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Indians Draft Report Card
By John Manuel
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
White didn't figure to last until the 15th pick early in the season, and he was an excellent value for the Indians there. Adams, sinkerballing RHP Joe Gardner (3) and the likes of Sarianidis and Brach make this a pitching-heavy group, and there's strength in numbers.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Jason Kipnis (2) used a compact swing and strong forearms to earn Pac-10 Conference player of the year honors the last spring. He batted .384 with a .709 slugging percentage, then hit .306 at short-season Mahoning Valley. He has surprising pop for his size as well. >> BEST POWER HITTER: 3B Kyle Bellows (4) got more aggressive and unlocked some of his above-average power potential in 2009, hitting 10 homers this spring for San Jose State, then adding seven more for Mahoning Valley. He's a solid athlete as well who played a lot of shortstop in college. >> FASTEST RUNNER: OF Jordan Henry (7) has one true plus tool, as he's a well-above-average runner, and he makes it work by controlling the strike zone and having just enough power to hit for average. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Henry's speed allows him to play a shallow, daring center field, and he goes back well on balls hit over his head.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Austin Adams (5) can sit 95-97 mph times, even as a starter. RHP Alex White (1) has good sink and life on his 91-95 mph fastball when he's at his best. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: White came to college with a plus slider, and while he's lost the feel for it, he's gained an above-average split-finger fastball. RHP Cory Burns (8) uses a lower arm slot and gets swings and misses with his plus changeup.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Burns (3-2, 1.93, 11 SV), RHP Brett Brach (10; 5-2, 2.19), Henry (.286/.408/.335, 22 SB) and Kipnis (.306/.388/.54) helped lead Mahoning Valley to the best record in the New York-Penn League. >> BEST ATHLETE: Adams was drafted as a shortstop in 2008 and has the tools to play there. Among position players, OF/2B Greg Folgia (40) has all-around tools, including a plus arm, and was a good high-school wrestler. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: The Tribe drafted and signed two Kyle Smiths. The shortstop (14) out of Cal Poly is a solid defender with no standout tools or glaring weaknesses; the righthander (20) out of Kent State has a projectable 6-foot-6, 195-pound frame. Henry's brother Justin plays in Tigers system, as does Chris Carlson, brother of 1B Ben Carlson (6). >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Kipnis and White, though Adams could vault past them if he's moved to the bullpen. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: The Indians decided to follow RHP Nick Sarianidis (28) in the Great Lakes League this summer and came away impressed enough to sign him, as he bumped 93-94 mph with his fastball while flashing a solid slider. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Indians made runs at prep RHPs Michael Hamann (24) and Blake Hauser (25) but couldn't get either deal done. Hamann, headed to Toledo, may have more upside as a late-bloomer physically who has athleticism and promising secondary stuff.
Royals Draft Report Card
By John Manuel
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
The Royals didn't match last year's record $11 million-plus draft outlay but still spent $5.6 million, going over slot for their top three picks. If this draft class doesn't pan out, it will be because the Royals didn't evaluate, not because they didn't spend.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER:: The Royals thought about taking Will Myers (3) 12th overall because of his polished bat. He has a smooth swing he repeats well and quick, strong hands that help him catch up to good fastballs. >> BEST POWER HITTER:: Myers has the potential to hit 20-25 home runs down the line, if not more, thanks to the leverage generated by his sturdy 6-foot-3 frame. >> FASTEST RUNNER:: SS Justin Trapp (34) was committed to play football as a quarterback at Coastal Carolina, but his 6.6-second speed over 60 yards plays well on the baseball diamond as well. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Another two-sport athlete, OF Lane Adams (13), has the present speed and plus arm to fit in center field, but the Royals expect the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder to fill out and be an above-average right fielder in time.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: Velocity, command and life on his heater made RHP Aaron Crow (1) a two-time first-round pick. He can pitch at 92-96 mph with command and hard sink. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Crow has used a plus slider as a strikeout pitch. LHP Chris Dwyer (4) signed for $1.45 million as a freshman out of Clemson thanks to a 90-94 mph heater and plus curveball that at times is a true hammer. He was a true freshman thanks to an extra year in elementary school and one year at prep school.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Myers hit .369/.427/.679 overall in 84 at-bats in two Rookie-level stops. RHP Patrick Keating (20) struck out 47 in 33 innings and saved nine in 24 games, finishing at high Class A Wilmington. Venezuelan LHP Claudio Bavera (33) went 4-0, 0.44 with 21 strikeouts in 21 innings in the Rookie-level Arizona League. >> BEST ATHLETE: Trapp and Adams, who had a Missouri State basketball scholarship. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: A shooting guard, Adams averaged 32 points a game as a senior to lead Red Oak High to a state championship and ranks fifth in Oklahoma prep history with 3,251 points. RHP Cole White (6), a drummer and singer who also happens to throw in the mid-90s at times, co-wrote a song that was submitted for Grammy Award consideration. RHP Josh Worrell (30) is the son of ex-Cardinals reliever Todd Worrell. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Crow, soon to be 23 and making his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League after signing in September. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Keating, whose fastball touches 95 and whose two-seam sinker can reach 91-92, also pounded the strike zone as a pro with a solid hard slider. Lane and Tripp have a ways to but higher upsides due to their athleticism. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: RHP Mike Morin (40) improved his stock as the No. 1 prospect in the MINK League this summer, hitting 93 mph with his fastball and showing a good curveball, but North Carolina swooped in late to add him to its recruiting class.
White Sox Draft Report Card
By John Manuel
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
After striking gold with '08 draftees Gordon Beckham and Daniel Hudson, the White Sox were ecstatic to get Mitchell and his top-shelf tools so low in the first round. A hitter-heavy crop will become well rounded if college enigmas such as Buch and Thompson work out.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER:: OF Nick Ciolli (10) has the pretty swing path scouts look for, and his other tools are solid. He batted .317 at Rookie-level Great Falls. >> BEST POWER HITTER:: C Josh Phegley (2) slugged 32 homers in his last two seasons at Indiana, then hit nine after signing at low Class A Kannapolis. He has adjustments to make receiving and in his stance, but the raw hitting and power tools are there. >> FASTEST RUNNER:: OF Jared Mitchell (1) has electric athleticism and is a 70 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Mitchell played mostly right field at Louisiana State, despite his below-average arm. His speed and arm should play better in center.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Ryan Buch (8) was inconsistent all spring and in the summer after signing, but his fastball touched 97 mph in instructional league in short stints. RHP Taylor Thompson (44) pumps his heavy sinker in the 91-93 mph range, and RHP Kyle Bellamy (5) has plus life, sink and command of his upper-80s fastball from a submarine slot. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Buch's curve can also be a plus pitch when he repeats his mechanics. LHP David Holmberg (2) has average velocity and a big body that might be maxed out physically, but he throws stikes and has good feel for a change and a plus curveball he commands well.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Ciolli, whose batting average led the entire organization. Also, OF Brady Shoemaker (19) finished the year hitting 3-for-29 in Triple-A after a .351/.426/.585 performance at Rookie-level Bristol, which included nine home runs and 21 doubles. Mitchell started strong at Kannapolis, batting .296/.417/.435. Bellamy posted a 32/2 K/BB ratio and 1.23 ERA in 22 innings, mostly at Kannapolis. >> BEST ATHLETE: Mitchell. OF Trayce Thompson (2) has an athletic, projectable 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: Thompson is the son of former NBA center Mychal Thompson. Mitchell was a punt returner and wide receiver for LSU in football and won national titles both in baseball and football. The father of OF Harold Baines Jr. (45) had his number retired by the White Sox and was a six-time all-star who was the No. 1 overall pick in 1977. Unsigned RHP Grant Monroe (46) is the son of longtime Sox scout/adviser Larry. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Bellamy could get to Chicago next year if he continues to succeed and there's a big league need. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Thompson, who had a 6.65 ERA in 154 innings at Auburn. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: After trading LHPs Clayton Richard and Aaron Poreda to the Padres, the White Sox really wanted LHP Bryan Morgado (3), an eligible sophomore who shined in the Cape Cod League this summer, but they couldn't make it work.
