Predictions Time

[Greg Pappas]

Provide a Top 4 OR Top 10 and if you like, try your hand at trying to guess the names of the players we'll draft in rounds 2-4, with two names per round.

Cut and Paste if you like... and have fun :)

1 Rays > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
2 Pirates > *Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
4 Orioles > #Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
5 Giants > Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia
6 Marlins > *Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego
7 Reds > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri
8 White Sox > *Kyle Skipworth, H.S. C, (CA)
9 Nationals > *Eric Hosmer, H.S. 1B, (FL)
10 Astros > Shooter Hunt, RHSP, Tulane


R2... *Tyler Stovall, H.S. LHSP, (LA)
R2... *Jay Austin, H.S. CF, (GA)
R3... Jordy Mercer, SS, Oklahoma State
R3... Harold Martinez, H.S. SS/3B, (FL)
R4... Austin Dicharry, H.S. RHSP, (TX)
R4... Bobby Bundy, H.S. RHSP, (OK)

[mallison]

1. Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2. Pirates > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego
4. Orioles > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)

[Greg Pappas]

1. Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2. Pirates > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego
4. Orioles > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)

Posey to the Rays makes sense as well, and it's the entire industry that is torn over who they think the Rays will go with. :)

[mallison]

Posey to the Rays makes sense as well, and it's the entire industry that is torn over who they think the Rays will go with. :)

Obviously we've talked about this ad nauseum, but I think that the Rays and the Royals are the two big wild cards before us... could be Tbecks, could be Posey, could be anyone for the Royals... can't wait to find out :)

[Moose Milligan]

I'm just going to do a top 4...and it's not like I really know what I'm talking about, but these are fun :)


1 Rays > Buster Posey, H.S. SS, (GA)
2 Pirates > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Tim Beckham, C, Florida State
4 Orioles > Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina

That's what I'm hoping for, at least... :) Really want Smoak...another powerful switch hitting first baseman in Baltimore...hmmm :)

[Greg Pappas]

I'm just going to do a top 4...and it's not like I really know what I'm talking about, but these are fun :)


1 Rays > Buster Posey, H.S. SS, (GA)
2 Pirates > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Tim Beckham, C, Florida State
4 Orioles > Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina

That's what I'm hoping for, at least... :) Really want Smoak...another powerful switch hitting first baseman in Baltimore...hmmm :)

With that switch up, you coulda just went with Buster Beckham and Tim Posey. ::wedge:

Yeah.... just a mallison said, it is going to be a lot of fun throughout.

[Lefty0315]

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > *Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > *Eric Hosmer, H.S. 1B, (FL)
4 Orioles > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
5 Giants > *Kyle Skipworth, H.S. C, (CA)
6 Marlins > *Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego
7 Reds > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri
8 White Sox > #Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
9 Nationals > Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia
10 Astros > Lawrie- Canada guy

I will stop here.

[Hank Scorpio]

Is this what we *HOPE* will happen, or what we *THINK* will happen?

Think :

1. Posey
2. Alvarez
3. Beckham
4. Matusz
5. Smoak

Hope :

1. Posey
2. Alvarez
3. Beckham
4. Smoak
5. Crow

[Greg Pappas]

Is this what we *HOPE* will happen, or what we *THINK* will happen?

Think :

1. Posey
2. Alvarez
3. Beckham
4. Matusz
5. Smoak

Hope :

1. Posey
2. Alvarez
3. Beckham
4. Smoak
5. Crow

Think... but you're welcome to do both. :)

[Hank Scorpio]

Think... but you're welcome to do both. :)

I really hope to see Smoak's name at #4. I think he brings the most to the table in terms of offense and defense (and need, not that they care.)

