron Crow

College pitching, meet team needing pitching.

11. Texas Rangers - P Andrew Cashner

Sticking with that Cashner rumor, even though I think it’s foolish. foolish i say.

12. Oakland Athletics - P Aaron Hicks.

All the world’s credit to adscho, who took a tiny beating over the pick, but it seems like a lot of people are in agreement that it’s a high probability. Although I think adscho picked him as an OF.

13. St. Louis Cardinals - P Dan Sclereth

Unless I’m mistaken, they’ve gone HS in the first the last 2. Much as I think it would be difficult to pass on Friedrich here, my no knowledge mock is going to do that. Rather than going with any rumor, I’ll be crazy and guess Dan Sclereth here.

14. Minnesota Twins - SP Christian Friedrich

I don’t think they can pass on him if he is here.

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - SP Ethan Martin

Another high ceiling young arm for that system.

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Mr. I play every position Brett Lawrie (okay maybe not, but geesh, I’d be writing C/IF/OF or util, and util doesn’t do him justice)

Sounds like they want a toolsy hs kid. Toolsy hs kid - meet Milwaukee.

17. Toronto Blue Jays - 1st Brett Wallace.

Tailor made. Even JP can’t mess this one up … can he?

18. New York Mets - C Jason Castro

I’ve got no clue on the Mets. BP seems to indicate ceiling, while others have suggested that they may look for a quick move type. Castro, Weeks, or pen arm? I think Castro will be there later, but maybe they get worried about Detroit picking him?

19. Chicago Cubs - OF Zach Collier

Most indications seem to be toolsy HS kid. About the only HS guy I don’t want is Gerritt Cole. I’m not big on Hewitt either. (I’m a Cubs fan). Will we go overslot? I have my doubts. Thus, no to Kelly. Odorizzi? Melville? Collier? Hewitt? I think I prefer Odorizzi, but I think Collier is the type of guy Wilken may go for.

20. Seattle Mariners - P Ryan Perry

Did I say I know what I was doing? Everyone seems to be writing pen arm here, so what the heck, I’m going to join the fun and put Ryan Perry.

21. Detroit Tigers - P Casey Kelly

Um … to be honest, I’ve paid more attention to the top 18 (to figure out what the Cubs may do at 19). Since they are willing to spend, might they try and buy Casey Kelly from Tennessee. I would try Kelly at shortstop first, but I think they’d pick him as a pitcher.

22. New York Mets - 2nd Jemile Weeks

Well, there’s all this talk about Fields falling, so I’ll join the crew on that and go with Weeks here.

23. San Diego Padres - OF Ike Davis

They could really take anything and have it make sense. Well, anything but first base, where Adrian Gonzalez is setting the world afire, and Kyle Blanks is in AA (albeit, not slugging yet). Hewitt? Maybe, but I’ll be wild and go safe and Ike Davis as an Of. A future OF of Huffman, Hunter, Davis might be solid.

24. Philadelphia Eagles - SP Tim Melville

Falling Melville gets snapped up here.

25. Colorado Rockies - SP Jake Odorizzi

It’s like Florida and Skipworth. If it’s available, I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t happen. And it’s more than deserving.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks - P Josh Fields

I still have a hard time buying that Josh Fields is tumbling as much as people say. Might he be the closer of the future, and an asset down the stretch this year? I guess Shooter Hunt is a thought.

27. Minnesota Twins - SS Anthony Hewitt

Doesn’t this somewhat feel like a Twins pick? Maybe not. I was also thinking Galloway.

28. New York Yankees - SP Shooter Hunt.

He kept on falling. As much as other guys may tempt, I wonder if Hunt is too good to pass up here.

29. Cleveland Indians - 1st David Cooper

I can’t help but think ready, power bat here. Maybe I’m crazy.

30. Boston Red Sox - SP Gerrit Cole

Much as they make like Havens, do they roll the dice on Cole here? I can’t help but think Pawelek with Cole, btw.

31. Minnesota Twins - OF Issac Galloway

No reason. Just more because I was about to go this route with their previous pick.

32. Milwaukee Brewers - P Brett Hunter

They could use some arms to balance the hitting depth.

33. New York Mets - SP Tanner Scheppers

Does someone take a gamble higher? If so, the Mets might make sense. What do I know.

34. Philadelphia Phillies - 3rd Connor Gillaspie

Playing in that park would reduce some of the power concerns.

35. Milwaukee Brewers - P Alex Meyer

Argh, how many picks do the Brewers have. Boo, NL Central rivals. Young arm for the system.

36. Kansas City Royals - SS Reese Havens

If they think he can stick at short, maybe it’s an idea. If not, he could always give them a 2nd baseman perhaps.

37. San Francisco Giants - IF/OF James Darnell

I don’t really know what I’m doing. But well, maybe they take Smoak’s teammate and hope these two work their way up quick?

38. Houston Astros - P Brett DeVall

Them boys could use some arms.

39. St. Louis Cardinals - SS Tyler Ladendorf

Well, uh …

40. Atlanta Braves - OF Xavier Avery

Really, just trying to get to the Cubs pick and get back to work

41. Chicago Cubs - P Kyle Lobstein

I could see Niko Vazquez, who we worked out, but it sure feels like he might be there in the 2nd. I’m going with an arm, as we could use a high upside guy. This is my own personal preference, though.

I picked Collier. As more info comes in, he might have the best bat in the OF class right now and is only 17. I just think his upside/ceiling is to much to pass up for you. I’m not sold on Lawrie (although he sounds really nice) and you don’t need a 1B. I wouldn’t be upset with a pitcher depending on who it is either but Collier seems like a good pick. I was on the Hicks wagon earlier but I think it’s real close now and Collier might have an edge.

If Hunt slides to them at 14, I believe the Twins should pop him (and John should as well in his shadow draft). They lack frontline starting pitching prospects, and they’ve built their team recently around pitching and defense. I know they lack impact bats in their system as well, but they just don’t spend for free agent arms (no, Ponson and Livan don’t count), so they have to have a steady stream coming through.
Hunt is the choice here.
JAS

Lawrie to Houston? Would they really pass on Crow? He suggests that Houston’s top pitching option is Cashner as well. Huh?

Oakland and Jemile Weeks? Wow.

Twins and Hicks makes sense.

Dodgers and Cashner? And the interesting blurb was … Ike Davis as a pitcher?

I think BP was one of the first to go Castro and Milwaukee, and Mayo has followed with that.

Reese Havens and the Mets make some sense if they want a ready bat. Still a bit surprising.

Twins and Brad Hand? That came out of left field.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/mock-draft/2008/266271.html