MLB Outsiders mock draft -- Ranger pick
by Adam J. Morris on May 20, 2009 11:30 AM CDT
76 comments
I was asked to participate in the MLB Outsiders mock draft, making the selection for the Rangers at #14.
To my surprise, Georgia HS RHP Zach Wheeler was on the board, so I grabbed him. You can read my writeup on the selection here.
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Buzz up!
Nice write-up.
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
I came here to split hairs. And you?
by Chase Irwin on May 20, 2009 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that's probably the right pick there
but i do love Leake’s polish, fastball movement, and offspeed stuff. not a bad choice to have to make.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on May 20, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I wait all day for this shit?
Where is the Rangers meltdown is less than 1 week away and time to start trading off our assets post?
Ohhhh I see…your focusing on the draft now…planning for the future.
YOU SLY DOG ADAM. You work in mysterious ways jedi master.
by SaltyGoesYard on May 20, 2009 11:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I like this line
that the team probably won’t succumb to the temptation to try to grab a college pitcher who is near-major-league ready just to try to shore up immediate needs.
Other than the top tier college arms (i.e., Strasburg, Price, Verlander, Prior), I think drafting more polished, closer to the majors, college pitchers is a disappointment in the first round. It’s too easy to start thinking of how soon he can help the club instead of how talented he is, and that gets you in trouble. Those guys are fun to grab in the 3rd and 4th round (like Tim Murphy from UCLA last year), but I think it’s rare you find a real college gem in the back half of the first round. With college guys, you pretty much know what you’re getting, and if they’re worth getting, they’d have been gotten by then.
PhD
by JBImaknee on May 20, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
no one here
wants to believe a college kid potentially drafted outside the top ten has a chance to be a front end starter.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on May 20, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure we do.
Its just that when people advocate for any pitcher because he’s “close” and “safe”, we get nervous.
That’s like how you instinctively get scared when your friend starts telling you you’ve got to meet this girl he knows cause she’s “really sweet and has a great personality”.
It’s not that there are no great girls out there who fit that description, it’s simply that when you hear someone described like that in a sales pitch, you always assume the worst in terms of, you know, “talent”.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I think movies where it turns out the British guy did it are probably pretty accurate.
by thedirkatron on May 20, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
good analogy.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on May 20, 2009 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff
The rationale fits the model.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on May 20, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice Pick Adam
id flip the fuck out if we had wheeler slide to us, ill be happy if miller or purke do to be honest
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 11:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
so no wednesday a.m. links
or afternoon. i don’t know what to do.
If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. ~Dave Barry
by NothinG on May 20, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Turner
Second overall? Wow, lot of helium…
That’s the pick I want, though.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 20, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I like how Adam refuses to even acknowledge the game last night
I think he’s boycotting the Rangers until they leave Detroit
PhD
by JBImaknee on May 20, 2009 12:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was hoping for a post
about how the Rangers fixed Dontrelle Willis and restored him to his previous Ace stature.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
by DJCahill on May 20, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do/t think 11IP makes anybody an ace...
or getting alot of help from the HP umpire.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess,
I should have added Sarcasm tags to that.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
by DJCahill on May 20, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok...
and I should learn how to spell don’t.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh i got the sarcasm
and thoroughly enjoyed it. i have also enjoyed the bajillion articles out there this morning about Willis’ return to dominance.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on May 20, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I expected it
when he shuts out the “hottest team in baseball.”
So far Kevin Kennedy is the only XM broadcaster to say he is reserving judgement. He actually said he could see Willis or Galaragga in the ’pen.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its just a damn shame
that the “hottest team in baseball” doesn’t seem to hit particularly well away from RBiA this year.