[WebLink21]

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
3 Royals > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt (Heart Breaker)
4 Orioles > Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego (Think they will take him over Smoak)
5 Giants > Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina (Should be an Oriole IMO)
6 Marlins > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri
7 Reds > Kyle Skipworth, H.S. C, (CA)
8 White Sox > Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia
9 Nationals > Eric Hosmer, H.S. 1B, (FL)
10 Astros > Shooter Hunt, RHSP, Tulane


My BPA O's Board

1 Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
2 #Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
3 Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
4 *Eric Hosmer, H.S. 1B, (FL)
5 *Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego
6 Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri
7 Buster Posey, C, Florida State
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- Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia (Overrated and should not be chosen just because we need a SS, no matter how many times people on here say it!)

[RZNJ]

1. Rays > Tim Beckham
2. Pirates > Pedro Alvarez
3 Royals > Eric Hosmer
4. Orioles > Justin Smoak

[420gamewinners]

1. Posey
2. Alvarez
3. T. Beckham
4. Matusz
5. Smoak
6. Crow
7. G. Beckham
8. Hosmer
9. Skipworth
10. Hunt

Only picked Matusz over Smoak because while Andy was with the Cubs, they
went with 8 pitchers and only 4 position players in the first round.

[yeoledugger]

Here is what I predict will happen:

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego
4 Orioles > Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina

I hope the O's land Smoak.

[HeyIt'sMe]

From what it sounds like, Tampa will probably take Tim Beckham. Nothing is definitive, but that's the word going around.

1) Tim Beckham
2) Pedro Alvarez
3) Buster Posey
4) Brian Mastusz
5) Justin Smoak

[tywright]

1. Rays - Beckham
2. Pirates - Pedro Alvarez
3 Royals - Matusz
4. Orioles - Justin Smoak

If we land Smoak, I'd be very happy. Not too sure we would want Beckham to drop to us. Smoak will be ready by 2010/11 when we finally will be contending.

[Ralph]

1) Rays - Tim Beckham
2) Pirates - Pedro Alvarez
3) Royals - Eric hosmer
4) Orioles - Brian Matusz
5) Giants - Justin Smoak

Yes, I have Posey dropping out of the top 5.

[crawdad]

1 Rays > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
2 Pirates > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
4 Orioles > Brian Matusz, LHSP, SD
5 Giants > Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia
6 Marlins > *Kyle Skipworth, H.S. C, (CA)
7 Reds > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri
8 White Sox > Tim Melville, RHP, Missouri HS
9 Nationals > #Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
10 Astros > Christian Friedrich, LHSP, Eastern Kentucky


R2... Scott Gorgen, RHP, UC Irvine
R2... Ike Davis, OF, Arizona State
R3... Adrian Nieto, C, HS, FL
R3... Jordan Danks, OF, Texas
R4... Chase Davidson, 1B, HS, Georgia
R4... Dan Hultzen, LHSP, HS, DC

[Greg Pappas]

All the major sites have us in on Matusz, which was my original thought as well... but with Smoak's breakout season I switched to him... we'll see, can't go wrong either way. :)

[Sports Guy]

1) Posey
2) Alvarez
3) Beckham
4) Matusz

[Hank Scorpio]

It'd be hard to complain either way, but I really think Smoak is the better option.

[Skywalker76]

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
3 Royals > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri
4 Orioles > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt

[Hutman]

Tampa really holds the key as to how we will draft, but here is how I see it:

Tampa - Posey
Pitt - Alvarez
KC - Hosmer
Balt. - Matusz

I like many of us love Smoak and what he has to offer, but I think that the best pitcher in the draft with 3+ pitches is too much for the O's to pass up.

He is also a college pitcher who could be in the line-up in 2 years, so it makes him hard to pass up.

[dkdc]

My latest thought is:

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > *Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > *Eric Hosmer, H.S. 1B, (FL)
4 Orioles > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
5 Giants > Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia
6 Marlins > *Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego
7 Reds > #Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
8 White Sox > Yonder Alonso, 1B, University of Miami
9 Nationals > *Kyle Skipworth, H.S. C, (CA)
10 Astros > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri

[clapdiddy]

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
3 Royals > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri
4 Orioles > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
Man...I WISH this scenario would play out! :D

[WebLink21]

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
3 Royals > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri
4 Orioles > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt

Man do I hope you are right!

