2007 Draft Class

[Guest]

hmm what do i know....notice the ranking of vitters relative to wieters and a special someone else. latest ba draft tracker *snip*

 

Supposedly the Cubs aren't allowed to go above slot this year, so Wieters is just flat out of it based on financial reasons. At least that's what I thought Callis said in his latest chat.

I assume you mean they're not allowed by the Trib, as opposed to MLB. I don't think baseball could prohibit it because the slot figures are recommendations, not enforceable rules (unless the new CBA contains such a rule, which I don't think it does).

 

You're right, they're not enforceable rules.

[TruffleShuffle]

MLB encourages teams to stay within slot money every year. The Cubs gave Prior $10M and Samardzija $16.5M as a fifth round pick. They've consistently given more money to lower choices who slid due to signability concerns. Given that there's a stud catcher likely to be sitting there at the third pick, now would be a really terrible time to start obeying the wishes of Bud Selig by staying within slot money.

[RichHillIsABeast]

hmm what do i know....notice the ranking of vitters relative to wieters and a special someone else. latest ba draft tracker *snip*

 

Supposedly the Cubs aren't allowed to go above slot this year, so Wieters is just flat out of it based on financial reasons. At least that's what I thought Callis said in his latest chat.

I assume you mean they're not allowed by the Trib, as opposed to MLB. I don't think baseball could prohibit it because the slot figures are recommendations, not enforceable rules (unless the new CBA contains such a rule, which I don't think it does).

 

You're right, they're not enforceable rules.

 

That's just some snippet from Keith Law (if I said Callis before, I'm an idiot). It's the first I've heard of it, and the only reason I can think of is new ownership.

 

Adding payroll (a modest amount) at the deadline is one thing. It immediately boost value to the club if they make the playoffs. A prospect is a rather abstract value.

 

From Keith Law's Chat today:

 

Link: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=16004

 

 

Eric (Accord, NY): What do you think the Pirates will do in the draft?

 

Keith Law: (1:32 PM ET ) This is the question on the lips of every scouting director behind Pittsburgh, which holds the fourth pick. No one knows where they're leaning. Dave Littlefield has said publicly he's not sure taking a pitcher in the first round is a good idea (and after Lincoln, Bullington, Van Benschoten, Bradley, Burnett, and Johnston all blew out their arms, he might be on to something), but I know they've been scouting first-round arms as usual. If the Cubs end up taking Wieters (unlikely) or Parker, I do think the Pirates will take Vitters. I'll have a first-round projection up tomorrow and should have more information then.

 

 

ML Chicago: Why is Weiters an unlikely pick for the Cubs? Who will they and who should they pick at #3?

 

Keith Law: (1:49 PM ET ) I'm hearing that the Cubs can't exceed slot money, and Wieters/Boras are allegedly looking for a Teixeira contract (over $10MM). I think they'll take Vitters, although I have heard they like Jarrod Parker. I just think Vitters is more likely, given Tim Wilken's scouting preferences and track record.

[RichHillIsABeast]

MLB encourages teams to stay within slot money every year. The Cubs gave Prior $10M and Samardzija $16.5M as a fifth round pick. They've consistently given more money to lower choices who slid due to signability concerns. Given that there's a stud catcher likely to be sitting there at the third pick, now would be a really terrible time to start obeying the wishes of Bud Selig by staying within slot money.

 

I think it's an unknown future ownership issue, not a philosophical backtracking by Wilken/Hendry/etc.

[TruffleShuffle]

I can't wait for this sequence of events:

 

1. With Wieters available, the Cubs select future AA flame out Josh Vitters

2. Cubs trade Eric Patterson for a veteran middle reliever with one pretty good season under his belt

3. TruffleShuffle gets tired of the team he loves sabotaging every chance they get to become a successful franchise; becomes a die-hard Twins fan.

[Mephistopheles]

So now Vitters isn't the best HS hitting prospect?

 

Norman (NY): I've heard rumors that the Brewers will take Mike Moustakas if he is available. Is this true and how does he fit into their future plans, do they move Braun to the outfield?

 

Jim Callis: Moustakas is the best high school hitter in the draft . . . and also advised by Boras. The Brewers reportedly are willing to open their wallet this year, but it remains to be seen what Moustakas' asking price is. He's not a lock to move to third base, could be a catcher even, could move to an outfield corner.

 

Charlie (DC): Moustakas is a better hitting prospect than Josh Vitters?

 

Jim Callis: Yeah, it's a tough call, but that's my gut feel based on everything we're hearing. They're so close, think you have to give the tie to the guy who hits lefthanded.

 

Meh, just stay away from Vitters. I'd prefer Heyward amongst the HS hitters.

