Cubs Con-call with Tyler Colvin

CaliforniaRaisin · June 6, 2006

I might have gotten the exact wording of the questions and answers a bit wrong, but I tried the best I could with my notes. Only Carrie, Kiley and Bruce Miles asked any questions:

Q: You converted to outfield kind of late, is that correct? Were you a pitcher in high school?

Colvin: "I was a pitcher and first baseman in high school. When I came to Clemson, I converted to the outfield because we already had a good first baseman."

Q: Wilken said you were a doubles/gap hitter, does that sound right?

Colvin: "I look to get on base, steal bases. Yeah, I'm a gap hitter, not really a power hitter."

Q: You had a much better season at Clemson this year...

Colvin: "Yeah, a lot of us did. We had a great team this year. I had a better approach this year at the plate and was able to get on base more."

Q: Were you surprised to get picked at 13?

Colvin: *laughs* "Surprised? Definitely. It's been a little bit overwhelming."

Q: Do you have an agent?

Colvin: "I have an advisor, no agent."

Q: Are you going to sign soon or what's the plan?

Colvin: "I'm worried about the Super Regional right now. I want to get to Omaha. I'll deal with that afterwards."

Q: Do you see yourself staying in school?

Colvin: "I can't see that happening." *everyone laughs*

Q: What have you heard about the Cubs?

Colvin: "They're a good ballclub. I want to help out any way I can.

Q: Wilken said he thought you could play centerfield, but you played leftfield at Clemson. Your thoughts?

Colvin: "I would love to play centerfield. I'm comfortable in leftfield in Clemson. But whenever I was out practicing in center, I just got an itch to play. I think I can handle it."

Q: "We hear you're a bowler"

Colvin: *laughs* "Back in the day....At age 12. I used to have a 200 average. My uncle is a pro bowler."

...

Comments by the media guy on the Cubs' 5th round selection:

Pitcher Jeff Samardzija, a 2-sport star at Notre Dame: a 6'6" righty with a high 80s fastball, a strong splitter and a slider.

Edited June 6, 2006 by CaliforniaRaisin

goonys evil twin · June 6, 2006

Sounds like signability was a huge issue (not best player available). Did somebody advise him to repeat "get on base" a lot?

Banedon · June 6, 2006

Someone is already lying to the kid.....

Q: What have you heard about the Cubs?

Colvin: "They're a good ballclub. I want to help out any way I can.

NorthsideAvenger · June 6, 2006

Sounds like signability was a huge issue (not best player available). Did somebody advise him to repeat "get on base" a lot?

Did anybody repeat "OBP is a good thing," is a good thing, to Dusty Baker?

CubsWin · June 7, 2006

So the Cubs number one pick is a college hitter with strong performance numbers this season, is a junior not a senior who hasn't topped out on his hitting skills and can get on base while also being a projectable athlete.

Isn't that exactly what many of the fans on this board wanted? Finally, a college guy who can contribute fairly soon, is a everyday player and not a pitcher, and he focuses on getting on base! And yet, not one comment about the Cubs finally altering their draft strategy or Wilken bringing the Cubs into the new millenia. Just more sarcasm. Come on.

Is this guy not worth getting excited about and leaving our sarcasm behind for a moment or is my understanding of the type of player Colvin is inaccurate?

Outshined_One · June 7, 2006

So the Cubs number one pick is a college hitter with strong performance numbers this season, is a junior not a senior who hasn't topped out on his hitting skills and can get on base while also being a projectable athlete.

Isn't that exactly what many of the fans on this board wanted? Finally, a college guy who can contribute fairly soon, is a everyday player and not a pitcher, and he focuses on getting on base! And yet, not one comment about the Cubs finally altering their draft strategy or Wilken bringing the Cubs into the new millenia. Just more sarcasm. Come on.

Is this guy not worth getting excited about and leaving our sarcasm behind for a moment or is my understanding of the type of player Colvin is inaccurate?

It's a complicated issue at this point in time for me. A couple of things that are noteworthy:

-He wasn't going to be available in the 5th round, as rumors had placed him going as early as 29 to the White Sox prior to the draft.