Twins Draft Report Card
By Jim Callis
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
The Twins don't often get a shot at elite college pitchers such as Gibson picking lower in the draft. Getting Bashore, Bullock and Tootle injected four quality arms into a system well-versed in developing pitchers but somewhat lacking in power arms.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER:: 2B Derek McCallum (4) hit just .241 in his debut but was gassed after carrying Minnesota to a 40-19 season. He's got a short, strong swing and surprising strength for his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame. >> BEST POWER HITTER:: Sophomore-eligible OF Steve Liddle has a short, direct swing now but has good size (6 feet, 210 pounds) and has raw power potential. >> FASTEST RUNNER:: The Twins didn't sign a burner. OF Nick Freitas (33) is a slightly above-average runner. He has interesting tools, including bat speed and a plus ram, but he remains raw after four years of college split between Miami's bench and Southern Utah. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: SS Brian Dozier (8) profiles better at second base, but his instincts and excellent hands could keep him on the left side of the diamond. He has solid arm strength and just enough range to go with good infield actions.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Ben Tootle (4) reached 98 mph consistently in the Cape Cod League in 2008 and sat in the 93-96 range prior to a bout of tendinitis this summer, which followed a difficult, illness-plagued spring. RHP Billy Bullock (2) sat at 93-95 mph all summer. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Kyle Gibson (1) has an 82-85 mph slider with power, tilt and feel. It's such an out pitch that at times he relied on it too much as an amateur, but he can pitch at 91-92 mph with his heavy sinking fastball as well. LHP Matt Bashore (1s) also has a plus curveball.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Dozier finished second in the Appalachian League batting race with Rookie-level Elizabethton, finishing at .353/.417/.431. OF Chris Herrmann (6) hit .297/.391/.453 on the same team and is working out at catcher in instructional league. He has good hitting tools and the strength to hit for power. >> BEST ATHLETE: Dozier and Freitas are the best of a below-average crop by Twins standards. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: Liddle's father Steven had an eight-year minor league playing career and is the Twins' big league bench coach. SS Nick Lockwood (9) signed with the Twins, while his older brother Nick, an outfielder at South Florida, didn't sign as a 39th-round pick of the Athletics. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Bullock could outpace Gibson because he's in the bullpen, but a healthy Gibson-who had a forearm stress fracture crop up just before the draft-should move quickly. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: RHP Dakota Watts (16) is strictly a reliever but has size (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) and a big fastball at 93-95 mph. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Twins wanted SS Ronnie Richardson (11), an explosive 5-foot-6 Chone Figgins clone who was the best athlete they drafted. They couldn't keep him from headlining Central Florida's recruiting class.
Tigers Draft Report Card
By Jim Callis
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
Oliver would have been in Detroit's mix at No. 9 overall had he shown any consistency with his breaking ball during the spring at Oklahoma State. If he, Turner and Fields click, this will be a draft class that could produce first-round talents.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER:: He's a bit raw as a Michigan prep product, but SS Daniel Fields (6) is the best position player the Tigers have drafted since Cameron Maybin in 2005. He has a strong, solid swing from the left side. BEST POWER HITTER:: 3B Wade Gaynor had a huge spring at Western Kentucky, turning in a 20-20 season. His plus raw power will keep playing in pro ball, and he runs well for a 6-foot-4, 215 pounder. FASTEST RUNNER:: Fields, who earns a 65 grade on the 20-80 scale. BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Edgar Corcino (26) has arm strength and athletic ability to be a plus defender at the hot corner and has tried his hand at catching in instructional league. His bat profiles better behind the plate.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: The Tigers' top two selections, RHP Jacob Turner (1) and LHP Andy Oliver (2), had two of the draft's top fastballs. Turner's has reached 98 mph and sits at 92-94 with command. Oliver has reached the upper 90s at times and sits in the same 92-94 range. BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Turner's curveball and changeup have plus potential. LHP Austin Wood (5), who was undrafted as a junior, had a stellar senior season after moving from the rotation to the bullpen. That allowed him to take advantage of his plus slider, the best present breaking ball in the class.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: LHP Adam Wilk (11) used his command (seven walks) and pitchability to dominate lower levels, going 4-1, 1.47 with 67 strikeouts in 74 innings between short-season Oneonta and low Class A West Michigan. C John Murrian (9) used patience and a short, sound swing to bat .296/.356/.468 with 16 doubles at Oneonta. BEST ATHLETE: Fields. MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: Wood starred for 12 1/3 innings and 169 pitches in Texas' 3-2, 25-inning win against Boston College in a 2009 regional game, the longest game in NCAA history. Fields leads a fleet of Tigers picks with big league ties. His father Bruce reached the majors as an outfielder and as the Tigers' hitting coach from 2003-2005. He now is the Indians' roving hitting coordinator. The group also includes C Eric Roof (18), son of Gene, who is now Detroit's roving outfield/baserunning instructor; SS Jim Gulliver (20), son of Glenn; 3B Andrew Allen (43), son of Tigers color analyst and former Detroit outfielder Rod Allen; and RHP Jake Porcello (48), younger brother of Rick. CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Wood may zoom past Oliver as a situational, strike-throwing lefty with a plus slider. BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: If he hits, Corcino will be a steal. 1B James Robbins (30) has raw power to rival Gaynor and should move faster than Corcino. THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Tigers knew it would be tough to woo RHP Mark Appel (15) away from Stanford. They took a longer look at sophomore-eligible RHP Craig Fritsch (8), who returned to Baylor.
