Prospect Insider - Mocking the 2009 MLB Draft

Mocking the 2009 MLB Draft

By Jason A. Churchill

By 04-30-2009

I'm going to do something a little different with a mock draft today. Instead of simply ranking the talents in order, or even projecting which clubs will take which players, I'm going to pretend that I'm the Scouting Director of every team in the league (hey, it could happen one day, I play the lottery) and select the exact player I would choose if I were that club's S.D., looking at the available talent after the picks made ahead of me.

Again, this is not a mock draft in the purest sense. I am not predicting that this is the way it will, or even should go. But as of today, this is the way I'd draft if I were each team's chief.

To give it more Seattle Mariners flavor, I went 33 picks deep so I could include the club's top three selections. And don't come asking me (I'm serious, do not do it, I'm not in the mood) why the M's would choose three position players in the top 33 if the draft is heavy on pitching. The answer is, because the three players I have them taking are better talents/values/players (whichever term or combination of terms you want to use today) than the players selected behind them.

The gap between the 13th pick and the 33rd pick is not great, however, nor is the gap between No. 33 overall and the 51st overall selection, which is where the M's select in round two. In fact, the difference between the eventual upside of pick 33 isn't necessarily head and shoulders above that of pick 82, which is where Seattle's third rounder lies. The difference mostly rests in those players' risks.

Churchill Mocks the 2009 MLB Draft

No.

Team

Player, Pos.

School

Ht/Wt

B/T

Ceiling

Cellar

Washington

Stephen Strasburg, RHP

San Diego State

6-4/230

R/R

Seattle

Dustin Ackley, CF

North Carolina

6-1/190

L/L

San Diego

Alex White, RHP

North Carolina

6-3/190

R/R

Pittsburgh

Tyler Matzek, LHP

Capistrano Valley HS

6-3/210

L/L

Baltimore

Matt Purke, LHP

Klein HS

6-3/185

L/L

San Francisco

Shelby Miller, RHP

Brownwood HS

6-4/215

R/R

Atlanta

Zack Wheeler, RHP

East Paulding HS

6-4/180

R/R

Cincinnati

Aaron Crow, RHP

Missouri/Ft. Worth

6-2/205

R/R

Detroit

Donovan Tate, CF

Cartersville HS

6-3/200

R/R

Washington

Max Stassi, C

Yuba City HS

5-10/190

R/R

Colorado

Kyle Gibson, RHP

Missouri

6-6/225

R/R

Kansas City

Wil Myers, C

Wesleyan Christian Academy

08.13.81

R/R

Oakland

Tanner Scheppers, RHP

Fresno St./St. Paul

6-4/200

R/R

Texas

Andrew Oliver, LHP

Oklahoma St.

6-3/210

L/L

Cleveland

Jacob Turner, RHP

Westminster Christian Academy

6-4/205

R/R

Arizona

Grant Green, SS

USC

6-3/185

R/R

Arizona

Mike Trout, CF

Millville HS

6-2/195

R/R

Florida

Jiovanni Mier, SS

Bonita HS

6-2/170

R/R

St. Louis

Matt Davidson, 3B

Yucaipa HS

6-3/215

R/R

Toronto

Jake Marisnick, OF

Poly HS

6-4/200

R/R

Houston

Mike Leake, RHP

Arizona St.

6-1/180

R/R

Minnesota

James Paxton, LHP

Kentucky

6-4/215

L/L

Chicago (AL)

Rich Poythress, 1B

Georgia

6-4/235

R/R

LA Angels

Bobby Borchering, 1B

Bishop Verot HS

6-3/185

B/R

LA Angels

Tyler Skaggs, LHP

Santa Monica HS

6-5/175

L/L

Milwaukee

Matt Hobgood, RHP

Norco HS

6-4/245

R/R

Seattle

Luke Bailey, C

Troup County HS

6-1/200

R/R

NY Yankees

Ben Tootle, RHP

Jacksonville St.

6-1/175

R/R

Boston

Kendal Volz, RHP

Baylor

6-4/220

R/R

Tampa Bay

Tommy Joseph, C

Horizon HS

6-1/215

R/R

Chicago (NL)

Scott Griggs, RHP

San Ramon Valley HS

6-2/185

R/R

Colorado

Everett Williams, CF

McCallum HS

5-10/200

L/R

Seattle

Tim Wheeler, CF

Sacramento St.