[theonestevewh]

1. Rays - T. Beckham
2. Pirates - P. Alvarez
3. Royals - B. Posey
4. Orioles - B. Matusz

They could pick Smoak just as easily at 4. Either way, we're getting a very good prospect so I'll be happy either way.

[wildcard]

I'm just going to do a top 4...and it's not like I really know what I'm talking about, but these are fun :)


1 Rays > Buster Posey, H.S. SS, (GA)
2 Pirates > Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Tim Beckham, C, Florida State
4 Orioles > Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina

That's what I'm hoping for, at least... :) Really want Smoak...another powerful switch hitting first baseman in Baltimore...hmmm :)

I think Moose got is right.

[theonestevewh]

I think Moose got is right.

Actually, he all ready got it wrong. Buster Posey is not a HS SS and Tim Beckham is not a college C. :)

[Moose Milligan]

Actually, he all ready got it wrong. Buster Posey is not a HS SS and Tim Beckham is not a college C. :)

Yeah, i didn't copy and paste the positions...my bad :)

[JTrea81]

Rays - T. Beckham
Pirates - Alvarez
Royals - Smoak
Orioles - Matusz

The Royals take Smoak ahead of us because like us they need help at 1B and Smoak is more ML ready than Hosmer...

[Greg Pappas]

Rays - T. Beckham
Pirates - Alvarez
Royals - Smoak
Orioles - Matusz

The Royals take Smoak ahead of us because like us they need help at 1B and Smoak is more ML ready than Hosmer...

Very real possibility.

[McNulty]

I'm not going to rehash all the possibles for the top 5, because you've all hit on them pretty well, but I think I'm going to go ahead and guarantee that the Marlins will take Skipworth. Kevin Goldstein is with me on this one.

[birdsncrabs]

My take...

1 Rays> Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates> Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
3 Royals> Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
4 Orioles> Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego

[RVAbird]

Here goes...

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > *Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
4 Orioles > #Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
5 Giants > Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia
6 Marlins > *Kyle Skipworth, H.S. C, (CA)
7 Reds > *Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego
8 White Sox > *Eric Hosmer, H.S. 1B, (FL)
9 Nationals > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri
10 Astros > Shooter Hunt, RHSP, Tulane

...that was hard. I could easily see T. Beckham going 1st, the Royals taking Hosmer or Smoak, the Orioles taking Matusz, and any or all of that completely changing 5-10. I can't wait until tomorrow!

[Stotle]

I'll take a shot

1. Posey
2. Alvarez
3. Hosmer
4. T-Bex
5. Smoak
6. Skipworth
7. Crow
8. Beckham
9. Alonso
10. Matusz

I don't know enough about the draft boards of the 30 teams, so I'll just put who I'd like to get and think will be around for 2-5:

2. James Darnell (3B) University of South Carolina -- potential five-tool 3B that should hit for power. Could be all-star with improved plate discipline (easier said than done).

2. Anthony Hewitt (OF/SS) Salisbury School (Conn.) -- probably will end up in the OF. Great power potential and terrific skill set. Type of player I like to grab before they get to college (he's a good student so it may be tough to sign him)

3. Jordan Danks (OF) University of Texas -- Best collegiate athlete in the draft; if he finds his power stroke he will be a steal.

3. Cody Satterwhite (SP) University of Mississippi -- great stuff; good pitchability. I think he has #2 upside though #3/#4 is probably more likely. Love his approach -- good frame, should not be able to shoulder an ML workload.

4. David Adams (2B) University of Virginia -- Potential 1st round talent with down year; good bet in the field and has a professional approach at the plate. Worth a flier, to me.

4. Anthony Capra (SP) Wichita State University -- Good arsenal and command. Only one year starting; I think he is being undervalued.

5. Mark Sobolewski (3B) University of Miami (FL) -- pay him late first round money if need be -- clean-up hitter in one of the best offenses in the country. Advanced approach at the plate. Pray Miami wins the title to give him one less reason to return (he is only a soph.)

