Olney On Glavine, Dunn, Penny
ESPN.com's Buster Olney wonders where Tom Glavine will land and comes up with a couple options. The Rangers, who are looking to shed Vicente Padilla, "will probably talk about Glavine." Olney says the pitcher could also "fit cheaply" with the Marlins and former Braves coach, Fredi Gonzalez. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:
- Adam Dunn fits Boston's needs, but the Nationals would want a "big-time pitching prospect" in exchange for the slugger. The two teams match up well, but Olney warns this doesn't mean we'll see a deal.
- The Phillies heard that the Red Sox would want infielder Jason Donald in exchange for Brad Penny.
- The Reds are looking for a third baseman.
- Olney hears buzz that the Mariners may pass on Dustin Ackley, who's considered the best college hitter in the draft. If that's the case, the Padres would consider him and Donovan Tate with their 3rd pick.
- The Brewers are "actively looking" to improve their team.
Draft Updates: Jays, Twins, White Sox
Let's take a look at what the Jays, Twins and White Sox are saying about the draft:
- MLB.com's Jordan Bastian says James Paxton is an "intriguing possibility" for the Jays with their 20th pick, but says his agent, Scott Boras, probably takes the Jays "out of the mix." Drew Storen and Chad Jenkins could be options for Toronto, which has five of the first 104 picks.
- As MLB.com's Kelly Thesier reports, the Twins are expected to draft a young arm with the 22nd pick in the draft.
- The White Sox, who follow the Twins at 23rd overall, have five of the first 102 picks. Last year's first round pick, Gordon Beckham, is about to debut for the Sox. This time around MLB.com's Scott Merkin suggests we shouldn't be surprised if they go for a "leadoff-type athletic outfielder."
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has all three teams taking high schoolers in his latest mock draft. He has outfielder Everett Williams going to the Jays, pitcher Matt Hobgood going to the Twins and outfielder Michael Trout going to the White Sox.
Odds And Ends: Draft, Atkins, Lima
Some non-McLouth, non-Glavine links to start your Thursday off…
- On draft day, the Orioles, who pick fifth, will have an ordered list of their top five players and will choose the highest ranked player remaining regardless of position according to Jim Hunter of MASN.com.
- Roch Kubatko of MASN.com would like to see the O's use their pick on a high school arm: either Zack Wheeler or Jacob Turner.
- The D'Backs will have a bigger draft budget than usual, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. They could spend "in the neighborhood of $10MM," since they have seven of the first 64 picks. Not bad, considering the Mets won't have picked once by then.
- The Yankees don't get anything if they can't sign the player they choose 29th overall so, as MLB.com's Brian Hoch reports, signability is a factor.
- Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post wonders if Garrett Atkins could be in line for a demotion to Triple A.
- Jose Lima's making a comeback! MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports that Lima visited the Dodger Stadium press box last night.
- Jorge Says No! chatted with Garry Templeton, Lima's manager, about the 36-year-old pitcher. Apparently he still throws 90 mph.
- Check out this clip of David Ortiz's visit with Torii Hunter on Hanging with Mr. Hunter.
Pirates President On McCutchen, Draft, Sano
Pirates President Frank Coonelly told fans that the Pirates plan on pursuing Miguel Angel Sano, but said they'll also be able to spend on the drraft. Here are the specifics from Coonelly's MLB.com chat:
- Andrew McCutchen, who's playing well in Triple A, will likely play in the majors at some point this season.
- A quote worth passing along: "Contrary to some suggestions in the media, however, we have no intention of attempting to save money in the Draft so we can apply it to one or more high profile international players."
- Instead, he says the Pirates plan to acquire top talent through the draft and through international free agent signings.
- Like any 16-year-old, Sano is no sure thing, if you ask Coonelly.
- But since Sano's unlike most 16-year-olds, the Pirates will make him an offer.
- "If Miguel decides that he has an offer that is superior to the one that we present to him, we will continue to have a strong presence in the Dominican," Coonelly said.
Draft Update: Matzek, Ackley, Marlins
What happens after the Nationals select Stephen Strasburg? It's becoming a little clearer. Dustin Ackley is considered the best college hitter available, and scouts like the abundance of arms in the first part of round one. Here are some more details:
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that Bobby Borchering "could be the choice" for the Marlins, who have the 18th pick in the draft.
- The Rangers are willing to take a high-ceiling arm with their 14th pick, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Shelby Miller and Matthew Purke are a pair of Texas high schoolers who "are possibilities" for the Rangers.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo places Dustin Ackley on a list of five players who could make an impact in the majors soon after being drafted.
- High school lefty Tyler Matzek will almost certainly be among the first ten selections, according to Baseball America's Dave Perkin. Matzek, who can throw 97 mph, is a "distinct possibility" for the Mariners with the second pick and will be scooped up soon afterwards if the Mariners pass.
- Here's a name to keep an eye on: Perkin calls Henry Owens a "future first-round" pick.
- The Dodgers, picking 36th, believe they can obtain the same sort of player that would be available with a 20th overall pick, according to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.
Draft Update: Strasburg, Orioles, D’Backs
Here's the latest news on next week's draft:
- Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that Ben McDonald may meet Stephen Strasburg at the draft. It was 20 years ago, but McDonald was once the best pitching prospect anyone had ever seen and he had Scott Boras advising him, just like Strasburg.
- Check out the comparison chart at the bottom of Nightengale's article to see why McDonald was just as highly touted as Strasburg is today. Also, check out our Boras Blast From The Past feature on McDonald from April.
- According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun the Orioles have scouted college shortstop Grant Green extensively, but it "appears likely" they'll pass and choose between the many high school and college arms that figure to be available when the O's select fifth.
- To be as prepared as possible for the draft the D'Backs had their pro scouts look at amateur players and vice versa, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Mike Leake and Bobby Borchering are two names to watch for the D'Backs.
- MLB.com's Matthew Leach reports that the Cardinals could go for a younger player this year, as their upper-minors are well-stocked.
- As Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, Pitt infield prospect Chris Sedon will be in the dentist's chair getting a cavity filled during the draft because it was the only available appointment.
- On ESPN radio Keith Law says "slot is dead" because ultimately the recommended bonuses from the commissioner's office are "just recommendations."
- Even though Strasburg has leverage with the Nationals, Law says it's in his best interest to sign this year and predicts an eleventh hour agreement between the two sides.
Draft Updates: Braves, Reds, Tigers
The draft's a week away and here's what some teams are thinking as the big day approaches.
- The Braves will take the best available player with their seventh overall pick, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It's the earliest pick they've had since 1991, but they'll have to wait until 87th for their next turn. Zack Wheeler, a Georgia high school pitcher, could be available when the Braves select.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds would like to add catching depth and left-handed pitching in the draft, which they say could be deepest in rounds 2-6. Cincinnati has the eighth pick of the first round, when high school lefty Tyler Matzek could be available.
- As MLB.com's Jason Beck reports, the Tigers are looking for pitching with the ninth pick. Pitchers Jacob Turner and Shelby Miller have caught the Tigers' attention.
- MLB.com's Thomas Harding points out that no one on the current Rockies roster was drafted in the last three years. This time around, they'll draft 11th.
- The Royals say they'll take the best available player with the 12th pick, according to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel. This is the first time in four years that the Royals don't have a top-three pick.
- MLB.com's Mychael Urban reports that the A's agree with many teams: this year's first round is littered with power arms. The A's don't know what options they'll have with their 13th pick, however.
Draft Updates: M’s, Padres, Pirates, O’s
Here are some updates to prepare you for the top five picks in the 2009 draft, which takes place a week from tomorrow.
- The Mariners pick second and they have four of the first 51 picks. That's why the Mariners' scouting director told MLB.com's Jim Street that this is the most important draft in franchise history. That's a bold statement considering the Mariners drafted both Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. Dustin Ackley, who the Mariners may well choose, told David Laurila of Baseball Prospectus that he doesn't care who drafts him.
- The Padres are tight-lipped about what they plan to do with their third overall pick, as MLB.com's Corey Brock reports.
- Pirates GM Neal Huntington identified Stephen Strasburg as the best available pitcher and Ackley as the best available hitter in Jenifer Langosch's MLB.com article. The Pirates, who pick fourth, say there's a group of quality arms available after those two players.
- Baltimore's director of scouting says the O's will take the best available player in next week's draft. MLB.com's Spencer Fordin says they'll have the chance to take an elite arm with their fifth overall pick.
- Lane Meyer of NoMaas.org heard that the Yankees are impressed by the depth of the left-handed pitching class in this year's draft.
Draft Update: Indians, Shelby Miller
In a video by The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Indians director of amateur scouting Brad Grant says he sees the draft as "pitcher heavy" and could very well take an arm with the 15th overall pick. Here are some more highlights:
- The Indians will address organizational need, not major league need.
- Signability is a factor.
- Cleveland has a budget for the draft, but could go over-slot on a first round player.
- Grant admitted he'd love to draft Stephen Strasburg and is visibly in awe of the righty's talent.
The Indians likely won't have the chance to draft high school pitcher Shelby Miller, but as MLB.com's Daniel Paulling reports, the Texan has drawn tons of interest. Between 30 and 40 scouts regularly appear at Miller's games to see a fastball that's clocked in the upper 90s. He figures to be selected within the first ten picks of the draft.
Draft Roundup: Pirates, Padres, Angels
A few draft links for Friday…
- Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette talked to Pirates GM Neal Huntington and president Frank Coonelly. Huntington said signability is not "a sole driving factor," while Coonelly talked about wanting to get players signed quickly. The Pirates seem to be leaning toward pitching with the #4 pick based on comments from scouting director Greg Smith. ESPN's Keith Law predicted the Pirates will take high school infielder Bobby Borchering, Baseball America went with college righty Kyle Gibson, and MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo picked Aaron Crow. Huntington said that the team's international dealings and the draft are "independent entities." In other words, they won't go cheap in the draft in order to sign Miguel Angel Sano.
- Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the Padres are eyeing Dustin Ackley, Donovan Tate (Boras clients), high school righty Zach Wheeler, college lefty Mike Minor, and Crow at #3. BA predicted Grant Green (another Boras client), Law chose Crow, and Mayo went with Minor.
- The Angels have five picks in the first 48, according to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times. The Halos seem to be looking at prep players: Mike Trout, Everett Williams, Jiovanni Mier, and Tyler Skaggs.
- Rich Lederer of Baseball Analysts has a Q&A with Baseball America's Jim Callis.
- Callis talked to scouts about righties Crow and Tanner Scheppers.