2009 MLB Draft...And With #5 Pick..
I realize I may be jumping the gun a bit here. With the MLB draft scheduled for June 9, it is still two weeks away. But does anybody have any info on the likely suspect/savior? There is not much news out there on the interwebs right now beyond the comings and goings of the uber-armed Steven Strasbourg. Though I have also read that the heretofore unsignable Aaron Crow may be penciled in around the five spot. For those that don't know Crow (RHP Missouri) was drafted at #9 last year and went unsigned by the Gnats.
In the past 8 drafts (moving in reverse order) the O's have drafted from positions #4, #5, #9, #13, #8, #7, #4, and #7. Of these eight we have Nick, Weiters, Matusz and maybe Snyder to show for premium pickings. Is this good? 4 out of 8 sounds pretty good but I think I would have to run a comparative statistical analysis to really give an honest grade.
And of course there is my bias. I am probably being a little hopeful with that 4 out of 8 grade. At this point we really only have 1 out of 8. So, throwing Snyder back, keeping the other three; Who could we have had if the team had chosen a little more wisely with those five picks?
How's this for the starting rotation 2009:
Zach Greinke, Tim Lincecum, Chris Volstad, Jered Weaver, Joba Chamberlain
:(
Anyhow I hope we pick a pitcher. And i hope he is awesome. On the bright side, the last time we picked at #5 we got the prodigal son in shinguards.
FanPosts are user-created content and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of Camden Chat or SB Nation. They might, though.
0 recs |
27 comments
Comments
I like SS Grant Green from USC but the O's are the 5th pick so we might not be able to get him
non the less here is what mlb.com had to say about him
Hitting ability: Green got off to a slow start in 2009 and was striking out more than usual. He was chasing pitches and getting himself out. He’s started to come around though, hitting balls in the gap with his inside-out swing.
Power: He does have it — he’s capable of turning on an inside pitch and driving it — but he has more of a line-drive stroke that shoots balls in the right and left-center field gaps. He could be a 15-20 homer guy down the road.
Running speed: When he’s going full-tilt, he’s got solid-average to plus speed and can really get down the line.
Base running: He is a little bit low energy at times, but does turn it up when he wants to.
Arm strength: He’s got a solid-average to plus arm which is very accurate.
Fielding: Has good glove action, though like with his hitting, he struggled early, making uncharacteristic errors.
Range: He’s a little better to his right than up the middle, making the play in the hole better than the one to his glove side. But he’s capable of making all the plays.
Physical Description: Green is lean and wiry with an athletic frame and strong wrists. He has some room to get stronger as he matures.
Medical Update: An ankle injury on the Sunday of the series with UCLA forced him to miss a Tuesday doubleheader, but he was back at short the following weekend.
Strengths: He has five-tool potential at a premium position. He’s capable of hitting for average and a little power while playing a fine shortstop.
Weaknesses: He can be a little low energy and has frustrated some at times with a perceived lack of effort.
Summary: Premier college shortstops don’t come around all that often and when they do, they get drafted early. That should be the case for Green, who has the potential to shine on both sides of the ball with all five tools. He shook off some early struggles to perform up to expectations, though his lack of energy at times has bothered scouts. Even with that, he’s a confident and accomplished college player who shouldn’t wait long to hear his name called.
"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver
by Graham71681 on May 26, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not a draft whiz
there are people on here much more suited to answering your questions than I. I do, however, keep my eyes open and try to stay in the loop pre-draft. From what i’ve read its looking like Crow or Grant Green, should he fall to us. Green is a SS out of USC, and some have him going top 3, but some others have cooled on him as of late.
As far as past drafts, we’ve actually had 9 1st rounders in the past 8 years (Matusz, Wieters, Rowell, Snyder, Townsend, Markakis, Loewen, Fontenot, and Smith), but if you look at the most recent drafts (the past 6) its not too bad. Townsend didnt sign and Billy Rowell is looking like he may not work out, but other than that it’s been solid. Match it up against, say, the Rays (who are known for having strong drafts) and you’ll see we’ve matched up pretty well. Recently they’ve gotten Price and Longoria, while we’ve gotten Wieters and Matusz. We’ll know more in the long run, but I like what the team has been doing recently.
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
by daveh873 on May 26, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Green
There are major question marks about Green’s defensive abilities at SS. And he has poor power hitting abilities. If he can’t handle SS, I much rather take Crow or somebody else.
"Your wife told you to play in New York.
Well, my wife told me you look like a dork." Boo Teixeira guys.
by birdman on May 26, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
and...
he’s had sort of a crummy season, right?
"If they pitch to you, make them pay."
--Diamond Dave to the Phenom
by j.q. higgins on May 27, 2009 6:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, I don’t think #2 draft pick in next year’s draft is out of the question. The Nats will lock up the number 1 pick again. But among the bottom feeders for the second pick (Pirates, A’s, Indians, Stros, Rockies), I could easily see the pick falling to us or the Stros/Rocks.
"Your wife told you to play in New York.
