348 replies to this topic

[cannonball 1729]

Yeah! Sox take Grandal!

[Razor Shines]

Yeah! Sox take Grandal!

Nice signability pick there. It's nice to see the Sox flex their financial muscle in the later rounds, ala Lars Anderson last year.

[Lucen]

Nice signability pick there. It's nice to see the Sox flex their financial muscle in the later rounds, ala Lars Anderson last year.

Yeah, I'm glad they took a chance on him. I'm looking forward to seeing what he becomes... just hope it's in a Sox uniform.

[saintnick912]

Presley's description on the draft tracker sounded like a signability concern also, as it indicated that he's the top prospect in Colorado and has a strong commitement to Arizona for the coming season. Nice to see them drafting some power bats though, which is something the system was lacking.

[Drocca]

Re: Grandal; I've just never seen anything that even hints that he would be a signable pick. Dropping like he did sort of confirms that as well.

I'd take two or three of those high school arms over just one big sign as well.

[cannonball 1729]

Nick Tepesch to the Sox. Another signability pick.

[JohntheBaptist]

Everything you read about Grandal has him projected as an "early rounder." He must be holding really fast to those aforementioned demands ($1 million) if he plummeted like that. Is he a Boras advisee?

Edited by JohntheBaptist, 08 June 2007 - 02:46 PM.

[PooNani]

I haven't seen Grandal linked to Boras, only a strong commitment to Miami. The biggest problem with Grandal seems to be that his bat is miles behind his defense. Just watching his scouting video you can see that

[LondonSox]

Nick Tepesch to the Sox. Another signability pick.

Sweet who knows if these guys will sign but the upside is so huge for these kind of picks. The chances of a late round pick on talent making an impact to the Sox vs these guys is crazy. It's great being a Sox fan

[Eddie Jurak]

Maybe the Sox will grab a bunch of signability guys, dangle some $$$, and snap up the first ones who bite.

[BTwnDreamin]

I haven't seen Grandal linked to Boras, only a strong commitment to Miami. The biggest problem with Grandal seems to be that his bat is miles behind his defense. Just watching his scouting video you can see that

Could you post the video here...? I'd like to take a look.

[PooNani]

Could you post the video here...? I'd like to take a look.

http://www.minorleag....jsp?mc=grandal

Then hit "WATCH NOW"

He's definitely the kind of kid the Sox can afford to take on despite his shortcomings. He's clearly a defensive ace, its all on his bat developing.

[dnramo]

Is Tepesch's birth date on the mlb scouting report a typo? It says he's 21 (born march 6, 1986). That's a bit old to be graduating from HS.

Edit:
Scouting report says: 03/06/1986
Tracker says: 10/12/1988

That's an odd mistake. Maybe they outsourced the birthdate entry to the CBS Studio page program.

Edited by dnramo, 08 June 2007 - 03:14 PM.

[saintnick912]

Is Tepesch's birth date on the mlb scouting report a typo? It says he's 21 (born march 6, 1986). That's a bit old to be graduating from HS.

Draft tracker shows Oct 12, 1988, which is more reasonable.

[Lucen]

I was just thinking about something... not to get all "what if" on you all, but if the Sox hadn't signed JD Drew, wouldn't we have picked before Detroit this year? If that's true, we could have drafted Porcello, and considering we've gotten very little out of Drew so far this year, we probably wouldn't have much of a different record had Wily Mo been starting in right, hehe. Oh well, not how it happened, I know.

Plus, I'm still pretty confident Drew will come around.

[SouthPaw21]

I was just thinking about something... not to get all "what if" on you all, but if the Sox hadn't signed JD Drew, wouldn't we have picked before Detroit this year? If that's true, we could have drafted Porcello, and considering we've gotten very little out of Drew so far this year, we probably wouldn't have much of a different record had Wily Mo been starting in right, hehe. Oh well, not how it happened, I know.

Plus, I'm still pretty confident Drew will come around.

