Archive for MLB 2009 draft

2008 Draft Slot: 15th overall
Top Pick: Ethan Martin, RHP, Georgia high school
Best Pick: Ethan Martin
Keep an Eye On: Devaris Gordon, SS, Florida community college (4th round)
Notes: The club nabbed a number of interesting names outside of the first round including RHP Josh Lindblom (2nd), OF Kyle Russell (3rd), Tom Gordon’s son SS Devaris Gordon (4th), IF Tony Delmonico (6th) and LHP Cole St. Clair (7th). Lindblom is already in double-A despite a slow start to the season. Russell has some mammoth raw power but he strikes out a lot (more than 30% in pro ball). He’s maintained a good average so far thanks to very high (and unsustainable) BABIP rates. Gordon has a career .300 average and has already stolen 29 bases so far this season in low-A ball. He’s not showing enough patience at the plate, but his ceiling is looking higher than many thought it would be. Delmonico is hitting well in pro ball, but his development has been slowed with a move behind the plate. At one point, St. Clair was a potential No. 1 draft pick but he’s a pitcher that attended Rice University… In other words, he’s hurt a lot. Martin is struggling with his control in low-A ball, but he’s putting up some nice numbers for a recent pick that was a two-way player in high school.

2007 Draft Slot: 20th overall
Top Pick: Chris Withrow, RHP, Texas high school
Best Pick: Andrew Lambo, OF/1B, California high school (4th round)
Worst Pick: James Adkins, LHP, University of Tennessee (Supplemental first round)
Notes: There were some concerns with Andrew Lambo’s makeup, but his bat has done most of his talking in pro ball and the outfielder is already in double-A at the age of 20. RHP Kyle Blair slipped in the draft due to signability and he went to the University of San Diego, where he’s developing nicely and could be a 2010 first round pick if the upward trend continues. Chris Withrow has been slowed by some injuries, as well as some control issues. James Adkins has been a disappointment to this point due mostly to too many hits allowed (9.9 H/9 in his pro career) and too few strikeouts (4.31 K/9 in 2009 at double-A).

2006 Draft Slot: 7th overall
Top Pick: Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Texas high school
Best Pick: Clayton Kershaw
Worst Pick: Preston Mattingly, SS, Indiana high school (Supplemental first round)
Notes: It’s hard to argue with Clayton Kershaw being the best Dodger pick in this draft. The high school draftee is already taking a regular turn in the club’s rotation. The organization’s second first-round pick, Bryan Morris, was sent to Boston for Manny Ramirez. After two lackluster low-A seasons, Preston Mattingly (Supplemental first round) is showing some signs of life in high-A. He is, though, not walking enough (2.8 BB%) and striking out too much (35 K%). He might develop into a utility player. The Dodgers’ activity in the free agent market led to the loss of the club’s second and third round selections. Unsigned 14th round pick RHP Alex White (North Carolina high school) could be a first rounder in 2009.

2009 Draft Slot: 36th overall
Draft Preference (2006-08): Prep players, often pitchers
MLB Club Need: Relief pitching
Organizational Need: Left-handed pitching, Left field, Second base
Organizational Strength: Shortstop, Third base
Notes: The Dodgers organization gave up its first round pick to the Arizona Diamondbacks for signing free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. The club probably does not regret the decision one bit. The Dodgers picked up a supplemental first round pick (36th overall) for losing Derek Lowe to Atlanta. The organization also has two picks in the second round – its original selection (65th), plus the Braves’ second round pick (56th) for the Lowe signing). The organization loves to grab prep players – especially pitchers.

2008 Draft Slot: 7th overall
Top Pick: Yonder Alonso, 1B, University of Miami
Best Pick: Yonder Alonso
Keep an Eye On: Zach Stewart, RHP, Texas Tech (3rd round)
Notes: Zach Stewart is absolutely flying through the minors even though he’s been moved into the starting rotation. He began the year in high-A and has now made two starts in double-A – and has yet to allow a run at that level. Stewart was a little too hittable in high-A, but he throws an excellent sinker, and should benefit more as the defenses behind him improve (as he moves to higher levels). Stewart has also shown exceptional control by walking fewer than two batters per nine innings in nine starts. Yonder Alonso is having a solid, albeit not-so-flashy, season in high-A. He’s showing a good eye at the plate, he’s batting for a solid average and he’s showing some power. Alonso, though, has yet to quiet concerns that he cannot hit southpaws.

