2011 MLB Draft Discussion

[emkayseven]

the Royals just drafted a kid named Ali Williams. I will forever nickname him Ali "IT'S GON RAIN!" Williams

[Emperor]

Tigers just selected Alex Fernandez - from Archbishop Curley HS, son of former Marlins Alex Fernandez, in round 46.

I feel so fucking old.

[Mainge]

Georgia junior outfielder Johnathan Taylor has been selected by the Texas Rangers in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball draft Wednesday.

“This was truly a classy move and a great gesture on the part of the Texas Rangers organization,” said Georgia coach David Perno. “J.T. is definitely a player worthy of getting drafted. He’s been a big part of our program, and we are all very excited for him. When I talked to him after he got the call, he was in the middle of his rehabilitation work, laughing and having a good time and was thrilled to be drafted.”

Currently, the 5-8, 181-pound Taylor, is an outpatient at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta after suffering a broken neck in a March 6th outfield collision this year with teammate Zach Cone. The accident happened while the Bulldogs were playing Florida State in Athens.

Taylor, a native of Acworth, Ga., is the son of Tandra and John Taylor. Johnathan has appeared in 117 games in his Bulldog career including 91 starts. He owns a .312 career batting average. A Consumer Economics major, he was named to the SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll in 2009 and the UGA Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in 2010.

“We’re all very proud of him,” said Tandra Taylor. “It’s just amazing, and when he got the call, his face lit up, and we were all very excited. It was awesome news.”

Cone was the 37th overall pick in the draft, going in the first round to Texas on Monday.

“I was pumped up when the Rangers told me they were thinking about drafting J.T., and then I got a call saying that they had drafted him," said Cone. "I was already planning on going over to see him and now we can talk about the Rangers. This made my day, it's just awesome, and I'm so happy for him."

Georgia honored its injured teammate (J.T.) during the 2011 season that ended Sunday in the NCAA Corvallis (Ore.) Regional Final. On March 7, Taylor had neck surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens to stabilize his spine. On March 11, he was transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. He graduated from in-patient care on May 24 and is in the “Day Program” there where he will continue rehabilitation for approximately 4-6 weeks. Since the accident, Taylor has been with his teammates in the dugout for two games this season. He was at Turner Field on April 25 when the Bulldogs defeated Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Then on May 28, he traveled to the SEC Tournament and saw the Bulldogs split two games with third-ranked Florida and qualify for an NCAA Regional bid. Georgia went 33-32.

http://www.wrdw.com/sports/regionalh...123479939.html

[Emperor]

I believe 15 of 50 from Cali. I hope those kids like humidity LOL

[Todd]

Another year, another obscene number of college players.

[Bucklin12]

If we can sign our top 3, then 5 or 6 of these guys

Hope, Lowell, Rieger, Oliver, Lyman, Esch, Grim

And 3 or 4 of these guys

Veras, Sampson, Tomscha, Ehret, Ceja, Huber, Gilbert, Grundy

Then I would say it's one of the better drafts in recent memory for the Fish.

[Chewford]

I'm about 100% sure it takes a few years to be able to make a verdict on how a draft went in this league.

[Bucklin12]

Agreed. But as far as securing perceived talent.

[emkayseven]

the Nats sure drafted a winner...too bad Nyjer isn't on that team anymore:

http://flotn.blogspot.com/2011/06/nats-draft-bigot.html

[Bucklin12]

Sickels' review of Marlins draft.

1) Jose Fernandez, RHP, Florida HS: Cuban defector has 90-95 MPH sinker, good slider and curve, workable changeup, big body, strong makeup. Committed to South Florida but expected to be relatively signable.

2) Adam Conley, LHP, Washington State: Converted reliever, may move back to pen although it would be logical to let him start for awhile to see if he can refine breaking ball to go with 90+ fastball and good changeup. 3.50 ERA, 83/27 K/BB in 108 IP.

3) Connor Barron, SS, Mississippi HS: Southern Mississippi recruit was mentioned as possible late-first-round pick due to improved bat, speed, and chance to stick at shortstop. Likely requires over-slot money to sign here, but I bet they get it done.