5. Brian Humphries (OF) Granite Hills High School (Calif.) -- give him a little extra to keep him away from Pepperdine. Plus speed and shaky defense with potential plus-power. I think he ends up a top talent in three years if he heads to Pepperdine.

[McNulty]

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > *Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > *Eric Hosmer, H.S. 1B, (FL)
4 Orioles > Tim Beckham, H.S. SS, (GA)
5 Giants > #Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
6 Marlins > *Kyle Skipworth, H.S. C, (CA)
7 Reds > Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia
8 White Sox > Yonder Alonso, 1B, Miami
9 Nationals > *Brian Matusz, LHSP, San Diego
10 Astros > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri

Didn't see anyone with this exact scenario so I'm throwing it out there.

[PlumOriole]

I'll go with

1. Tampa - Posey
2. Pittsburgh - Alvarez
3. KC - Hosmer
4. Baltimore - T. Beckham

TBex is a good choice if he is still there but taking a HS player this high makes me nervous and I really don't want to wait 5 years for ML results. I'd probably feel better if KC took TBex and we took Smoak but this is how I see things playing out. If Matusz is the 4th pick, Stotle and Gregg have pointed out some very interesting field prospects for the later rounds that would excite me if they became Orioles.

[LookinUp]

I have two predictions. First, there's no way that Pitt and KC both pass on Alvarez. Second, Milwaukee will take Tanner Scheppers with one of their supplemental picks, if he even makes it that far.

[eb45]

Think:

1. Tampa Bay: Buster Posey, C, Florida St.
2. Pittsburgh: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
3. Kansas City: Tim Beckham, SS, Georgia HS
4. Baltimore: Brian Matusz, SP, San Diego

Hope (realistically):

1. Tampa Bay: Buster Posey, C, Florida St.
2. Pittsburgh: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
3. Kansas City: Brian Matusz, SP, San Diego
4. Baltimore: Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina

Dread:

1. Tampa Bay: Buster Posey, C, Florida St.
2. Pittsburgh: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
3. Kansas City: Brian Matusz, SP, San Diego
4. Baltimore: Tim Beckham, SS, Georgia HS

[Greg Pappas]

I'll go with

1. Tampa - Posey
2. Pittsburgh - Alvarez
3. KC - Hosmer
4. Baltimore - T. Beckham

TBex is a good choice if he is still there but taking a HS player this high makes me nervous and I really don't want to wait 5 years for ML results. I'd probably feel better if KC took TBex and we took Smoak but this is how I see things playing out. If Matusz is the 4th pick, Stotle and Gregg have pointed out some very interesting field prospects for the later rounds that would excite me if they became Orioles.

Quite a few believe that those 1st three are exactly how the draft will play out... yet they insist Matusz is ours. It will cause quite the stir if TBeck is passed over in this scenario.

[JTrea81]

Quite a few believe that those 1st three are exactly how the draft will play out... yet they insist Matusz is ours. It will cause quite the stir if TBeck is passed over in this scenario.

Jordan's been bitten twice now with 1st round high school bats in Snyder and Rowell that haven't been worth their draft spot and/or aren't moving as quick as they should. He was rewarded with Wieters a polished college bat just like Smoak. You've got to wonder if that will play into his draft.

Also if we do draft Smoak instead of Beckham, the Orioles can use him as an excuse to bow out of the Teixeira sweepstakes if the bidding gets too high. If he's there I think we'll draft Smoak. He just makes too much sense.

[bej6789]

1. Rays - Buster Posey
2. Pirates - Pedro Alvarez
3. Royals - Eric Hosmer
4. Orioles - Tim Beckham

[hoosiers]

I will go with the following:

1) TB - Posey
2) Pitt - Alvarez
3) KC - TBeck
4) Balt - Matusz

Names I like for the second round include projectable HS pitchers Stovall and Lintz (I doubt Jordan pops a HS pitcher in round 2 though) and Chris Carpenter - Kent State RHP.