-In BA's Top 200 prospects, Colvin was ranked around 147 or so. Their initial scouting reports on him talked about how he was probably going to be a guy selected in the first three rounds and was solid all-around. However, that report was a bit out of date since a bunch of guys were seemingly overdrafted and slipped to impressive degrees (LaPorta, Walden, etc). Stocks change all the time with these things.

-There were some more desirable bats and arms on the board when the Cubs picked. Guys like Travis Snider, Chris Parmelee, Matt Antonelli, Jeremy Jeffress, Kyle Drabek, Daniel Bard, and Hank Conger were all names thrown around in the past few weeks as possibilities. We knew more about those guys, as places like BA, Milb.com, and Brewerfan all focused on them.

-Colvin started out the season in some obscene slump, going something like 4 for 36. However, as the season went on, he vastly improved his contact and managed to bring his numbers up to respectable levels. He was playing really well going into the tournament and his stock was clearly on the rise. Had he performed at that level all year, his stock would have been significantly better.

-During that tear he went on, his power managed to jump a tick as he began to hit more line drives into the gaps than he had in previous points in his career. If he can hit 15-20 HRs in a season and do a decent job in CF, there's something to be reasonably interested in with this guy.

-His K/BB numbers are somewhat respectable, but they will have to be monitored closely as he switches to wood bats and faces more advanced pitching.

I'm going to wait and see with this guy. He should sign relatively quickly, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him in Boise or Peoria by the end of the month at the latest. Everyone should have a better idea of what he could bring to the table by the end of the minor league season, needless to say.

goonys evil twin · June 7, 2006

So the Cubs number one pick is a college hitter with strong performance numbers this season, is a junior not a senior who hasn't topped out on his hitting skills and can get on base while also being a projectable athlete.

Isn't that exactly what many of the fans on this board wanted? Finally, a college guy who can contribute fairly soon, is a everyday player and not a pitcher, and he focuses on getting on base! And yet, not one comment about the Cubs finally altering their draft strategy or Wilken bringing the Cubs into the new millenia. Just more sarcasm. Come on.

Is this guy not worth getting excited about and leaving our sarcasm behind for a moment or is my understanding of the type of player Colvin is inaccurate?

He doesn't seem to be much of a patient guy. And he doesn't have a strong track record of performance. He was also rated much, much, much lower than where he was selected. Wouldn't you expect a football fan to question his team if they drafted a guy in the first round who everybody else had listed as a 3rd or 4th rounder?

I don't think he's worth getting excited about. Maybe in a few years he'll be a halfway decent baseball player, but that's not exactly exciting.

Jehrico · June 7, 2006

So the Cubs number one pick is a college hitter with strong performance numbers this season, is a junior not a senior who hasn't topped out on his hitting skills and can get on base while also being a projectable athlete.

Isn't that exactly what many of the fans on this board wanted? Finally, a college guy who can contribute fairly soon, is a everyday player and not a pitcher, and he focuses on getting on base! And yet, not one comment about the Cubs finally altering their draft strategy or Wilken bringing the Cubs into the new millenia. Just more sarcasm. Come on.

Is this guy not worth getting excited about and leaving our sarcasm behind for a moment or is my understanding of the type of player Colvin is inaccurate?

He doesn't seem to be much of a patient guy. And he doesn't have a strong track record of performance. He was also rated much, much, much lower than where he was selected. Wouldn't you expect a football fan to question his team if they drafted a guy in the first round who everybody else had listed as a 3rd or 4th rounder?

I don't think he's worth getting excited about. Maybe in a few years he'll be a halfway decent baseball player, but that's not exactly exciting.

I'm reserving judgement at this time. Wilken's record in Toronto was stellar...16 of his 17 first round picks either are or were quality every day players in the majors. I'm real interested to see the direction our system moves in over the next couple of years. Just because you're not projected high doesn't mean squat in baseball. Look where Pujols was drafted...

goonys evil twin · June 7, 2006

So the Cubs number one pick is a college hitter with strong performance numbers this season, is a junior not a senior who hasn't topped out on his hitting skills and can get on base while also being a projectable athlete.

