2007 Draft Class

[CuseCubFan69]

I still think we'll come out smelling like roses with either Weiters or Brackman, I prefer the hitter, but either will be our best prospect pick since Prior. Cautiously excited....7 foot pitcher?!!

 

I'm not overly excited at the prospect of a "VERY TALL" pitcher. Cause my opinion is....they will suck, eventually. Excluding Randy Johnson

 

Sisco

Rauch

J. Juden

Ryan Anderson

Chris Young

JR Richard

 

This is NOT an impressively listed of 6'8 or taller pitchers. Now Richard and Young turned out great, but everybody else has either stunk, suffered career altering injuries, or flat not miss big time. So forgive me...if the Cubs had a choice between Wieters and Brackman, I'd take Wieters everytime.

 

I agree with what you're saying but I thought JR Richards was very good until he had a stroke.

[RammyFanny]

Things could still very well shakeup alot at the top. I know it's only one weekend and he will get back to normal, but I heard Weiters supposedly had the worst weekend at the plate he's ever had. Didn't see the numbers, but they said he looked pretty bad (I think it was some scout.com story).

[NCCubFan]

I agree with what you're saying but I thought JR Richards was very good until he had a stroke.

So good that he warranted an "s" at the end of his name from you (his name is Richard). :D

 

He was very good. I believe he won 18 games one year and was considered one of the best (if not the best) young pitchers in the game. I think everybody had him pegged as a future Cy Young Award winner.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Things could still very well shakeup alot at the top. I know it's only one weekend and he will get back to normal, but I heard Weiters supposedly had the worst weekend at the plate he's ever had. Didn't see the numbers, but they said he looked pretty bad (I think it was some scout.com story).

 

He definitely had a bad statistical 2 games over the weekend but he followed that up by hitting a game-winning three-run HR in the 10th yesterday. It's only been 3 games, so we'll see.

[Mephistopheles]

I still think we'll come out smelling like roses with either Weiters or Brackman, I prefer the hitter, but either will be our best prospect pick since Prior. Cautiously excited....7 foot pitcher?!!

 

I'm not overly excited at the prospect of a "VERY TALL" pitcher. Cause my opinion is....they will suck, eventually. Excluding Randy Johnson

 

Sisco

Rauch

J. Juden

Ryan Anderson

Chris Young

JR Richard

 

This is NOT an impressively listed of 6'8 or taller pitchers. Now Richard and Young turned out great, but everybody else has either stunk, suffered career altering injuries, or flat not miss big time. So forgive me...if the Cubs had a choice between Wieters and Brackman, I'd take Wieters everytime.

You're completely off the wall here. Just because there's a limited sample and not all panned out perfecty doesn't mean not to draft taller pitchers. Jesus christ. If you were to look at the number of pitchers listed 6'2"-6'3" there would be a lot more, but there's probably a lower probability of those pitchers becoming elite.

 

Come on.

[The Q]

In other news, Rice studs Cole St. Clair and Joe Savery are both still injured. Savery's still recovering from off season shoulder surgury and Cole told me he hurt himself lifting weights.

[Mephistopheles]

I heard Joe looked pretty good on Sunday. Cole ... everyone seems to be worried.

[The Q]

Cole told me he's all good.

 

He's been workin on it since december and says he's just waiting until he's pain free, but he told me not to worry about him.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I still think we'll come out smelling like roses with either Weiters or Brackman, I prefer the hitter, but either will be our best prospect pick since Prior. Cautiously excited....7 foot pitcher?!!

 

I'm not overly excited at the prospect of a "VERY TALL" pitcher. Cause my opinion is....they will suck, eventually. Excluding Randy Johnson

 

Sisco

Rauch

J. Juden

Ryan Anderson

Chris Young

JR Richard

 

This is NOT an impressively listed of 6'8 or taller pitchers. Now Richard and Young turned out great, but everybody else has either stunk, suffered career altering injuries, or flat not miss big time. So forgive me...if the Cubs had a choice between Wieters and Brackman, I'd take Wieters everytime.

 

Huh? Your list has 7 names including Unit. 3 of the 7 turned out good. I'd argue (ignoring the small sample size) that's a much higher success rate than the typical pitching prospect.

 

You give me Brackman to go with Pawelek and Samardzija, I feel good in predicting that one of those three will pan out. Just as I feel confident in one of Veal, Gallagher or Guzman working out for us long-term. We really do have better pitching than some are giving the Cubs system credit for.

[Guest]

I still think we'll come out smelling like roses with either Weiters or Brackman, I prefer the hitter, but either will be our best prospect pick since Prior. Cautiously excited....7 foot pitcher?!!

