I picked a link up at mlbtraderumors of Tom Verducci's si.com piece about Scott Boras's thoughts on what was wrong with the first year player draft.  I think that he was a little off base with his first two points but his third regarding prep players really hit me like a frieght train.

The draft is too long (50 rounds) and includes far too many high school players. Boras advocates holding two separate drafts: one for college players and one for high school players. He would limit the high school draft to two rounds, or about 70 picks if you add on compensation picks. Why just two rounds? His reason is based on years of data that show that after about 70 high school players are picked, the rest of them are glorified lottery tickets, many of whom will soon wash out of baseball and reenter the job market with no secondary education.

Perhaps those kids should be encouraged to attend college or (as no doubt Boras might prefer) cut their own deals as free agents with major league clubs, perhaps for the chance to play with an affiliate close to home or one that offers a better opportunity for advancement. Think of it as a high school grad applying to colleges, rather than one college choosing the high school grad.

A cap of 70 high school picks sounds a bit too harsh to me. I don't have Boras' enormous staff or resources. (I joke with him that his payroll exceeds those of some small-market franchises. Boras, who said he has negotiated $4 billion worth of player contracts in his career, said he makes no money on the First-Year Player Draft -- that he considers it "a loss leader" for his corporation.) So I checked one small sample, the 2000 draft, to consider what it means to be one of the hundreds of late-round picks out of high school.

In 2000, major league teams selected 436 high school players after the 13th round. Only nine of those kids signed a contract that year and eventually made it to the big leagues -- a 98 percent failure rate. After Round 26, teams selected 213 high school players, only one of whom, Victor Diaz, an outfielder who appeared in 147 games for the Mets and Rangers, played even a day in the big leagues -- a 99.5 percent failure rate.

What if you had stopped the high school picks at 70 in 2000? The quota would have been reached in the fourth round. In the 46 rounds that followed, teams took 535 high school players. Only 29 of them ever made it to The Show -- a failure rate after the fourth round of 95 percent.

Sure sounds like the system could use a full-scale review

 

Haven't there been a lot of gnashing of teeth when it comes to the NFL and NBA when it comes to player entry at least from the public and or media.  It really seems like we are doing these guys a disservice if they have a 19 out of 20 failure rate.  If this were a college with a 5% grad rate I am sure there would be screaming and no good parent would let thier child attend. 

As much as Scott Boras has been a sore in professional sports he might have a point.

The Twins sent former over-hyped Met fanboy crush up to AAA Rochester after a great start at AA New Brittan .  What gives???  The co-centerpiece of the Johan trade had turned into a pumpkin almost immediately after joining the Twins organization but after serving as a warm body with little control for 1.5 seasons following the trade he began to show signs of life last year getting promoted to AA and has looked even better this year with a 3.07 ERA and a much improved 21/4 K/BB.  He still isn't striking out that many (6.4/9) but isn't putting guys on either (1.091 WHIP).  Scouts say that his changeup is back but he hasn't yet harnessed it as an out pitch.  He's still only 21... but is this for real?  Will the Twins salvage something out of the Johan trade (other than JJ Hardy and Jon Rauch)

With the death of Carl Pohlad what do you think that the future of the Twins are?  It sounds as if his sons will take over so they shouldn't have a situation like the Red Sox had in the early 90's with the Yawkey Trust.  Pohlad set a budget every year and during the Terry Ryan era seemed very inflexible even if the team was in contention wouldn't go beyond his budget.  Even so, he had been a cheap owner who had tried to cash in his franchise less than 10 years ago.  Do you think that future ownership will be more likely to go all out during the draft, and become slightly bigger players on the FA market.  Bill Smith is overmatched, but now he may have a little more money to spend

Well, the Indians have the 29th and with that pick I would really look at getting a value.  The team has a lot of low ceiling/high floor pitchers, and a few hitters who could be real impacts.  They are in no rush to graduate players in a hurry.  At 29 heres what I would be looking at.

1.  A prep pitcher
2.  Hitters early and often, realizing that they graduate into major leaguers at a much higher rate.  The fact that the Tribe isn't in a hurry to graduate players a prep hitter would make more sense.
3.  A safe college pitcher.

I guess that some targets that I would look at would be.

