2009 Cubs Picks Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'll update this post with picks as they come. Please post scouting reports and discuss the picks themselves in here. Signed players are in bold with any bonus information listed.

 

Round 1, Pick 31: Brett Jackson, OF, California - $972,000 bonus

Round 2, Pick 79: David LeMahieu, 2B/SS, LSU - $508,000 bonus

Round 3, Pick 109: Austin Kirk, LHP, Owasso HS (Owasso, OK) - $320,000 bonus

Round 4, Pick 140: Chris Rusin, LHP, Kentucky - senior - $140,000 bonus

Round 5, Pick 170: Wes Darvill, SS, Brookwood SS (Langley, BC) - $142,000 bonus

Round 6, Pick 200: Brooks Raley, LHP, Texas A&M - $750,000 bonus

Round 7, Pick 230: Blair Springfield, OF, MacArthur HS (Decatur, IL) - $127,500 bonus

Round 8, Pick 260: Robert Whitenack, RHP, SUNY Old Westbury - $125,000 bonus

Round 9, Pick 290: Richard Jones, C/1B, Citadel - $110,000 bonus

Round 10, Pick 320: Joseph Thomas, 3B, Edward Waters College (FL) - $60,000 bonus

Round 11, Pick 350: John Mincone, LHP, Suffolk-Brentwood CC (NY) - $100,000 bonus

Round 12, Pick 380: Runey Davis, OF, Howard JC (TX) - $125,000 bonus

Round 13, Pick 410: Chad Taylor, SS, Jefferson HS (Tampa, FL)

Round 14, Pick 440: Danny Keefe, RHP, University of Tampa - senior

Round 15, Pick 470: Bryan Shields, OF, Auburn - Montgomery - senior

Round 16, Pick 500: Keenyn Walker, OF, Judge Memorial Catholic HS (Salt Lake City, UT)

Round 17, Pick 530: Barrett Dail, RHP, Mt. Olive College (NC) - Dail agreed to a $50,000 bonus with the Cubs on June 15, but the deal was voided on July 9, making him a free agent.

Round 18, Pick 560: Matt Williams, C, Duke - senior

Round 19, Pick 590: Sergio Burruel, C, Browne HS (Phoenix, AZ)

Round 20, Pick 620: Eric Erickson, LHP, U Miami (FL)

Round 21, Pick 650: Greg Rohan, 1B, Kent State - 5th year senior

Round 22, Pick 680: Derrick Fitzgerald, 2B, Dyersburg State CC (TN)

Round 23, Pick 710: Jeff Pruitt, OF, Cal State Northridge - Pruitt agreed to a $60,000 bonus with the Cubs on June 15, but the deal was voided on July 10, making him a free agent.

Round 24, Pick 740: Gerardo Esquivel, RHP, De La Salle Institute (Chicago, IL)

Round 25, Pick 770: Justin Bour, 1B, George Mason

Round 26, Pick 800: Steve Grife, RHP, Mercyhurst

Round 27, Pick 830: Corey Martin, RHP, Western Carolina - senior

Round 28, Pick 860: Jordan Petraitis, 3B, Miami (OH) - senior

Round 29, Pick 890: Timothy Clubb, RHP, Missouri St.

Round 30, Pick 920: Daniel Sheppard, C, Downers Grove North HS (Downers Grove, IL)

Round 31, Pick 950: Andrew Clark, 1B, Louisville

Round 32, Pick 980: Trey McNutt, RHP, Shelton State CC (AL) - $115,000 bonus

Round 33, Pick 1010: John Lambert, LHP, North Carolina State

Round 34, Pick 1040: Joseph Varner, RHP, Texas-Arlington

Round 35, Pick 1070: Kevin David, C, Oklahoma State - draft-eligible sophomore

Round 36, Pick 1100: Brandon May, 2B, Alabama

Round 37, Pick 1130: Peter Mooney, SS, Palm Beach CC

Round 38, Pick 1160: Robert Wagner, 1B/3B, Panola JC

Round 39, Pick 1190: Nick Struck, RHP, Mt. Hood CC - $125,000 bonus

Round 40, Pick 1220: Eric Whaley, RHP, Cardinal Gibbons HS (Pompano Beach, FL)