6-4/195

L/R

The two column values furthest to the right -- ceiling and cellar -- reflect the highest and lowest I believe that player could be selected in the draft, at least as of right now. I'm being aggressive with those, too, rather than saying Mike Trout could go 15th to Cleveland or 50th to Washington. Things can happen, rumors are spread, injuries occur, teams and agents will disagree, and the next thing you know Jason Castro and Jemile Weeks are top 15 picks and both Tanner Scheppers and Tim Melville fall out of the first round altogether.

As for the three I have Seattle selecting -- Dustin Ackley, Luke Bailey and Tim Wheeler -- it'd be a great draft, yes. And I simply went down the draft order and plugged in the best player on my personal top 50, choosing less risk if I had two players graded equally, and then choosing for need if the risk and grades were both equal as well.

Bailey is the consensus top overall catching prospect in the draft, according to his collection of physical tools, performance and intangibles, but as we broke this morning on the ESPN MLB Draft Blog, Bailey's stock has suddenly fallen.

There's just no chance I'd let him get past me at 27 if I were Seattle. Bailey's Tommy John surgery and subsequent successful recovery -- as doctors will tell you -- depends greatly on how much effort and dedication the recipient puts in the rehabilitation of the elbow.

Having talked to several talent evaluators about him, and having spoken to Bailey directly, I have no doubts that his arm will recover fully.

Wheeler is a pretty good player, but there are differing opinions on him throughout the scouting world. Many like him, a few love him, and some just aren't on him all that much. He could pick up steam and go 10 spots higher, or lose some luster and go in round two.

But he's a five-tool guy who could stick in center, a left-handed bat with good contact skills and above-average power, and all of the above is as valuable to Seattle as anyone in baseball.

Ackley we have talked about quite a bit, and I go back and forth on which prospect is my No. 2 guy. Matzek, Miller, Purke, Ackley, Purke, White, and even Crow could go second and I wouldn't hate the pick.

And honestly, after getting this piece of 411 on a certain right-hander starting pitcher, I can't think of any good reasons to let him get past Seattle at No. 2, let alone No. 27 or 33.

mocking-the-2009-mlb-draft

Comments
The following 74 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: Slurve on 04-30-2009 17:12:24
So where was Luke Bailey pre-TJ surgery in terms of draft position?

I haven't heard much about him but is he a above-average offense combined with a above average defense type catcher mold?

Then who's the guy not name Stephen Strasburg do you love the most in terms of stuff, tools, poise, etc.

I love the draft full of intangible, heart-breaking gut wrenching, oh my god you stupid idiot why'd you choose that guy moment.

2. By: Willmore on 04-30-2009 18:11:21
What are the chances that Matt Davidson drops to us at 27? And is he the top "bat" prospect in the draft, or is there someone with a higher power potential? I can't help but feel that outside of Mike Carp, there are no strong candidates for corner infield or outfield power in our system.

3. By: Stoiz on 04-30-2009 18:13:47
Churchill, 5 years ago I casually followed the M's. Now thanks to you I can spout off dozens of prospects in our system and you actually have me excited about the MLB draft. I never thought that could happen. Nice work.

4. By: Slurve on 04-30-2009 18:46:12
Willmore

Maybe you're feeling something wrong if you think Carp has the best power potential out of our prospects in the COF/1B/3B positions out of the top of my head I can say Halman/Raben easily beat out Carp in the power department.

5. By: rocketdawg31 on 04-30-2009 19:06:52

Slurve-
Who's the guy not named Stephen Strasburg? I believe I can answer that one: Tanner Scheppers. Apparently he has answered every question about his shoulder strength and is 100% "all-systems-go".

I had hoped he'd slip to #27 (as had Jason) but that just isn't gonna happen. Therefore, I won't hate Zduriencik if he drafts Scheppers #2. His ceiling's tremendous.

6. By: Slurve on 04-30-2009 19:37:21
God that Kendal Vloz kid is pretty big 2220 pounds?!?! =)

I also assume that Scheppers is a huge risk as well and he's in the indie league as well so he's a big gamble but it might pay off.

