Mock drafts and draft talk

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 6, 2009 10:40 AM CDT

Some mock drafts are up...

Jim Callis's mock has Shelby Miller falling to the Rangers at #14, as does Andy Seiler's mock (which goes three rounds deep)...

John Sickels, meanwhile, will be doing his community-driven live mock draft at Minor League Ball beginning at noon today...it goes five rounds...

Miller seems the obvious pick if he's there, but there's talk he may be gone by then...of interest is that both Seiler and Callis have the Royals taking USC shortstop Grant Green at #12, and Callis suggests if he doesn't go there, he could slide all the way to the Yankees.

Green is a Boras client who was ranked as the #3 prospect in the draft in BA's November rankings, but has seen his stock slip...he's got a good mix of tools, but there's questions about his strike zone judgment and whether he'll stay at shortstop, or have to move to second or third. The Rangers are, of course, set at the infield on the major league level for years to come, and have several infield prospects in the upper levels of the minors, but if you believe that you don't draft for need, Green could be an intriguing option at #14 if Miller is gone.

Keith Law's latest post at the ESPN Draft Blog notes that the Rangers have been heavily scouting Tanner Scheppers at St. Paul, where he's pitching in an independent league, and Callis has Scheppers going at #15 to Cleveland. The issue with Scheppers is his health -- he slid last year because of a stress fracture -- but as a 22 year old who was considered a likely top ten pick before his injury, he could move quickly and provide terrific value at #14 if he can stay on the mound.

UPDATE -- Kevin Goldstein offers his top 50 draft prospects.

Tweet Comment 70 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Green

I was listening to the BA podcast a couple of weeks ago and they had real questions about his bat. Even with the upside I would rather see the Rangers draft a pitcher than a guy like Green.

by pblack on Jun 6, 2009 10:43 AM CDT reply actions

It's less about questions about his ability to hit as much as it is questions about his abiliy to hit for power.

There’s some consensus that he’ll hit for good average, but his approach hasn’t been that great, and his power hasn’t been that great, both naturally and as a result of the aforementioned approach. The huge problem with him is his defense, as most think he’ll have to move off short, as he’s both mistake-prone and lacking in the range department, though not all the time. Some teams think they can take the few flash in the pan moments and make that happen consistently. But yeah, he’s not Tulo or Longoria, like some people thought before the season.

MLB Bonus Baby - A Draft Blog - Author
First Inning - Amateur Draft Contributor

by Andy Seiler on Jun 6, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Green

I have no real reason to think this way but i just do NOT like him. I’m sure he’s a fine player but everything I’ve read on him just makes me say Meh.

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

by rentz on Jun 6, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

damn

if the rangers get the players that andy has in his mock, i would be extremely happy….

"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller

by Longhorn on Jun 6, 2009 10:44 AM CDT reply actions

Me too.

MLB Bonus Baby - A Draft Blog - Author
First Inning - Amateur Draft Contributor

by Andy Seiler on Jun 6, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm scared that if we take Green, it could be

Drew Meyer all over again….

my sig is better than yours

by MayurP on Jun 6, 2009 10:49 AM CDT reply actions

me too!!!!

Besides the obvious talents like Teixeira and Smoak. Anytime we take guys that are Green or Tate, I think of Meyer and JMJ.

by Coolbean04 on Jun 6, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Sentence structure fail.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on Jun 6, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions

if miller is gone

id rather take my chances on scheppers or borchering

"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller

by Longhorn on Jun 6, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Would you still like Borchering if our scouts felt he couldn't stick at 3rd?

I worry about how his bat’ll play in LF, which is where I’m worried he’ll end up.

I dunno, though. He might be able to stick there. It’s the ~1.5mm dollar question.

If I felt he was gonna have to move I think I’d rather see a guy who projects as a plus defender in the OF like Tim Wheeler. The ceiling with the bat might be a little lower, but I think if Borchering has to move to the OF (or 1b) then the speed/good glove in the OF of Wheeler might cause me to prefer him.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on Jun 6, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions

I've read in a couple places that Borchering's defense has really improved this year.

And he has the pure tools to become a good defender, but probably not a plus one. But the fact that I read it in at least 2, maybe 3, places makes me think his improvement was legit. I can’t say the same for Matt Davidson.

MLB Bonus Baby - A Draft Blog - Author
First Inning - Amateur Draft Contributor

by Andy Seiler on Jun 6, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions

yeah, i read about that

i’d still take him as a 1B.

"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller

by Longhorn on Jun 6, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions

When

possible, I’d always take the higher ceiling player. Borchering has the ability to become a top 3 3B. I’ll take that in a draft that’s defined by low ceiling guys.