4) Tyler Palmer, 2B, Georgia HS: Good arm, may not have range for shortstop long-term, bat is considered solid though power potential isn't impressive. Georgia recruit.

5) Mason Hope, RHP, Oklahoma HS: University of Oklahoma recruit may not come cheap. Low-90s fastball, projects more, promising curveball, nice pick here if he signs.

6) Charlie Lowell, LHP, Wichita State: Big lefty with 90-95 fastball, good slider, decent changeup, good stuff, great stats. I think he is a bargain at this spot and could easily have gone three or four rounds higher in some drafts. 2.79 ERA, 124/40 K/BB in 103 IP.

7) Ryan Rieger, 1B, JC of the Sequoias: Polished for a junior college hitter, has power, sleeper pick. Committed to Long Beach State.

8) Dejai Oliver, RHP, Seminole State JC: Son of Joe Oliver. Low-90s fastball, good slider, knows how to pitch, committed to Central Florida. Could be a higher draft next year if he doesn't sign.

9) Austin Barnes, C, Arizona State: Undersized catcher at 5-9, good glove, good makeup, not likely to hit much in pro ball according to scouts. .320/.376/.444.

10) Scott Lyman, RHP, UC Davis: Two-way player is raw as a pitcher but scouts like his arm strength, will need development time. 4.64 ERA, 67/44 K/BB in 87 IP.

OTHERS OF NOTE: RHP Jacob Esch (11th round, Georgia Tech) played shortstop this year but scouts prefer him on the mound, though he's inexperienced there. OF Jhiomar Veras (15th round, Western Oklahoma State JC) put up giant numbers in a strongly pro-offense environment, hitting for power and average. He has tools but has to prove this isn't a fluke caused by his environment. LHP Greg Nappo (18th round, Connecticut) doesn't throw hard but has strong enough pitching instincts to rate as a sleeper.

SUMMARY: Although it isn't as spectacular as some classes, I think it is a solid effort considering the Marlins weren't working with multiple picks. Barron in the third round and Lowell in the sixth are particularly nice choices. I'm not so sure about Palmer in the fourth or Barnes in the ninth, but overall there is more good than bad here.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/...marlins-review

[Todd]

Considering the 4 to 1 ratio of college to prep players I am not sure "balanced" is the word I would use.

[Bucklin12]

I can't stay away from hating your irrationality on this.

Breakdown of the NL East draft by source (I roughly counted these up, so there could be some inaccuracies):

ATL: 31 College, 9 JUCO, 10 Prep
FLA: 27 College, 12 JUCO, 11 Prep
NYM: 26 College, 3 JUCO, 21 Prep
PHI: 23 College, 4 JUCO, 23 Prep
WASH: 34 College, 7 JUCO, 9 Prep


We aren't taking an extraordinary amount of college players. We really aren't. I agree more often than not more pure baseball talent is drafted from the prep ranks, but the standard by which we draft is not far from the standard at which other small market teams draft.

It is rare that someone takes a greater or equal amount of prep players to college players.

[Todd]

My irrationality is no different than MK7s. I would argue he is more vocal about it. For the record, I lump all college plays together. I would prefer a perfect balance like the Red Sox have this year, 50/50 prep/high school players, or even go about it like the Phillies or Mets did this draft. And please stop drafting guys who are already in their mid 20s.

[Bucklin12]

I don't think your irrationality is much different than MK7's either. I don't think I said that.

Also, I think there is a significant difference in College/JUCO in most cases. JUCO guys are 19 years old, 20 years old and in most cases were well thought of prep prospects just one year ago. Much different than the 5th year seniors from marginal programs that you lament (and for the record, I don't think anyone likes those draftees - besides MK7 maybe).

I'd love a draft like the Red Sox. But the Marlins aren't the Red Sox. Or the Phillies. You're talking about the top 10% of draft money spent, and the Marlins will never be at that kind of monetary level (although I agree that small market teams should be investing heavily into the draft as it's the best value in baseball).

[emkayseven]

I don't like 5th year seniors. I don't even like drafting seniors. In fact, in the later rounds I prefer high school picks. What I hate is high upside undeveloped HS picks in the first few rounds as opposed to slightly lower ceiling but more advanced college picks