7. By: rocketdawg31 on 04-30-2009 20:40:05

Slurve,
Yeah, Scheppers does constitute a risk...but not more than any other pitcher who's ever had physical problems in a collegiate career.

The questions on him for the last year have been primarily 'Can he get back to where he was before his woes?'. Seems to be that he could, did, and will.

Considering what a dearth of high-ceiling SP prospects we have in the higher minors, I really think he's a risk I WOULD take if I decided I didn't want to wait for the top prep lefty hurler (Matzek)to arrive.

8. By: Blowgun7 on 04-30-2009 20:48:55
I'm still torn at this point between Ackley and Matzek.

Not sure which way this new management group will go.

I can see them going the safe route with Ackley. I think he's pretty much a safe bet to be a good major leaguer. And for a first time GM looking to impress the boss, Ackley provides a pretty much can't miss bat to contribute at the ML level relatively soon.

9. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-30-2009 21:49:40
Slurve,

Bailey was top 15, if not top 10. No major weaknesses in the tool box and a great, great kid. Dude showed up to practice with strep throat. Didn't think there was reason to stay home.

At two, I go back and forth between the safe Ackley and the inherently high-risk high-reward prep arm in Matzek or Miller. Miller has more upside, Matzek more polish. And Purke is sitting there as an equal to both.

Willmore,

I think Davidson, Borchering and Stassi -- maybe even in that order -- are the top prep bats, followed by Marisnick at Poly in Riverside, Calif.

Davidson could fall that far, the draft gets weird sometimes and signability and money issues do matter. But if the draft goes as the talent suggests, he will not be on the board at 27.

Halman is the power guy in the system as far as corner infielder or outfielders go. Carp is Lyle Overbay.

Stoiz,

Good to hear it, and thanks!

Ackley may be the best fit, too; high OBP, lefty bat with at least some power, good speed and defense in at least left field (if the arm continues to get back to full strength)... there's more value to him in Seattle than any other place.

10. By: slick on 04-30-2009 22:12:28
Jason,

If Goodwin is around at 27 do you take him, and what are your thoughts on Austin Maddox, to big to be a catcher?

11. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-30-2009 22:39:37
Haven't seen or talked to a lot of people about Maddox. I know a few scouts who are luke warm on him all around. Decent prospect, but not a first rounder.

Goodwin isn't as signable as even Everett Williams, so if the draft went as it did above 1-26, Bailey is easily my pick.

12. By: Blowgun7 on 04-30-2009 23:15:00
Off the topic of the draft..

Looks like Saunders finally came back, and hit a 3 run homer tonight.

13. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-30-2009 23:19:59
The M's took their time with Mike, too. The Rainiers are going to score a lot of runs with this group. Carp, Saunders, Redman, Clement, Tui, Morse, Shelton...

14. By: Blowgun7 on 04-30-2009 23:38:39
Jason, is Dunigan interesting at all because he's going nuts in High Desert. I know that's what happen in that league with hitters, but 9 homers is pretty impressive to date. Think he'll head up to West Tenn. soon?

If Im not mistaken, wasn't he drafted in the early rounds

15. By: mykillmagnum on 04-30-2009 23:38:43
jason,

if the ms select ackley, how far is he from being major league ready? i actually would love the pick to be honest.

16. By: stickball on 05-01-2009 02:01:04
Jason,

What do you think about Patrick Shuster?

17. By: slick on 05-01-2009 02:37:56
Pineda missed start due to injury, arm fatigue or something more?

18. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-01-2009 11:05:45
Dunigan is merely interesting. But not because of the nine home runs. Strong guy, compact swing for someone hitting for some power, and a pretty good athlete for a stocky, strong player.

re: Ackley

I'd think he could be ready for the big leagues as early as the middle of 2010.

stick,

Schuster is a 3rd rounder tops, and he probably doesn't belong in the top 100 overall in terms of talent.

He's a gimmick pitcher -- throwing sidearm with average stuff, but doing so in a bad league, hence the no-hitters.

With that arm slot, he's a reliever.

re: Pineda

Haven't heard back yet

19. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-02-2009 01:52:21

Jason-
regarding Dustin Ackley, I had a sudden thought. There are very few people that don't believe this guy will hit big-league pitching. I'm one of the zillions who think he will. The big question on him- and affecting his draft status thusly- has been "is he gonna be able to play a major-league CF? (arm strength the main worry)".

