The Pirates are moving in the right direction, but if they ever want to get to a level where they can compete they have to hit with the #1 pick, a miss could really kill the momentum they have going right now.  So who do you think is the guy that will end up being a star and help the Pirates compete in the near future.  Lets hear your opinions, if you picked other let me know who else you think could possibly make a case for #1.

The Rockies love college players recently so I thought I'd get opinions on what college arms people like that may be available at #26.  If Matt Harvey fell due to Boras or other concerns he would surely be the favorite college arm at this spot, but I don't think he'll fall that far and he probably would have won this particular poll which wouldn't tell me much, so I didn't include him.  I did however include James Paxton who is no longer in college but he still fits in with the rest of these guys.  I will be looking at the HS pitchers in the next post which should be coming soon.  If u voted other because there is someone you really like sell me on him.

In this years draft we have picks 26,47,76, and 107.  We aren't going to get any of the top players at 26, so who are some personal favorites you guys have that project towards the end of the round that you guys are convinced should be considered higher and could end up being steals.  My preference would be to find up the middle bats and pitchers, but if you have somebody at another position that you really like, go ahead and try and sell me on him.  The Rockies have gone primarily with college players at the top of the drafts lately with the exception of Matzek, but I'm looking for the best talent regardless of where it comes from.  We have around 4.5 million budgeted for 2010 but with no pick in the top half of the first round I don't think budget shouldn't be too big of a concern for us.

After graduating most of our top prospects over the last couple years we find ourself in a down period on the farm.  Aside from Jarrod Parker there doesn't appear to be many players with a huge upside, at least that we've seen thus far.  We have a ton of average arms and almost nothing as far as hitters.  I want to add some promising bats to the organization, but given our lack of overall talent I will add an arm if he is the best available at a certain spot. 

We have pick 16 & 17 in Round 1, picks 35, 41, and 45 in the supplemental round.  Picks 60 & 64 in Round 2, and pick 95 in Round 3.  So with all the early picks we have a chance to add a bunch of talent and start a quick rebuild to the system if we do a good job in this draft.

So I need all you area scouts to give me some input as to who you have your eye on, who you think might be sliding into the middle of the first round to us, and anybody that I should take a second look at while going over my scouting reports.

The minor league system seems to have an endless amount of possibilities in the field, and a couple of them, LaPorta and Gamel, could possibly make a big impact soon. On the pitching side it doesn’t look as bright, there are some solid looking prospects like Jeremy Jeffress, Rob Bryson, and a few others but they are all still in A ball. Overall the system has some solid possibilities but not the big time potential arms you want.

I generally agree with the best player available approach but this draft I want to try and hold myself to my goal of infusing the Brewers system with some great arms. Its always nice if you can find the college pitcher with a high ceiling but that’s not always the case, and at this point in time I want big arms, if I have to go to the HS ranks to find them I will.

I hate drafting for immediate needs at the major league level, and will almost always avoid it. However with multiple picks early this year I may go against my beliefs and with one of the picks take a shot at addressing one of the weaknesses at the major league level if it makes sense. If the opportunity presents itself, I’ll take it, but I’m not going to reach for anyone when it comes to those needs.

I still have some scouting reports to look over, and knowing me if I really fall in love with a hitter don’t be surprised if I shocked everyone and went for a bat. But lets hope that doesn’t happen ; )

I’m sure there are guys who know this Brewer team better than me, so if you think I missed something about the current state of the organization let me know. Lets hear the opinions of the Brewers Scouts, who do you really like in the first round, do you have any sleepers for the later rounds, whatever info you have to help out the Brew Crew in the 2008 MLB Draft lets hear it.

The 1st Round pick, 17th overall, was lost to the Rangers for Carlos Lee, and the 2nd Round pick, 82nd overall, was lost to the Padres for Woody Williams.  The Astros first pick doesn't come until Round 3, 112th overall.

The system has many more projectable arms than it does bats.  The Astros could have really used another big time hitting prospect to go with Pence.  But not having a pick in the first two rounds means the only choice is to pick the best available.  
(I usually agree with the best player available philosophy but with such a lack of impact bats in the system, I would have gone against that thinking in this case if there was a 1st or 2nd round pick)

So picking outside the Top 100 the goal now becomes uncovering a diamond in the rough that can come in and give a boost to a system that needs one.  

I am working on the draft board now, and will let you know some of the names I'm looking at when I get further into it.  I would love to hear some of your comments/suggestions.  If you have a sleeper that will be around in the 3rd-5th Round area of the draft we want to hear about it.