Third round - Zach Cone HS OFer, Brad Hand HS LHP and Bobby Bundy HS RHP

[SevisonJN]

1 Rays > Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2 Pirates > *Pedro Alvarez, 3B/1B, Vanderbilt
3 Royals > Brian Matusz P, San Diego
4 Orioles > Tim Beckham, H.S SS
5 Giants > Justin Smoak, IB South Carolina
6 Marlins > *Eric Hosmer, H.S. 1B, (FL)
7 Reds > Aaron Crow, RHSP, Missouri*
8 White Sox > Gordon Beckham SS Georgia
9 Nationals > Kyle Skipworth, C California
10 Astros > Christian Friedrich P

[ELC]

I'll go with the more far out prediction that if they don't pick Smoak they're going hard after Teixeira.

[treebird]

1 Rays - Buster Posey, C - Florida State
2 Pirates - Pedro Alvarez, 3B - Vanderbilt
3 Royals - Tim Beckham, SS - Georgia HS
4 Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP - San Diego
5 Giants - Justin Smoak, 1B - South Carolina
6 Marlins - Kyle Skipworth, C - California
7 Reds - Gordon Beckham, SS - Georgia
8 White Sox - Eric Hosmer, 1B - Florida HS
9 Nationals - Aaron Hicks, OF - California HS
10 Astros - Aaron Crow, RHP - Missouri

Orioles Round Two - Anthony Gose, OF - California HS or Roger Kieschnick, OF - Texas Tech

Orioles Round Three - Carolos Gutierrez, RHP - The U or David Adams, 2B - Virginia

Orioles Round Four - Kevin Hoef, 3B - Iowa or Kevin Castner, RHP - Cal Poly

[ToadB22]

Predictions......who is going to be the O's first round pick?

Tim Beckham?
Justin Smoak?
Brian Matusz?
Gordon Beckham?
Pedro Alvarez?

[El Gordo]

Predictions......who is going to be the O's first round pick?

Tim Beckham?
Justin Smoak?
Brian Matusz?
Gordon Beckham?
Pedro Alvarez?Smoak, Mutusz, Alvarez and T Beckam in that order of likelyness.

[Bleed Orange]

I personally hope we get Smoak, assuming that Tim Beckham goes #1 to Tampa. I like the philosophy of drafting college players that have already proven they can play at a (relatively) high level. I don't care what the advance scouts say, taking a high school kid is always riskier than taking a college player. Beckham has probly never even played on the same field as a future major leaguer.

[birrman54]

I'd like Smoak or Alvarez, not sure they'll fall to us.

Honestly I'd prefer to reach on Gordon Beckham than draft another pitcher. He's got very solid college numbers as a sophomore.
http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=344183

[orioles77]

Predictions......who is going to be the O's first round pick?

Tim Beckham?
Justin Smoak?
Brian Matusz?
Gordon Beckham?
Pedro Alvarez?

Tim Beckham and Pedro Alvarez will be off the board by the time we pick. Out of Smoak, Matusz, and Gordon Beckham you have to take Smoak. Matusz will be a stud, but we have plenty of young arms in the minors and not too many promising position players. I like Gordon Beckham, but if Smoak is on the board at #4 we have to take him.

[Dracula]

Beckham has probly never even played on the same field as a future major leaguer.

Yes he has, Aflac All-American game. He was MVP I believe.

Still...Smoak or Hosmer please

[wildcard]

1) Rays - Tim Beckham
2) Pirates - Pedro Alvarez
3) Royals - Eric hosmer
4) Orioles - Brian Matusz
5) Giants - Justin Smoak

Yes, I have Posey dropping out of the top 5.

Congrats Ralph. The only one to pick the top four.

[RZNJ]

Congrats Ralph. The only one to pick the top four.

15 months later, I'm here to tell you, I didn't get my just due!!!!

Post #12 in this thread.



1. Rays > Tim Beckham
2. Pirates > Pedro Alvarez
3 Royals > Eric Hosmer
4. Orioles > Justin Smoak

[QBsILLEST1]

15 months later, I'm here to tell you, I didn't get my just due!!!!

Post #12 in this thread.

HA! Nice dude....You woulda been really good to guess 09's top 5......