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In-Draft Thread - 2008

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2008 11:44 AM

I checked the TV listings earlier and ESPN2 has set aside 4 hours of programming time and, I believe, are just doing to 1st round plus supplementals -- 46 picks at about 1 pick per 5 minutes. That puts our early picks at approx 3:30, 3:45 and 4:40 In the pre-TV days they'd go through 46 picks in about 20 minutes. But it became apparent last year that not only is it a 5 minute max but it's a 5 minute minimum so the team execs get to sit around so the folks at Bristol Clown College can justify the salaries they're paying to all the talking heads. 1 - Rays: "Souces say" they've settled on Georgia HS SS Tim Beckman 2 - Pirates 3 - Royals 4 - Orioles 5 - Giants 6 - Marlins 7 - Reds 8 - White Sox 9 - Nationals 10 - Astros 11 - Rangers 12 - A's 13 - Cardinals 14 - Twins 15 - Dodgers 16 - Brewers 17 - Blue Jays 18 - Mets 19 - Cubs 20 - Mariners 21 - Tigers 22 - Mets 23 - Padres 24 - Phils 25 - Rockies 26 - Dbacks 27 - Twins 28 - Yanks 29 - Indians 30 - Red Sox 31 - Twins 32 - Brewers 33 - Mets 68 - Mets 100 - Mets

Centerfield Jun 05 2008 11:47 AM

Which of those picks is compensation for Glavine? I would love if whoever we pick became a major Brave-Killer for us in the coming years...

metirish Jun 05 2008 12:00 PM

Nice work FK .

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2008 12:19 PM

Centerfield wrote: Which of those picks is compensation for Glavine? I would love if whoever we pick became a major Brave-Killer for us in the coming years... #18 was originally the Braves pick that we get instead on account of the signing and #33 is the extra pick, ie. one that we gain but they don't lose. #22 is our own pick.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2008 12:22 PM

I'd like a first baseman, a catcher, and a starting pitcher for the first three. All college boys on the fast track. That would be my ideal first round.

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2008 12:41 PM

1 - Rays - Tim Beckman, SS (HS) 2 - Pirates - Pedro Alvarez, 3B Vanderbilt Univ (via Washington Heights, NYC) Pittsburgh has had both a rash of bad decisions with the draft in recent years plus a bunch of shit luck with injuries so they've got a lot riding on this guy 3 - Royals - Eric Hosmer, 1B (Fla - HS) He was a "high-ceiling" guy who some thought might drop on account of Boras-fueled bonus demands but KC grabs him ahead of all the college 1Bmen 4 - Orioles - Brian Matusz - LHP, Univ of San Diego 5 - Giants - Buster Posey, C, Fla St 6 - Marlins 7 - Reds 8 - White Sox 9 - Nationals 10 - Astros

bmfc1 Jun 05 2008 01:08 PM

So much for Jason Castro as he goes at 10 to Houston.

seawolf17 Jun 05 2008 01:12 PM

Are there any Beckhams left? Apparently, they're all the rage this year. Everyone's picking them.

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2008 01:12 PM

6 - Marlins - Kyle Skipworth, C (California HS) 7 - Reds - Yonder Alonso, 1B (Miami U) Supposedly the "most ML ready" of all 1B prospects goes to the team with Joey Votto already sitting there 8 - White Sox - Gordon Beckham, SS (Univ of Georgia) No relation to pick #1 9 - Nationals - Aaron Crow, RHP (U Missouri) 10 - Astros - Jason Castro, C (Stanford) There goes the 3rd catcher, Depth reportedly falls WAY off after this 11 - Rangers 12 - A's 13 - Cardinals 14 - Twins 15 - Dodgers

OlerudOwned Jun 05 2008 01:19 PM

Last time the Mets made a 1st round sandwich pick that they received after losing a left-handed starter who left on less-that-good terms, it was David Wright. Am I reaching here?