Brett DeVall-LHP-HS Florida
Kyle Lobstien-LHP-HS Arizona
Daniel Webb-RHP-HS Kentucky

Isaac Galloway-OF-HS California
Zach Collier-OF-HS California
Brett Lawrie-Util-HS British Columbia

Tim Murphy-LHP-UCLA
Tyson Ross-RHP-Cal
Ryan Perry-RHP-Arizona

Give me some good ol' divergent opinions people

Davis wins, and I think that is as good as pick as any at that position.  Now we have the Padres who really have a system that has some real pop at the top with guys like Antonelli and Headley, but thins out quickly.  They could use offensive guys that could rise quickly, but with Ike Davis going the pick before there doesn't seem to be a guy that really fits that bill.  A guy like Allan Dykstra would make sense, but this is too much of a stretch right here.  So, I think that they have to go with the value pick here.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami (FL)
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas - Eric Hosmer-1B-HS Florida
12. Oakland- Jemile Weeks- 2B-Miami (FL)
13. St. Louis- Buster Posey- C- Florida St
14. Minnesota- Shooter Hunt- RHP- Tulane
15. Los Angeles (NL) - Gerrit Cole-RHP-HS California
16. Milwaukee - Christian Friedrich-LHP-Eastern Kentucky
17. Toronto - Brett Wallace-1B-Arizona St.
18. New York (NL) - Aaron Hicks-CF/RHP-HS California
19. Chicago (NL) - Joshua Fields-RHP-Georgia
20. Seattle - Ethan Martin-RHP/3B-HS Georgia
21. Detroit - Isaac Galloway-OF-HS California
22. New York (NL) - Ike Davis-1B/OF-Arizona St
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

I'm just giving it to Galloway, he was up and there hasn't been any movement for a couple of days. 

The board is going to change drastically this time.  The Mets are up and have already snatched a toolsy HS OF in Aaron Hicks.  What will they do this time?  A college starter has been their calling card over the last few years, but they wouldn't seem to get great value on at 22.  They pick early in the supplemental round where they may find the same college arm that they would be targeting here.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami (FL)
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas - Eric Hosmer-1B-HS Florida
12. Oakland- Jemile Weeks- 2B-Miami (FL)
13. St. Louis- Buster Posey- C- Florida St
14. Minnesota- Shooter Hunt- RHP- Tulane
15. Los Angeles (NL) - Gerrit Cole-RHP-HS California
16. Milwaukee - Christian Friedrich-LHP-Eastern Kentucky
17. Toronto - Brett Wallace-1B-Arizona St.
18. New York (NL) - Aaron Hicks-CF/RHP-HS California
19. Chicago (NL) - Joshua Fields-RHP-Georgia
20. Seattle - Ethan Martin-RHP/3B-HS Georgia
21. Detroit - Isaac Galloway-OF-HS California
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

I just thought that I would take a moment to say that I have really been pleasantly surprised with the way that people have participated in the mock draft.  After the days of "The Sock Puppet Trinity" and the failed top 100 list I was really hesitant to start the mock.  With all of the talk about the "death" of minorleagueball.  This exercise has proven to me that we can still just talk about baseball.

Also, a big thanks to fewgoodcards for taking the project over when I had to be out of town for a funeral.

The Mariners get great value with Martin at #20. 

Ike Davis follows at #2.  I am wondering if there might be a huge contingent of Sun Devils that have been voting on these polls.  Ballot stuffing should be a thing of the past with the new format, but Wallace walked away with the Toronto pick in his first appearance, and Davis gave Martin a run for his money here.  I am just beginning to wonder a little bit.

Now we have Detroit, the poster child organization for going over slot the last few years.  Andrew Miller, Rick Porcello, and Cameron Maybin the last 3 years.  There doesn't seem to be a guy that has dropped in the mock because of signability concerns.  In the real draft this wouldn't surprise me.  I really think this is the year that the slotting system completely falls apart.  I see teams that have adhered very strictly (Pittsburgh and Minnesota) say that they will invest in this draft, which hasn't happened in the past.  Detroit might not get its steal as it has in the past.  The system has been gutted and without Porcello I truly believe it would be the worst system in all of baseball.  They need an impact player here.  Davis would fit nicely here as would a guy like Isaac Galloway.  Lets see what happens

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami (FL)
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas - Eric Hosmer-1B-HS Florida
12. Oakland- Jemile Weeks- 2B-Miami (FL)
13. St. Louis- Buster Posey- C- Florida St
14. Minnesota- Shooter Hunt- RHP- Tulane
15. Los Angeles (NL) - Gerrit Cole-RHP-HS California
16. Milwaukee - Christian Friedrich-LHP-Eastern Kentucky
17. Toronto - Brett Wallace-1B-Arizona St.
18. New York (NL) - Aaron Hicks-CF/RHP-HS California
19. Chicago (NL) - Joshua Fields-RHP-Georgia
20. Seattle - Ethan Martin-RHP/3B-HS Georgia
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

Sorry I was busy over the last 2 days.  Fields goes in a spot that makes some sense.  Seattle is up next and has some tantalizing options.  What will they do with this pick?

