This is the "Official" 2008 Major League Baseball Draft Discussion Thread.

The drafts like a while away...

I know it is, but we can still make predictions as to who we think our team is going to draft.

Marlins draft somone with the first overall pick.

It's a bold strategy, Cotton.

Anyone know who the best players are for next years draft and then maybe I can make a better decision on who we'll draft # 1.

Someone from the NCAA will be drafted.

Tampa Bay as of right now would have the first pick, and the white Sox and Marlins both have the same record at 61-82 for the second worst record in the MLB.

Pedro. The guy was hitting homeruns at the age of 18 into the black seats at Yankee stadium. Plus he is an all around great player.

Rickie Weeks brother will be drafted high.
I like Long though, considering the Yankees will pick somewhere between 25 and 27.

Well can you give me a list of more players then that and who's in HS and who's in college. PK I think the Rays get a little hot and it's our teams competing for #1 and the Marlins end up with it.

Well neither of you will pick Pedro since you have Dominguez and Cabrera and the White Sox won't touch him for he has a price around David Price if not more. Theres no list now, haha its like freaking 10 months away. Lists like a month away change so much.

2. Brian Matusz - LHP, San Diego
3. Isaac Galloway - OF, Los Osos HS (CA)
4. Justin Smoak - 1B, South Carolina
5. Eric Hosmer - 1B, American Heritage HS (FL)

Top 20 list I found on soxprospects. I think we'd pick any of these 5 right now but yea it is a looooooong way away so who knows if any of these 4 will still be in the top 5 come draft day.

Any list where Kyle Long isn't in the the top 5 or 6 is nothing. Galloway won't go 3rd, maybe 6th. Don't go to soxprospcts.com all they do is masterbate to their prospects. I know someone who was banned for saying joba was better than Buchholz and if your a red sox fan and say something good about a yankee spect they'll call you a yankee fan.

With the 26th pick in the draft, the Yankees pick...................Pedro Alverez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ok, really, this is waaaaaay to early to speculate on who's going to go where.

The lowest I see Kyle Long going is 4th... :unsure:

T-minus what, 7 months?

:lol: Yeah... but the off-season and on I find is pretty good for draft predictions. Well for me it is. ;)

Heres how the draft orser is looking is far.

First-Round Picks
1. Devil Rays
2. Pirates
3. Royals
4. Orioles
5. Giants
6. Marlins
7. Reds
8. White Sox
9. Nationals
10. Astros
11. Rangers
12. Athletics
13. Cardinals
14. Twins
15. Dodgers
16. Brewers
17. Blue Jays
18. Mets (Tom Glavine, A, to Atl)
19. Cubs
20. Mariners
21. Tigers
22. Mets
23. Padres
24. Phillies
25. Rockies
26. Diamondbacks
27. Twins (Torii Hunter, A, to LAA)
28. Yankees
29. Indians
30. Red Sox
Supplemental First-Round Picks
31. Twins (Hunter)
32. Brewers (Franciso Cordero, A, to Cin)
33. Mets (Glavine)
34. Brewers (Scott Linebrink, A, to CWS)
35. Cubs (Jason Kendall, B, to Mil)
Second-Round Changes
42. Brewers (Cordero to CWS)
43. Brewers (Linebrink to Cin)
69a. Braves (for failure to sign 2007 second-rounder Joshua Fields)
84a. Red Sox (for failure to sign 2007 second-rounder Hunter Morris)
Supplemental Third-Round Picks
98. Phillies (for failure to sign 2007 third-rounder Brandon Workman)
99. Astros (for failure to sign 2007 third-rounder Derek Dietrich)
100. Padres (for failure to sign 2007 third-rounder Tommy Toledo)
101. Angels (for failure to sign 2007 third-rounder Matt Harvey)
Remaining Possible Compensation Free Agents (must be offered arbitration)
Atl: OF Andruw Jones (B), LHP Ron Mahay (B).
Bos: RHP Eric Gagne (B), RHP Mike Timlin (B).
Cle: OF Kenny Lofton (B).
Col: RHP Jorge Julio (B), C Yorvit Torrealba (B).
Det: LHP Kenny Rogers (B).
Hou: INF Mark Loretta (B), RHP Trever Miller (B).
KC: RHP David Riske (B).
LAD: OF Luis Gonzalez (B).
Mil: RHP Francisco Cordero (A), 2B/3B Tony Graffanino (B).
NYM: OF Shawn Green (B), C Paul LoDuca (B).
NYY: LHP Andy Pettitte (A), 3B Alex Rodriguez (A), RHP Luis Vizcaino (B).
Oak: C Mike Piazza (B), OF Shannon Stewart (B).
Phi: RHP Freddy Garcia (B), OF Aaron Rowand (A).
StL: SS David Eckstein (B), RHP Troy Percival (B).
SD: C Michael Barrett (A), OF Milton Bradley (A), RHP Doug Brocail (B), OF Mike Cameron (B).
SF: OF Barry Bonds (A), 3B Pedro Feliz (B).
Sea: OF Jose Guillen (B).

