Ready for the 2008 Draft?

   Photo by Mayr, some rights reserved

I know it’s only February, but some of us live for the draft. Maybe not as much as in football or basketball, but last year’s TV coverage was a good first step in getting folks more involved. (Yeah, the coverage could have been better, but at least there was something.)

Jim Callis at Baseball America did a draft preview chat that will help familiarize us all with some of the names to watch for in ‘08. Here are a few highlights.

On the quality of this year’s crop:

Scouting directors are enthused about this year’s draft, probably as much about any draft this early in the year that I can remember. There are college sluggers, college arms, good high school talent. It’s a very well-balanced crop of players.

On the slotting system:

I don’t think the union is ever going to agree to any kind of cap or official slotting on the draft. I’ve often wondered why MLB doesn’t think about getting rid of free-agent compensation (which doesn’t keep salaries down), which might end the union’s right to have a say-so with the draft.

On Scott Boras “advisees” (wonder if the A-Rod fiasco will change things for him at all?):

It’s still early, and not everyone is locked up. Confirmed Boras advisees include Vanderbilt 3B Pedro Alvarez, Florida HS 1B Eric Hosmer (the best bat in the HS class), California RHP Gerrit Cole and Georgia RHP Joshua Fields.

On Georgia prep shortstop Tim Beckham:

Beckham is a legit athlete with the arm, range and hands to stay at shortstop. A lot of times, a high school shortstop is the best athlete on his team if not a pro shortstop. That was the case with [Adrian] Cardenas. B.J. Upton had the tools to play shortstop, but throwing accuracy became a problem. [Brandon] Wood could play shortstop, but the Angels may have a bigger need at 3B. [Matt] Bush can definitely play shortstop, but he couldn’t hit at all.

Callis also mentions a couple of left-handers — Brian Matusz and Josh Romanski — from my alma mater (USD) as being potential early picks. I’ve seen both pitch, and I’m looking forward to watching them again this year (in less than two weeks!).

Anywho, just a little something to whet your appetite for the draft…