2008 Cubs Picks Thread

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

I'm more pissed about this than I was about signing Edmonds.

 

Why?

 

The post above yours aptly covers my reasoning.

 

Huh?

 

A weird comaprison to the NFL Draft is your reasoning?

 

Nobody knows how any of these kids are going to turn out. They are not many guarantees in the MLB draft. To be too high or too low about a pick at this point doesn't make much sense. Let it play out.

How is a weird comparison? It is about the impact a player can have on a given game.

 

1) A reliever does not have the same impact as a SP prospect or position player

2) They have been proven to be extremely volatile over the course of their careers.

 

If he was drafted as a starter it doesn't help the case at all because his #'s are not impressive at that position.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Different sport..but I think this pick is much like the Raiders drafting Janikowski in the first round a few years ago..yes he has been success as a placekicker, but it still wasn't a great pick...because a kicker isn't in a position to provide as much value to the team as traditional player.

 

Wow that's a stretch. A placekicker that high in the NFL draft is worlds different to a relief pitcher in the first round of the MLB draft. I don't think their relative values are comparable either.

 

The Polish Powderkeg is to placekickers what Carlos Marmol is to relief pitchers. The Raiders have no reason to regret anything.

[Guest]

I personally think Wilken likes him as a starter. Whether the Cubs are willing to be patient about him starting and taking longer to get to the big leagues is a different story, especially if they want pen help in Sept.

[jersey cubs fan]

TCU meal plan and nutrition plan: steroids

[Little Slide Rooter]

So we still get a "compensation" for Jason Kendall, huh?

 

Kind of like a Brain Surgeon paying you to let him remove a malignant tumor.

[jersey cubs fan]

The comp to an NFL kicker makes sense, but it's not the same thing. The thing about NFL first round picks is if they aren't really good impact players, it's a disappointment. Mid-first round MLB picks can be successful just by contributing to the major league team (or being trade bait for somebody who contributes). If all this kid ever does is turn into Bobby Howry, it's still going to be better than almost all other picks.

[Tyrant]

I think having Carlos Marmol on our team has shown us how valuable a high-leverage reliever can be.

 

I am not saying he's as good as Marmol, but a great reliever is very, very valuable. Cashner certainly has the stuff to be very good.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

I think having Carlos Marmol on our team has shown us how valuable a high-leverage reliever can be.

 

 

He could be even more valuable as a starter........

[CoolHandLuke]

good relievers usually aren't relievers when they are drafted though

[Guest]

I think having Carlos Marmol on our team has shown us how valuable a high-leverage reliever can be.

 

 

He could be even more valuable as a starter........

 

Not necessarily. And Cashner could be a starter too.

[Ryno is God 23]

good relievers usually aren't relievers when they are drafted though

 

That is a result of the game changing.

[Tyrant]

I think having Carlos Marmol on our team has shown us how valuable a high-leverage reliever can be.

 

 

He could be even more valuable as a starter........

 

This has been covered elsewhere, but that's not necessarily true.

[CoolHandLuke]

It's more about the guys with the most talent at the high school and college level being put in starting roles.

[Guest]

Apparently Cashner says his jump in velocity was mainly because he started working with a nutritionist and a strength coach.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think having Carlos Marmol on our team has shown us how valuable a high-leverage reliever can be.

 

 

He could be even more valuable as a starter........

 

Not necessarily. And Cashner could be a starter too.

 

Considering he wasn't much of a prospect until moving from the starting job to the bullpen, I think it's a stretch to justify his selection based on the possibility that he could start again.

[jersey cubs fan]

Apparently Cashner says his jump in velocity was mainly because he started working with a nutritionist and a strength coach.

 

Of course he also said that before signing. What was he going to say, "I can only throw this hard when I come out of the bullpen once or twice a week. Put me in the rotation and I'm back down at 90."

[jersey cubs fan]

Ryan Flaherty from Vanderbilt.

[Wrigley Rat]

I liked what I heard on the short phone interview that ESPN2 had on him - he sounds like he enjoys eating "grilled chicken and avoiding soft drinks." He was respectful and sounded intelligent. I always think that those intangibles are sometimes valuable to know in addition to his repertoire and stats.

 

I think he will get some starts at A-ball before seeing Tennessee. I expect him to have some success at that level because most of those kids don't see 98-mph fastballs too often, but if the Cubs stretch him out too much, his velocity will be back to 90-94 mph and he would seem average.

 

Ryan Faherty has been selected - SS.

[TysonCBulls423]

GRIT

[imb]

Ok, Cubs pick time.

 

We get:

 

Ryan Flaherty, SS Vanderbilt

 

6'3 210? he won't stick at short

[jersey cubs fan]

at least he's a baseball player.

[Guest]

Comp: SS Ryan Flaherty, Vanderbilt

 

As a coach's son, Flaherty earns compliments as a "ballplayer" from opposing coaches and scouts. His father Edward Flaherty is in the ABCA Hall of Fame and has won two national championships as head coach of Division III Southern Maine's baseball team. Flaherty himself has a track record of winning, as following his senior year in high school, his summer team won the American Legion national championship. Flaherty was also named Mr. Baseball in Maine the same season. At Vanderbilt, Flaherty took over the starting shortstop role full-time his sophomore season. However, scouts feel Flaherty's range is not good enough for him to stay at the premium position into the pros, and he will most likely have to make a move to second base, which he played for Team USA last summer. At the plate, Flaherty swings from the left side and will hit for average. He holds the Commodores record for longest hitting streak at 35 games. Flaherty hit six total home runs in his first two years on campus and has close to doubled that total this season. He has showed signs of filling out his lanky 6-foot-3 frame and more strength is projected, but he will most likely never be considered a power hitter. His athleticism and makeup are a plus and should carry him into the major leagues.

[Guest]

A strong and athletic infielder with a classic left-handed swing, he's drawn a comparison to Wally Joyner in terms of his offensive skill set. He should hit for average, but hasn't shown much power at this point. Defensively, he's got a good arm, but does not have the range to stay at short. A move to third might make the most sense given his size.

[imb]

I'm calling it, next Utley

[E.J.]

A strong and athletic infielder with a classic left-handed swing, he's drawn a comparison to Wally Joyner in terms of his offensive skill set. He should hit for average, but hasn't shown much power at this point. Defensively, he's got a good arm, but does not have the range to stay at short. A move to third might make the most sense given his size.

 

So we drafted a 3b who doesn't hit for much power. Awesome.