SB Nation User Blog: Andy Seiler

Tigers Draft Review

Andy Seiler — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:10:26 -0000

Hey, I wanted to let this community know that I re-started my draft reviews, and I started with the Tigers.

Here's an excerpt:

1. Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy (MO), #9 overall, 6’4’’/205:Turner gained helium throughout much of the year based on his pure arm strength alone. He quickly gained fame for hitting 98 on the radar gun, and despite being a Scott Boras advisee, got picked at a fair spot here in the first. He signed a Major League deal at the deadline and did not pitch at the end of the season. DOB: 5/21/91. Signing bonus: $4,700,000*.

2. Andrew Oliver, LHP, Oklahoma State, #58 overall, 6’3’’/210: Oliver had a season that was pretty much the opposite of Turner’s. Another Scott Boras client, Oliver went through the tumultuous NCAA hearings about his eligibility, only to be reinstated and pitch poorly for his standards. He lost feel for his curveball and fell here, and the Tigers overspent for him. Mediocre pick, and he didn’t have any late-season innings. DOB: 12/3/87. Signing bonus: $1,495,000.

3. Wade Gaynor, 3B, Western Kentucky, #89 overall, 6’4’’/225: Gaynor was a quick mover in the spring, and he really ended up being drafted twenty rounds higher than most expected entering his junior season. He’s going to have to get by with his hitting, and he’s got good power and bat speed. He signed fairly quickly and hit .192/.281/.282 in 234 ABs with Oneonta in the New York-Penn League. Disappointing start. DOB: 4/19/88. Signing bonus: $392,400.

4. Edwin Gomez, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, #120 overall, 6’3’’/175: Gomez was one of those prospects that was more appealing to some than others. A shortstop as a prep, he’ll almost definitely have to move off there, but he might stick in center field with solid speed and athleticism. He’s a switch-hitter with good raw power, so this wasn’t a bad pick, just risky. The Tigers kept him at shortstop for his debut, and he hit .190/.233/.216 in 153 ABs in the GCL. DOB: 8/26/91. Signing bonus: $245,700.

5. Austin Wood, LHP, Texas, #150 overall, 6’2’’/195: Wood became famous in the extra-long extra innings NCAA Regional game against Boston College’s Mike Belfiore. However, as a senior sign, he really didn’t show anything extraordinary for pro scouts, and he still projects as a lefty middle reliever, with possibly enough stuff to get good righties out with lefties. After signing, he pitched 5 shutout innings with Lakeland in the Florida State League. DOB: 11/2/86. Signing bonus: $100,000.

Direct link here.

What do you think?

Draft Review - Detroit Tigers

Andy Seiler — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:58:00 -0000

The long-awaited continuation of the draft reviews begins with the Detroit Tigers.

Here's an excerpt:

1. Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy (MO), #9 overall, 6’4’’/205:Turner gained helium throughout much of the year based on his pure arm strength alone. He quickly gained fame for hitting 98 on the radar gun, and despite being a Scott Boras advisee, got picked at a fair spot here in the first. He signed a Major League deal at the deadline and did not pitch at the end of the season. DOB: 5/21/91. Signing bonus: $4,700,000*.

2. Andrew Oliver, LHP, Oklahoma State, #58 overall, 6’3’’/210: Oliver had a season that was pretty much the opposite of Turner’s. Another Scott Boras client, Oliver went through the tumultuous NCAA hearings about his eligibility, only to be reinstated and pitch poorly for his standards. He lost feel for his curveball and fell here, and the Tigers overspent for him. Mediocre pick, and he didn’t have any late-season innings. DOB: 12/3/87. Signing bonus: $1,495,000.

3. Wade Gaynor, 3B, Western Kentucky, #89 overall, 6’4’’/225: Gaynor was a quick mover in the spring, and he really ended up being drafted twenty rounds higher than most expected entering his junior season. He’s going to have to get by with his hitting, and he’s got good power and bat speed. He signed fairly quickly and hit .192/.281/.282 in 234 ABs with Oneonta in the New York-Penn League. Disappointing start. DOB: 4/19/88. Signing bonus: $392,400.

4. Edwin Gomez, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, #120 overall, 6’3’’/175: Gomez was one of those prospects that was more appealing to some than others. A shortstop as a prep, he’ll almost definitely have to move off there, but he might stick in center field with solid speed and athleticism. He’s a switch-hitter with good raw power, so this wasn’t a bad pick, just risky. The Tigers kept him at shortstop for his debut, and he hit .190/.233/.216 in 153 ABs in the GCL. DOB: 8/26/91. Signing bonus: $245,700.

5. Austin Wood, LHP, Texas, #150 overall, 6’2’’/195: Wood became famous in the extra-long extra innings NCAA Regional game against Boston College’s Mike Belfiore. However, as a senior sign, he really didn’t show anything extraordinary for pro scouts, and he still projects as a lefty middle reliever, with possibly enough stuff to get good righties out with lefties. After signing, he pitched 5 shutout innings with Lakeland in the Florida State League. DOB: 11/2/86. Signing bonus: $100,000.

Direct link here.

What do you think?

