BA Draft Report Card: Best Tools/ International Chat Wrapup

by laxtonto on Oct 23, 2008 3:40 PM CDT Comment 46 comments

BEST DRAFT

1. Rangers
2. Royals
3. Giants
4. Twins
5. Red Sox

BEST POWER HITTER
1. Pedro Alvarez, 3b, Pirates (1)
2. Justin Smoak, 1b, Rangers (1)
3. Eric Hosmer, 1b, Royals (1)
4. Gordon Beckham, ss, White Sox (1)
5. Brett Lawrie, c/inf, Brewers (1)

BEST PRO DEBUT
High School Players
1. Jaff Decker, of, Padres (1s)
2. Mike Montgomery, lhp, Royals (1s)
3. Aaron Hicks, of, Twins (1)
4. Joe Wieland, rhp, Rangers (4)
5. Jarek Cunningham, 3b/ss, Pirates (18)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/draft-dish/2008/267079.html

Just theRanger Relevant Stuff...Well look at that, Rangers draft is rated #1. Nice to see Weiland getting the spotlight though.The Rangers complete draft report card comes out with the rest of the AL West on Oct 27th.

International Signing Wrapup Chat

Q: Joseph Wall from Fort Worth, TX asks:
What is your opinion of Escobar, the LHP the Rangers signed? I read that he can already touch 92 mph and has good feel for a curve and change. That velocity seems pretty impressive to me for a lefty his age. Thanks for the chat.
A:

Ben Badler: A good lefty, good bloodlines and reasonably priced. The body is a little more mature than most Latin Americans his age, and he's usually working more in the high-80s. That is good velo for a lefty his age, and he shows the ability to spin his breaking ball already, which is obviously a good sign at that age.

Q: Elliot from Youngstown OH asks:
Abner Abreu was the slugging star of the GCL this summer, leading the league in SLG, HR, 2B, TB. His younger brother was supposed to be better. Is he and has he signed?
A:

Ben Badler: Yes, his younger brother Esdras signed with the Rangers. They sound like similar players, including both the raw power and the strong questions that Abner will have to answer about his plate discipline.

Not a lot of Ranger's stuff.... Like to hear that Escobar can spin a breaking ball at his age, though...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2008/267060.html

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Comments

Wow.

I loved our draft too, but I didn’t see us being #1.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 23, 2008 3:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

I thought the Royals would be first for sure.

by LiamP on Oct 23, 2008 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

30th

by Save us on Oct 23, 2008 5:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

what?

"I don’t know of a single thing Obama’s done except talk and write." - Newt Gingrich
"I'm more happy to be a Dallas Cowboy than when I got my first bike" - Roy Williams (WR)

by knockoutking on Oct 23, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's because we didn't take a pitcher in the first round

He’s an idiot

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Oct 23, 2008 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea we def. shouldnt have taken the consensus BPA, a top 5 bat in the draft, a guy NO ONE saw falling to us and pulled an astros and made a HUGE strech

man, if only we had done that!

/sarcasm

"I don’t know of a single thing Obama’s done except talk and write." - Newt Gingrich
"I'm more happy to be a Dallas Cowboy than when I got my first bike" - Roy Williams (WR)

by knockoutking on Oct 24, 2008 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

whatever

Save us/Seth/Steal Home/sockpuppet/whatever he is going by’s schtick about the draft and how the Rangers messed up by not selecting the best talent on the board in the first round is old and irritating.

My Music Blog

by FuturePants on Oct 24, 2008 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops

I miswrote, I meant he is pissed that the Rangers did not select a pitcher, but instead went with the best talent on the board.

My Music Blog

by FuturePants on Oct 24, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think there could have been an arguement for smoak or crow

in the end smoak wins

but he would at least have some ground to stand on if crow was out there, ya know?

but the fact is that we got a steal in the draft and he is a fucking idiot for saying that we should have taken a pitcher

btw steal home, who did you want us to take at 11? lets hear some names

"I don’t know of a single thing Obama’s done except talk and write." - Newt Gingrich
"I'm more happy to be a Dallas Cowboy than when I got my first bike" - Roy Williams (WR)

by knockoutking on Oct 24, 2008 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was rooting for Crow over Smoak, but I'm just some dude. What do I know.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 24, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

josh fields or ryan perry

by Save us on Oct 24, 2008 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you mean Feilds the relliver that was picked

20th or Perry the other bullpen arm at 21?

How does that help your mantra of needing SP? Neither are starters…

by laxtonto on Oct 24, 2008 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

our bullpen sucks too

perry was a starter and a reliever, and if we want we can convert fields to a starter.

there is nothing to lose, smoak wont improve our pitching and our hitting needs no improvement

by Save us on Oct 24, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but neither will be in the majors for a 1 1/2 to 2 years

so fields and Perry could be making it in time to fit into a bullpen that ,imagine that, has already been filled with the countless #‘s of #4/#5 SP prospects Texas has that didn’t cut it the last 2 years, while Smoak could be ML ready as a top 10 prospect and could be moved for elite talent.