But what if we draft Ackley with the idea of making him a second baseman- right from the start? No ifs, ands, buts...dude, here's your money, you play second base.

We are extremely, extremely right-handed offense-wise, and really could use a premium bat from the left side. And, as I've said several times, I truly fear the Carlos Baerga Effect will happen to Jose Lopez- i.e. get past age 25, watch the pounds multiply like rats in summer. His range is already sub-standard.

The more I think of it, it might really make sense as a move.

In an ideal world, I'm thinking Lopie's a 3B, Tui's a LF, Saunders a RF, Clement's a DH, and Goody (Gutierrez) stays right where he is in CF.

Throw Moore in at C, Ackley at 2B, a new shortstop and first baseman cobbled up somewhere and let 'em grow up together?

Could the M's be thinking somewhere along those lines? Or have I taken too many hits?

20. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-02-2009 02:32:08
Here's the problem -- Can Ackley even play second base? That's a bigger question than whether he can play center field. He hasn't played much of it lately, if at all. You do need to be able to make a lot of throws from second, too. Not with the strength, but lots of tougher angles, forcing second baseman to often throw from funny arm slots. That's a big question.

I'd draft him and be okay if he ends up in left field. Remember, at Safeco, left field is not the 7th most important defensive position. Instead of C, SS, 2B, CF, 3B, RF, LF, 1B, it probably goes, C, SS, 2B or CF, LF, 3B, RF, 1B.

And Triunfel is probably your second baseman of the future, as long as he recovers from the fibula and ankle injury.

21. By: slick on 05-02-2009 02:59:17
Jason,

If Ackley ends up in Leftfield is his cieling Nick Markakis? What do you think about Seager the thirdbaseman for the Tarheals i like a move to second for him, his bat plays up might not be a bad pick 51 or later. Good gap hitter his average is up there with Ackley's.

22. By: usabaseballfan on 05-02-2009 05:41:44
Jason, where is Ackley in terms of speed?

Also, as a side note, got a chance to watch Alcides Escobar and Gamel play the other day. All I can say is WOW. Who has more upside as a complete player: Gamel or Triunfel? What about Escobar? When do you expect to see those 2 get called up?

23. By: MMjohns195 on 05-02-2009 09:01:44
This is way OT but can anyone please tell me how Betancourt can have a higher average then OBP? currently he is hitting .313 and his obp is .309 how is that possible??

24. By: preakness29 on 05-02-2009 10:52:12
Jason,

As I die-hard Tigers fan, I lament the fact that we have absolutely NO high ceiling offensive prospects in the minors (PLEASE don't mention Cale Iorg!). What would you say the chances are that Donavan Tate falls to us at and how interested do you hear the Tigers are in him? Also, if Grant Green is there at 9, what would be the chances that SD David Chadd pops him. Other than Tate and Green, are there any other hitters you've heard the Tigers have interest in for round 1? Wil Myers, perhaps?

25. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-02-2009 15:29:48
Ackley and Markakis... I think Markakis has more raw power, and a better throwing arm. Ackley more foot speed.

I have talked to scouts that called Ackley a 70 or better runner, and that seems to be the consensus. He's not Carl Crawford/Wily Tavares, but he can run.

re: Betancourt

If a player goes 1-for-4 his batting average for that day is .250. But if he also had a Sac Fly or Sac Bunt, his average remains .250, but his OBP (which calculates plate appearances, not official at-bats like average) would be lower, .200 in this case.

Make sense?

26. By: Seattle-Sun on 05-02-2009 16:07:29
Just to make sure that I completely understand Jason. You are saying that if someone goes 1-4 (box score) with a sac bunt then his average is .250, but his OBP will be .200 due to the fact that OBP takes into account all plate appearances. Batting averages do not penalize the player for sac bunts, sac fly's. I am sure that most of your readers knew that, but I tend to be confused easily (Goldfish style attention span is main culprit I am sure). Love all the info on the site, is trully amazing. I find myself checking this page daily for new updates or posts.

27. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-02-2009 16:24:52

Jason, about Triunfel. If Jason Churchill's the minor league coordinator for the M's (and wouldn't THAT be cool...) does Carlos Triunfel become a second baseman the instant he's able to take the field again?

