2007 Draft Class

[Mephistopheles]

http://www.850thebuzz.com/blog/?p=1775

 

Apparently Andrew Brackman has decided on sticking to baseball only. And if the Cubs want him, he is their's. His agent will be Scott Boras.

 

Notes on Brackman

 

- 93-95 FB topping out at 98-99. Sneak fast because of next:

- Massive 6'10" frame (BA lists him at 7ft!)

- splitter that should develop into plus pitch

- tight hard slider that's very good

- good repetition of delivery for a tall guy

Guys with that wingspan and length out front, that 99 looks like about 105 from his release point. He can just overpower you with that fastball alone.

The Cape's biggest standout is two-sport star Andrew Brackman' date=' a 6-foot-10 right-hander. . . . If he shows he's committed to baseball, however, he's the leading contender to be the top college player selected, with a good shot to be the top overall selection. His mechanics are surprisingly simple and consistent for such a tall pitcher. He has a plus fastball (91-97 mph) and good command, pitching to both sides of the plate. He also has an above-average curve with a hard two-plane break, and he can work with just these two pitches, changing speeds on his fastball as needed, although he flashed a changeup during warmups.[/quote']

 

For listing sakes:

 

Scott Boras Clients:

Andrew Brackman, RHP - NCSU

Justin Jackson, SS - TC Roberson HS (Va)

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd love to draft Brackman, though part of me would like a polished hitter.

[Outshined_One]

I worry about health and conditioning with really large guys like that. Even if he has a strong frame which can hold up over a season, things such as weight can become an issues (see: Sisco, Andy).

 

Still, if the scouting report on him is legit, he fits the bill of freakishly tall pitchers this organization loves so much...

[Guest]

It would be really interesting to see a rotation with Samardzija and Brackman, though.

[Mephistopheles]

Whether the Cubs pick first or third, they should get some payback from the horrible season, most likely in the form of young pitching.

 

Vanderbilt left-hander David Price, star of the Team USA group that beat Cuba in Havana, is a front-runner to be the No. 1 pick next June. Others in the discussion are Georgia Tech's Matt Wieters, a switch-hitting catcher with power who also throws 95 m.p.h. and can pitch, and North Carolina State right-hander Andrew Brackman, a 6-10 pitching skyscraper.

 

The top high school players are expected to be pitchers Michael Maine (Deland, Fla.) and Matt Harvey (Groton, Conn.) and shortstop Justin Jackson (Asheville, N.C.). Some scouts think this will be a draft with better high school talent than college, but given the desire to compete as soon as possible, it's hard to see how the Cubs could pass on any intriguing college players, especially pitchers.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-0609100048sep10,1,1956873.column?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

 

Digging around I found this article from Phil Rogers about a week ago. The HS class may be better and it is certainly deeper, but as of right now the top three players in the draft have to be college guys, IMO. My top 10 would be something like:

 

1. Price

2. Brackman

3. Wieters

4. Harvey*

5. Main*

6. Beavan*

7. Jackson*

8. Burgess*

9. Arencibia

10. Schmidt

 

Dont take them too seriously, but stars are HS.

[Jazz]

Whether the Cubs pick first or third, they should get some payback from the horrible season, most likely in the form of young pitching.

 

Vanderbilt left-hander David Price, star of the Team USA group that beat Cuba in Havana, is a front-runner to be the No. 1 pick next June. Others in the discussion are Georgia Tech's Matt Wieters, a switch-hitting catcher with power who also throws 95 m.p.h. and can pitch, and North Carolina State right-hander Andrew Brackman, a 6-10 pitching skyscraper.

 

The top high school players are expected to be pitchers Michael Maine (Deland, Fla.) and Matt Harvey (Groton, Conn.) and shortstop Justin Jackson (Asheville, N.C.). Some scouts think this will be a draft with better high school talent than college, but given the desire to compete as soon as possible, it's hard to see how the Cubs could pass on any intriguing college players, especially pitchers.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-0609100048sep10,1,1956873.column?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

 

Digging around I found this article from Phil Rogers about a week ago. The HS class may be better and it is certainly deeper, but as of right now the top three players in the draft have to be college guys, IMO. My top 10 would be something like:

 

1. Price

2. Brackman

3. Wieters

4. Harvey*

5. Main*

6. Beavan*

7. Jackson*

8. Burgess*

9. Arencibia

10. Schmidt

 

Dont take them too seriously, but stars are HS.

