Last minute Royals draft notes

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 11:36 AM EDT in Royals Minor Leagues Comment 93 comments

Alright kids, the presents are wrapped, the stockings are stuffed but we have to wait until later today to start unwrapping. Unfortunately, the draft is no longer early in the day-I miss a 10am Pacific start time. And then after we open our first present, we will have to watch as a lot of other kids open lots of presents (some get multiple presents) before we open our next one.

Everything I've read in the past day has us linked to two players: USC SS Grant Green and HS C Will Myers-and then Keith Law twitters (the first time I've ever typed that word--I wish it was the last) that we are leaning "towards a college arm". So who knows what that means...perhaps posturing. Pitching is the strength of this draft so there might be value there. But there is no way picking 12^th that you can target "college pitching"-12^th is far enough down that you have to be prepared to pick form at least 5-7 players. You can't pigeon-hole yourself when you don't know what will be available

You know about Green-a player who had a "down" junior season after being considered a top 3 player coming into the year. I just read yesterday that some think he's been playing with a hand injury that has sapped some power. If so, his numbers could bounce back once he gets healthy. If we take him, he will hold out and we will have to pay him an above slot bonus.

Will Myers is one of the other guys we've been linked to. We apparently brought him in for a pre-draft workout and he was quite impressive. He is a very good athlete with speed, power and a quick bat. He is relatively new to catching and some aren't sure if he will stick (although he is supposedly taking to the tools of ignorance rather quickly). Myers would probably sign quickly but would take a long time to get here.

If the college arm we are looking at is Mike Leake, I'm good with that. There aren't many other college arms that would be available to us that I'm interested in. If we take Rex Brothers, Mike Minor, James Paxton or Drew Storen, I'll be pretty disappointed.

My Mock:

National-Stephen Strasburg
Mariners-Dustin Ackley
Padres-Donovan Tate
Pirates-Tyler Matzek
Orioles-Alex White
Giants-Aaron Crow
Braves-Zack Wheeler
Cincinnati-Mike Leake
Detroit-Jacob Turner
Washington-Chad Jenkins
Colorado-Mike Minor
KC-Grant Green

The pick for us to watch is Detroit at #9-they could take Turner, Green or even Matt Purke. If they take Green, Turner could fall to us, but I'm not sure if we are willing to pay the $ that he wants.

We may have to choose between Green , Leake and/or Myers-of course the choice is not quite that straight forward. I would rather have Green-but with the bonus we would have to pay him the equation looks more like is Green> Myers/Leake + whoever else we would sign with the extra $2 million it would take to sign Green. The Royals have said the will take the best player available-I think if Green is there, we take him. Of course, Green may be gone when we pick and it will all be moot.

A possible later round pick:

There was also some rumblings that we were really high on Jacob Stewart--a HS CF from California who has a scholarship to Stanford. It always takes a lot of money to buy out guys with that kind of opportunity--he could be this year's Jason Esposito (only with a happier ending for us).

...and the International Market

This draft will have to be evaluated in tandem with our international signings at the beginning of July. The Royals see the international market as having better talent available. I'm hopeful the Royals will be willing to spend as much signing young talent as they did last year--those kind of investments will eventually pay off--especially in a market where many other teams are having to cut back.

It should be a fun day, I'll be checking in throughout the day--with probably more meaningless rumblings--but I have to do something to pass the time.

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Comments

Technically

The verb form would be “Keith Law tweets/ed…”

Don’t worry, I’ll hang my head in shame now.

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football"
- John Heisman

by Maddogmag on Jun 9, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know as much about the draft

but a college SS seems to be a good way to go, as it’s definitely a position of need for us and the assumption is that he could get here fairly quickly.

I think the other issue is to watch and make sure that we’re still pouring resources into the minor leagues; that is the only way we’re going to move forward as an organization.

