Reviewing the 2007 Draft: AL Second Round

For the next two weeks, in honor of the upcoming MLB Amateur Draft on June 5-6, I will be devoting my posts to a review of the 2007 draft. Last week I looked at the National League’s first three rounds (plus the supplemental first round). Today, let’s take a look at how some of the key American League second round picks are faring in their first full season in professional baseball.

Will Kline (Tampa Bay) had an inconsistent debut after signing out of college and learned in the off-season that he needed labrum surgery. He should return in 2009. Grant Desme (Oakland) has yet to appear in the minor leagues this season. Matt West (Texas), Nevin Griffith (Chicago) and Daniel Rams (Minnesota) are currently in extended spring training.

Sam Runion (Kansas City) remained in extended spring training until the middle of May and was then assigned to the Midwest League. So far in 21.2 innings he has allowed 25 hits and five walks. He has an ERA of 4.57 and has struck out only three batters.

Denny Almonte (Seattle) spent some time early on this year in extended spring training. Since his activation, he has hit .213/.246/.344 in 61 at-bats in the Midwest League. He has two homers, two stolen bases and has walked 3.3 percent of the time, while striking out 43.1 percent.

First baseman Hunter Morris (Boston) spent the baseball season playing for Auburn University and attending class wearing a variety of MLB baseball team hats, including the Chicago White Sox.

John Tolisano (Toronto) led the Gulf Coast League in homers last season as a prep second baseman. This year, he has only one homer in a league where it is tough to hit the long ball. However, he has a line of .274/.350/.405 with 10 doubles and six triples in 190 at-bats. He has walked eight percent of the time and struck out at a rate of 20.4 percent.

Eric Eiland (Toronto) began the year in extended spring training and recently joined the Jays affiliate in the Midwest League. He is hitting .259/.379/.389 with four stolen bases in 54 at-bats. He has walked 16.1 percent of the time, while striking out at a rate of 30.8 percent.

Josh Horton (Oakland) is currently hitting .298/.400/.369 in 198 High-A ball at-bats. The middle infielder has yet to hit a homer or successfully steal a base. He has walked 14.1 percent of the time and struck out at a rate of 18.5 percent.

Danny Worth (Detroit) is currently in Double-A and is hitting .251/.326/.402 with four homers and seven stolen bases in 199 at-bats. He has walked 9.2 percent of the time, while striking out 21.3 percent.

Austin Romine (New York) is in A-ball hitting .278/.317/.371 with one stolen base in 97 at-bats. The 19-year-old catcher has walked four percent of the time and struck out at a rate of 16.7 percent.

Tomorrow, Draft Day 2008, I will wrap up this mini-series with a look at the American League’s third round selections from the 2007 draft.