SB Nation User Blog: Andy Seiler

Draft Day #2 Thread #1

Andy Seiler — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:53:51 -0000

The second day of the draft is almost upon us, so here's the opening thread.

First Day Picks:

Matt Purke, LHP, Klein HS (TX)
Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul Saints
Tommy Mendonca, 3B, Fresno State
Robbie Erlin, LHP, Scotts Valley HS (CA)

That's three pitchers and a hitter. Expect a few more hitters today, along with what I would expect are a high number of both college relievers and a few starters mixed in, similar to last year. The Spokane roster needs some filling out, as does the AZL roster, and the Spokane roster most notably needs a catcher or three, unless Tomas Telis will debut stateside there.

Best names still available:

Max Stassi, C, Yuba City HS (CA) - UCLA Commit
Luke Bailey, C, Troup County HS (GA) - Auburn Commit
Sam Dyson, RHP, South Carolina
Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP, Zachary HS (LA) - LSU Commit
Kent Matthes, OF, Alabama
Brooks Raley, LHP, Texas A&M
Kendal Volz, RHP, Baylor
Jeff Malm, 1B, Bishop Gorman HS (NV) - USC Commit
Brody Colvin, RHP, St. Thomas More HS (LA) - LSU Commit
Madison Younginer, RHP, Mauldin HS (SC) - Clemson Commit
Keyvius Sampson, RHP, Forest HS (FL) - Florida State Commit

Those are just a few names to keep an eye on, though they're not all signable.

I'll be chatting live here.

Jason Cole will be blogging live here.

BBTiA has draft coverage here.

Z is here.

Final Mock Draft

Andy Seiler — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:44:44 -0000

I have my final mock draft up on MLB Bonus Baby. Here's the first round:

1. Washington – Steven Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State
2. Seattle – Dustin Ackley, OF, North Carolina
3. San Diego – Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS (GA)
4. Pittsburgh – Aaron Crow, RHP, Ft. Worth Cats
5. Baltimore – Zack Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS (GA)
6. San Francisco – Tyler Matzek, LHP, East Capistrano HS (CA)
7. Atlanta – Alex White, RHP, North Carolina
8. Cincinnati – Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt
9. Detroit – Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy (MO)
10. Washington – Drew Storen, RHP, Stanford
11. Colorado – Matt Hobgood, RHP, Norco HS (CA)
12. Kansas City – Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State
13. Oakland – Grant Green, SS, USC
14. Texas – Shelby Miller, RHP, Brownwood HS (TX)
15. Cleveland – Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul Saints
16. Arizona – Bobby Borchering, 3B, Bishop Verot HS (FL)
17. Arizona – Kyle Gibson, RHP, Missouri
18. Florida – Chad James, LHP, Yukon HS (FL)
19. St. Louis – Matt Purke, LHP, Klein HS (TX)
20. Toronto – Mike Trout, OF, Millville HS (NJ)
21. Houston – Jiovanni Mier, SS, Bonita HS (CA)
22. Minnesota – Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana
23. Chicago (AL) – Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State
24. Los Angeles (AL) – Everett Williams, OF, McCallum HS (TX)
25. Los Angeles (AL) – Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Santa Monica HS (CA)
26. Milwaukee – Jared Mitchell, OF, LSU
27. Seattle – Tim Wheeler, OF, Sacramento State
28. Boston – Max Stassi, C, Yuba City HS (CA)
29. New York (AL) – Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College
30. Tampa Bay – Wil Myers, C, Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC)
31. Chicago (NL) – AJ Pollock, OF, Notre Dame
32. Colorado – Tommy Joseph, C, Horizon HS (AZ)

Direct link here.

What do you think?

Draft Day Thread #1

Andy Seiler — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:24:00 -0000

It's past midnight, so that means it's draft day! Day one coverage begins at 6 eastern on MLB Network, and they're carrying the first round live. The following rounds will be broadcast on MLB.com, and the first day ends with the 111th pick, the only third round supplemental pick, and it's owned by the Houston Astros.