I hereby resign from this post.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jun 9, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My radical draft strategy suggestion

always take the best player available (that money allows)

yeah, like I said, it’s radical

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jun 9, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1 on that

Although college SS would be a great way to go (if he’s good enough, wow very insightful, I know)

by I need more Esteban on Jun 9, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

does that mean best player available with a positional adjustment?

as in, “B+ CF” > “A- 1B”.

by benfunke on Jun 9, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno how you figure it out in the draft

I guess you just figure “the guy who is most likely to be the best in the majors” With young guys, high schoolers especially, it seems like that’s usually just the best athelete, right? So usually (with position players) he will be a SS. I’m sure if varies, like with Joe Mauer and stuff.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jun 9, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's true

for high school players especially, they probably have to value some sort of “defensive ability” rather than look at a position-by-position basis. or maybe work off of expected values defensively, such as “50% chance the player could stay at SS, 30% he can field 3B, and 20% he will only be good enough to play 2B”, and value him accordingly.

by benfunke on Jun 9, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just looked at BA last mock

from today. They have us taking Chad Jenkins. Says he has command of 3 pitches and this year added some power to his fastball up t0 96.

by gordonrules on Jun 9, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts as a complete amateur blogger

Who has never seen any of these guys in person….

My draft board (not necessarily the order of who will get taken, just who I like best):

1. RHP Stephen Strasburg, San Diego State
2. CF Dustin Ackley, U. of North Carolina
3. RHP Jacob Turner, Missouri HS
4. RHP Aaron Crow, Fort Worth Cats
5. LHP Tyler Matzek, California HS
6. RHP Zach Wheeler, Georgia HS
7. RHP Mike Leake, Arizona State Univ.
8. RHP Alex White, U. of North Carolina
9. SS Grant Green, USC
10.OF Donovan Tate, Georgia HS
11.RHP Matt Hobgood, California HS
12.RHP Shelby Miller, Texas HS
13.LHP Matt Purke, Texas HS
14.LHP Rex Brothers, Lipscomb Univ.
15.3B Bobby Borchering, Florida HS
16.C Max Stassi, California HS
17.OF Jared Mitchell, LSU
18.RHP Tanner Scheppers, St. Paul Saints
19.LHP Tyler Skaggs, California HS
20.RHP Eric Arnett, Indiana University

Guys I like for the third round:

I would really like us to go for a difficult sign like we did with Melville last year. The fact we don’t have a second round pick increases those chances as we can use that money to spend on going overslot.

SS Stephen Perez, Florida HS

The word is he’s not great at anything, but is good at a lot. Not fast, he has decent pop and hits well from both sides of the plate. Good enough range to stick at short and he’s known for having a great baseball IQ. May take a million to sign him.

LHP Robbie Erlin, California HS

I love this kid. Nice fluid delivery, scouts say if he was taller he’d be a first rounder. He already throws in the low 90s with a plus curve. He’s only 5-10 175, but that seems to be his only major drawback. I can’t see why size would matter that much if you have the stuff. Committed to Cal Poly.

C Austin Maddox, Florida HS

Formerly considered a first round prospect, he’s fallen after some struggles. He has raw power that doesn’t always translate to games and his large frame may mean he doesn’t stick behind the plate. Still, he has the kind of power the Royals need and he has a great arm behind the plate. He’s supposed to be a great clubhouse guy and would really be a steal for the third round.

C Luke Bailey, Georgia HS

Another possible first rounder that will likely slide due to having Tommy John surgery. Decent behind the plate, good power projectability, although some question whether he can develop much power with his frame. Could be a good value in the third round if he’s available.

OF Brian Goodwin, North Carolina HS

Reminds me a bit of Curtis Granderson. Great speed, good arm, could develop more power. Decent plate discipline for a HS kid. Lefty bat with great character. Could be a tough sign, but like I said, we should be able to offer over-slot. Committed to UNC.