 

I'm not overly excited at the prospect of a "VERY TALL" pitcher. Cause my opinion is....they will suck, eventually. Excluding Randy Johnson

 

Sisco

Rauch

J. Juden

Ryan Anderson

Chris Young

JR Richard

 

This is NOT an impressively listed of 6'8 or taller pitchers. Now Richard and Young turned out great, but everybody else has either stunk, suffered career altering injuries, or flat not miss big time. So forgive me...if the Cubs had a choice between Wieters and Brackman, I'd take Wieters everytime.

 

Huh? Your list has 7 names including Unit. 3 of the 7 turned out good. I'd argue (ignoring the small sample size) that's a much higher success rate than the typical pitching prospect.

 

You give me Brackman to go with Pawelek and Samardzija, I feel good in predicting that one of those three will pan out. Just as I feel confident in one of Veal, Gallagher or Guzman working out for us long-term. We really do have better pitching than some are giving the Cubs system credit for.

 

Fact is...taller pitchers are HARDER to predict their future, then most pitchers. I'm not saying Brackman won't be a heck of a pitcher, but I rather NOT take that chance, considering the Cubs recent history of pitching abuse. I rather have David Price (better prospect and better selection if it came down between the two, IMO) or Wieters.

 

Beisdes...Brackman would be perfect if the Cubs were planning on rebuilding the farm, but seeing as the Cubs forced themselves into this "win now" mode, I would rather have players that can help the Cubs NOW (Price or Wieters) over players that will take a few yrs to developed in the minors.

[The Q]

To be fair, while I absolutely LOVE David Price as a person and as a college pitcher, he's not as ML ready of a prospect as one might thing for someone as polished as he is.

 

His mechanics need alot of work, he has an odd dip in his delivery and has way too much unnecessary movement in his windup. Also his off speed pitches really are not all that developed and his changeup is way too hard to be effective.

[CuseCubFan69]

To be fair, while I absolutely LOVE David Price as a person and as a college pitcher, he's not as ML ready of a prospect as one might thing for someone as polished as he is.

 

His mechanics need alot of work, he has an odd dip in his delivery and has way too much unnecessary movement in his windup. Also his off speed pitches really are not all that developed and his changeup is way too hard to be effective.

 

Interesting, who would you take as the top pick?

[goonys evil twin]

Anybody have something like a top 5 most likely Cubs first round picks this year?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Anybody have something like a top 5 most likely Cubs first round picks this year?

 

Based on last year, I'm guessing we'll take a player who is projected to go at the end of the first or beginning of the second round, shocking everyone with the third pick. Then in the fifth round, we'll find someone who might be really good but plays another sport and offer them more money than we should just to make up for our reach in the first round.

[The Q]

To be fair, while I absolutely LOVE David Price as a person and as a college pitcher, he's not as ML ready of a prospect as one might thing for someone as polished as he is.

 

His mechanics need alot of work, he has an odd dip in his delivery and has way too much unnecessary movement in his windup. Also his off speed pitches really are not all that developed and his changeup is way too hard to be effective.

 

Interesting, who would you take as the top pick?

 

Oh I'd still take Price #1. His stuff is too fantastic to pass up on. Just saying he's not really as perfect as some might make him out to be. But he's also a great character guy and a lefty, both huge pluses.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Anybody have something like a top 5 most likely Cubs first round picks this year?

 

I think it will be one of the big 3 college kids if they remain at the top of the pack.

 

I'd guess LHP David Price (Vanderbilt), C Matt Wieters (Georgia Tech), RHP Andrew Brackman (North Carolina State), RHP Matt Harvey (HS), LHP Joe Savery (Rice).

[CuseCubFan69]

Anybody have something like a top 5 most likely Cubs first round picks this year?

 

I think it will be one of the big 3 college kids if they remain at the top of the pack.

 

I'd guess LHP David Price (Vanderbilt), C Matt Wieters (Georgia Tech), RHP Andrew Brackman (North Carolina State), RHP Matt Harvey (HS), LHP Joe Savery (Rice).

 

Is Wieters anywhere as good as Maurer?

[RichHillIsABeast]

Anybody have something like a top 5 most likely Cubs first round picks this year?

 

I think it will be one of the big 3 college kids if they remain at the top of the pack.

 

I'd guess LHP David Price (Vanderbilt), C Matt Wieters (Georgia Tech), RHP Andrew Brackman (North Carolina State), RHP Matt Harvey (HS), LHP Joe Savery (Rice).

 

Is Wieters anywhere as good as Maurer?

 

I don't know about his bat (other than him having more power), but he's not even close to as good behind the dish.

 

Not that I'd complain if we nabbed him. I'd like a catcher of the future to you know, actually be in our system. :lol:

[Outshined_One]

Wieter's problem behind the dish comes from the fact that he's freaking huge at 6'5 230 pounds. Compare that to Adam Dunn, who is 6'6 and 240 pounds. Wieters also has a pretty darn good arm, considering he's Georgia Tech's closer and has been clocked in the high 90s in the past. He might have difficulty behind the dish when it comes to catch and throw, blocking pitches, and so on. He's agile enough to handle a move a corner infield spot or corner outfield spot and his bat would be a plus at any of those positions.