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2008 01:36 PM

]Am I reaching here? Of course you are, but I like the thought 11 - Rangers - Justin Smoak, 1B (Univ South Carolina) 12 - A's - Jemile Weeks, 2B (U Miami) Rickie's baby bro and a reported NYM target 13 - Cardinals - Brett Wallace, 3B (Ariz St) 14 - Twins - Aaron Hicks - RHP (California HS) A product of the MLB Academy in Compton California 15 - Dodgers - Ethan Martin, RHP/3B (HS - Georgia) Sorry Vlad 16 - Brewers 17 - Blue Jays 18 - Mets 19 - Cubs 20 - Mariners

Centerfield Jun 05 2008 01:44 PM

Jason Castro?

holychicken Jun 05 2008 01:44 PM

Are the Mets still adhering to the slotting nonsense or whatever it is called?

Willets Point Jun 05 2008 01:45 PM

How much time is there between picks? I would imagine it wouldn't take several hours to just get to 15.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 05 2008 01:47 PM

I just flipped it on and it looks like 5 min between picks. Blue Jays took the first baseman from Berkley named Cooper. Mets up now.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 05 2008 01:50 PM

Mets grab ASU lefty first baseman Ike Davis. Cool. Edit: 2008: .394/.468/.778 (1.246 OPS) in 198 AB. 26 2B, 16 HR, 73 RBI. I like Ike.

AG/DC Jun 05 2008 01:58 PM

Right off the factory floor.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2008 02:02 PM

Okay, NOW we can cut Delgado. Or maybe we can wait until next week. Give Ike some time at St. Lucie to get a few at bats.

AG/DC Jun 05 2008 02:03 PM

Jeez, the cutmania continues.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 05 2008 02:04 PM

Somewhere Mike Carp is fuming.

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2008 02:05 PM

16 - Brewers - Brett Lawrie, C (Canada) 17 - Blue Jays - David Cooper, 1B (Cal St Fullerton) 18 - Mets - Ike Davis, 1B/OF (Arizona St) Well, we got our 1st sacker. Can also pitch and father Ron was MLB reliever "lots of power, lots of Ks, but a good approach" says BP's Kevin Goldstein 19 - Cubs - Andrew Cashner, RHP (TCU) There's the 1st reliever 20 - Mariners - Josh Fields, RHP (U Georgia) 21 - Tigers 22 - Mets 23 - Padres 24 - Phils 25 - Rockies

DocTee Jun 05 2008 02:11 PM

Milwaukee must be desperate if there's a big drop in catching prospects after the top three

Gwreck Jun 05 2008 02:16 PM

With pick #22, the Mets get David Havens, Shortstop, University of South Carolina. Bats L / Throws R

Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2008 02:17 PM

Now we can cut Reyes too!

Gwreck Jun 05 2008 02:18 PM

According to this report (Source: MLB.com's "Draft Tracker"), he's likely to get moved out of shortstop: Hitting Ability: Havens has improved over time as a hitter and makes good contact with a very patient approach. Power: Excellent bat speed does generate some pop and he could hit 10-15 homers, maybe 15-20 at best. Running Speed: He's a well below-average runner. Base running: Very alert on the bases and armed with good instincts, he won't hurt you. Arm Strength: He's got a plus arm at short. Fielding: He catches the ball well when he gets to it. Range: His range is restricted because of his lack of foot speed. Some feel he'll have to move to third. Physical Description: Havens is really put together with a strong, athletic body. Medical Update: He had a sprained thumb in the fall, but he's 100 percent now. Strengths: A good approach at the plate with the ability to make solid contact; good knowledge of how to play the game. Weaknesses: Lack of speed, which could force a move to third. Summary: A legitimate prospect in high school, teams were scared off because of a strong commitment to South Carolina. He's improved steadily in his three years there and has evolved into a good all-around hitter with outstanding plate discpline. He may need to move to third down the road because of his lack of range, but his smarts in the field may at least give him the opportunity to play his way off of short as a pro. At either spot, he's sure to go off the board pretty quickly.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2008 02:26 PM

Sounds like they drafted a DH. Does his bat sound strong enough to make up for his apparent lack of a "natural position?"

