Local flavor to MLB draft
The Major League Baseball first year player draft is just hours away. Below is a list of where the experts think players from Arizona might be drafted in the first round. Also included is the projection for the Diamondbacks first round picks:
Diamondbacks pick:
26. Arizona Diamondbacks: Josh Fields, RHP, University of Georgia
Another strong-armed college reliever (it appears to be a strength in this class), he might go above to a team looking for a short reliever who can move quickly. Fields had a sub-par junior season and went back to school rather than sign with the Braves via the second round last year. He was virtually unhittable in his senior season and though he’s a Boras advisee, he should sign and move quickly, a la Matt LaPorta. If Fields is gone, Jemile Weeks is a strong possibility.
Players from Arizona:
13. St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Perry, RHP, University of Arizona
The Cards could go in any of a number of directions. Collier’s name has been mentioned quite a bit, and St. Louis has shown the willingness to go high school early. On the other end would be the advanced bat of Wallace, mostly a first baseman but a guy some might give a chance at third. There are two big-armed college pitchers throwing in relief right now who some believe can/should be starting. Both Perry and TCU’s Andrew Cashner have started in the past and for this week, we’ll go with the Cards feeling Perry’s the better choice.
17. Toronto Blue Jays: Brett Wallace, 1B/3B, Arizona State
This feels almost as cliche as putting him with the A’s, especially considering the Jays’ recent draft history. There’s a real chance Wallace isn’t around by now, in which case perhaps Toronto looks close to home to take the Canadian Lawrie. But with Wallace’s advanced bat — perhaps one of the best all-around hitters in the class — still here, it’ll be too much to pass up.
18. New York Mets: Ike Davis, OF, Arizona State
With a pair of picks in the top 30 (they’ve also got No. 22), word is the Mets are looking for some college hitters who can move quickly. Davis, the son of former big league reliever Ron, may have missed some time recently with an oblique issue, but he was having a terrific season to put him in this position. Castro could get a look if they decide to go with college catching and there’s likely to be some interest in any of a number of those college power arms should they be here, from Perry and Cashner to Georgia’s Josh Fields, JC product Craig Kimbrel and Mississippi State’s Aaron Weatherford. Right now, though, the bat seems more likely.
23. San Diego Padres: Daniel Schlereth, LHP, University of Arizona
Scouts have always liked Schlereth’s arm and his bulldog mentality, but he kind of fit a setup-man profile. Then he pitched in a series against Stanford with a ton of eyes and came out throwing 97-98 mph. He’s been lights-out his past few outings, greatly enhancing his draft status, and is now being looked at as a guy who might even be able to close at the next level. Lance Lynn’s name has been mentioned as a possibility as well.
Diamondbacks pick:
26. Arizona Diamondbacks – Ryan Perry, RHP (Arizona): This is the gas-saver pick, going with the local kid who can keep his apartment in Tucson all the way through spring training. His fastball approaches 100 mph and sits at the mid-90s, although some scouts aren’t sold on its movement. Perry projects as a big league set-up reliever within two years and a potential closer.
Players from Arizona:
10. Houston Astros – Brett Wallace 3B/1B (Arizona State): Wallace, Eric Hosmer, Yonder Alonso and David Cooper form a cluster of mature, power-hitting corner infielders that all should go in the first round. Wallace dropped about 30 pounds since beginning college and has improved enough at third base for many scouts to believe he could remain there.
BaseballAmerica.com’s Jim Callis
Diamondbacks pick:
26. DIAMONDBACKS. Cole is a high school version of Max Scherzer, so this could be his best fit. Both have stressful deliveries that generate excessive velocity, and both are advised by the Scott Boras Corporation. Arizona also has had success with established college stars, so the first basemen and infielders all could be in play.
Projected Pick: GERRIT COLE.
Players from Arizona:
12. ATHLETICS. Skipworth won’t get past this spot in the draft. Gordon Beckham probably wouldn’t either. With both of them gone, Oakland could opt for one of the polished first-base bats, such as Alonso or Wallace. If the A’s go the latter route, they could try Wallace at third base, where he has played for Arizona State this spring.
Projected Pick: BRETT WALLACE.
23. PADRES. There will be no polished college pitchers for San Diego to choose from, unless California righthander Tyson Ross’ recent outings have turned its head. Plan B will be an advanced college bat. Wake Forest’s Allan Dykstra is a local product, and Davis and Cooper would be two other first basemen to consider. Davis has the most athleticism and a chance to play the outfield, so that could be the tiebreaker.
Projected Pick: IKE DAVIS.
29. INDIANS. Cleveland has recovered from a slow start to move back into first place in the American League Central, and a fast-track reliever might be useful. There would be several to choose from, starting with Arizona righthander Ryan Perry and Price.
Projected Pick: RYAN PERRY.
Check back all day long tomorrow for coverage of the 2008 Major League Baseball from an Arizona perspective.
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Posted by Greg Esposito
Co-founder of AzSportsHub.com. Greg provides the sometimes serious, sometimes sarcastic and always interesting takes on Arizona sports (at least we hope). Whether it’s on In The Zona with Matt or in his column Greg reports, rants and raves about whatever is in the news for Arizona Sports.
http://www.azsportshub.com/author/espo
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