Orioles Draft Report Card
We analyze Baltimore's 2009 draft class
By John Manuel
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
The Hobgood choice may determine how this draft is remembered, but taking him allowed the O's to take chances on Ohlman and Coffey. By diversifying, Baltimore got the impact up-the-middle talent it wanted in Ohlman and Givens while also getting power arms.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Orioles believe 1B Tyler Townsend (3) can hit for power and average. He struggled (.143) in his debut, due in part to a sore wrist, after hitting .426 in the spring at Florida International and .387 last summer in the Valley League. >> BEST POWER HITTER: With his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame, C Michael Ohlman (11) resembles Jayson Werth, whom the Orioles drafted in the first round in 1997. Ohlman has similar 25-30-homer power potential. Townsend also has plus power. >> FASTEST RUNNER: OF Branden Webb (30), who spurned Southern California for a $250,000 bonus, is a well-above-average runner with an athletic 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: The Orioles drafted Mychal Givens (2) because they believe in his shortstop defense and athleticism. He has a premium arm and the tools (first-step quickness, good hands) to be an above-average defender.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: Scouting director Joe Jordan saw RHPs Matt Hobgood (1) and Randy Henry (4) up to 96 mph this spring. They do it very differently, as the burly Hobgood is listed at 245 pounds while Henry has a lithe, athletic body. Hobgood's velocity dipped after signing, and he topped out at 91 in instructional league. LHP Cameron Coffey (22) ran his heater up to 94 before having Tommy John surgery in March, while LHP Ashur Tolliver (5) has hit 96 in the past. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Ryan Berry (9) has an excellent feel for his knuckle-curve, throwing it for strikes when needed and burying it at other times.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: 2B/3B Ty Kelly (13) was a midseason New York-Penn League all-star but struggled in the second half for short-season Aberdeen, batting .265/.357/.310 overall. RHP Jake Cowan (10) pitched just 24 innings at Aberdeen, where he went 1-2, 2.25 with 27 strikeouts. >> BEST ATHLETE: Givens, who ran his fastball up to 97 mph on the mound and has a quick bat at the plate, was a legitimate two-way prospect. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Like his father Al, a former Orioles all-star, Steve Bumbry (12) is a lefthanded-hitting center fielder. 1B/3B Mike Flacco (31), who hit .272/.325/.417 at Rookie-level Bluefield, is the younger brother of Ravens quarterback Joe. He missed two seasons of athletic competition due to a stress fracture in his back. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Berry, if he's healthy after a muscle strain in his throwing shoulder that slowed him last spring. The Orioles are wary of the track record of Rice pitchers, but Berry checked out with their medical staff. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Coffey, who got a round-record $995,000 bonus, and Ohlman ($990,000) are being counted on to be the best of this bunch. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Auburn recruit RHP Garrett Bush (15) has a pitcher's frame and gained velocity after giving up catching in the spring.
Red Sox Draft Report Card
Looking back at Boston's 2009 draft class
By Jim Callis
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
The Red Sox were as aggressive as any club, targeting high-ceiling prospects and spending what it took to sign them. Renfroe ($1.4 million), Younginer ($975,000), Jacobs ($750,000) all signed for well over MLB's slot recommendations.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Reymond Fuentes (1) has lots of speed and a line-drive approach, which enabled him to bat .290 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. OF Brandon Jacobs (10), SS Jason Thompson (11) and 3B Miles Head (26) are also gifted hitters. >> BEST POWER HITTER: Though he was better known as a running back committed to Auburn, Jacobs is more advanced than most baseball players with football backgrounds. He has a strong 5-foot-11, 240-pound frame, plus some feel for hitting, giving him a lot of power potential. >> FASTEST RUNNER: With 6.3-second speed in the 60-yard dash, Fuentes can challenge major league stolen-base leader Jacoby Ellsbury as the fastest player in the organization. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: SS David Renfroe (3) has soft hands and a strong arm. He might wind up at third base but the Red Sox will give him every chance to stay at shortstop. Fuentes should be a fine center fielder. C Michael Thomas (12) has unbelievable arm strength but is otherwise raw defensively.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Madison Younginer (7) had one of the best pure arms in the draft and can reach 97 mph. RHP Alex Wilson (2) sits at 92-93 mph and touches 95. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Wilson has a wipeout slider at times, while Younginer can really spin a hard curveball.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: The latest Boston draftee to excel in brief stints at short-season Lowell, Wilson gave up two earned runs and struck out 33 in 36 innings. RHP Jordan Flasher (22), who's building back his velocity following Tommy John surgery in 2008, fanned 15 in 16 scoreless innings between two stops. OF Alex Hassan (20), considered more of a pitcher when the Red Sox drafted him, batted .328/.375/.472 and reached low Class A. >> BEST ATHLETE: Renfroe does everything easily. Some teams liked him more as a pitcher, and he starred at quarterback for a South Panola High (Batesville, Miss.) team that won 89 straight games. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: OF Mike Yastrzemski's (36) grandfather Carl is a franchise icon. RHP Luke Bard's (16) brother Daniel is a key component of Boston's bullpen. Fuentes is a cousin of Carlos Beltran. Renfroe's father Laddie and C Kyle Arnsberg's (45) dad Brad pitched in the majors. OF Gavin McCourt (39) is the son of Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. Bard, Yastrzemski, McCourt and Arnsberg all opted for college over pro ball. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Wilson, who should open his first full season in high Class A. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Jacobs has the upside of becoming the next Kevin Mitchell. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Red Sox never made a run at Virginia-bound RHP Branden Kline (6) because he didn't pitch during the summer. They were close to landing athletic OF Zeke DeVoss (38) but couldn't divert him from Miami.
Yankees Draft Record Card
We analyze New York's 2009 draft class
By Jim Callis
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
Heathcott is the most exciting position player the Yankees have drafted in years, at least since C.J. Henry and Austin Jackson in 2005. A generous budget bought plenty of insurance if he doesn't pan out, and Mitchell could wind up as the class' best pitcher.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Yankees drafted C J.R. Murphy (2) for his quick bat and feel for hitting, which helped him hit .627 as a high school senior. He has enough bat and athletic ability to move to another position, but the Yankees are confident he'll remain behind the plate. >> BEST POWER HITTER: OF Slade Heathcott (1) has all five tools, and premium bat speed gives him plus raw power. OF Neil Medchill (11) has more present power, leading the short-season New York-Penn League with 14 homers. >> FASTEST RUNNER: Heathcott has well-above-average speed and has been timed at 4.0 seconds home to first from the left side. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Heathcott had a shoulder injury in the spring but still has a plus arm and the speed to play center field.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Adam Warren (4) added velocity as a college senior, hitting 94 mph for North Carolina, then touched 96 for Staten Island. His ability to throw quality strikes with his fastball gives him the edge over RHP Graham Stoneburner (14), who has touched 97 and throws more consistently in the mid-90s. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Bryan Mitchell (16), who signed for $800,000, has a power curveball that scrapes the low 80s. He throws his 88-92 fastball downhill and could have two plus pitches soon.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Warren helped Staten Island to the NYP championship, with two dominant playoff starts after a 4-2, 1.43 regular season. LHP Gavin Brooks (9) shined in a relief role, going 5-1, 0.62 with 48 strikeouts in 43 innings. Medchill led the league in homers and slugging (.551), while OF DeAngelo Mack (13) ranked second in extra-base hits in his .306/.372/.513 campaign. >> BEST ATHLETE: Heathcott's injuries and makeup questions kept him on the board long enough for him to get to the Yankees at No. 29 overall. His hitting and athletic ability certainly could have dictated a higher draft slot. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: OF Justin Milo (37) signed and played this summer, then returned to Vermont to continue his collegiate hockey career. He scored 12 goals and had 14 assists for the Catamounts last winter. His 5-foot-8, 175-pound frame works better in hockey than baseball. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: RHP Caleb Cotham (5) could be a power sinker/slider guy if he's healthy after knee surgery. He touched 87 mph with his slider at his best and has low 90s velocity on his sinker. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Mitchell has projection and pretty good now stuff. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: New York reached its budget and couldn't sign LHP Tyler Lyons (10), who should be a fine senior sign after returning to Oklahoma State.