Vic Sage Jun 05 2008 02:26 PM

We're pretty much covered at SS and 3B for the forseeable future. How about moving him to 2b? Jeff Kent didn't have any footspeed either.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2008 02:27 PM

That seems to make the most sense. He doesn't seem to have the speed you'd want in an outfielder, and he doesn't have the power you'd want at first base.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 05 2008 02:30 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 05 2008 03:26 PM

Ravech, Keith Law, Phillips, etc., were saying that moving him to catcher was a possibility, too, though he's resisted it in the past. All the guys gushed about him, liberally throwing around stuff like "gamer" and "ballplayer". BA Blog sez: "Well, the rumors about the Mets wanting college bats were true. No one thought Reese Havens would be the one, though. Havens resuscitated his career in the Cape Cod League last summer, changing his approach and moving his hands in his swing, and his power took off this spring. He takes a healthy hack but after struggling for two seasons, he took off this year and profiles as an offensive infielder. More than likely, he fits better at second base or third." Reese Havens, gamer:

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2008 02:30 PM

21 - Tigers - Ryan Perry, RHP (Arizona) 'nother reliever 22 - Mets - Reese Havens - SS (Univ South Carolina) Lefty hitter - rumors have had teams liking him with catching in mind I know the BoSox liked him 23 - Padres - Allan Dykstra - 1B (Wake Forest) No, not Lenny's kid, although he (Cutter Dykstra) is eligible for this draft and might be 4th round or so 24 - Phils - Anthony Hewitt - SS/OF (Conn - HS) "Off the chart tools" but VERY raw" is what I've read. One place said he's, at the same time, the most likely to become a ML super-star or flunk out of A-Ball. 25 - Rockies - Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kentucky U The BP mafia are surprised he didn't go higher. 26 - Dbacks 27 - Twins 28 - Yanks 29 - Indians 30 - Red Sox 31 - Twins 32 - Brewers 33 - Mets

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 05 2008 02:49 PM

Surprise, the Yanks take Gerrit Cole.

Vic Sage Jun 05 2008 02:53 PM

Ike and Reese. Good baseball names. I LIKE IT!

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 05 2008 02:54 PM

Vic Sage wrote: Ike and Reese. Good baseball names. I LIKE IT! You like "Ike"?

Vic Sage Jun 05 2008 03:05 PM

as a ballplayer or a general. as a president, not so much.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 05 2008 03:22 PM

Mets draft right-handed starter Brad Holt from UNC-Wilmington. He's 6'4", 195, and looks like a 35-year old high school Geometry teacher.

Vic Sage Jun 05 2008 03:25 PM

It appears that, so far, we've missed out on a Buster, a Shooter and a Casey. Heck, i'd take any of those guys over an Ike or a Reese, much less a Brad... a BRAD, for chrissakes!

A Boy Named Seo Jun 05 2008 03:36 PM

Shooter's nice, no doubt, but I'm just fine with Ike and Reese. Those are heavy-hitting names, both attached to complimentary last names. Brad could be worse. At least we didn't land a Lance.

OlerudOwned Jun 05 2008 04:25 PM

Reese Havens, apparently skilled in "Duck Hunt"

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 05 2008 05:05 PM

Steve Holt! I mean, Brad Holt!

OlerudOwned Jun 05 2008 05:24 PM

But can he be our Beatrice?

AG/DC Jun 05 2008 05:45 PM

Wow. We drafted young Brian Wilson.