SS Daniel Fields, Michigan HS

Big frame, so I don’t think he’ll stick at SS. He’ll probably be at 3B or even corner OF. Really good power and a cannon arm. His dad had a brief MLB career. Considered to be a pretty good kid. Committed to Michigna.

LHP Justin Marks, University of Louisville

Marks would be a very safe pick. I don’t see a lot of upside, probably Mark Redman in his prime. But that’s not a bad thing to have in the back of your rotation at the league minimum. Marks doesn’t have great stuff – a fastball that tops out in the high 80s, but he has done nothing but get results in three years at UL. He has four pitches, including a knuckleball. There are concerns about his delivery. Could be a fast riser, although like I said, his upside is limited.

LHP Brooks Raley, Texas A&M University

His stock seems to be falling. Another guy with limited upside but a safer pick that will likely rise fairly quickly. Good four pitch pitcher, but his fastball only tops out in the high 80s. Throws at different arm angles. Good enough athlete that he could probably be drafted as an outfielder.

LHP Josh Spence, Arizona State University

Jaime Moyer 2.0. Only throws in the mid 80s but he gets results – 1.61 ERA in 360 innings at a high level of play. Strikes out over 11 hitters per nine innings. Throws a wide assortment of pitches from different arm angles. Australian born, he is out for the year with a torn tendon. Could fall to the 4th/5th round actually.

2B Derek McCallum, University of Minnesota

Kinda came out of nowhere to have a monster year in the Big Ten – 18 HR 86 RBI with a .409 average. Great power and good enough defense he could stick at 2B.

LHP Matt Bashore, Indiana University

Topped out at 94 mph, has a nice fluid delivery. Pitched well in three years at IU, with over a strike out an inning. Came down with a tender arm in the Cape Cod League. Great frame at 6’3’’ with command of four pitches.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I want Bailey and/or Mychal Givens in the 2nd round....

and lots of LA guys on July 2.

Oh, and anyone BUT Sanchez in the 1st round….hoping Grant Green or Tate falls to us. If not, gimme the best HS pitcher.

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jun 9, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love Givens

And he’d be a great second round pick….IF we had a second round pick. Which we don’t. :(

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...just hoping he falls...probably unrealistically hoping

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jun 9, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh...and yeah....

i meant 3rd round/2nd pick

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jun 9, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Melville was our 4th rounder

Tyler Sample was the third round pick. Mehville was even more of a gamble because if your third doesn’t sign, you get a comp pick, but if your fourth or later doesn’t sign, you get jack squat. I read somewhere last year that the Melvilles were impressed that the Royals would take a shot on him not signing without a safety net.

I like that risk better in the third round, as you get something for a nonsign next year, but, with no comp picks or 2nd round pick, I’d think you want the 3rd rounder to be someone you expect to be signed.

Yeah, it was a stupid screen name.

by CentralChamps2009 on Jun 9, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So how many calls did Moore make to Grudz asking him to reconsider "retirement"?

You have to figure at least two — the day Mark Ellis went on the DL, and the day Aki Iwamura got hurt.

by Gopherballs on Jun 9, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Grudz really got screwed, didn't he?

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jun 9, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grudz.......

He played the game the right way

I loved his streak of games without an Error two years ago, that was exciting

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jun 9, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He kind of screwed himself by not accepting arbitration

(assuming there was no prior agreement to turn it down, in which case his failure to sign saved everyone an episode of “Bud Selig Investigates”).

Grudz made enough money in his career that I cannot begrudge him for not wanting to take a part-time role or a non-guaranteed contract or play for the Padres.

by Gopherballs on Jun 9, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, I mean I thikn there was an agreement

since it was in his financial interest to take the deal

If he wouldn’t have taken it, surely he would have been signed somwhere if he wanted to for guaranteed money, even if just a little

maybe I"M imagining things

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jun 9, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I am sure there was a deal

He might have had an offer for some guaranteed money, but he may not have liked that situation for other reasons such as playing time or team. As Orlando Hudson found out, not many teams needed a starting 2B, and very few teams would use a bench spot on a right-handed reserve 2B who cannot backup SS.

by Gopherballs on Jun 9, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm wondering what was in it for him to take "the deal?"

why would he agree to something like that? Why wouldn’t he just say “um, what’s in it for me? If you offer me arb, I’m going to take it? Otherwise, you’re just hurting my possibility of signing on elsewhere?”