I think I agree with the line of thinking that he's best off as a second sacker, ultimately.

Also, those questions about Triunfel's age just don't seem to really go away. If you were placing odds, what would you think the chances are that Triunfel is older than his currently-listed 19?

Me, I see no reason to doubt he's 19. But, he could turn out to be be 21 and I'd believe it.

It's really tough to tell just by looking, I'd certainly card him if he was trying to buy alcohol from me.

28. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-02-2009 16:55:24
Seattle-Sun,

Yes, that is correct. Sac Flys, Sac Bunts, walks, HBPs, Catcher's Interferences... do not count against the batting average. But the Sacrifices aren't times on base, so since OBP is about about times on base via every plate appearances, it takes the Sac flys and bunts into the PA totals.

rocketdawg,

I would play him at short until I was 100 percent sure he couldn't play it in the big leagues. I'm at 90 percent already, but you could have said the same thing about Chris Gomez, even in his first year in the big leagues, and he became average.

I'd split Triunfel's time, which is what the M's were going to do. Majority at short, especially early, and give him time at second, too.

Here's how I fell about Triunfel's age...

1. Until there's legit evidence, he has to be assessed as a 19-year-old. You're making a huge mistake if you take into consideration the possibility that he's older than his bio states when assessing his future. Some have done that, it appears, such as BA, Kevin Goldstein at BP...

2. Yes, I'm more than skeptical, and I probably know more about than anyone not involved with the player or organization. I'd bet the farm that Triunfel was born before Feb. 27, 1990.

I don't think he's 23 or anything, but... I really can't say more.

29. By: teddyb on 05-02-2009 18:21:16
hensley got called up tp west tenn i hope he does well

30. By: Lonnie on 05-02-2009 19:50:35
The beat goes on. Anthony Varvaro also got promoted to West Tenn, and Luis Munoz and Jared Wells have been promoted up to Tacoma. Munoz may be starting either today or tomorrow.

Oh, and if you all haven't heard yet, Brandon Morrow has been put on the 15 day DL for a boo-boo in his right tricep. Denny Stark, he of the double Tommy John's has been called up to take Morrow's spot in the pen.

David Aardsma has been named the closer in Morrow's absence.

Lonnie

31. By: Slurve on 05-03-2009 21:22:32
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SAUNDERS!

32. By: Walrus on 05-04-2009 11:56:17
Jason,
This format is great, and tantalizingly interesting.
You have over half of the the first 33 picks being HS'ers...but all 3 Seattle selections from college.
Are you hearing that Jack Z needs to make some good safe picks, or that the current feeling is that the system has too many high risk / high ceiling guys already, or that the best value is actually in college players ...or is just a fluke and this is the way it played out?
Just curious...

33. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-04-2009 12:34:59
This Me-Mock, as I like to call it, is solely based on who I'd select if I were the SD of each club, based on what was available at the time.

I don't think Tom McNamara and Jack Zduriencik have any orders regarding the draft. They'll pick who Tom and his people feel is the right pick.

34. By: 01v-dubs on 05-04-2009 14:30:20
Jason, first of all great post, very informative. I have a question about Scheppers. It seems like when healthy his stuff is maybe just a notch below Strasberg. If he does everything he needs to do perfectly up to the draft, (check out good medically, have good work outs and actual outings) how likely do you think it is that the Mariners will take him at #2?

No matter how good a player is it seems pretty risky to take one so high given the severity of the injury he suffered.

35. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-04-2009 15:52:35
For me, Scheppers is going to be questionable up until he shows he can go 6-7 innings in consecutive starts and he won't even get the chance to do that in St. Paul pre-draft.

It's a risk because the velo he'll show will be in 2-3-4 inning stints, and since he'll know he's only going to throw 40-70 pitches, his velocity will be up.

Like a starter going to the pen.

It gives false/unsubstantiated evidence that he's 1. Healthy and 2. throwing the ball well.

Having said all of that, considering the question marks up and down the draft after Strasburg, I still might take him and hope for the best.

36. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-04-2009 16:32:19

Jason-
you know The High Desert Four's(Pineda, Adcock, Aumont** and Ramirez) ceiling and current ability about as well as anyone not actually employed by the Mariners.

