It’s draft day

Other Stuff

Draft day is one of the highlights of the year for me, and with the Phillies actually having a first round pick this year, its all the more exciting. The draft will kick off around 7PM tonight on MLB Network. I will attempt to post updates as they are available this evening leading up to the pick. After the pick is made, Ill create a separate posting to discuss the player taken. Check below for more, and all updates will come below the fold

10:30 AM —> Jim Callis has posted his latest mock draft.

27. PHILLIES. Philadelphia is enamored with local high school product Biddle and California high school first baseman Christian Yelich, and it may be the only team that would make a run at California prep outfielder Austin Wilson, considered this draft’s toughest sign. If Allie’s power arm is still on the board, he may be impossible to resist.

63 thoughts on “It’s draft day”

  1. What would be worse, drafting this year’s version of Hewitt or drafting Wilson and not signing him?

    Like

  2. In making that pick, Callis had Philly passing on Yasmani Grandal. I’d be surprised if 1. he fell that far and 2. that Philly would pass on him considering the derth of catchers in the system and high end bats in the draft.

    Like

  5. Wilson is better then Hewitt, at the same point in their careers. I won’t be upset if they draft him, I’ll be upset if they don’t sign him.

    Like

  6. Agreed. He’s pretty much a consensus top 20 player while Hewitt was a top 100 player for some and a top 500 player for others.

    Like

  8. I don’t have access to ESPN insider but apparently Law has a draft day mock which:
    1. Has us taking LHP Jesse Biddle.
    2. Says Yelich wants 2 million not a penny less.
    3. Says we are also linked to Allie (this is kinda big – I would love for Allie to get to us – though he would likely require overslot – this is different than Callis’ speculation IMO and very positive).

    Like

  11. Outside the 1st couple picks it seems like you could use a dart board to put together a mock draft this year. Talent seems down (outside the #1 pick) and very fungible after the top 5-ish.

    Like

  12. Just for discussion purposes as I recall the “Workman” situation from 2007, both parties thought they had a deal but there was miscommunication as to the amount of the slot. The Workmans thought they had agree to the 2006 slot value (325,000) for the pick but MLB had cut the slots for 2007 and the Phillies thought they had agreed on the 2007 slot (285,000) value. At least I think I heard that somewhere. Of course, the team can’t present it that way because they are not supposed to have any pre-draft arrangements.

    Like

  13. Maybe this is too pessimitic, but I don’t spend much time thinking about the bigger names (Allie, O’Conner, Wimmers, Cowart, Wojo, Castellanos, Wilson, Harvey, Grandal) at 27. If they drop, it will be because of money, which raises several more concerns:

    1) Don’t believe the Phillies spend a few extra million to sign a 1st rounder. Its possible, but it would be a first.

    2) If they take a risky, expensive 1st round pick, they might go with cheaper selections later on…Taking the opposite approach is the smartest thing they’ve done in recent years.

    3) Since they’re picking so late, they’ll figure a compensatory sandwich round pick in 2011 is just as good. With an aging roster, a rapidly improving division and gaping holes throughout the farm system, the Phillies organization no longer has the luxury of time.

    Like

  14. Frankie Piliere now reporting that the Indians are trying to outbid the Royals for Grandal. If this happens, just abolish the draft altogether.

    Like

  15. You can never have too many prospects, but isn’t the Indians top prospect a catcher?

    I have to say I’m disappointed the draft is being held tonight, instead of during the day. I’ve enjoyed following the first round picks while on my computer at work.

    Like

  16. I know this is a dumb question, but how many rounds go through tonight’s action? I’m trying to find out through Google and can’t get any information besides dumb mock drafts on 300 sites.

    Like

  18. baxter, I agree with you to a point. They do a great job of drafting talent and signing 2 or 3 of them in the later rounds. But why not give a few extra million to the draft and either #1 get a top talent 1st rounder to sign or #2 sign 3 or 4 of their tough sign guys in the later rounds?

    Like

  19. Bed’s Beard: and the Royals have Wil Myers. If option A works out splendidly for either team, I’d suspect there’d be a trade market for Grandal, assuming he adjusts well.