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jun 9, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what the hell?

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jun 9, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grudz was a Type B, so any team that signed him would not have to give up a draft pick

It may have not been a quid pro quo, more along the lines of Grudz having enough goodwill with the team (especially after bringing him back in 2008) so that if the team could net a free draft pick at no disadvantage to himself, Grudz was fine assuring the team that that he had no interest in coming back and would not accept.

Or maybe Grudz’s agent thought it would help negotiations with other teams by pointing out that the Royals thought enough of him to offer him, in effect, $4+ million. But that did not really work for Jason Varitek.

by Gopherballs on Jun 9, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This might be a stupid question

but do we get an extra pick in the 7th round for not siging Jason Esposito last year?

by The #1 Bockel on Jun 9, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No

I think the compensation for not signing picks ends at the third round.

by Gopherballs on Jun 9, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a stupid question. :)

by RaulDuke on Jun 9, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BA sez we'll take Chad Jenkins

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/mock-draft/2009/268312.html

Also, HS players seem to asking for pretty large bonuses.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mellinger: Buzz has Royals interested in Grant Green

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/1241152.html

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Keith Law doesn't have Aaron Crow or Tanner Scheppers going in the first round.

“Right now, I don’t have Aaron Crow or Tanner Scheppers going in the first round. Teams in the top 10 are telling me that neither is a top choice for them, with a few teams pointing to medical concerns about Scheppers, and everyone pointing to their belief that neither player will sign for less than what he turned down last year. "

by The #1 Bockel on Jun 9, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

WTF

Why the hell would Crow slip out of the first round?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The rest of his quote...

“Of course, either player could go later in the round or even afterward and still get a seven-figure bonus, but more than one scouting director or general manager has told me in the past few days that he doesn’t want to risk a first-round pick on a player who might not sign.”

by The #1 Bockel on Jun 9, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why wouldn't you want to take that risk?

Knowing you’ll get a compensatory pick next year? Seems foolish to me.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

would the Royals pull the trigger on Crow?

seems like that could fit into the “spare no expense in the draft” mentality they showed last year.

by benfunke on Jun 9, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

at the very least, wouldn't Boston or NY gobble him up?

by benfunke on Jun 9, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NY or Boston

Those teams may be picking from guys like Turner and Purke who reportedly want $7+ million each.

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is rather

ridiculous for the amateur draftees to suggest they have any leverage at all, above league min pay….

Or is that just me

PS If Crow becomes a Royal I will be so happy, I loved watching him pitch at Mizzou

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jun 9, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FYI

I read that Crow grew up a Royals fan. And Crow and Scheppers have NO leverage. They will sign if they have any sense at all.

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crow is a KS kid, so he may've been a Royals fan

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Jun 9, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i highly doubt he'll fall out of the first round......

but his mechanics are all a bit jacked up. Strasburg has a bit of the same thing going on….but not quite as legendary as Prior, Reyes, Bonderman, BJ Ryan….guys with the ‘inverted W’…that has been claimed to lead to injuries.

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Jun 9, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure there's a reason for this:

why is it called the “inverted W” pitching motion? Couldn’t it just be called the “M” pitching motion?

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

shhhhh!

don’t argue with hallowed baseball mythology

by kcbottom9th on Jun 9, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Golden Arches ?