"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon

by FirebatM3 on Jun 6, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Borchering

If one of the arms being touted isnt there (miller, leake, etc) then i’m all for borchering.

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

by rentz on Jun 6, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Scheppers

Scheppers is pitching tonight at the Saints game (unless the Rain wipes it out). Two Rangers scouts will be on hand to watch him pitch. They were also on hand to watch him pitch in late May.

We are expecing a third to half the teams to be represented here this evening to watch him pitch.

"It takes a big dog to weigh 1000 pounds"

by Heebs on Jun 6, 2009 11:08 AM CDT reply actions

Alex White--pitching now

on ESPNU

by peachygbc_1 on Jun 6, 2009 11:09 AM CDT reply actions

I need ESPNU.

It’s just not worth it for a few Super Regional games every year.

MLB Bonus Baby - A Draft Blog - Author
First Inning - Amateur Draft Contributor

by Andy Seiler on Jun 6, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Dish network

…but it’s through Grande Communications so it’s weird.

613photo

by Black Francis on Jun 6, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions

too bad its not in hd

i’ve become an HD snob

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

by rentz on Jun 6, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Alex White @ 14

Andy, would Alex White at #14 for the Rangers be a good pick? I know you have no way to know who will be available, but right now if the Rangers got White at #14 what would you think about the pick?

by peachygbc_1 on Jun 6, 2009 11:15 AM CDT reply actions

The baseball gods would will not give us White after giving us Smoak last year.

by octoberty on Jun 6, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd be happy.

But I’ve become in the minority with that. I’d be thrilled. With a little mechanical cleanup, he could be a borderline #1/2 starter. He’s got the pieces, if his command is cleaned up through a few mechanical changes, to be a frontline starter. People forget that from time-to-time with him. I’ve been mystified as to why teams would want a Kyle Gibson over White.

MLB Bonus Baby - A Draft Blog - Author
First Inning - Amateur Draft Contributor

by Andy Seiler on Jun 6, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Miller does nothing for me.

I’m praying that one of Scheppers or Leake falls to the Rangers.

The CJ hate is getting old.

"We love Wash.....As a team, we want Wash as the head of that team." Hamilton

"The NFL made me undergo a psychiatric evaluation......Please. It was an accident. If I wanted to post a picture of my penis I wouldn't have been all hunched over."- Chris Cooley.

by sprite on Jun 6, 2009 11:16 AM CDT reply actions

Why do you want Brian Bannister part deaux?

by octoberty on Jun 6, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions

~~deaux~~ deux

by octoberty on Jun 6, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think Leake is a Bannister type.

The CJ hate is getting old.

"We love Wash.....As a team, we want Wash as the head of that team." Hamilton

"The NFL made me undergo a psychiatric evaluation......Please. It was an accident. If I wanted to post a picture of my penis I wouldn't have been all hunched over."- Chris Cooley.

by sprite on Jun 6, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

wow

so, im going back through JD’s drafts, and i was looking at the Beavan/Main draft … what a sick draft that was, and imagine if we signed Gast, Pomeranz, and Raunado. Makes me a bit sad…

But, atleast it means we got some pretty good draft minds making these picks…lovin’ that…

"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller

by Longhorn on Jun 6, 2009 11:22 AM CDT reply actions

You can have Gast.

But Pomeranz, Ranaudo, and Kevin Keyes would be nice.

MLB Bonus Baby - A Draft Blog - Author
First Inning - Amateur Draft Contributor

by Andy Seiler on Jun 6, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

And Andy Wilkins.

Arkansas Razorback. Dillon Baird, who we picked in the 48th round that year (2007), will be a top 10 rounder this year out of Arizona.

MLB Bonus Baby - A Draft Blog - Author
First Inning - Amateur Draft Contributor

by Andy Seiler on Jun 6, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah but the scouts

can be faulted for not correctly gauging their signability IMO.

http://minormoosings.blogspot.com/

by Goyogringo on Jun 6, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Could be they were right on that too

And the Rangers just tried risking it to see if they could make the signing anyways.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jun 6, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Goldstein on Ackley @ #2

2. Dustin Ackley, OF, North Carolina

The Good: He has the best combination of tools and skills among the position players, with above-average power and speed, along with amazing hands that easily project him as a .300 hitter in the big leagues.
The Bad: His throwing arm is poor; he’s unproven in center field; he struggles against lefties with good breaking balls.
In A Perfect World He Becomes: An All-Star center fielder with less power than Grady Sizemore but a better batting average, but there is some chance that he’ll be forced to move to left field.

This really isn’t a good draft for position players, is it?

Go Rice Owls!

by JBImaknee on Jun 6, 2009 11:51 AM CDT reply actions