| By Jason A. Churchill |  | By 05-12-2011 |
We're less than four weeks away from draft day and I have to tell you, I don't know much about what's going to happen. The last two years each consisted of easy No. 1 overall picks and while this season started with a clear top two or three, things haven't worked out that way. Those are baseball odds for ya.
In this edition of Draft Weekly, we'll take a look at the draft stock of several top talents and which targets the M's are focusing on with the No. 2 pick, the No. 62 pick and toss out Mock Draft 2.0.
Jed Bradley, LHP -- Georgia Tech
Bradley's stock has fallen a bit due to a lack of an out pitch -- as I wrote today at ESPN -- but I still think he's a better prospect than Virginia's Danny Hultzen, who has the better breaking ball but has a somewhat limited upside.
Even during his "struggles" -- and I put that word in quotations because the dude is still not getting hit despite the lack of strikeouts -- Bradley is sitting 91-96 with his fastball and has thrown strikes.
After UCLA's Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer and Vanderbilt's Sonny Gray, Bradley is as good a college pitcher as there is in the class. Matt Barnes of Connecticut is a better pitcher right now, but in two years I'm not sure that's the case.
Bubba Starling, CF -- Gardner-Edgerton HS (Kansas)
Starling has impressed scouts since returning from a minor injury, but in the eyes of some he has fallen behind a few other prep players -- Dylan Bundy for one -- on the draft board.
His commitment to Nebraska doesn't help, but it seems clubs aren't all that concerned with that aspect, as he's worthy of a top 10 pick an that's exactly the kind of money that is likely to keep him from going to school.
George Springer, CF -- Connecticut
Springer started the season off as cold as the weather, but heated up right along with the temperature and has had another strong season.
"He's the same hitter he was last year," said an area scout. The bat hasn't changed him much."
That is both correct and incorrect, mostly in Springer's favor. He's making a lot more contact and has gone the other way more frequently. But he's developed some bad habits as scouted by ESPN Insider's Keith Law earlier this spring. His backside caves in -- collapses as Law describes it -- which compromises his swing, a problem known to cause issues with covering the plate and hitting for power consistently.
He's still a plus runner with a plus arm and well above-average power and if the mechanics can be cleaned up might remain the best college bat in the class. And one that may be able to handle center field, too.
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Comments
The following 60 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: rjfrik on 05-12-2011 00:55:52 I think it's interesting that three of the top for picks for you are high school players when at the begining of this year it was all about the top talent being college players. I would be happy with a high school player but it might frustrate some of the fans who were hoping for a guy who could help out sooner. Should be an interesting draft |
| 2. By: griggs on 05-12-2011 01:24:10 Jason, assuming that in your column J. Bradley means Jed Bradley, where does Jackie Bradley Jr. rate out? Seems like his stock has fallen. He was fun to watch in the college world series. |
| 3. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-12-2011 02:54:41 JBJR's stock has faded. He's hurt right now, too, and that has pushed his value down further, but he wasn't hitting before that. He's still a first-day talent, though. I wouldn't think there is any chance he gets past the comp round. rjfrik, Yes. The college guys haven't dazzled. |
| 4. By: Nats113437 on 05-12-2011 07:39:43 That's very interesting on Lindor. I love what I've seen on video and read about him. Plus he's a year younger, so may have even more upside. I wonder about Franklin though. I can't see the O's popping Bubba. I think they'll either take Bundy or talk themselves into a college pitcher. I also don't see Cleveland taking Rendon. He's going to be expensive even if he's hurt. He's a guy that could be #1 overall next year as a senior. Stilson isn't a first rounder? I would hope the Nats jump all over him at 34. Where does Purke go? I am hoping for Bundy or Bubba for the Nats, but it will be interesting to see what happens if Rendon is there for them. Rizzo has a great relationship with Boras and there may be enough trust that they'd take the risk. The idea of Harper/Rendon may be too tempting. Thanks as always for all the info. You're the best I've seen at this stuff and its really fun reading. |
