Who Should the Orioles Draft

by Baysox39 on Apr 3, 2009 6:36 PM EDT Comment 19 comments

It is safe to say that Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State will be the first prospect selected by the Nationals. Good luck dealing with Scott Boras. But the O's draft later and I wonder who they will take. I am thinking more pitching with guys like Alex White, RHP, UNC or Matt Purke, LHP, TX. There is also a solid hitting short stop by the name of Grant Green from USC. This guy could be at Camden for the next 8-10 years. The draft is in June. What do you think?

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Ask me in May.

"You have to discipline yourself so you don't come out with something just to say you made a trade. You have to make sure you come out better than you were before." - Andy MacPhail, 7/31/08

by getxstoked on Apr 3, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Draft

There’s a good discussion about this on another O’s fansite. (I’d state the name/web address, but I’m new here and not sure I’m allowed to plug other sites on this one.)

Brief Summary:
Pitchers- Aaron Crow- Top 10 pick last year, mature, polished, refused to sign with the Nats.
Strasburg- obviously won’t be around by the O’s pick.
Alex White- great game tonight against N.C. Fairly solid year so far.
Ryan Berry- outstanding righty for Rice. Having a big year, but probably a reach at #5.
Kyle Gibson- Heavy fastball, questions about consistency and mechanics.
High schoolers- Matt Purke, Tyler Matzek, Skaggs, Givens. My favorite is Purke, though Matzek is also outstanding. However high school pitchers have the worst track record for reaching the Majors.

Hitters- Dustin Ackley, CF N.C. Rumor is he’s the O’s preferred pick if there at #5. Very polished lefty bat, and capable 1B and CF. Power numbers finally up this year, but he’s done most of his damage against bad teams.

Rich Poythress 1B Georgia- outstanding numbers and power. Right handed solid defender.

Jason Kipnick- 5 tool OF for Arizona State. Great power/speed combo.

Chris Dominguez 3B Louisville. Power hitting 3B, adequate defender.

by docjj on Apr 3, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

Generally speaking...

…and a mod can correct me/delete this post if I’m wrong, you can reference another site if it is a relevant contribution to the discussion at hand, but you shouldn’t plug/link one arbitrarily. Again, I’m not in charge, so take this for what it’s worth :)

by punkrawka on Apr 4, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Too early to tell

Green is being over hyped at this point, and the talk surrounding him does not equal his actual skill.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Apr 3, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

The best player available.

If they start drafting for need I’ll be disappointed.

From the Land of Pleasant Living...

by OEutaw on Apr 4, 2009 8:44 AM EDT reply actions

The best SIGNABLE player available

This is important.

by punkrawka on Apr 4, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

ah, but...

what’s signable? macphail has shown a pretty ruthless streak when it comes to signing. for a guy w/ rumored mlb leadership designs, he’s shown no qualms about going way over slot.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Apr 4, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Signability doesn't seem to be a concern of ours anymore.

I would substitute “character”, although you have to make that a lower factor than talent.
A. Crow, for example. As bad as that looked for the Nats last year, I haven’t heard many good things about this guy’s makeup. It’s all 4th or 5th hand & could be BS, but slightly concerning.

From the Land of Pleasant Living...

by OEutaw on Apr 4, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope were past signability...

Drafting for signability is pretty stupid. It was a big reason why the O’s farm system was so weak a while ago. Talent comes at a price most of the time. If you want the top talent you’ve got to be willing to pay some money. I thought we were past signability when we drafted Weiters.

by edsachs1 on Apr 4, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly

Having “signability” as a factor is what led the Pirates taking Daniel Moskos over Matt Wieters. Later the Pirates acquired Matt Morris. If we can piss money away on terrible free agents than we have no excuse to not spend money on the draft. If the Yankees and the Red Sox are going to ignore slot suggestions than we would be dumb to pay them mind. To MacPhail’s credit, he went the extra mile to sign Wieters and Matusz (though one wonders if MacPhail was hired before the draft in 07 if we would have picked Wieters to begin with).

As for whom to draft…it’s too early to say. I like Green but if he won’t be the player Ackley will be or some other pitcher, than we have to pass on him. You can’t go wrong with best available even when it lands us Billy Rowell over Tim Lincecum.

Librarians are hiding something

by dfa on Apr 5, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

To clarify

I don’t mean “signable at slot” — I mean “signable at all.” Crow is the perfect example. The Gnats FO might be a clusterfuck, but it sounds like he was toying with them from Day 1 and had no interest in playinig for them. That’s the kind of guy to avoid. I’m all for blowing up the slots if it gets us Wieters-level talent.

by punkrawka on Apr 5, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

McPhail during FanFest....

Made an interesting statement. “We will grow the arms and buy the bats”. As much as I have shown my displeasure with Andy I do agree with this concept.

by Baysox39 on Apr 5, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I would like to see us draft Ackley. Everything I’ve heard sounds great. He’s got speed, Contact, Good range, Good arm, And some power.

"Chicken Soup. The only way to fight a cold." ~ Batman

by Markickass on Apr 4, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Ackley

Seems like a “safe” choice. But we don’t need any more outfielders, and he’s done all of his damage against lousy schools.

I prefer Poythress who is a huge power prospect, plays a position we need, is right-handed (which we desperately need.)

Or I’d take either of the high schoolers Matzek or Purke.

by docjj on Apr 5, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

of course, as I type this....

Ackley has a HUGE night 4-4 with 2 HR!

by docjj on Apr 5, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha!

If he can convert to 1B well, I see no problem. Plus, If Pie/Reimold fail, Ackley could try LF.

We shouldn’t take a HS pitcher. Too risky for our #1 pick.

"Chicken Soup. The only way to fight a cold." ~ Batman

by Markickass on Apr 5, 2009 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

the problem with Ackley at First Base-

He runs very well and has good outfield instincts. It would be a waste of some of his talents to put him at first base. Also, he doesn’t have the power required of the position. I like him as a left fielder, though.

by docjj on Apr 6, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions

Isnt he really projecting

like a Brandon Snyder type, not enough power…

I am not feeling anyone at the moment although Green seemed like the guy but he isnt projected at short at the moment by many. Given our needs drafting a HS doesnt strike me but I know very, very, very little about these players and have seen none of them

by sanders833 on Apr 7, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Character

With MacPhail demonstrating an interesting in players with character, to a degree equal or exceeding that of Flanagan, I think it is safe to say the Orioles will not draft Aaron Crow.

by Ampontan on Apr 7, 2009 4:29 AM EDT reply actions