Photo by Mayr, some rights reserved
Well, that was quick. Another year gone by already? Hey, I still can’t believe it’s not the ’90s.
Anywho, thanks to everyone who stopped by and participated here at Knuckle Curve during 2007. As a way of wrapping things up, so to speak, here’s a quick look at the most popular items of the year:
Top Stories

2008 Baseball Free Agents. Far and away the most popular post of the year. All I did was put together a little list to help folks find stuff.
Cardinals Sign Springer. I have no explanation for this. Maybe Russ Springer has a …read more

Billfer at Detroit Tigers Weblog notes that the Tigers have inked first-round pick Rick Porcello. Apparently it’s a Major League contract worth more than $7 million. If nothing else, this reaffirms that Bud Selig’s efforts to “slot” players in the draft have been wasted.
This is a great addition for Detroit, but it’s got to be something of a slap in the face of Selig and MLB, which recommended a signing bonus of $1.17 million for the 27th pick this year. Of course, you could argue that Porcello slipped so far because of his reported demands. And that brings us to …read more

You will recall that starting this year, teams now have until August 15 to sign their picks from the June draft. Guess what, kids; the deadline is almost here.
From Rain Delay comes word that the Atlanta Braves have inked their first-round pick, outfielder Jason Heyward. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers are hopeful that Heyward’s signing will help them in negotiations with right-hander Blake Beavan. And in Kansas City, Joe Posnanski talks about the Royals’ efforts to bring Mike Moustakas into the fold.
Complicated stuff…

Vitals

Name: Julio Borbon
Bats: Left

Pos: OF
Throws: Left

Height: 6′1″
DOB: 20 Feb 86

Weight: 190 lbs
School: Tennessee

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

2007 Stats

AB
BA
OBP
SLG
BB
SO

Stats are through May 25, 2007, and are courtesy of Tennessee.

174
.345
.370
.506
6
20

Additional reading:

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

Vitals

Name: Brett Cecil
Throws: Left

Pos: LHP
Bats: Right

Height: 6′2″
DOB: 2 Jul 86

Weight: 225 lbs
School: Maryland

With the x pick in the 2007 draft, the x x have drafted Maryland left-hander Brett Cecil.

2007 Stats

IP
H/9
HR/9
BB/9
K/9
ERA
BAA

Stats are through May 19, 2007, and are courtesy of University of Maryland.

62.1
8.95
0.43
2.74
8.95
3.32
.270

What they’re saying:
Cecil’s slider alone will get him to the big leagues. If he can add a changeup to throw to righties, he could close.
–MiLB.com

Additional reading:

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

Vitals

Name: Andrew Brackman
Throws: Right

Pos: RHP
Bats: Right

Height: 6′10″
DOB: 4 Dec 85

Weight: 230 lbs
School: North Carolina State

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.”

2007 Stats

IP
H/9
HR/9
BB/9
K/9
ERA
BAA

Stats are through May 26, 2007, and are courtesy of North Carolina State University.

78.0
9.00
0.81
4.27
8.54
3.81
.264

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 …read more

Vitals

Name: Rick Porcello
Throws: Right

Pos: RHP
Bats: Right

Height: 6′5″
DOB: 27 Dec 88

Weight: 195 lbs
School: Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, N.J.

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 …read more

Vitals

Name: Michael Main
Throws: Right

Pos: RHP/OF
Bats: Right

Height: 6′2″
DOB: 14 Dec 88

Weight: 180 lbs
School: Deland (Fla.) HS

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

Vitals

Name: Nick Schmidt
Throws: Left

Pos: LHP
Bats: Left

Height: 6′5″
DOB: 10 Oct 85

Weight: 230 lbs
School: Arkansas

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.

2007 Stats

IP
H/9
HR/9
BB/9
K/9
ERA
BAA

Stats are through June 5, 2007, and are courtesy of University of Arkansas.

124.0
6.10
0.65
3.70
8.06
2.69
.196

Additional reading:

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

Vitals

Name: Blake Beavan
Throws: Right

Pos: RHP
Bats: Right

Height: 6′7″
DOB: 17 Jan 89

Weight: 210 lbs
School: Irving (Texas) HS

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 …read more