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami (FL)
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas - Eric Hosmer-1B-HS Florida
12. Oakland- Jemile Weeks- 2B-Miami (FL)
13. St. Louis- Buster Posey- C- Florida St
14. Minnesota- Shooter Hunt- RHP- Tulane
15. Los Angeles (NL) - Gerrit Cole-RHP-HS California
16. Milwaukee - Christian Friedrich-LHP-Eastern Kentucky
17. Toronto - Brett Wallace-1B-Arizona St.
18. New York (NL) - Aaron Hicks-CF/RHP-HS California
19. Chicago (NL) - Joshua Fields-RHP-Georgia
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

Aaron Hicks gets drafted by the Mets in the mock.  The Mets to me have been a team that has drafted college pitchers/toolsy outfielders, and signed a lot of ceiling guys internationally.  I think that they get a hybrid a really toolsy, ceiling guy.  I voted differently, but once again I wouldn't scream too much over this selection.

Now we have the Cubbies they've made headlines with Vitters and Samarjia(?) over the last couple of years.  I really don't know where Hendry is at now.  As BA put it in this years handbook it seems as if the Cubs pipeline of ridiculous pitching prospects has seemed to run dry.  Gallagher and Veal are far from sure things.  I wouldn't be surprised if they went the pitching route.

Did anyone else see Alan Simpson's mock top 10 on PG Crosschecker?  There is a lot of buzz that the guy we have going #13 being Tampa's target at #1.  Buster Posey is a skyrocketing

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami (FL)
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas - Eric Hosmer-1B-HS Florida
12. Oakland- Jemile Weeks- 2B-Miami (FL)
13. St. Louis- Buster Posey- C- Florida St
14. Minnesota- Shooter Hunt- RHP- Tulane
15. Los Angeles (NL) - Gerrit Cole-RHP-HS California
16. Milwaukee - Christian Friedrich-LHP-Eastern Kentucky
17. Toronto - Brett Wallace-1B-Arizona St.
18. New York (NL) - Aaron Hicks-CF/RHP-HS California
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

I really don't know what to think.  I seem to check his stats every week or so and looking at game logs he is seriously the most boom or bust guy in the minors right now.  He is either ice cold or hitting like a mad man. 

He went 0-9 with 7 K's on opening day (a doubleheader) and followed that up with about a 2 week stretch of hitting nearly .500 and slugging over 1.000.  Now while taking a look at first inning he is in a 2-24 slump over the last 10 games (he is getting some walks though). 

What does he project as? A lot of people compared him to Morneau after his first look at pro ball in 06.  Now he looks more like a "3 True Outcomes" guy.  His walk rate is inching up, and his K rate is inching down.  He has the low BABIP that a lot of those guys have.  What does the community think?

Brett Wallace goes to Toronto, which makes some sense I guess.  Just not as much in my opinion as Hicks or Fields.  Hicks to me is a great value here, but for some reason I think that Fields would be very tempting to Minaya.  However, the Mets went college reliever last year so you never know.  The system needs a shot of talent.  Who will it be?

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami (FL)
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas - Eric Hosmer-1B-HS Florida
12. Oakland- Jemile Weeks- 2B-Miami (FL)
13. St. Louis- Buster Posey- C- Florida St
14. Minnesota- Shooter Hunt- RHP- Tulane
15. Los Angeles (NL) - Gerrit Cole-RHP-HS California
16. Milwaukee - Christian Friedrich-LHP-Eastern Kentucky
17. Toronto - Brett Wallace-1B-Arizona St.
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

So, Josh Fields was up.  Then I think people on the board got a little over enthusiastic about the young man.  And then, there was a Friedrich backlash vote.  Just callin' em as I see em.  Not that that was a bad pick by any means.  I thought they were probably 1 and 2 and not separated by that much.