Poll

Grade the Tigers' draft.

A

3 votes

A-

8 votes

B+

25 votes

B

34 votes

B-

17 votes

C+

22 votes

C

7 votes

116 votes | Poll has closed

2010 Middle Infielders

Andy Seiler — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:07:04 -0000

The second part of my series is now up on my blog, and it takes you through the top five college and prep middle infielders.

Here's an excerpt on Rick Hague of Rice:

Hague played third base for Team USA this summer, but he’s probably going to stick at shortstop in pro ball with some improvement. He’s a solid hitter with some work to do with his approach, but he’s got the natural talent to be an above-average hitter from the shortstop position. He might eventually have to move to third base, but he proved he’s an excellent fielder there this summer, so that’s not necessarily a horrible thing. Projected draft slot: Mid-first to early-second round.

Included are Christian Colon, Hague, Jedd Gyorko, Derek Dietrich, and Ross Wilson on the collegiate side, with Manny Machado, Yordy Cabrera, Justin O'Conner, Anthony Wolters, and Zach Alvord on the prep side.

Direct link here.

Poll

Which middle infielder will be picked first in the 2010 draft?

Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton

55 votes

Rick Hague, Rice

8 votes

Jedd Gyorko, West Virginia

7 votes

Derek Dietrich, Georgia Tech

12 votes

Ross Wilson, Alabama

3 votes

Manny Machado, Brito Private HS (FL)

4 votes

Yordy Cabrera, Lakeland HS (FL)

9 votes

Justin O'Conner, Cowan HS (IN)

4 votes

Anthony Wolters, Rancho Buena Vista HS (CA)

1 votes

Zach Alvord, South Forsyth HS (GA)

3 votes

106 votes | Poll has closed

2010 Outfielders

Andy Seiler — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:01:27 -0000

Hey guys, I'm starting a series on 2010 draft prospects where I look at each position grouping and examine the top prospects from the college and prep classes. First up was the outfielders.

Here's an excerpt on Jarrett Parker of Virginia:

A center fielder, Parker’s someone whose draft position is up in the air. He was absolutely horrible on the Cape, and even though it was probably due to exhaustion from a long season, he looked incredibly out of sync. He’s a power-speed type of guy and he should be about average as a pro center fielder. I like his overall patience, but the summer hurt his stock. Projected draft slot: Late-first to late-second round.

Included are Bryce Brentz, LeVon Washington, Parker, Todd Cunningham, and Gary Brown on the collegiate side, with Austin Wilson, Josh Sale, Chevez Clarke, Brian Ragira, and Reggie Golden on the prep side.

Direct link here.

What do you think?

Poll

Which outfielder will go first in the 2010 draft?

Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee

42 votes

LeVon Washington, Chipola JC (FL)

48 votes

Jarrett Parker, Virginia

8 votes

Todd Cunningham, Jacksonville State

2 votes

Gary Brown, Cal State Fullerton

3 votes

Austin Wilson, Harvard Westlake HS (CA)

5 votes

Josh Sale, Bishop Blanchet HS (WA)

7 votes

Chevez Clarke, Marietta HS (GA)

2 votes

Brian Ragira, James Martin HS (TX)

6 votes

Reggie Golden, Wetumpka HS (AL)

4 votes

127 votes | Poll has closed

First 2010 Mock Draft

Andy Seiler — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:48:44 -0000

I've posted my first 2010 mock draft on my blog, and I've posted the first ten picks below. The Tigers and Twins picks might be reversed depending on who wins tomorrow, but I picked the Twins to win, and therefore they're picking behind the Tigers. Here's the first ten picks with writeups:

1. Washington Nationals – Bryce Harper, C, CC of Southern Nevada – Harper’s not the best thing to ever happen to baseball, but he’s the frontrunner for this spot at the current moment. A big spring against more advanced competition will lock this spot up for him. He’s got some competition, but there’s no clear top talent behind him, so if the class is this muddy eight months from now, Harper’s going to go #1.
2. Pittsburgh Pirates – Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU – A lot of people are basing their judgment of Ranaudo on his College World Series performance, where he was noticeably tired and didn’t have his best stuff. However, it’s hard to find the pure size of Ranaudo, and his stuff is much better than that nationally-televised outing. Don’t look for pure gas or a Strasburg-like bender, but he grades out as above-average in everything with more projectability than your average collegiate. He’s a Boras client, so we’ll see if that affects his status, but for now he’s the best major college prospect.
3. Baltimore Orioles – Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS (TX) – I had a hard time putting Taillon below Ranaudo, but I still think Ranaudo’s more proven history puts him slightly above Taillon’s rawness. There’s no doubt to me that Taillon is the best pitcher the 2010 prep class has to offer, as he’s raised his stock clearly above A.J. Cole. He’s got great size, great projectability, and great current stuff, so there’s not much to dislike here. His main question mark will be his representation, and he’s got a Rice commitment, too, so when the signability fog begins to clear, we’ll have a better read.
4. Kansas City Royals – Christian Colon, SS, Cal State Fullerton – Colon may have broken his leg at the end of Team USA’s season, but that was only after he had established himself as the best all-around position player in the 2010 college class. He’s a good fielder with good instincts, a good hitter, and there’s really nothing he’s bad at. People will whine about his lack of dazzling tools, but Colon’s got a solid toolset with a solid skillset with great makeup, and there’s no reason to think he can’t be an above-average Major League shortstop in relatively short order. Assuming he recovers fully from the broken leg, he’s a top ten pick with a good spring.
5. Cleveland Indians – Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech – McGuire’s a polarizing figure, but no one doubts his pure size and stuff. Like Ranaudo, some say that McGuire’s prospect package relies too much on size and projectability and not enough on actual pitching ability. However, McGuire’s got an above-average fastball with a pair of breaking pitches and a good changeup, so I don’t see anything that isn’t Major League-caliber in terms of future grades. He’s got to firm up his command, but he’s definitely right up at the top of the pack for the 2010 college pitching class.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks – A.J. Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS (FL) – Cole, who was considered pretty much even with Taillon entering the summer, has had a good summer, but not one that matched Taillon’s. He’s also a really big kid, but with a much more projectable frame that some teams drool over. His fastball is of the plus variety, and his slurve (that’s what I call it) is a plus pitch, too. He’s got true number one potential, so I don’t see him falling too much unless he completely falls apart in the spring. He’s committed to Miami.
7. New York Mets – Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS (FL) – Here is the best name no one’s talking about. People always talk about Taillon and Cole while leaving Whitson’s name out, but I don’t necessarily see it that way. He’s of similar size to Cole, with similar projectability, also has a plus fastball, and possibly has more movement on that pitch. He’s got both a slider and curve, and while neither are plus now, they’ve got great potential, too. That whole package is going to attract droves of scouts, and I see him going the way of Zack Wheeler from the 2009 class.
8. Houston Astros – Zack Cox, 3B, Arkansas – Cox is the best draft-eligible sophomore in the 2010 class, and he’s arguably the best overall hitter in the entire class. A lefty in the box, he’s got plus power and hit tools, but he’s lacking a bit in the pitch recognition and plate discipline departments. The big question he’ll look to answer in the spring is whether he can stick at third base, as some see him as a first baseman with hard hands and below-average third base range. His arm is a plus, so I’d give him every chance to play at third as long as he’s hitting.
9. San Diego Padres – Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Ole Miss – Left-handed power arms are hard to come by, and Pomeranz has one. There’s been some big questions about his arm action, and his lack of athleticism leads me to believe he’s going to be susceptible to the big arm injury. However, up to now he’s been healthy and effective, and his breaking ball can be one of the best in the 2010 class. He’s big, has a solid history, and is left-handed, so it’s hard to see him dropping out of the top fifteen without an injury of some sort.
10. Oakland Athletics – Chris Sale, LHP, Florida Gulf Coast – Sale was the star of the Cape Cod League this summer, and most prospect buffs would be lying to you if they told you they knew who he was before his summer run. He’s going to battle Pomeranz and James Paxton for the top lefty in the college class during the spring, and there’s a good chance Sale comes out ahead. He’s also big, standing at 6′6”, but he’s projectable too, as he might be able to add a good twenty pounds to his frame. He’s got a plus fastball with good movement and an effective changeup, and I see Sale as a relatively safe pick as far as pitchers go.

The rest of the picks are on the blog. Direct link here.

What do you think?

2010 Draft Order

Andy Seiler — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:48:55 -0000

I thought you guys might be interested in what the 2010 draft order is shaping out to be. Here's the order discounting all compensation for Type A guys. The first 16 picks are protected against free agent compensation, as is #31 to the Rays.

1. Washington Nationals (59-103)
2. Pittsburgh Pirates (62-99)
3. Baltimore Orioles (64-98)
4. Kansas City Royals (65-97)
5. Cleveland Indians (65-97)
6. Arizona Diamondbacks (70-92)
7. New York Mets (70-92)
8. Houston Astros (74-88)
9. San Diego Padres (75-87)
10. Oakland Athletics (75-87)
11. Toronto Blue Jays (75-87)
12. Cincinnati Reds (78-84)
13. Chicago White Sox (79-83)
14. Milwaukee Brewers (80-82)
15. Texas Rangers (compensation for unsigned ‘09 pick Matt Purke)
16. Chicago Cubs (83-78)
17. Tampa Bay Rays (84-78)
18. Seattle Mariners (85-77)
19. Detroit Tigers/Minnesota Twins Tuesday Loser (86-77)
20. Atlanta Braves (86-76)
21. Detroit Tigers/Minnesota Twins Tuesday Winner (87-76)
22. Texas Rangers (87-75)
23. Florida Marlins (87-75)
24. San Francisco Giants (88-74)
25. St. Louis Cardinals (91-71)
26. Colorado Rockies (92-70)
27. Philadelphia Phillies (93-69)
28. Los Angeles Dodgers (95-67)
29. Boston Red Sox (95-67)
30. Los Angeles Angels (97-65)
31. Tampa Bay Rays (compensation for unsigned ‘09 pick LeVon Washington)
32. New York Yankees (103-59)

Link.