Frayed Knot Jun 05 2008 06:03 PM

# 18 - Ike Davis, 1B, Arizona State L/L, 6'4" 215, 21 y/o Scouting Report (from BA): The son of former big league reliever Ron Davis, Ike was not a scouts' favorite coming into his junior season. A decorated high school career that included a star turn with Team USA's youth national squad and an MVP award at the 2004 Aflac Classic, and his pitching family pedigree, had most scouts regarding him as a pitcher out of high school. He decided to go to Arizona State rather than sign as a Rays 19th-round pick, and he started on the mound and batted cleanup in his first game as a Sun Devil. He struggled with wood in the Alaska League in 2006 and in the Cape in 2007, when he cut his summer short to have right wrist surgery. He returned to the mound as a closer in 2008 and played first base to keep his arm fresh. He also worked to incorporate his lower half more and was having a banner season, leading the Sun Devils in the triple crown categories as well as saves, before missing time with a ribcage injury. Davis has excellent raw power, comparing to former ASU star Jeff Larish, but he's a much better defender with a better swing and better pitch recognition. Davis is above-average at first base and should be able to play an outfield corner as well due to his plus arm; his below-average speed could limit him to left. #22 - Reese Havens, SS,South Carolina L/R, 6'1" 195, 21 y/o Coming off a strong showing in the Cape Cod League last summer when he hit .314 with five home runs, Havens positioned himself to be one of the top middle infielders in this draft class. Steady and durable, Havens has been a fixture in the middle of the diamond for the Gamecocks since his freshman year. His consistency in always being in the lineup parallels his consistent improvement offensively and defensively every season since arriving in Columbia. Drafted out of high school by the Rockies in the 29th round, Havens has improved his range, hands and agility and now has the defensive ability and arm strength to stay at shortstop in the professional ranks. He makes up for his lack of foot speed with proper routes to the ball and advanced instincts. At the plate, Havens changed his hand position this season, moving them lower to an unconventional location around the bellybutton. Scouts have split opinions on his new batting style, but he he has hit for better power and average and leads off for a strong South Carolina lineup. He has great makeup and is a prototype "baseball player" with all the intangibles. #33 - Brad Holt, RHP, UNC-Wilmington Holt shows consistent arm strength and holds it through his starts as well as any starter in this draft, sitting 93-96 mph every week from his first inning to his last. The velocity is easy; the ball comes out of his arm well and has good downhill plane and some life to it. He pitches almost exclusively off his fastball, throwing offspeed stuff less than 25 percent of the time. His curveball, which has a short downward break and moderately tight rotation, is his best secondary pitch; it could become an average offering, but it’s a one-plane pitch. He has a changeup, but he guides this mediocre offering to the plate. He takes a long stride forward off the mound, holding his velocity even from the stretch when he doesn’t stay over the rubber at all, and has just a little bit of violence at the end when his head snaps slightly. If he had a better changeup or could handle a splitter — his arm slot might be too low for it — he’d have a chance to be a back-end starter. But as a one-and-a-half-pitch pitcher, he’s more likely to work in the bullpen when he reaches the majors." #68 - Javier Rodriguez, OF, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy Rodriguez was one of the top talents in Puerto Rico last month heading into the Excellence Tournament, which attracts a plethora of scouts, crosscheckers and scouting directors. Rodriguez improved his stock there further, showcasing excellent bat speed, athleticism and pure hitting ability to establish himself as the top prospect on the island. #100 - Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF, Azuza Pacific Univ #134 - Sean Ratliff, OF, Stanford #164 - Dock Doyle, C, Coastal Carolina Univ #165 - Anthony Bass, RHP, Wayne State Univ Not quite sure how we wound up with consecutive picks in round 5 there.

DocTee Jun 05 2008 10:09 PM

Dock Doyle-- best name of the bunch. And a catcher, to boot.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 06 2008 04:44 AM

="Frayed Knot"] #68 - Javier Rodriguez, OF, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy Rodriguez was one of the top talents in Puerto Rico last month heading into the Excellence Tournament What the hell is an Excellence Tournament? Was that name picked by 7 year old kid back in the 80's? Do they have things like shark tossing and laser motorcycle dinosaur racing?

Vic Sage Jun 06 2008 09:53 AM

I don't know anything about any of these guys, but, in looking at the various prospect rankings and mock drafts available on the internet, it looks like we "reached" on all our top picks, taking them well ahead of their projected rankings. Holt wasn't even listed on many prospect lists. That being said, picking prospects is more art than science, and more luck than art. So picking these guys well above their rankings may not mean anything, of course, but it doesn't fill me with excitement either. It's especially annoying to see the Yanks get Gerrit Cole, who fell to them way lower than his projections would've indicated, and seems to be viewed as a "bargain" at #28. But his agent is Boras, so we'll see what kind of "bargain" he ends up being. And i've got to admit a certain thrill at being able to root for a catcher named Dock Doyle. Sounds like a superhero's sidekick.

seawolf17 Jun 06 2008 10:04 AM

="Frayed Knot"]#165 - Anthony Bass, RHP, Wayne State Univ Not quite sure how we wound up with consecutive picks in round 5 there. MLB's draft tracker has Bass going to San Diego with that pick.

AG/DC Jun 06 2008 10:11 AM

Cutter Dykstra to the Brewers.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 06 2008 10:12 AM

Oh well. We can still hope for Casey Hodges.

AG/DC Jun 06 2008 10:18 AM

As the winning pitcher in the Division II championship, he won't fly under too many radars.

