Reviewing the 2007 Draft: NL First 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. Today, let’s take a look at how some of the key National League first rounders are faring in their first full season in professional baseball.

Josh Vitters (Chicago NL) has been injured and has only played in four games so far this season at the A-ball level. Fellow prep third baseman Matt Dominguez (Florida) had a late start to the season after beginning in extended spring training. He has appeared in only five games.

Pittsburgh fans were disappointed with the club’s selection of college reliever Daniel Moskos. The lefty has been shifted to the starting rotation but his numbers have been nothing special in High-A ball: 4.89 ERA in 42.1 innings with 41 hits. He has rates of 5.95 K/9 and 2.13 BB/9.

Matt LaPorta (Milwaukee) was the surprise pick of the early going in the 2007 draft. The Brewers could not turn down the opportunity to draft his powerful bat, even though they already had Prince Fielder at first base. LaPorta has been shifted to the outfield where it is a stretch to call him an even average fielder. However, he has done nothing but hit and could see the majors by the end of the year. In Double-A this season, the 23-year-old has hit .293/.402/.602 with 13 homers in 181 at-bats. He has walked 13.2 percent of the time and struck out 17.5 percent.

High school shortstop Peter Kozma (St. Louis) was supposed to possess an advanced bat for a prep player and he has done nothing to change that view. In A-ball this season, Kozma is hitting .280/.356/.409 with three homers in 164 at-bats. He has walked 10.6 percent of the time and struck out 20.6 percent.

Outfielder Jason Heyward (Atlanta) is another high school player that has been outstanding so far this season. He has a line of .330/.368/.495 with six homers in 194 at-bats. Heyward has walked 6.9 percent of the time and struck out 18.1 percent. The left-handed batter is also hitting .388 against southpaws.

Like Detroit’s Rick Porcello, prep pitcher Tim Alderson (San Francisco) skipped A-ball and made his full-season debut at High-A ball. He has an ERA of 3.68 in 51.1 innings. He has rates of 6.84 K/9 and 3.51 BB/9.

San Diego’s first round pick Nick Schmidt pitched in just three games before injuring his elbow and requiring Tommy John surgery. He should be ready to pitch again in 2009.

So far so good for the National League, as the above players represent a very impressive haul for the 2007 first round.