We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue.
-Bob Dylan

by Royal Kingdom on Jun 9, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Umm...not really sure....but i've got a guess

there’s a “correct” way to do this (scapular loading) that involves making a normal “W” shape, and the pitching elbow never gets above the shoulders. So I’m guessing that the “bad” version is called the inverted W simply as a reference to the “correct” motion.

Good examples:

Bad:

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Jun 9, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How much leverage do those guys really have?

2 years in Indie ball probably isn’t going to get you a better offer at the third attempt next year.

by kcbottom9th on Jun 9, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not like there isn't a cautionary tale out there for these holdouts.

2 words:

Matt Harrington

by AxDxMx on Jun 9, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember reading that

Sad. He seems a nice enough kid. Just got led astray by people who put their interests ahead of his.

by kcbottom9th on Jun 9, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's amazing that these guys could grow old and talk about

“yeah, I have a 4 million dollar signing bonus once, but I passed”

If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.

by Warden11 on Jun 9, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my draft board--

Here are my final individual rankings:

1. Stephen Strasburg
2. Dustin Ackley
3. Tyler Matzek
4. Jacob Turner
5. Zack Wheeler
6. Grant Green
7. Mike Leake
8. Aaron Crow
9. Matt Purke
10. Donovan Tate
11. Alex White
12. Tanner Scheppers
13. Shelby Miller
14. Bobby Borchering
15. Eric Arnett

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

can anyone explain to me why MLB doesn't allow the trading of draft picks?

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 9, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

maybe someone can offer a more complete answer, but in the past, teams like NY with big budgets would essentially “buy” the better players from the poorer teams. for example they would trade a decent, cheaper player for a very good, expensive one.

by benfunke on Jun 9, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so is it a non-salary cap issue?

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 9, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't think it had to do with a salary cap, per se

it was more that the richer teams were taking unfair advantage. let’s say you’re the Royals, and you’re trying to compete with the high-payroll Tigers; you’re scraping by and spending what you can, but the Twins keep trading their good, expensive draft picks/drafted players to the Tigers. you’re getting screwed by what the Twins and Tigers are doing, but you don’t have any recourse. (this analogy would be better if the hypothetical Royals were more of a mid-market club.)

by benfunke on Jun 9, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no easy answer for that one

—it would have to be part of the collective bargaining agreement b/c draft picks are tied to FA compensation

—it might drive bonuses up

—mlb is not exactly forward thinking when it comes to the draft

You might see draft pick trading if they get rid of FA compensation and mlb brings a rigid slotting system to the draft. of course, then you might see prep/college players trying to get around the draft by playing in places like Japan for year—it could get crazy.

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that would play right into our hands -

crazy Royals, late round snackin’

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 9, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

OMG

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Jun 9, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am frankly suprised no one has tried Puerto Rico, Mexico or Asia yet.

Anyone highly regarded enough could move internationally for a year, then go to the highest bidder. Are there any rules regarding this?

by ddw on Jun 9, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Puerto Rico is subject to the draft

by Gopherballs on Jun 9, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hell, whynot just pick Puerto Rico

thousands of players for the price of one

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jun 9, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There were rumors Bryce Harper would do this

He’s the HS sophomore on the cover of Sports Illustrated. His family has emphatically denied they would move to the Dominican to avoid the draft. But they are considering having him skip his last two years of HS and head to JuCo to face better competition and enter the draft next year.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Posnanski's take:

was that the MLB is afraid it would give agents like Boras even more control of the draft.