AG/DC Jun 06 2008 10:20 AM

Here's a kinda strange over-the-top gesture. Major league teams plan to "draft" living Negro leagues players as an honor to these players who were once denied entry into the major leagues. The ceremonial round will begin at 1 p.m. ET Thursday and will be carried live on MLB.com.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 06 2008 10:28 AM

Scott Boras is probably trying right now to represent as many of them as possible.

AG/DC Jun 06 2008 10:43 AM

Some poor 91-year-old is going to have to survive a final indignity of either going undrafted or being the last one drafted. Not to mention, drafting isn't really an honor, but just another way of taking away a player's rights. Too bad Double Duty Radcliffe died in 2005. You know Val really would've loved the Mets to gobble him up.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 06 2008 10:46 AM

"Cool Papa" Bell would have looked nice on the all-time Mets roster, along with Jay and Heath and Gus and Derek.

seawolf17 Jun 06 2008 11:48 AM

With the 538th pick... http://sbuchris.blogspot.com/2008/06/with-538th-pick-in-2008-mlb-draft.html Seawolves SP Tom Koehler! Yay, Tom!

seawolf17 Jun 06 2008 08:25 PM

Pick #1158, 38th Round: Arizona selects RHP Jesse Orosco. Has to be Jesse O's son, right? Pick #1242, 41st Round: Seattle selects OF Henry Cotto.

AG/DC Jun 06 2008 08:53 PM

Casey Hodges goes to the Braves in the 23rd round. That's a fumble. Maybe we'll get somebody named "Jackie Seaver."

Frayed Knot Jun 07 2008 07:34 AM

The Braves draft list is amazing - almost all HS or Comm Coll players and fully half the list from either Georgia or a neighboring state. It's like they do their shopping by ignoring all the major department stores and instead buy their gifts at small boutiques in their immediate area on account of a limited travel budget. But they do the same thing almost every year and somehow make it work better than most. [url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/2008xteam.php?team=1013]The full Met list[/url] Any friends of yours? Two New Yorkers and a handful of Connecti-kiters.

AG/DC Jun 07 2008 10:22 AM

Could Brian Valenzuela (LHP) be a Fernandospawn? Check out the numbers available on him: http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/Player.mxp/AreaID-8e11e7d4-d3fa-4e6f-827f-652c29439d27/AthleteID-4d5091cb-f616-44f6-9155-64d59cfa980e/SchoolID-c595f6e0-233d-44b6-bb0d-586d4f6ea320/Boys_Varsity_Baseball_Spring_07-08/California

Fman99 Jun 07 2008 10:45 AM

Interesting. Ninth round RHP pick Eric Beaulac attended LeMoyne College, located about 20 minutes from where I live. I have not heard of him though I do not follow college baseball or much of the draft-related stuff.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 10 2008 08:37 AM