 

The high school ranks should be problematic. Guys like Matt Harvey, Justin Jackson, Michael Burgess, and Rick Porcello are talented enough to be Top 5 picks, but we'll see where they end up production-wise.

[Guest]

I think of Victor Martinez as a better comp. More similar as a hitter & defender, though Wieter has a much better arm.

[BigbadB]

Doesn't sound like he projects to stay at C.

[RammyFanny]

Wieter's problem behind the dish comes from the fact that he's freaking huge at 6'5 230 pounds. Compare that to Adam Dunn, who is 6'6 and 240 pounds. Wieters also has a pretty darn good arm, considering he's Georgia Tech's closer and has been clocked in the high 90s in the past. He might have difficulty behind the dish when it comes to catch and throw, blocking pitches, and so on. He's agile enough to handle a move a corner infield spot or corner outfield spot and his bat would be a plus at any of those positions.

 

The high school ranks should be problematic. Guys like Matt Harvey, Justin Jackson, Michael Burgess, and Rick Porcello are talented enough to be Top 5 picks, but we'll see where they end up production-wise.

If I had to pick a high schooler, I think i'd take Burgess. Strong character from what i've read, and has some excellent raw power to work with. Of course I don't want a high schooler, but i'm just saying if I had to...

 

But then again, you have to wonder about taking an outfield guy with Soriano locked in for eternity, Pie pencilled in for the future, and hopefully Murton as well. So after considering that, maybe it is better to just pick a pitcher from the high school crop (if you had to).

[RammyFanny]

Here's Baseball Digest Daily's take on the top high school prospects:

Matt Harvey: Big strong right-hander who doubles as a basketball player will turn 18 in March. Possesses a 2 and 4 seam fastball, curve, and changeup. Harvey throws his 4-seamer in the low to mid 90s and has topped out around 96. His 2-seamer stays in the low 90s but has a nasty motion to it. Harvey has developed a solid breaking ball and is working on his change. Scouts have been impressed with Matt’s mechanics. His approach to the plate appears effortless. Harvey has signed a letter of intent to attend North Carolina next fall, but don’t count on the New Englander heading south just yet. At this point, you can all but expect Matt Harvey to be drafted in the first half of the first round come June.

 

 

Rick Porcello: The debate has already begun as to whether Porcello or Harvey will be the first high school pitcher taken in the June draft. With a prototypical pitcher’s body, Porcello revs up his fastball into the upper 90s. Like Harvey, the ball moves considerably and allows him to miss quite a few bats. Porcello also throws a curveball and slider, but he needs work on both pitches. His changeup is solid so he’ll be able to get people out for a while with his 2 plus pitches. Rick’s potential is unlimited. He’s learning how to pitch and not just throw. He’s an intelligent kid (3.9 GPA) who has also committed to attend college at North Carolina. I hope the Tar Heels have some damn good recruiters because they’re going to be hard pressed to convince their top two recruits, Harvey and Porcello, to turn down millions to pitch in the NCAA.

 

 

Jason Heyward: Huge bodied, first baseman/outfielder with a sweet left-handed swing. Has a level stroke, excellent bat speed, and can hit line drives all over the field. Most scouts feel that he will develop home run power as he matures because he certainly has the body for it (6’4”, 220 lbs.) Draws comparisons to Ryan Howard. One big difference is that Heyward can flat our run for a big guy. All reports say this kid has a remarkable makeup as well. Heyward is a young high school senior and won’t turn 18 until August. But that won’t scare scouts away. His body is already on par with many major leaguers, and the kid loves the game enough that he’s willing to put in the work needed to succeed.

 

 

Michael Main: Excellent 2-way player with a fastball clocked up around 98-99 mph. Everyone seems to be waiting for him to hit 100 mph, but that’s just because we’re spoiled! Main consistently hits 95-96 on the gun, and that alone should be sufficient enough to understand what kind of arm this kid has. Although Main has the skills to be a solid centerfield prospect, his future is in pitching. In addition to his overpowering fastball, Main throws a hard curve and a solid changeup. He suffered a bout of shoulder tendonitis early in his junior year, but arm concerns shouldn’t deter scouts. In fact, Main’s arm hasn’t had to endure much work, and its life is sure to amaze those who watch him. Michael is another great student, and Florida State is hoping he chooses college over professional baseball.