    Like

  20. I know you don’t draft for need at the beginning, but I just hope we don’t draft another outfielder who can’t hit.

    Like

  21. I’m going to be crossing my fingers all day for Cowart. Whether they want him at third or on the mound I’ve liked what I’ve been reading about him.

    Like

  22. Here are the latest random mock drafts around the net

    Frontofficefans and nybaseballdigest, Austin Wilson

    sportsbank.net, 27. Philadelphia Phillies: Brett Eibner, RHP/OF, Arkansas
    Eibner has expressed a desire to stay in the outfield as a pro, and he would have no troubles fitting into the Phillies organization in either a pitching or hitting role. His power (Eibner had three dingers against Grambling in an NCAA regional game) is enough to guarantee a late first round selection.

    blog.prorumors, Christian Yelich, 1B/OF, Westlake H.S

    mymlbdraft, James Paxton (this is first time hearing him) NOTE: he has Biddle and Jenkins selected #29 and #32 respectively

    Like

  23. Hey PP what ya think about this pick?

    27 – Philadelphia Phillies: Justin O’Connor C HS

    Why it will: O’Connor is an athlete who projects at a premier position. This is the MO for the Phillies over the years, as they love to draft athletes and hope they turn into stars. O’Connor’s stock has risen a lot, and he could go much earlier.

    Why it won’t: Philly loves athletes and the best athlete in this draft is considered by many to be Austin Wilson, while there are some questions about him as a player as an athlete there are few questions. He would be a player that Philly might find too good to pass on.

    Like

  24. Wish I could delete that last mock pick cause there is no way in Hell O’Connor makes it out of the top 15 let alone to 27

    Like

  25. I think they take Bedrosian’s kid Cam. Kid has a mid 80’s fastball with movement. The only thing is he does not fit the Phillies Big & Tall way of doing things. But then again neither did Drabek.

    Like

  28. Is anybody as stunned by Keith Law’s revelation that Yelich wants like Top 15 money to sign?

    Like

  29. I don’t know a blasted thing about Yelich, but, to my mind, unless they thought was so much better than other prospects that they couldn’t ignore him, why in heck would they want another first baseman with Ryan Howard signed long-term and with Jonathan Singleton (let alone, Matt Rizzotti) sprinting toward the majors. I get the concept of drafting the best available player and, usually, it’s a sound philosphy, but when you are talking about the most limited position on the field and you’re dealing with an area of depth on the team, logic dictates that you would have to pause before picking such a player. And all of this assumes that he’s the best guy available which, it sounds from other posters, is questionable.

    Like

  30. Agree with all yours PP, wouldn’t be mad at Biddle either. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they took Golden, Brown or Yelich. Brown would piss me off the most though. Does it make anyone else mad that Wolever tells phillies.com that they “live and die with taking the best player available”? What a load of crap. Hewitt was the BPA in 08? Savery in 07 over Porcello?

    Like

  31. I’d like to give a shout out to Paula Wolf a local sports reporter that reads this site. Thanks for writting about the Phillies Prospects – Keep up the good work!

    Like

  32. I think they really thought Hewitt was the BPA (which has made all of us scratch our collective heads since the pick was announced). Porcello was the BPA – they team did not want to bust slot to sign him – but that was true of other teams as well.

    But, look, they did well with a lot of other picks recently, including Jonathan Singleton, who stands an outside chance (outside only b/c he’s so early in his career) of being the best pure hitter they’ve had in the minor leagues since Dick Allen (note, I didn’t say the best power hitter or the best player – I’m talking about pure, straight hitting skills). I generally like their approach, so let’s see how it goes today.

    Like

  33. reading catch’s last post, I remember this time last year how we were complaining about the complete lack of any quality firtbase prospect and what in the world would happen when Howard signed elsewhere at the end of 2011. What a difference a year makes

    Like

  34. Likely means he really wants to go to college, but is saying if you blow me away, I’ll sign. Doubt anyone gives him $2 million. Likely makes him about 6th round insurance by a team afraid it might not sign its #1.

    Like

  35. No reason they won’t draft and sign a first baseman. In fact, in maybe 3-4 years I can see them eating at least half of Howard’s salary, and maybe more, to get rid of him for a C level prospect.

