Giants Aiming For Position Player In Draft

I would think something like this was pretty obvious. The Giants have some arms for the future, but the last time I checked they had ZERO offense. I don't care how much upside a kid like Crow may have, you better take a close to major league ready bat, because Aaron Rowand needs help.

zito-

I agree with that assessment. Don't rule out Hosmer either, though both are seen as 1B only, which is a little odd, due to the Giants' heavy investment in Angel Villalona, their best position prospect and a helluva bat who- despite some struggles this year- looks like a fair bet to be a very good pro.

San Fran is interesting; a fairly high revenue club in the doldrums, with a bunch of quality young arms and a couple questionable position prospects from last year's draft class. Even before Magowan's latest, it seemed clear that they'd go position player, but the strength of this year's class doesn't seem to fit their needs. I guess they could try to move Villalona to left field or try Smoak or Hosmer out there, but if either of the Beckhams are there, I wonder if one might be the better fit. Ditto with Posey. In fact, if Posey falls that far, I think that would be an excellent pick for the Giants.

1. TB- Beckham
2. PIT- Alvarez
3. KC- Crow
4. BAL- Matusz
5. SF- Posey

I could see that happening. PIT/KC are the big wild cards this year. Posey to SF would seem to hinge on KC and, of course, TB. If the Rays go Beckham and KC takes the local kid, Posey'll be there. Question is: do the Giants like him enough to take him there?

cobweb and mymrbig:

I understood that Smoak was already rated average or above average at 1B, so defensive concerns should be moot. Ideally, Alvarez would fall to them, but I doubt it happens. And I wouldn't put all my eggs in the Villalona-at-1B basket; there would be nothing wrong with having Villalona and Smoak as the corner infielders on the 2010 Giants. As for SS and either Beckham, I think Vizquel will be shipped to Boston within weeks, and the Giants will hand the SS job to Burriss by the deadline. Sure, a Beckham would be great to have down the road at SS, but having Burriss there now and Smoak/Villalona at the corners by 2010 would be better.

The more I think about it, the more I hope the O's go with
A)Alvarez (if available)
Best bat in draft combining polish and upside; .300+ with massive power and a chance to stick at third. Would give us another future super star and likely keep our streak of solid picks going (Wieters, Arrieta, Rowell)
B)G. Beckham
The more I see, the more I like. He's going to put up terrific numbers, including unusual power, somewhere in the middle of the infield. Would be awesme if he sticks at short and there's a legit shot, but I'd take him at 2B too. Really squares ball and launches it. Probably good to hit around .300, with 25+ power. O's have NO mid-infield prospects (unless you count Tyler Henson at Low A, but he'll likely move to third)
C) Eric Hosmer-
He'll take more time than the two before him, but Hosmer's bat is special; could develop into the top offensive force from this draft. I'm a believer and, though I know the club wants someone who can move a little faster; to keep pace with Wieters, Tillman, Arrieta, Reimold, Rowell, and the like, but Hosmer is worth some patience...and I wouldn't rule out his ability to climb the ladder quickly either.

D)Brian Matusz
Guess Matusz comes in fourth. Arguably the best pitcher in this class (what can I say, I like Shooter Hunt); lefty with solid control of three pitches doesn't seem like an ace replacement for Bedard, but could pair with, say, Tillman atop our future rotation as a very nice 1-2, righty-lefty, punch (stick Arrieta at the 3, Olson at the 4, and maybe Liz at the 5 until he can find some control).

E)Justin Smoak-
Think he'll hit for power, but question his all around hitting. Otherwise, he looks like an excellent pick who could move quickly and re-team with H.S. teammate Weiters as the foundation for future success.

I also like Crow, Hunt, Alonso, and, though it's too early for them, Kelly, Hicks, and Martin all look like future stars, and Zach Collier and Anthony Hewitt are more intriguing by the day. Should be some good pickin's in the second round and maybe even enough depth to service a third round without much drop off. What this draft is lacking in 'star power, it makes up for in depth.

They do have Burriss and Velez who are good on defense but face it, they can't hit major league pitching well at all. If Tim Beckham or Pedro Alvarez fell to them it would be most ideal, unfortunately for them there's a good chance neither fall past 4 picks. If they do, that's awesome for the Giants. I think there is a better chance that Tim Beckham falls than Alvarez. Either way, I'm not sure whether Gordon Beckham is a reach at five. If that's what the Giants want, that's fine but I'm not sure if he;s as good a hitter as everyone thinks.

There are other options, of course. One is if Posey falls, that would be a good fit for the Giants. Not a cleanup hitter, but someone to work off of and get bats later at less premium positions. Another is taking a high upside high-school bat. They could take Hosmer or Smoak and hope that they don't embarrass themselves in the outfield. Maybe they could take a pitcher if Crow or Matusz fall and the Giants could trade some of their pitchers for hitters. There are a lot of scenarios here but the most ideal for the Giants is Alvarez or Tim Beckham.

"They do have Burriss and Velez who are good on defense but face it, they can't hit major league pitching well at all. If Tim Beckham or Pedro Alvarez fell to them it would be most ideal, unfortunately for them there's a good chance neither fall past 4 picks. If they do, that's awesome for the Giants."

Velez? Good at defense??? That is what everyone considers his main weakness! Burris is decent defensivley, and decent at the plate. Major League avg. player. Everyone ofrgets about Kevin Frandsen he was dubbed the 2B of the future by Bruce Bochy in spring, then got injured.

I think the giants should take Posey if avalible and T. Beckham if avalible.

My top 5:
1) C Buster Posey
2) 3B Pedro Alvarez
3) RHP Aaron Crow
4) 1B Justin Smoak
5) SS Tim Beckham

That's my current top 5 (likely to change closer to draft day)