Rays Draft Report Card
We analyze the Rays 2009 draft class
By John Manuel
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
It's hard to have a great draft without signing your top two draft picks, but that's what happened to Tampa Bay this year. The Rays still got intriguing bats and athletes, and hope to have a few pitching finds from the likes of Shuman, James and Quate.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 1B Jeff Malm (5) has done two things consistently in his baseball career: win and hit. He has a good swing and feel for the strike zone and should get better as he strengthens his immature body. >> BEST POWER HITTER: C Luke Bailey (4) had a tough spring, including Tommy John surgery, but that shouldn't keep him from tapping into his plus raw power. He's got a bit more pop than OF Todd Glaesman (3). >> FASTEST RUNNER: OF Chris Murrill (35) earns 70 grades on the 20-80 scale from the Rays and has built his game around his speed. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Bailey will be an asset defensively if his arm returns strong from elbow surgery. Glaesman may stick in center field and would be a premium defender in right. OF Cody Rogers (7) has athletic ability and plus speed that could make him a plus center fielder.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Scott Shuman (19) walked 57 in 75 career innings at Auburn, but the Rays got him throwing more strikes while sitting in the 93-95 mph range. He struck out 29 and walked nine at Rookie-level Princeton. LHP Kevin James (9), who signed for $625,000, sits at 90-91 mph and has a projectable 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame. With its life, it could surpass Shuman's. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Zach Quate (14) developed a plus slider this year from a loose, lower three-quarters slot. It helped him post a 1.09 ERA at Appalachian State this spring and a 0.35 ERA at short-season Hudson Valley as a pro.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Quate, who commands his average fastball with good life, had a 34-4 strikeout-walk ratio in 26 innings for the Renegades while saving 13 games. Murrill hit .306/.360/.363 with 29 stolen bases at Hudson Valley, where SS/2B Tyler Bortnick (16) batted .300/.386/.470 with 24 steals. >> BEST ATHLETE: Rogers, a plus runner with some explosiveness, gets the nod over Glaesman, who was a fellow Texas A&M signee. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: RHP Marcus Proctor (30) has his mother's last name; his father is ex-big leaguer Marcus Jensen, who managed Oakland's Rookie-level Arizona League team. Unsigned SS Kalani Brackenridge (44) has a brother Tyron who plays defensive back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. SS Dan Rhault (26) has overcome a childhood bout with leukemia, which has been in remission for 15 years. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Quate, especially if he commands his stuff. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Quate and Shuman. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Rays were optimistic they'd get OF LeVon Washington (1) done and knew SS Kenny Diekroeger (2), a Stanford signee, would be a challenge. They considered both first-round talents and wound up losing both, with Washington choosing Chipola (Fla.) JC and a shot at the 2010 draft.
Blue Jays Draft Report Card
We analyze Toronto's 2009 draft class
By Jim Callis
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
There's a big hole at the top of the draft, a shame for an organization that has a strong track record of late for developing pitchers. The firing of J.P. Ricciardi pushed Jon Lalonde to a pro scouting position in October, making this his last Toronto draft.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Jays didn't draft a pure bat, but believe former Louisiana State teammates 2B Ryan Schimpf (5) and C/1B Sean Ochinko (11) have good swings and the strength to hit immediately. Both got off to good starts at short-season Auburn, with Ochinko hitting .324 and Schimpf .287. >> BEST POWER HITTER: 1B K.C. Hobson (6) signed for $500,000, and the Jays were paying for his plus raw power. He has an advanced idea at the plate and good hitting fundamentals. >> FASTEST RUNNER: OF Jake Marisnick (3) has five-tool potential, though his bat is raw. He's a plus runner. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Goins lacks classic shortstop range, but his arm is plus and his instincts help him make plenty of plays. He has the hands and actions to stay at short in the short-term.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Chad Jenkins (1) sits in the 91-94 mph range and can run it up to 96, and he pounds the strike zone regularly. RHP Daniel Webb (18) has arm strength and has touched 96 since signing. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Jenkins' slider can be a plus power pitch when it's on; the Jays have seen it scrape 87 mph. RHP Drew Hutchison (15) impressed the Jays with his changeup, which he throws with good arm speed and which features a little fade.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Ochinko ranked second in the New York-Penn League in batting. Fellow C Yan Gomes (10) led the NY-P with 44 RBIs and 23 doubles while batting .296/.363/.444. RHP Shawn Griffith (37) dominated as a college senior should in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, going 2-2, 0.66 with a 43-6 strikeout-walk ratio in 27 innings. >> BEST ATHLETE: Marisnick got a $1 million bonus thanks to his power-speed combination and physicality that earns comparisons to Dale Murphy and Jeff Francoeur. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Hobson is the son of ex-Red Sox infielder and manager Butch; 1B Lance Durham (14) is the son of former Cubs all-star Leon "Bull" Durham. SS Jonathan Fernandez (34) is the son of former Jays all-star Tony Fernandez. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Jenkins has the command and makeup to move very quickly. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: A two-way Stetson recruit, Hutchinson signed for $400,000 and reminds some Jays officials of Shawn Marcum, who also was a shortstop/pitcher when Toronto drafted him. Webb had a poor year in junior college, but his raw ability made him a Top 50 prospect out of a Kentucky high school in 2008. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Toronto had an epic failure at the top of its draft, failing to sign its second, third and fourth picks in LHPs James Paxton (1s) and Jake Eliopoulos (2) and RHP Jake Barrett (3). Paxton returned to Kentucky; Eliopoulos is at Chipola (Fla.) JC while Barrett is attending Arizona State.