| 5. By: acqb1424 on 05-12-2011 08:21:44 Wow, the news about Rendon bums me out. Jason, if he finishes strong is there a chance he gets back into the discussion for the M's or is the shoulder that much of a concern that it'll steer them away? |
| 6. By: junglist215 on 05-12-2011 08:24:59 Jason, How far do you see prep C Austin Hedges sliding because of his UCLA commit? |
| 7. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-12-2011 11:17:43 Baltimore's MO is upside and big, strong pitchers. So while I have them taking Bundy in the WWCD column, they may very well prefer Starling in that scenario because Cole would be gone and the next prototypical college arm on the board may not be worthy of that high a pick. Starling is. Stilson could fit in the first round, as could about 15-20 others. Remember, it's a super deep draft. Stilson fits best in with a team that has multiple picks and could go as high as 7 to Arizona. That pick, as is SD's No. 10 and Milwaukee's No. 15, is unprotected. As for Rendon: No, he's not a great fit at 8 for Cleveland, but not because of the Boras/money issue. They deal with Boras just fine. But they have Lonnie Chisenhall as their 3B of the future. But Rendon isn't getting $6 million or more no matter where he's picked if he's not a top two selection. And if he wants to go back in the draft as a senior next year, yes, he can be the top overall pick -- but there is a good chance he won't get significantly more money than he would at No. 8 or 10 this year with the likelihood of hard slotting next year. Wherever he gets taken, the club would have to seriously low-ball him for him not to sign. |
| 8. By: Edman on 05-12-2011 12:05:19 I guess this is why people shouldn't get too excited about speculation in December. As little as two weeks ago, it was Cole Rendon, without question. Now, the water is extremely cloudy. The downside of having a lot of talent in the draft, is that it makes decision making a lot tougher. It's kind of relative, while Seattle could get a first round talent in the second round, so will many other teams. Where I see an advantage, it the third and fourth rounds. I wouldn't want to be the one having to make the choice in the first round. Because it's so deep, if you pick wrong, you're going to be haunted by it forever. |
| 9. By: Edman on 05-12-2011 12:08:26 Jason, have you gotten any sense that the M's prepared financially for this draft? They didn't cheap out last year, but it might be a good year to put a little extra away to go after someone in the later rounds, if money makes a difference. The key to Seattle's future is its farm system. |
| 10. By: masonb on 05-12-2011 12:59:58 I know the answer is most likely no, but is there any chance that Purke is around when the Mariners pick in the second round? |
| 11. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-12-2011 13:10:04 There aren't any specific restrictions for the draft budget, but they will not draft a player they do not believe is signable, especially early on. Signability is one of the most important pieces of the equation. So if a legit talent falls into round two, money wouldn't be the reason the M's passed on him. |
| 12. By: CyFelix on 05-12-2011 13:37:12 I'm not a huge medical person, but how bad is a torn rotator cuff? Could he come back and live up to what he was before the season? Or will his power always lack. Also what's with the sudden rise of Lindor, everyone has him as a top 3 talent now when he was a top 10 before this season. |
| 13. By: Edman on 05-12-2011 14:30:49 #12, it's common for tops twenty prospects to move all over the board, prior to the draft. For the most part, it's a "what have you done lately" process. Much like baseball free agents, it's not so much about how much you did in the past, but what you've done in your contract year. |
| 14. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-12-2011 14:43:09 CyFelix, It can be bad enough to scare off a team from giving a player $6 million. As for Lindor, I'm not sure who "everyone" is but he's been top 6 for me based on talent and signability and not money. He's been working for clubs lately and let's just say he hasn't sucked. |
