A couple new mock drafts out there...

[ChaosLex]

IIRC, Stole, allstar, etc., have said to take these specific sites with a grain of salt in the past, because their lists are more fantasy than reality.

That said, I thought some of you would find it interesting that one updated list has us taking Bubba Starling, while two others have us drafting Dylan Bundy.

1. Gerrit Cole

2. Anthony Rendon

3. Sonny Gray

4. Bubba Starling

http://www.mymlbdraft.com/MLB-Mock-Draft-2011

1. Gerrit Cole

2. Anthony Rendon

3. Bubba Starling

4. Dylan Bundy

http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2011

1. Gerrit Cole

2. Anthony Rendon

3. Sonny Gray

4. Dylan Bundy

http://sullydraft.blogspot.com/2011/03/2011-mlb-mock-draft.html

[birdtown]

Why has Purke fallen so far down the list? Is he still a possible option for us at #4?

[Stotle]

IIRC, Stole, allstar, etc., have said to take these specific sites with a grain of salt in the past, because their lists are more fantasy than reality.

That said, I thought some of you would find it interesting that one updated list has us taking Bubba Starling, while two others have us drafting Dylan Bundy.

http://www.mymlbdraft.com/MLB-Mock-Draft-2011

http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2011

http://sullydraft.blogspot.com/2011/03/2011-mlb-mock-draft.html

Hey, I have no issue with people having fun with the mocks. But these, for example, are all clearly influenced heavily by a few recent pieces written by Keith Law and some general comments from Jim Callis. Fine fodder for message board banter; just not anything in the way of a useful prediction of how the actual draft will go in June.

It isn't even that people base these off of second and third hand info. The larger flaw is that they tend to overrate people who happen to get ink. In this instance, it's certain players that happened to be on Keith's scouting trip already.

[TJ Wrangler]

Hey, I have no issue with people having fun with the mocks. But these, for example, are all clearly influenced heavily by a few recent pieces written by Keith Law and some general comments from Jim Callis. Fine fodder for message board banter; just not anything in the way of a useful prediction of how the actual draft will go in June.

It isn't even that people base these off of second and third hand info. The larger flaw is that they tend to overrate people who happen to get ink. In this instance, it's certain players that happened to be on Keith's scouting trip already.

I agree here. I'm not sure what about Bundy makes him a better choice than Starling, Gray, Norris, or Jungmann in those scenarios. I'd probably take all 4 of them in that order before considering Bundy. I think the fact that his brother plays in the organization highly overrates the possibility of him going to us.

[allstar1579]

I agree here. I'm not sure what about Bundy makes him a better choice than Starling, Gray, Norris, or Jungmann in those scenarios. I'd probably take all 4 of them in that order before considering Bundy. I think the fact that his brother plays in the organization highly overrates the possibility of him going to us.

Bundy is just one of the top HS arms this year, it's still a little bit of a stretch for him at 1:4, but because Law threw his name out there so high people are going to start anointing him a top 5 prospect now.

[TJ Wrangler]

Bundy is just one of the top HS arms this year, it's still a little bit of a stretch for him at 1:4, but because Law threw his name out there so high people are going to start anointing him a top 5 prospect now.

Yeah, I see him as a product of media hype and the fact that his brother plays in the organization. I wouldn't be upset to have him in the system, but not at 1:4 when clearly better options are out there, some possibly being elite talents.

[birdtown]

Why is Purke no longer in the conversation?

[allstar1579]

Why is Purke no longer in the conversation?

Serious injury concerns. Mechanics are messy, looks like he'd be better as a closer than a starter, but wants starter's money.

[allstar1579]

I've been predicting and continue to predict that the O's go "college pitching". I also predict that it comes down to Taylor Jungmann or Matt Barnes. This assumes that Gerrit Cole is off the board.

Really? I'm NOT a Barnes fan at all. I say Jungmann, Gray or Hultzen. (Assuming Cole and Rendon are gone)

[PA Bird Fan]

Really? I'm NOT a Barnes fan at all. I say Jungmann, Gray or Hultzen. (Assuming Cole and Rendon are gone)

Today, I could see it going Cole, Rendon, Hultzen and the O's picking from Jungmann, Gray or Starling. In a month or two, who knows?

[baltimoreO's22]

I have a question about Bubba Starling. He is a highly recruited football player, who has a signed an LOI with Nebraska. Is there any chance he goes to college?

[ChaosLex]

I have a question about Bubba Starling. He is a highly recruited football player' date=' who has a signed an LOI with Nebraska. Is there any chance he goes to college?[/quote']

I think I read somewhere that if a MLB team drafts him, he'll want a bonus in the $10 million range. I doubt it would take that much though.

[crowmst3k!]

If the Orioles could land Hultzen, they would not regret it. I was big on him in another thread: love his command, mechanics, very low BB rate. His fastball is decent, not overpowering (90-91ish), but his being a lefty with great command should make up for any perceived fastball deficiencies.

[Stotle]

If the Orioles could land Hultzen, they would not regret it. I was big on him in another thread: love his command, mechanics, very low BB rate. His fastball is decent, not overpowering (90-91ish), but his being a lefty with great command should make up for any perceived fastball deficiencies.

His fastball has been harder this spring. 90-93, bumping 95.

[WV O's]

His fastball has been harder this spring. 90-93, bumping 95.

How are his secondaries? Also, if his velocity is up with the command, not to mention his being a lefty, sounds like we may be getting a stud no matter what. Worst case scenario would be Starling?