No they lost the #20 pick because they signed Lugo not Drew. Though the same can be said for what we have gotten out of Lugo so far.

[LondonSox]

I was just thinking about something... not to get all "what if" on you all, but if the Sox hadn't signed JD Drew, wouldn't we have picked before Detroit this year? If that's true, we could have drafted Porcello, and considering we've gotten very little out of Drew so far this year, we probably wouldn't have much of a different record had Wily Mo been starting in right, hehe. Oh well, not how it happened, I know.

Plus, I'm still pretty confident Drew will come around.

Drew had a no arb clause in his opt out so he didn't cost the Sox a pick I believe, Lugo cost us the pick I think.

[mt8thsw9th]

I was just thinking about something... not to get all "what if" on you all, but if the Sox hadn't signed JD Drew, wouldn't we have picked before Detroit this year? If that's true, we could have drafted Porcello, and considering we've gotten very little out of Drew so far this year, we probably wouldn't have much of a different record had Wily Mo been starting in right, hehe. Oh well, not how it happened, I know.

Plus, I'm still pretty confident Drew will come around.

It was Lugo that the pick was surrendered for, so no, it's not how it happened.

[The Filthy One]

I was just thinking about something... not to get all "what if" on you all, but if the Sox hadn't signed JD Drew, wouldn't we have picked before Detroit this year? If that's true, we could have drafted Porcello, and considering we've gotten very little out of Drew so far this year, we probably wouldn't have much of a different record had Wily Mo been starting in right, hehe. Oh well, not how it happened, I know.

Plus, I'm still pretty confident Drew will come around.

I'm pretty sure we didn't give up our draft pick for Drew, but rather for Lugo. Drew was "free" in terms of picks, because of his opt out business. The same will be true of ARod when he opts out. Your point is the same, since Lugo hasn't exactly lit Fenway on fire either.

[Drocca]

I was just thinking about something... not to get all "what if" on you all, but if the Sox hadn't signed JD Drew, wouldn't we have picked before Detroit this year? If that's true, we could have drafted Porcello, and considering we've gotten very little out of Drew so far this year, we probably wouldn't have much of a different record had Wily Mo been starting in right, hehe. Oh well, not how it happened, I know.

Plus, I'm still pretty confident Drew will come around.

Also, you got to figure that in five years or so when we can really tell who the best players are we could have had anyone of the ones past our first selection.

[Razor Shines]

Also, you got to figure that in five years or so when we can really tell who the best players are we could have had anyone of the ones past our first selection.

Bingo.
And if Porcello was any kind of sure thing, he wouldn't have dropped to where he did. Quite a few big-pocketed teams passed up on him.

[templeUsox]

Bingo.
And if Porcello was any kind of sure thing, he wouldn't have dropped to where he did. Quite a few big-pocketed teams passed up on him.

He's as much a sure thing as you'll get in a high school pitcher. This wasn't a Hochevar or Hansen who was passed up for a big, but not overwhelming bonus. Porcello wants over 10 million dollars. There are going to be teams who refuse to pay him that, while still acknowledging he is the best prep pitcher in this draft and in the last 8 years.

[OttoC]

Nick Tepesch to the Sox. Another signability pick.

Tepesch, a hard-throwing right hander with a 9-0 record, already signed a national letter of intent with Missouri and has made it clear that if the money he is looking for isn’t there, he will have no problem going to play for the Tigers. link to Kansas City Star

[OttoC]

Is Tepesch's birth date on the mlb scouting report a typo? It says he's 21 (born march 6, 1986). That's a bit old to be graduating from HS.

Edit:
Scouting report says: 03/06/1986
Tracker says: 10/12/1988

That's an odd mistake. Maybe they outsourced the birthdate entry to the CBS Studio page program.

Rotowire has his as 3/6/1989.

