Analyzing Amateur Baseball Talent as it pertains to the MLB Draft
Draft Notes 10-21-09
Welcome back to 5 Tool Talk. Since this venture kicked off in March of last spring, I didn't have the amount of time that I wanted to put into the site as the 2009 draft approached. That is different this time around, as I always tried to kick off my 2009 draft coverage during the September or October prior to the draft. You used to see that coverage over at Brewerfan.net, but my intent is to focus all of my efforts, those at least that aren't related to my work with Perfect Game, here at 5 Tool Talk.
Each content page has been updated, with all of last year's features being archived, yet still accessible. You can find my new top 50 prospect list, the 2010 raw draft order, a feature story focusing on the talent available for the 2010 draft, a new Dandy Dozen with scouting reports on 12 of the most talented players eligible for next year's draft, and a way-too-early mock draft for those that can never get enough player-to-team projections.
I already have written several stories related to the 2010 draft in my work at PG Crosschecker, including reports of players from the Cape Cod League all-star game, the Aflac All-American Classic and Team USA from last summer. You can view all of my stories that I have ever written for Perfect Game here.
Also, if you're looking for additional reports on draft-eligible players, check back in some of last year's college and draft note archives. You'll find plenty of reports on prominent 2010 prospects including Drew Pomeranz, James Paxton, Sammy Solis, Kyle Blair, Gary Brown, Brandon Workman, Cole Green, Chance Ruffin, Yasmani Grandal, Kendal Volz, Barrett Loux, Shawn Tolleson, Ryan Lamarre, Christian Colon, Daniel Renken, Deck McGuire and Derek Dietrich. Reports of 2011 draft-eligibles include Taylor Jungmann, Danny Hultzen, Erik Johnson, Andy Burns, Harold Martinez, Brett Mooneyham, Jason Esposito, Nick Maronde, Matty Ott and Nick Ramirez.
Representation
Most don't like how much a certain agent is involved with which players go where in the draft, but that is just a reality of the game and the current structure. While there are early rumblings that Bud Selig intends to make more significant changes to the draft the next time the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which would include a hard slotting system and possibly the implementation of a world-wide draft. I'm not as confident they will ever figure out how to properly manage a world-wide draft, since I don't think most can even fathom the problems it would present, but I do think a hard slotting system is very likely. Even some players have alluded to this possibility, since the rising draft bonuses is money that could be used to sign players that fall under the player's union.
But we all know the person I'm referring to: Scott Boras. Boras of course works the system better than everyone, finding new loopholes in existing rules to make the most for his clients.
His most recent creative genius was finding a way for Bryce Harper to become eligible for the 2010 draft, a year prior to when he would have been eligible had he stayed in high school. Had he stayed in high school, he currently would be in his junior year, but instead he managed to take his GED and enroll at the College of Southern Nevada, a junior college that means he will be eligible for next June's draft.
You can already imagine what kind of pricetag Boras will be asking for Harper, and you have to wonder if the Washington Nationals are going to be willing to make such an investment, with the negotiation-related headaches that are sure to be associated with that selection. Harper may very well be worth it, and it's unlikely he would be asking for, or receive, the same kind of money that Strasburg received. However, don't be surprised to see the Nationals go in a different direction even if Harper is still generally considered the top prospect available come June.
And that could give Boras added negotiating power for one of his other top-rated advisees, Anthony Ranaudo. Two usigned early-round picks from last year that once again are project to go as early as the first round are also advised by Boras: James Paxton and LeVon Washington. Paxton returned to Kentucky, and Washington is at Chipola College after academic issues prevented him from honoring his commitment to Florida.
There are sure to be more prominent names surface that are aligned with Scott Boras, and while I've heard rumors of a few of such players, I don't want to unfairly list their names until confirmed.
Change Needed?
Please be sure to read this two-part feature by my associate at Perfect Game and PG Crosschecker, Allan Simpson, who makes several suggestions as to how to improve the game of baseball from the top down:
Dandy Dozen
SP |
Cameron Bedrosian | Son of Steve with big-league curve |
SP |
Ryne Stanek | Projectable RHP on the rise with big FB |
SP |
Seth Blair | Sinker/slider RHP with improve velocity |
SP |
Zach Cates | Former catcher showing big-time arm |
SP |
Jesse Biddle | Big lefty throwing more in the 90s |
CL |
Kevin Munson | Power closer with big FB, SL |
CL |
Chance Ruffin | Son of Bruce has thrived in closer role |
C |
Kellin Deglan | Good D' tools with improving lefty bat |
IF |
Kellen Sweeney | Athletic IF with sweet lefty swing |
SS |
Mason Williams | Speedy, toolsy former CF on the rise |
OF |
Drew Smyly | Power prospect also strong armed QB |
OF |
Ryan LaMarre | Five-tool CF prospect from Big Ten |
Notes Archives
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