I’m extremely happy that we are .500 on the road, given our road OBP. Basicly, we better be getting some big flies if we are on the road and want to win.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
by DJCahill on May 20, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Detriot Stadium or whatever its called
is like hell to the rangers though, i fear that place 3rd most in the league after boston and NYY parks
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm hoping that the new Yankee Stadiumis like RBiA part deux.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
^Stadium is^
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And by that, of course
you mean a park that’s basically neutral for righthanders, helps lefties, and loves triples?
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on May 20, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Help?
The K of Jones may have been a bit outside, but in the very next at-bat, Jones took what was clearly strike 3 (check gameday) and it was called ball 4. Biased much?
by rcpratt on May 20, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was getting alot of calls that were off the black 2-3 inches to righties...
That’s why they were having to swing at alot of bad pitches, trying to protect the plate.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tonight
What will the excuse be when Verlander strikes out 12+? The Rangers are a high-K, low-BB team because that’s who they are, not because of poor umping.
by rcpratt on May 20, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the umps this year have been worse than i ever remember though
and not just in rangers games.
im about ready to just give the balls and strikes calls to a computer and let the ump look at the computer and call strike or ball. these guys are that bad
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Granted
The Rangers are a high-K, low-BB team because that’s who they are, not because of poor umping
.
But when you have to protect the plate against outside pitches being given to the pitcher as strikes, you are going to see alot of K’s.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I don't remember Verlander
getting 12 K’s against us in the April series.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That wasn't Verlander
Some crappy pitcher took him over for the first month of the season. The real one has been back for the last four starts.
by rcpratt on May 20, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that is the case then that wasn't ythe real Matt Harrison either.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd believe that.
He has also looked incredible lately. Not quite the same track record as JV, though.
by rcpratt on May 20, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLBN
pegged them as the best pitchers duel tonight.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was all those lefties we rolled out that did it.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I think movies where it turns out the British guy did it are probably pretty accurate.
by thedirkatron on May 20, 2009 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
just a guess
but adam might be out of pocket and this might be a scheduled post
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
by ab03 on May 20, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
I think the draft is happening right now, going by the above link…
http://mvn.com/outsider/2009_mvn_mlb_mock_draft.html
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 20, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the #14 overall pick...
This kid has too many warts.
He doesn’t repeat his delivery well. He doesn’t really throw his change up, but apparently, he has good feel for it(?).
Leake throws about 1-2 mph slower than Wheeler’s 90-93 mph fastball. Leake has a change up, a curveball, and a slider. One scout graded all of Leake’s pitches as above average, and everyone knows about his superb command.
What are the odds of Wheeler ever developing 3 above average pitches or the type of command that Leake has?
I’d be very interested to read your justification for picking Wheeler over Leake.
by NoNameOnCard on May 20, 2009 1:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
honestly, i generally dont wanna touch a college pitcher
i always figure its just an extra 2 years that some manager can run him into the ground not prep him for the majors and not encourage use of lesser pitches for development.
ill take a young guy we can teach to pitch who has the better projectability every single time.
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leake projects as a solid #3.
Wheeler projects as a potential starter.
by NoNameOnCard on May 20, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also...
Leake throws at least 4 pitches. How many do you want a guy to throw “for development”?
by NoNameOnCard on May 20, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and with those 4 pitches
he’s giving up close to a hit per inning against college guys most of whom wont ever smell the jock of a guy in the show. sorry if he is what he is, and thats what he is, ill take about 3 or 4 guys before that
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BIGGEST FAIL EVER
Dude, all you have to do is look up his stats…
Leake has given up 62 hits in… wait for it… 106.2 IP. On top of that, he has a 116:18 K:BB ratio. That’s nearly 7:1.
He’s also doing this against metal bats. The movement on his fastball is going to play extremely well against bats that crack and break.
by NoNameOnCard on May 20, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you have just about convinced me
i like leake a lot
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 20, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ditto
the man is good at convincing people a pitcher is good.
though really i dont see leake getting past the a’s
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on May 20, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He has even been able
to convince some folks that Diamond is good.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
by DJCahill on May 20, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My position was that Diamond was still a good prospect.