If the M's take a decent-sized risk and go ahead and take Scheppers with the #2 pick, do you think Scheppers makes it to the majors before those four do? Would Scheppers likely begin his career at AA-West Tennessee?

It's always a slippery slope to project timelines, because so many things could happen (see: Triunfel, Raben) in-between. But if all things are held equal in this particular equation?

**= I know, he's at West Tenn. But I bunched him with the other three because I thought the nickname sounded cool! And, really, he has just as much to prove.

37. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-04-2009 16:37:29
Sorry, minor correction. Aumont IS at High Desert. The nickname is perfectly valid, if a little generic. Sounds kind of like a Texas a cappella group.

38. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-04-2009 16:40:55
All except maybe Aumont, but I'd favor Scheppers, yes.

Aumont, since he's in relief right now, could push through first.

I think there could be better nicknames... let's have a contest.

39. By: candasharp on 05-04-2009 18:55:57
The Four Points of the Mariner Compass.

40. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-04-2009 19:03:54
Ummm. No.

41. By: DobberSr on 05-04-2009 19:11:13
The Rightous Four?

42. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-04-2009 19:14:52
How are pitchers righteous?

DobberSr... great name.

43. By: candasharp on 05-04-2009 19:48:58
High Desert Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Just need to figure out who is Death, War, Pestilence and Famine.

I'd say:

Aumont is Death with his evil batbreaking destructive stuff.

Adcock is Pestilence as he just kinds of eats away at you.

Ramirez is Famine as he denies you any close to a baserunner.

Pineda is War as he destroys you with a variety of laser guided pitches from his arsenal.

Might flip the names for Ramirez and Pineda around ...

44. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-04-2009 19:53:39

Hmmmm...how about The Filthilicious Four?

45. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-04-2009 19:57:23
Give me a little bit of time on this one. There's a wicked nickname for these guys to be had, I'm sure of it....

46. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-04-2009 20:04:22
haha.

47. By: Blowgun7 on 05-04-2009 21:24:18
Man, Im getting really excited about Saunders. Two more home runs tonight.

You think he's got a good shot at being our starting LF next year Jason?

48. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-04-2009 22:05:40

I'll bet Saunders is in the major-league mix at some point in 2010. I wouldn't bet money against him starting, with Chavez gone.

Nicknames:

How about....HD4? The Hurlers Four? The Rotation Of Doom?!

Wooooo-ha! Trademark office, here I come!

Actually, canda's probably got the best one so far. LOL.

49. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-04-2009 22:07:47

To momentarily piggyback on Canda's suggestion, I also recommend we pilfer through '80s movies and proffer unto Aumont the singular nickname "Death From Above".

50. By: Slurve on 05-04-2009 23:25:40
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SAUNDERS!

51. By: slick on 05-05-2009 02:02:15
Jason,

I hear that Jacob Turner is going to be requesting above slot, and using Boras and a UNC commitment as leverage. Is there any chance this guy slips to 27 because of signablity concerns, and if so what do you think the magic number would be to sign him 2-3 million?

52. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-05-2009 08:44:02
No.

53. By: DobberSr on 05-05-2009 10:20:46
How about the Right Stuffers for these four prospects?

54. By: Slack on 05-05-2009 11:26:40
How about the fantastic four?

55. By: Gustafson on 05-05-2009 13:04:48
How about this for the nickname:

"The Seattle Mariners 2012 bullpen"

56. By: CrockDaddy on 05-05-2009 13:18:32
ha, I think Gustafson nailed it

57. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-05-2009 13:21:32
Something without sarcasm will do.

58. By: The Great Pumpkin on 05-05-2009 13:37:14
I've been trying to think of a nickname all morning, I feel like the word "Quartet" would work well, as opposed to "Foursome."

How about the "WET Quartet?" With "WET" standing for WEstern Tennessee? I think this may be a stretch.

59. By: PositivePaul on 05-05-2009 14:53:28
Quattro-Unos.

Since the pitcher is #1 on the field, and there's four of them...
edit to add: and the "uno" could also refer to "#1" as in "Ace" of course

60. By: Gustafson on 05-05-2009 15:21:49
Hmmm. The Four aces thing is a good base for the nickname I think. Paul may be onto something.

