Let's have a pre-(college)season mock draft

[UK1679666180]

Heh, I got too excited thinking about drafting for the Cubs.

[RammyFanny]

Alright people, now it's time to vote for you're Cub pick. The 5 day thing I mentioned seemed a little too long, so i'll probably wait for everyone's vote until tomorrow or monday or something, depending on how many people reply today.

[Mephistopheles]

1. Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

2. Michael Palazzone. RHP - Lassiter HS (GA)

3. Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

4. Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

5. Kyle Long, LHP - St. Anne's-Belfield School (VA)

[UK1679666180]

1)Dennis Raben, 1B/OF - Miami

2)Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

3)Gordon Beckham, SS - Georgia

4)Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

5)Luke Burnett, RHP - Louisiana Tech

[RammyFanny]

1. Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

2. Taylor Jungmann, RHP - Rogers HS (TX)

3. Brandon Crawford, SS - UCLA

4. Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

5. Jarret Martin, LHP - Centennial HS (CA)

[Guest]

1. Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

2. Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

3. Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

4. Kyle Lobstein, LHP - Coconino HS (AZ)

5. Brandon Crawford, SS - UCLA

 

Err, I forgot Tyson Ross. Put him in at 5.

[Guest]

And I say we keep going after this pick.

[UK1679666180]

Definitely make it past 40+.

[RammyFanny]

Definitely make it past 40+.

 

Yep, at least to our supplemental. I've got to run for a little bit, if anyone wants to post the updated order into the supp., then go for it. It's looking like Gray will be our guy, but i'll still leave it open for others (probably not too many) until tommorrow morning or something. If someone else takes Gray first I think it's safe to say that he will be the majority.

[UK1679666180]

20. Seattle Mariners

21. Detroit Tigers

22. New York Mets

23. San Diego Padres

24. Philadelphia Phillies

25. Colorado Rockies

26. Arizona Diamondbacks

27. Twins (from Angels)

28. New York Yankees

29. Cleveland Indians

30. Boston Red Sox

 

31. Twins (Hunter)

32. Brewers (Franciso Cordero, A, to Cin)

33. Mets (Glavine)

34. Phillies (Aaron Rowand, A to SF)

35. Brewers (Scott Linebrink, A, to CWS)

36. Royals (David Riske, B, to KC)

37. Cardinals (Troy Percival, B, to TB)

38. Braves (Ron Mahay, B, to KC)

39. Cubs (Jason Kendall, B, to Mil)

40. Padres (Doug Brocail, B, to Hou)

41. Yankees (Luis Vizcaino, B, to Col)

42. Red Sox (Eric Gagne, B, to Mil)

[RammyFanny]

Well, it looks like Ping, Meph, CR, and me are the main people doing this (though anyone else can obviously jump in), and everyone has their votes in. For the sake of getting this moving again...

 

With the 19th pick in the draft, the Chicago Cubs select:

 

Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

 

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

 

Cubs get a pitcher with great stuff who gets the "undersized label". Very athletic, has a fastball that sits in the 92-95 area (touches 97 IIRC), and a slider that project to also be a very very good out pitch. As always, he'll get some comparisons to Oswalt, Lincecum, and more recently, Drabek.

[Mephistopheles]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

[RammyFanny]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

 

By the way, youtube has a video of Raben taking some BP if anyone was interested. I'm too lazy to go find the link.

[Guest]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

 

I like Galloway a lot.

[UK1679666180]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

23. San Diego Padres - Scott Green, RHP - Kentucky

[Mephistopheles]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

23. San Diego Padres - Scott Green, RHP - Kentucky

24. Philadelphia Phillies - Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

 

Let's see I've taken 6 HS products and 2 college products

[wekse]

i think sonny gray goes to, and finishes, college....everyone i've spoke to about him talks like it's a big deal to him.

[Guest]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

23. San Diego Padres - Scott Green, RHP - Kentucky

24. Philadelphia Phillies - Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

25. Colorado Rockies - Kyle Lobstein, LHP - Coconino HS (AZ)

[Mephistopheles]

The DBacks depleted farm system could certainly be in BPA mode come draft day, but being a big contender now with a young nucleus, they could be looking to add something polished. Names they will consider include Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, but decide to take the college arm with the highest upside after he's coming off of a resurgent junior campaign, Shooter Hunt.

 

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

23. San Diego Padres - Scott Green, RHP - Kentucky

24. Philadelphia Phillies - Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

25. Colorado Rockies - Kyle Lobstein, LHP - Coconino HS (AZ)

26. Arizona Diamondbacks - Shooter Hunt, RHP - Tulane

[UK1679666180]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

23. San Diego Padres - Scott Green, RHP - Kentucky

24. Philadelphia Phillies - Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

25. Colorado Rockies - Kyle Lobstein, LHP - Coconino HS (AZ)

26. Arizona Diamondbacks - Shooter Hunt, RHP - Tulane

27. Minnesota Twins - Luke Burnett, RHP - Louisiana Tech

 

Big, strong, ++ FB, + splitter, +slider.

[UK1679666180]

Did my pick scare or amaze the masses?

 

Let's keep the ball rolling...