The Rangers hold first day picks at #14, 44, 62, and 93 overall, so look for some fresh talent.

Here's my most current mock. I'll be posting my final mock draft of 3 rounds in the afternoon before the draft begins, and I'll post the link on here. In addition, I'll be posting a list of some sleepers.

BA's coverage will be on their blog.

BP will be doing live coverage.

Finally, a last note in the live draft coverage department, Doug Gray, Jake Hamlin, and I will be doing a live draft chat beginning at 5 eastern, an hour before the draft. The link takes you right to where the chat is, and it's already up for reminders.

Last, but not least, here's the links you need to read:

Sporting News Draft Page

MLB Draft Profiles

BA's Draft Page

PG Crosschecker

John Sickels' Draft Board

Part 1 of Trip's BBTiA Draft Preview

Part 2 of Trip's BBTiA Draft Preview

Newer New Draft Thread

Andy Seiler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:15:57 -0000

Here's a continuation of Clark's links from the previous post.

My most recent mock draft. It covers the first 3 rounds, and my previous mock is on there.

The Sporting News has a draft page.

Some early prep profiles from Saberscouting...RIP, we hardly knew you...

Check out milb's draft profiles to familiarize yourself with some of the top names, and then check BA's updated draft tracker to see how these guys have progressed throughout the year. Here is their general draft page, with some great stuff for everyone and lots more behind the pay wall.

Here is the link to Brewerfan.net's top 30 as another point of reference (although their top 30 is already looking a little outdated in this year's very fluid first round).

Another useful resource during draft season is PG Crosschecker, although you either have to pony up for a subscription or root around for scraps of free information.

A new (and somewhat questionable) source of data this year is Real Baseball Intelligence. Their top prospects list includes some eyebrow raising locations for more than a few familiar names. As a personal aside, this site's opinions are way off in terms of valuing players.

And here's an early first round mock from the Sporting News as well as one from mymlbdraft.com.

Since this is now my thread, I'll plug my look at the NCAA Regionals from last weekend and tell you that I'm also contributing to First Inning, which is launching original content with a view to offer more on minor leaguers than FanGraphs.

If you have more helpful links, throw 'em up here.

Discuss.

Draft Chat on Wednesday

Andy Seiler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:13:06 -0000

Draft Chat on Wednesday

I'm doing a draft chat tomorrow at 1 pm central on my new blog, so if you have some questions, head over and we'll see how it goes.

Draft Chat on Wednesday

Andy Seiler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:29:49 -0000

Hey all, just wanted to let you know that I’m hosting a draft chat tomorrow on MLB Bonus Baby using the same software (CoverItLive) used for MLBTradeRumors chats and so on. The chat will be at 2 pm eastern, and I’ll answer your questions on draft stock or whatever else you’re interested in. This the first of what I hope can be a weekly routine on the blog if you’re interested. If you want some questions answered, but can't make it for the chat, post them here, and I'll get to them, too. For those of you that can make it, see you there!

Link.

2009 Amateur Draft Mock #7 Rounds 1-3

Andy Seiler — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:57:21 -0000

I've posted my seventh mock draft over at MLB Bonus Baby, this time putting all three rounds into a single writeup, though individual writeups have been omitted. Comments over at the blog are appreciated, especially if you have a question or comment on specific picks. First round mock pasted after the jump.