Round 41, Pick 1250: Jacob Schmidt, RHP, Concordia (Minnesota) - senior

Round 42, Pick 1280: Trey Ford, SS/3B, Chaparral HS (Scottsdale, AZ)

Round 43, Pick 1310: Colin Kaepernick, RHP, Nevada-Reno

Round 44, Pick 1340: Frank DeJiulio, RHP, Daytona Beach CC

Round 45, Pick 1370: Addison Dunn, RHP, Warren Area HS (Warren, PA)

Round 46, Pick 1400: Glenn Cook, CF, Miami (FL) - senior

Round 47, Pick 1430: Joseph Jocketty, 3B, Ladue Horton Watkins HS (St. Louis, MO) - Walt Jocketty's son

Round 48, Pick 1460: John Nasshan, RHP, Niles West HS (Skokie, IL)

Round 49, Pick 1490: Christian Segar, OF, McQuaid Jesuit HS (Rochester, NY)

Round 50, Pick 1520: Zach Cleveland, RHP, Central Arizona JC

 

UDFA Signings:

 

RHP Jesse Ginley (drafted in the 43rd round by the Cubs in 2008)

LHP Daley Cox, Santa Fe CC (FL) - released in August 2009

[Guest]

#34 BRETT JACKSON, OF, CALIFORNIA

 

Jackson is most frequently compared with J.D. Drew, at least physically. But while critics often question Drew's passion, the same accusation could never be directed at Jackson. Strong and muscular, Jackson is a wonderful athlete who is a perpetual motion machine on the field and plays with flair. He is an enthusiastic, upbeat and supportive teammate, and he's an aggressive baserunner who challenges outfielders and takes the extra base, often diving in headfirst while doing so. He uses his above-average speed to chase down drives in the gaps in center field, and he has the range to flag down balls hit in front of him or over his head. His arm can be inconsistent, but he has enough arm strength for both left and center. Most criticism surrounding Jackson centers on his hitting, where he's not nearly as polished as Drew. He utilizes an inward-turning, hand-pumping, leg-kicking, load-up-and-let-it-fly swing. He has excellent bat speed and shows the ability to rifle the ball around the diamond, with acceptable home run power, particularly for a leadoff man. His high strikeout totals hurt his draft chances, though, and he had 58 whiffs in 206 at-bats this season.

 

BA rated him the 7th best prospect in the state of California and the 34th overall in the draft.

[Guest]

Focus Area Comments

Hitting ability: Jackson has a solid, balanced approach at the plate. He doesn't have a big load to the ball and sometimes looks like he's rushing a bit.

Power: Shows average raw power now, but the way he swings it, he doesn't tap into it. He slaps at the ball a little more as Cal's leadoff hitter. But he does have some pop in there.

Running speed: Has above-average speed, with a football player's stride; someone who runs hard.

Base running: It's OK and he should be able to steal some bases in the future.

Arm strength: Has a plus arm from the outfield.

Fielding: He's fine in center now, but if he gets bigger and slows down, he might have to move to a corner spot.

Range: Runs gap-to-gap well.

Physical Description: Jackson is a big, athletic outfielder with good overall body strength.

Medical Update: Healthy.

Strengths: Strength, athletic ability. Some hitting ability and good speed to go along with good overall actions in center field.

Weaknesses: Strikes out a little too often for a leadoff hitter, but can he hit for enough power to be a No. 3 type. If he gets bigger, he may not be able to stay in center.

Summary: It's not a great Draft class for college bats, particularly in the outfield, so one with the athleticism Jackson has is bound to be noticed. He runs well on both sides of the ball, has a decent approach at the plate and plays a good center field right now. Some may see him as a tweener who isn't a leadoff hitter or a No. 3 type. If he gets bigger he will have to move to a corner, where how much power he actually has becomes a bigger question. He's got more value if he can stay in center, and the team that takes him may be hoping he can stay put.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=bjackson

 

Video in link.

