Draft Roundup: Crow, Matusz, Alvarez

I think after the Loewen development schedule, and seeing how that turned out to rush Loewen, being reluctant to give Matusz a MLB deal might be a smart thing. Giving pitchers a smaller window to make it is bad longterm strategy I would say. If there is any control issues involved, all it does is force a club to put the SP in the bullpen when they need valuable innings as a starter.

The thing about Posey is that folks like to say he will move fast because his glove and arm is so excellent that he wouldn't be a liability putting him in at C. His future is obviously sky high but, historically speaking, after pitchers, catchers usually take the longest to fully mature. Is that a reason NOT to promote him aggressively? Not sure. But he's not close to Wieters, the last top selected catching prospect, and shouldn't rise as fast for the same reasons. The only player in this draft that has that has that potential is Alvarez.

Also, it should be pointed out that this year might be the first year where that bit of the new CBA's draft pick compensation rules is going to be truly tested. It really took us 20+ years to get here, so now we're here. Great. I think it's possible to see a team like, say, the Nats NOT sign their top pick (very possible) and end up getting two lottery picks in '09. It will create a lot of very interesting dynamics as a result there. Imagine being the team who selects behind them, where you in essence get knocked back down a slot because of their inability to sign. Does that mean another team, like, say, the Royals suddenly have some stake at the Crow negotiations? Hmmm.

Jeff Zrebiec (Baltimore Sun) reports that Matusz is scheduled to be in Baltimore for a physical today.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.osnotes14aug14,0,4526856.story