From baseballamerica.com

B) = Type B free agent.

I really hate how (B ) automatically turns to that smiley face.

Yes its annoying, I'll fix that ina minute.

Any updates on who's the top 5/10/20 prospects this year?

i hope the Indians draft me

I would love to see Alverez fall down to the Orioles at number 4 because of contract concerns. Like Weiters last year, Angelos will dish out the money to sign him.

While I have spent the last couple weeks immersed in the players eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, someone reminded me today: baseball schedules its Rule 5 and Rule 4 drafts almost exactly six months apart. The Rule 4 Draft, is you recall, is the June Amateur draft. Just between us, it’s the more exciting of the two.

So with the Rule 5 draft behind us — but as an aside, it was a very surprising draft. I loved the Capellan and Crabbe selections, hate that Lindsay wasn’t taken, and I’ll let KG take it from there — let’s turn the page on potential 2008 role players, and look instead at potential 2011 superstars. With every free agency signing the 2008 draft board changes, with one exception: the top ten is set in stone (and in the same order as the Rule 5). So, for fun, let’s start our 2008 draft coverage there.

1. Tampa Bay Rays: Pedro Alvarez, 3b/1b, Vanderbilt

Pedro is still the class of this draft, but the top high schoolers closed the gap over the summer. You can bet Alvarez is going to have some huge bonus demands — if he regresses at all as a junior (like Matt Wieters did), Tampa will explore other options. In the end, though, this should be their guy. He could be great at first and probably even work in right, and he’ll be the best bat in their lineup at some point.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates: Tim Beckham, ss, Georgia HS

I decided to go with Beckham here because, if the Pirates new scouting department is PR-savvy, they will not draft another pitcher next season. Pittsburgh fans were livid with the Daniel Moskos pick this year, and while Brian Matusz might be worth it, I’m guessing he’ll be priced out of Pittsburgh. Beckham isn’t second on my board, but he’ll stick at shortstop and offers “Face of the Organization” pipedreams that organizations value.

3. Kansas City Royals: Tim Melville, rhp, Missouri HS

Kansas City is guaranteed to have some good PR at draft time next June, because in all likelihood, both of the draft’s star Missouri right-handers — high school Melville and collegiate Aaron Crow — will be available. Of the two, I think you have to go with Melville; he has a better pitcher’s body, better secondary stuff, and a longer history of plus velocity.

4. Baltimore Orioles: Brian Matusz, lhp, San Diego

Peter Angelos showed a commitment to the draft last June, drafting and paying top dollar for the best available player — Matt Wieters. Here’s to hoping it was a trend pick, and when Matusz’ salary demands drop him out of the top 3, the Orioles snatch him. He’s a three-pitch lefty with a nasty change, good command and a great body of work.

5. San Francisco Giants: Justin Smoak, 1b, South Carolina

Either Smoak or Eric Hosmer, or both, is going to be available when the Giants draft next June. Both are good bets to be fantastic pro hitters and the Giants haven’t had a good pro hitting prospect, beside current third baseman Angel Villalona, in a decade. The fit is there; the Giants should draft one of these players. For now, I’ll say Smoak hits 20 home runs next spring and becomes the guy.

6. Florida Marlins: Gerrit Cole, rhp, California HS

The top high school right-handers next season all have ace potential, but Cole is the pitcher with the nastiest stuff. Here’s to guessing he touches 90 mph with his slider next spring, and in the process, gets some outside mention to go 1-1. He’s a bit raw for there, but at six, the Marlins would have their best pitching prospect since Josh Beckett.

7. Cincinnati Reds: Harold Martinez, ss, Florida HS

I know scouting director Chris Buckley would much rather take a college player here, but I think this is still a little early for my Cape boys, Yonder Alonso and Aaron Crow. Instead, the Reds will again look to take an intelligent high school player, leaving them between Hosmer and Martinez. Of the two, tie has to go to the shortstop with the presence of Joey Votto already in the system.

8. Chicago White Sox: Eric Hosmer, 1b, Florida HS

It’s a perfect fit: the White Sox trade Chris Carter at the Winter Meetings, but six months later, draft his replacement as Paul Konerko’s successor in Chicago. White Sox fans will complain that a first baseman isn’t the type of high ceiling pick they brought new director Doug Laumann in to draft, but Hosmer’s combination of power potential and defense disagree.

9. Washington Nationals: Aaron Crow, rhp, Missouri

If there is a divide in philosophies between Mike Rizzo and scouting director Dana Brown in Washington, they handled it in 2007 as follows: spend the first round pick on a high-upside Missouri college pitcher. Why not try it again in 2008? Crow was a 5-10 round guy before the Cape Cod League, but his velocity got better with every start, and now he’s a top ten overall favorite after touching 99 mph in his last start.

