Some items from around the league as baseball prepares for Monday's amateur draft…
- The Indians could target a pitcher with the 15th overall pick since the organization is thin on top-level hurlers, though Indians' director of amateur scouting Brad Grant tells MLB.com's Jordan Bastian that type of short-term focus can backfire. "As soon as you start to draft towards needs, I think that's when you can make mistakes," Grand said. "I think it's important to take the best player available. You take the player that you feel has the most ability rather than concentrating on needs."
- The Cubs, meanwhile, are targeting power arms, says Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago, though that doesn't necessarily mean Chicago will look to draft a pitcher with their first pick (sixth overall).
- The Royals have a need for a college pitcher who is close to the Majors, writes Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, which would indicate that K.C. could take one of three right-handers (Mark Appel, Kevin Gausman or Kyle Zimmer) with the fifth overall pick.
- Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees vice president of amateur scouting, says his team focuses on prospects who can handle the pressure of playing in New York, reports MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "We're always looking to get players who can play for the New York Yankees and not just be Major Leaguers," Oppenheimer said. "That is our shopping list, to see who can impact us. It's not easy to be a Yankee, so sometimes we will take a little more risk to find somebody who can fit for us."
- Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com talks to Gary Rajsich, who is preparing for his first draft as the Orioles' scouting director.
- The draft is entering a new era due to the changes made by the latest collective bargaining agreement, writes Jerry Crasnick for Baseball America. Crasnick outlines the new rules in place for this year's draft and how they affect players, teams, scouts and agents.
- The new draft rules particularly impact the Blue Jays. MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm talks to GM Alex Anthopoulos about how the Jays' strategy of gaining compensatory picks and paying over-slot prices for prospects will change.
KC wants someone close to MLB ready? Take Stroman.. He is supposed to be by several sources, though some think he will just be a reliever at the MLB level, mostly due to his short size.
Amazingly.. 1 mock draft has Boston selecting him.. I hope they actually do.. it never comes out that way.. Cursed…
stroman has more risk than the top 3, doubtful the royals do that. don’t think he lasts to the red sox. looks like a top 15 pick.
I can understand how Oppenheimer focuses on his team when he speaks about the pressures of playing in NY, but that applies to the Mets as well. George Foster, Amos Otis, Bobby Bonilla,Brett Saberhagen, Vince Coleman, Carlos Baerga,Robbie Alomar and currently, Jason Bay are players that fall into that category.
Poll those players and they will tell you what Oppenheimer says is correct. Between the fans, media scrutiny and expectations the game oftentimes becomes a job rather than a sport, where the player has to constantly perform to high levels.