Well, my wife told me you look like a dork." Boo Teixeira guys.
by birdman on May 26, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
dunno
we might not be that bad at the end of the year, with Wieters coming up and our rotation already looking alot nicer than it did pre-season, not to mention possible additions of Patton and Tillman/Hernandez down the line. I think we might win enough meaningless games to get ourselves a 5-8 spot in the draft. Then again, we may trade away Baez, Huff, and Sherrill and make up for anything good coming up through the system.
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
by daveh873 on May 26, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All of the bottom feeders, except the Stros, will also have additions and/or younger players simply getting better (the A’s rotation comes to mind). We play in a particularly hard division… I could see it coming down to us or the Stros fighting the second pick.
"Your wife told you to play in New York.
Well, my wife told me you look like a dork." Boo Teixeira guys.
by birdman on May 26, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I just dont think alot of those teams will have the additions that we will (again, Wieters and Tillman come to mind). I guess pretty much anything is possible though. I could just as easily see them as the 2nd worst team in baseball as the 8th worst.
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
by daveh873 on May 26, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLB Dot Com
has a mock draft up with Green goign down around 10 or 12 I think. I guess he really struggled the first part of the year with the bat. Not sure about the glove.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
by BPinOK on May 26, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah they have the O's taking Crow
"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver
by Graham71681 on May 26, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Check out the mock draft on Minor League Ball
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/5/18/878903/mod-orioles
Personally I have no idea. I like the idea of Grant Green, I don’t like the idea of Crow. I’d like to see them draft some hitters since they have a better chance of panning out.
"Honestly, I get tired driving 26 miles. I couldn’t imagine running it." -- Huffy
by CoachOfEarl on May 26, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1 great link
This site is definitely the place for updated info on the draft
by b_duardo on May 26, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Per Andy McPhail
Draft pitching, buy hitting.
My guess is a pitcher with that pick.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
by BPinOK on May 27, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade up for Strasburg!!
If there is such a thing as trading up in baseball drafts..?
by Timmy L. on May 26, 2009 6:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No
It’s not allowed
"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle
by BirdFanInPhilly on May 26, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
even if you could
i’d be scared as hell drafting a guy like that #1. just too much potential to flame out/get injured/end up as a reliever. maybe its just in my head, I just dont think the kid is gonna be amazingly great. Hope he proves me wrong.
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
by daveh873 on May 26, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+17
I just have a feeling he’ll turn into the next Kerry Wood
Matt Wieters broke a bat last night. Nobody knows what happened to the ball.
by CoachOfEarl on May 27, 2009 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah...
I read an analysis not long ago that ran down a litany of reasons to believe that Strasburg’s arm will be well overdue for a blowout by the time he starts to throw in a Nationals uniform.
On the other hand, how does a team in their position not take such a highly rated prospect?
From the Land of Pleasant Living...
by OEutaw on May 27, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
two other pitchers...
I’ve also heard the O’s may be interested in:
Alex White, RHP, UNC
Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS (CA)
White is supposed to have a real good sinker, comparable to Brandon Webb. I’ve heard Matzek is the high school version of Brian Matusz.
I sort of lean toward these guys over Crow. Right now I kinda of perfer Matzek. However I haven’t done much research this year. I’ll trust whatever Joe Jordan thinks is the best fit.
by edsachs1 on May 26, 2009 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
my amateur opinion
Have to go with best available, and trust Jordan to make the right pick. There’s a part of me that is hoping it’s Green and he works out and remains a shortstop, even though I’ll always pine for the 2008 merry-go-round SS. I’m wondering if the desperation at SS isn’t clouding my judgment. I like the Ackley kid, but I think he’s gone by #5. I’m also a little wary of Crow…that whole thing last year seemed entirely stupid. IIRC he seems to have this funky ass delivery.
As for Strasburg…I thought Ben McDonald was the number onest awesomest pitching prospect ever. I guess memories are short in the national media.
As far as our history…of late it hasn’t been that bad. Nick Markakis has been the jackpot at #7 and Matt Wieters apparently is capable of calling three games simultaneously. Matusz is off to a great start, and there is even a flicker for Rowell. And Snyder is taking to AA just fine.
Librarians are hiding something
by dfa on May 27, 2009 2:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
benny mac was...
but you gotta admit, a 17k no-no is pretty damn cool.
"If they pitch to you, make them pay."
--Diamond Dave to the Phenom
by j.q. higgins on May 27, 2009 6:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel it's a pitcher from:
Tyler Matzek, Kyle Gibson, Aaron Crow, Tanner Scheppers, Alex White, Jacob Turner
None of them are supposed to be real “premium” talents, but I like Gibson (high floor, medium ceiling, safe pick), and Matzek (best left handed prep pitcher – plus the added benefit of giving us two lefties with “Mat” and a z in their names), and Turner, who has really exploded this spring in terms of performance.
But that’s just me. From what I’ve seen, most mock drafts have the O’s sitting on White, Crow, or Scheppers.
Lotta people go through life doing things badly. Racing's important to men who do it well. When you're racing, it's life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting.
by Andrew @ TLC on May 27, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by 