Your not getting equal value there.

You still haven’t made any sort of positive argument against BPA

by laxtonto on Oct 24, 2008 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

when/ if we ever have to worry about hitting

and we’ll draft hitters.

and no we can’t trade smoak because with Jd as our GM we’ll get nothing good back

by Save us on Oct 24, 2008 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you are a real idiot you know that?

don’t draft for need, take the best player.
Smoak was considered a sure fire top 5 talent and many are already saying one of the best players in the draft.

Even if they don’t need or want a hitter he becomes a very valuable trade chip 1yr later. Hell look at laporta, he pretty much netted the brewers sabathia.

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Oct 24, 2008 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You guys continue to argue with him.

Who’s really the idiot here?

by LiamP on Oct 24, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i really try to resist

but sometimes i just cant let it go

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Oct 24, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I try to hold out hope that eventually he will actually learn

something in all of this. I don’t care if he learns nothing about baseball and still learns the folly of circular logic and redundant arguments.

I blame this on my better half that is a teacher and is constantly harping on me to teach and explain to others instead of just winning and moving on.

by laxtonto on Oct 24, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

YEEEEEAAAH WOOOOOO

Our offense will go from 1st to 1st and no, with JD as our gm, we’ll get nothing good in return for Smoak

by Save us on Oct 24, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am shocked

that we have been placed above the Royals. But then a lot of people seem to love our top two picks, and I think the guys we got in the 3rd thru 6th all have exceeded expectations. Some of the college arms we got late could help bump us up as well.

by clark on Oct 23, 2008 5:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yes

some of the relievers post 20th rd have done well but I think next year will be more telling for them when they aren’t playing against 18 year olds…

by Goyogringo on Oct 23, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

It’s a real testament to how much they like Texas’ draft that they ranked them above the Royals, who got a push for Smoak in Hosmer and a couple of really high profile arms in Melville and Montgomery. As I said a week or two ago, looking at those top five picks, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this draft turns out better than the 2007 draft.

by Brett Perryman on Oct 23, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wieland

It just seems to me that he is the next value pitching star in the org. I think you are right about it being better than 07…in time. Wieland is really the surprising one to me. I guess I wasnt that informed but was he slotted to be a 4th round pick or did he slide due to signabiliity issues, etc?

by booyahcaveman on Oct 23, 2008 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wieland reminds me of a skinny Ricky Nolasco (the way he can locate both FB and CB)

He has very clean mechanics with a surprisingly good curve that he can command. Low 90s heat with a developing change. I think he’s a legit prospect. I have him ranked 21st in the system. He could be a top 10 prospect (in this system) at this time next year.

Honestly, I’d take Wieland over most of the ’07 draft arms.

Miguel De Los Santos Interview

by jparks77 on Oct 23, 2008 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Would you take

him over everyone save Ramirez, Beavan and Main?

by booyahcaveman on Oct 23, 2008 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

To me

the interesting questions are Wieland versus Beavan, Ramirez and Hunter. And Ross versus Beavan. And potentially, though I think we have to see more from him, Tim Murphy versus Hunter.

by Brett Perryman on Oct 23, 2008 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Murphy

a lot. I really enjoy the reports about his psyche on the mound. Honestly, of what Ive read id rank the 07-08 pitching draftees this way:

1. Main…really think he is a special special talent
2. Ross…Gets the edge over Beavan due to Beavan’s drop in velo
3. Beavan…I know his K rate wasnt what we all wanted and his velo dropped but from the reports Ive read I think he has really grown up and learned how to pitch
4. Wieland…Just seems more polished than a HS pitcher should be.
5. Ramirez…Seems the most high risk prospect out of the 7 however if a few things fall correctly he could vault to number 2.
6. Murphy…I think he will eventually be a completely shut down lefty out of the pen
7. Tommy Hunter…i just dont think his ceiling is that high however his rapid ascent this season was quite impressive.

2010 Rangers = 2008 Rays?

by booyahcaveman on Oct 23, 2008 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only ranked the pitchers in the top 5 picks of course..

2010 Rangers = 2008 Rays?

by booyahcaveman on Oct 23, 2008 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am still quite high on Hunter

What he did last year, rising three levels (after an aggressive initial placement) and seemingly getting better at each level (save those 3 starts in the ML) cannot be understated. Typically, when players are able to do that, it bodes very well for their future ML success. I still think there is a very good chance that, if given another half season in OKC to continue to develop his offspeed stuff/selection, he can emerge by the end of 2009 as a rotation staple for years to come.