Four Diamond Aces

Four Aces

61. By: Jason A. Churchill on 05-05-2009 16:30:38
Shouldn't it at least be somewhat accurate?

There are two premium arms, one high-probability mid-rotation arm and a potential No. 4 -- not four aces. And one of the premium arms is in the pen.

62. By: StandinPat on 05-05-2009 17:46:02
#61

Then how about 4 men and a WTF?

63. By: The Great Pumpkin on 05-05-2009 17:54:08
Filthy Foursome, Maybe?

64. By: Ruuuppert9 on 05-05-2009 17:58:42
I actually cringed when I read "Four Aces"...Van Poppel, Zancanaro, Peters and Dressendorfer... didn't work out too well there. Give a nickname when they make the show.

65. By: marc w on 05-05-2009 18:58:02
PARAnormal/the PARAnormals
(Pineda, Aumont, Ramirez, Adcock)

66. By: Blowgun7 on 05-05-2009 19:21:49
I like the PARAnormals. Although Im not sure Adcock and Pineda are that out of the ordinary. Particularly Adcock.

But that's my favorite one so far

67. By: Blowgun7 on 05-05-2009 21:08:20
Jason, can you just give some general thoughts on Carrera and Almonte?

Does Carrera max out as a fourth outfielder? Can he play CF? Is he a plus defender?

And Almonte has shown some nice power in Clinton, including a couple more homeruns tonight. Strikeouts are still high, but don't seem as dramatic as last year. What kind of defensive tools does he bring to the table? Also, I see he's still switch hitting, but his numbers from the right side are pretty poor compared to his numbers from the left side. Would it make sense at some point for him to just focus on hitting from the left side? Or it doesn't make a difference in his development?

68. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-05-2009 21:51:44

I think Marc W is onto something, sure beats the living whey out of the stuff I've been thinking of...."PARAGliders" might work, but pitchers don't really glide...if they were all defensive outfielders, it'd have some shot....

How about "The PARAtroops"?

69. By: rocketdawg31 on 05-05-2009 21:54:56

Too bad Pineda's first name isn't "Benito" or something...then he could combine with the other first initials of these guys and we'd have: P.B. 'N J.

70. By: PositivePaul on 05-06-2009 00:51:18
Scary, Marc! I was thinking along the same lines, too.

I was thinking PAAR-- easter egg dye -- something along those lines, but that was too abstract so I gave up. Especially when I was thinking "PARAduxx" and instantly started craving a glass of red wine. Mmmmm. Duckhorn wine...

71. By: NorCalGuy on 05-07-2009 16:18:18
Jason, Wow! Stassi at 10 to the Nats? My nephew will be ecstatic they're buddies, as will everyone in Yuba City. However, Max is a long time Giants fan. Is he signable? Legacy Sports is who represents him. Strasburg and Stassi in the first round, that would be an exceptional draft if they could sign both.

72. By: sizzler on 05-10-2009 16:23:29
Jason,

How about Paxton of Kentucky?

Any chance he rises his stock after a solid game against Auburn and perhaps a good performance next week against Florida?

Do the M's have a chance at taking him?

73. By: draftandfollowFL on 05-11-2009 02:35:59
Jason,
The University of Florida has a c/o 2009 recruiting class that's been heralded as one of the best in the country this year. How many players do you think UF and HC Kevin O' Sullivan will lose to the draft next month?

Some names that pop up include Bobby Borchering, catchers Michael Zunino, Austin Maddox, OF Levon Washington and LHP's Patrick Schuster, David Holmberg and Brian Johnson. All those lefties throw in the high 80s to low 90s.

Can you remember in recent memory a D1 program stocking up on so much talent that might not even step on campus come fall?

And my 2nd question is do you think Jim Morris of UM and Mike Martin of FSU are worried that they might be losing the recruiting war to Sully out of Florida??

Thank you so much for any insight!!

74. By: gussD on 05-16-2009 11:59:57
playball Academy infielder montaous Walton has been on a rampage down in south florida dominating and leading the academy with a career high 26 stolen bases with a .350 batting average. his speed is amazing finishing a 6.36 time in the 60-yard. can anybody say Jose Reyes? thats a quick time in the 60 that i know of.

the thing about Walton is that he may not be as popular as the other draft prospects, but he can definitely be in the top 10 or 15 rounds for sure. he also has a good bat with good eye contact.

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