    So, Yelich or someone like him may indeed be the pick.

    I’m really hoping one of the premium guys slides because of signability issues and the Phils decide to spend a lot on the draft this year both early and late. But the way Rube has been handing out major league overpayments to the big club, I don’t know how much money he’ll be alloted by ownership.
    I have begun to seriously wonder if paying big money and multiple years to guys like Schneider and Castro will be money taken away from the draft.

    Like

  37. I doubt that they are going to take money away from the draft to sign major league talent. I think those who run the club understand the importance of player development and I also think they understand that, if they want this current run to continue, they had better add top-notch minor league talent.

    Like

  40. Delino jr. has been talked about as being a target of Astros, Rays, & Blue Jays.

    Keith Law has him going 8 to the Astros, BA has him going to the Jays at 11 an mention him being an Astros target at 8 or 19, Frankie P has him going 17 to the Rays.

    So odds are he’ll be gone by 17.

    Like

  41. I don’t get the Christian Yelich hype, but scouts’ opinions on him vary significantly. He owns of the nicest left-handed swings in the draft, but he’s more of a contact hitter, which obviously isn’t the preference at 1st, especially at CBP.

    Plus, I’m sorry, but he throws like a girl. He really does, and if you watch one of his videos you’ll know what I mean: he shot puts the ball. Despite his athleticism, his awkward throwing motion limits him to 1st base. They say if he learns how to throw, he might be able to play the outfield…

    What happened to toolsiness? This guy can’t throw and doesn’t hit for power.

    Don’t Singleton’s development and Howard’s extension reduce the need for a 1st baseman? First base is the easiest position to fill(field), with the highest standard of offensive production, so why would you spend a 1st round pick on a raw player who already shows limitations?

    So what if scouts are right? In five years we have a 1st baseman who hits .290 with 20 home runs? Is that really worth the money he’s asking for? What do we do with Singleton? Move him to the outfield?

    Maybe someone sees untapped power potential in Yelich’s swing…probably, if they’re serious about him. He’s listed at 6’4″ 190, so maybe some extra weight and loft in his swing could give him plus power.

    Like

  42. Slightly off topic (can we maybe have a daily minor league open thread & a weekly major league open thread), but regarding Brown, the notion of bringing him up to repalce Ibanez was endoresed today by Rob neyer – not my favorite commentator by any means, but certainly a sign that the idea is going mainstream.

    I still think it won’t happen & probably shouldn’t (among other things, Ibanez has been quite unlucky with BIP and HR% thus far), but man brown is certainly making a case for himself.

    Like

  43. LarryM – I think the boxscore round up has devolved into that type of discussion.

    Like

  45. daveh (Savannah GA)

    Keith, what do you see the Rays doing with the 17th pick? I’ve heard the most names attached to their pick. Do they give Austin Wilson a call if he’s available? How much is Wilson asking?
    Klaw

    The highest I’ve legitimately heard Wilson is 27 with the Phillies. I am told there is no fixed number out there on him.

    Like

  46. This draft really does seem particularly difficult to predict after #3.

    I know that signability will be an issue for a number of players going in the first round but I’m not sure that I’ve been able to determine which picks (other than Wilson, Harvey and Renaudo) who could potentially be available at #27 are difficult signs and whom the Phils could potentially pass-up due to $$$. Who would you all place in that category?

    Like

  47. More from the Law chat…

    Andrew (Philly)

    I heard that the Phillies are interested in C Justin O’Connor or James Paxton. Which players are they more likely to get and why?
    Klaw

    O’Conner ain’t getting close to that pick and I have not heard them on Paxton, nor is that normally their kind of guy. They take high-ceiling high school players and have had some pretty notable successes with that approach, like Cosart, Brown, and maybe now Singleton.

    Like

  49. “…some pretty notable successes with that approach, like Cosart, Brown, and maybe now Singleton.”

    None were 1st round picks….

    Like

  50. Our first pick last year, Kelly Dugan, also probably ends up playing firstbase. That (Howard, Singleton, Dugan) combined with the fact that Yelich wants premium dollars makes me think the Phillies won’t be taking him.