[LondonSox]

He's as much a sure thing as you'll get in a high school pitcher. This wasn't a Hochevar or Hansen who was passed up for a big, but not overwhelming bonus. Porcello wants over 10 million dollars. There are going to be teams who refuse to pay him that, while still acknowledging he is the best prep pitcher in this draft and in the last 8 years.

To put it in context the Padres were talking about 10 million USD total budget for all their picks because they had what 5 or 6 of the top 60. To sign one young HS player for anything close to 10 million USD is something only a handful of teams can really consider no matter how good he is. That's a decent teams year's exceptionally high draft budget. If he gets anything close to that from ANYONE it's because they think he's basically the shit.

To say he wouldn't have dropped is crazy, for that money if you have a guy for a quarter or less who has a change of being good you take it.

[TheRealness]

I would love further saturation in all that is William Middlebrooks. I have seen a lot of write ups on this kid, but what is his status in regards to signability, in essence, what is the likelihood he signs, 40%, 90%? Something about this kid rings true in my head. I hope we lock him up quickly.

[Robinson Checo]

Q: Chuck from Boston asks:
What is the deal with the Red Sox draft this year? I felt like they would try to snag some of the tough signs with rounds 7-10 but it looks like they're going after guys that have limited ceilings at this point...

A: Jim Callis: They grabbed Texas high school third basemanrighthander Will Middlebrooks, who I like a lot, in the fifth round. Just took Florida high school catcher Yasmani Grandal (28th round) and Missouri prep righty Nick Tepesch (29th round)--two sandwich-round talents. Colorado high school outfielder Matt Presley (25th round) is another good talent who slid. Virginia high school righty Justin Grimm (13th round) is another. Boston took plenty of guys who slid and could spend a lot again this summer

Link to chat

From the same chat:

Q: johnson from (dhaka, bangladesh) asks:
What do you think of the Red Sox draft so far and was Hagadone an overdraft? Thanks guys love your work especially tis time of the year.

A: John Manuel: Hello, Bangladesh! Hagadone wasn't an overdraft at all, and in fact, I don't see how he's so different from Daniel Moskos or Brett Cecil, except he does have less track record. But their stuff sounds quite similar for all three, good pick for Boston IMO. Boston's draft will depend on who they sign, including Middlebrooks. Jim Callis says Middlebrooks can really pitch and hit, so it's going to probably take seven figures. If the Red Sox spend, they'll have a very nice draft, and usually, they spend.

Edited by Robinson Checo, 08 June 2007 - 06:01 PM.

[Steve Dillard]

Before getting swept up in "the Sox should sign all the hard signs they drafted", bear in mind the following BA rankings, and a one-year snapshot of them now:

#15 Bard -
#24 Masterson
#38 Matt Laporta- DNS - drafted 7th overall 2007
#41 Lars Anderson - $825,000 stud, top 5 prospect
#45 Kris Johnson - Lancastered
#47 Jason Place - 10-15 prospect, struggling
#67 Brandon Belt - DNS - Had weak freshman year in JC, now marginal prospect
#90 Caleb Clay -
#95 Ryan Kalish - $600,000 - 25-30 prospect, now behind Josh Reddick and his $140,000 bonus
#99 Aaron Bates
#107 Carmine Giardinia - DNS - Had bad freshman year at U.C.F.
#119 Jordan Craft- struggling in Greenville
#196 Ty Weeden - $425,000
~#200 Kyle Snyder - DNS - had weak freshman year at Indian River JC

Anything over $300,000 would have been wasted on Giardina, Snyder and Belt.
the value of Kalish and Weeden's bonuses can't really be determined because they failed to make A ball teams, and so are in short season ball.

I wonder how much value we'll think Bailey, Mailman, Grimm, Grandal and Tepesch had one year from now. Judging from last year's values, I'll bet its not as much as we think now, based on the euphoria of their draft ratings.