Isn't that exactly what many of the fans on this board wanted? Finally, a college guy who can contribute fairly soon, is a everyday player and not a pitcher, and he focuses on getting on base! And yet, not one comment about the Cubs finally altering their draft strategy or Wilken bringing the Cubs into the new millenia. Just more sarcasm. Come on.

Is this guy not worth getting excited about and leaving our sarcasm behind for a moment or is my understanding of the type of player Colvin is inaccurate?

He doesn't seem to be much of a patient guy. And he doesn't have a strong track record of performance. He was also rated much, much, much lower than where he was selected. Wouldn't you expect a football fan to question his team if they drafted a guy in the first round who everybody else had listed as a 3rd or 4th rounder?

I don't think he's worth getting excited about. Maybe in a few years he'll be a halfway decent baseball player, but that's not exactly exciting.
I'm reserving judgement at this time. Wilken's record in Toronto was stellar...16 of his 17 first round picks either are or were quality every day players in the majors. I'm real interested to see the direction our system moves in over the next couple of years. Just because you're not projected high doesn't mean squat in baseball. Look where Pujols was drafted...

I'm not passing final judgement either. I was responding to another in a long line of criticism of fans for criticizing the Cubs. The guy could be a decent major leaguer some day. The odds of him being great are extremely small, and there's no one thing about him to really create a bunch of excitement.

TruffleShuffle · June 8, 2006

I had a better approach this year at the plate and was able to get on base more."

I'm sure the Cubs will be able to break him of this bad habit he's picked up over the past year.

CubsWin · June 8, 2006

So the Cubs number one pick is a college hitter with strong performance numbers this season, is a junior not a senior who hasn't topped out on his hitting skills and can get on base while also being a projectable athlete.

Isn't that exactly what many of the fans on this board wanted? Finally, a college guy who can contribute fairly soon, is a everyday player and not a pitcher, and he focuses on getting on base! And yet, not one comment about the Cubs finally altering their draft strategy or Wilken bringing the Cubs into the new millenia. Just more sarcasm. Come on.

Is this guy not worth getting excited about and leaving our sarcasm behind for a moment or is my understanding of the type of player Colvin is inaccurate?

He doesn't seem to be much of a patient guy. And he doesn't have a strong track record of performance. He was also rated much, much, much lower than where he was selected. Wouldn't you expect a football fan to question his team if they drafted a guy in the first round who everybody else had listed as a 3rd or 4th rounder?

I don't think he's worth getting excited about. Maybe in a few years he'll be a halfway decent baseball player, but that's not exactly exciting.
I'm reserving judgement at this time. Wilken's record in Toronto was stellar...16 of his 17 first round picks either are or were quality every day players in the majors. I'm real interested to see the direction our system moves in over the next couple of years. Just because you're not projected high doesn't mean squat in baseball. Look where Pujols was drafted...

I'm not passing final judgement either. I was responding to another in a long line of criticism of fans for criticizing the Cubs. The guy could be a decent major leaguer some day. The odds of him being great are extremely small, and there's no one thing about him to really create a bunch of excitement.

On what evidence do you base this statement? Isn't a little early to tell what the odds are?

Wilken's track record, as previously mentioned, is long and good. And since when is a BA ranking the be all end all. Maybe its all the evidence that we are privy to, but I'm betting Wilken may have had a bit more scouting information than what he could learn at brewerfan.com or whatever it is. He picked Alex Rios 19th overall and he wasn't on BA's radar either. He's turning out okay, isn't he? I don't think that Wilken would take a guy 13th if he didn't feel that his odds of becoming great weren't better than "extremely small".

So, the question is, what do you know that he doesn't?

TruffleShuffle · June 8, 2006

So the Cubs number one pick is a college hitter with strong performance numbers this season, is a junior not a senior who hasn't topped out on his hitting skills and can get on base while also being a projectable athlete.

Isn't that exactly what many of the fans on this board wanted? Finally, a college guy who can contribute fairly soon, is a everyday player and not a pitcher, and he focuses on getting on base! And yet, not one comment about the Cubs finally altering their draft strategy or Wilken bringing the Cubs into the new millenia. Just more sarcasm. Come on.

Is this guy not worth getting excited about and leaving our sarcasm behind for a moment or is my understanding of the type of player Colvin is inaccurate?