The fact that he could be considered to be the lowest pitcher, as far as upside, on your list is really only a testament to the collection of arms we quickly assembled.

by clark on Oct 24, 2008 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I’m bullish on Hunter as well. I think he is going to be a valuable ML arm for the next several years.

What would you ask Nolan Ryan: "... as a former pitcher, what would you think about having a useless lug standing out there behind you."

Then I'd tell him that useless lug’s name is Michael Young. -- lonestarJesus

by tricer on Oct 24, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he going to be solid in whatever position he pitches in IMO – longman, swing man, rotation, pen

"I don’t know of a single thing Obama’s done except talk and write." - Newt Gingrich
"I'm more happy to be a Dallas Cowboy than when I got my first bike" - Roy Williams (WR)

by knockoutking on Oct 24, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am too

and you are right when you say that just the fact I would even consider Hunter for the last spot is a testament to the depth on this system. Best comp for Hunter? Blanton maybe?

2010 Rangers = 2008 Rays?

by booyahcaveman on Oct 24, 2008 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

His strikeout rate

declined after every promotion and that concerns me a bit as it fits the profile of rangers young pitchers promoted to the bigs: no strikeout pitch/inability to get the strikeout, miss bats. I think they did him a disservice promoting to the bigs so soon (one example where they did not keep to their development plan) as he is far from ready unless you pitch him out of the bullpen. They should have left him in Frisco to work on his stuff. I think he was only a starter one year in college right? The other year he was a closer so I hope he gets some time next year to take a deep breath and work on his weaknesses all year at okc.

by Goyogringo on Oct 24, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also in the "why hurry hunter" theme

we have lots of 4/5 starter candidates next year so there is time for him to work at okc for a year…

by Goyogringo on Oct 24, 2008 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Long-term? I'd probably take Wieland over Beavan

Miguel De Los Santos Interview

by jparks77 on Oct 24, 2008 7:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting..

I can definitely see where you are coming from however i think this upcoming year is huge for beavan. If his velocity does return he will vault back up a lot of prospects lists. I dont think he is really a high 80s to touching low 90s guy. I think he will eventually be a guy who works in the low 90s. Whatever the case may be im very impressed with the Rangers drafting the past few years. Very well done…

2010 Rangers = 2008 Rays?

by booyahcaveman on Oct 24, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is that mad props for Wieland or a more of a mega burn on C-Wun?

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 24, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say

more the former than the latter. Beavan has a long way to go, but he had a strong season and is still a great prospect.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Oct 24, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like them both

I just have some minor concerns about Beavan that I don’t have with Wieland.

Miguel De Los Santos Interview

by jparks77 on Oct 24, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

which begs the question...

what are those concerns about Beavan? Velocity?

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Oct 24, 2008 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I explain in more detail in BTiA's Top 25 piece

that will be ready on Monday. His velo is a concern, but not the biggest concern.

Miguel De Los Santos Interview

by jparks77 on Oct 24, 2008 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well if you are willing to make that claim

then I guess you should go ahead and rank them that way then, Beaven 21 Wieland 13ish?

by Goyogringo on Oct 24, 2008 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I seriously thought about it ranking Wieland higher/Beavan lower

But as it stands now, I think Beavan is the slightly better minor league prospect, mostly due to his ultimate ceiling and his performance at a higher professional level. I just happen to think that Wieland stands a better chance of reaching his ultimate ceiling, which I would consider to be lower than that of Beavan’s. As a result I would probably take Wieland over Beavan in the long run.

I probably didn’t do a good job of explaining my methods. Sorry.

Miguel De Los Santos Interview

by jparks77 on Oct 24, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BA ranked him 93rd, and the Rangers picked him 123rd (Murphy went 89th). Here’s the pre-draft profile on him, which had me pretty excited:

JOE WIELAND, RHP, Bishop Minogue HS, Reno, Nev.
The Reno area is gaining a reputation for developing pitchers, but Wieland stands out as the top righthander to come out of the area that in the last few years has produced Rays minor leaguer Jake McGee (out of high school) and Cole Rohrbough (Braves, out of Western Nevada CC). Wieland has impressed scouts with his combination of now stuff, clean arm and projectable frame. He was outstanding in all, sitting at 88-91 mph with his fastball and reminding scouts of Mark Prior with his command and has more deception in his delivery. He’s maintained that velocity this spring and reportedly has flashed better velocity, with most reports having him bumping 92 regularly. He’s shown the ability to spin a breaking ball despite Reno’s thin air and flashed a changeup. He’s signed as a two-way player to San Diego State but figures to sign if taken in the second-to-fourth round range.

by Brett Perryman on Oct 23, 2008 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs