MLB 2010 Draft Prep

by tim815 on Feb 8, 2010 12:57 PM CST

After a weekend of doing some preparation for the 2010 MLB Draft (okay, so I think a little too far ahead now and again), I realized I enjoyed it and will continue. Since I'm going to research who the Cubs might select with the 16th pick in the first round, I figured I would share it with (a micro-niche of) my BCB co-conspirators. My emphasis for now is the first pick, though I may expand my research if there is a reason to do so.

I have two lists, one of the first eleven guys I will expect to be drafted. These guys are, for now, off limits. The second list of eleven are probably the list they will be selecting from. Obviously with injuries and hot streaks, these lists will be adjusted periodically, from now until June. So here are the lists for now, in alphabetical order..

First eleven

AJ Cole RHP Oviedo HS (Florida)

Christian Colon SS California State- Fullerton

Dylan Covey RHP Marantha HS (California)

Zack Cox 3B University of Arkansas

Bryce Harper C CC of Southern Nevada

Manny Machado SS Brito HS (Florida)

Deck McGuire RHP Georgia Tech

Anthony Renaudo RHP Louisiana State

Jameson Taillon RHP The Woodlands HS (Texas)

Chris Sale LHP Florida Gulf Coast

Karsten Whitson RHP Chipley HS (Florida)

The Second Eleven, with brief comments.

Stetson Allie RHP St. Edwards HS (Ohio) Top prep arm. 99 MPH.

Yordy Cabrera OF Lakeland HS (Florida) Serious bat. Right field arm.

Nick Castellanos 3B Archbishop McCarthy HS (Florida) Another bat.

Kaleb Cowart P-3B Cook County HS (Georgia) Could play either.

Kevin Gausman RHP Grandview HS (Colorado) At the bottom of the list.

James Paxton LHP University of Kentucky Solid in SEC.

Drew Pomeranz LHP Ole Miss Quirky arm action.

Josh Sale OF Bishop Blanchet HS (Washington) Big stick.

LeVon Washington 2B/CF Chipotle JC (Florida) Leadoff potential.

Austin Wilson RF Harvard-Westlake HS (California) Big and athletic

Alex Wimmers RHP (The) Ohio State University High floor. 2-3 likely.

There you go. I hope to update information once they start playing games. I'd prefer Washington, Allie, Cabrera or Wilson from the second list probably in that order. That having been said, I trust our scouts to get good players like they have been recently.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

Josh Sale

he’s the guy for me now. I like Cabrera as well, but Sale has a lefty power bat that could play anywhere on the diamond (the concern being his ability to play defense.) But that element is something sorely lacking in the Cubs system.

I had heard concerns about Allie’s stamina/ability to be a starter longterm, but you may know more. I doubt Levon Washington is still around after the top 12, but who knows, it’s the MLB draft…

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 8, 2010 1:57 PM CST reply actions

How do you pronounce that? Sail or Sah-lay?

You know, like Sabre or Sabray? {/Office}

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by cubzfan on Feb 8, 2010 3:07 PM CST up reply actions

"scissor me!!"

(I think it is Sa-lay)

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 8, 2010 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

Chuckle chuckle

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Feb 9, 2010 10:27 AM CST up reply actions

Valid points on all accounts

I do want to get a crazy-good bat in the draft, but I’d be willing to hold off a round for the best prep arm in the draft or a two-way outfielder.

by tim815 on Feb 8, 2010 8:31 PM CST up reply actions

fair

The best prep arm in the draft just seems like he could just be a future reliever, that’s all, and personally, I think we’re deep enough w/ solid defensive outfielders that we should gamble on the highest upside bat. I think your Braun comp below could be right on (Willie Stargell would be even better, but I’d even take Travis Snider, who body/skillset-wise may be closest.) but ymmv

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 9, 2010 9:43 AM CST up reply actions

You guys are making me silly

about Sale. I guess I’ll hafta research local sports news in the greater northwest.

by tim815 on Feb 9, 2010 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

Wow

This is way over my head, but i appreciate the time and thought put into this post.

I’m sure at least a few of these names will become more familiar as winter thaws.

"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." - Yogi Berra

by wrigley's ivy on Feb 8, 2010 6:29 PM CST reply actions

Good stuff

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Washington go before several on your first 11. I doubt he would be available for the Cubs.

I haven’t spent too time looking at these guys yet but I think I’d like to see one of the prep outfielders for the Cubs.

by rlpete on Feb 8, 2010 8:19 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, but when I read about him,

I developed a mancrush immediately. I wanted him on my ‘potentially available list’ immediately. Even if he isn’t. Thanks Tampa for disregarding him.

by tim815 on Feb 8, 2010 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

I've heard nutty stories about Bryce Harper.

But It’s not like he would still be available by the time our pick comes around. And I doubt we need to draft a catcher in the first round anyway. Unless we teach him 1st or 3rd?

Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.

by Ryno Runner on Feb 8, 2010 11:00 PM CST reply actions

Segues well into something I wanted to talk about anyway

Would I want either shortstop if they fell to us? Rankings vary by team, and regardless how “Best Available Player” you are, the “position premium” of shortstop or catcher probably reduces if you like your depth there.

One of the concepts I’m intrigued by is what I think of as the “Mercury factor.” If a surprise player showed up in minor league camp and was far better than the preceeding year, how far would he rise, like Mercury in a thermometer. Historically, if a kid showed up in camp with “High A” skills at shortstop, the Cubs would probably have him to A Ball by June. Nowadays, he’d have to sneak by Hak-Ju Lee, who’d probably get a bump.

If Josh Sale (Sally, is how I’ve seen his name pronounced) or someone like him were placed at first, he’d be in Tennessee by September. But Sale is listed as an outfielder. I’m not clear on his defense. (Ryan Braun? Soriano? Luzinski? Young Stargell?) I haven’t heard he’s bad, but if he is usable in the outfield (Ryan Braun or better comp), he’d be fine. But it would concern me a bit if we over-reacted to our lack of thumpers. I’d go for a Frank Howard type in the third or fourth round. I’m concerned about Sale’s defense.

On Stetson Allie, I’m hearing positive comps to Shelby Miller. For now, that’s good enough for me.

by tim815 on Feb 9, 2010 7:47 AM CST up reply actions

It's pronounced "Sull-ee"

From what I read he sounds like a good option. His father is a professional “drug-free” body builder, and he has his son on a constant workout schedule so that cant hurt. Also he has a massive frame for being only 6 feet. He’s listed at 205 pounds. Not surprisingly he is Samoan.

"The more i practice, the luckier i seem to get" -Yogi Berra

by ChiCubsFever on Feb 9, 2010 10:23 AM CST reply actions

As someone with limited knowledge on prospects

The Cubs system desperately needs 1B, especially those with some pop. There’s a need for OF as well but that might just be at the upper levels (Colvin and Fuld aren’t every day players, Anducci is a year or two away IMO). And it’s never a bad idea to go with a guy who can throw 99+. Taking a pitcher is usually never a bad idea

by Musicdude10 on Feb 9, 2010 10:32 AM CST reply actions

Completely agree.

I would really enjoy getting a few slugging first basemen in the first fifteen or twenty rounds. I’m okay with Sale’s defense more now. We could probably get him and a sfb in the first five. You don’t like what leads to an early pick, but as long as our scouts do their jobs, we should get good quality. Josh Sale or Cabrera would be nice candidates to shoot through the system.

by tim815 on Feb 9, 2010 1:58 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the insight

SFB=Swinging first baseman?

We don’t need a 1B NOW but in 2-4 years, definitely.

by Musicdude10 on Feb 10, 2010 12:06 PM CST up reply actions

I'm working on my extended lists

I’m leaning toward organizing by position-ish. Middle IF, Outfielders, Sluggers, Catchers, etc… Probably would make for more interesting reading than extended lists of random names.

My primary sources (so far) have been Andy Seiler (on the system in the Minor Leagues section) and scouting reports at Baseball Beginnings. My notes will be a jumble of anything I run into. If you want to double-check me, by all means do so.

Thanks for reading. I’ll try to make it worth the effort. I’ll try to go nine or so rounds deep for names. Ask questions and challenge me. That’s how I learn.

by tim815 on Feb 10, 2010 12:35 PM CST reply actions