[RammyFanny]

Summary: Jackson is a good athlete who has had severe problems making contact in college despite the benefits accorded by the use of an aluminum bat. He has a great swing with quick hands, setting up just at his back shoulder and loading by moving his hands down slightly rather than back. His swing plane is flat and -- oddly enough -- looks geared more for contact than for power, since there's little loft in it. Unfortunately, Jackson just doesn't make much contact and the problem has become worse rather than better as he's gotten older. He does kick his front leg in hard toward his back leg just as he's trying to shift his weight forward, which can cause timing issues. He's a plus runner with good range in center but a fringe-average arm. He's a good enough athlete to go in the top two or three rounds, but in a year that's light on definite college bats, he could move up into the late first or sandwich.

[Guest]

Kevin Goldstein (5:40:14 PM PT): Cubs take Brett Jackson from Cal, who seemed to be in the mix for every team in the 20s. He's either a star or the next Tyler Colvin. That's really the range here as a risk/upside college guy.

 

Kevin Goldstein (5:40:14 PM PT): Cubs take Brett Jackson from Cal, who seemed to be in the mix for every team in the 20s. He's either a star or the next Tyler Colvin. That's really the range here as a risk/upside college guy.

 

Bryan Smith (5:40:59 PM PT): Brett Jackson is sort of like how KG described Wheeler -- he gets a lot of power-speed credit, but in two years, he hasn't hit more than eight home runs or stolen more than 12 bases in a season. Plus, I've heard a lot of question marks about his ability to stay in center. I think there's a pretty decent chance the Cubs just drafted a fourth outfielder.

 

Kevin Goldstein (5:41:35 PM PT): Johnny (IL): I'm a Cub fan who hates Jackson. Am I screwed?

 

Perfectly fine pick there that fits in well with his talent. I love the commentators telling us he's a hitter when that's actually his big issue. "It can be corrected" I'm told, which is always funny.

 

Joe Hamrahi (5:43:27 PM PT): I agree Bryan. I watched his numbers quite closely this year, and his lack of power, combined with a low contact rate and limited ability against LHP, makes me think the Cubs could have done better at this spot.

 

Baseball America[/url]"]Cubs Get Jackson

 

Posted Jun. 9, 2009 7:38 pm by John Manuel

Filed under: Draft Day, Draft Dope

 

Brett Jackson goes to the Cubs, who has five-tool ability and might be the best hitting prospect in the system after Josh Vitters as soon as he signs. Of course, he also could be another Tyler Colvin. But at No. 31, the Cubs get solid value, considering the fact that Jackson was projected to go top-half of the first round earlier this season.

[Post Count Padder]

Cubs chose California outfielder Brett Jackson with the 31st pick in the draft.

Jackson hit .321/.407/.564 with 11 steals in 16 attempts for California this season. He has a solid all-around game, but he doesn't offer vast amounts of power and, if he can't last in center, he may be a tweener fourth outfielder rather than a major league regular.

[UK1679666180]

Brett Jackson OF Jr. L-R 6-2 210 California Orinda, Calif. Never drafted 8/2/1988

SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): An athletic center fielder with a chance to have five average or better tools, Jackson has gotten plenty of opportunity to showcase his talent in college and summer competition-if only because he has played alongside highly-visible teammates in the Pac-10 Conference and Cape Cod League that have attracted scouts in droves. Jackson has an outside shot of going in the first round himself in June, but it may all hinge on his development with the bat. He struggled at the plate as a freshman at Cal, showed promise with a .307-4-40 campaign for the Bears as a sophomore, but didn't stand out as expected during the summer in the Cape, hitting just. 238-4-14. He struck out 39 times in 40 games, accentuating a need to be more disciplined in his approach while exposing minor, but correctable flaws in his stroke. In particular, he needs to eliminate a loop in his swing. But Jackson has plenty of natural hitting ability to work with as he has strong hands and generates good bat speed. His frame also allows for added power potential down the road as he matures into it. Jackson is a fundamentally-sound player and the remainder of his tools are solid. He has above-average speed and base-running skills, is quick out of the box with 4.1-4.2 speed down the line and comfortable batting in the leadoff hole. He led Cal with 12 stolen bases a year ago. Jackson's arm strength may be his best asset, and he is a sound defender capable of playing all three outfield positions equally well. He has regularly drawn comparisons to big leaguer J.D. Drew, for his body type, actions and makeup, but is not as polished or strong at a similar stage of development as the former two-time first-rounder.-ALLAN SIMPSON