[templeUsox]

#95 Ryan Kalish - $600,000 - 25-30 prospect, now behind Josh Reddick and his $140,000 bonus

Ehhhh, that's not really fair. Reddick was one year ahead of Kalish as it was, in age and experience. The odds were against Kalish making a short-season team from the start (lets not forget that Reddick failed to make a short season team until other players' injuries gave him a shot at Greenville). I'm not sure I would put him behind Reddick right now.

[Lucen]

Anything over $300,000 would have been wasted on Giardina, Snyder and Belt.
the value of Kalish and Weeden's bonuses can't really be determined because they failed to make A ball teams, and so are in short season ball.

I wonder how much value we'll think Bailey, Mailman, Grimm, Grandal and Tepesch had one year from now. Judging from last year's values, I'll bet its not as much as we think now, based on the euphoria of their draft ratings.

I look at last year's draft and then at this one... I'm not blown away by the guys they drafted like last year, but it seems they could still end up with one of the better drafts in the league. Of course, in 2005 they were ranked 2 and in 2006 they were ranked 1 shortly after the drafts were completed... so expecting them to match that isn't really realistic.

If they make a good amount of signings, I think we'll all end up pretty happy with their efforts the last two days.

[LondonSox]

Before getting swept up in "the Sox should sign all the hard signs they drafted", bear in mind the following BA rankings, and a one-year snapshot of them now:

#15 Bard -
#24 Masterson
#38 Matt Laporta- DNS - drafted 7th overall 2007
#41 Lars Anderson - $825,000 stud, top 5 prospect
#45 Kris Johnson - Lancastered
#47 Jason Place - 10-15 prospect, struggling
#67 Brandon Belt - DNS - Had weak freshman year in JC, now marginal prospect
#90 Caleb Clay -
#95 Ryan Kalish - $600,000 - 25-30 prospect, now behind Josh Reddick and his $140,000 bonus
#99 Aaron Bates
#107 Carmine Giardinia - DNS - Had bad freshman year at U.C.F.
#119 Jordan Craft- struggling in Greenville
#196 Ty Weeden - $425,000
~#200 Kyle Snyder - DNS - had weak freshman year at Indian River JC

Anything over $300,000 would have been wasted on Giardina, Snyder and Belt.
the value of Kalish and Weeden's bonuses can't really be determined because they failed to make A ball teams, and so are in short season ball.

I wonder how much value we'll think Bailey, Mailman, Grimm, Grandal and Tepesch had one year from now. Judging from last year's values, I'll bet its not as much as we think now, based on the euphoria of their draft ratings.

I'm not really sure what the point is? That BA rankings suck?

Bard is a typical BA love for a power pitcher with a plus plus FB and he's been hurt and pitching in a rookie pitcher's hell. Masterson and Johnson were both exceptionally impressive last year and are struggling this year in a tough environment, these guys are still decent to good prospects. Laporta would have been a good sign. Anderson was a great sign. Place is really young and has talent, not sure why you would write him off. Belt was expensive and they decided to let him go. Clay is encouraging. Bates has put up monster numbers, you can say environment but hard to say anything other than so far so good. Weeden, Kalish and Craft not really in touch with.

How is that terrible? That's potentially a ridiculously good draft. A lot of young guys, a lot of instantly impressive guys and a potential monster in Anderson.

Chances are the Sox won't sign every tough sign they drafted, but they signed more than a lot of people though last year and could do again. The draft without any high picks has a lot of talent, if they sign like they did last year it's got masses of potential. Getting high ranked guys with low picks is good for the Sox. They don't have to sign them and filler picks are worth little. They have an idea or costs, they'll play hard ball with some and with the ones thye like get them done. Look at Bard last year it looked ugly and the bonus he signed for was great for the organisation. I have faith in these guys, and you can't argue that the draft is impressive talent wise as determined by many smarter judges than I.

Bottom line of the top 100 prospects by BA drafted all look good bar Belt who we didn't sign and arguably Kalish who wasn't THAT expensive and is still in short season and it's a year since the draft. Seems ok

[Steve Dillard]

Ehhhh, that's not really fair. Reddick was one year ahead of Kalish as it was, in age and experience. The odds were against Kalish making a short-season team from the start (lets not forget that Reddick failed to make a short season team until other players' injuries gave him a shot at Greenville). I'm not sure I would put him behind Reddick right now.

