Knuckle Curve » mlb_draft

1973 Amateur Draft

Geoff Young — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:56:26 +0000

My latest article at Hardball Times, Revisiting the 1973 draft, is now up for your viewing pleasure. Dave Winfield was drafted as a pitcher? Eddie Murray as a catcher? Who knew…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

MLB Draft 2007: Julio Borbon

Geoff Young — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:37:12 +0000

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)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Talkin’ Baseball at Suicide Fan

Geoff Young — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:36:42 +0000

Once again, Aaron has been good enough to have me on his show over at Suicide Fan. We talk about the MLB draft, Roger Clemens, steroids, the National League West, Sam Perlozzo’s firing, and the recent trade that sent Michael Barrett from the Cubs to the Padres (more on that at Ducksnorts).

Go give it a listen; you’ll be glad you did…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

MLB Draft 2007: Day One Recap

Geoff Young — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 03:57:44 +0000

Maybe I bit off more than I could chew in my attempt to liveblog the first round of the draft — I’m willing to concede that possibility. But you know what? I gave an honest effort and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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

MLB Draft 2007: Yankees Pick Brackman at #30 to End First Round

Geoff Young — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:53:45 +0000

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 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

MLB Draft 2007: Tigers Tab Porcello at #27

Geoff Young — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:36:10 +0000

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 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

MLB Draft 2007: Rangers Grab Main at #24

Geoff Young — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:22:29 +0000

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

Post from: Knuckle Curve

MLB Draft 2007: Padres Pluck Schmidt at #23

Geoff Young — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:17:19 +0000

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

Post from: Knuckle Curve

MLB Draft 2007: Rangers Nab Beavan at #17

Geoff Young — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:42:09 +0000

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 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

MLB Draft 2007: Braves Take Heyward at #14

Geoff Young — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:26:22 +0000

Vitals
Name: Jason Heyward	Bats: Left
Pos: OF	Throws: Left
Height: 6′2″	DOB: 9 Aug 89
Weight: 198 lbs	School: Henry County HS, McDonough, Ga.

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