Apr 27 2010 08:23 AM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 27 2010 01:57 PM
No, not them.
I'm referring to Ike Davis and a group of 1st basemen picked in the 2008 draft.
1st basemen don't get drafted all that early most years because if their bats don't come through as expected they usually don't have those secondary (fielding, speed) skills to fall back on. But that year was an exception as a heavy load of mostly college 1st sackers were picked with 7 of the first 23 choices, including one Ike Davis at #17.
So, while looking at how this draft turns out will be more interesting down the road a ways, here's an early snapshot of where those seven draftees stand at this point.
#3 overall - Eric Hosmer (Royals) -- Considered the one with the most potential of all, he's also needs to be judged by a different standard than the others as he was the one plucked out of HS.
Split 2009 between low-A and high-A ball with numbers that weren't very special (.241/.334/.361). Starts 2010 in High-A again.
#7 - Yonder Alonso (Reds) -- Signed a bit late in 2008 and got only a few ABs in.
Split 2009 in High-A & AA hitting a very nice combined .292/.374/.464 -- Starts 2010 in AA
#11 - Justin Smoak (Rangers) -- IIRC he was considered the most advanced hitter of that year's class. Spent 2009 putting up good numbers in AA & AAA (.290/.410/.443) combined. Was called up to the Rangers and made his ML debut this past weekend just 4 days after Ike's with the Mets.
#13 - Brett Wallace (Cardinals) -- Really drafted as a 3B although no one believed he'd stay there for very long due to a lack of mobility caused by his Broxton-esque butt.
Dealt to Oakland last summer (where they seem to like big butts and I can not lie) in the Matt Holliday deal and now strictly playing 1B & DH, he's hit at every level and starts 2010 where he ended '09, in AAA Sacramento.
#17 - David Cooper (Blue Jays) -- Advanced through 3 levels in the partial 2008 season (SS, low-A, high-A), then played a full season in 2009 at AA (.258/.340/.389) and starts 2010 there again.
#18 - Iko-Iko
#23 - Allan (no relation) Dykstra (Padres) -- Spent all 2009 in low-A ball where he showed some power and a good batting eye but didn't hit for much of an average (.226/.397/.375).
Off to a slow start in 2010 at High-A.