2007 Draft Class

[texascub]

So the Reds, Indians, and Red Sox all sponsor teams, do the Cubs sponsor one as well? If so, are there any decent players on the roster for the upcoming draft?

[Slugger_16]

The local newspaper had a short article about Wieters and Smoak the other day.

 

Link

[Mephistopheles]

Not that I know of. The Padres, Brewers and Yankes also sponsored teams in the tournament.

 

Smoak and Wieters

 

Charelston Post and Courier[/url]"]We already knew Stratford High School graduates Matt Wieters and Justin Smoak were special baseball players. But how about good enough to go No. 1 overall in back-to-back major league drafts?

 

Wieters, a Georgia Tech catcher/closer, was an All-American as a sophomore in 2006 while leading the Yellow Jackets to the College World Series. He already was projected as a top-five pick in the 2007 draft.

 

And now Smoak, with his most valuable player performance in the prestigious wood-bat Cape Cod League this summer, has vaulted near the top of the 2008 draft-eligible list.

[....]

"They very well could go No. 1 in consecutive years," Baseball America draft analyst and managing editor Jim Callis told The Post and Courier. "Obviously, a lot can happen, but right now that looks very possible."

 

Jake Arrieta article:

 

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/colleges/15197461.htm

 

Robert Stock:

 

http://www.dailynews.com/preps/ci_4166121

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Maybe I should use the Google news search more often.

 

It certainly is awesome.

[Mephistopheles]

Patrick Ebert (PG USA)[/url]"] Neil Ramirez

 

Ramirez was the first pitcher in the game that caught my eye. Michael Main, Matt Harvey and Robert Stock did a fine job lighting up the radar guns, but Ramirez was the first pitcher that truly pitched. All of his pitches showed good movement, and there is a fair amount of deception to his delivery. Ramirez looks like a throwback player, and with a low-90s fastball and hard breaking ball with his command he should enjoy continued success as he heads into his final year in high school and moves onto either college or the professional ranks.

 

Tanner Robles

 

Robles reminded me of Brett Anderson from a year ago in that he had a clean delivery and an advanced idea of what he was doing on the mound as a left-handed pitcher. Robles is a much better athlete than Anderson is, built long and lean, with broad shoulders and strong limbs. Robles showed good command of his 88-92 mph fastball, but he will need to tighten up his fairly loopy curveball. His fastball has been recorded as high as 95 in the past, and his curveball has looked much better than what it did on this day, so it seems as though Robles may have been working without his best stuff, another tribute to his moxie on the mound.

 

A bunch of stuff on other Aflac All-Americans in the link.

[the splendid splinter]

As of today the Cubs would be picking #4, the further away from #1 we can get the better!!! Remember the idiot who brought you Tyler Colvin at #13 well he might be very dangerous with a higher pick.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

As of today the Cubs would be picking #4, the further away from #1 we can get the better!!! Remember the idiot who brought you Tyler Colvin at #13 well he might be very dangerous with a higher pick.

 

Ehh, I have faith in Wilken given his track record. Can't see the harm in being higher in such a loaded draft.

[Outshined_One]

As of today the Cubs would be picking #4, the further away from #1 we can get the better!!! Remember the idiot who brought you Tyler Colvin at #13 well he might be very dangerous with a higher pick.

 

While I wanted Travis Snider, I think Colvin has been better than expected so far. If he sticks at CF, I think he could be an above average everyday starter.

 

Given that 2006 was a (seemingly) pretty weak draft, I'd take that in a heartbeat.

[Mephistopheles]

Jonathan Bachanov.

 

 

Don't worry that's a name I wrote down so I wont forget it. Someone at the PGN board said he was throwing 91-95 but he's a bit of an unknown b/c of lack of exposure which is a surprise to me - he's from Orlando.

 

Anyways, Brackman stuff:

 

RALEIGH — In his ongoing quest to keep Andrew Brackman on his roster, new N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe has been polishing his sales pitch.

 

As far as Lowe is concerned, Brackman has all the skills to one day become a solid role player in the NBA, the type of tough and versatile big man that’s become a valued commodity at the next level.

 

“A kid that big with his hands and his ability to face up and take shots, NBA scouts are looking for that all the time,” Lowe said Monday at the Weisiger-Brown Athletic Complex on campus. “That’s one of the reasons you see so many foreign players in the NBA draft now, because we don’t have enough guys here that can do the kinds of things Andrew can do. He’s a rare breed.”

 

Lowe’s biggest hurdle? Brackman is also a 6-foot-10 menace on the mound who’s spent the last few weeks showcasing his blistering fastball and surgical control with the U.S. national team.

 

http://www.fayettevillenc.com/article?id=240239

 

Here's to hoping he goes baseball only

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Brackman will be a better major leaguer than an NBA player.