 

He gives the tie to the LH hitter? lmao. good reasoning. why not use shoe size next time. That's a pretty lame reasoning, IMO.

 

Heyward and Moustakas would be fine picks at 3 though.

 

 

Let's look at it this way.

 

Vitters  Moustakas
  x                   Pure Hitting
            x         Power
            x         Side (L/R)
            x         Arm
            x         Hands
            x         Speed
            x         Defensive Aptitude

 

Even if their bats are tied (and they're not) you have to then take the best overall defensive player which is Moustakas hands down. Moustakas might even make the transition behind the dish where his 80 arm (clocked at 97) plays better, whereas Vitters will likely wind up in left field where his Matt Murton skills don't play that well.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Have the Cubs been linked to Moustakas at all?

[Mephistopheles]

No.

[Mephistopheles]

http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/crackthebat/patrick%5Febert/07%5F05%5F31%5Fdraft%5Fprojection/

 

 

first round projection done today

[RichHillIsABeast]

I can't wait for this sequence of events:

 

1. With Wieters available, the Cubs select future AA flame out Josh Vitters

 

AA flame out? Yeh right.

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2007/5/25/155416/658#commenttop

 

Not that Sickels is a god, but...

Trying to think of some comps here....Best Case : Chipper Jones without the steals early in his career.. Medium Case: Mike Cuddyer. Worst Case: hmm....someone who gets injured or tops out as a Triple-A slugger.

 

Worst case is a AAA flameout...by a guy who isn't in love with Vitters at all.

[Mephistopheles]

im just as qualified as sickels.

[Mephistopheles]

viewtopic.php?t=41072

 

meh i hate having a seperate poll board. but oh well

[RichHillIsABeast]

im just as qualified as sickels.

 

It'll be interesting to see how your draft prospects turn out, draft god.

[Mephistopheles]

okay fine ill post a mock draft next week and rank the top 50 players the way I see them. When neither of us are here in ten years someone can see how they turned out!

 

Im not saying I know anything but one thing I do know is that the more I follow the minor leagues and draft stuff the less I like Sickels and his analysis.

[RichHillIsABeast]

okay fine ill post a mock draft next week and rank the top 50 players the way I see them. When neither of us are here in ten years someone can see how they turned out!

 

Im not saying I know anything but one thing I do know is that the more I follow the minor leagues and draft stuff the less I like Sickels and his analysis.

 

Sickels sucks, but it's not like he's clueless.

 

Seriously, are you going to pitch a fit if Vitters is taken 3rd?

 

All you Vitters haters had better back the F off when he's actually in the system. You know they'll all come out in droves once whoever is selected.

[Mephistopheles]

Im not going to flip-flop on him. Yeah I'll probably bitch and moan until the second pick comes in. I bitched and moaned about Soriano if you recall, saying Lugo was a better sign, although he hasn't exactly performed to his abilities yet either.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

All you Vitters haters had better back the F off when he's actually in the system. You know they'll all come out in droves once whoever is selected.

 

A lot of people were pretty pissed when Colvin was taken, but I have yet to see the anti-Colvin bandwagon in the Minor League forum this year.

[Drew Doughty]

meph (and anyone else i guess) what do you think about this guy's analysis:

 

http://mvn.com/mlb-draft/2007/05/31/mock-draft-531-update/

[Mephistopheles]

i dunno about moustakas or wieters being in the cubs plans.

 

it appears to be parker or vitters. last year it appeared to be snyder or rowell and then king until the cubs took colvin.

 

something like that could happen again. wilken is known for going against the grain. dont be shocked if you hear michael main's or madison bumgarner's name announced on thursday.

[Guest]

Not sure why the Cubs won't go above slot but Hendry has the green light to spend money to make moves before the trade deadline.

[RammyFanny]

I'm slowly jumping onto the Jarrod Parker bandwagon. Just about the only huge negative against him is he's a little small. Fastball tops out at 98 and works consistently at 95, has showed a plus curve already (though he doesn't use it often since he can blow hitters away), and shows potential for a plus change. HS coach is smart and has already said he knew Parker would have a future pro career so he was real careful with working his arm.

[RammyFanny]

Oh and the really huge positive is that he supposedly has great control and can paint some corners. Though i'm wondering why he isn't consensus top 5 if all of these things are true.

[Guest]

Yeah, I really like Parker (and Porcello). I'd take either over Vitters or Moustakas.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Please, no HS pitchers in the early 1st round. Just. Don't.

 

If Wieters is really available and the Cubs pass, oh man, that will be a new low.

[Mephistopheles]

parker has supposedly passed main as the hardest prep thrower in the draft. i wouldnt take either hs pitcher over moustakas. maybe beavan, i think hes the best hs arm. id put moustakas behind the dish and hed be a stud as long as his bat pans.