He doesn't seem to be much of a patient guy. And he doesn't have a strong track record of performance. He was also rated much, much, much lower than where he was selected. Wouldn't you expect a football fan to question his team if they drafted a guy in the first round who everybody else had listed as a 3rd or 4th rounder?

I don't think he's worth getting excited about. Maybe in a few years he'll be a halfway decent baseball player, but that's not exactly exciting.
I'm reserving judgement at this time. Wilken's record in Toronto was stellar...16 of his 17 first round picks either are or were quality every day players in the majors. I'm real interested to see the direction our system moves in over the next couple of years. Just because you're not projected high doesn't mean squat in baseball. Look where Pujols was drafted...

I'm not passing final judgement either. I was responding to another in a long line of criticism of fans for criticizing the Cubs. The guy could be a decent major leaguer some day. The odds of him being great are extremely small, and there's no one thing about him to really create a bunch of excitement.
On what evidence do you base this statement? Isn't a little early to tell what the odds are?

The odds of any given player being great, with the possible exception of the #1 or #2 overall pick, are extremely small. A significant percentage of first round draft picks don't even reach the majors.

CubsWin · June 8, 2006

I was responding to another in a long line of criticism of fans for criticizing the Cubs. The guy could be a decent major leaguer some day.

And as far as my post being "another in a long line of criticism of fans for criticizing the Cubs", that is completely inaccurate, disrespectful and unnecessary. It wasn't related to the topic of the post at all and was a personal shot at me. If you are an honorable person, you will retract it. If you don't, I challenge you to find the quotes in my posts that support such a statement.

I only ask questions or challenge someone's criticism if I fail to see the evidence for it, or if I see decent evidence on the opposing side that is going unacknowledged.

Most of the time I'm asking questions, trying to understand the evidence that you see. Case in point, see the above post from me. If you call that being critical of you just because you are being critical of the Cubs draft pick, you need to get over yourself.

If you want to only see one side of an issue, I'm not stopping you. That's your right. But please, stop the BS about me criticizing people simply for them being critical of the Cubs. Its completely unsubstantiated in response to any of my posts. How many times do I have to write that I believe the Cubs have done a lot of stuff worthy of criticism before you will read it?

CaliforniaRaisin · June 8, 2006

The odds of him being great are extremely small, and there's no one thing about him to really create a bunch of excitement.
On what evidence do you base this statement? Isn't a little early to tell what the odds are?

The odds of any given player being great, with the possible exception of the #1 or #2 overall pick, are extremely small. A significant percentage of first round draft picks don't even reach the majors.

Exactly. The odds have always been slim that any player - no matter where he's selected in the draft - will be great. Given draft history, the odds are small that Tyler Colvin will be a star. Given draft history, the odds are small that Luke Hochevar will be a star, even though he went first overall.

imb · June 8, 2006

im not too down on this pick. maybe he really, actually did turn a corner or something this year. im excited to see him start playing.

CaliforniaRaisin · June 8, 2006

im not too down on this pick. maybe he really, actually did turn a corner or something this year. im excited to see him start playing.

Start rooting for Clemson to lose so he can sign already.

texascub · June 8, 2006

im not too down on this pick. maybe he really, actually did turn a corner or something this year. im excited to see him start playing.

Start rooting for Clemson to lose so he can sign already.

He'll probably start at Boise this year because everywhere else seems pretty full in the OF. The Hawks' first game is on the 19th so he still has plenty of time.

CubsWin · June 8, 2006

So the Cubs number one pick is a college hitter with strong performance numbers this season, is a junior not a senior who hasn't topped out on his hitting skills and can get on base while also being a projectable athlete.

Isn't that exactly what many of the fans on this board wanted? Finally, a college guy who can contribute fairly soon, is a everyday player and not a pitcher, and he focuses on getting on base! And yet, not one comment about the Cubs finally altering their draft strategy or Wilken bringing the Cubs into the new millenia. Just more sarcasm. Come on.

Is this guy not worth getting excited about and leaving our sarcasm behind for a moment or is my understanding of the type of player Colvin is inaccurate?

