1) Washington Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg
2) Seattle Mariners: OF Dustin Ackley
3) San Diego Padres: OF Donovan Tate
4) Pittsburgh Pirates: C Tony Sanchez
5) Baltimore Orioles: RHP Matt Hobgood
6) San Francisco Giants: RHP Zack Wheeler
7) Atlanta Braves: LHP Mike Minor
8) Cincinnati Reds: RHP Mike Leake
9) Detroit Tigers: RHP Jacob Turner
10) Washington Nationals: RHP Drew Storen
11) Colorado Rockies: LHP Tyler Matzek
12) Kansas City Royals: RHP Aaron Crow
13) Oakland Athletics: SS Grant Green
14) Texas Rangers: LHP Matt Purke
15) Cleveland Indians: RHP Alex White
16) Arizona Diamondbacks: 3B Bobby Borchering
17) Arizona Diamondbacks: CF AJ Pollock
18) Florida Marlins: LHP Chad James
19) St) Louis Cardinals: RHP Shelby Miller
20) Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Chad Jenkins
21) Houston Astros: SS Jiovanni Mier
22) Minnesota Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson
23) Chicago White Sox: OF Jared Mitchell
24) Los Angeles Angels: LF Randal Grichuk
25) Los Angeles Angels: CF Mike Trout
26) Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Eric Arnett
27) Seattle Mariners: SS Nick Franklin
28) Boston Red Sox: CF Reymond Fuentes
29) New York Yankees: CF Slade Heathcott
30) Tampa Bay Rays: OF Levon Washington
31) Chicago Cubs: OF Brett Jackson
32) Colorado Rockies: OF Tim Wheeler

Dustin Ackley went second to the Seattle Mariners (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Here is a look at the top ten picks in our 2009 MLB mock draft:

Stephen Strasburg - 2009 MLB Mock Draft (Image: Zuma Press)

1) Washington Nationals – Stephen Strasburg
This is a no-brainer first pick for the Nationals. Stephen Strasburg is not only the best pitcher in this draft, he’s probably the best pitcher in any MLB draft of the last few decades. His statistics are off the charts and he has future superstar written all over him.

2) Seattle Mariners – Dustin Ackley
While there are a ton of quality pitchers in this draft, Dustin Ackley might be the only position player with a “can’t miss” label. He has a great swing and should become a very good first baseman.

3) San Diego Padres – Tanner Scheppers
For the last few years, Tanner Scheppers has been a top flight pitching prospect. However, last year an injury scare hurt his stock. Now that he’s healthy again, expect him to be a top five pick.

4) Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Sanchez
The Pirates have been connected to Tony Sanchez and that’s not much of a surprise. They’ve had a difficult time finding a dependable catcher and Sanchez can solve that issue.

5) Baltimore Orioles – Tyler Matzek
Considered by many scouts to be the best left-handed pitcher in the 2009 MLB Draft, Tyler Matzek is a starting pitcher who can get up to about 95 on the gun. His impressive size should also help him grow into a very good pitcher down the line.

6) San Francisco Giants – Tim Wheeler
Out of Sacramento State, Tim Wheeler is a 6-foot-4 center fielder. He’s still a bit of a raw prospect but he has the tools to be a star.

7) Atlanta Braves – Aaron Crow
Aaron Crow is a well known prospect. Last season, the Nationals drafted him 9th — but Crow and the Nationals couldn’t agree on a contract. He didn’t do anything to hurt his stock and should once again be a top ten pick.

8) Cincinnati Reds – Alex White
Although Alex White needs a lot of work, the Reds could very well roll the dice on him. He needs to improve his confidence in his fastball but his off-speed pitchers are impressive for a player his age.

9) Detroit Tigers – Jacob Turner
When it comes to a throwing a fastball, Jacob Turner probably has the second best raw heat in the draft behind Stephen Strasburg. He can hit 98 miles per hour and given his age, he could even improve further.

10) Washington Nationals – Donovan Tate
Perhaps the best pure athlete in the draft, Donovan Tate is the son of Lars Tate, the former NFL running back. A center fielder, he has very good size, speed and a good arm. The only flaw in his game right now is a below average eye at the plate, however expect someone in the top to take a gamble on him.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

David Price is one of the hottest names in the minor leagues. Property of the Tampa Bay Rays, Price is a top flight pitching prospect who may be called upon at some point in 2008. If not, expect Price to make a lot of noise during the 2009 baseball season.

