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Odds And Ends: Huff, Ackley, Strasburg

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Some more links to pass along…

Heyman On Strasburg, D’Backs, Penny

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Jon Heyman of SI.com anticipates some memorable negotiations between the Nationals, Scott Boras and Stephen Strasburg. Here's what Heyman heard about Strasburg along with the rest of his rumors:

  • Boras is still expected to demand $50MM for Strasburg.
  • Think that's a lot? Some think Strasburg would command $100MM as a free agent. 
  • Executives generally guess he'll end up signing for more than $20MM, but not by much.
  • One NL exec said he expects the deal to reach $30MM.
  • Strasburg could always pitch in Japan or for an independent team if he doesn't sign, but Heyman imagines he'd much rather join a major league franchise immediately.  
  • The Pirates could draft catcher Tony Sanchez with the fourth pick.  
  • The D'Backs could deal Chad Qualls and Tony Pena at the deadline.  
  • Boston seems "in a hurry" to deal Brad Penny.  
  • One Red Sox person was not impressed by what he saw from Jeff Francoeur.  
  • It's probably too early for the Rangers to release Vicente Padilla.  

Draft Roundup: Mock Draft, Strasburg, Gibson

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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.

Bryce Harper, 16-Year-Old Phenom

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Tom Verducci of SI.com introduces us to a 16-year-old so tantalizing multiple MLB scouting directors say he would be a top-five pick if eligible for this year's draft. Bryce Harper, a high school sophomore, has drawn comparisons to Justin Upton, Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr.. The entire article's worth reading, but here are some of the reasons Harper's attracting so much attention:

  • He hit the longest home run in Tropicana Field history, at 502 feet.
  • He's reportedly hit balls as far as 570 feet. 
  • His throws have been clocked at 96 mph. 
  • He's fast enough to have scored from second on six wild pitches this year.   

Scott Boras is one of Harper's advisers, so look for big demands once he's drafted. That won't likely happen until 2011, but his parents would like Harper to be available in next year's draft. It would be hard not to think highly of your skill if you were labeled the "LeBron James of baseball," and Harper has no shortage of ambition.

  • He wants to reach the majors by the time he's 18 or 19.
  • Among his goals: "to be in the Hall of Fame" and to "be considered the greatest baseball player of all time."   

Draft Update: Strasburg, Orioles, D’Backs

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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. 

Odds & Ends: Sano, Kieschnick, Strasburg

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A few links for Thursday night:

  • In a Q&A, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette discusses the Pirates' chances of signing Dominican prospect Miguel Angel Sano, how they might replace Adam LaRoche at 1B if he is traded, and whether they might seek frontline starting pitching via trade. 
  • Todd Coppernoll at Brewersfan.net has an interview with former major leaguer Brooks Kieschnick, the first player to hit a home run as a pitcher, a pinch hitter, and as a DH. This is a fascinating account of the rise and fall of a ballplayer. Key quote: "I knew my career was in trouble the minute the Cubs drafted me." 
  • Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com makes his predictions for the top 10 picks in June's First-Year Player Draft. Not surprisingly, Stephen Strasburg tops the list.
  • Jim Callis at Baseball America says that Strasburg leaving Wednesday's game with back cramps is not cause for alarm. 
  • Callis also offers his predictions for which players will fall in the draft due to signability concerns. He puts OF Donavan Tate, RHP Jacob Turner, and LHP Matthew Purke on the top of the list. Tate and Turner are Scott Boras clients and Purke is advised by Select Sports Group.

Odds & Ends: Boras, Francoeur, Cubs

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Links for Tuesday…

Draft Update: Giants, Mariners, Braves, Nats

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ESPN.com's Keith Law has an update on various teams and players as the June draft approaches. Here are some highlights; the original article has more detail.

  • The Giants are strongly considering taking a high school pitcher with their sixth overall pick.
  • Expect the Mariners to take Dustin Ackley, North Carolina's first baseman, with their first rounder.
  • Ackley's teammate, righty Alex White, pitched in front of four GMs Thursday: Brian Sabean (Giants), Neal Huntington (Pirates), Jack Zdurencik (Mariners) and Mike Rizzo (Nationals).
  • ESPN.com's Jason A. Churchill reports that White did not impress. Check out Churchill's article for more analysis of some top amateur players.
  • The Braves are expected to take Zack Wheeler, a local prep star. 
  • The Nationals don't get a compensation pick if they fail to sign the player they draft with their tenth overall pick because that pick is itself compensation for failure to sign Aaron Crow last year. Nats GM Mike Rizzo says he's going to draft the best available player there, regardless of signability.
  • Some teams are losing interest in Kentucky lefty James Paxton, who chose Scott Boras as his advisor and pitched poorly afterwards.

Your Perception Of Boras

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Joe Posnanski has an interesting blog post today about how difficult it is to shake off our early biases.  He uses Scott Boras as an example, specifically Selena Roberts' account of the Alex Rodriguez-Mariners negotiations of 1993.  Roberts' book frames these negotiations in typical anti-Boras fashion, despite signs that the Mariners may have been trying to take advantage of Rodriguez and his mother.

Posnanski's post reminds me of last year's Pedro Alvarez grievance.  Initially most of us viewed the grievance as standard Boras greed, an attempt to gain free agency for Alvarez or at least a bigger contract.  But in his September 16th article, Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus suggested MLB's deadline extension gave leverage to the Pirates while also taking away Alvarez's right of representation.  Viewed in that light, Boras had an obligation to object.

Today's question: how do you perceive Scott Boras?  Is he ruining the game, just doing his job, or something in-between?

Odds & Ends: Byrd, Fox, Kobayashi

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Links for Monday…

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