He doesn't seem to be much of a patient guy. And he doesn't have a strong track record of performance. He was also rated much, much, much lower than where he was selected. Wouldn't you expect a football fan to question his team if they drafted a guy in the first round who everybody else had listed as a 3rd or 4th rounder?

I don't think he's worth getting excited about. Maybe in a few years he'll be a halfway decent baseball player, but that's not exactly exciting.
I'm reserving judgement at this time. Wilken's record in Toronto was stellar...16 of his 17 first round picks either are or were quality every day players in the majors. I'm real interested to see the direction our system moves in over the next couple of years. Just because you're not projected high doesn't mean squat in baseball. Look where Pujols was drafted...

I'm not passing final judgement either. I was responding to another in a long line of criticism of fans for criticizing the Cubs. The guy could be a decent major leaguer some day. The odds of him being great are extremely small, and there's no one thing about him to really create a bunch of excitement.
On what evidence do you base this statement? Isn't a little early to tell what the odds are?

The odds of any given player being great, with the possible exception of the #1 or #2 overall pick, are extremely small. A significant percentage of first round draft picks don't even reach the majors.

That must be a pretty harsh definition of great. I guess mine is a little less demanding, but I see your point. If were talking Pujols or Lee great, then, no, of course the chances are slim.

I was talking about his chances to be a guy who is worthy of being picked 13th. A guy who has a pretty good shot to contribute at the major league level in a way that is worthy of excitement. Throughout the 90s, about half of the years, there was a guy selected 13th or right around there that turned out to be pretty good and made significant contributions in the majors. And when you look at Wilken's picks...

Outshined_One · June 8, 2006

The odds of any given player being great, with the possible exception of the #1 or #2 overall pick, are extremely small. A significant percentage of first round draft picks don't even reach the majors.

Past #1 & #2 picks since 1980:

1980 - Darryl Strawberry (#1), Gary Harris (#2)

1981 - Mike Moore (#1), Joe Carter (#2)

1982 - Shawon Dunston (#1), Augie Schmidt (#2)

1983 - Tim Belcher (#1), Kurt Stillwell (#2)

1984 - Shawn Abner (#1), Bill Swift (#2)

1985 - BJ Surhoff (#1), Will Clark (#2)

1986 - Jeff King (#1), Greg Swindell (#2)

1987 - Ken Griffey Jr. (#1), Mark Merchant (#2)

1988 - Andy Benes (#1), Mark Lewis (#2)

1989 - Ben McDonald (#1), Tyler Houston (#2)

1990 - Chipper Jones (#1), Tony Clark (#2)

1991 - Brien Taylor (#1), Mike Kelly (#2)

1992 - Phil Nevin (#1), Paul Shuey (#2)

1993 - Alex Rodriguez (#1), Darren Dreifort (#2)

1994 - Paul Wilson (#1), Ben Grieve (#2)

1995 - Darin Erstad (#1), Ben Davis (#2)

1996 - Kris Benson (#1), Travis Lee(#2)

1997 - Matt Anderson (#1), JD Drew (#2)

1998 - Pat Burrell (#1), Mark Mulder (#2)

1999 - Josh Hamilton (#1), Josh Beckett (#2)

2000 - Adrian Gonzalez (#1), Adam Johnson (#2)

2001 - Joe Mauer (#1), Mark Prior (#2)

2002 - Bryan Bullington (#1), BJ Upton (#2)

2003 - Delmon Young (#1), Rickie Weeks (#2)

2004 - Matt Bush (#1), Justin Verlander (#2)

2005 - Justin Upton (#1), Alex Gordon (#2)

2006 - Luke Hochevar (#1), Greg Reynolds (#2)

Uhhhhhhh...define "great". A-Rod and Ken Griffey Jr. are first ballot HOFers...but after that, the list gets a bit dicey. Some very good players are on there...but great?

It's a bit early to cast judgment on a number of guys on this list, though. We'll see how they pan out over the coming years.

goonys evil twin · June 8, 2006

I was talking about his chances to be a guy who is worthy of being picked 13th. A guy who has a pretty good shot to contribute at the major league level in a way that is worthy of excitement. Throughout the 90s, about half of the years, there was a guy selected 13th or right around there that turned out to be pretty good and made significant contributions in the majors. And when you look at Wilken's picks...