By John Manuel
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
White didn't figure to last until the 15th pick early in the season, and he was an excellent value for the Indians there. Adams, sinkerballing RHP Joe Gardner (3) and the likes of Sarianidis and Brach make this a pitching-heavy group, and there's strength in numbers.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Jason Kipnis (2) used a compact swing and strong forearms to earn Pac-10 Conference player of the year honors the last spring. He batted .384 with a .709 slugging percentage, then hit .306 at short-season Mahoning Valley. He has surprising pop for his size as well. >> BEST POWER HITTER: 3B Kyle Bellows (4) got more aggressive and unlocked some of his above-average power potential in 2009, hitting 10 homers this spring for San Jose State, then adding seven more for Mahoning Valley. He's a solid athlete as well who played a lot of shortstop in college. >> FASTEST RUNNER: OF Jordan Henry (7) has one true plus tool, as he's a well-above-average runner, and he makes it work by controlling the strike zone and having just enough power to hit for average. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Henry's speed allows him to play a shallow, daring center field, and he goes back well on balls hit over his head.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Austin Adams (5) can sit 95-97 mph times, even as a starter. RHP Alex White (1) has good sink and life on his 91-95 mph fastball when he's at his best. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: White came to college with a plus slider, and while he's lost the feel for it, he's gained an above-average split-finger fastball. RHP Cory Burns (8) uses a lower arm slot and gets swings and misses with his plus changeup.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Burns (3-2, 1.93, 11 SV), RHP Brett Brach (10; 5-2, 2.19), Henry (.286/.408/.335, 22 SB) and Kipnis (.306/.388/.54) helped lead Mahoning Valley to the best record in the New York-Penn League. >> BEST ATHLETE: Adams was drafted as a shortstop in 2008 and has the tools to play there. Among position players, OF/2B Greg Folgia (40) has all-around tools, including a plus arm, and was a good high-school wrestler. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: The Tribe drafted and signed two Kyle Smiths. The shortstop (14) out of Cal Poly is a solid defender with no standout tools or glaring weaknesses; the righthander (20) out of Kent State has a projectable 6-foot-6, 195-pound frame. Henry's brother Justin plays in Tigers system, as does Chris Carlson, brother of 1B Ben Carlson (6). >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Kipnis and White, though Adams could vault past them if he's moved to the bullpen. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: The Indians decided to follow RHP Nick Sarianidis (28) in the Great Lakes League this summer and came away impressed enough to sign him, as he bumped 93-94 mph with his fastball while flashing a solid slider. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Indians made runs at prep RHPs Michael Hamann (24) and Blake Hauser (25) but couldn't get either deal done. Hamann, headed to Toledo, may have more upside as a late-bloomer physically who has athleticism and promising secondary stuff.
Royals Draft Report Card
By John Manuel
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
The Royals didn't match last year's record $11 million-plus draft outlay but still spent $5.6 million, going over slot for their top three picks. If this draft class doesn't pan out, it will be because the Royals didn't evaluate, not because they didn't spend.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER:: The Royals thought about taking Will Myers (3) 12th overall because of his polished bat. He has a smooth swing he repeats well and quick, strong hands that help him catch up to good fastballs. >> BEST POWER HITTER:: Myers has the potential to hit 20-25 home runs down the line, if not more, thanks to the leverage generated by his sturdy 6-foot-3 frame. >> FASTEST RUNNER:: SS Justin Trapp (34) was committed to play football as a quarterback at Coastal Carolina, but his 6.6-second speed over 60 yards plays well on the baseball diamond as well. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Another two-sport athlete, OF Lane Adams (13), has the present speed and plus arm to fit in center field, but the Royals expect the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder to fill out and be an above-average right fielder in time.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: Velocity, command and life on his heater made RHP Aaron Crow (1) a two-time first-round pick. He can pitch at 92-96 mph with command and hard sink. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Crow has used a plus slider as a strikeout pitch. LHP Chris Dwyer (4) signed for $1.45 million as a freshman out of Clemson thanks to a 90-94 mph heater and plus curveball that at times is a true hammer. He was a true freshman thanks to an extra year in elementary school and one year at prep school.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Myers hit .369/.427/.679 overall in 84 at-bats in two Rookie-level stops. RHP Patrick Keating (20) struck out 47 in 33 innings and saved nine in 24 games, finishing at high Class A Wilmington. Venezuelan LHP Claudio Bavera (33) went 4-0, 0.44 with 21 strikeouts in 21 innings in the Rookie-level Arizona League. >> BEST ATHLETE: Trapp and Adams, who had a Missouri State basketball scholarship. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: A shooting guard, Adams averaged 32 points a game as a senior to lead Red Oak High to a state championship and ranks fifth in Oklahoma prep history with 3,251 points. RHP Cole White (6), a drummer and singer who also happens to throw in the mid-90s at times, co-wrote a song that was submitted for Grammy Award consideration. RHP Josh Worrell (30) is the son of ex-Cardinals reliever Todd Worrell. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Crow, soon to be 23 and making his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League after signing in September. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Keating, whose fastball touches 95 and whose two-seam sinker can reach 91-92, also pounded the strike zone as a pro with a solid hard slider. Lane and Tripp have a ways to but higher upsides due to their athleticism. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: RHP Mike Morin (40) improved his stock as the No. 1 prospect in the MINK League this summer, hitting 93 mph with his fastball and showing a good curveball, but North Carolina swooped in late to add him to its recruiting class.
White Sox Draft Report Card
By John Manuel
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
After striking gold with '08 draftees Gordon Beckham and Daniel Hudson, the White Sox were ecstatic to get Mitchell and his top-shelf tools so low in the first round. A hitter-heavy crop will become well rounded if college enigmas such as Buch and Thompson work out.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER:: OF Nick Ciolli (10) has the pretty swing path scouts look for, and his other tools are solid. He batted .317 at Rookie-level Great Falls. >> BEST POWER HITTER:: C Josh Phegley (2) slugged 32 homers in his last two seasons at Indiana, then hit nine after signing at low Class A Kannapolis. He has adjustments to make receiving and in his stance, but the raw hitting and power tools are there. >> FASTEST RUNNER:: OF Jared Mitchell (1) has electric athleticism and is a 70 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Mitchell played mostly right field at Louisiana State, despite his below-average arm. His speed and arm should play better in center.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Ryan Buch (8) was inconsistent all spring and in the summer after signing, but his fastball touched 97 mph in instructional league in short stints. RHP Taylor Thompson (44) pumps his heavy sinker in the 91-93 mph range, and RHP Kyle Bellamy (5) has plus life, sink and command of his upper-80s fastball from a submarine slot. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Buch's curve can also be a plus pitch when he repeats his mechanics. LHP David Holmberg (2) has average velocity and a big body that might be maxed out physically, but he throws stikes and has good feel for a change and a plus curveball he commands well.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Ciolli, whose batting average led the entire organization. Also, OF Brady Shoemaker (19) finished the year hitting 3-for-29 in Triple-A after a .351/.426/.585 performance at Rookie-level Bristol, which included nine home runs and 21 doubles. Mitchell started strong at Kannapolis, batting .296/.417/.435. Bellamy posted a 32/2 K/BB ratio and 1.23 ERA in 22 innings, mostly at Kannapolis. >> BEST ATHLETE: Mitchell. OF Trayce Thompson (2) has an athletic, projectable 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: Thompson is the son of former NBA center Mychal Thompson. Mitchell was a punt returner and wide receiver for LSU in football and won national titles both in baseball and football. The father of OF Harold Baines Jr. (45) had his number retired by the White Sox and was a six-time all-star who was the No. 1 overall pick in 1977. Unsigned RHP Grant Monroe (46) is the son of longtime Sox scout/adviser Larry. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Bellamy could get to Chicago next year if he continues to succeed and there's a big league need. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Thompson, who had a 6.65 ERA in 154 innings at Auburn. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: After trading LHPs Clayton Richard and Aaron Poreda to the Padres, the White Sox really wanted LHP Bryan Morgado (3), an eligible sophomore who shined in the Cape Cod League this summer, but they couldn't make it work.