1. Washington – Steven Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State
2. Seattle – Dustin Ackley, OF/1B, North Carolina
3. San Diego – Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS (GA)
4. Pittsburgh – Aaron Crow, RHP, Ft. Worth Cats
5. Baltimore – Kyle Gibson, RHP, Missouri
6. San Francisco – Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS (CA)
7. Atlanta – Zack Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS (GA)
8. Cincinnati – Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul Saints
9. Detroit – Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy (MO)
10. Washington – Mike Trout, OF, Millville HS (NJ)
11. Colorado – Tim Wheeler, OF, Sacramento State
12. Kansas City – Grant Green, SS, USC
13. Oakland – Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State
14. Texas – Shelby Miller, RHP, Brownwood HS (TX)
15. Cleveland – Alex White, RHP, North Carolina
16. Arizona – Rex Brothers, LHP, Lipscomb
17. Arizona – Bobby Borchering, 3B, Bishop Verot HS (FL)
18. Florida – Chad James, LHP, Yukon HS (OK)
19. St. Louis – Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt
20. Toronto – Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State
21. Houston – Matt Hobgood, RHP, Norco HS (CA)
22. Minnesota – Jiovanni Mier, SS, Bonita HS (CA)
23. Chicago (AL) – Everett Williams, OF, McCallum HS (TX)
24. Los Angeles (AL) – Max Stassi, C, Yuba City HS (CA)
25. Los Angeles (AL) – Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Santa Monica HS (CA)
26. Milwaukee – Drew Storen, RHP, Stanford
27. Seattle – AJ Pollock, OF, Notre Dame
28. Boston – Matt Purke, LHP, Klein HS (TX)
29. New York (AL) – Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College
30. Tampa Bay – Wil Myers, C, Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC)
31. Chicago (NL) – Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana
32. Colorado – Garrett Gould, RHP, Maize HS (KS)

Direct link here.

What do you think? Make sure to check out all three rounds, including 111 mock draft picks!

Draft Stock Updates - College Middle Infielders

Andy Seiler — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:39:15 -0000

I've posted a new Draft Stock Update over at MLB Bonus Baby, this time focusing on collegiate middle infielders. Four up, four down.

Rising

Jeff Kobernus
Derek McCallum
Ryan Schimpf
Scott Lawson

Falling

Grant Green
Ryan Jackson
Robbie Shields
D.J. LeMahieu

Here's the full writeup.

Excerpt:

Scott Lawson, 2B, Miami – Lawson replaced Jemile Weeks as the second baseman at Miami after being drafted a year ago in the 40th round out of Grayson County CC. With a line of .327/.441/.482, Lawson filled in for Weeks admirably, and Lawson’s great control of the strike zone was a welcome addition to a free-swinging Hurricane lineup. I think that his approach and solid defense have really rocketed him up draft boards this spring, and the final verdict on Lawson is probably an early second day selection, and my prediction is the fifth round.

What do you think? Who are your risers for the Spring?

JUCO Players to Watch

Andy Seiler — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:13:41 -0000

JUCO Players to Watch

I thought some people might be interested in who some of the better JUCO players are in this draft, especially since local product Miles Hamblin of Howard JC is included. He played high school ball in Rowlett.

JUCO Players to Watch

Andy Seiler — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:57:05 -0000

I'm still in a draft preview type of mode over at MLB Bonus Baby, and I'm trying to get the most information out on prospects before draft day actually is upon us. As such, I've written out a quick paragraph on six interesting JUCO players to watch for the draft, with seven more names at the bottom to keep in mind. Here's a quick excerpt:

Miles Hamblin, C, Howard JC (TX) – This is a kid I’ve been all over this spring. A 6′2”, 190 lbs. catcher with a lefty bat, Hamblin’s the prototypical starting catcher to draft. Following a season in which he hit .412 with 11 homers as a freshman, Hamblin hit .448 with 16 homers this spring. He added 25 doubles and a triple, all in just 172 at-bats. In addition, he started every single game for Howard. His catching skillset is solid, though he’s newer to the position, but he’ll stick there as a pro, and his entire bat and glove package is probably as mature and advanced as any college catcher in the country, Tony Sanchez included. He’s committed to Ole Miss, but there’s no way he makes it there. I expect him to be off the board early in the second day, and my prediction is that he’s a fourth rounder.

Direct link here.

Tomorrow is an Angels draft preview, second round mock draft, and possibly a draft stock update.

Got any JUCO player names you want to get out there publicly? If they're not in the writeup, list them here. What do you think?