| 15. By: sportsguy on 05-12-2011 16:33:36 HE'S THE BEST PLAYER IN THE COUNTRY AND AS VOTED BY TEAM USA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION...THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD IN HIS AGE GROUP. ANY TEAM PICKING BELOW THE M'S IS LAYING IN WAIT HOPING THAT THEY PASS ON HIM. HE IS THE MOST COVETED PLAYER IN THIS YEAR'S DRAFT. LET'S HOPE WE GET HIM. |
| 16. By: CrustyJuggler on 05-12-2011 16:41:06 ^ Your CAPS lock key is busted. Might want to fix that. Just read Keith Law's top 100 and he mentions teams being down on Lindor. "Slipping" is the word he used, i think. He also doesn't have him as a top 10 talent. Are you and Keith really that far apart in your take on Lindor? Seems like you two are usually on the same page (or close to it). |
| 17. By: Juan Valdez on 05-12-2011 17:54:20 Can we get updated scouting reports on Lindor and Starling? Awesome post, by the way. |
| 18. By: Edman on 05-12-2011 18:06:22 #15, other than the annoying all caps thing, just who is "he"? |
| 19. By: rjfrik on 05-12-2011 18:27:50 Sportsguy, Who the hell are you talking about? Rendon? Lindor? |
| 20. By: Bat9th on 05-12-2011 18:45:14 Why should the M's draft Lindor and when the can adress another position? Franklin looks promising. |
| 21. By: baseballman on 05-12-2011 19:02:09 RE 20: Never draft for need. Never. You take what player is the best regardless of position. |
| 22. By: Bat9th on 05-12-2011 19:11:05 RE 21: Yeah but Lindor at 2? He is 17 and far from being in the majors. If they are gonna take a HS player they should take Bubba. I prefer a college player. Get the best player/closest to helping out. In this group that would be a pitcher (if Rendon is not an option for whatever reason_ |
| 23. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-12-2011 19:41:40 Yes, he was talking about Lindor. And you can't take a college player just because he's closer to helping. That is absurd. Harper isn't closer to helping Washington than 10 other players in the first round last year, but he was the best player, so they took him. Right move. If Rendon's medicals are an issue for Seattle and Cole is off the board, they shouldn't just take the next best college player. The Mariners would have never drafted Adam Jones, Griffey, A-ROD, Franklin, Walker, Littlewood, et al, if drafting college players was the way to go. You can't ignore one entire demographic. Sometimes a prep player IS the best player. If you asked the Braves, who are good at drafting, if they could take Shelby Miller two years ago instead of Mike Minor, they'd say yes. If they said no, they'd be lying. I bet the Reds would trade Mike Leake for Jake Turner or Zack Wheeler right now, too, and we're only talking two years after that draft. if Springer didn't have his own major questions marks, this might not be a discussion. But Lindor is light years better than Franklin and might only be a year behind him in their treks to the big leagues. And it just doesn't matter that it would give the M's another SS prospect, as if you can have too many of those. |
| 24. By: Edman on 05-12-2011 20:13:41 Smart teams take the best player available....period. So what if Lindor is a shortstop? Let's say that Franklin is two years ahead of Lindor to the majors. Depending on other factors, one or the other could be moved to second or third base, especially if Littlewood pans out. I can think of worse problems to have, than finding a place for those three guys. At this point, it's a long way off, and you never know what will happen. You don't worry about that. You draft the best player available, let him develop, then worry about where his position will be, when he gets to the majors. The word "Draft for need" should NEVER be discussed in the Mariner draft room. Projectable talent matters. |
| 25. By: Adam P. Boyd on 05-12-2011 20:20:00 I'm still rooting for Starling |
| 26. By: Blowgun7 on 05-12-2011 20:33:09 I like Lindor and Starling.. but to me if we don't take Rendon or Bauer, I'm going to be disappointed.. The current team is just painful to watch.. having to wait 3-4 years for our #2 pick to make an impact may just kill me.. Actually, if we don't get Rendon I'm probably gonna be depressed given how pathetic our offense has been and a total lack of impact bats set to the join the big leagues in the next couple seasons (outside of Ackley of course) |
| 27. By: Slack on 05-12-2011 20:56:20 Its not like its guaranteed that Rendon makes an impact in the near future for whoever ends up drafting him. If the M's were to take him because of a "need" to help the offense in the near future and he scuffs, then what? This is why you take the best guy available. With Rendon's shoulder problems, I'm not so sure he's the best guy on the board at #2. |
