Baseball America Projects The First Round

Again with the O's and Matusz. Even if Alvarez doesn't fall to the O's (which I he very well may) I doubt the O's take Matusz. Baltimore has taken HS and College position players in the first round for the past couple of years (under Joe Jordan). Jordan has done a great job of building very solid pitching depth in the lower rounds. I doubt that pattern will change, no disrespect to Mr. Mayo or Baseball America.

The Sox are most likely going for a slugger, even if Williams does have an obsession with the Danks family. I don't think that's a possibility. I don't think Beckham will fall to the A's though.

Dang...this draft is crazy. There's definitely not ONE for sure guy to go anywhere. I keep seeing Alvarez going to the Pirates...but you just never know what the Pirates are gonna do...especially with different front office guys. That's why this draft should be pretty fun come draft day. Lots of surprises and what not.

Can anyone give me some info on Aaron Crow? I dont know much about him at all

GmblngPtchr20,

I got this information off a friend's website.

http://www.mlb-draft.com/

Aaron Crow, College RHSP, Missouri, Age=21, 6' 2 - 215. Missouri right-hander Aaron Crow really burst onto the scene during his dominating Cape Cod season (Collegiate Wood Bat League) this past fall. At 6' 2 215, he is not overly big, but is a solid athlete and easily repeats his mechanics, which may contribute to why his command of a low to mid-nineties fastball (which has hit 98 occasionally) has been outstanding. Crow led the league with a miniscule ERA of 0.67 and has a solid repertoire of secondary pitches, with a slider and change both grading out as average to above-average.

While his Cape campaign was very impressive, his college season was merely good. The sophmore was the Tigers' Friday night starter (#1) and threw 117.2 innings in 18 starts, striking out 90.

If he picks up where his Cape stint left off during the coming college season, he has the chance to go #1 overall. **A Scott Boras client**

Updated... May 15, 2008;
He finally had a strong start on the 9th. He'll get one more start before the Big XII Championships.

In 12 starts> 83 IP, 2.82 ERA, 72 Hits/29 BB's, and 103 K's.

I think that this draft seems deep because everyone is getting so into it. I can't recall a draft getting this much coverage.

That said, this draft has the potential for greatness but really it's a very weak high school class over all in my opinion, and not a whole lot of college pitchers. College bats is the name of the game this year, especially with guys like Posey and Beckham shooting up their stock.

I agree that it's a very volatile draft. I can't remember one so unclear at such a late stage. TB seems to be looking at T. Beckham or Posey, PIT's talking like they're ready to shell out big-boy money, and KC could go any number of directions. Does Pittsburgh go with Alvarez and his massive demands or take the comparatively safer signee in Matusz? Do the Royals go with hometown hero Crow or one of the first basemen...or a catcher? I'm hoping my O's get Alvarez, but I'm not as confident as I once was that he'll last that long. TB seems to be leaning away from him and I doubt the Royals take him based on both the money AND the fact that he sees himself as a 3B and they've got Gordon there and Moustakis may require a move as well. If the Bucs go any other direction, I like our chances, but EVERYTHING I've read seems to have them taking Alvarez. If that's the case, I think I'd actually prefer Hosmer. ...not that I'd be upset about Matusz; it's just that we've got a lot of interesting pitchers in the org. and Hosmer's bat projects to be pretty special. Rowell may require a move to first, but for now he's at 3B and two awesome young bats would be a good problem to have. I also agree with TNS in that Gordon Beckham is a nice fit for the O's, though, as good as he is, he seems to be a reach at #4. I just can't get over the thought of Wieters, Alvarez, and Rowell in the same infield. Throw in Markakis, Jones, and Reimold in the OF and that's a nice foundation!