One more draft update for today. Some interesting movement on the draft tracker. The () represents where the player was on the last version, bolding is my own emphasis.
01. David Price (01)
02. Matt Wieters (03)
03. Rick Porcello (02)
04. Mike Moustakas (04)
05. Josh Vitters (05)
06. Jarrod Parker (09)
07. Jason Heyward (06)
08. Ross Detwiler (07)
09. Daniel Moskos (08)
10. Beau Mills (10)
11. Blake Beaven (11)
12. Madison Bumgarner (12)
13. Matt Dominguez (13)
14. Devin Mesoraco (16)
15. Matt Harvey (14)
16. Julio Borbon (15)
17. Michael Main (17)
18. Casey Weathers (18)
19. Phillippe Amount (19)
20. Josh Smoker (20)
21. Matt LaPorta (21)
22. Kevin Ahrens (22)
23. Nick Schmidt (23)
24. Pete Kozma (26)
25. Todd Frazier (24)
26. JP Arencibia (25)
27. Will Middlebrooks (NR)
28. James Simmons (30)
29. Andrew Brackman (28)
30. Brett Cecil (NR)
Out of the Top 30
Jack McGeary (27)
Some interesting stuff here. Porcello could very well go from the projected #2 slot in the draft out of the first round. If he wants a $10 million dollar deal, I find it hard to believe a team is going to give it to him, unless it’s Boston or the Yankees. If we end up with the 19th best talent, we’d end up with Amount, a guy the Phillies have been connected to. Amount has HUGE upside, literally and figuratively, as he’s already 6’7, 225 lbs. He’s going to need some work, but his ceiling is a true #1 starter. Will Middlebrooks, a guy I highlighted last week as a possible guy to look at in the compensation round, now might sneak into the back of the first round, and Brett Cecil is popping up on the radar again as a potential first round pick.
After watching Jarrod Parker’s scouting video a few times, if you could sign him for half the money Porcello wants, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I love his mechanics and his arm. For those excited about the possibility of a Boras guy like Porcello or Wieters falling to the Phillies and us getting lucky, you can put those hopes to bed, as the ownership has mandated not paying over slot. Harvey was once in the same group as those two, but at this point, he might be more affordable and a viable option. We’ll see.
Phuture Phillies 
In your oppinion do you think that Amount would be a better pick then Ahrens or smoker?
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It depends what you mean by “better” I guess. My first pick is Mesoraco. I advocate taking the best available player, but in the case of Mesoraco and Amount, I can’t really separate them. Thing is, we need hitters, lots of hitters, but you can never have too much pitching. Here is Amount’s scouting video..
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2007/index.jsp?mc=aumont
You don’t find many 6’7, 225lb high school pitchers with mid 90’s velo and sink. He’s going to need work on his delivery, but as I said above, his ceiling is a true #1 starter. Now, Mesoraco is a 5 tool catcher, and the value of guys like that is huge. To me, it’s a win/win. I’d prefer the position player because we have so few of those, but I’d be happy with either. I’d prefer Amount to Smoker, because Amount has the higher ceiling. Ahrens is interesting, a lot to like about him, but I haven’t focused on him much because it has seemed like he’s almost a lock to go in the top 15 picks.
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I wouldn’t be upset with Aumount, but that big body, power arm, and a motion crossing his body just screams shoulder injury waiting to happen. Moreso I guess then most prospects do.
I have warmed to Matt Harvey though, the more I watch his delivery the more I like him.
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Aumont does seem to be the type of pitcher Arbuckle likes. Big, projectible, decent athlete, from a cold weather climate where his arm has not been abused. He may be a little raw for me, however. We can get projectible pitchers with our 2nd and 3rd picks if necessary.
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