“You’d better trade away the pick because there’s no way we’re signing with your crap team for any amount”

by Top Ramen on Jun 9, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From the same blog post, he said

that the players’ union was in favor of teams being able to trade draft picks, but against any sort of a slotting system for the draft

It was the owners who were/are still against trading draft picks

by Top Ramen on Jun 9, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jonathan Mayo Final Mock Draft

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090609&content_id=5222572&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Royals select prep catcher Wil Myers

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I just read that he went to

Wesleyan Christian Academy – no brainer

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 9, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wesleyan Christian Academy - so he is a no brainer pick

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 9, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keith Law Final Mock Draft

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2009/insider/news/story?id=4245401&action=login&appRedirect=http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2009/insider/news/story?id=4245401

Royals select RHP Mike Leake

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

All the Experts Agree!

by Gopherballs on Jun 9, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Andy Seiler Final Three Round Mock Draft

http://mlbbonusbaby.com/2009/06/09/final-mock-draft-rounds-1-3/

Royals take RHP Mike Leake and OF Brian Goodwin

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So what time does this giant suckfest actually start? I can't wait til the Royals draft the next Hochevar!

And is it on any TV network other than MLB? I get Dish and they suck.

by AxDxMx on Jun 9, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Royals play tonight at 6.

Wait, were you talking about the draft?

If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.

by Warden11 on Jun 9, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

+1

by benfunke on Jun 9, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Starts at 5 ET

If you don’t have MLB Network, I think MLB.com is simulcasting it.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

6 ET, 5 CT

Oops.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm torn between watching the draft on TV at home...

where the core temperature is about 200 degrees, or just staying in the library and going internet style

by royalsreview on Jun 9, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

old school RR today...

everything is screwey, site will probably crash, ya!

by royalsreview on Jun 9, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by the way,

The commissioner’s office has announced that the signing deadline for draft picks is 11:59pm on August 17th, instead of August 15th—because the 15th is a Saturday.

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nw

check your email…

by royalsreview on Jun 9, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Royals Authority Mock Draft

http://royalsauthority.com/2009/06/the-annual-authority-royals-mock-draft.html

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ESPN is reporting

that the Pirates have a deal in place with Sanchez (C-Boston College)

by The #1 Bockel on Jun 9, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This helps our odds of landing Greene

greatly

by RoyallyJeff on Jun 9, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the Pirates are going to spend a lot of money

on this Sano kid out of the Dominican. He must be pretty good to pass on some of the arms that are available.

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Callis reports:

These eight picks look fairly certain:

1. Nationals: San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg.
2. Mariners: North Carolina first baseman Dustin Ackley.
3. Padres: Georgia HS outfielder Donavan Tate.
4. Pirates: Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez.
5. Orioles: California HS righthander Matt Hobgood.
6. Giants: Georgia HS righthander Zack Wheeler.
7. Braves: Vanderbilt lefthander Mike Minor.
8. Reds: North Carolina righhander Alex White.

The Tigers are deciding whether to spend big (California HS lefthander Tyler Matzek, Missouri HS righty Jacob Turner), smaller (Texas HS righty Shelby Miller) or a little smaller (Arizona State RHP Mike Leake). Stay tuned.

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that really pushes some talent our way

I hope we capitalize on it—Matzek or Turner—I would be willing to break the bank for those guys.

by nwroyal on Jun 9, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like a pretty good player is definitely sliding to us

The Tigers will take one of those pitchers, the Nats at #10 will probably go with a signability pick like Chad Jenkins. The Rockies will probably take another one of those pitchers. Which means we’ll likely have two of the following (Matzek, Turner, Miller, Leake) still available, as well as Grant Green. AWESOME!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which will make picking Myers

all the more galling

by kcbottom9th on Jun 9, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Aaron Crow still available

Forgot about him.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 9, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'll post this on the current thread, too

but have you met a draft prognosticator who knew what he was talking about and got picks correct? just saying, don’t count your chickens until they’re hatched—such as Padres taking Tate—doesn’t that seem like an odd pick? low signability for a guy who wants a ton of money going to a team who is unloading a premier pitcher b/c of cost?

by benfunke on Jun 9, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

San Diego

Probably wants to save the $3-$5 MIllion this year. They are probably banking on not signing him so they can go back to their fans & say, “We tried to get the best guy, we couldn’t sign him, but we got 2 picks next year.”

Then he can give that $$ saved to his x-wife

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Jun 9, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs