Draft Tidbits

by Eli Greenspan on May 26, 2008 1:19 PM EDT

Here is what is making news in the draft:

Boras client and high school prospect Eric Hosmer might be leaning towards heading to college. He will likely be a late first rounder because of signability issues.
The White Sox are very interested in Gordon Beckham and Brett Wallace. Coincidentally, I had the White Sox taking Brett Wallace last week and Gordon Beckham this week.
The Brewers are interested in Anthony Hewitt, but will look to see if he is around in later rounds. His struggles with a wood bat will drop his back a couple of rounds.
Look for the Phillies to select Jason Knapp with their sandwich or second round pick. He is a pitcher with poor command, but has some upside.
One of the biggest sleepers in the draft in is Ryan Westmoreland, who has set his signing bonus demands very high, but has a lot of upside. His above average fielding and good bat make him a candidate to rise fast in any system. The Red Sox are known to be interested.
I talked with one scout who said the Cubs and Rockies are pondering taking Jake Odorizzi with their first round pick. For what it is worth, Odorizzi is a native of Illinois.
The Cubs are also interested in Zach Collier, but he is drawing serious interest from the Nationals, who invited him to their tryout in Washington.
The Mets are interested in catcher Adrian Nieto, but I talked with one scout who said he is not as high on the Mets draft board is people may think.
As for first pick speculation: It is all up in the air. From what I am hearing, though, it is down to four players: Tim Beckham, Pedro Alvarez, Aaron Crow, and Buster Posey.

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Hosmer as a late first round pick?

I've seen him go all over the place in mock drafts, but never any later than the Rangers at #11. I've seen him going to the Royals at #3, the Giants at #5, the Marlins at #6, and a couple other teams. His asking price is high, so I doubt he'd get chosen over Smoak, but I think he's clearly a step above Alonso and Wallace, and I think he's almost a lock to go in the top half

by Anonymous on May 26, 2008 8:15 PM EDT reply actions

I had the chance to see Odorizzi throw this past Saturday and there were quite a few high level guys in attendance. He was sitting 91-93and threw a few 94's and 95's in there. He makes it look so effortless. Rockies heat was indeed there and I do know that every member of the Cubs scouting department has seen Odorizzi at his best. I have seen all the top prep pitching prospects in the country and if you include, their history, makeup and prjectability none of them compare to Odorizzi and Melville.

by Anonymous on May 27, 2008 9:06 AM EDT reply actions