Beckham could be at #4 afterall

[Battleship]

I'm not an insider or anything, but I emailed guys that cover the top three teams and the short version is all three could see pitchers being the first pick. It's possible that Matusz-Crow-Melville go 1-2-3 in some order.

Keep in mind that 1) these guys are giving opinions and don't work for the team and 2) Things could change in the next 3 months.

I just thought I'd throw this out there since so many seem to love Beckham.

[WebLink21]

I know that from everything I read this weekend that is seems that if a pitcher is taken #1 that is will be very tough for the Pirates to pass on Alvarez with the 2nd pick.

[AgentOrange]

If Alvarez is around at #4, you take him over Beckham.

[WebLink21]

If Alvarez is around at #4, you take him over Beckham.

I agree with you 100%. My hope is that Alvarez somehow falls, but I am not sure if that will happen. My preference is to get a college bat and have him come up soon after Weiters to give us (hopefully) a future RF, CF, C, and 3B with Rowell right there on the cusp. Here is one of the articles I was talking about with Alvarez/Pirates. Seems like they wont pass on him, but you never know.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/multimedia/s_553947.html

[AgentOrange]

I think it will all depend on what kinda season he has and what Boras says about signing him.

The Pirates are under new management when it comes to player development. I think this the year they need to make the Pedro big splash that we made last year.

[Hutman]

I'm not an insider or anything, but I emailed guys that cover the top three teams and the short version is all three could see pitchers being the first pick. It's possible that Matusz-Crow-Melville go 1-2-3 in some order.

Keep in mind that 1) these guys are giving opinions and don't work for the team and 2) Things could change in the next 3 months.

I just thought I'd throw this out there since so many seem to love Beckham.

I don't think all 3 pitchers will go 1-2-3. While all 3 are quality arms, with Aalvarez, Beckam, Smoak, and Hosemer there are some very good bats as well. Any way you look at it, were going to get a very highly regarded prospect.

[JTrea81]

If Alvarez is around at #4, you take him over Beckham.

The problem is we have no MI depth whatsoever, while the corners are pretty much covered with Rowell, Synder, Costanzo and Moore. All we have for MI is possibly Ryan Adams depending on his season this year. Beckham fills a huge need in the organization.

[AgentOrange]

The problem is we have no MI depth whatsoever, while the corners are pretty much covered with Rowell, Synder, Costanzo and Moore. All we have for MI is possibly Ryan Adams depending on his season this year. Beckham fills a huge need in the organization.

I don't believe we should draft for need, we should draft the best player available. If that is Alvarez, it is Alvarez. We can make some trades from our hopefully surplus of pitching to fill other areas, but we shouldn't just pick Beckham over PA if it is just because of positional need.

[Crazysilver03]

The problem is we have no MI depth whatsoever, while the corners are pretty much covered with Rowell, Synder, Costanzo and Moore. All we have for MI is possibly Ryan Adams depending on his season this year. Beckham fills a huge need in the organization.

I think Tyler Henson would disagree with you.

[Camden_yardbird]

The pirates have a huge need for a 3B and have been trying to obtain one all offseason. Niel Walker is the only positive prospect they have for that position and I don't think he is that much of a sure thing. The Pirates take Alvarez IMO based on how walker does this season. Like the orioles they are at a total loss for position prospects. Unfortunately you cant look at previous drafts to see a trend. Littlefield had an almost inappropriate love for LHP, and would do everything he could to draft them. That won't be the case anymore.

[ChaosLex]

I know that from everything I read this weekend that is seems that if a pitcher is taken #1 that is will be very tough for the Pirates to pass on Alvarez with the 2nd pick.

Aren't the Pirates renowned for ****ing up drafts?

[justD]

Aren't the Pirates renowned for ****ing up drafts?

True enough, but I read this morning in that NYTimes article, (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/sports/baseball/24chass.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin) that the Pirates have 'changed their scouting and development system' (probably old news to some, but news to me)...maybe that will make a difference in their picks this year?

[ChaosLex]

True enough, but I read this morning in that NYTimes article, (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/sports/baseball/24chass.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin) that the Pirates have 'changed their scouting and development system' (probably old news to some, but news to me)...maybe that will make a difference in their picks this year?

As long as one of Alvarez, Beckham, or Smoak are available at #4, I'll be a happy camper. :)

[Jammer7]

I don't believe we should draft for need, we should draft the best player available. If that is Alvarez, it is Alvarez. We can make some trades from our hopefully surplus of pitching to fill other areas, but we shouldn't just pick Beckham over PA if it is just because of positional need.