| 28. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-12-2011 21:03:33 Bauer at 2, Blowgun? Based on what, statistics? He's not the second best player in the draft. He's not even third fourth or seventh. |
| 29. By: Blowgun7 on 05-12-2011 21:09:41 I'll take the college bat with above average bat speed, swing mechanics, and patience.. I don't see how Rendon's path to the big leagues isn't 1-2 years.. I understand he has a mystery shoulder ailment, but I cant imagine it's major if he's out there every game and still having a strong season. Nothing is guaranteed, but Rendon to me still has the highest upside of any position player, and barring that shoulder having major damage, it's hard to imagine a talent of his caliber not getting to the big leagues relatively quickly. I'll take the shoulder risk (the only negative aspect of Rendon) over the natural risks that a 17 yr old HS position player presents.. it's not like Lindor or Starling are Bryce Harper, of Griffey, or Arod type talents.. they both bring their own sets of risks |
| 30. By: Blowgun7 on 05-12-2011 21:11:29 What's the knock on Bauer, Jason? You don't think the stuff will translate into big league success? Mechanics? Size? |
| 31. By: baseballman on 05-12-2011 21:19:55 I'm quickly becoming a big Lindor fan, but I still hope Rendon gets healthy and figures things out. His potential huge bat is something this team needs badly. |
| 32. By: Jerry on 05-12-2011 21:51:30 Its so hard to make calls on this without knowing more about the severity of the shoulder problem. If its a torn rotater cuff, that is a big enough risk to make guys like Starling seem pretty appealing. Plus, Rendon has now had two ankle injuries and the shoulder problem. That is a lot of injuries. Some players are just injury prone. If I were selecting him, I would be concerned about this. Or maybe its just that Rice is cursed. On the other hand, Rendon's season will be over soon, and he'll be able to rest that shoulder until August, then the off season. Without any insider information on his medicals, its really tough to say. If his injury doesn't seem bad, I would snag him in a heartbeat. But if its sketchy, why risk it? Especially with guys like Starling, Lindor, and Bundy there for the taking. I have to admit that Starling is the guy I think is appealing. From what I've read, his upside is just insane. At the #2 pick, I think his signability wouldn't be that much of an issue. |
| 33. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-12-2011 21:55:35 Here's the question on Rendon even if the shoulder checks out OK -- and it's worth noting again that if it is a rotator cuff, that isn't a labrum tear. Where is the power? |
| 34. By: Juan Valdez on 05-12-2011 23:49:57 Ackley is starting to hit down in Tacoma. 2 for 3 tonight with three BB. |
| 35. By: baseballman on 05-12-2011 23:52:44 I would think it has to be the shoulder. Looking at his stats from 09 to this year, everything basically matches up except for the HRs. His OBP is .530 this year, .539 last year. He already has a career high 66 walks in only 49 games this year. His AVG is a bit lower at .327 this year than it was the past two years .394 and .388. He's matched his career high doubles with 14. The only real difference is the HRs. He's slugging .512 this year opposed to .801 last year and .702 this year before. He hit 20 HRs his first year, 26 last year but only has 4 this year. Can you look at this year's lack of HR as an aberration if the shoulder checks out? Drafting #2 overall of all places? |
| 36. By: kevin_ess on 05-13-2011 00:25:15 Jason, I've told you this before, and I'll say it again. I'm not firm on Rendon/Cole for the top two spots. Jed Bradley is a question mark (who will get his ass kicked at the moment in AAA), but plenty of teams with good pitching coaches are going to want this guy. Tons of upside. Also, "SPORTSGUY" is MY NEW FAVORITE #1 COMMENTER AND WE SHOULD DRAFT HIM TO YOUR SITE AS A WRITER OR SOMETHING. |
| 37. By: kevin_ess on 05-13-2011 00:26:20 And don't get me started about JBJR. It hurts my heart. Go Cocks. |