I probably agree with you, and tried to soften it somewhat by noting that we don't know too much about the short season guys. It is disappointing that $600,000 doesn't get you a top 25 prospect ready for low A ball prospect in year two -- but perhaps that was my overall point, that even if we sign these "tough sign" guys, we'll end up with a deep group but likely won't be blown away by any one prospect. (and I'm just saying late "tough sign" guys, not Will Middlemans even Hunter whatever (boy, I'll have to get more familiar with names) whose slots are pretty high. I hope we sign a couple of these guys, but if they start inching up to $600,000 demands, I'll become wary that one year from now they'll be Brandon Belt.

Bottom line of the top 100 prospects by BA drafted all look good bar Belt who we didn't sign and arguably Kalish who wasn't THAT expensive and is still in short season and it's a year since the draft. Seems ok

I think 1-20 are great value, 21-50 are pretty good value, but the drop off in "proven" quantities from 50-200 makes their value dubious. Good to have, yes, but by year two, the attrition of Belt, Giardina, and so-far unproven potential of Kalish and Weeden makes the value very hit or miss. My point? I refuse to think we have to sign any one of this year's BA 50-200 kids for too much. Draw the line at $400,000 to $500,000 for them, get 3 of the 6 or so signed.

Edited by Steve Dillard, 08 June 2007 - 06:41 PM.

[LondonSox]

I probably agree with you, and tried to soften it somewhat by noting that we don't know too much about the short season guys. It is disappointing that $600,000 doesn't get you a top 25 prospect ready for low A ball prospect in year two -- but perhaps that was my overall point, that even if we sign these "tough sign" guys, we'll end up with a deep group but likely won't be blown away by any one prospect. (and I'm just saying late "tough sign" guys, not Will Middlemans even Hunter whatever (boy, I'll have to get more familiar with names) whose slots are pretty high. I hope we sign a couple of these guys, but if they start inching up to $600,000 demans, I'll become wary that one year from now they'll be Brandon Belt.

It's a numbers game, you draft the best telent you can, you sign the best you can and some will bust and some will be better than you hope. No matter how smart or how much money you spend a majority of highly rated prospects will bust out. Drafting higher talented more expensive players increases the bust and increases the likelihood of upside.

[AZBlue]

The stats for 2006 draftees are what they are, but I'm sure those of you who are debating the quality of that draft accept that we are three years away from really understanding the quality of that group.

[redinchicago]

He's as much a sure thing as you'll get in a high school pitcher. This wasn't a Hochevar or Hansen who was passed up for a big, but not overwhelming bonus. Porcello wants over 10 million dollars. There are going to be teams who refuse to pay him that, while still acknowledging he is the best prep pitcher in this draft and in the last 8 years.

You know off the top of my head and a quick look back in the past 7 drafts (2000-2007), not too many prep pitchers really stand out (as far as hype and stuff). Of course, age has experience has a lot to do with that. Is Beckett really the last most hyped HS arm? I know Homer Bailey was hyped pretty strong, same with Matt Harrington (99 and 2000, I guess). Jeff Allison was hyped pretty strong. I can't remember that strong with Phil Hughes. Though Scott Kazmir is the one name I remember being talked as one of those best pitcher out of HS in years...

[Steve Dillard]

The stats for 2006 draftees are what they are, but I'm sure those of you who are debating the quality of that draft accept that we are three years away from really understanding the quality of that group.

After a quick moment, I've refined my point to this: I'm surprised not by the overall percentages against the draftees from draft to MLB, but by how volatile and quickly a top 70 prospect like Belt or a top 100 prospect like Giardina can go from a $500,000 bonus to only being worth $50,000. I can accept that if you draft them and sign them for $500,000 they may fade out by AA ball. But for Belt to be average in JC, and Giardina to be bad at U.C.F. tells you the one-year snapshot changes dramatically not just a 4 year snapshot.

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

minor league baseball write-up on Tapesch.

[ShaneTrot]

I am delirously happy about the 2006 draft based on Anderson alone. I am over the moon about the 2005 draft because of Jacoby, Buchholz and Bowden. The 2004 and 2003 drafts gave us Pedroia and that big nasty closer, Papelbon, the 2002 draft gave us Lester and Moss. I guess what I am saying is that you can scout all you want but its essentially a crapshoot. So you are lucky to get 1 or 2 good players that help the big league club as players or as trade bait. I think the Sox have drafted pretty well in the last 5 years, where I think they are weak is bringing in young guys from the the Carribean and Latin America.

[Bowlerman9]

And thus, our 3 year run of drafting a "clay" comes to an end.

[philly sox fan]

After a quick moment, I've refined my point to this: I'm surprised not by the overall percentages against the draftees from draft to MLB, but by how volatile and quickly a top 70 prospect like Belt or a top 100 prospect like Giardina can go from a $500,000 bonus to only being worth $50,000. I can accept that if you draft them and sign them for $500,000 they may fade out by AA ball. But for Belt to be average in JC, and Giardina to be bad at U.C.F. tells you the one-year snapshot changes dramatically not just a 4 year snapshot.

I've been thinking about this lately and I don't think it's too strange at all. In fact, I'd argue that recent draft picks are very much like new cars that significantly depreciate in value as soon as you drive them off the lot.

The vast majority of the players drafted are at their abolute peak valuation the day they sign and quickly and irrevocably head down hill.

How many players signed signed last summer for over 100k? I'd guess about 250.

I'd bet that if they were all suddenly made free agents today, that less than 50 would sign for the same amount that they signed for last year.

The thing is that it doesn't matter to the teams that the vast majority of these players lose their value so quickly because the whole name of the game is to get the rare players like Buchholz who massively increase their value. Once you get that guy you don't care that the rest of your 6 figure bonus players are worth next to nothing within a year or two of their signings.

[Quintanariffic]

Great observation. So very much like the VC market. These guys are all early-stage investments.

[mabrowndog]

UConn catcher Larry Day becomes Mr. Irrelevant as the 1,453rd and final pick in the draft -- and there's a SoSH connection.

Last summer, Shaun Kelly (aka JackLamabe65), a batboy for the Cape League's Orleans Cardinals when Fisk played there, threw out the first pitch at their final home game (I'd written a piece on Shaun earlier in the season for our CCBL publication).

Well, the catcher Shaun tossed the ball to was... Larry Day.



More pics in the Members Only thread here.

[templeUsox]

Some thoughts...

6. Anthony Rizzo- I really like taking these younger high school players. I don't think people take age enough into account when these players are drafted; but it's one of the first things I looked at. Rizzo won't turn 19 until next August, and will be listed as an 18-year old in his first year of pro ball. I love his stroke and the fact that he's played a high level of competition. He's supposed to be a good athlete too. Like the pick.

7. David Mailman- Nice to see Quincy Boyd finally pulling his weight around here. I see mailman as a rightfielder. He's got a good arm and his bat will play. He does need to put on weight though. That will come. He's not an easy sign, but I think they get it done.

8. Adam Mills- Adam Mills was a pleasure to follow this season. He was one of the most consistent pitchers in the country; always good for an 8 or 9 inning outing. Hey, maybe his stuff is short for the majors. But we all know there are pitchers who are successful once in a while with underwhelming stuff. He's a cheap sign and a good gamble to exceed expectations. He won't beat himself and he doesn't back down.

9. Kade Keown- Fascinating player. He's huge and has good all-around tools, but he's only now learning to use them. I really don't know what to expect from him, but it's a nice gamble.

10. Kenneth Roque- I'm not comfortable with his actions at SS, but I like his level compact swing from the left-side. He's also very young, and a sure sign. He'll be interesting to follow in the GCL.

11. Ryan Pressly- There's really no information available on him, other than he has a low-90's fastball. He's a Jim Robinson pick, who I trust a lot. Wait and see.

12. Eammon Portice- I see his future in the pen. He's been inconsistent his last two years at High Point, but he has a good fastball/splitter combination which usually translates well to the pen. Also a pretty cool name.

13. Justin Grimm- I like him...a lot. He's not an easy sign (he'll want around $750,000), and he's got an injury history (broken arm), but you can't doubt the stuff. There is also room for projection.

14. Jake Cowan- I vacillate between him and Grimm as to which I like more. I see Cowan as having the opportunity for more dominant breaking pitches, but I think Grimm shows more consistency. Cowan might be even a tougher sign, as he has a commitment to UVA (Grimm is from Virginia and he's going to UGa and Cowan's from Georgia and going to UVA...weird).

15. Scott Green- Interestingly, the college pitcher might have the highest upside of any pitcher they've picked. Green is enormous (6'8") and he can throw in the mid-90's with good breaking pitches. However he's draft-eligible sophomore with the opportunity to go in the first round next year if he stays healthy (he was coming off TJ surgery this year). He will command more than one million dollars and might be the toughest sign.

16. Austin Bailey- Bailey might have a bigger arm than Grimm and Cowan, but he's not as polished as either of them. He's not a big kid, and he might be physically maxed out. I don't think we'll sign him out of a Bama commitment.

17. Jaren Matthews- The Sox break away for a second from their pre-civil rights draft strategy and go with the 2-sport athlete from New Jeruse. Matthews split time at QB for national football powerhouse Don Bosco Prep and he also played 1B for their baseball team. He's got power potential and athleticism which could allow him to play the outfield. He's committed to Rutgers.

18. Hunter Strickland- Pretty signable for a high school pitcher, Strickland shows a low-90's fastball and a good curveball. Might have to move to the pen down the road, as he doesn't project to get much stronger.

19. David Marks- Marks got much bigger this year and it helped his power tremendously. Aside from his bat however, he's a pretty average player.

20. Daniel Milano- The Lowell catcher for this summer and a decent pick. He had good numbers as a senior and plays solid defense.

21. Aaron Reza- College SS without power, decent defense, and good speed. Lowell filler.

22. William Latimer- Put up pretty mediocre numbers with below average competition. Don't see much here.

23. Drake Britton- Can throw in the low-90's with a nice curveball. Has a commitment to A&M which might be an obstacle.

24. Matt Presley- The best player in the state of Colorado, Presley has plus power to all fields. None of his other tools grade as above average however, and he will have to move to the OF. He wants $500,000 to keep him away from Arizona. We'll see.

25. Seth Garrison- Was having a good year at TCU until he had TJ surgery. Doubt he signs.

26. Deshaun Brooks- A native of the Virgin Islands, Brooks offers a plus defender at 3B with a big frame. Should be the 3B at Lowell.

27. Yasmani Grandal- Arguable the best defensive catcher in the draft. Grandal's stock plummeted after he started asking for one million dollars. His offense trails his defense, and he will most likely be working on it for three years at The U.

28. Nick Tepesch- He's got a great arm and a great frame, but an asking price of 1.25 million. Doubt he signs.

29. Junior Carlin- He pitches with his left hand.

30. Will Vazquez- Back-up catcher at Lowell. Below average offensively.

31. Daniel Buller- N/A

32. Ridge Carpenter- We can stop drafting people from Hawaii now.

33. Garrett Larsen- Not much here

34. Anthony Bajoczky- Duke's Friday night starter. Anything Duke sucks.

35. Sean Tierney- Was big on the circuit last summer, but had a brutal spring. He's going to UVa.

36. Scott Lyons- N/A

37. Scott Lonergran- Transferred to Rice. Had a decent year in limited action.

38. Derrick Stultz- Had a good year in the Florida prep circuit. Summer follow.

39. Jonathan Roof- Son of Gene Roof who is a coach in the Tigers' organization. Committed to Michigan State. Will most likely go.

40. Ryan Fischer- High 80's fastball and a good curveball. Most likely going to Pacific University.

41. Michael Bourdon- One of the best prep catchers from the northeast. He has a strong commitment to Fairfield, which is a weird thing to type. Could turn into a top 5 round pick in 3 years.

42. Chad Povich- The best pitcher for Dixie State. Might sign and go to Lowell.

43. Scott Cure- Good sized lefty with a below average fastball. Let him go to school.

44. Emmanuel Solano- He is going to be 25 later this year. Need I say more?

45. Peter Gilardo- Catcher from NY who a lot of people think will be converted to pitcher because of his plus arm strength. Interesting pick. We'll see.

46. Garrett Young- It's an embarrassment that we'd draft someone from Liberty University.

Edited by templeUsox, 09 June 2007 - 12:32 AM.

[templeUsox]

Where Do They Come From

	2004-06	2007
College %	51.3%	31.9%
HS %	35.3%	53.2%
JuCo%	13.4%	14.9%

[templeUsox]

Where They Came From II

%	2004-2006	2007
FL	15.9%	10.6%
CA	15.3%	8.5%
TX	7.0%	12.8%
GA	5.7%	4.3%
NY	4.5%	2.1%
AL	4.5%	4.3%
SC	3.4%	2.1%
CO	2.5%	6.4%
NC	1.9%	8.5%

Disclaimer: States where picks are made, but which are trivial, are discounted.

Edited by templeUsox, 09 June 2007 - 01:23 AM.

[philly sox fan]

I started putting together a possible scout table for the draft picks and the two states that jumped out at me were CA and NC. Aftraking taking Dent in supp round the Sox didn't go back to CA until the 31st rd and even then only took 3 o ther non-descript players. And in NC where the Sox replaced longtime scout Jeff Zona with a less experienced midwestern scout in Quincly Boyd they took a few mid round guys in Mills (8), Keowan (9) and Portice (12).

[drtooth]

46. Garrett Young- It's an embarrassment that we'd draft someone from Liberty University.

If you overlook the Falwell connection, Young is an intriguing filler if he signs. Big guy (6'3, 225) and hit well, albeit in a small conference (although the Big South had 14 players drafted on day 2--8 pitchers).

50 games, .389 avg, 8 HR 46 RBI, .591 SLG, .452 OBP., 53 runs

[The Boomer]

14. Jake Cowan- I vacillate between him and Grimm as to which I like more. I see Cowan as having the opportunity for more dominant breaking pitches, but I think Grimm shows more consistency. Cowan might be even a tougher sign, as he has a commitment to UVA (Grimm is from Virginia and he's going to UGa and Cowan's from Georgia and going to UVA...weird).

Jay Jenkins has more information about the signability of two U. Va. recruits:

http://www.dailyprog...l...54067&path=

Since the days of Tony Latham (do they still give out the Sox minor league player of the year award in his name?) who drowned not long after making his professional transition from U.Va., the Sox have always kept an eye on Charlottesville. Javy Lopez, who has made it possible for the Sox to DFA Romero because the organization showed some patience in allowing him to develop, is the latest former Charlottesville resident who made it to the majors with the Sox. I was right about Doolittle. He didn't drop to # 91 in the second round (as rated by BA). He wasn't there for the Sox because Oakland, valuing his patience at the plate, took him at #41 in the supplemental round. I suspect that, if Doolittle had slid by Oakland, the Sox might have considered him with one of those early picks. My guess is that, as a professional hitter, he will be second only to Ryan Zimmerman but a little better than Mark Reynolds and Joe Koshansky (who needs to get out of Colorado if Helton remains there to get his opportunity).

[Cuzittt]

Thread superseded by the newest Post-Draft MegaThread!