 

Thanks for the link.

[the splendid splinter]

I couldnt agree with you more, its doesnt look like he'll make it to our pick at 4 or 5 at this point!

[Mephistopheles]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/highschool/news/262267.html

 

Damn, Robert Stock's going to USC early. He won't be eligible to be drafted until 2009.

[Mephistopheles]

Sweet, BA posted the CCL's top 30 prospects!

http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/jsmoak06428309.jpg

1. Justin Smoak, 1b, Cotuit (South Carolina)

2. Andrew Brackman, rhp, Orleans (North Carolina State).

3. Matt Wieters, c, Orleans (Georgia Tech)

4. Joshua Fields, rhp, Yarmouth-Dennis (Georgia)

5. Matt Mangini, 3b, Hyannis (Oklahoma State)

6. Brett Cecil, lhp, Orleans (Maryland)

7. Eddie Kunz, rhp, Falmouth (Oregon State)

8. James Simmons, rhp, Cotuit (UC Riverside)

9. Shooter Hunt, rhp, Falmouth (Tulane)

10. Charlie Furbush, lhp, Hyannis (Louisiana State)

11. Josh Donaldson, 3b/c, Harwich (Auburn)

12. Josh Horton, ss, Harwich (North Carolina)

13. Mitch Canham, c, Falmouth (Oregon State)

14. Tony Watson, lhp, Harwich (Nebraska)

15. Matt LaPorta, 1b, Brewster (Florida)

16. Reese Havens, ss, Cotuit (South Carolina)

17. Dan Merklinger, lhp, Harwich (Seton Hall)

18. Terry Doyle, rhp, Yarmouth-Dennis (Boston College)

19. Jeremy Bleich, lhp, Wareham

20. Nolan Gallagher, rhp, Yarmouth-Dennis (Stanford)

21. Conor Graham, rhp, Wareham (Miami, Ohio)

22. Brad Suttle, 3b, Wareham (Texas)

23. Buster Posey, ss/rhp, Yarmouth-Dennis (Florida State)

24. Tyler Henley, of, Yarmouth-Dennis (Rice)

25. Warren McFadden, of, Falmouth (Tulane)

26. Brad Emaus, inf, Yarmouth-Dennis (Tulane)

27. Vance Worley, rhp, Chatham (Long Beach State)

28. Paul Koss, rhp, Chatham (Southern California)

29. Cory Gearrin, rhp, Cotuit (Mercer)

30. Ryan Flaherty, ss, Hyannis (Vanderbilt)

 

Bold Players are 2008 draft prospects

 

I am assuming it's okay to post the order considering I am not posting the reports on the players.

[Mephistopheles]

Ooh, BA also has a writeup on the Area Code games and a top 20/best tools. Won't post those because they don't have too much information

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/highschool/features/262311.html

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/highschool/news/262291.html

 

There wasn't much pitching at the games. Josh Vitters continued to rise up the prospect boards, capturing the number one ranking here. Top pitchers there were Rick Porcello, Blake Beavan, Tanner Robles, Greg Peavey and Jarrod Parker.

[The Q]

So does that mean LaPorta officially went back to classes and didn't sign? That would be a damn shame, the Red Sox really needed him in their farm system. No 1B prospects at all.

 

Also, I know Smoak is good, but Pedro Alvarez is the best IMO. He's big, has a great swing, good power, great body, he's quick enough to run a little bit, and can play 3B. And he was the best hitter for TEAM USA this summer. That's some legit competition.

 

Also a couple of 2008 prospects to keep an eye on IMO:

 

Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kentucky- This guy was one of the best pitchers in college baseball last year. He's 89-91 with decent control. But his money pitch is his curve ball. It's as near god damn unhittable as you'll ever see. It's a Bugs Bunny curve. Easily the bestr of all the guys that tried out for Team USA. According to the coaching staff he was the very last guy cut from Team USA, and that was because he had a rough night before that only really was a rough inning because of a couple of errors.

 

Jared Prince, RHP, Wazzu- Accoring to the players it was an upset that this guy didn't make Team USA. He's also an OF but this guy could be a serious power pitcher in the near ftuure.

 

Jim Murphy, 1B, Wazzu- The MVP of the NECBL, Murphy is everything you want in a 1B. He's a huge target at 6'5 and is above average at 1B, although nothing special. But his bat is what gets him on the list. He lead the NECBL in average, 2Bs, OBP, Slugging, BBs, and HBPs. He's got power in the 65-70 range on the scale. Needs a little more work on the breaking ball, but then what kid this age doesnt? He was also 2nd in HRs to Chris Dominguez. Speaking of Mingo....