| 38. By: sportsguy on 05-13-2011 07:44:07 Crusty, Of course I'm talking about Lindor. Also, read Law's comments in the "more" section. He has Lindor at 2 & 5. Read the fine print. Don't forget this is also the time of year when the clubs shovel their propaganda so the player they covet can somehow slip to them. Lindor at SS and Franklin at 2B would be a championship combination. Baseball is whacky, in the NFL Rendon wouldn't even be a 1st round pick. When you pick #2 you are looking for a "game changer", "franchise QB". A guy (Rendon) with 2 ankle surgeries and a torn rotator cuff is not either of those. However, a SS with Lindor's talent is! And I hear his make-up and leadership is of the extra worldly kind. I don't know about you but I think we could use about 8 more just like him. Great talent that actually loves the game and plays full tilt every day, um, yes, I'll have what he's having! |
| 39. By: on 05-13-2011 08:21:08 Do you really think Lindor outstrips Franklin on the offensive side of the ball at any point? I love that he looks to be a defensive whiz but at 5-11, 170 I wonder about his long term potential with the bat. Just not excited about a potential an all-glove, no-bat player by the time he makes the bigs. |
| 40. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-13-2011 09:38:56 I am certain of only one thing. Jack Zduriencik and Tom McNamara aren't going into this #2 pick, willy-nilly. Whoever they pick, I'm going to be satisfied that the case was strongest for that player. In my heart of hearts, I was hoping for Rendon. And hey, it may still happen. I want to win as bad as ANYONE, as fast as anyone. But if a prep player is the right call, then so be it. We need more talent in this organization. I think everybody here can agree on that. And selecting a college player strictly on grounds that he'll be up to the bigs faster (presumably) and NOT on talent...well, that's what got us Josh Fields from Bavasi, I have to admit. The more I see of Lindor, the more I think maybe HE should be the #2 pick. Or if he's gone and taken by Pittsburgh, then I'll certainly shed no tears over Gerrit Cole being selected. Lindor, Cole, Rendon, Starling, et al. Just get us the very best player we can get, Jack. |
| 41. By: sportsguy on 05-13-2011 09:44:10 LOL, Obviously you never saw Lindor swing the bat. He won the HR derby at Petco Park last summer as a 16 yr old by routinely putting balls on the second deck. I heard he hit HR's RH and LH in the same game this year and hit about .600. This isn't about any other player in our system. This is about getting the best player this year. His offensive tools are just as good if not better than his defense and he's a 60 runner.5 tool player. |
| 42. By: masonb on 05-13-2011 10:18:57 Jason, What are some of Lindor's player comps? I've heard anything from Alfonso Soriano to Jose Reyes to Omar Vizquel. That's a pretty big range. In your opinion what player could he turn out to be like? |
| 43. By: CrustyJuggler on 05-13-2011 10:37:17 #41-- Then why does Keith Law have Lindor ranked outside of the top 10 in his most recent draft rankings? I have to think that if Lindor was a plus glove at SS AND a plus bat, he would be the consensus #1 pick by every talent evaluator on the planet. Why isn't that so if he is such a monster with the bat? |
| 44. By: dawgncarolina on 05-13-2011 10:47:54 Because sportsguy is drinking some major, MAJOR kool aid |
| 45. By: myself on 05-13-2011 11:11:33 Hi. New on block.Maybe Law don't like 17's to be in the mix. |
| 46. By: Jerry on 05-13-2011 11:27:51 Can we please stop talking about what positions these guys play, and how that relates to organizational strengths? Position matters, in the case that if all else is equal (like offense), a guy who plays a premium position is a better bet. But the M's need to be looking for the guy who has best talent, period. Having talent at SS would be great, but if Lindor projects to be a plus hitter at SS (maybe Jose Reyes-type numbers) and Bubba Starling projects to be a Mike Trout type player (I remember Keith Law throwing out a Josh Hamilton comp), then you take Starling. Likewise, if Rendon could end up being a similar player to Evan Longoria, you take him, as that type of hitter, with plus defense at 3B, is a very rare commodity. Its convenient that Rendon happens to play a position that is a bit of a weak spot for the organization. But thats just a nice coincidence. If the club is scared away by his medicals, then they need to pick the guy who could turn into a star. Even if that player happens to be a high school kid who plays the same position as some good prospects currently in the system. |
