Draft Reviews: Arizona Diamondbacks

2008 Draft Slot: 26th overall
Top Pick: Daniel Schlereth, LHP, University of Arizona
Best Pick: Daniel Schlereth
Keep an Eye On: Kevin Eichhorn, RHP, California high school (3rd round)
Notes: The club picked up some left-handed pitching depth when it selected collegians Daniel Schlereth and Wade Miley with its first two picks. Schlereth made his MLB debut last week after flying through the minors. Miley is pitching OK in the minors, although he’s moving much more slowly as he’s only in low-A ball. Prep right-hander Kevin Eichhorn was nabbed a couple rounds later and bought out of a trip to college. Eichhorn, whose father Mark pitched for 11 years in the Majors, is currently in extended spring training but he’ll be taking to the field in a couple of weeks when rookie ball begins. RHP Trevor Harden (14th round) was a great find – a Diamondback in the rough. He’s pitched at both low-A and high-A in 2009.

2007 Draft Slot: Ninth overall
Top Pick: Jarrod Parker, RHP, Indiana high school
Best Pick: Jarrod Parker
Worst Pick: Ed Easley, C, Mississippi State (supplemental 1st round)
Notes: The club had two supplemental first round picks in this draft and it once again focused on pitching, with mixed results. RHP Jarrod Parker is looking like a potential No. 2 starter. RHP Wes Roemer (50th overall) is getting back on track after hitting a wall in 2008. RHP Barry Enright (73rd) is in double-A but he’s been too hittable. At 23, RHP Sean Morgan (133rd) is still in low-A because of injuries but he’s having some success as a swing man. RHP Bryan Augenstein (7th round) was a nice find and he’s already contributed at the MLB level. Ed Easley entered pro ball with the reputation of being a solid offensive catcher whose glove was just good enough to remain behind the dish. Unfortunately, he hit .250 in his pro debut and has seen his batting average drop each season.

2006 Draft Slot: 11th overall
Top Pick: Max Scherzer, RHP, University of Missouri
Best Pick: Max Scherzer
Worst Pick: Brooks Brown, RHP, University of Georgia (Supplemental first round)
Notes: With all the talent in the world, Max Scherzer was expected to be one of the first picks in the draft but he slid because A) He was hurt sporadically throughout his junior year, B) He had a violent delivery, and C) He was represented by Scott Boras. Arizona, though, certainly does not regret the pick one bit. Prospects LHP Brett Anderson (2nd round) and RHP Dallas Buck (3rd round) were used in separate trades to obtain veteran talent. RHP Brooks Brown was also used in a trade, as he was sent to Detroit to secure the rights to 2008 Rule 5 draft pick James Skelton. Brown, a sinker/slider pitcher, has had trouble striking out batters in pro ball (3.15 K/9 in 2009) but he’s always posted good ERAs, for what it’s worth.

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2009 Draft Slot: 16th and 17th overall
Draft Preference (2006-08): Pitching, college more often than prep
MLB Club Need: Starting pitching, First base
Organizational Need: First base, Second base, Third base, Left-handed pitching
Organizational Strength: Shortstop
Notes: Now this is where things always get fun…. as long as the club does not go cheap. The Diamondbacks organization has back-to-back picks, with the 17th pick of the draft coming from the Dodgers after the division rival signed veteran second baseman Orlando Hudson. The club then has three supplemental first round picks for the losses of Hudson, RHP Juan Cruz (Kansas City), and RHP Brandon Lyon (Detroit). The club also has two second-round picks – its own and the Royals’ selection as a result of the club signing Cruz. So Arizona has seven of the first 60 picks.