Kyle Gibson Rumors

MLB Draft Reactions

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 10, 2009 at 9:32am CDT]

Let's round up some reactions to day one of the draft before day two gets underway…

  • There's not much buzz surrounding the players remaining, but, as MLB.com's Matthew Leach points out, Albert Pujols was drafted in the 13th round a decade ago.
  • So which impact players have yet to be picked? Baseball America says Max Stassi, Sam Dyson and Zack Von Rosenbuerg are the best available.
  • Baseball America's Conor Glassey reports that Stassi could go to UCLA if teams don't like his asking price.
  • Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says Orioles first rounder Matt Hobgood looks like a young Sidney Ponson.
  • Red Sox first rounder Reymond Fuentes told David Laurila of Baseball Prospectus that his cousin, Carlos Beltran, phoned to congratulate him last night in the midst of the Mets-Phillies game.
  • Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune reports that the Mariners see Dustin Ackley as an outfielder.
  • In this MLB.com press release, GM Neal Huntington says signability was not the "primary factor" when the Pirates selected Tony Sanchez fourth overall. 
  • ESPN.com's Keith Law was among those who thought the Pirates could have done better with that pick.
  • Law praises the Rockies, Cardinals and Twins for picking Tyler Matzek, Shelby Miller and Kyle Gibson, respectively. Law says all three pitchers have high-impact arms.
Like 0 Share 0 Retweet 0 Google +1 0 Google +1 0 Send via email0
Full Story | Comments | Categories: 2009 Amateur Draft | Baltimore Orioles | Dustin Ackley | Kyle Gibson | Pittsburgh Pirates | Seattle Mariners | Shelby Miller

Draft Updates: Strasburg, Nats, Crow

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 8, 2009 at 10:53am CDT]

With tomorrow's draft approaching fast let's take a look at some recent rumors and analysis…

  • MLB.com's Lisa Winston reports that former super prospect Ben McDonald is impressed by Stephen Strasburg's stuff and poise.
  • David Price told Danny Knobler of CBS Sports that Strasburg's stuff is better than his. Like Joe Maddon, Price believes the minors can be helpful and doesn't advocate rushing Strasburg into a big league rotation.
  • Chico Harlan of the Washington Post interviewed acting GM Mike Rizzo about the draft and heard that signability won't be a factor for the Nats with their 10th pick, even though they get nothing if they fail to sign the player they choose. After saying for weeks that Strasburg is his choice with the first pick in the draft, Rizzo doesn't confirm it this time.
  • Pete McElroy of MASN.com hears that the Nats will take Chad Jenkins, a big college righty, with their 10th pick if he's available.
  • Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pirates could use the $1.3MM they saved by trading Nate McLouth to sign the player they draft fourth overall. Aaron Crow, who's looking for $4MM, could be an option for Pittsburgh.
  • Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Crow's looking forward to tomorrow's draft after waiting a year.
  • Yahoo's Jeff Passan says prospects can be over-hyped to the point that we encounter "an uncomfortable reality" when they struggle. 
  • MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports that Kyle Gibson and Tanner Scheppers could fall lower than originally expected because of injury concerns. Other players, like Jacob Turner, could fall because they're expected to demand large bonuses.
  • Follow the draft on Twitter as it unfolds: @mlbtraderumors and @MLBDraft.
Like 0 Share 0 Retweet 0 Google +1 0 Google +1 0 Send via email0
Full Story | Comments | Categories: 2009 Amateur Draft | Aaron Crow | Jacob Turner | Kyle Gibson | Pittsburgh Pirates | Stephen Strasburg | Tanner Scheppers | Washington Nationals

Draft Roundup: Mock Draft, Strasburg, Gibson

By Mike Axisa [June 6, 2009 at 11:00am CDT]

Major League Baseball's amateur draft is now just three days away, so let's round up the latest news.

  • Jim Callis of Baseball America posted version three of their Mock Draft yesterday (subscription req'd). He projects the top three picks to be Stephen Strasburg, Dustin Ackley, and Donavan Tate.
  • After Strasburg is announced as the first overall pick on Tuesday, he will not meet with the media at his home or on the San Diego State campus, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. Strasburg will instead hold his press conference in "the main lobby of the Boras Corporation offices."
  • Conor Glassey reports that Missouri righthander Kyle Gibson experienced tightness in his forearm during his start last weekend, which is causing his velocity and stock to drop. Gibson was a consensus top 15 talent prior to the injury.
  • Mark Heller of The East Valley Tribune spoke to Diamondbacks scouting director Tom Allison, who says the team will "stay true to best person on the board." With seven of the first 64 picks, there was some thought that the D-Backs would seek out players willing to sign for, or below slot to save money.
  • Steve Buckley of The Boston Herald wrote about how the Red Sox's recent success in the draft has fans following the event more closely than ever.
Like 0 Share 0 Retweet 0 Google +1 0 Google +1 0 Send via email0
Full Story | Comments | Categories: 2009 Amateur Draft | Arizona Diamondbacks | Boston Red Sox | Donavan Tate | Dustin Ackley | Kyle Gibson | Scott Boras | Stephen Strasburg