Twins Draft Report Card
By Jim Callis
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
The Twins don't often get a shot at elite college pitchers such as Gibson picking lower in the draft. Getting Bashore, Bullock and Tootle injected four quality arms into a system well-versed in developing pitchers but somewhat lacking in power arms.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER:: 2B Derek McCallum (4) hit just .241 in his debut but was gassed after carrying Minnesota to a 40-19 season. He's got a short, strong swing and surprising strength for his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame. >> BEST POWER HITTER:: Sophomore-eligible OF Steve Liddle has a short, direct swing now but has good size (6 feet, 210 pounds) and has raw power potential. >> FASTEST RUNNER:: The Twins didn't sign a burner. OF Nick Freitas (33) is a slightly above-average runner. He has interesting tools, including bat speed and a plus ram, but he remains raw after four years of college split between Miami's bench and Southern Utah. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: SS Brian Dozier (8) profiles better at second base, but his instincts and excellent hands could keep him on the left side of the diamond. He has solid arm strength and just enough range to go with good infield actions.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Ben Tootle (4) reached 98 mph consistently in the Cape Cod League in 2008 and sat in the 93-96 range prior to a bout of tendinitis this summer, which followed a difficult, illness-plagued spring. RHP Billy Bullock (2) sat at 93-95 mph all summer. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Kyle Gibson (1) has an 82-85 mph slider with power, tilt and feel. It's such an out pitch that at times he relied on it too much as an amateur, but he can pitch at 91-92 mph with his heavy sinking fastball as well. LHP Matt Bashore (1s) also has a plus curveball.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Dozier finished second in the Appalachian League batting race with Rookie-level Elizabethton, finishing at .353/.417/.431. OF Chris Herrmann (6) hit .297/.391/.453 on the same team and is working out at catcher in instructional league. He has good hitting tools and the strength to hit for power. >> BEST ATHLETE: Dozier and Freitas are the best of a below-average crop by Twins standards. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: Liddle's father Steven had an eight-year minor league playing career and is the Twins' big league bench coach. SS Nick Lockwood (9) signed with the Twins, while his older brother Nick, an outfielder at South Florida, didn't sign as a 39th-round pick of the Athletics. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Bullock could outpace Gibson because he's in the bullpen, but a healthy Gibson-who had a forearm stress fracture crop up just before the draft-should move quickly. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: RHP Dakota Watts (16) is strictly a reliever but has size (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) and a big fastball at 93-95 mph. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Twins wanted SS Ronnie Richardson (11), an explosive 5-foot-6 Chone Figgins clone who was the best athlete they drafted. They couldn't keep him from headlining Central Florida's recruiting class.
Tigers Draft Report Card
By Jim Callis
October 23, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
Oliver would have been in Detroit's mix at No. 9 overall had he shown any consistency with his breaking ball during the spring at Oklahoma State. If he, Turner and Fields click, this will be a draft class that could produce first-round talents.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER:: He's a bit raw as a Michigan prep product, but SS Daniel Fields (6) is the best position player the Tigers have drafted since Cameron Maybin in 2005. He has a strong, solid swing from the left side. BEST POWER HITTER:: 3B Wade Gaynor had a huge spring at Western Kentucky, turning in a 20-20 season. His plus raw power will keep playing in pro ball, and he runs well for a 6-foot-4, 215 pounder. FASTEST RUNNER:: Fields, who earns a 65 grade on the 20-80 scale. BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Edgar Corcino (26) has arm strength and athletic ability to be a plus defender at the hot corner and has tried his hand at catching in instructional league. His bat profiles better behind the plate.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: The Tigers' top two selections, RHP Jacob Turner (1) and LHP Andy Oliver (2), had two of the draft's top fastballs. Turner's has reached 98 mph and sits at 92-94 with command. Oliver has reached the upper 90s at times and sits in the same 92-94 range. BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Turner's curveball and changeup have plus potential. LHP Austin Wood (5), who was undrafted as a junior, had a stellar senior season after moving from the rotation to the bullpen. That allowed him to take advantage of his plus slider, the best present breaking ball in the class.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: LHP Adam Wilk (11) used his command (seven walks) and pitchability to dominate lower levels, going 4-1, 1.47 with 67 strikeouts in 74 innings between short-season Oneonta and low Class A West Michigan. C John Murrian (9) used patience and a short, sound swing to bat .296/.356/.468 with 16 doubles at Oneonta. BEST ATHLETE: Fields. MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: Wood starred for 12 1/3 innings and 169 pitches in Texas' 3-2, 25-inning win against Boston College in a 2009 regional game, the longest game in NCAA history. Fields leads a fleet of Tigers picks with big league ties. His father Bruce reached the majors as an outfielder and as the Tigers' hitting coach from 2003-2005. He now is the Indians' roving hitting coordinator. The group also includes C Eric Roof (18), son of Gene, who is now Detroit's roving outfield/baserunning instructor; SS Jim Gulliver (20), son of Glenn; 3B Andrew Allen (43), son of Tigers color analyst and former Detroit outfielder Rod Allen; and RHP Jake Porcello (48), younger brother of Rick. CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Wood may zoom past Oliver as a situational, strike-throwing lefty with a plus slider. BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: If he hits, Corcino will be a steal. 1B James Robbins (30) has raw power to rival Gaynor and should move faster than Corcino. THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Tigers knew it would be tough to woo RHP Mark Appel (15) away from Stanford. They took a longer look at sophomore-eligible RHP Craig Fritsch (8), who returned to Baylor.