2007 Draft Slot: 15th overall
Top Pick: Devin Mesoraco, C, Pennsylvania high school
Best Pick: Todd Frazier, OF, Rutgers University (Supplemental 1st round)
Worst Pick: Devin Mesoraco
Notes: Devin Mesoraco showed a ton of improvement in his senior year of high school and was the fastest moving draft prospect right before the draft. It looks like scouts got a little ahead of themselves and Mesoraco was simply having a hot stretch. Only 20, though, he has plenty of time to turn things around. Despite not walking much, Todd Frazier is having a good season in double-A as he adjusts to life as an outfielder. Neftali Soto (3rd round) is finding high-A to be a challenge, especially with his aggressive approach at the plate, but don’t forget about him.

2006 Draft Slot: 8th overall
Top Pick: Drew Stubbs, OF, University of Texas
Best Pick: Drew Stubbs
Worst Pick: Sean Watson, RHP, University of Tennessee (2nd round)
Notes: When you take a college player with the eighth-overall pick, you’d hope he’d be in the Majors within two seasons. Drew Stubbs, though, is still in the minors and no one is really that surprised. He was a very toolsy and athletic, but raw, collegian and the Reds knew that when the organization selected him. Stubbs is playing well in triple-A, so his arrival in Cincinnati is not far off. Outfielder Chris Heisey was a nice find in the 17th round. He’s hitting .360 in double-A and has shown improved power development throughout his minor league career.

2009 Draft Slot: 8th overall
Draft Preference (2006-08): College, but will not shy away from good prep prospects
MLB Club Need: Starting pitching, Outfield, Shortstop
Organizational Need: Left-handed pitching, Right field, Left field, Second base
Organizational Strength: Center field, Third base
Notes: The Reds have a nice spot to pick in the first round and should be able to nab a very talented pitcher – either college or prep. The club also has an extra selection in the supplemental first round. With the 2007 selection of prep catcher Devin Mesoraco (15th overall) not looking so good (.180/.281/.311 in high-A), maybe the club will look for another catcher-of-the-future, with some of the many young backstops available.

2008 Draft Slot: 74th overall (Second round)
Top Pick: Tyler Chatwood, RHP, California high school
Best Pick: Tyler Chatwood
Keep an Eye On: Michael Kohn, RHP, College of Charleston (13th round)
Notes: Michael Kohn has posted excellent pro numbers as a reliever and he has the stuff to succeed: A mid-90s fastball and potentially plus breaking ball. He’s allowed just seven hits and five walks in 17.1 innings so far this season in low A-ball. Tyler Chatwood has actually posted solid numbers even though he has no idea where the ball is going (2.85 ERA, 7.80 BB/9). Just imagine what he could do with some polish.

2007 Draft Slot: 58th overall (Supplemental first round)
Top Pick: Jonathan Bachanov, RHP, Florida high school
Best Pick: Trevor Reckling, LHP, New Jersey (Eighth round)
Worst Pick: Trevor Pippin, OF, Georgia junior college (Fourth round)
Notes: Prep right-hander Matt Harvey, considered a first-round talent who would be a difficult signing, fell to the Angels in the third round and would have been a great player to have. But he headed to the University of North Carolina instead. Top pick Jonathan Bachanov had Tommy John surgery and has yet to make an official pro appearance. Trevor Reckling has become the top pitcher in the system. The soon-to-be 20-year-old hurler is already dominating in double-A.

2006 Draft Slot: 25th overall
Top Pick: Hank Conger, C, California high school
Best Pick: Jordan Walden, RHP, Texas high school (12th round)
Worst Pick: Clay Fuller, OF, Texas high school (Fourth round)
Notes: With no second-round pick and unable to come to terms with its third-round pick, the Angels chose a raw prep outfielder in Clay Fuller and appear to have missed on him. He strikes out way too much and is hitting .220 while playing at high-A ball in his fourth pro season. If he can stay behind the plate (a big IF), Hank Conger could provide above-average offense for the position. The Angels were extremely lucky to find a pitcher of Jordan Walden’s caliber in the 12th round, although he is currently injured.

