DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum The Tribe Thread: Pitch The Wigwam Here!

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Monday night's baseball draft is considered one of the best and deepest in years, but for the first time in three years, there's no sure No. 1 overall pick.

The Pirates, who choose first, are looking for someone to pair with big righthander Jameson Taillon, their top pick a year ago, and appear to be deciding between UCLA righthander Gerrit Cole and University of Virginia left-hander Danny Hultzen. Cole is thought to have the biggest upside of any college pitcher in the draft, but the accomplished Hultzen may be the surest thing in a draft full of quality. Cole appeared slightly more likely as of late Sunday to be called first, but no one could be absolutely certain.

The first eight or 10 picks are considered supreme talents with scores of more very good players to follow. Here is how we see the first round, which will begin at 7 p.m. ET in Secaucus, N.J., on the MLB Network:

1. Pittsburgh Pirates
Gerrit Cole, RHP, UCLA

Cole, who was drafted out of high school by the Yankees in the first round in 2008 but never listened to their offer despite the impression he was a Yankees fan, is said by scouting directors to have the highest ceiling of the many fine pitchers in this draft. He hit 102 mph in a recent outing at Arizona State, enhancing his chances to be No. 1. Nearly half the competing execs still see Hultzen as the No. 1 pick. Close call, but we'll go with Cole.

2. Seattle Mariners
Anthony Rendon, 3B, Rice

Some questions were raised when he missed part of the year with a shoulder issue, then returned as a second baseman. But the Mariners, who need offense and could round out a nice infield of the future with Rendon, recall his monster freshman and sophomore years and are thought to see him as a third baseman. Cole appears to be their second choice, though they like all-around prep outfield talent Bubba Starling and Florida prep shortstop Francisco Lindor, as well.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks
Trevor Bauer, RHP, UCLA

In a boffo year for pitchers, perhaps no one improved their stock more than Bauer. A shortish stature (he's 6-feet tall) and quirky delivery won't alter Arizona's plans, who recall division rival Tim Lincecum's monster success story. Hultzen, whom they picked in the 10th round and offered first-round money three years ago, is a consideration, as is Starling.

4. Baltimore Orioles
Dylan Bundy, RHP, Owasso (Okla.) HS

One lower-picking scouting director said if other scouting directors "had any (guts)" they'd take this 100-mph thrower No. 1. Thing is, no high school righthander has ever gone first. Bundy is said to seek $30 million, but teams are looking at that as pie in the sky. "Six or seven million is about right,'' one scouting director said. Bundy's brother Joe is in the system, but that's not the reason behind the pick. There was a rumor going around late Sunday they might go for yet another Oklahoma high school righthander, Archie Bradley. So lots of intrigue here.

5. Kansas City Royals
Danny Hultzen, LHP, Virginia

The Royals are shooting to win by 2012, so Bauer, Cole or Hultzen probably suits them most. But will they be there? Pitching is the overwhelming need, but Starling, a local hero (he's from Kansas, and the Royals get guff for once passing on Kansas City product Albert Pujols), will be a strong temptation. Hultzen is a lefthander with three above average pitches, has been consistently the best-performing NCAA pitcher and is 8-0 with 99 strikeouts in 61 innings for the 36-3 Commodores. He seeks $13 million plus the ability to finish his degree, which one scouting director said is a "logical asking price.''

PERKIN: Five things to watch for in MLB Draft

6. Washington Nationals
Bubba Starling, OF, Gardner Edgerton (Kan.) HS

The Royals might feel pangs of regret if Starling goes next to Washington. He is considered the best athlete in the draft and is expected to forego a University of Nebraska quarterback scholarship for a number that could even trump Cole and Hultzen considering his superior leverage. One scouting director likened him to a former multi-sport star who wound up in the Hall of Fame by calling him the "Dave Winfield of this draft.'' The Cubs, Mariners and Diamondbacks like him, too. The Nats could actually use a centerfielder now, though this wunderkind is at least a few years away.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks
Sonny Gray, RHP, Vanderbilt

He has "electric stuff,'' and the guess here is that general manager Kevin Towers could snap up the second ultra-talented, shortish pitcher (he's 5-foot-10). Some see him as a reliever with his dynamic two-pitch combo, which is a negative. Lindor also would make sense here for a pick where the player must be signed.

8. Cleveland Indians
Matt Barnes, RHP, UConn

He has a huge arm, though sometimes it's hard to judge kids from the North.

9. Chicago Cubs
Archie Bradley, RHP, Broken Arrow (Okla.) HS

The other talented Oklahoma righthander is said to be a great kid, though maybe not with the killer instinct of Bundy. The $20 million asking price reflects an opportunity to play football at Oklahoma (and perhaps a bit of delusion). The Cubs like two-sport stars and would take Starling if he's still available (he won't be).

10. San Diego Padres
Francisco Lindor, SS, Montverde (Fla.) Academy

This talented all-around performer showed impressive power at PETCO Park, where he won the 2010 Aflac All-American Home Run Derby, something the Padres may have noticed. This is an unprotected pick, so they'll have to sign whomever they take.

11. Houston Astros
Trevor Jungmann, RHP, Texas

The temptation to take a relatively local kid who's had a terrific year may be too great.

12. Milwaukee Brewers
Jed Bradley, RHP, Georgia Tech

Solid pick in a pitching-rich draft.

13. New York Mets
Mikie Mahtook, OF, LSU

Huge junior year has moved him into the top half of the first round. Could fill one of many Mets needs (though pitching is a greater necessity).

14. Florida Marlins
Daniel Norris, LHP, Johnson City (Tenn.) Science Hill HS

Marlins scouts aren't afraid to tab a high school pitcher.

15. Milwaukee Brewers
Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley HS

Yet another talented pitcher in a draft full of them, Guerrieri has a big arm and big potential.



Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_heyman/06/06/mock.draft/index.html#ixzz1OWbAf1JB


16. Los Angeles Dodgers
Jose Baez, SS, Jacksonville (Fla.) Arlington Country Day School

Frank McCourt's team isn't about to spend another $5 million like it did last year. This is yet another supremely talented prep player from Florida.

17. Los Angeles Angels
Dillon Howard, RHP, Searcy (Ark.) HS

Howard has talent but the Angels may decide to go with local product Henry Owens, a high school lefthander who has ability, though some view him as a laid-back Huntington Beach surfer dude.

18. Oakland A's
George Springer, OF, UConn

Big-time tools, although there's a question whether they show in games.

19. Boston Red Sox
Blake Swihart, C, Rio Rancho (N.M.) Cleveland HS

Boston is known to be seeking catchers, with Andrew Susac of Oregon State and California prep standout Austin Hedges other possibilities. A more interesting call would be Josh Bell, the best-hitting prep player who has sent every team a letter that he intends to go to the University of Texas (supposedly at the request of his mother, a college professor). Word is, a couple teams floated $6-million-plus bids in efforts to change his mind. That figure sounds like it must come from the Red Sox, Yankees and/or Tigers. Considering his stated intention, he could also fall a round or two, or more.

20. Colorado Rockies
C.J. Cron, 1B, Utah

Another of the pseudo locals, he's put up big numbers in college and could be Todd Helton's replacement.

21. Toronto Blue Jays
Levi Michael, SS, North Carolina

Solid shortstop has moved up the board, though some would still consider this a reach.

22. St. Louis Cardinals
Henry Owens, LHP, Huntington Beach (Calif.) Edison HS

Big kid who has a high ceiling.

23. Washington Nationals
Alex Meyer, LHP, Kentucky

Big left-hander has a chance to become anything from a star to a bust. Moved up the board this year after an iffy college beginning.

24. Tampa Bay Rays
Cory Spangenberg, SS/OF, Indian River (Fla.) JC

Tampa likes players versatile enough to play several positions, a la Ben Zobrist.

25. San Diego Padres.
Tyler Anderson, LHP, Oregon

Very solid lefty isn't too far away.

26. Boston Red Sox
Tyler Beede, RHP, Groton (Mass.) Lawrence Academy

Boston isn't afraid to take a flyer on a local prep star

27. Cincinnati Reds
Anthony Meo, RHP, Coastal Carolina

Cincinnati can add to its stockpile of fine young pitchers.

28. Atlanta Braves
Brian Goodwin, OF, Miami Dade JC

If they seek an athletic outfielder, another possibility could be Jackie Bradley in a draft stocked with multitalented outfielders.

29. San Francisco Giants
Joe Ross, RHP, Oakland (Calif.) Bishop O'Dowd HS

Local kid is a solid pick.

30. Minnesota Twins
Kolten Wong, 2B, Hawaii

Minnesota needs help in the middle-infield department.

31. Tampa Bay Rays
Brandon Nimmo, OF, Cheyenne East (Wyo.) HS

Very talented kid has been compared to a young Rocco Baldelli, who is coincidentally helping out the Rays with their vast stash of selections. Nimmo will be first prepster from Wyoming ever picked.

32. Tampa Bay Rays
Matt Purke, LHP, Texas Christian

The velocity is down from 94-96 mph to 89-91, but at least he's back on the mound. He turned down $4 million from Texas last time and is a threat to reject again. Tampa can take a few like this since it's questionable whether they have the loot to sign 12 of the first 89 picks.

33. Texas Rangers
Jose Fernandez, RHP, Tampa Alonso (Fla.) HS

Another interesting arm in a draft chock full of them. Local star Bell is an interesting call for them if he's still there.



Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_heyman/06/06/mock.draft/index.html#ixzz1OWbEYOWN

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8. Cleveland Indians
Matt Barnes, RHP, UConn

He has a huge arm, though sometimes it's hard to judge kids from the North.

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8. Cleveland Indians
Matt Barnes, RHP, UConn

He has a huge arm, though sometimes it's hard to judge kids from the North.

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We can get some decent rebounding out of him too.