Orioles Draft Report Card
We analyze Baltimore's 2009 draft class
By John Manuel
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
The Hobgood choice may determine how this draft is remembered, but taking him allowed the O's to take chances on Ohlman and Coffey. By diversifying, Baltimore got the impact up-the-middle talent it wanted in Ohlman and Givens while also getting power arms.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Orioles believe 1B Tyler Townsend (3) can hit for power and average. He struggled (.143) in his debut, due in part to a sore wrist, after hitting .426 in the spring at Florida International and .387 last summer in the Valley League. >> BEST POWER HITTER: With his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame, C Michael Ohlman (11) resembles Jayson Werth, whom the Orioles drafted in the first round in 1997. Ohlman has similar 25-30-homer power potential. Townsend also has plus power. >> FASTEST RUNNER: OF Branden Webb (30), who spurned Southern California for a $250,000 bonus, is a well-above-average runner with an athletic 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: The Orioles drafted Mychal Givens (2) because they believe in his shortstop defense and athleticism. He has a premium arm and the tools (first-step quickness, good hands) to be an above-average defender.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: Scouting director Joe Jordan saw RHPs Matt Hobgood (1) and Randy Henry (4) up to 96 mph this spring. They do it very differently, as the burly Hobgood is listed at 245 pounds while Henry has a lithe, athletic body. Hobgood's velocity dipped after signing, and he topped out at 91 in instructional league. LHP Cameron Coffey (22) ran his heater up to 94 before having Tommy John surgery in March, while LHP Ashur Tolliver (5) has hit 96 in the past. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Ryan Berry (9) has an excellent feel for his knuckle-curve, throwing it for strikes when needed and burying it at other times.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: 2B/3B Ty Kelly (13) was a midseason New York-Penn League all-star but struggled in the second half for short-season Aberdeen, batting .265/.357/.310 overall. RHP Jake Cowan (10) pitched just 24 innings at Aberdeen, where he went 1-2, 2.25 with 27 strikeouts. >> BEST ATHLETE: Givens, who ran his fastball up to 97 mph on the mound and has a quick bat at the plate, was a legitimate two-way prospect. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Like his father Al, a former Orioles all-star, Steve Bumbry (12) is a lefthanded-hitting center fielder. 1B/3B Mike Flacco (31), who hit .272/.325/.417 at Rookie-level Bluefield, is the younger brother of Ravens quarterback Joe. He missed two seasons of athletic competition due to a stress fracture in his back. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Berry, if he's healthy after a muscle strain in his throwing shoulder that slowed him last spring. The Orioles are wary of the track record of Rice pitchers, but Berry checked out with their medical staff. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Coffey, who got a round-record $995,000 bonus, and Ohlman ($990,000) are being counted on to be the best of this bunch. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Auburn recruit RHP Garrett Bush (15) has a pitcher's frame and gained velocity after giving up catching in the spring.
Red Sox Draft Report Card
Looking back at Boston's 2009 draft class
By Jim Callis
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
The Red Sox were as aggressive as any club, targeting high-ceiling prospects and spending what it took to sign them. Renfroe ($1.4 million), Younginer ($975,000), Jacobs ($750,000) all signed for well over MLB's slot recommendations.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Reymond Fuentes (1) has lots of speed and a line-drive approach, which enabled him to bat .290 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. OF Brandon Jacobs (10), SS Jason Thompson (11) and 3B Miles Head (26) are also gifted hitters. >> BEST POWER HITTER: Though he was better known as a running back committed to Auburn, Jacobs is more advanced than most baseball players with football backgrounds. He has a strong 5-foot-11, 240-pound frame, plus some feel for hitting, giving him a lot of power potential. >> FASTEST RUNNER: With 6.3-second speed in the 60-yard dash, Fuentes can challenge major league stolen-base leader Jacoby Ellsbury as the fastest player in the organization. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: SS David Renfroe (3) has soft hands and a strong arm. He might wind up at third base but the Red Sox will give him every chance to stay at shortstop. Fuentes should be a fine center fielder. C Michael Thomas (12) has unbelievable arm strength but is otherwise raw defensively.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Madison Younginer (7) had one of the best pure arms in the draft and can reach 97 mph. RHP Alex Wilson (2) sits at 92-93 mph and touches 95. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Wilson has a wipeout slider at times, while Younginer can really spin a hard curveball.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: The latest Boston draftee to excel in brief stints at short-season Lowell, Wilson gave up two earned runs and struck out 33 in 36 innings. RHP Jordan Flasher (22), who's building back his velocity following Tommy John surgery in 2008, fanned 15 in 16 scoreless innings between two stops. OF Alex Hassan (20), considered more of a pitcher when the Red Sox drafted him, batted .328/.375/.472 and reached low Class A. >> BEST ATHLETE: Renfroe does everything easily. Some teams liked him more as a pitcher, and he starred at quarterback for a South Panola High (Batesville, Miss.) team that won 89 straight games. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: OF Mike Yastrzemski's (36) grandfather Carl is a franchise icon. RHP Luke Bard's (16) brother Daniel is a key component of Boston's bullpen. Fuentes is a cousin of Carlos Beltran. Renfroe's father Laddie and C Kyle Arnsberg's (45) dad Brad pitched in the majors. OF Gavin McCourt (39) is the son of Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. Bard, Yastrzemski, McCourt and Arnsberg all opted for college over pro ball. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Wilson, who should open his first full season in high Class A. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Jacobs has the upside of becoming the next Kevin Mitchell. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Red Sox never made a run at Virginia-bound RHP Branden Kline (6) because he didn't pitch during the summer. They were close to landing athletic OF Zeke DeVoss (38) but couldn't divert him from Miami.
Yankees Draft Record Card
We analyze New York's 2009 draft class
By Jim Callis
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
Heathcott is the most exciting position player the Yankees have drafted in years, at least since C.J. Henry and Austin Jackson in 2005. A generous budget bought plenty of insurance if he doesn't pan out, and Mitchell could wind up as the class' best pitcher.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Yankees drafted C J.R. Murphy (2) for his quick bat and feel for hitting, which helped him hit .627 as a high school senior. He has enough bat and athletic ability to move to another position, but the Yankees are confident he'll remain behind the plate. >> BEST POWER HITTER: OF Slade Heathcott (1) has all five tools, and premium bat speed gives him plus raw power. OF Neil Medchill (11) has more present power, leading the short-season New York-Penn League with 14 homers. >> FASTEST RUNNER: Heathcott has well-above-average speed and has been timed at 4.0 seconds home to first from the left side. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Heathcott had a shoulder injury in the spring but still has a plus arm and the speed to play center field.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Adam Warren (4) added velocity as a college senior, hitting 94 mph for North Carolina, then touched 96 for Staten Island. His ability to throw quality strikes with his fastball gives him the edge over RHP Graham Stoneburner (14), who has touched 97 and throws more consistently in the mid-90s. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Bryan Mitchell (16), who signed for $800,000, has a power curveball that scrapes the low 80s. He throws his 88-92 fastball downhill and could have two plus pitches soon.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Warren helped Staten Island to the NYP championship, with two dominant playoff starts after a 4-2, 1.43 regular season. LHP Gavin Brooks (9) shined in a relief role, going 5-1, 0.62 with 48 strikeouts in 43 innings. Medchill led the league in homers and slugging (.551), while OF DeAngelo Mack (13) ranked second in extra-base hits in his .306/.372/.513 campaign. >> BEST ATHLETE: Heathcott's injuries and makeup questions kept him on the board long enough for him to get to the Yankees at No. 29 overall. His hitting and athletic ability certainly could have dictated a higher draft slot. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: OF Justin Milo (37) signed and played this summer, then returned to Vermont to continue his collegiate hockey career. He scored 12 goals and had 14 assists for the Catamounts last winter. His 5-foot-8, 175-pound frame works better in hockey than baseball. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: RHP Caleb Cotham (5) could be a power sinker/slider guy if he's healthy after knee surgery. He touched 87 mph with his slider at his best and has low 90s velocity on his sinker. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Mitchell has projection and pretty good now stuff. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: New York reached its budget and couldn't sign LHP Tyler Lyons (10), who should be a fine senior sign after returning to Oklahoma State.