Now that the curveball is gone… I don’t have much hope.
by NoNameOnCard on May 20, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
as a RP prospect, right?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 20, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the realy problem.
There’s no reason he should fall to #14.
by NoNameOnCard on May 20, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't get too attached
he won’t be there at 14.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on May 20, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was looking at his 07 and 08 stats
which average about a hit an inning, i guess he has had a year that is greatly improved over his previous 2 seasons in college.
his 1st 2 seasons in college, im not wow’d by.
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leake sounds a little like Michael Bowden
At least from the limited amount I know about both of them.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
by tricer on May 20, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just checked Bowden's stats
Filth to make put your head down and cry til your elbow’s soaked.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 20, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
why?
do you have footage of him crying himself to sleep every night b/c of pathetic lack of confidence like i do of BMac?
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
PS:
seriously, i think ive never seen 2 guys who need to go on a confidence boosting coke binge and get all coked up convince themselves they are great enough to conquer the world than CJ “Multi-Colored Glove” Wilson and BMac
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you think CJ has confidence problems?
that is ridiculous
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
by ab03 on May 20, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
off the mound he may be full of confidence
but on the mound, when he bounced 2 or 3 pitches 6 feet in front of the mound the last homestand, the guy looked like a basketcase who needed a hug and a big shot of “i can conquer the world” juice. he was mentally in shambles. the whole crowd could sense it
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
CJ on what he'd sing if on American Idol
C.J. Wilson, LHP, Rangers: “‘Are You Gonna Go My Way,’ by Lenny Kravitz. I have a very limited vocal range. Simon would tell me to stick to one of my other hobbies. I don’t have a lot of confidence in my ability to sing. I would have good stage presence, but I’m not a very good singer.”
by Mike E on May 20, 2009 1:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Was that
via twitter?
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
by DJCahill on May 20, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
there was an mlb.com article on several players
and he was one of them
by Mike E on May 20, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Corrected
C.J. Wilson, LHP, Rangers: "‘Are You Gonna Go My Way,’ by Lenny Kravitz. I have a very limited vocal range. Simon would tell me to stick to one of my other hobbies. I don’t have a lot of confidence in my ability tosingthrow strikes. I would have good stage presence, but I’m not a very goodsingerpitcher."
There that’s better
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
...
except that he isnt a bad pitcher
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 20, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't try to reason with the knee jerk crowd around here.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I think movies where it turns out the British guy did it are probably pretty accurate.
by thedirkatron on May 20, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When i see a 1-2-3 inning from CJ
I’ll stfu…until then, I don’t trust him!….If you don’t like that…TOUGH SHIT!
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
by awillis111 on May 20, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW the rest of the home crowd felt the same way last home stand as awillis does
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on May 20, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You think I care what you think.
That’s cute.
Not as cute as your adorable mustache, but still pretty cute.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I think movies where it turns out the British guy did it are probably pretty accurate.
by thedirkatron on May 20, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Random team batting stat fiddling
The Rangers are hitting .241 on the road this season. If you take away the 4 games played in Detroit we’d be batting .271 on the road. We’re 14/122 in Det as a team – .115 avg.
And we get Verlander tonight.
Oh yay.
Sigh ... we are sooo gonna suck again next season.
Rangers Farm Probables
Rangers Video Highlights
by shroomer on May 20, 2009 2:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the kind of thing
people need to realize when screaming about how much of a hitters’ park Arlington is and how none of the Rangers can hit on the road. None of the Rangers can hit Detroit so far, but you’ll have to convince me of anything else.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on May 20, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
one of two things will happen
we will inexplicably hammer Verlander, or he will be the next pitcher to K 20 in a game. I could honestly see it going either way.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on May 20, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or we will scatch and claw our way to 3 runs, while Harrison pitches another gem.
We could win 3-2.
by tyd3311 on May 20, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm afraid
that isn’t an option here.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on May 20, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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