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will he induce the other team into fights? what about his tattoo:walk ratio?

anyways, back to the top question. the baseball in the North is lesser than baseball in the South and West (and I hate saying that). just a general thing where they can play all year round in the South and West (and those teams typically pick off the best players who are in the North in recruiting HSers).

Just take a look at that 1st round. 2 kids from UConn and 1 HSer from Mass. That's it out of 33 picks from the North.

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Question...Why is it harder to read a talent from the North versus one from the East/South or West???...lol

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Tribe is really sliding right now

4 game skid, Detroit is only 2.5 games back, now, and we no longer have sole possession of the best record in the AL, much less MLB.

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Well and that is the fear.. was the first couple months the real Tribe and this is a just a bad spell or was the first couple months a mirage and THIS is the real Tribe...

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Tribe took high school SS Francisco Lindor in 1st round.

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Lindor is UBER talented but it seems like somewhat of a bizzare selection.

The Indians have Cabrera at SS right now and he's just 25 years old. I suppose this is just the backup plan for when he goes to the Yankees.

But in all seriousness, Lindor is a big time prospect. Switch hitting shortstop with great power, a guy who is considered a potential gold glove type fielder and also has an mlb ready + arm in high school.

The top SS in any draft is typically a safe bet. Projecting middle infielders is a little easier than the other everyday positions, so hopefully Lindor is a good one. The Indians must think so. MLB.tv said it was the first position player the Indians took, with a top 10 pick, since 1990.

Bradley had been slotted as Cleveland's guy so it probably had to to sting to see him go #7.

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Tribe took high school SS Francisco Lindor in 1st round.

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Lindor is UBER talented but it seems like somewhat of a bizzare selection.

The Indians have Cabrera at SS right now and he's just 25 years old. I suppose this is just the backup plan for when he goes to the Yankees.

But in all seriousness, Lindor is a big time prospect. Switch hitting shortstop with great power, a guy who is considered a potential gold glove type fielder and also has an mlb ready + arm in high school.

The top SS in any draft is typically a safe bet. Projecting middle infielders is a little easier than the other everyday positions, so hopefully Lindor is a good one. The Indians must think so. MLB.tv said it was the first position player the Indians took, with a top 10 pick, since 1990.

Bradley had been slotted as Cleveland's guy so it probably had to to sting to see him go #7.

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On Francisco Lindor: “Francisco is a switch-hitter and very good from both sides of the plate. He has a line drive, gap type approach, but also has some power in the bat at the same time. He won the Aflac home run hitting contest last summer, so there is a little bit of power in there, but more hit ability which is what we are looking at this time on the offensive side. And then on the defensive side he is a premium [player]. He has plus hands, plus feet, easy range, very good instincts and has a true ability at shortstop which is something you don’t often find with a high school player. It is not often that we go and scout high school players that we have the ability to say this guy can play shortstop at the Major League side of things. Often times we go with the phrase that we think he can stay at short, and in this case this guy can play shortstop. The intangibles and instincts and the way he plays the game are pretty special, and something you can’t teach and a natural thing for him.”

On how long they have been watching him: “He came over from Puerto Rico and to the states at the age of 12 and started switching hitting as well at [that age] and then played for the junior national team. So we have been watching him for about two and a half years now, and really started to bear down on him [last] summer at Team USA. He played with Tony Wolters on that team so we watched him a lot. He did all the showcases and all the national showcases and we saw all the games he played in this spring and did not miss one [game].”

On how things unfolded and why they took a prep player over a college player: “We had a thought he would be there. With the top of the draft there was some uncertainty with how the draft would go. But we had a feeling there was a chance he would be there, and is a guy we targeted from the beginning of last winter. He has the ability to stay at short, and to get a premium position athlete like Francisco. He is a player we feel has the true ability to stay at short and bring offense with it at the same time and we felt like we were in a good position to do that.”

On the risk of taking a prep player: “Yeah, there is certainly more of a risk. He is still 17 years old, and when you look at that the development path it is going to be a little bit longer for a 17 year old. At the same time to enter a shortstop into our system it is something that was too good to pass by at this point.”

On his growth potential: “He has grown a lot between his junior year and senior year. He really did a lot strength and conditioning-wise this past offseason, and actually improved his running as well. So he has already started to hit that growth and add that strength, but obviously at 17 years old he still has the chance to get a little bit stronger and fill out a little bit more.”

On which one of offense or defense stands out more: “They both stand out for us, but obviously his defense is what makes him special in our eyes with his ability to play shortstop. But this guy has offense too as a switch hitting shortstop.”

On his throwing arm: “He can make the throw in the hole and has no issues whatsoever. If you put him on our scale he has an above average arm and he can easily make the throws from the hole.”

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It is not often that we go and scout high school players that we have the ability to say this guy can play shortstop at the Major League side of things

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Of course not ... we usually just trade with Seattle if we need a Shortstop.

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It is not often that we go and scout high school players that we have the ability to say this guy can play shortstop at the Major League side of things

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Of course not ... we usually just trade with Seattle if we need a Shortstop.

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good point. apparently, we haven't liked who they were drafting at SS lately