Rays Draft Report Card
We analyze the Rays 2009 draft class
By John Manuel
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
It's hard to have a great draft without signing your top two draft picks, but that's what happened to Tampa Bay this year. The Rays still got intriguing bats and athletes, and hope to have a few pitching finds from the likes of Shuman, James and Quate.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 1B Jeff Malm (5) has done two things consistently in his baseball career: win and hit. He has a good swing and feel for the strike zone and should get better as he strengthens his immature body. >> BEST POWER HITTER: C Luke Bailey (4) had a tough spring, including Tommy John surgery, but that shouldn't keep him from tapping into his plus raw power. He's got a bit more pop than OF Todd Glaesman (3). >> FASTEST RUNNER: OF Chris Murrill (35) earns 70 grades on the 20-80 scale from the Rays and has built his game around his speed. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Bailey will be an asset defensively if his arm returns strong from elbow surgery. Glaesman may stick in center field and would be a premium defender in right. OF Cody Rogers (7) has athletic ability and plus speed that could make him a plus center fielder.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Scott Shuman (19) walked 57 in 75 career innings at Auburn, but the Rays got him throwing more strikes while sitting in the 93-95 mph range. He struck out 29 and walked nine at Rookie-level Princeton. LHP Kevin James (9), who signed for $625,000, sits at 90-91 mph and has a projectable 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame. With its life, it could surpass Shuman's. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Zach Quate (14) developed a plus slider this year from a loose, lower three-quarters slot. It helped him post a 1.09 ERA at Appalachian State this spring and a 0.35 ERA at short-season Hudson Valley as a pro.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Quate, who commands his average fastball with good life, had a 34-4 strikeout-walk ratio in 26 innings for the Renegades while saving 13 games. Murrill hit .306/.360/.363 with 29 stolen bases at Hudson Valley, where SS/2B Tyler Bortnick (16) batted .300/.386/.470 with 24 steals. >> BEST ATHLETE: Rogers, a plus runner with some explosiveness, gets the nod over Glaesman, who was a fellow Texas A&M signee. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: RHP Marcus Proctor (30) has his mother's last name; his father is ex-big leaguer Marcus Jensen, who managed Oakland's Rookie-level Arizona League team. Unsigned SS Kalani Brackenridge (44) has a brother Tyron who plays defensive back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. SS Dan Rhault (26) has overcome a childhood bout with leukemia, which has been in remission for 15 years. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Quate, especially if he commands his stuff. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Quate and Shuman. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Rays were optimistic they'd get OF LeVon Washington (1) done and knew SS Kenny Diekroeger (2), a Stanford signee, would be a challenge. They considered both first-round talents and wound up losing both, with Washington choosing Chipola (Fla.) JC and a shot at the 2010 draft.
Blue Jays Draft Report Card
We analyze Toronto's 2009 draft class
By Jim Callis
October 22, 2009
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QUICK TAKE
There's a big hole at the top of the draft, a shame for an organization that has a strong track record of late for developing pitchers. The firing of J.P. Ricciardi pushed Jon Lalonde to a pro scouting position in October, making this his last Toronto draft.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Jays didn't draft a pure bat, but believe former Louisiana State teammates 2B Ryan Schimpf (5) and C/1B Sean Ochinko (11) have good swings and the strength to hit immediately. Both got off to good starts at short-season Auburn, with Ochinko hitting .324 and Schimpf .287. >> BEST POWER HITTER: 1B K.C. Hobson (6) signed for $500,000, and the Jays were paying for his plus raw power. He has an advanced idea at the plate and good hitting fundamentals. >> FASTEST RUNNER: OF Jake Marisnick (3) has five-tool potential, though his bat is raw. He's a plus runner. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Goins lacks classic shortstop range, but his arm is plus and his instincts help him make plenty of plays. He has the hands and actions to stay at short in the short-term.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Chad Jenkins (1) sits in the 91-94 mph range and can run it up to 96, and he pounds the strike zone regularly. RHP Daniel Webb (18) has arm strength and has touched 96 since signing. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Jenkins' slider can be a plus power pitch when it's on; the Jays have seen it scrape 87 mph. RHP Drew Hutchison (15) impressed the Jays with his changeup, which he throws with good arm speed and which features a little fade.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Ochinko ranked second in the New York-Penn League in batting. Fellow C Yan Gomes (10) led the NY-P with 44 RBIs and 23 doubles while batting .296/.363/.444. RHP Shawn Griffith (37) dominated as a college senior should in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, going 2-2, 0.66 with a 43-6 strikeout-walk ratio in 27 innings. >> BEST ATHLETE: Marisnick got a $1 million bonus thanks to his power-speed combination and physicality that earns comparisons to Dale Murphy and Jeff Francoeur. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Hobson is the son of ex-Red Sox infielder and manager Butch; 1B Lance Durham (14) is the son of former Cubs all-star Leon "Bull" Durham. SS Jonathan Fernandez (34) is the son of former Jays all-star Tony Fernandez. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Jenkins has the command and makeup to move very quickly. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: A two-way Stetson recruit, Hutchinson signed for $400,000 and reminds some Jays officials of Shawn Marcum, who also was a shortstop/pitcher when Toronto drafted him. Webb had a poor year in junior college, but his raw ability made him a Top 50 prospect out of a Kentucky high school in 2008. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Toronto had an epic failure at the top of its draft, failing to sign its second, third and fourth picks in LHPs James Paxton (1s) and Jake Eliopoulos (2) and RHP Jake Barrett (3). Paxton returned to Kentucky; Eliopoulos is at Chipola (Fla.) JC while Barrett is attending Arizona State.
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Thanks J.P.!
