Current Preference List (3/22/2012)

[Dain45]

I have not been able to see a whole lot of Buxton. Are the tools really that legit? Whats to say he isn't the next Donovan Tate? How does he compare with Bubba Starling? I'm just not sure we are the type of team that can develop a HS 5 tool player like Buxton. Not that I wouldn't absolutely love to add a legit top notch OF prospect. Lets just say Buxton, Appel are both available at 4 who do you go with? I'm hoping for Giolito even with the injury the thought of pairing Bundy and Giolito just makes me happy.

[LookinUp]

I predict Gioloto will be there at 4.

[allstar1579]

Trying to get out to see our buddy Kevin Brady from Clemson tonight and Richie Shaffer who looks to be a high corner infield pick.

[Hutman]

So we are at May 1 and the draft is June 4th, who do you think we are targeting with pick #4. Looks like Buxton and Appel are the first two picks.

[CamdenTerp]

I saw Gioloto was given the green light to start a throwing program again. Obviously encouraging for him, but will there be enough seen from scouts to believe he is recovered or on the right track to be picked at/or above 1:5?

[LookinUp]

I saw Gioloto was given the green light to start a throwing program again. Obviously encouraging for him, but will there be enough seen from scouts to believe he is recovered or on the right track to be picked at/or above 1:5?

I know this...I want the O's to take this guy. If healthy, I think he cracks Stotle's top 6 from last year. I suspect the top 3 teams won't go that route this year because of the injury. Given what we think we have in Bundy, and our new pitching coordinator, I hope the O's take this kid and groom him to be 1A with Bundy in our future rotation. That upside from two guys would be immense.

[JohnnyK27]

With the weakness of our mil hitting prospects especially power I vote for Almora or Correa. Are we able to trade down yet???

[LookinUp]

Trying to get out to see our buddy Kevin Brady from Clemson tonight and Richie Shaffer who looks to be a high corner infield pick.

Did you see Brady? I'm always curious about him. I thought for sure we'd get him signed a couple of years ago.

[allstar1579]

Did you see Brady? I'm always curious about him. I thought for sure we'd get him signed a couple of years ago.

Yeah I caught a couple innings of him. I did more of a rundown of it at the other place, but I can't remember details now. I wasn't overly impressed, but I think that's because I was blown away by Stroman the week before. I can see why he will be a first rounder though. Solid but unspectacular comes to mind.

[allstar1579]

I know this...I want the O's to take this guy. If healthy, I think he cracks Stotle's top 6 from last year. I suspect the top 3 teams won't go that route this year because of the injury. Given what we think we have in Bundy, and our new pitching coordinator, I hope the O's take this kid and groom him to be 1A with Bundy in our future rotation. That upside from two guys would be immense.

If healthy he's no. 1 this year. Should know better in about a week or two after he's thrown a bit and people can see him, but I would take him even with injury concerns over most of the "top 10" candidates.

[LookinUp]

If healthy he's no. 1 this year. Should know better in about a week or two after he's thrown a bit and people can see him, but I would take him even with injury concerns over most of the "top 10" candidates.

The draft is in a month and he hasn't thrown yet. Unless he comes out throwing at his near physical peak...well I find it a little hard to believe an injured HS pitcher goes #1 overall.

[allstar1579]

The draft is in a month and he hasn't thrown yet. Unless he comes out throwing at his near physical peak...well I find it a little hard to believe an injured HS pitcher goes #1 overall.

The rest of the top 5 candidates really aren't #1 or 2 guys, it's weak up top. If he hadn't gotten hurt, he would have gone #1, no brainer. Even with the injury, if it's as non-issue as they say, and he comes back throwing (and he started a throwing program yesterday I think) where he was before, he will be considered there. He's just too talented not to in a weak draft.

[Stotle]

Updated pref list at ESPN SweetSpot blog, Camden Depot. Full article here; includes comparison of Almora and Buxton and video of Kevin Gausman from my Louisiana scouting trip.

Current Preference List (May 9, 2012)
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.)
6. Lucas Giolito, rhp, Harvard-Westlake HS (Studio City, Calif.)
7. Kyle Zimmer, rhp, Univ. of San Francisco
8. Mike Zunino, c, Univ. of Florida
9. Gavin Cecchini, ss, Barbe HS (Lake Charles, La.)
10. Deven Marrero, ss, Arizona St. Univ.

[LookinUp]

Nice write-up. While not explicitly stated, it reads like you think Almora's approach lends itself more toward higher OBP than Buxton.

Based on what you wrote, I'll take the guy with high probability and more advanced approach at the plate (Almora) over the elite toolsy guy who may or may not refine to hit his ceiling (Buxton).

I honestly hadn't even considered Almora in my own personal pref list. I'm liking all of Almora, Correa, Gausman, Gioloto and Appel at the O's spot. As of this date, I'll be really happy with any of them.

It sounds to me like you think Almora, Correa and Gioloto could all be available at 4. If so, good for us.

[Stotle]

Nice write-up. While not explicitly stated, it reads like you think Almora's approach lends itself more toward higher OBP than Buxton.

Based on what you wrote, I'll take the guy with high probability and more advanced approach at the plate (Almora) over the elite toolsy guy who may or may not refine to hit his ceiling (Buxton).

I honestly hadn't even considered Almora in my own personal pref list. I'm liking all of Almora, Correa, Gausman, Gioloto and Appel at the O's spot. As of this date, I'll be really happy with any of them.

It sounds to me like you think Almora, Correa and Gioloto could all be available at 4. If so, good for us.

I believe Houston is narrowing to four choices -- Gausman, Appel, Buxton and Correa. I also think Minnesota takes one of Appel, Gausman and Zimmer (outside shot at Stroman). Seattle should take a bat -- one of Buxton, Correa, and Zunino seems most likely. Taking all of that into account, I'd imagine the best case scenario for Baltimore right now is:

1:1 HOU -- Buxton
1:2 SEA -- Gausman
1:3 SEA -- Zunino

That would leave great options for Baltimore with Almora, Correa, Appel, and Giolito offering different pros and cons.