| 47. By: CrustyJuggler on 05-13-2011 11:33:15 Personally, if the Ms are going to take a chance on a prep kid at #2, I hope it's Starling. Law comps Starling as a faster version of Josh Hamilton with a less developed bat at the same stage. THATS worth taking a gamble on, imo. I won't be pissed if we end up with Lindor since the Mariners obviously know more than all of us but I think I would be happier, based on reports, with one of Cole, Rendon or Starling. Cole is a potential #1 with a 98mph fastball and super changeup. Rendon is a potential #3 hitter with an above avg glove and arm at 3B. And Starling is the freak athlete, 5 tool CFer. I haven't heard anything near as praising concerning Lindor. 'Great glove with a potentially good bat with gap power' isn't something I can get excited about with the #2 pick. |
| 48. By: Adam T on 05-13-2011 11:52:44 Jason, is there a difference of opinion between you and Keith Law on Lindor, and if so, why? I see Law had Lindor all the way down to 12 in his Top 100 list. Seems a bit low, even if we might be splitting hairs a bit... |
| 49. By: rjfrik on 05-13-2011 11:58:05 I have read that Lindor is turning some major heads in his private workouts that he's had with a few teams. I don't think it's all smoke. I think along with his stellar season, play in international ball and now his workouts, he very much is in the mix for the M's. We have to draft the best player available period. We cannot swing and miss on our high draft picks. We just can't. Look what taking the best player available with high draft picks has done for this team since 05. Alex Gordon Luke Hochevar Mike Moustakas Eric Hosmer Aaron Crow Cristian Colon The Royals had high picks for the last 6 years, many times in the top 3 and they took the best player available and completely retooled their team. Gordon is having a breakout year and clearly has figured it out so far, Hochevar keeps developing and looks like he will become a top of the rotation starter, Moose is the heir apparent at third base and is by far their best player still left in the minors and should be up by middle/end of the year for good, Hosmer is the best young bat to come out of the minors in a long time in my opinion and will soon be recognized as one of the best hitters in the bigs, Crow is a shutdown guy out of the pen with absolutely nasty stuff and Colon they just drafted last year. This is the kind of infusion of talent we can only hope happens to our club and the only way to do that is to draft the best guy available regardless of position. If Bavasi had this philosophy then our team would be in a lot better shape. He failed in all four years of drafting from 05-08. 05 he drafted for need (C position), could of had Zimmerman, Tulo, Braun, Romero, Maybin, McCutcheon, Bruce 06 he drafted for need (who could help the quickest), could of had Kershaw, Stubbs, Lincecum 07 he finally drafted who he thought was the best guy available but his board was fucked as no other clubs had Aumonte that high due to injury concerns, could of had Hayward, Dominguez or Mills 08 he drafted for need (who could help the quickest), could of had Friedrich, Chisenhall, Perry or Kelly This is why you take the best player available and not draft for need. If you swing and miss because your draft board is off (Aumonte) so be it but I would rather strike out 1 out of the 4 years from above rather then all four. |
| 50. By: Edman on 05-13-2011 12:48:36 rjfrik, not many hear disagree, but I have a couple of issues with your comments. You truly are the Ghost of Drafts Past. Fine, we get it. But, what I have a problem with is your simplistic view of events. It does appear that the M's drafted for need, in 05 and 06. But to call selecting Aumonte a failure because "no other clubs had Aumonte that high due to injury" is a HUGE step, unless you can back your words with facts. You're guessing. And, you're highly biased, since ever since, you've gone on how you were right about Hayward. You haven't liked that draft because of that. Here's a clue. You can play the "could have" game until you're blue in the face. Fact is, sure things are nearly as apparent as you make them seem. If it was, drafting would be so easy they could hire High School graduates to do it. Get over the past and move on. You could have simply stated your last paragraph and covered it all. But, you wish to imply that somehow, drafting is easy. As Jason would say...."It's just not." |
| 51. By: Edman on 05-13-2011 12:50:13 aren't nearly as apparent......sorry for the typo |