Agreed. We need to take the best value available. Alvarez is the premier college bat of this draft. He has plus power and should hit for average. He may not stick at 3B though, and speed and arm are average. Beckham plays outstanding defense at SS, great arm, great speed and quickness, plus power and should hit for average. Atleast these are the opinions I have gathered on these two.

Which appears to be more valuable? I would say Beckham has a slight edge, although he's more of a risk than Alvarez. SS is a premium position, and there are few SS prospects out there with Beckham's capabilities and projections. He projects to stay at SS and that is very rare for a bat like his. I think I just talked myself into taking Beckham over Alvarez despite my previous stance that stated Alvarez is the best prospect in the draft. Ah well, the draft is a fluid thing. :D

That said, I don't care what anybody else says, Tampa Bay will most likely take the best hitter in the draft. Right now there is not a pitcher that is blowing people away, not a dominant guy right now. Melville maybe, if you believe the Porcello comps. Without that, TB will pick from Alvarez, Beckham, Smoak and Hosmer. They like high school toolsy guys, therefore I sadly think they'll take Beckham. Their system is stacked so they can afford to take the risk on Beckham. TB's player development/scouting dept. are no fools.

[wayne25]

The problem is we have no MI depth whatsoever, while the corners are pretty much covered with Rowell, Synder, Costanzo and Moore. All we have for MI is possibly Ryan Adams depending on his season this year. Beckham fills a huge need in the organization.

I know its not just you, but I have Zero faith that Costanzo or Moore will be m.l. regulars. Beckham should be the pick if he's there and has a goood year. I think Ryan Adams has only proved that he should not have been a 2nd rounder.

[DennisTheOsFan]

At this point, would you guys be happier if we drafted Alvarez, or Beckham?

[Hank Scorpio]

At this point, would you guys be happier if we drafted Alvarez, or Beckham?

Alvarez.

Characters.

[DennisTheOsFan]

He is the safer pick, while Beckham is the sexier pick.

One thing good about drafting Alvarez is we don't need to worry about Rowell panning out at 3rd. If he does, fine. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But if Rowell struggles at 3B, we won't have to make him fit there. (I think I read that Alvarez has a good glove at 3B).

If Alvarez and Rowell secure 3B and 1B, we may need to see how Brandon Snyder handles LF.

[Stotle]

At this point, would you guys be happier if we drafted Alvarez, or Beckham?

Beckham, but with a specific reasoning in mind. I don't think Alvarez falls to BAL unless some issues arise (or continue) over the course of the season -- primarily injuries. If Alvarez were to fall to #4, BAL would likely be obligated to draft him, concerns and all. At that point, I'd rather have the 5-tool SS that projects to stay at SS. If PA somehow manages to fall to 4th because of signability (bonus demands), provided everything else is in order, I start sporting my Vote for Pedro shirt.

EDITORIAL NOTE -- Despite the popularity of Napolean Dolemite and the trendy nature of said VfP shirt, I do note own a Vote for Pedro shirt.

[Stotle]

He is the safer pick, while Beckham is the sexier pick.

One thing good about drafting Alvarez is we don't need to worry about Rowell panning out at 3rd. If he does, fine. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But if Rowell struggles at 3B, we won't have to make him fit there. (I think I read that Alvarez has a good glove at 3B).

If Alvarez and Rowell secure 3B and 1B, we may need to see how Brandon Snyder handles LF.

I'd prefer Snyder at 1st and Rowell in LF. The less Snyder throws, the better, and Rowell is probably a slightly better athlete.

Alvarez has the tool set and athleticism to project to 3b/1b/LF/RF/DH at the ML level.

As an aside, Beckham could likely play anywhere on the field (save for C), though the question of power may limit where you put him for productivity purposes.

[DennisTheOsFan]

Is that right? I figured Rowell, being the taller player, would be less likely to play the outfield than Snyder. But athleticism plays a role in determining this, as does actual defensive abilities in LF.

[Camden_yardbird]

True enough, but I read this morning in that NYTimes article, (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/sports/baseball/24chass.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin) that the Pirates have 'changed their scouting and development system' (probably old news to some, but news to me)...maybe that will make a difference in their picks this year?

Huntington sent out a letter to the fans stating what looks to be what the base of this article is informed by. They basically said the reason they didn;t make any offseason moves was because they were redoing scouting and talent evaluation infrastructure. Littlefield and McClatchy really, really let the who thing go. There scouting apparantly would be best described as worse than college scouting when those two left. I wouldn't think they are making the same mistakes. They like the O's are in capable hands to rebuild now.