The 23-year-old first became known for his pitching at Vanderbilt University. He was very good as a junior but became spectacular in his senior season. As a senior, Price had an 11-1 record to go with a 2.63 ERA and 194 strikouts in 133.1 innings.

This year in the minors, Price has also been very good. At Single-A and Double-A, Price was a combined 11-0. He’s currently at Triple-A and while he isn’t quite dominating, he has been very good. Most scouts agree that he is one of the top three best pitching prospects in all of the minor leagues.

Price’s money pitch is his slider, which usually comes in at about 87 MPH. His fastball can be anywhere from about 91 to as fast as 98. He struggles a bit spotting his pitches but once he masters his mechanics, expect the Rays to call him up.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Earlier this week USD won its first ever NCAA hoops tourney game. On Saturday, back on the diamond, left-hander Brian Matusz tied a school record with 16 strikeouts in a game. Things are looking good for the little school on the hill. Go Toreros!

Update: Here is the box score.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

I finally got to see some baseball this weekend. Friday night I watched University of San Diego left-hander Brian Matusz struggle with his command as crosstown rival San Diego State University came out on top, 11-2. Matusz is projected to go early in the first round of the 2008 draft, but he didn’t have it working in the season opener.

USD left fielder Kevin Muno executed a straight steal of home in the third inning, which was pretty cool. First time I’d seen that in person.

Then on Saturday I caught the first game of a doubleheader between the two teams. USD won this one, 17-11. Southpaw Josh Romanski worked five innings for the win. Sure, he gave up eight runs, but he also drove in seven on two singles and two homers.

Cory Vaughn, son of former big leaguer Greg Vaughn, hit his first collegiate home run for the Aztecs in the loss. It was a bomb to dead center that just kept carrying. Strong kid.

Actual games. I feel better now…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Congratulations to the Beavers and their fans on a fine season. To survive the field of 64 and emerge on top two years in a row is a remarkable achievement. Well done!

Post from: Knuckle Curve

My adopted team, Irvine, plays Saturday against Arizona State. First pitch is 11 a.m. PT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Here’s the thing about the Anteaters. Ordinarily you wouldn’t want your team to “suck” but if my understanding of anteater physiology is correct, that’s pretty much what this particular animal does to its prey.

It’s all very confusing…

Update: Upon further review, it appears that “lick” is a more appropriate verb. Very well, then; we’ll go with that instead.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Hey, they’ve found some. Woo-hoo!

Brian Bennett, a reporter for the Louisville Courier-Journal, was ejected from the press box in the fifth inning of the University of Louisville’s game on Sunday for liveblogging the event (hat tips to reader Didi and Baseball America.) Apparently this is within the NCAA’s right, or at least they think it is, which has some frightening implications.

It concerns me that the NCAA feels the need to control the reporting of facts (to say nothing of the thought that they might have the right to do so). Certainly there’s a lot of money at stake, but I’m not sure that suppressing facts is the best way to protect the NCAA’s investment. And I always get a little nervous when large entities try to control the media. Even if it’s innocuous, it gives off a foul odor.

In the end, who does this help? Bennett and the Courier-Journal will get added exposure for their products and services, the NCAA will look like manipulative bullies, and bloggers will continue to report the facts from the press box or the comfort of their own homes. I fail to see how any of this serves the NCAA and its investors, advertisers, customers, etc.

Then again, I haven’t been in college for a very long time…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

But not much.

Still, if Vanderbilt, the top-ranked team in the country, can’t make it out of the Regionals, then I guess it really could happen to anyone. Ah, the lies we tell ourselves.

Of the sixteen schools remaining, three hail from California: UCLA; Cal State Fullerton; and my new rooting interest, the UC Irvine Anteaters. Meanwhile, Vandy has dropped to #5 in the rankings, while my Toreros have plummeted all the way to #14, with UCI taking their old spot at #4.

The weirdness resumes on Friday. Good times…

Post from: Knuckle Curve