With the x pick in the 2007 draft, the x x have drafted Tennessee outfielder Julio Borbon.

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Player Bio (Tennessee)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

First off, props to ESPN2 for some fine draft coverage. After the obligatory montage intro, I feared the worst — “If we add more bling, then baseball will be even more fun” — but I came away impressed. The commentators kept up with the fast pace of the draft, and limited the amount of fluff.

For anyone who thinks that the MLB draft isn’t a big enough deal to be televised, remember that when fantasy baseball first arrived in the early-’80s, baseball wanted no part of it. Now that fantasy has proven to be a fan magnet and money maker, MLB is all over it. (Maybe a little too much, but that’s another story.)

Same with the draft. This is only going to get fans more involved in the game. Eventually the big wigs will figure out that publicizing the draft is more than a necessary evil and they’ll find a way to market it. Or to continue the fantasy baseball analogy, someone else will prove the concept and then MLB will pounce and assume control.

Either way, this was a big first step. Maybe only a small percentage of hardcore fans are into it right now, but keep putting it out there and pushing it, and the event will grow into an EVENT.

Meanwhile, here are some other resources you might want to check out to see how the first day of the draft went for your favorite team:

• Live Blogging the 2007 MLB Draft — The Baseball Analysts staff do a solid job as usual.
• Baseball America Draft Blog — The pioneers. BA continues to offer the best coverage of the MLB draft.
• Minor League Ball — John Sickels, another veteran prospect maven, does that thing he does.
• MLB Draft University — The folks at Most Valuable Network get in on the action.
• MLB.com — The Draft Tracker tool is invaluable; find players by round, name, position, team, school, and more.

Good stuff…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

With the 30th pick in the 2007 draft, the New York Yankees have selected North Carolina State right-hander Andrew Brackman. The former basketball standout fixed his attention solely on baseball this season and has referred to himself as an “unpolished stone.”

What they’re saying:

His stuff has not dropped off, but also he still has not struck out a lot of guys. There’s still so much development to be done with him. He needs to tweak his breaking ball, but it will be better, it has been better.

–Unnamed veteran American League scout, Baseball America

Additional reading:

• Player Bio (North Carolina State)
• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Andrew Brackman (Minor League Ball)
• Brackman learns to handle hype (MLB.com)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

With the 27th pick in the 2007 draft, the Detroit Tigers have selected high school right-hander Rick Porcello. Porcello’s player profile from the 2006 Aflac All-American High School Classic notes that the right-hander “offers a projectable frame as well as above-average pitches, and has drawn comparisons to Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander.”

Unreal. The strong get stronger.

What they’re saying:

If you could design a “perfect” high school pitching prospect, it would be hard to beat Porcello. He’s tall and lanky…6-5, 190…with some projection left in his body. He’s athletic. He already throws 93-94 MPH, hitting 96-98 at times.

–John Sickels, Minor League Ball

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Amateur Player Profile (Brewerfan.net)
• RISE presents 2006-07 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year, Rick Porcello (RiseMag.com)
• Porcello shows why he’s so highly coveted (Daily Record)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

With the 24th pick in the 2007 draft, the Texas Rangers have selected high school right-hander Michael Main.

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video

Post from: Knuckle Curve

With the 23rd pick in the 2007 draft, the San Diego Padres have selected Arkansas left-hander Nick Schmidt. ESPN2 guys praise his poise and makeup, note that he doesn’t have a real high ceiling — mid-rotation guy. Average fastball, above-average change, control isn’t great, “safe” pick.

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video

Post from: Knuckle Curve

With the 17th pick in the 2007 draft, the Texas Rangers have selected high school right-hander Blake Beavan. His fastball reportedly runs 91-96 mph, and his slider draws positive reviews. Beavan also has earned praise for his performance against the Cuban national team in Cuba during the World Junior Championship.

What they’re saying:

Beavan is a very confident young man who knows all eyes are on him. He didn’t do anything to disappoint in his senior season. He was virtually unhittable all year with a plus fastball and slider coming from a big, athletic frame.

–MiLB.com

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Player Profile (Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic)
• Beavan brings competitive flair to Draft (MLB.com)
• Interviews with top MLB Draft prospect Blake Beavan and Brew Crew Ball’s Jeff Sackmann (The Pitch)
• Youth Player Of The Year: Blake Beavan (Baseball America)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

With the 14th pick in the 2007 draft, the Atlanta Braves have selected high school outfielder Jason Heyward. The left-handed hitter draws comparisons to former big-leaguer Fred McGriff, and John Sickels has called Heyward “the best high school position player in the draft.”

What they’re saying:

Heyward is one of the most intriguing high school bats in the draft class. He’s got legitimate power potential from the left side, always a hot commodity, but isn’t an all-or-nothing hitter. He’s got a good approach at the plate and has the chance to hit for average and power.

–MiLB.com

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Player Profile (Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic)
• Player Profile (RiseMag.com)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

With the 13th pick in the 2007 draft, the Cleveland Indians have drafted Lewis-Clark State third baseman Beau Mills, son of former big leaguer Brad Mills. It’s uncertain whether Mills’ arm is strong enough to keep him at third base. What is known is that his bat will play anywhere.

What they’re saying:

“He’s probably one of the fastest-rising guys in this whole deal,” an AL crosschecker said. “I never would have thought he’d be in the mix in the first round, but he deserves a lot of credit because he’s worked hard and really performed well.”

–Baseball America

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Player Bio (Lewis-Clark State)
• Beau Mills (Minor League Ball) — John Sickels likens Mills’ performance this past season to “Albert Pujols playing in the Pioneer League.”
• Mills set for draft party (Boston Globe)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

With the 12th pick in the 2007 draft, the Florida Marlins have selected high school third baseman Matt Dominguez.

What they’re saying:

Nearly everyone agrees he’s a Gold Glover in the making. One scout said he was the best defensive third baseman he’d seen in years.

–Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Player Bio (Chatsworth HS)
• Area Code Profile (StudentSportsBaseball.com)
• Last day of innocence (Los Angeles Daily News)

Post from: Knuckle Curve