UPDATE (5/15): Jackson has been one of the more difficult players in this year's class to tie down to a draft slot. On one hand, he has definite first-round tools and the makeup to use them. He's a plus runner to first base, despite a strong power swing that prevents him from getting out of the box quickly, and has a plus outfield throwing arm from center field, where his routes, jumps and instincts give no one reason to believe he won't play that position at the big-league level. His raw bat speed easily registers in the plus category. On the other hand, Jackson has never been a high-level performer at the plate at the college level, and was hitting a modest .322-8-38 for Cal through 51 games. None of those figures led an underachieving 23-28 Bears team. He also struck out an alarming 60 times this spring, which did lead the team. Jackson remains prone to swinging and missing to a point where scouts question whether he is a natural hitter. He can be worked over by good lefthanded pitchers and he'll obviously face even better pitchers at the professional level. A defining 2009 moment for Jackson came May 12, when he faced off in a mid-week game against Cal State Sacramento outfielder and fellow top prospect Tim Wheeler. While Wheeler went a quiet 1-for-3 with a large number of scouts in attendance, Jackson went off in a 15-0 Cal win, going 4-for-6 with a triple, home run and eight RBIs out of the leadoff spot, while also showcasing his arm and defensive ability. You will hear Jackson's name mentioned as high as No. 10 in the first round leading up to the draft, but there is no guarantee that he will go even in the first 40 picks.-

[YearofDaCubs]

Sounds like a horrible selection. I'd rather have gone with a potential 30/100 OFer.

[Guest]

Focus Area

Comments

Hitting ability: LeMahieu has a solid approach up the middle and uses the big part of the field well with a line-drive stroke.

Power: He might have average power, a touch better, but he's better gap-to-gap.

Running speed: An average runner once underway; he might slow down as he gets bigger and matures.

Base running: Has good instincts on the bases.

Arm strength: His arm is solid average in the infield.

Fielding: Hands work well, but he may not be able to stay at shortstop.

Range: His range is a little short for his position. He lacks first-step quickness

Physical Description: LeMahieu is a tall infielder with wiry strength.

Medical Update: Healthy.

Strengths: Good baseball instincts, solid hitting approach.

Weaknesses: Lacks the quickness and range to play shortstop, but doesn't have the pure raw power you'd like to see from a third baseman.

Summary: As a shortstop from a major college program, LeMahieu is going to get plenty of looks. Like most LSU products, he plays the game the right way and makes the most of his average tools. He's got a solid approach at the plate, but doesn't have a ton of raw power. That wouldn't matter, except for the fact he might have to move to third as he matures. Still, as a real "baseball player" who's excelled in a major program, he's bound to be drafted well.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=lemahieu

 

Video in link.

[Guest]

#73 D.J. LEMAHIEU, 2B, LOUISIANA STATE

LeMahieu looked like a first-round pick last summer when he starred in the Cape Cod League. Scouts saw enough athleticism in his lanky 6-foot-4, 193-pound frame to think he could play shortstop, and they liked his power potential. But he hasn't played up to that level this spring. Though LeMahieu led Louisiana State, which has been in the top 10 most of the season, with a .356 average heading into the final week of the regular season, scouts expected him to deliver more than four home runs. He employs an inside-out, opposite-field approach, so he should have more power if he turns on more pitches. Scouts also have noted that his swing seems slower and longer this spring. They also think LeMahieu now has no chance at playing shortstop, as he has looked more methodical and less explosive. The Tigers concurred, moving him to second base at midseason after they had trouble turning double plays. His arm has regressed, too, and at shortstop he would need a full windup to make longer throws. A fringe-average runner, LeMahieu may not have the quick feet for second base, either, and he'd have to produce a lot more power if he shifted to third base or the outfield. Further complicating matters is the extra leverage he possesses as a draft-eligible sophomore. Enough scouting directors saw LeMahieu play well on the Cape that he still should get picked in the second or third round, and he may be signable if he goes that high.

[YearofDaCubs]

Why would we draft another 2B when we have nice depth there in the minors?

[Guest]

Why would we draft another 2B when we have nice depth there in the minors?

 

BPA. Wilken loves up the middle guy.

 

He's good value here as a prospect.

[CUBZ99]

Please tell me that Scheppers wasn't available. I'm hoping that the Cubs start to draft some pitching with their next picks.

[Guest]

Bryan Smith (7:07:52 PM PT): Cubs take a chance on D.J. LeMahieu from LSU at 79. This is sort of a similar pick to Ryan Flaherty last year -- a college shortstop, but no one is quite sure what position he ends up at as a pro. We'll see if he's tough to sign, but if he sticks in the middle infield, he's always had a lot of potential.

 

Also, note: the Hendry and Paul Mainieri connection continues. People always think the Cubs like Notre Dame --- not so, it's just he seems to trust his best friend on draft day.

 

Kevin Goldstein (7:08:25 PM PT): Very surprised to see D.J. Lemahieu go in the second round. Just a guy with little upside, who already had to slide from shortstop to second base while still in college.

[Outshined_One]

Please tell me that Scheppers wasn't available. I'm hoping that the Cubs start to draft some pitching with their next picks.

 

Off the board at 44. They passed on him with their first rounder.

[Burtonbell]

From the scouting reports I have read so far on the two guys the Cubs drafted, I am not excited at all. In fact, this does not look like a good draft so far. Is there something I am missing with these two guys?

 

Bart no like, bad medicine.

[SweetZombieJesus]

Dear Jim Hendry,

 

Stop drafting guys from your mancrush Paul Mainieri. They all suck including Samarhdbsejhgf.

[Guest]

#151 AUSTIN KIRK, LHP, OWASSO (OKLA.) HS

Kirk led Owasso to the Oklahoma 6-A championship, making the Rams the Sooner State's first large school ever to win three straight league titles. He won three games in the final week of the state tournament, concluding with a four-hitter over Edmond's Santa Fe High in the finals for Owasso's ei ghth championship in the last 11 years. Kirk doesn't have a lot of projection remaining in his strong 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, but he already has quality stuff for a lefthander. He surprised scouts by touching 92 mph in a February scrimmage against Tulsa's Memorial High and ace Jon Reed. Kirk has moved past Reed as the state's No. 2 high school prospect behind projected first-rounder Chad James (Yukon High) by pitching at 88-91 mph all spring after previously topping out in the high 80s. His fastball is explosive and gets on hitters quickly, making it appear even faster. He also consistently stays on top of his improved curveball with his high three-quarters delivery and has an advanced changeup for a high schooler. Kirk could go in the fourth or fifth round if teams believe he'll sign. If he doesn't, he'll head to Oklahoma and get the chance to contribute as a two-way player. He's a first baseman with some lefthanded power.

 

Rated the 8th best prospect in Oklahoma and 151 overall in the draft by BA.

[A-Cal]

pretty underwhelming, although i like the name Austin Kirk since my name is Austin as well

[Keener98]

Well hes the 1st pick that sounds good. Lets hope he signs

[Guest]

Jason Churchill: It's not called the Windy City for nothing, and the Cubs just added a very good athlete who strikes out far too often. If he can find a way to eliminate a large percentage of the whiffs and stick in center field, he's a good value. He does not possess the power to play in a corner.

 

Jackson reminds me too much of the bad Darin Erstad with a power hitter's K totals.

[Guest]

6. D.J. Lemahieu, ss, Harwich (Louisiana State). LeMahieu, who'll be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2009, has an athletic 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame that reminds some scouts of Cal Ripken Jr. He hit for average and gap power for much of the summer before tailing off after coming down with mononucleosis.

 

LeMahieu has a projectable body and swing, though some observers question his ultimate power and position. Those who like him think he'll be a home run threat once he learns to pull more pitches, and they say he can stay at shortstop rather than moving to third base.

 

"I think he has a strong chance to play shortstop," the crosschecker said. "He has a big frame but he's fluid, has a good first step and some length in his stride that gives him very good range."

 

8. Brett Jackson, of, Cotuit (California). Jackson is still a work in progress who batted .238 with 39 strikeouts in 40 games. But if he continues to develop next spring, it wouldn't surprise scouts if he blossomed into a first-round pick. He's a 6-foot-2, 210-pounder with a lively bat, good speed and the ability to play anywhere in the outfield.

 

"He has the body of J.D. Drew," Cotuit manager Mike Roberts said. "He's not as strong at the same age, but he can really run and has a very respectable arm."

 

BA's top 30 prospects in the Cape Cod League last summer.

[Guest]

Video of Kirk: http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=4961152&content_id=4736861

[Guest]

http://newsok.com/all-state-baseball-owassos-kirk-a-good-friend/article/3375848

 

"It’s exciting,” Kirk said. "We’re getting phone calls from scouts and stuff but I’m trying not to think about it.”

 

That’s a difficult task.

 

"It’s actually impossible,” he said. "I just keep thinking here in a couple weeks I could be off somewhere playing baseball for a living.”

 

http://s3.amazonaws.com/newsok-photos/575846/medium.jpg

[UK1679666180]

With his athletic 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame, LeMahieu is built along the lines of Cal Ripken, and his fluid actions, soft hands and superior arm strength have enabled him to thrive at shortstop to this point in his career. He may lack the range and quickness to remain at the position over the long haul, especially as he fills out his lanky build, but his additional bulk would probably provide him with the strength to drive balls out of the park more consistently if a move to third base is in the works. LeMahieu homered only once in 107 at-bats during the 2008 Cape Cod League season, but hit for average (.290) and gap power much of the summer before tailing off late in the season when it was determined he had contracted mononucleosis. He stays inside the ball extremely well and his power will begin to evolve naturally when he starts pulling balls more consistently. LeMahieu hit .337-6-44 as a freshman at LSU. While he didn't swing the bat with as much production last summer, he made better contact and became more selective at the plate. He also cut his error total at shortstop from 22 to three, and generally made all the plays expected of an everyday shortstop. He gave scouts no reason to believe a move to third base or any other position might be imminent. Had he been considered more signable coming out of a Michigan high school, LeMahieu might have been a premium draft in 2007 but he was an afterthought 41st-rounder by his home-state Detroit Tigers. By turning 21 on July 13, he'll be eligible for the 2009 draft as a sophomore, by a matter of days. He could edge his way towards the first round, but a lot will depend on his development with the bat in the spring.-ALLAN SIMPSON

UPDATE (5/15): Although he was one of the leading hitters (.335-4-33) on the top-ranked team in college baseball, LeMahieu did not have the breakout 2009 season scouts were expecting-either at the plate or in the field. Most telling was his inability to drive the ball, especially against the better pitchers in the SEC. He had an exaggerated inside-out approach all spring, and did not even flash signs of the power that scouts have long projected that he should develop. The most-defining moment in LeMahieu's, and perhaps LSU's season came in mid-April when he was shifted over to second base to make room for slick-fielding freshman Austin Nola at shortstop, and the Tigers instantly became a better team defensively. LeMahieu handled most of the routine plays at shortstop, but he struggled on slow rollers and turning the double play, along with some of the more difficult plays inherent in the position. It was also apparent to scouts that he was a step slower than in the past and his arm action had become more methodical. He left scouts with a lot of questions to ponder. With his tricky status as a draft-eligible sophomore, he will undoubtedly be one of the more-discussed players in many teams' pre-draft meetings.-DAVID