[Guest]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

23. San Diego Padres - Scott Green, RHP - Kentucky

24. Philadelphia Phillies - Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

25. Colorado Rockies - Kyle Lobstein, LHP - Coconino HS (AZ)

26. Arizona Diamondbacks - Shooter Hunt, RHP - Tulane

27. Minnesota Twins - Luke Burnett, RHP - Louisiana Tech

28. New York Yankees - Aaron Shafer, RHP - Wichita State

[UK1679666180]

I think we could finish this draft Raisin. :)

 

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

23. San Diego Padres - Scott Green, RHP - Kentucky

24. Philadelphia Phillies - Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

25. Colorado Rockies - Kyle Lobstein, LHP - Coconino HS (AZ)

26. Arizona Diamondbacks - Shooter Hunt, RHP - Tulane

27. Minnesota Twins - Luke Burnett, RHP - Louisiana Tech

28. New York Yankees - Aaron Shafer, RHP - Wichita State

29. Cleveland Indians - Gordon Beckham, SS/2B - Georgia

 

Though not as big or physical as Evan Longoria, Beckham’s performance this summer reminded managers and scouts of the 2005 Cape Cod League MVP and rising star in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. Like Longoria, Beckham topped the Cape League in home runs (nine) and RBIs (35), and had a knack for stepping up his play defensively in the middle infield with a game on the line. He may have taken advantage of a short porch in center field at his home park, but Beckham has legitimate power. He has strong wrists and attacks the ball with excellent leverage in his swing—particularly as his bat crosses over the plate. He hit 12 homers as a freshman and 13 as a sophomore at Georgia , so his power production this summer came as little surprise. But he can be pitched to and is susceptible to balls slow and away. Though he has athletic, often-acrobatic actions at shortstop, soft hands and can make the long throw from the hole, there are concerns whether Beckham will remain at that position in the long term. He needs to tighten up his play overall as he tends to get casual on routine plays. A likely destination at the next level, if it’s not shortstop, is second base. He spent the bulk of his games this summer at short, but played eight games at second and three in the outfield—and there is even talk that he could end up behind the plate.

[Guest]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

23. San Diego Padres - Scott Green, RHP - Kentucky

24. Philadelphia Phillies - Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

25. Colorado Rockies - Kyle Lobstein, LHP - Coconino HS (AZ)

26. Arizona Diamondbacks - Shooter Hunt, RHP - Tulane

27. Minnesota Twins - Luke Burnett, RHP - Louisiana Tech

28. New York Yankees - Aaron Shafer, RHP - Wichita State

29. Cleveland Indians - Gordon Beckham, SS/2B - Georgia

30. Boston Red Sox - Kyle Long, LHP - St. Anne's-Belfield School (VA)

 

The Yankees or the Red Sox have to grab him in the first round.

[UK1679666180]

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Pedro Alvarez, 1B/LF - Vanderbilt

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tim Beckham, SS - Griffin HS (GA)

3. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants - Eric Hosmer, 1B - American Heritage HS (FL)

6. Florida Marlins - Tim Melville, RHP - Holt HS (MO)

7. Cincinnati Reds- Ryan Perry, RHP - Arizona

8. Chicago White Sox - Christian Friedrich, LHP - Eastern Kentucky

9. Washington Nationals - Kyle Skipworth, C - Patriot HS (CA)

10. Houston Astros - Gerrit Cole, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

11. Texas Rangers - Alex Meyer, RHP - Greensburg HS (IN)

12. Oakland A's - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jacob Thompson, RHP - Virginia

14. Minnesota Twins - Harold Martinez, SS/3B - Braddock HS (FL)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Hicks, RHP - Wilson HS (CA)

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Cole St. Clair, LHP - Rice

17. Toronto Blue Jays - Yonder Alonso, 1B - Miami

18. New York Mets- Brett Hunter, RHP - Pepperdine

19. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray, RHP - Smyrna HS (TN)

20. Seattle Mariners - Tyson Ross, RHP - Cal

21. Detroit Tigers - Dennis Raben, RF - Miami

22. New York Mets - Isaac Galloway, OF - Los Osos HS (CA)

23. San Diego Padres - Scott Green, RHP - Kentucky

24. Philadelphia Phillies - Ethan Martin, 3B - Stephens County HS (GA)

25. Colorado Rockies - Kyle Lobstein, LHP - Coconino HS (AZ)

26. Arizona Diamondbacks - Shooter Hunt, RHP - Tulane

27. Minnesota Twins - Luke Burnett, RHP - Louisiana Tech

28. New York Yankees - Aaron Shafer, RHP - Wichita State

29. Cleveland Indians - Gordon Beckham, SS/2B - Georgia

30. Boston Red Sox - Kyle Long, LHP - St. Anne's-Belfield School (VA)

31. Minnesota Twins- Xavier Avery, CF - Cedar Grove HS (GA)

 

Avery has gained comparisons to Tampa Bay all-star outfielder Carl Crawford for his athletic ability and baseball skills. He is the fastest player in the 2008 draft class, having run a 6.18 over 60 yards at Perfect Game’s National Showcase in Cincinnati . A lefthanded hitter like Crawford, Avery has surprising power in his bat and should rack up impressive extra-base hit totals, especially triples, as his offensive game develops. Avery is also an acclaimed football player, picking up more than 1,000 yards and 500 yards receiving as a junior, although he has been more highly recruited as a cornerback. He hit .688 on the baseball field last spring, with five home runs and 47 stolen bases, and played for the celebrated East Cobb Astros during the summer. Athleticism runs in the Avery family, as his father played Division I basketball and his brother D-I football. He was an Aflac All-American.