Author Topic: The 2008 MLB Draft Thread (Read 18142 times)

Burgess · « **Reply #50:** May 15, 2008, 07:48:33 PM »

What do u guys think of Gordon Beckham? If he's going to be available to us, I wouldn't draft Skipworth instead of him, I don't think we need a catcher as much as everyone here claims. We need some infield help (SS, 2B?) and I think we are getting better depth in pitching (In minor leagues that is

).

MrMadison · « **Reply #51:** May 15, 2008, 07:51:25 PM »

I agree with needing middle infield help, but the MLB draft is a different beast than other drafts. you draft the players, and then develop them over a number of years, there are really no "immediate impact" draft picks like in the NFL or NBA.

you typically draft the best player available.

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #52:** May 15, 2008, 07:51:37 PM »

I know you can never have enough pitching but I hope we focus on middle infielders and outfielders in the upcoming draft. We are really lacking middle infield prospects in our system and even hitters in general. We have a plentiful amount of pitching although it wouldn't hurt to add some more.

ronnynat · « **Reply #53:** May 15, 2008, 08:16:13 PM »

Quote from: sportsfan882 on May 15, 2008, 07:51:37 PM

I know you can never have enough pitching but I hope we focus on middle infielders and outfielders in the upcoming draft. We are really lacking middle infield prospects in our system and even hitters in general. We have a plentiful amount of pitching although it wouldn't hurt to add some more.

Trades can bring us some middle infielders and outfielders, too. It's best to focus on the best available players, regardless of their position. We do desperately need some better middle infielders in our system, though.

Burgess · « **Reply #54:** May 16, 2008, 12:34:02 AM »

Quote from: MrMadison on May 15, 2008, 07:51:25 PM

I agree with needing middle infield help, but the MLB draft is a different beast than other drafts. you draft the players, and then develop them over a number of years, there are really no "immediate impact" draft picks like in the NFL or NBA.

you typically draft the best player available.

Drafting the BPA is a good idea in a certain way because you take the best available talent no matter what. However, you can't deny something like positions in baseball (if you wanna developp them well in the minor leagues) because we have seen in the past that, some young prospects have been moved so much of positions that it hurt their bat and overall game. For example, look at our situation in Hagerstown, Rhinehart has to stay there because he wouldn't be able to play 1b at higher levels. Smolinski had to move at 2nd base and now King has to play 3b because of older players. Steven Souza had to be sent down to Vermont because King needs to be challenged.Changing of positions asks alot of adaptation to a baseball player and can even hurt his confidence.

Burgess · « **Reply #55:** May 16, 2008, 01:12:25 AM »

Quote from: Skinz72 on May 07, 2008, 01:32:58 PM

I see RHP Tanner Scheppers going to us as well in some draft boards.

Fresno State - Junior
6'4" 200lbs
8-2
2.93 ERA
70 IP
109 SO

He recently got injured, that might hurt his draft stock. He is out for 6 weeks I think and it's not that much of a big deal because some of the early taken prospects wants the best possible contract and decides playing like on august 15. That injury should maybe help us to get him and that wouldnt bother me since Sheppers has tremendous talent along with a solid frame.

DPMOmaha · « **Reply #56:** May 16, 2008, 10:07:09 AM »

Is there any chance Crow falls to us?

BBQ · « **Reply #57:** May 16, 2008, 05:52:22 PM »

Quote from: DPMOmaha on May 16, 2008, 10:07:09 AM

Is there any chance Crow falls to us?

Low

2k6nats · « **Reply #58:** May 17, 2008, 09:33:05 PM »

Quote from: Senators2005 on April 10, 2008, 05:07:12 PM

Hey 2k6 you should start a Lakemonster blog...we have blogs now for every team except Vermont and Hagerstown.

I'll seriously consider this...

tomterp · « **Reply #59:** May 18, 2008, 07:16:02 PM »

Quote from: 2k6nats on May 17, 2008, 09:33:05 PM

I'll seriously consider this...

I bet you could get FirstBaseLady to kick in some good stuff.

Nat of the Living Dead · « **Reply #60:** May 18, 2008, 07:32:50 PM »

Quote from: tomterp on May 18, 2008, 07:16:02 PM

I bet you could get FirstBaseLady to kick in some good stuff.

Very true. Then you'll have a staff like I have on my blog and you can abuse them and not feed them until your heart's content.

Burgess · « **Reply #61:** May 18, 2008, 09:42:26 PM »

Quote from: DPMOmaha on May 16, 2008, 10:07:09 AM

Is there any chance Crow falls to us?

Slim to none. Something tells me we won't draft a pitcher with #9 pick this draft, last draft we took Detwiler and I think, we will be looking for the best possible bat this time (because its not a solid draft for pitchers).

d_mc_nabb · « **Reply #62:** May 18, 2008, 10:41:28 PM »

we do need a bat. g. beckham, posey, skipworth, hosmer. anyone, really. to pick, i'd take beckham.

d_mc_nabb · « **Reply #63:** May 21, 2008, 06:13:54 PM »

i recently heard that kyle skipworth can play 1B as well as C.

BBQ · « **Reply #64:** May 25, 2008, 11:26:13 PM »

I say we go a complete position player in the first round then pitchers for round 2,3 then position then pitcher for 5,6

Burgess · « **Reply #65:** May 26, 2008, 01:49:26 PM »

Quote from: Natsman on May 25, 2008, 11:26:13 PM

I say we go a complete position player in the first round then pitchers for round 2,3 then position then pitcher for 5,6

Thats my thinking too, its riskier to take pitchers in the first round, im not a fan of that. I would rather take the best possible bat in the first round then try to take some good pitchers in later rounds.

ronnynat · « **Reply #66:** May 28, 2008, 04:07:38 PM »

Have you guys heard about this guy Justin Smoak? A lot of people are projecting him to go to us. He's having another sick season for South Carolina.

http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2007-2008/teamcume.html

DPMOmaha · « **Reply #67:** May 28, 2008, 05:26:44 PM »

Yeah, I saw him play when he came through in the CWS a couple of years ago. Kid can flat mash. From what I know though, that's about it though.

d_mc_nabb · « **Reply #68:** May 28, 2008, 08:00:54 PM »

if we have to take a first baseman, i would settle for nothing short of Eric Hosmer, definitely the one with the best upside, and tons of power, much needed.

ronnynat · « **Reply #69:** May 31, 2008, 03:48:54 AM »

Great draft preview by Keith Law.

GMUTrkstar · « **Reply #70:** May 31, 2008, 01:59:37 PM »

For those interested in the draft their doing a live one at John Sickels page:
http://www.minorleagueball.com/

Burgess · « **Reply #71:** May 31, 2008, 09:18:49 PM »

I don't know who was picking for the nats but he had a pretty solid draft, he got Matusz in the first round but he took a bit too much pitchers early (whoever he was kudos to him).

DPMOmaha · « **Reply #72:** June 01, 2008, 01:53:15 AM »

Prolly not gonna go down like that. Of the five picks we had there (unless there were more that I missed) he picked 4 pitchers. I'm not necessarilly against that, because those are some quality arms, we're going to have to go some offensive guys early too.

GMUTrkstar · « **Reply #73:** June 01, 2008, 11:59:22 AM »

Dude did pick a bit to many pitchers but overall he had an okay draft. Unless Matusz, Skipworth(if we believe he can stay behind the plate), or Crow fall I'd like us to get an impact college bat. Alonso, Wallace, Smoak(this would be a best case scenario) could all be available and we need a big bat in our lineup all these guys should be able to move quick through the system. If we get a bat in the first we should be able to pick up K. Lobstein with our second round pick. Or some other high ceiling HS pitcher.

MrMadison · « **Reply #74:** June 01, 2008, 05:28:02 PM »

I would not be disappointed if Smoak fell to us. From everything I've read on him, he's a bonafide stud prospect, big power bat from both sides of the plate, and great defense at 1B.