2009 Amateur Draft

Draft Roundup: White, Tejada, Fuentes

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 11, 2009 at 9:05am CDT

Here are some updates on the draft as we enter its final day…

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians will develop their first round pick, Alex White, as a reliever.
Astros GM Ed Wade told Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle that the team's selection of shortstop Jiovanni Mier doesn't mean Miguel Tejada's about to be moved. Mier had said a scout told him the Astros would get rid of Tejada.
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo points out that more high school arms were selected than usual. Seven of the first 19 picks were prep pitchers.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports "indications" that the D'Backs will be able to sign their second and third highest picks, A.J. Pollock and Matt Davidson, soon.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Brewers could sign first round pick Eric Arnett soon with a bonus of about $1.2MM.
As Mike Fitzpatrick of the AP reports, Carlos Beltran has high hopes for his cousin, Reymond Fuentes, who was drafted by the Red Sox in the first round.

Draft Day 2 Roundup: Mets, Indians, Red Sox

By Eddie Schmid | June 10, 2009 at 9:09pm CDT

Writers are rolling in the draft recaps. Let's see if we can't keep up with a few:

The Mets took a majority of pitchers and outfielders, says MLB.com's Tim Britton.
The Angels' second day was highlighted with University of Washington QB Jake Locker, says MLB's Lyle Spencer.
The Dodgers snagged Jeremy Wise, Big 12 player of the year and one of three catchers in their draft, according to David Ely at MLB.com.
20 of the Indians' 30 draft choices were pitchers this year, notes Anthony Castrovince.
The Red Sox took mostly pitchers, but struck an even balance between high school and college talent, note Joe McDonald and Daniel Barbarisi at the Providence Journal.
According to Wayne Staats at MLB.com, Pirates GM Neal Huntington says 21 of the 30 players drafted have asked for six figures.
B.J. Rains recaps the Cardinals' second draft day, which erred on the side of college talent after a few high-upside prep school picks on day one.
The Marlins aimed to restock their pitching, says David Villaveciencio at MLB.com.
ESPN's tireless Keith Law recaps Day 2 for a few teams, including the Pirates and A's (subscription req'd).

Draft Updates: Strasburg, Braves, Sierra Jr.

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 10, 2009 at 1:49pm CDT

Some more updates and thoughts on the draft as day two continues…

MLB.com's Mark Bowman notes that the Braves have taken a different approach this year, selecting seven college players with their first eight picks.
Via Byron Kerr of MASN.com we hear that Jim Callis of Baseball America expects Stephen Strasburg to sign for about $17.5MM.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney says GMs want the draft to give the worst teams the chance to sign the best players, or the chance to trade the rights to them away. Teams don't always spend early picks on the best players, so Olney says the issue will surface when it's time for the next collective bargaining agreement.
Baseball America reports that the Rangers took a familiar name in Ruben Sierra Jr., a high school outfielder. His father showed flashes of brilliance for the Rangers, before falling off in the mid-1990s.
The Pirates have impressed MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo today. They chose Tony Sanchez earlier than expected with the fourth pick, but have since been aggressive.

Odds And Ends: Hawpe, Royals, Draft

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 10, 2009 at 11:29am CDT

Some links for Wednesday morning…

Brad Hawpe would void his 2011 option and become a free agent after next season if he's traded, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star explains why yesterday was a good day to be a Royals fan even though the team lost its 22nd game in its last 28 tries. They drafted Aaron Crow and Wil Myers, the best players available to them.
Mellinger points out that "any immediate reaction to baseball's draft is an overreaction" and these players won't necessarily be stars, but he likes the Royals' approach.
Bryan Smith of Baseball Prospectus has some names to watch in today's portion of the draft.
Baseball America's John Manuel reports that the's A's selected catcher Max Stassi, who BA ranked higher than any other player remaining.
We have a Stephen Strasburg discussion underway on the MLBTR Facebook page. Follow MLBTR on Twitter and on your mobile phone.

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.

Draft Updates: Wheeler, Hobgood, Borchering

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 9, 2009 at 4:31pm CDT

A final round of updates for the draft, which is now just half an hour away…

Baseball America's John Manuel confirms Jon Heyman's report that the deadline for signing draft picks has been bumped back two days to August 17th.
Steve Melewski of MASN.com reports that the O's are interested in Zack Wheeler and Matt Hobgood with the 5th pick.
ESPN.com's Keith Law says the Orioles would take Hobgood if the Padres choose Wheeler.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com says it's a shame that Wheeler will likely be off the board by the time the Braves select 7th.
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies, picking 11th, have interest in Hobgood and Bobby Borchering, a favorite of the D'Backs.
Paul DePodesta will blog about each Padres selection from an insider's perspective.

Pirates To Take Catcher Tony Sanchez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 9, 2009 at 3:29pm CDT

According to ESPN.com's Keith Law, the Pirates have come to an agreement with Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez and will draft him when they select fourth tonight.

Draft Updates: Deadline, D’Backs, Rangers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 9, 2009 at 12:15pm CDT

Some more links in anticipation of this evening's draft…

Jon Heyman of SI.com says the signing deadline has been pushed back to August 17th because the 15th is a Saturday. The Nats' negotiations with Scott Boras will probably go down to the wire regardless, so it barely matters. If anything it's bad news for the Nats, as they'll have less time to prepare their probable selection, Stephen Strasburg, for a late-season cameo.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the D'Backs could choose two hitters with their 16th and 17th picks. They like Bobby Borchering, but he may not be available to them.
Nolan Ryan expects the Rangers to select a pitcher when they pick 14th, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
MLB.com's Doug Miller rounds up major leaguers' responses to this question: Has any prospect ever received more hype than Strasburg?
And here's the final projection MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo will make. He has Dustin Ackley going to Seattle, Donavan Tate going to San Diego, Tony Sanchez going to Pittsburgh and Zack Wheeler going to Baltimore.
ESPN.com's Keith Law has the same five players going in the same order. Interestingly, Law has Aaron Crow and Tanner Scheppers out of the first round, in large part because they're expected to demand lots of money.

Draft Updates: Bonuses, Green, Sanchez, Epstein

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 9, 2009 at 11:13am CDT

The updates keep flowing in as the countdown to the draft continues…

Baseball America's Jim Callis reports that Tyler Matzek and Shelby Miller are among the players with large- even historic- demands.
Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports that Angels scouting director Eddie Bane does not expect the Angels to see any of the players they draft make it to the majors this season.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says "predraft buzz" has the Royals linked to college shortstop Grant Green.
MLB.com's Jen Langosch is "beginning to believe" the Pirates will select Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez with the fourth pick. Keith Law says they're considering him.
As Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, Sanchez wants to start playing and says he won't demand a large bonus.
Theo Epstein told Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe that fans on the street will tell him who to draft. It may not be the NBA or NFL draft, but the MLB version is gaining prominence.
Epstein is proudest of selecting Jonathan Papelbon, back in 2003.
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles are willing to spend on the draft and aren't afraid of choosing high school pitchers.
The Rockies, with three of the first 34 picks, "need to hit a home run" if you ask Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Tracy Ringolsby of Inside the Rockies says the team appears to be leaning towards pitcher Matt Hobgood.

Stephen Strasburg Roundup

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 9, 2009 at 9:57am CDT

Rounding up some thoughts on Stephen Strasburg with about seven hours to go before the Nats are expected to select him…

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo says it might be unrealistic to ask Strasburg to pitch in the majors this year if he doesn't sign until the August 15th deadline.
Newsday's Ken Davidoff reminds us that the Nationals don't have to concern themselves about Strasburg's place in history. After six years in the majors they won't have the rights to him so they should worry about the pitcher he will be in Washington, not what he'll become 15 or 20 years from now.
Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post says Scott Boras and Nats president Stan Kasten already have a professional relationship.
Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports that Strasburg will not discuss the draft at the offices of the Scott Boras corporation, as originally expected. Instead, Strasburg and Boras will speak via conference call tomorrow morning.
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that the Mariners missed out on a chance at Strasburg when they swept the A's to end last season. If they'd lost two of three, they'd be picking first today.
For all the hype surrounding Strasburg, the Nats have two first rounders to select. As Chico Harlan of the Washington Post reports, the tenth pick is pivotal, too.

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