2009 Draft Slot: 24th overall
Draft Preference (2006-08): Prep hitters and pitchers
MLB Club Need: Starting pitching, Third base, First base
Organizational Need: Outfield, Third base, Second base, Left-handed pitching
Organizational Strength: Shortstop? Maybe catcher??
Notes: The amateur draft has not been an area of strength in recent years for the organization. The club has thumbed its nose at the draft while preferring to build a winning organization through free agency and trades. The club, though, is running out of tradable commodities. Despite losing its 2009 first round pick (32nd overall) for signing reliever Brian Fuentes, the club actually gained two higher picks (24th, 25th) after losing free agents RHP Francisco Rodriguez and 1B Mark Teixeira. The club also has three supplemental first round picks, so now is the time to rebuild the farm system.

2008 Draft Slot: 14th overall
Top Pick: Aaron Hicks, OF, California high school
Best Pick: Aaron Hicks
Keep an Eye On: Tyler Ladendorf, SS, Texas junior college (second round)
Notes: Tyler Ladendorf was drafted with the reputation of being an offensive-minded player who might not stick at shortstop. The 21 year old, though, struggled in his first taste of pro ball and is currently working in extended spring training. He’s someone to keep an eye on when short-season ball begins in June. Aaron Hicks surprised just about everyone when he hit .318 last season after signing, because he was supposed to be more raw offensively. The 28 walks in 178 at-bats (13.9 BB%) were also a nice bonus.

2007 Draft Slot: 28th overall
Top Pick: Ben Revere, OF, Kentucky high school
Best Pick: Ben Revere
Worst Pick: Danny Rams, C/1B, Florida high school
Notes: The 71 strikeouts in 149 at-bats last season in his second year in rookie ball do not bode well for Danny Rams’ future. Ben Revere was yet another smart first-round pick by the Twins… He has shown a lot more polish than expected and the consistent ability to hit .300 has been a surprise. At 5’9” Revere is not going to hit for power so he needs to keep playing ‘small ball.’ Puerto Rican outfielder Angel Morales is another toolsy pick with massive power potential but huge strikeout totals.

2006 Draft Slot: 20th overall
Top Pick: Chris Parmalee, OF/1B, California high school
Best Pick: Danny Valencia, 3B, University of Miami (19th round)
Worst Pick: Garrett Olson, 3B, Franklin Pierce College (Fourth round)
Notes: This was the last of a string of disappointing first-round draft picks (three out of four years from 2003-06, minus Matt Garza in ’05) by the Twins. Chris Parmalee has struggled to hit more than .240 in the past three seasons. He’s only 21, though, so he has time to improve. Danny Valencia, whose contract demands caused him to slip a bit in the draft, has exceeded expectations with a .303 pro average.

2009 Draft Slot: 22nd overall
Draft Preference (2006-08): High school athletes, college pitchers
MLB Club Need: Shortstop, Second base, Third base
Organizational Need: First base, Second base, Shortstop
Organizational Strength: Right-handed pitchers, Outfield
Notes: If there is one thing we can say for certain, it’s that the Twins organization loves to draft raw, toolsy, prep players. There is no reason to expect this to change. The club is also very smart when it comes to drafting ‘second-tier’ college pitchers who end up having a fair bit of success in pro ball. The Twins get a supplemental first round pick after losing reliever Dennys Reyes to free agency.

2008 Draft Slot: Third overall
Top Pick: Eric Hosmer, 1B, Florida high school
Best Pick: Eric Hosmer
Keep an Eye On: Tim Melville, RHP, Missouri high school (Fourth round)
Notes: Tim Melville has yet to appear in a pro game but the fourth-round pick from last year had first-round talent and teams were scared off by his murky signability. The Royals organization spent a lot of money on this draft and it could end up with a lot to show for it, as supplemental first round pick Mike Montgomery had a dazzling debut in 2008 but the team is being cautious with the prep pick and he will open 2009 in short-season ball. First baseman Eric Hosmer has had a bit of a slow start this season but he should be an absolute offensive beast.