| 52. By: Mr. Stranex on 05-13-2011 13:38:02 Apologies for getting off topic but I noticed the mysterious Luis Antonio Jimenez got moved up to Tacoma. Does anyone know anything about him? Any chance he could be an interesting semi-replacement for Jack Cust once he goes two complete months without a home run? Or do we look at him as an older version of Peguero that we don't expect anything from? |
| 53. By: dawgncarolina on 05-13-2011 14:51:36 I have no problem with Lindor. If the M's decide he's the guy, I will trust that he is in fact the guy. When our scouts are given the ability to pick the best guy regardless of his price tag I'm pretty confident in their ability to do that. I do, however, think comments like this are ridiculous: "HE'S THE BEST PLAYER IN THE COUNTRY AND AS VOTED BY TEAM USA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION...THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD IN HIS AGE GROUP. ANY TEAM PICKING BELOW THE M'S IS LAYING IN WAIT HOPING THAT THEY PASS ON HIM. HE IS THE MOST COVETED PLAYER IN THIS YEAR'S DRAFT. LET'S HOPE WE GET HIM." Those are so ginormous claims (particularly that everyone behind the M's is hoping we pass and that he's the most coveted player in the draft) that need a whole lot more documentation before I accept them as fact. Do some teams love Lindor? I'm sure. Are there a handful that want him over anyone in the draft? Perhaps. Is he the most coveted player in the draft? I find that highly unlikely. I'm not too concerned about who we pick because our guys know what they're doing. Honestly, I'm much more intrigued by the later rounds in this draft than I am the first pick. |
| 54. By: Edman on 05-13-2011 15:14:01 Agreed dawg. Rounds 2-10 are far more interesting to me. |
| 55. By: dawgncarolina on 05-13-2011 16:06:10 The latest Baseball America mock draft has Lindor at #11. If he was clearly the most coveted player in the draft I'm pretty sure they would have somehow gotten wind of it. Not saying he'll go that low, or that there's not teams that love him. Just saying the hype from a certain caps loving poster is far beyond reality. |
| 56. By: sportsguy on 05-13-2011 18:58:45 perception is reality (all lower case). T-Mac knows what he's doing. |
| 57. By: Talkbaseball on 05-13-2011 20:54:56 I think I will be happy with Starling, Lindor, Rendon or Bauer....as long as we do not end up with Cole, who is getting shelled again. It is always very disconcerting when a guy with alleged top shelf stuff can not get it done as it appears more of a mental thing which is much more difficult to change. He does not appear to be a gamer and has not thrown a good game in months. |
| 58. By: 36148 on 05-14-2011 21:11:20 Just got back from watching Blake Snell pitch in the Wesco 3A Finals. 5.1 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs. appprox 8 K's. He struck out the first 4 guys. 91 consistently on the gun. 95 topped. (I sat amidst the scouts with all their guns cocked. ) He had a nasty 70 mph curve that buckled knees. He physically reminds me of Cliff Lee. Tall and thin with easy motion and a strike machine. Most scouts left early. The Phillies scout I talked to was very nice. He stayed the longest. If he makes it out of the first round, it wouldn't bother me if the M's took him with their #2. |
| 59. By: 36148 on 05-14-2011 21:14:57 OOps. 4.1 innings. They won 18-0 and 10-runned them in 5 innings. He left w/ 2 outs to go. Effortless. He also hit a double high up off the Everett Memorial Stadium scoreboard wall. |
| 60. By: CrustyJuggler on 05-15-2011 13:22:42 re:57 I really am starting to sour on Cole as well. His last start was pretty bad. Got hit around, wasn't missing bats and didn't even induce many groundballs. Disconcerting is the word. I think my preference would be Rendon and Starling. I like Bauer simply because he looks like a Lincecum clone. Body-type, stuff and collegiate results. I don't think I would be put out with a Bauer selection at this point. Just read Law's writeup on Bauer and it sounds exactly like the critique Lincecum had when coming out. I'm curious how precisely Lincecum and Bauer compare at the same time in their collegiate careers. I know Lincecum was clocked as high as 97mph (same with Bauer) and both had/have electric curveballs. Wonder if whoever drafts Bauer is going to get him developing the same type of changeup that vaulted Lincecum to super stardom? So I guess that's my top-3 wishlist right now for the #2 pick. Rendon, Starling then Bauer. |
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