Current Preference List (3/22/2012)

[Stotle]

As noted, I'll be covering the draft from the Orioles perspective for ESPN's Sweetspot Network Orioles Blog, Camden Depot. First piece is up (link), giving my current preference list:

1. Mark Appel, rhp, Stanford Univ.
2. Byron Buxton, of, Appling County HS (Baxley, Ga.)
3. Mike Zunino, c, Univ. of Florida
4. Deven Marrero, ss, Arizona St. Univ.
5. Kyle Zimmer, rhp, Univ. of San Francisco
6. Gavin Cecchini, ss, Barbe HS (Lake Charles, La.)
7. Kevin Gausman, rhp, Louisiana St. Univ.
8. Stryker Trahan, c, Acadiana HS (Lafayette, La.)
9. Albert Almora, of, Mater Acad. (Hialeah Gardens, Fla.)
10. David Dahl, of, Oak Mountain HS (Birmingham, Ala.)
11. Lucas Giolito, rhp, Harvard-Westlake HS (Studio City, Calif.)
12. Max Fried, lhp, Harvard-Westlake HS (Studio City, Calif.)
13. Carlos Correa, ss, Puerto Rico Baseball Acad. (Gurabo, P.R.)
14. Matt Smoral, lhp, Solon HS (Solon, Ohio)
15. Walker Weickel, rhp/1b, Olympia HS (Fla.)

The high school arms have lagged some this spring, but that's not uncommon early on. I'll see both Zimmer and Appel this weekend, and wouldn't be completely shocked if they flip-flop on this list come Tuesday.

[ChaosLex]

As noted, I'll be covering the draft from the Orioles perspective for ESPN's Sweetspot Network Orioles Blog, Camden Depot. First piece is up (link), giving my current preference list:

1. Mark Appel, rhp, Stanford Univ.
2. Byron Buxton, of, Appling County HS (Baxley, Ga.)
3. Mike Zunino, c, Univ. of Florida
4. Deven Marrero, ss, Arizona St. Univ.
5. Kyle Zimmer, rhp, Univ. of San Francisco
6. Gavin Cecchini, ss, Barbe HS (Lake Charles, La.)
7. Kevin Gausman, rhp, Louisiana St. Univ.
8. Stryker Trahan, c, Acadiana HS (Lafayette, La.)
9. Albert Almora, of, Mater Acad. (Hialeah Gardens, Fla.)
10. David Dahl, of, Oak Mountain HS (Birmingham, Ala.)
11. Lucas Giolito, rhp, Harvard-Westlake HS (Studio City, Calif.)
12. Max Fried, lhp, Harvard-Westlake HS (Studio City, Calif.)
13. Carlos Correa, ss, Puerto Rico Baseball Acad. (Gurabo, P.R.)
14. Matt Smoral, lhp, Solon HS (Solon, Ohio)
15. Walker Weickel, rhp/1b, Olympia HS (Fla.)

The high school arms have lagged some this spring, but that's not uncommon early on. I'll see both Zimmer and Appel this weekend, and wouldn't be completely shocked if they flip-flop on this list come Tuesday.

You think Buxton is gone before the O's pick? I think Law said that he should be the first pick by the Astros, even though they went OF last year and have numerous positions to fill.

[Stotle]

You think Buxton is gone before the O's pick? I think Law said that he should be the first pick by the Astros, even though they went OF last year and have numerous positions to fill.

If the draft were today, probably yes. The wildcard is Zimmer, who might be the top overall arm in the draft based on spring performance. It wouldn't be crazy to see Appel, Zimmer and Zunino/Marrero go in the top three, with Buxton available for Baltimore.

[RZNJ]

Giolito at #11 because of the injury? If so, how much doesn that knock him down?


I know Marrero is plus plus defensively but what's with his offense? He it .300 last year and is around the same this year. His numbers show a lower than average walk rate (aggressive hitter?) with little power. He looks like a hitter but the results say otherwise.


BTW, thanks for the list. Look forward to more lists and more discussion from here on in.

[Stotle]

Giolito at #11 because of the injury? If so, how much doesn that knock him down?

Yeah, #11 is a placeholder due to the injury. Won't have any new info on him until he starts throwing again in May. Were he not injured, he'd be #1.

[WV O's]

Do you think the O's get a Stud at #4 either way?

thanks so much Stotle, for your effort.

Edit: Barring a Hobgoodian selection.

[panick]

I see #13 plays for a baseball academy in Puerto Rico.

To level in the US is that comparable?

[Stotle]

I see #13 plays for a baseball academy in Puerto Rico.

To level in the US is that comparable?

High school level. It's essentially a high school with heavy emphasis on athletic program.

[weams]

Here's the final pref list, dated May 30, 2012. Barring any unforseen changes relating to health or asking price, this is where I came down for Baltimore -- full article has video of all five final targets and comparisons of the college arms against each other, the prep position players against each other and an explanation for Zimmer as a "back-up":

Final Pref List:
1. Kevin Gausman, rhp, Louisiana St. Univ.
2. Albert Almora, of, Mater Acad. (Hialeah Gardens, Fla.)
3. Carlos Correa, ss/3b, Puerto Rico Baseball Acad. (Gurabo, P.R.)
4. Mark Appel, rhp, Stanford Univ.
5. Byron Buxton, of, Appling County HS (Baxley, Ga.)

Back-up consideration:
Kyle Zimmer, rhp, Univ. of San Francisco

No longer considering:
Gavin Cecchini, ss, Barbe HS (Lake Charles, La.)
Deven Marrero, ss, Arizona St. Univ.
Lucas Giolito, rhp, Harvard-Westlake HS (Studio City, Calif.)
Mike Zunino, c, Univ. of Florida

That's an outstanding article. Thanks

[The Maestro]

I'm curious for anyone who's had the opportunity to see Almora play this season, how high are folks on him and how would he compare to someone like Jorge Soler, who's name was mentioned frequently in different threads? Thanks in advance.

[Stotle]

I'm curious for anyone who's had the opportunity to see Almora play this season, how high are folks on him and how would he compare to someone like Jorge Soler, who's name was mentioned frequently in different threads? Thanks in advance.

I've seen a lot of Almora. Have not seen Soler but a couple times on video so I don't feel comfrotable compairing the two. I have Almora as the second best prospect in the 2012 draft class.

[panick]

There is a profile in The Sun about Gausman.

It says his lack of consistency with his breaking pitches could limit him in the majors, and it could put him behind Zimmer and Appel.

Is this so, or did someone see him when he was having a bad day?

[Stotle]

There is a profile in The Sun about Gausman.

It says his lack of consistency with his breaking pitches could limit him in the majors, and it could put him behind Zimmer and Appel.

Is this so, or did someone see him when he was having a bad day?

I think it's a broad stroke lacking real insight into the player profile. Maybe call it elements of truth without proper context provided?