2007 Draft Slot: Second overall
Top Pick: Mike Moustakas, SS/3B, California high school
Best Pick: Mike Moustakas
Worst Pick: Sam Runion, RHP, North Carolina high school (Second round)
Notes: Sam Runion, now in his third season, has a career 5.38 ERA, and his FIP is not much better. Fellow prep pick Dan Duffy, selected in the third round, has a chance to make up for that pick, though. Mike Moustakas looks like a solid choice with the second overall pick, although Matt Wieters (Fifth overall, Baltimore) and Madison Bumgarner (10th, San Francisco) look pretty good too, in retrospect.

2006 Draft Slot: First overall
Top Pick: Luke Hochevar, RHP, Independent baseball
Best Pick: Luke Hochevar
Worst Pick: Jason Taylor, IF, Virginia high school (second round)
Notes: Jason Taylor has been a frustrating pick. Even though he has flashed some real talent, the former second-round pick missed all of 2007 for disciplinary reasons and he has yet to appear in a game this season. Luke Hochevar has made it to the Majors, but he certainly hasn’t been the staff ace that you would be hoping for from a No. 1 overall selection.

2009 Draft Slot: 12th overall
Draft Preference (2006-08): Best overall player, and the club has invested heavily in prep players the last two years.
MLB Club Need: Pitching, Shortstop, Third base, Catcher
Organizational Need: Corner outfield, Shortstop, Left-handed pitching
Organizational Strength: Right-handed pitching, Center field, First base
Notes: For the first time in quite a few years, the Royals organization will not have one of the top five picks, so it will be interesting to see what approach is taken – and how good of a pick the club can make.

2008 Draft Slot: 30th overall
Top Pick: Casey Kelly, RHP/SS, Florida high school
Best Pick: Casey Kelly
Keep an Eye On: Derrick Gibson, SS, Delaware high school
Notes: Based on pure potential and athleticism, the Red Sox had a massively-successful draft. With that said, most of the players are young and extremely raw, like Derrick Gibson, Casey Kelly, Pete Hissey, and Ryan Westmoreland. The club did a nice job of balancing that out with college picks like Bryan Price.

2007 Draft Slot: 55th overall (supplemental first round)
Top Pick: Nick Hagadone, LHP, Washington U
Best Pick: Nick Hagadone
Worst Pick: Chris Province, RHP, Southeastern Louisiana (4th round)
Notes: It’s a little crazy that Nick Hagadone is still the top pick from the draft considering the time he missed due to Tommy John surgery. The other players drafted, though, have been slow to develop. Don’t be surprised if the best player from this draft ends up being first baseman Anthony Rizzo. This draft would have been even stronger at the time if the organization had been able to sway top prep players like catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitcher Nick Tepesch to sign, both of whom were considered second-round talents but were drafted after the 25th round due to signability concerns.

2006 Draft Slot: 27th overall
Top Pick: Jason Place, OF, South Carolina high school
Best Pick: Justin Masterson, RHP, San Diego State (2nd round)
Worst Pick: Kris Johnson, LHP, Wichita State (supplemental 1st round)
Notes: Kris Johnson’s stuff has not been the same in pro ball thanks to injuries. Justin Masterson has definitely been the best player so far, but Daniel Bard could have something to say about that before too long. Some kid named Matt LaPorta failed to come to terms after being selected in the 14th round.

2009 Draft Slot: 28th overall
Draft Preference (2006-08): Best available player
MLB Club Need: Catching, third base, shortstop
Organizational Need: Left-handed pitching, Second base, Left field
Organizational Strength: Shortstop, Right-handed pitching, First base
Notes: With a history of picking at the end of the draft, Boston will no doubt take the best player available, which could very well be a Top 10-15 player, in terms of talent, who slid due to signability concerns. The club can also have the satisfaction of choosing one pick before the rival New York Yankees. Unlike in recent years, Boston does not have a bunch of supplementary picks so it will have to make the most of its selections, which is not a concern for the well-run, smart organization.