The Rays have 11 of the first 75 selections in the upcoming June draft, which means they could infuse their highly-regarded farm system with another group of top prospects. "If they hit it right on just half of those picks," a rival executive told ESPN.com’s Buster Olney, "then this draft will set them up for years to come." Here’s the latest on the Rays’ draft and more from around the majors:
- Rocco Baldelli and former Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland are scouting players for the Rays in anticipation of the draft, according to Olney.
- The Rays will take the best players available when they select, instead of entering the draft with a pre-determined approach (for example, loading up on college arms).
- Olney hears that Frank McCourt’s financial problem is “serious and it is immediate.” The Dodgers owner has reached a “tipping point," according to Olney and is close to “rock-bottom.”
The sooner MLB takes the Dodgers away from the McCourts the better and if it takes rock bottom to make it happen, then so be it.
It’s a damn shame Rocco Baldelli isn’t one of the top players in the game right now.
He really did have many of the tools to be a true all-star. It is kind of cool though that he can still contribute. It is also cool that he wants to contribute back to the rays organization. If nothing else, it suggests that they handled his situation with professionalism and respect.
Frank McCourtCase, see you on Skid Row, Bro. (loser)
I must say, I’m not sure if the Rays are going with the best strategy for the draft. I mean, taking the best player available is always good, but lets say the best player available is a catcher, like Andrew Susac. The Rays have a glut of catching prospects in the low minors in Bailey, O’Connor, and DePew, as well as a few others, and so taking a catcher high might not be advisable, since they would be better off taking someone, like a 1st baseman, that is a little less blocked in the Rays system. Now, with that in mind, drafting to need isn’t a good strategy either, but at least having an idea of what you are looking for is better than just taking the best player available.