2007 Draft Class

[texascub]

I was looking through some of the Cape Cod rosters and noticed that JP Arencibie and Matt Weiters are on the same team. That's one hell of a catching tandem.

 

I'm not very familiar with the Cape Cod league, is there a DH there? I'm assuming there is and that they're just alternating catching and DHing?

[Mephistopheles]

I believe there is a DH there. Weiters will also see time as their closer, of course. By the way, where in Texas do you live? Im up in the Woodlands. I got to catch all the Rice games this weekend and last.

[texascub]

I believe there is a DH there. Weiters will also see time as their closer, of course. By the way, where in Texas do you live? Im up in the Woodlands. I got to catch all the Rice games this weekend and last.

 

Way out in west Texas, Alpine to be exact. I was closer, I lived in Marble Falls but I've been out here for about 11 years now.

[craig]

...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....

 

...I wonder if the Cubs woul offer arbitration to any of these players. The only one I would is to Todd Walker, and Cubs management can't stand him and might not do it....

 

Agree. I don't think the Cubs will offer arb to anybody. They've got money to keep anybody they want to keep. Anybody who isn't good enough for the lousy Cubs to want to keep isn't going to be a high-market free agent to whom you can safely offer arbitration to.

 

I expect we'll be short picks again, as usual.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I expect we'll be short picks again, as usual.

 

And given a weak FA class, I doubt it will help the Cubs improve dramatically.

 

Looks like we'll probably have to hope the Cubs are one of the worst 15 teams so their pick is protected again (of course this isn't even an issue right now).

[Mephistopheles]

Scout.com released their initial Top 100 prospects for the 2007 draft. I won't list them all, but here are the top 25

 

1. David Price, LHP

2. Michael Main, RHP/OF

3. Joe Savery, LHP/OF

4. Sean Doolittle, LHP/OF

5. Robert Stock, C/RHP

6. JP Arencibia, C

7. Erik Goeddel, RHP

8. Andrew Brackman, RHP

9. Matt Weiters, C

10. John Tolisano, SS

11. Wes Roemer, RHP

12. Jason Heyward

13. Nick Schmidt, LHP

14. Beau Mills, 3B

15. Michael Burgess, OF

16. Danny Rams, C

17. Freddie Freeman, OF

18. Brad Meyers, RHP

19. Josh Smoker, LHP

20. Cole St. Clair, LHP

21. Justin Jackson, SS

22. Jake Arrieta, RHP

23. Todd Frazier, OF/SS

24. Hunter Ovens, OF

25. Damon Sublett, 2B

 

Italicized players are high school products. Wes Roemer's gotta be way too high on that list. He looks like the classic college finesse pitcher. His fastball rarely if ever hits 90 MPH. Nick Schmidt's power stuff from the left side in college has got to be better.

 

Other notables:

37. James Adkins, LHP - His potential should keep him higher.

41. Josh Fields, RHP - 96+ closer

45. Ken Kasparek - Former Cub draftee

53. Adrian Ortiz - Former Cub draftee

90. Wade Korpi - ND

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ooo, nice to see Price #1. A bit surprised Main is ahead of Stock (of course I'm biased since I've heard much more about Stock and have actually seen him pitch).

[CoolHandLuke]

Is Stock more likely to get drafted as a catcher or a pitcher?

[Outshined_One]

Is Stock more likely to get drafted as a catcher or a pitcher?

 

Pitcher, although his power is quite alluring.

[BeerHere]

That kid should change his name to Max Effort

 

Looks like a shoulder injury waiting to happen

 

I'll pass and take the best impact bat in the draft plz.

 

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

That kid should change his name to Max Effort

 

Looks like a shoulder injury waiting to happen

 

I'll pass and take the best impact bat in the draft plz.

 

 

 

Scherzer was actually in this year's draft. He went 11th to the Diamondbacks.

[Mephistopheles]

Ooo, nice to see Price #1. A bit surprised Main is ahead of Stock (of course I'm biased since I've heard much more about Stock and have actually seen him pitch).

That top 100 list was constructed before this, but at PG National Michael Main topped out at 98 or 99 MPH depending on which scouts' gun you trust. All of the games will be put up on baseballwebtv.com soon. There were something like 15 pitchers who touched 94 and 50+ who touched 90. Justin Jackson also had a great showing there. Information on what happened there is hard to find, but I do what I can.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'll have none of this badmouthing Scherzer! His eyes are different colors!!!!!!!!!!!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ooo, nice to see Price #1. A bit surprised Main is ahead of Stock (of course I'm biased since I've heard much more about Stock and have actually seen him pitch).

That top 100 list was constructed before this, but at PG National Michael Main topped out at 98 or 99 MPH depending on which scouts' gun you trust. All of the games will be put up on baseballwebtv.com soon. There were something like 15 pitchers who touched 94 and 50+ who touched 90. Justin Jackson also had a great showing there. Information on what happened there is hard to find, but I do what I can.

 

Let us know if you hear anything else. Thanks!

[Mephistopheles]

Some notes from this article:

 

Risers:

 

Michael Main - clocked upper 90s at PGN. Also showed a good curve and change -- all of which have the potential to be plus pitches. He's staying on the mound.

 

Michael Burgess - compact big league power stroke, and apparently he is now the best HS position prospect, narrowing out Justin Jackson and John Tolisano, after an impressive performance at PGN.

 

Justin Jackson - showed all five tools and played outstanding at shortstop at PGN.

 

Neil Ramirez - Sat 90-94 at PGN. Showed good polish and pitchability. Possible first rounder now.

 

Tanner Robles - Sat 89-93 topping out at 94 at PGN. Great hammer curve as a southpaw, high upside. Scouts fell in love with him.

 

Paul Demny - Unknown HS prospect before hitting 94 at PGN. Lacks quality secondary pitches at this point, but has raw arm strength.

 

Madison Bumgarner - Touched 95 from the left side at PGN. Big frame (6'5" 220) gives him excellent projectability as a potential dominant ace from the left side. Lots of life on his electric fastball.

 

Hunter Morris - Like Demny burst onto the scene at PGN. Impressive power potential. Big fram 6'5" and good arm. Very raw, but has become one of the elite HS offensive prospects in the draft.

 

Rick Porcello - Compared to Verlander due to his size. Sat 92-96 with his FB at PGN. No average breaking pitch at this time, but his projectability may be the highest in the class.

 

Josh Horton, UNC - Looking very advanced as a college SS and should be an excellent line drive hitter.

 

Taylor Harbin, Clemson - Polished, and showed he could hit the best pitching in the NCAA Tournament.

 

Fallers:

 

Kentrail Davis - Before PGN was seen as one of the best HS position players, but now the upside of a 4th OF has been given.

 

Erik Goeddel - Wasn't really bad at PGN, sitting 89-93 and quite projectable, but others simply passed him. Still inconsistent with his command of his secondary pitches.

 

Todd Frazier, Rutgers - Struggling on the Cape thus far. It's only a few games, but for a guy playing at Rutgers who shows problems in a league with premeir pitching and wooden bats is not a good thing.

 

Brad Chalk, Clemson - Statistically speaking he has hit well in the post season, but many of his hits have been balls slapped to the opposite field which many would not be hits with a wooden bat. He still has not shown that he can turn on a good inside fastball.

 

Wow, I also got linked to this from the PGN message board. It's the SPARQ scores from PGN. Essentially measuring athleticism. Pretty neat stuff.

[Mephistopheles]

For those of you who actually care, some notes from this article.

 

Just outfielders, btw.

 

Michael Burgess - Hillsborough HS (FL) - explosive compact swing, with middle of the lineup offensive potential. He also has a strong throwing arm and his baseball instincts are excellent. Given one of the highest ceilings in the article.

 

Brett Krill - Aliso Niguel HS (CA) - the second guy with highest ceiling. Strong outfielder with power to across the diamond. Compares his ceiling to Moises Alou.

 

Corey Brown - Oklahoma St - one of the two closest to the majors kids. Very high potential for a college kid. Has an advanced feel on the bases and at the plate with plus speed.

Michael Taylor - Stanford - the second of the cloests kids. His raw power is enormous, and has good speed though he may move to first as he grows into his frame.

Todd Frazier - Rutgers - a college sleeper with very good power. I thought Rutgers was playing him at SS, though they good have moved him or perhaps the author is projecting him to move after talking with the scouts. Plus power, but his strikeout rate is a little worrisome.

 

Sequoyah Stonecipher - Mission Bay HS (CA) - one of the if not the toolsiest player in the draft. His tools are exceptional across the board, but scouts are not sure if he will learn to use him. If he shows a lot of the next year, he will quickly move up the draft boards. He was the second sleeper.

[CuseCubFan69]

I expect we'll be short picks again, as usual.

 

And given a weak FA class, I doubt it will help the Cubs improve dramatically.

 

Looks like we'll probably have to hope the Cubs are one of the worst 15 teams so their pick is protected again (of course this isn't even an issue right now).

 

If the Cubs are one of the 3 worst does that effect the second round in any way or is it just the first round?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I expect we'll be short picks again, as usual.

 

And given a weak FA class, I doubt it will help the Cubs improve dramatically.

 

Looks like we'll probably have to hope the Cubs are one of the worst 15 teams so their pick is protected again (of course this isn't even an issue right now).

 

If the Cubs are one of the 3 worst does that effect the second round in any way or is it just the first round?

 

In terms of protected picks? Just the first round (and top 15 picks, at that).

[Outshined_One]

I have a friend who's working for Team USA this summer. I'll provide infrequent updates on some of the guys there, but right now he's convinced that LHP David Price out of Vanderbilt is going to go #1 overall.

 

According to him, Price was working in the mid-90s and touched 98 with his stuff. Great deception, a bit of a dip in his delivery that either adds to the deception or needs to be ironed out, good athleticism and defense around the mound, and has some wicked pitches to work with.

[CuseCubFan69]

I expect we'll be short picks again, as usual.

 

And given a weak FA class, I doubt it will help the Cubs improve dramatically.

 

Looks like we'll probably have to hope the Cubs are one of the worst 15 teams so their pick is protected again (of course this isn't even an issue right now).

 

If the Cubs are one of the 3 worst does that effect the second round in any way or is it just the first round?

 

In terms of protected picks? Just the first round (and top 15 picks, at that).

 

Yes...protected picks. Thanks Raisin.

 

If this is a strong draft I'd hate to see Hendry get some below average free agent and lose the 2nd and 3rd round picks.

[goonys evil twin]

If this is a strong draft I'd hate to see Hendry get some below average free agent and lose the 2nd and 3rd round picks.

 

Yes, please no Type A middle relievers this year.

[CuseCubFan69]

If this is a strong draft I'd hate to see Hendry get some below average free agent and lose the 2nd and 3rd round picks.

 

Yes, please no Type A middle relievers this year.

 

That would really make me annoyed. My guess is a player that hit well in the clutch in 2006 will be the chosen one. Some 275/310 hitter that for some miracle hit 310 with runners in scoring postion.

[Mephistopheles]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060714/clf032.html?.v=51

 

Aflac announced their All American rosters for the classic. It's pretty much a who's who of 07 HS Draft prospects. Notable exclusions are Hunter Ovens, Cody Allen and Nathan Vineyard.

 

Also in his latest start David Price sat 90-94 with his fastball. His slider was 86-88 and his change was above average. Daniel Moskos a lefty reliever out of Clemson sat 93-97 with a good slider.

[craig]

If this is a strong draft I'd hate to see Hendry get some below average free agent and lose the 2nd and 3rd round picks.

 

Yes, please no Type A middle relievers this year.

 

I'm not sure it's so much of a big deal, really. In the year they lost their #1 for Hawkins, they spent 1st round on Johnson (granted, a bust), 2nd round money on Reed, and 3rd round money on Patterson. So they basically spent on signability guys just about as if they hadn't lost a pick anyway.

 

This year they lost 2,3,4, but in addition to spending 1st on Colvin, spent 1st on Huseby, spent 3rd on Rundle, and hope to spend 1st on Samardizja once it all shakes out with him. If the BA report is true that the league vetoed a could-be-$7.5 deal for Sam (obviously participation dependent), they basically think they got 3 1st round talents and a 3rd round talent according totheir spending.

 

Granted, we can assume they'll always screw up whomever they pick. And it may be that whe you're doing signability guys all the time, that you are overpaying.... Perhaps the guy who actually goes in the 3rd round and gets slot money that Rundle got would actually be a much superior prospect. Maybe the $1.3 spent on Huseby would get you a much better talent if you were actually drafting in the 2nd round.

 

But it seems to me that if the team is willing to spend the money on creative signiabiilty guys, losing a 2nd or 3rd round pick isn't really that horrible.

 

To some degree, I wonder if it almost gives you license to do whatever you want? If they had all their regular picks, and then still offered Huseby $1.3 or Samardizja $7.5, maybe the league would really go ballistic. But if you say, "Well, we didn't have picks, so we need to do something creative, you can't stop us from at least trying to get some talent given that we lost our high picks...", maybe that makes it almost easier to superslot guys later on?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA[/url]"]1. Michael Main rhp Deland (Fla.) HS

2. Justin Jackson ss Roberson HS, Asheville, N.C.

3. Matt Harvey rhp Fitch HS, Groton, Conn.

4. Michael Burgess of Hillsborough HS, Tampa

5. Nick Noonan ss Francis Parker HS, San Diego

6. Jason Heyward of/1b Henry County HS, McDonough, Ga.

7. Neil Ramirez rhp Kempsville (Va.) HS

8.Rob ert Stock c/rhp L-R Agoura (Calif.) HS

9. Tanner Robles lhp Cottonwood HS, Salt Lake City

10. Jarrod Parker rhp Norwell (Ind.) HS

 

SCOUTING REPORT FOR MICHAEL MAIN:

 

6/2006 -- Perfect Game National, Fayetteville, Ark.

Mussina Body. Arm is lightning quick, live and produces electric stuff. FB tops at 97 and sits at 94 mph with good, late, heavy arm-side bore. Knocked the bat out of some good hitters' hands here. Curve 77-79 mph with hard, tight rotation with downer action. Changeup 76-80 mph, late at the plate, arm-side fade with heavy sink, good arm-speed and deception on the pitch. Weaknesses are he overthrows at times to try and light up the radar guns and at times leaves the ball up and over the plate. Can pitch at 94 though. Stuff projects down the road to have three plus pitches with command, can be a No. 1 type starter in the future. Needs to work on maintaining delivery, it has some effort in it now.