Alvarez back in action for Vanderbilt

[DocJJ]

2 HR in just a handful of at-bats.

[Crazysilver03]

2 HR in just a handful of at-bats.

Is that before or after his return?

[DocJJ]

nfm....................

[blipcsc]

If the O's decide to draft someone other than the top college pitching prospects, I think they should look for a power bat at first or third base. I for one like Justin Smoak, the switch-hitting prospect out of South Carolina, and also former HS teammate of Matt Wieters. Granted his numbers may not be where people expect them to be, he's still a damn good prospect. Alvarez is a tempting choice as well, but who knows if he'll still be available by the 4th pick.

Who wouldn't want to continue stockpiling pitching in our system though. It would be nice to find a good left-handed stud in the draft. If Matusz is available, why not him.

Besides, for those that are pushing for one of the Beckham boys due to our lack of middle-infield depth, Tim would be an intriguing selection, but if we are wanting to compete by 2010-2011, he wouldn't be in our plans till 2012-2013 at best, unless he really tears through the minors. In fact, if we are looking for a shortstop prospect, I'd push to try and draft one in either the 2nd or 3rd rounds. I wouldn't mind seeing us draft SS Reese Havens out of South Carolina. Despite his lackluster performance in his first two seasons, he's really coming around this season batting .375 with 15 XBH, 10 of them being home runs.

I dunno that's just me thinking outside of the box here.

[Hutman]

If the O's decide to draft someone other than the top college pitching prospects, I think they should look for a power bat at first or third base. I for one like Justin Smoak, the switch-hitting prospect out of South Carolina, and also former HS teammate of Matt Wieters. Granted his numbers may not be where people expect them to be, he's still a damn good prospect. Alvarez is a tempting choice as well, but who knows if he'll still be available by the 4th pick.

Who wouldn't want to continue stockpiling pitching in our system though. It would be nice to find a good left-handed stud in the draft. If Matusz is available, why not him.

Besides, for those that are pushing for one of the Beckham boys due to our lack of middle-infield depth, Tim would be an intriguing selection, but if we are wanting to compete by 2010-2011, he wouldn't be in our plans till 2012-2013 at best, unless he really tears through the minors. In fact, if we are looking for a shortstop prospect, I'd push to try and draft one in either the 2nd or 3rd rounds. I wouldn't mind seeing us draft SS Reese Havens out of South Carolina. Despite his lackluster performance in his first two seasons, he's really coming around this season batting .375 with 15 XBH, 10 of them being home runs.

I dunno that's just me thinking outside of the box here.

If we look at your logic and TB takes Crow 1, and Pitt takes Alvarez 2, and then KC nabs Matusz at 3, then that leaves us the choice between Beckham, Smoak and Hosmer. I love Smoak and wouldn't be disappointed if we draft him, but Beckham has been comparred to BJ and Justin Upton as far as the tools he has. While 5 years is on the outside, if Beckham is as good as advertised I can certainly imagine seeing him in about 3 1/2yrs if not sooner.....and we need a SS!!!

[rhall]

If the O's decide to draft someone other than the top college pitching prospects, I think they should look for a power bat at first or third base. I for one like Justin Smoak, the switch-hitting prospect out of South Carolina, and also former HS teammate of Matt Wieters. Granted his numbers may not be where people expect them to be, he's still a damn good prospect. Alvarez is a tempting choice as well, but who knows if he'll still be available by the 4th pick.

Who wouldn't want to continue stockpiling pitching in our system though. It would be nice to find a good left-handed stud in the draft. If Matusz is available, why not him.

Besides, for those that are pushing for one of the Beckham boys due to our lack of middle-infield depth, Tim would be an intriguing selection, but if we are wanting to compete by 2010-2011, he wouldn't be in our plans till 2012-2013 at best, unless he really tears through the minors. In fact, if we are looking for a shortstop prospect, I'd push to try and draft one in either the 2nd or 3rd rounds. I wouldn't mind seeing us draft SS Reese Havens out of South Carolina. Despite his lackluster performance in his first two seasons, he's really coming around this season batting .375 with 15 XBH, 10 of them being home runs.

I dunno that's just me thinking outside of the box here.

I hear a lot of this rationale, but I think it is overrated. I guess it weighs into the decision, but I think it's being given too much weight. The Orioles aren't just trying to get back to competing in the AL East by 2010. They are trying to rebuild the organization from top to bottom so that we can be consistently competitive every year. Regardless of when such-and-such a prospect will get to the majors, which player better helps the Orioles compete in the long run?

[Greg Pappas]

I hear a lot of this rationale, but I think it is overrated. I guess it weighs into the decision, but I think it's being given too much weight. The Orioles aren't just trying to get back to competing in the AL East by 2010. They are trying to rebuild the organization from top to bottom so that we can be consistently competitive every year. Regardless of when such-and-such a prospect will get to the majors, which player better helps the Orioles compete in the long run?

Reese Havens will play either third or second as a pro, but I'd love to get him for 2B in round two.

[rhall]

Reese Havens will play either third or second as a pro, but I'd love to get him for 2B in round two.

It was more of a rhetorical question... who helps more in the long run? That's who you take... but we agree on Reese Havens. He'd be a nice addition.

[Greg Pappas]

It was more of a rhetorical question... who helps more in the long run? That's who you take... but we agree on Reese Havens. He'd be a nice addition.

Sorry bro, I quoted you by mistake hehe. :D

Havens in R2 would be very nice.