Ron Hodges doing the Tomahawk Chop. Urghh ]Five Trojans have dreams come true in MLB draft MOUNT OLIVE -- Hollywood couldn't have scripted it any better. From winning a national championship to getting drafted all in a week's time, the past seven or eight days have been a whirlwind of emotions for five member's of Mount Olive's baseball team. Seniors Erik Lovett, Casey Hodges, Ryan Schlecht, Michael Williams and David Cooper had lifelong dreams come true on Friday when they were each selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Lovett, Mount Olive's first baseman, hit .403 with 21 homers in 2007 and anticipated getting drafted. The draft came and went and dashed the Southern Wayne grad's hopes in the process. Returning to Mount Olive with a chip on his shoulder, Lovett, the 2007 Daktronics Division II National Player of the Year, proceeded to bat .371 with 18 home runs and 77 runs batted in this season. Lovett's efforts were rewarded when the New York Yankees selected him in the 39th round by the New York Yankees. "Things work out for the best," Lovett said. "I was pretty bummed out about not getting drafted. To come back and get a ring and then get drafted, it's been a great week." Lovett leaves Monday for the Yankees training facility in Tampa, Fla., and expects to be assigned to the Staten Island Yankees, New York's short-season Class A affiliate, perhaps as early as next weekend. Hodges, a right-handed pitcher from Rocky Mount, Va., was selected in the 23rd round by the Atlanta Braves. The son of former Mets catcher Ron Hodges, Casey finished the 2008 season with 10-1 record and a 2.53 ERA. Despite being a lifelong Mets fan, Hodges was quick to embrace his new club. "I put the Braves hat on pretty proudly," Hodges said. "There might be some tension in the house but it didn't take long for my dad to do the Atlanta Braves chop." Hodges got the start on the mound for the national championship game as Mount Olive defeated Ouachita Baptist 6-2 to clinch its first national title. That experience should pay dividends as Hodges begins his professional career. "It certainly helps you deal with nerves," Hodges said. "When you're pitching in the national title game you have to be calm. It helps you prepare for minor league baseball when you'll be pitching in parks with several thousand fans." Hodges will report to Danville, Va. on Monday and will spend the summer about an hour from his parents home playing for the Danville Braves, Atlanta's rookie-league affiliate. Schlecht, a first team All-American from Scottsdale, Ariz., tied for first in the nation in wins with a 13-0 mark. The 2008 Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Year, Schlecht was chosen in the 34th round by the Texas Rangers. "I didn't sit around and I didn't look at a computer all day," Schlecht said. "I went golfing with (assistant coach) Aaron Akin. When I finally found out I had been drafted it kind of hit home." Schlecht will report to Surprise, Ariz., about 30 minutes from his parents home before being assigned to a minor league squad. Williams, a left-hander from Myrtle Beach, S.C., recorded an 8-2 record with a 4.10 ERA in 2008. The transfer from Francis Marion was selected in the 44th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. "This is probably the best feeling I'll have in my life," Williams said. "To just be able to tell my kids in the future that I won a national championship and that I was also was drafted is just awesome." Williams was uncertain of when and where he'll report to begin his minor league career. Cooper, a three-time all-region and all-conference selection from Edmonton, Alberta, was the Trojans' leadoff batter in each of his three years at Mount Olive. He finished his career with 102 stolen bases and set all career, single-season and single-game school records for stolen bases and triples. Those performances garnered the attention of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the club that selected Cooper in the 44th round. "I'm just pretty excited," Cooper, an Edmonton, Alberta native said. "This is what I've been working for since I got to Mount Olive. It's just a dream come true." Winning a national championship and witnessing five of his players continue their baseball futures has left Mount Olive head coach Carl Lancaster feeling like a proud parent. "Every one of them is very deserving," Lancaster said. "This is something they've wanted all their lives, not only to win a national title but to have an opportunity to see what they can do in professional ball. With the success of this club and the one's over the last few years we're now talking to and getting responses from more quality athletes in our recruiting." By Andrew Stevens Published in Sports on June 8, 2008 12:42 PM

AG/DC Jun 10 2008 08:39 AM

You posted something that made me sad.

Frayed Knot Jun 10 2008 10:58 AM

BA's Jim Callis re-does the NYM Prospect 'Top-10' in the wake of the recent draft (assuming all high picks sign) 1 - Fernando Martinez, OF Still young and talented, but his lack of production may mean he's overhyped ** 2 - Ike Davis, 1b Hulking lefthanded slugger can handle the outfield and pitch, too. ** 3 - Reese Havens, SS More likely a third baseman or possibly a catcher, stands out with approach and pop. 4 - Jon Niese, LHP Quietly having success in Double-A at age 21, he owns three solid pitches. 5 - Dan Murphy, 3B Having a breakout year with a .325 average and eight homers in Double-A. 6 - Mike Carp, 1B Back on track in Double-A after slumping in 2007, he's hitting .351 with nine homers. 7 - Eddie Kunz, RHP Top 2007 pick has held his own in Double-A in his first full season. ** 8 - Brad Holt, RHP 2008 supplemental first-rounder can touch 96 mph, needs a reliable second pitch. ** 9 - Javier Rodriguez, OF 2008 second-rounder is a lean athlete with speed and projectable power. 10 - Nick Evans, 1B Another Double-A masher (.295, nine homers), he destroys lefthanded pitching

Benjamin Grimm Jun 10 2008 11:26 AM

I'd like to see the Mets trade as few of these guys as possible. (Unless of course they bring us back Casey Hodges.) The farm system could use a year or two without being purged. The Mets really do need to establish a pipeline. While I do mostly agree with the female breasts philosophy, I think they need to slow it down a bit, just for a little while.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 10 2008 11:51 AM

I think it's interesting that Rubin makes the point (or maybe he didn't, maybe that's my theory I'd applied to the article) that in this "age of parity" (revenue $-sharing, post-Moneyball, post-steroids) that it's more difficult than ever to simply overwhelm the competition on the basis of superior financial firepower alone, and that the Phillipsian strategy of going-for-it-every-year-while-cutting-any-and-all-corners is going to show. That said, I think Omar shouldn;t be killed for the fact we have zero prospects when 4 of them were just dealt for Santana, and one basis for acquiring a pitcher via trade than FA signing was to allow for quick re-stocking. That and more $$/resources thrown around internationally hopefully makes up the gap quickly. Five years ago today Jose Reyes makes his debut btw.

Farmer Ted Jun 11 2008 07:07 PM

The Mets have agreed to terms with first-round draft choice Reese Havens, a shortstop from the University of South Carolina, SI.com has learned. The Mets will pay Havens, the 22nd overall pick in last week's amateur draft, a signing bonus of about $1.4 million. Havens only has to compete a physical for the deal to be finalized. No first-round signings have been announced yet. The Mets also are close to signing their third pick, pitcher Brad Holt, from UNC-Wilmington, the 33rd overall pick, and are said to be making progress with their fourth pick, outfielder Javier Rodriguez from Puerto Rico Baseball Academy. Negotiations haven't yet begun with the Mets' first pick, first baseman Ike Davis from Arizona State University, whose team has been playing in the college playoffs. Davis was the 18th pick overall. Havens hit .359 for South Carolina. He is considered a possible catcher down the road. The $1.4 million is roughly "slot'' money for the 22nd pick.

AG/DC Jun 12 2008 06:31 AM

Meet Scott Shaw, the new Bobby Parnell (only with worse numbers).

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 12 2008 09:11 AM

More interesting draftees: Jim Fuller, 21st round: 21 y.o., 5-10 lefty with 145/23 K/BB in 95 innings and a 0.99 ERA at Southern Connecticut State. --Them are some holy shit stats. Beat it, Billy Wagner!

Vic Sage Jun 12 2008 03:15 PM

i wonder how out of place Jacob Goldberg must have felt, pitching in Charleston. sounds like an Alfred Uhry play to me.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 24 2008 04:49 PM

Jon Heyman, SI.com wrote: The Mets agreed to terms with their first pick of the first round, power hitting first baseman Ike Davis of Arizona State. It is believed Davis, the son of former Yankees reliever Ron Davis, received in the range of $1.5 million. The deal is pending a physical. Davis was the 18th pick overall and is expected to be assigned to New York's Class A Brooklyn Cyclones. Davis, a junior, batted .385 with 16 home runs and 76 RBIs for the Sun Devils this year. He also posted a .742 slugging percentage and .457 on-base percentage. The Mets had already signed their other first round draft pick, shortstop Reese Havens of the University of South Carolina, for $1.419 million. Havens was the 22nd pick of the draft.

Frayed Knot Jun 24 2008 05:25 PM

So of the top picks that leaves their 2nd rounder unsigned (4th team pick - #68 overall) - OFer Javier Rodriguez from Puerto Rico as well as their 4th rounder (6th team pick - 134th overall) OFer Sean Ratliffe from Stanford. Otherwise, [url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/2008xteam.php?team=1013]9 of the first 11 are in the fold[/url] and 13 of the top 16. Elsewhere, [url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/2008xrnd.php?rnd=1]little of the 1st round has signed[/url] although the top overall pick inked up unusually early this year.

Frayed Knot Jun 27 2008 06:45 AM

Analysis and video of 1st rounders Davis and Havens http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/breaking-down-the-draft/

Frayed Knot Jul 10 2008 07:14 AM

Film and analysis of pick #33 - Brad Holt http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/breaking-down-the-draft-picks-27-35/

AG/DC Jul 11 2008 10:41 AM

Lost oppotunity theater. Casey Hodges in the Appy League: 3-1, with a 0.60 ERA. The good folks of Kingsport, Tennesee (2,112 of them, anyhow) got to spend Saturday watching Casey making the K-Mets look stupid. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t506&gid=2008_07_05_dnvrok_kptrok_1&cid=506&t=g_box