So now we get to Toronto.  A team that has graduated a lot of young pitchers in the last year or so.  There system is a pretty balanced one without a lot of impact prospects outside of Snyder.  They really could go anywhere with this pick.  JP has misfired a bit on his first round selections, lets see if he can break that trend.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami (FL)
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas - Eric Hosmer-1B-HS Florida
12. Oakland- Jemile Weeks- 2B-Miami (FL)
13. St. Louis- Buster Posey- C- Florida St
14. Minnesota- Shooter Hunt- RHP- Tulane
15. Los Angeles (NL) - Gerrit Cole-RHP-HS California
16. Milwaukee - Christian Friedrich-LHP-Eastern Kentucky
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

I am wondering if anyone else has had difficulty getting access to the site over the last 2 days.  Its been excruciatingly hard for me.  Well Cole comes off the board and we have Milwaukee up next.   They are the poster team for best talent available after going for LaPorta last year.  Let's see what happens here.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami (FL)
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas - Eric Hosmer-1B-HS Florida
12. Oakland- Jemile Weeks- 2B-Miami (FL)
13. St. Louis- Buster Posey- C- Florida St
14. Minnesota- Shooter Hunt- RHP- Tulane
15. Los Angeles (NL) - Gerrit Cole-RHP-HS California
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

JD goes after Hosmer at 11 and now we have Billy Beane picking at 12.  I think that Shooter Hunt finds a home here.  He fits the A's nicely as a college pitcher/good value here.  Maybe a guy like Friedrich goes here also.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas - Eric Hosmer-1B-HS Florida
12. Oakland
13. St. Louis
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles (NL)
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

Scheppers wins over Hunt and Weeks at 10.  Now comes Texas who has spent some money in the draft in the past.  They have been connected to each of the Boras guys in different circles.  Hosmer to me is a perfect fit here, and Cole makes just about as much sense.  Who will it be at #11

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston - Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St
11. Texas -
12. Oakland
13. St. Louis
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles (NL)
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

A strong case could be made that the Nats should have went with Posey, but Skipworth was probably the best talent left on the board.  Next is the Astros, who could use anything really.  My guess is a college pitcher like Hunt or Scheppers.

Another note:  I took out the Boras guys here, I just cannot see the Astros, who have been along with the Bucs and Twins the teams that have been most stringently adhering to the slotting system going way out of there way for Hosmer or Cole here.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington - Kyle Skipworth-C-HS California
10. Houston -
11. Texas
12. Oakland
13. St. Louis
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles (NL)
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

Melville wins by a slim margin.  Next up is Washington, which is another very tricky pick.  You would have to figure that being in a major market, along with the fact that they have the new stadium we might see some huge bonus budget goodness out of this team.  I really don't know.  They have had some good to great drafts in the last couple of years, so who do they take at 9.  Either one of the catchers would make a ton of sense in my opinion.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) - Tim Melville-RHP-HS Missouri
9.  Washington
10. Houston
11. Texas
12. Oakland
13. St. Louis
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles (NL)
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

I would have gone Melville, but he lost by the narrowest of margins, 2 votes in the original and 1 in the runoff.  Both options were good picks so, why not?  Now comes Kenny Williams and his perchance for taking high-floor, low-ceiling players of late.  I am going to add an option that might get everyone a little up in arms because it is on its face value ridiculous, but has been mentioned in more than a few reliable places.  I am going to add Jordan Danks, not because he deserves to be here, but because the ChiSox are supposedly very infatuated with him.  I will group him with a lot of college players.

Another thing....am I overvaluing Gerrit Cole?  Some places (BA) rate his fastball as the singular best pitch in this draft, while others (this board) deride his mechanics as an accident waiting to happen.  I'd like a little more insight.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami
7. Cincinnati - Gordon Beckham-SS-Georgia
8. Chicago (AL) -
9.  Washington
10. Houston
11. Texas
12. Oakland
13. St. Louis
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles (NL)
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

Its between the college SS, and the prep star out of Missouri.

Melville vs Beckham

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami
7. Cincinnati -
8. Chicago (AL)
9.  Washington
10. Houston
11. Texas
12. Oakland
13. St. Louis
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles (NL)
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

It is sure to only get more muddled from here on out.  Alonso wins, but for the first time not a clear majority of the vote.  Cincinnati is now on the clock and really could go in a lot of different directions here as well.  Krivsky and the Reds both have track records of picking prep players, so I am taking that into account when making my vote.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida - Yonder Alonso-1B-Miami
7. Cincinnati -
8. Chicago (AL)
9.  Washington
10. Houston
11. Texas
12. Oakland
13. St. Louis
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles (NL)
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

Smoak wins with a majority of the vote.  Based on voting I think this is where its going to get a little dicey.  Florida can go a number of directions here they have a lot of holes to fill.  Really the only things I am looking at here are best player available and possible cost to sign.  Florida probably won't break the bank.

