Reviewing the 2007 Draft: AL Supplemental

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 supplemental first round picks are faring in their first full season in professional baseball.

Outfielder Julio Borbon (Texas) was given a major league contract by the Rangers when he was signed and has shown that he has advanced skills. Currently playing at High-A ball, he is hitting .323/.369/.419 with one homer and 22 stolen bases in 198 at-bats. The left-handed batter is also hitting southpaws at a .375 clip. Borbon has walked 5.5 percent of the time and has struck out at a rate of 10.1 percent.

Brett Cecil (Toronto) has been on an even faster track than Borbon. Converted to a starter after being a college reliever, Cecil has thrived, although he has been slowed by shoulder soreness. The lefty is currently at Double-A, after beginning the season in High-A ball where he posted an ERA of 1.74 in 10.1 innings with two walks and 11 strikeouts. At Double-A, he has a 4.63 ERA with 22 hits allowed in 23.1 innings. He has struck out 23 and walked 10.

Sean Doolittle (Oakland) has one of the most surprising bats from the 2007 draft. Everyone knew he could hit, but there were serious questions about the first baseman’s power potential. Those questions have been quieted for now, as Doolittle is at High-A ball hitting .332/.420/.625 with 14 homers in 208 at-bats. He has walked 14.3 percent of the time and struck out at a rate of 27.6 percent.

Shortstop Justin Jackson (Toronto) has come back to earth after a scorching April. The raw prep infielder oozes tools but his offensive game still needs polish and he is currently hitting .250/.382/.396 in 164 A-ball at-bats. He has stolen eight bases in 12 tries and is playing excellent defence. He has walked an impressive 15.9 percent of time, but his strikeouts are too high at 33.3 percent.

Matt Mangini (Seattle) was just promoted to Double-A despite average numbers in the California League. He was hitting .265/.376/.431 with six homers in 181 at-bats, certainly not eye-popping numbers for a corner infielder. He has walked 11.3 percent of the time and posted a strikeout rate of 28.7 percent.

Corey Brown (Oakland) has been as advertised as a raw college outfielder with tremendous power and high strikeout rates. Playing at A-ball, Brown has a line of .267/.363/.476 with eight homers in 191 at-bats. He has walked 11.9 percent of the time and has struck out at a rate of 34.6 percent.

Infielder Ryan Dent (Boston) is currently playing in extended spring training and should open the short season in Lowell when play begins in June after the draft. Lefty Nick Hagadone has been shutdown thanks to Tommy John surgery.