Welcome to Week Two of my Mariners' draft blog, where I bring you my thoughts and ask for yours.  This past weekend I traveled to several games along the eastern seaboard, where I watched the final series' for a lot of teams not making the NCAA tournament.  Also, as the high school baseball season winds down across many parts of the country we're getting last looks at a lot of guys who will  wind up being high on our draft board.  Later this week my staff and I will be meeting with our crosscheckers to form a rough sketch of how we think the first round might play out.  But this is hard, because I'll admit we aren't even sure about our first pick here in Seattle.  We should have this settled by the time June comes around, barring injury.  At that time I'll be able to drop a hint or two, if you'd like.

To all my area scouts reading this, please continue to tell us about players you've seen this year before time runs out.  The draft is quickly approaching!  Obviously, this is one of our favorite times of the year.  Make your hard work count and keep the suggestions coming!

This week I'd like to talk to you about draft stock.  It doesn't exist.  Not at all.  "Stock" is a term invented by media after a much hyped player fails to live up to the publication's expectations.  It is not a term we in baseball use.  We know who has the tools, and those tools don't disappear without an injury.  Players get outplayed and players make improvements in their game but a player's draft stock never rises or falls.  I think that's important for fans to understand.

Next week I'll be back with another update and tell you about how our draft board is shaping up.  Without giving too much away, of course ;)

You can continue to vote on our poll on last week's MOD post.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/5/13/874667/mod-mariners

And as always, I'll answer any questions you might have in the comments.

There is Stephen Strasburg.  And there is everyone else.

There are the Washington Nationals.  And then there are baseball's 29 other teams.

The Seattle Mariners essentially kick things off, selecting Second Overall from a group of everyone except San Diego State's righty phenom Strasburg.  Scouts consider this year to be a "down year" in terms of the depth of talent at the top but in the Mariners' front office we aren't complaining...sure, Strasburg would be nice, but if you don't laugh at our pick we won't laugh at yours.  There is a lot of uncertainty this year and it starts when the M's are on the clock.

Besides pick #2, Seattle holds picks 27, 33, 51, and 82 (that's as high as we're going in this excersise).

As scouting director, I can't get out to see ALL of the best players in the country, so please, send me your recommendations as to how I should continue to stockpile talent in our farm system.  In the end, the decision is mine, but take pride in knowing you did your part to make the Seattle Mariners a winner.

Be sure to vote in the poll...and I'll keep you updated as to what we're thinking here at HQ.