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh - Pedro Alvarez-3B-Vandy
3. Kansas City - Tim Beckham-SS-HS Georgia
4. Baltimore - Brian Matusz-LHP-San Diego
5. San Francisco - Justin Smoak-1B-South Carolina
6. Florida -
7. Cincinnati
8. Chicago (AL)
9.  Washington
10. Houston
11. Texas
12. Oakland
13. St. Louis
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles (NL)
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

Who's going #2 to the Bucs?  You would think that an impact bat would settle nicely here.  The new Pirates brass has talked about going over slot.  So do they go cheap, or for one of the college sluggers?

Also, I am trying to figure out some sort of range finder.  If you vote other please specify

1. Tampa Bay - Aaron Crow-RHP-Mizzou
2. Pittsburgh
3. Kansas City
4. Baltimore
5. San Francisco
6. Florida
7. Cincinnati
8. Chicago (AL)
9.  Washington
10. Houston
11. Texas
12. Oakland
13. St. Louis
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles (NL)
16. Milwaukee
17. Toronto
18. New York (NL)
19. Chicago (NL)
20. Seattle
21. Detroit
22. New York (NL)
23. San Diego
24. Philadelphia
25. Colorado
26. Arizona
27. Minnesota
28. New York (AL)
29. Cleveland
30. Boston

Continue reading this post »

Taking a look at the story about the bench clearing brawl today between the Rays and the Yanks, it got me thinking a little bit about players who have seemingly jackass-ed themselves out of a job.  (I know that I am stealing that term from the BP when they did their yearbook writeup about Mark Quinn a few years back)

We talk about makeup when judging prospects all the time, but usually look at things like criminal records, temper, and focus, when we look at the term makeup.  But I really think that we need to look at jackassedness of players too.

Between Mark Quinn (who never got another chance after one off season, a year after finishing 3rd in the AL ROY voting), AJ Pierzynski who was so reviled in the SF clubhouse that they non-tendered the guy after giving up the house for him, Shelley Duncan who has signed little kids baseballs with "Sox Suck", and even a guy like Delmon Young whose teammates dislike probably had as much to do as Garza's arm in getting him shipped out of Tampa.  Do we really look enough at how much of a jackass a guy is when evaluation of young players is taking place.

I just got mine from Amazon and I am impressed.  The write ups in their top 100 are actually a little more informative than in the past, and they have a nice little PECOTA leaderboard section in the back of the book to see what and who they think are breaking out and tumbling down the most in the next year.  

I was wondering what anyone else who got their annual has to say.  My BA handbook experience this year has been so-so, but I really think that BP has outdone themselves

What happens if the Mets don't extend Santana?  I just saw a story that the commissioners office gave the sides 2 more hours. If nothing gets done do all parties return to their prospective teams?  THESE ARE THINGS THAT I NEED TO KNOW!!!!  PLEASE CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!

Does this mean he goes back to the Twins?  Does it mean that now the Mets are stuck with a rental?  There are so many things that are going through my head right now I just don't know what to say

David Ortiz
Kevin Garnett
Randy Moss
Torii Hunter
Johan Santana
The Hershel Walker Trade

Bill Simmons talked about this a little bit on today's podcast about how Minnesota may have replaced Buffalo or Cleveland as the MMF "Most Miserable Fanbase".  

I just don't know, how many of you follow a team that seems to get no support from the owner.  At least letting Ortiz go was a baseball decision that didn't work out.  The Twins talked about increasing payroll 10% a year getting to a 2010 goal of 100mill and ended up decreasing payroll by over 30%.  Am I just mopey or do I as a fan have the right to feel this way

According to Yahoo the Twins have set a press conference for 4pm to announce that Morneau has signed 6yr/80million dollar extension.  They are also reporting that the Twins have signed Michael Cuddyer to a long-term deal.  Does this mean that the pieces are finally in order for Santana to leave town.  I am guessing that the combined money that will be included in these deal will be close to 120 million and there is no way that the Twins will be able to add the 120-140 million in increased payroll that it will take to keep Santana.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=txtwinsmorneau&prov=st&type=lgns

I know that BA has come out with their top 10 systems list, but what about the worst systems?  Take a look at the list below and lets see if we can come up with a list of the bottom 5?

These are the 6 that I could argue with aplomb.  There are some other systems that I would rank a little higher, but this is all I could come up with.

I did think about adding the Mets to see what would happen