But the point is he shouldn't have been picked 13th. He should have been picked about 140th. Maybe there's a nice list of guys picked around the 13th pick that turned out good, but that doesn't mean you can just throw any name at the 13th spot and say he's got the same chance as all the rest.

imb · June 8, 2006

Speaking of that list outshined, what happened to bullington and bush?

CaliforniaRaisin · June 8, 2006

Speaking of that list outshined, what happened to bullington and bush?

Bullington is recovering from right labrum surgery and won't be ready for another month or more. Bush fractured his ankle in ST and is starting to work his way back so he can continue to be a collosal bust.

RonnieWooWooSanto · June 8, 2006

The odds of any given player being great, with the possible exception of the #1 or #2 overall pick, are extremely small. A significant percentage of first round draft picks don't even reach the majors.

Past #1 & #2 picks since 1980:

1980 - Darryl Strawberry (#1), Gary Harris (#2)
1981 - Mike Moore (#1), Joe Carter (#2)
1982 - Shawon Dunston (#1), Augie Schmidt (#2)
1983 - Tim Belcher (#1), Kurt Stillwell (#2)
1984 - Shawn Abner (#1), Bill Swift (#2)
1985 - BJ Surhoff (#1), Will Clark (#2)
1986 - Jeff King (#1), Greg Swindell (#2)
1987 - Ken Griffey Jr. (#1), Mark Merchant (#2)
1988 - Andy Benes (#1), Mark Lewis (#2)
1989 - Ben McDonald (#1), Tyler Houston (#2)
1990 - Chipper Jones (#1), Tony Clark (#2)
1991 - Brien Taylor (#1), Mike Kelly (#2)
1992 - Phil Nevin (#1), Paul Shuey (#2)
1993 - Alex Rodriguez (#1), Darren Dreifort (#2)
1994 - Paul Wilson (#1), Ben Grieve (#2)
1995 - Darin Erstad (#1), Ben Davis (#2)
1996 - Kris Benson (#1), Travis Lee(#2)
1997 - Matt Anderson (#1), JD Drew (#2)
1998 - Pat Burrell (#1), Mark Mulder (#2)
1999 - Josh Hamilton (#1), Josh Beckett (#2)
2000 - Adrian Gonzalez (#1), Adam Johnson (#2)
2001 - Joe Mauer (#1), Mark Prior (#2)
2002 - Bryan Bullington (#1), BJ Upton (#2)
2003 - Delmon Young (#1), Rickie Weeks (#2)
2004 - Matt Bush (#1), Justin Verlander (#2)
2005 - Justin Upton (#1), Alex Gordon (#2)
2006 - Luke Hochevar (#1), Greg Reynolds (#2)

Uhhhhhhh...define "great". A-Rod and Ken Griffey Jr. are first ballot HOFers...but after that, the list gets a bit dicey. Some very good players are on there...but great?

It's a bit early to cast judgment on a number of guys on this list, though. We'll see how they pan out over the coming years.

Could you possibly post the list for the #13 picks from those years? I'm just curious how past #13's have done. Thanks in advance.

Ding Dong Johnson · June 8, 2006

#13 Picks:

80 - Lebo Powell

81 - Mike Sodders

82 - John Russed

83 - Joel Davis

84 - Bob Caffrey

85 - Jeff Bumgarner

86 - Ryan Bowen

87 - Bill Spiers

88 - Austin Manahan

89 - Brent Mayne

90 - Donovan Osborne

91 - Manny Ramirez

92 - Chad McConnell

93 - Matt Drews (between Billy Wagner and Derrek Lee)

94 - Paul Konerko

95 - Mark Redman

96 - Rob Stratton

97 - John Curtice

98 - J.M. Gold

99 - Mike Paradis

00 - Shaun Boyd

01 - Casey Kotchman

02 - Khalil Greene

03 - Aaron Hill

04 - Bill Bray

05 - Brandon Snyder

texascub · June 9, 2006

Aaron Hill is another Wilken draftee as well I do believe. Other pretty good names off that list are Kotchman, Greene, and Bray.

Cubs Con-call with Tyler Colvin

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