10. Houston Astros: Kyle Skipworth, c, California HS

New S.D. Bobby Heck will need to make a splash in his first draft, as Houston’s farm system has reached a pretty bad low. I’m guessing, as a disciple of Jack Zduriencik, Heck might also lean towards the high school side. On that end, the highest upside player available here is Skipworth, who while still raw, is sure to stick behind the plate and offers big power potential. This would be admitting they made a mistake on Max Sapp, but since they did, might as well start fresh. Indiana hurler Alex Bubba Meyer would be my second guess.


http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfilter...x.php?s=alvarez

IMO Beckman drops fast. I don't see how Brian Matusz is going to be taken 4th and he isn't even an ace, but I'd be happy if the Yankees got him as well. We need lefties damnit. Smoak and Pedro are my wet dreams.

Alverez won't come close to us, and I doubt the Rays pass him up, as Pena only has a 3 year deal. By the time Alverez signs, it'd be the end of the year, so he would get 2 years to develop in the minors, and then take over for Pena..


But this list is going to change a ton, and half of these players in the top 10 might not even be picked in the first round.

I'm glad the Giants are slated to get the player with the best name in the draft, Justin Smoak.

Cole?

Cole's easily in the Top 10. I'd rank him either #6, #7, or #8. Need anymore info?

Smoak is an absolute beast.

If you could, ;) and could he really be another Beckett for us?

We're wrapping up the AL West Top 10 Prospects lists in our issue that goes to print next week, and then it's on to the College and Early Draft Preview. It's never too early to start talking about the draft, but bear in mind that it's five months away and the analysis below is educated speculation subject to a lot of change before June. Signability will rear its head as well.

1. Tampa Bay Rays. For a team that never has won more than 70 games in a season, the Rays don't have as many glaring long-term needs as you might think, because they've done a good job with most of their premium draft picks and have the game's best farm system. That said, teams picking at the top of the draft rarely base their picks on need. Tampa Bay is going to take whoever it deems is the best player available, unless the asking price is really out of whack.
The Rays have a lot of quality pitching coming through their pipeline, but teams always want more and they could opt for one of the top college arms, Missouri righthander Aaron Crow or San Diego lefty Brian Matusz. Tampa Bay has gone with pitchers with three of its last four top picks, so my gut feel is they'll be more inclined to go for a bat. It says here they'll opt for Georgia high school shortstop Tim Beckham over Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez because Beckham plays a more premium position. I still think Alvarez is going to become a first baseman or left fielder by the time he reaches the majors.
Projected Pick: Tim Beckham, ss, Griffin (Ga.) HS.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates. If the Rays don't take Alvarez, he becomes the easy pick for the Pirates. Pittsburgh needs to send a message to its victory-starved fans that it's going to take the best player available instead of going cheap. Choosing Daniel Moskos over Matt Wieters last year was a debacle.
Projected Pick: Pedro Alvarez, 3b, Vanderbilt.

3. Kansas City Royals. The Royals have beefed up their offense by taking Billy Butler, Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas with first-round picks in three of the last four drafts, and most of the top bats after Alvarez are first basemen: South Carolina's Justin Smoak, Miami's Yonder Alonso and Florida prepster Eric Hosmer. That would make homestate product Crow very attractive. Matusz and Missouri high school righthander Tim Melville would be two other pitching options.
Projected Pick: Aaron Crow, rhp, Missouri.

4. Baltimore Orioles. With former first-rounders Brandon Snyder and Bill Rowell looking like they might be destined for first base rather than catcher and third base, it's hard to envision the Orioles going for Smoak, Alonso or Hosmer. They'll likely take whichever remaining pitcher they like the most from among Matusz, Melville and Pepperdine righthander Brett Hunter.
Projected Pick: Brian Matusz, lhp, San Diego.

5. San Francisco Giants. The Giants need a lot more help for their lineup than they do for their rotation, so the college hitters will be attractive. Smoak or Alonso could help the big league club in short order, and possibly form an infield of the future with Nick Noonan, Charlie Culberson and Angel Villalona. Hosmer or Miami prep third baseman Harold Martinez also could be tempting.
Projected Pick: Justin Smoak, 1b, South Carolina.


http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/265478.html

THU, Draft expert, who are the M's going to pick?

Has anybody heard anything about Andrew Means? He's from IU, and is going into the draft, and I'm pretty sure he is expected to go somewhere in the first round, but I'm not sure.

someone ghetto

Scout.com has Matusz going first overall. He's a favorite of mine and I had wanted the Yankees to grab him when he wans't even listed top 10 on most lists, but fuck same thing happened to me last year with Parker, seems all my favorites or sleepers, get picked in the top 10. :angry:

Marlins will kill all.

yeah sure cause our number one draft picks since 2003 have just been awfull :rolleyes:

Meh idk who they will pick dude.

Haha do you know how fucking impossible it is to predict the Mariners pick, when their pick is like 5327823478254th?

http://i25.tinypic.com/miues.jpg/

Brett Jacobson *pimp*