    I really think they’re going to tab a guy that hasn’t been named. Someone that everyone else has pegged as a second rounder. That would allow them to save some money on their first pick and reinvest it into overslot deals later on where they can get more bang for their buck.

    The Phillies have never really spent a lot in the draft and I don’t really see that changing, especially with the generous contracts handed out. I’m OK with not spending a lot on the draft or on international free agents as long as they keep popping overslot guys in the later rounds. I’d rather them spend the first round money on over-slots later. The top two guys in our system (Brown and Cosart) were paid overslot late.

    Like

  51. I would have to think that the Phillies are among the best in baseball at the over slot late round guys. By any measure, that program has been a screaming success and I hope they do more of that. To hell with Bud Selig – he doesn’t pay the bills.

    Like

  52. If our recent drafts are any guide, the Phillies can just skip to the 5th round pick and save us all the drama (Howard, Taylor, Way) . . . .

    Like

  53. Catch –

    Considering that (arguably) their top three prospects are 9th, 20th and 38th(or close to those) round picks, you may be right.

    I wonder if any other teams have similar luck/skill on the later round picks.

    – Jeff

    Are there any other teams that have

    Like

  54. Does it really matter if their success is with 1st round picks vs. guys taken later. The point Law is making is that the Phillies take the approach of drafting athletic players in multiple rounds with the hope that a couple of them turn into high quality ML players.

    As he points out, they have been fairly successful with that approach over the last few years even if that success hasn’t been in round #1.

    Like

  55. Thats why I brought up Derek Dietrich in the last thread. He’s more of a sandwich/early 2nd round pick who won’t be there at #77. He’s a relatively proven and advanced, inexpensive, high-floor/high-ceiling infielder. I have no problem with taking a shot on a raw high school player, but I’d rather go overslot multiple times later. If its not an either/or proposition, then sure, lets go high upside all the way…I also wouldn’t mind Kolbrin Vitek and Jedd Gyorko for the same reasons as Dietrich.

    I like infielders & pitchers in this draft. We desperately need catchers, but they carry an extremely high bust rate, so I’d look hard at available infielders & pitchers before settling on a lesser talented catcher just to fill a need.

    I’d be okay with not taking any outfielders or 1st basemen whatsoever. Lets take infielders who can hit and find a position for them if they struggle in the field. Stocking our system with high school infielders would really further the rebuilding effort.

    With Rollins unable to stay on the field and Utley struggling, its definitely time to address the infield.

    Like

  56. Derek Dietrich, Kolbrin Vitek and Jedd Gyorko.

    Sounds like the Czech hockey team .

    Like

  57. Am I the only one who finds it odd that there has been no discussion as to what the MLB Draft Slot bonus recommendations for 2010 are – isn’t this always kinda leaked prior to the draft? Did they go up, down or stay the same as 2009? Maybe I just missed it.

    Like

  58. The Royals’ Will Myers most likely isn’t going to be a catcher. For some odd reason in my mind, I think Mike Arbuckle gets his own “special pick” somewhere high up in the draft. I think Myers was it last year because Arby scouted him heavily. He looks like he can hit, but will have to change positions.

    Like

  59. I like the strategy of going slot for the first pick and then busting slot selectively later on in the draft. It has seem to work well.

    Like

  60. Just wanted to thank all for the banter all day; I’ve been on a 7-hour car ride and have checked in periodically to keep updated.

    I generally agree with PP’s list above, though I’m a bit skittish about Wilson given the possible bonus demands, and a tiny bit skittish about Allie given both the bonus demands and the questionable command. I’d be a fan of Kvasnicka (who the Phils have been linked to) and wouldn’t mind either A.J. Cole or Tyrell Jenkins. Castellanos or Cowart would be a dream come true IMO.

    Like

  63. I read where one scout (or exec) said that if clubs spend more this year than last that “there’s no hope for them” referring to the relative lack of talent in this year’s class.
    If a player at a position of need falls to #27 for signability reasons I’d go all out to sign him. If an OF or RHP falls I’d still take him if they’re considered the BPA but wouldn’t mind taking the comp pick next year if they can’t sign him.

    Like

Comments are closed.