 

 

Michael Burgess: Stocky, strong left-handed hitter with tremendous plus power. Has one of the fastest bats in all of amateur baseball. Is said to have hammered 450+ feet home runs in national wood bat showcases. Burgess displays a solid approach at the plate, but his “mighty” swing has some holes and will be exploited without adjustments at higher levels. Still, you can’t teach the kind of skills he possesses. Michael is the type of player people come out to watch. Burgess also plays a solid right-field, and has an excellent arm (was a former pitcher). He’s a good base runner if not a very fast one, stealing 19 of 20 bases in 2006. Michael Burgess is a gifted physical player. Teams are already drooling over his potential, and most predict the Tampa native will be off the board by the 5th pick in the draft.

 

Justin Jackson: A really fun kid to watch, Justin plays shortstop like he was born for the position. He’s smooth and fluid, and gets to anything even remotely within his vicinity. Jackson has excellent speed which certainly helps his defensive game and makes him a threat on the base paths. He’s a natural athlete with a nice line drive swing that will most certainly develop power as he puts on some bulk. Even with his current lanky build, however, Jackson can still drive the ball to the gaps. And if that wasn’t enough to make you happy, Justin is a pretty intelligent kid and a very good student.

 

 

Joshua Smoker: Might be the best high school left-handed pitcher available in the draft. Smoker is considered a gamer who wants the ball under pressure. He’s your standard 3-pitch pitcher with a fastball, curve, and changeup. Smoker is not overpowering, but his command is exceptional, and he locates his pitches with relative ease. His curveball is above average, and he’s working on splitter to add to his arsenal. Smoker is planning to attend Clemson this fall.

 

 

Greg Peavey: Another 2-way high school player who will ultimately make a living as a pitcher. Peavey is a strong, hard throwing right-hander who can get his fastball up around 95 mph. It has excellent movement down in the zone and will overpower hitters. Peavy’s real weapon, though, is a nasty hard slider. He projects as a starter who will rack up a lot of strikeouts. If he has a weakness, it’s the lack of a changeup. At the moment, he’s a borderline first round pick. Peavey has committed to attend Oregon State, and he may very well increase his value with some more seasoning and development at a top college program.

 

 

Madison Bumgarner: Huge left-handed pitcher who really brings the heat! Bumgarner consistently throws in the mid 90s and has been clocked as high as 97 mph. To go with that, he also throws a cutter, a curveball, a changeup, and an occasional slider! Bumgarner is an exceptional athlete for such a big kid. He’s also a good hitter who will most likely see double duty if he chooses to attend college instead of going pro. If he does head to the NCAA ranks, the North Carolina Tar Heels will once again be the beneficiary of a top notch talent.

 

 

Neil Ramirez: Fairly polished pitcher for his age, Ramirez throws a fastball, curve, slider, and changeup. He’ll consistently hit the low 90s with his fastball, and his other pitches have plus potential. His control is very good, and seems to be able to throw just where he wants. Ramirez is still developing but has tremendous upside. He has a nice easy motion that scouts love. As he develops, his delivery will make it difficult for hitters to pickup his pitches, especially his fastball and changeup.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Wieter's problem behind the dish comes from the fact that he's freaking huge at 6'5 230 pounds. Compare that to Adam Dunn, who is 6'6 and 240 pounds. Wieters also has a pretty darn good arm, considering he's Georgia Tech's closer and has been clocked in the high 90s in the past. He might have difficulty behind the dish when it comes to catch and throw, blocking pitches, and so on. He's agile enough to handle a move a corner infield spot or corner outfield spot and his bat would be a plus at any of those positions.

 

The high school ranks should be problematic. Guys like Matt Harvey, Justin Jackson, Michael Burgess, and Rick Porcello are talented enough to be Top 5 picks, but we'll see where they end up production-wise.

If I had to pick a high schooler, I think i'd take Burgess. Strong character from what i've read, and has some excellent raw power to work with. Of course I don't want a high schooler, but i'm just saying if I had to...

 

But then again, you have to wonder about taking an outfield guy with Soriano locked in for eternity, Pie pencilled in for the future, and hopefully Murton as well. So after considering that, maybe it is better to just pick a pitcher from the high school crop (if you had to).

 

Meh, just take the BPA. If it's an OF, it's an OF. Who knows what the situation will be like in 2-4 years? If he's blocked at the major league level, you have a fantastic trading chip.

[Outshined_One]

Michael Burgess: Stocky, strong left-handed hitter with tremendous plus power. Has one of the fastest bats in all of amateur baseball. Is said to have hammered 450+ feet home runs in national wood bat showcases. Burgess displays a solid approach at the plate, but his “mighty” swing has some holes and will be exploited without adjustments at higher levels. Still, you can’t teach the kind of skills he possesses. Michael is the type of player people come out to watch. Burgess also plays a solid right-field, and has an excellent arm (was a former pitcher). He’s a good base runner if not a very fast one, stealing 19 of 20 bases in 2006. Michael Burgess is a gifted physical player. Teams are already drooling over his potential, and most predict the Tampa native will be off the board by the 5th pick in the draft.

 

Oh dear God NO!!!!!