 

Chris Dominguez, 3B/OF, Louisville- Dominguez has played 3B during college and in the NECBL but I ahve him listed as an OF as it's my own pro-projection for him. He's big and decently athletic, but his hands are kinda shaky for 3B. Some have said move him to 1B but that takes away his best defensive attribute...that bazooka on the right side of his body that most call his arm. Moving him to LF or RF would be an easy transition for him. About his bat: While Dominguez does struggle to make contact, he did much better the 2nd half of the season (no srurpise since he had to redshirt his freshman year because of a hand injury) and still lead the NECBL in home runs. His power is a legit 80 on the scout scale as he hits balls an totally unheard of distance for a 19 year old with a wooden bat.

 

Jemile Weeks, 2B, Miami- Basically a speed guy with virtually no power, but he'll knock line drives all over the park. He had more power from the right side, but he's never gonna be a real home run threat, but he run like hell. Kinda meh as a fielder though. He's alot like that Tim Moss kid out of Texas, only better at basically everything.

[Mephistopheles]

I guess we should have an 08 thread.

 

I like Kyle Russell and Jordan Danks out of UT myself.

 

At the HS level the best pitcher I know about is Aaron Hicks.

[The Q]

Sorry, Murphy is actually an 07 guy. And so is this other guy I forgot:

 

Pat McAnaney, LHP, Virginia- Pat is a guy who could really shoot up the draft boards. He was the best pitcher in the NECBL this year and has impecable control. Everything he throws is developed and crisp. Fastball 88-91, good curve and a developed change. I think he'll go in the first 5 rounds of 07 if he has a good year this year.

 

Now for my last 2008 guy:

 

Tyson Ross, RHP, California- According to Murph, who faced 6 first rounders this year in Pac 10 play, the best stuff of everyone he faced was either Linscum or Tyson Ross. He has absolutely filthy stuff and is a straight up projectable power pitcher. However, Ross' problem is he has some control issues that really cost him a shot at making Team USA this year. However, I'll be anyone serious cash that this guy is on the team next year.

[Mephistopheles]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/dprice06428309bf.jpg

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/features/262362.html

 

Price won BAs summer player of the year. It also looks like his changeup is developing into a good pitch.

[The Q]

I can't believe they gave it to Price over Arietta to be honest.

 

Even Arencibia and Alvarez have legit cases.

[CuseCubFan69]

Sorry, Murphy is actually an 07 guy. And so is this other guy I forgot:

 

Pat McAnaney, LHP, Virginia- Pat is a guy who could really shoot up the draft boards. He was the best pitcher in the NECBL this year and has impecable control. Everything he throws is developed and crisp. Fastball 88-91, good curve and a developed change. I think he'll go in the first 5 rounds of 07 if he has a good year this year.

 

Now for my last 2008 guy:

 

Tyson Ross, RHP, California- According to Murph, who faced 6 first rounders this year in Pac 10 play, the best stuff of everyone he faced was either Linscum or Tyson Ross. He has absolutely filthy stuff and is a straight up projectable power pitcher. However, Ross' problem is he has some control issues that really cost him a shot at making Team USA this year. However, I'll be anyone serious cash that this guy is on the team next year.

 

Pat is from Syracuse and he threw against my team a few years ago. He was almost impossible to hit off and the only way to score off him was to run on his catcher who couldn't recieve too well.

 

Does anyone know how Dombrowski is doing at Kentucky?

[RammyFanny]

I'm not too familiar on Price (just know the basics of what was said about him in this thread), but does he project to be an instant contributor type of guy? ( At first glance, he does, but i've heard control mentioned as an issue in the past so i'm unsure if he's improved it since). Possible end of 07 call up kind of guy?

 

One more thing, as far as Weitters (sp?), the catcher, does he project as more of a power hitter or a line drive hitter?

Edited September 4, 2006 by RammyFanny

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm not too familiar on Price (just know the basics of what was said about him in this thread), but does he project to be an instant contributor type of guy? ( At first glance, he does, but i've heard control mentioned as an issue in the past so i'm unsure if he's improved it since). Possible end of 07 call up kind of guy?

 

Control is supposed to be one of his strong suits, but he struggled with it down the stretch last year in the SEC (though he struggled with a lot of things then). He says he's figured out what was wrong and he was great in terms of control with Team USA.

 

I'd guess he'd be ready in early 08.

[Mephistopheles]

Price could develop into a nearly ML ready guy like Weaver and Miller.

 

Wieters is an all around bat. He can hit for average and power.

[the splendid splinter]

Also Weiters can close, he's been clocked 93 to 97 on the gun and ok defense wise behind the plate.

[Brian]

Yeah I was going to ask what was better on Weiter's his bat or his arm.

 

I think I'll be rooting for Price myself.