 

With the addition of any one of those 3, the cubs farm system might have a few bonafied bluechip prospects in the making in Pawelek, Veal, and our 2007 draftee. Certainly will elevate us up in the BA ranks.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Whether the Cubs pick first or third, they should get some payback from the horrible season, most likely in the form of young pitching.

 

Vanderbilt left-hander David Price, star of the Team USA group that beat Cuba in Havana, is a front-runner to be the No. 1 pick next June. Others in the discussion are Georgia Tech's Matt Wieters, a switch-hitting catcher with power who also throws 95 m.p.h. and can pitch, and North Carolina State right-hander Andrew Brackman, a 6-10 pitching skyscraper.

 

The top high school players are expected to be pitchers Michael Maine (Deland, Fla.) and Matt Harvey (Groton, Conn.) and shortstop Justin Jackson (Asheville, N.C.). Some scouts think this will be a draft with better high school talent than college, but given the desire to compete as soon as possible, it's hard to see how the Cubs could pass on any intriguing college players, especially pitchers.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-0609100048sep10,1,1956873.column?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

 

Digging around I found this article from Phil Rogers about a week ago. The HS class may be better and it is certainly deeper, but as of right now the top three players in the draft have to be college guys, IMO. My top 10 would be something like:

 

1. Price

2. Brackman

3. Wieters

4. Harvey*

5. Main*

6. Beavan*

7. Jackson*

8. Burgess*

9. Arencibia

10. Schmidt

 

Dont take them too seriously, but stars are HS.

 

With the addition of any one of those 3, the cubs farm system might have a few bonafied bluechip prospects in the making in Pawelek, Veal, and our 2007 draftee. Certainly will elevate us up in the BA ranks.

 

By the time BA ranks the Cubs 07 draftee as part of their system, if Veal is a blue chipper, he should have graduated to the big leagues.

[CuseCubFan69]

Veal.........is he related to the former Pirate pitcher Bob Veal? The first time I ever saw the Cubs Veal was pitching for the Pirates and the Cubs scored 2 or 3 runs in the first couple of innings but went on to lose 9-5.

[NCCubFan]

Veal.........is he related to the former Pirate pitcher Bob Veal?

The Pirates' pitcher's last name was spelled Veale. I remember at the time they had Bob Veale and Bob Moose as pitchers at the same time.

[Jazz]

Whether the Cubs pick first or third, they should get some payback from the horrible season, most likely in the form of young pitching.

 

Vanderbilt left-hander David Price, star of the Team USA group that beat Cuba in Havana, is a front-runner to be the No. 1 pick next June. Others in the discussion are Georgia Tech's Matt Wieters, a switch-hitting catcher with power who also throws 95 m.p.h. and can pitch, and North Carolina State right-hander Andrew Brackman, a 6-10 pitching skyscraper.

 

The top high school players are expected to be pitchers Michael Maine (Deland, Fla.) and Matt Harvey (Groton, Conn.) and shortstop Justin Jackson (Asheville, N.C.). Some scouts think this will be a draft with better high school talent than college, but given the desire to compete as soon as possible, it's hard to see how the Cubs could pass on any intriguing college players, especially pitchers.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-0609100048sep10,1,1956873.column?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

 

Digging around I found this article from Phil Rogers about a week ago. The HS class may be better and it is certainly deeper, but as of right now the top three players in the draft have to be college guys, IMO. My top 10 would be something like:

 

1. Price

2. Brackman

3. Wieters

4. Harvey*

5. Main*

6. Beavan*

7. Jackson*

8. Burgess*

9. Arencibia

10. Schmidt

 

Dont take them too seriously, but stars are HS.

 

With the addition of any one of those 3, the cubs farm system might have a few bonafied bluechip prospects in the making in Pawelek, Veal, and our 2007 draftee. Certainly will elevate us up in the BA ranks.

 

By the time BA ranks the Cubs 07 draftee as part of their system, if Veal is a blue chipper, he should have graduated to the big leagues.

 

It is possible to Veal to play at bluechip status from here on out and only reach the big club in late 2009. He just turned 22 a few days ago.

[treebird]

Whether the Cubs pick first or third, they should get some payback from the horrible season, most likely in the form of young pitching.

 

Vanderbilt left-hander David Price, star of the Team USA group that beat Cuba in Havana, is a front-runner to be the No. 1 pick next June. Others in the discussion are Georgia Tech's Matt Wieters, a switch-hitting catcher with power who also throws 95 m.p.h. and can pitch, and North Carolina State right-hander Andrew Brackman, a 6-10 pitching skyscraper.

 

The top high school players are expected to be pitchers Michael Maine (Deland, Fla.) and Matt Harvey (Groton, Conn.) and shortstop Justin Jackson (Asheville, N.C.). Some scouts think this will be a draft with better high school talent than college, but given the desire to compete as soon as possible, it's hard to see how the Cubs could pass on any intriguing college players, especially pitchers.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-0609100048sep10,1,1956873.column?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

 

Digging around I found this article from Phil Rogers about a week ago. The HS class may be better and it is certainly deeper, but as of right now the top three players in the draft have to be college guys, IMO. My top 10 would be something like:

 

1. Price

2. Brackman

3. Wieters

4. Harvey*

5. Main*

6. Beavan*

7. Jackson*

8. Burgess*

9. Arencibia

10. Schmidt

 

Dont take them too seriously, but stars are HS.

 

With the addition of any one of those 3, the cubs farm system might have a few bonafied bluechip prospects in the making in Pawelek, Veal, and our 2007 draftee. Certainly will elevate us up in the BA ranks.

 

By the time BA ranks the Cubs 07 draftee as part of their system, if Veal is a blue chipper, he should have graduated to the big leagues.

 

It is possible to Veal to play at bluechip status from here on out and only reach the big club in late 2009. He just turned 22 a few days ago.

 

veal's going to have to get hurt or suck to not be here until 2009. if he's pitching well, he'll keeping moving this way. if he's not, he won't be a bluechip pitcher.

[Mephistopheles]

if cubs pitchers drop at the rate they did this season, he might be here within 10 months.

[Outshined_One]

People would be reasonable to think that Veal and Gallagher will likely be in a Cubs uniform by September 07 at the rate things have been going with the pitching staff...

[craig]

http://www.850thebuzz.com/blog/?p=1775

 

Apparently Andrew Brackman has decided on sticking to baseball only. And if the Cubs want him, he is their's. His agent will be Scott Boras.

 

Notes on Brackman

 

- 93-95 FB topping out at 98-99. Sneak fast because of next:

- Massive 6'10" frame (BA lists him at 7ft!)

- splitter that should develop into plus pitch

- tight hard slider that's very good

- good repetition of delivery for a tall guy

Guys with that wingspan and length out front, that 99 looks like about 105 from his release point. He can just overpower you with that fastball alone.

The Cape's biggest standout is two-sport star Andrew Brackman' date=' a 6-foot-10 right-hander. . . . If he shows he's committed to baseball, however, he's the leading contender to be the top college player selected, with a good shot to be the top overall selection. His mechanics are surprisingly simple and consistent for such a tall pitcher. He has a plus fastball (91-97 mph) and good command, pitching to both sides of the plate. He also has an above-average curve with a hard two-plane break, and he can work with just these two pitches, changing speeds on his fastball as needed, although he flashed a changeup during warmups.[/quote']

 

For listing sakes:

 

Scott Boras Clients:

Andrew Brackman, RHP - NCSU

Justin Jackson, SS - TC Roberson HS (Va)

 

That's a great scouting report. Heh, kind of funny how the one report has slider and splitter, the other report has curve. I suppose between those three pitches, at least one of them must be right!

 

Anyway, with the Cubs going 3rd, it's great to have super reports on both Price and Brackman. Both seem like exactly the types of guys the Cubs like. Pitchers, and pitchers with college experience. I like Wieters a ton too. So between Price, Brackman, and Wieters, would seem to have three elite prospects so that picking 3rd the Cubs should work out great.

 

The problem is, Wieters seems a total anti-Cub pick,particularly given circumstances. To love him, you oughta believe in him as a catcher. If you don't believe in him as a catcher, probably 1B or LF are next options. But those are exactly three of the only four spots that the Cubs already have clogged, with Barrett, Lee, and Murton. I'm not sure how much that will influence there draft choice; they may well (and wisely) pick him anyway, and figure that if he works out (especially at catcher), that Barrett's catcher clock will be ticking pretty fast and may be nearing midnight by the time Wieters is ready anyway.

 

But, it seems pretty likely that the Cubs would prefer one of the two pitchers. And would not be as excited about taking a non-sprinter catcher. If Price and Brackman go 1-2, I wouldn't be surprised to see Cubs pass on Wieters and look for whichever HS player they like best.

 

Not that that would necessarily be a bad thing. A lot of the best major leaguers were HS picks, and it sounds like there could be some pretty jazzy candidates next year. So if the worst-case is to "settle" for the best HS talent, it might turn out great.

 

But, HS players often don't hit the curveball and often don't end up with any plate discipline. Or, they end up fielding like Ben Grieve. Or, if pitchers, by the time they work through the minors their arms have often deteriorated to the point where they are no longer exceptional arms. And even if the HS pick does work, it will still be a while before it pays off. So if there can be an elite, high-ceiling worthy college guy a #3, I'd prefer that.

[Vinestal]

I really hope that we dont take a HS guy, our recent HS picks have not been good. Who was the last high school player we took in the draft that went on to do have an allstar like career in the majors? Wood was the last guy that even produced and looked like a good pick but I cant remember any others that paned out. I absolutely hate picking highscool possition players, it seems like they have a much higher risk to be bust than college players. Prime example Luis Montenez (spelling?) that guy has been in the minors forever and finally showed some improvment after the switch to the outfield but he's never going to be a guy that can carry a major league team. He'll probably wind up being a backup outfielder somewhere if he even makes it to the majors. Who were the guys that were picked around him?

 

Anyways, I realize the draft is a bit of a crapshoot but if your picking with one of the first 5 picks you should be able to produce a competent major league player with that pick.

[Outshined_One]

Are you talking HS guys in general or in the first round?

[Mephistopheles]

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060921/SPORTS0201/60920084/1059

 

Article on Sam Runion. He's probably a 2-3 rounder right now.

[The Q]

Funny note about St. Clair.

 

 

He told that in HS he didn't even have a curveball and that he dominated with a fastball change up duo. But since he got to college and they gave him a real curve, he's kinda lost the feel of his change. So I'm not worried that he'll get it back. That kid is fantastic and will have ZERO off the field issues.

[Hosak8]

Any early feedback on the 2007 draft class? The Cubs are looking at a potential mother-lode of picks. Pierre, Wood, Maddux, Miller & Walker are all potentially arbitration-worthy players. I don't want to cloud the thread with discussions of whether the Cubs offer to all those guys (or which ones), but I think we'll end up with at least an extra pick or two somewhere. So I'm curious about what the class looks like as a whole. I know 2006 is looking disappointing so far. Here's hoping 2007 look stronger!

 

MLB may do away with Compensation picks from free agency. It's 50/50 right now according to ESPN.

[the splendid splinter]

Wieters has Boras also!

[Mephistopheles]

Link?

[don_kessinger_was_good]

FYI--It's been said more than once around here that the Royals REALLY like Wieters. I expect them to take him with the 1st pick, leaving us either Price or Brackman. KC is unhappy with John Buck, and they feel they are pretty strong in young pitching at this point with Hochevar and friends. I predict Wieters goes to KC.

 

Tampa is on record as wanting "more guys like Kazmir"--I think Brackman is theirs.

 

So the prediction here is....The Price is Right! (guh, sorry, had to do it)...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

FYI--It's been said more than once around here that the Royals REALLY like Wieters. I expect them to take him with the 1st pick, leaving us either Price or Brackman. KC is unhappy with John Buck, and they feel they are pretty strong in young pitching at this point with Hochevar and friends. I predict Wieters goes to KC.

 

Tampa is on record as wanting "more guys like Kazmir"--I think Brackman is theirs.

 

So the prediction here is....The Price is Right! (guh, sorry, had to do it)...

 

How is Kazmir more like Brackman than Price?

 

I wonder what would happen to KC's interest in Wieters if Boras is his adviser.

[Outshined_One]

I wonder what would happen to KC's interest in Wieters if Boras is his adviser.

 

That didn't stop them from selecting Hochevar back in June.

[Rob]

FYI--It's been said more than once around here that the Royals REALLY like Wieters. I expect them to take him with the 1st pick, leaving us either Price or Brackman. KC is unhappy with John Buck, and they feel they are pretty strong in young pitching at this point with Hochevar and friends. I predict Wieters goes to KC.

 

Tampa is on record as wanting "more guys like Kazmir"--I think Brackman is theirs.

 

So the prediction here is....The Price is Right! (guh, sorry, had to do it)...

 

How is Kazmir more like Brackman than Price?

 

I wonder what would happen to KC's interest in Wieters if Boras is his adviser.

 

Hopefully it disappears entirely.

 

The more I've looked through his numbers, I've developed some serious man love for Wieters.