Prospect Insider - Final Draft Notes

Final Draft Notes

By Chris Crawford

By 06-10-2010

After over fifty rounds and more than 1500 players selected the draft is over for another year. It was one of the more bizarre drafts we've seen, with signability playing a major factor and teams making questionable decisions (I'm looking at you, New York Mets) throughout the three days. Most agree that the M's took advantage of these questionable decisions extremely well, but let's take a look at a breakdown of what exactly Seattle did.

In last years draft, the M's didn't select a pitcher til the 143rd pick in Tyler Blanford. This year, the Mariners went pitcher heavy -- with only one pitcher taken in the first five picks. Here's a positional breakdown of what the Seattle draft.

Pitchers: 30
Catchers: 4
Infielders: 10
Outfielders: 6

In 2009, the M's went college heavy -- and signed only one prep-player after the Nick Franklin and Stephen Baron picks (Carlton Tanabe). This year the M's switched things up, selecting high-school players with their first three picks and four of the first six. Seattle did, however, go very heavy towards college-players late. Here's a total break down of those selections.

Prep: 16
College: 34

So those are the numbers -- but what do those numbers mean? It shows Seattle had an astute understanding of this draft. It was not a strong draft for collegiate hitters -- so the Mariners didn't look at this awful offense and reach for a quick fix. It was a very good draft for prep-arms -- so the M's took high-school pitchers with five of their first ten picks.

Showing this kind of understanding of what best-player-available is, and how to read what are the strengths and weaknesses of a draft is a tremendous asset, and it's a reason for Mariner fans to get excited. Kudos to Tom McNamara and the rest of the M's scouting department for working this draft as well as anyone -- especially for a team without a first round pick.

final-draft-notes

Comments
The following 8 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: Edman on 06-10-2010 16:00:50
I'm very pleased with both this year's and last year's draft. McNamara said that they were concentrating on the best available players, not by position or need. And, it appears that he stayed true to those comments.

A fre of last year's draftees have advanced pretty quickly through the system. That is a minor indicator, but does say that they drafted well.

While AAA doesn't have much help, AA and +A give an initial indication that help isn't too far away.

To quote Little River Band, "Hang on, help is on its way".

2. By: randallball on 06-10-2010 17:00:28
John Sickels didn't seem to like the M's draft that much.

BUT - I am excited about all the potential upside.

3. By: Edman on 06-10-2010 17:34:23
Second that, Chris.

4. By: Chris Crawford on 06-10-2010 17:35:06
I deleted my comment because it wasn't very nice. But for those who say it, it's true. Some of these pundits are....ya.

5. By: Slack on 06-10-2010 18:44:29
This draft went far better than I could have imagined! I was surprised at the Walker selection at first but I like it. I think it will free up money to sign Littlewood and Paxton. Plus, you can't beat getting Paxton in the 4th round. I almost fell out of my chair when I heard his name called.

6. By: Adam T on 06-10-2010 19:08:38
What was great about the Paxton pick is that he was EXACTLY the player I was hoping for at that pick. It was as if the Mariners were reading my mind...

7. By: d2ret on 06-10-2010 19:58:40
OT. Whats the latest on Bedard?

8. By: jd7979 on 06-10-2010 21:53:18
was there ever a chat?

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