Loving the bullpen arms

[Sports Guy]

According to Goldstein, the BJs grabbed a very good relief prospect in the 6th round.

They were available a little later in the draft.

[hoosiers]

According to Goldstein, the BJs grabbed a very good relief prospect in the 6th round.

They were available a little later in the draft.

True - relief pitchers can be found at any round and Joe Jordan has a strong track record of waiting until the seventh round or so to pop relievers (if you've complimented our SD for this draft strategy in the past, I've missed it), but it is not like all teams do this - Bard, Storen and many, many other relief pitcher picks were taken very, very early in the draft. Isolating this criticism to our scouting director is interesting because the criticism applies to many, many more scouting directors/GMs/organizations that are regularly referred to as working a draft better than our scouting director by those with a narrower perspective.

[Frobby]

Well, there is a presumption here that Jordan intends to develop these guys as relievers. I would not make that assumption just yet. I am sure that in a few days Jordan will be interviewed and talk about what he sees for our top 10 picks, and we will have more insight into what he has in mind.

3. Wright -- was used exclusively as a starter this year.

4. Simon -- was used exclusively as a starter this year.

5. Taylor -- 15 of 16 appearances were as a starter this year.

7. Howard -- was used exclusively as a starter this year.

So, where's the beef? I'm sure some of these guys may end up as relievers, but there's no reason to believe they are starting out that way.

[allstar1579]

Well, there is a presumption here that Jordan intends to develop these guys as relievers. I would not make that assumption just yet. I am sure that in a few days Jordan will be interviewed and talk about what he sees for our top 10 picks, and we will have more insight into what he has in mind.

3. Wright -- was used exclusively as a starter this year.

4. Simon -- was used exclusively as a starter this year.

5. Taylor -- 15 of 16 appearances were as a starter this year.

7. Howard -- was used exclusively as a starter this year.

So, where's the beef? I'm sure some of these guys may end up as relievers, but there's no reason to believe they are starting out that way.

Yes they were used that way, but a VERY small % of college starters have what it takes to be a starter in the pros. None of these guys are particularly great, pretty sure they all end up relievers.

Any good MLB player found after the 7th round isn't as much about skill in drafting, it's about things going right that need to go right. It does happen, fairly often, BUT it's just because things clicked for that guy, and didn't click for the other 27-28 guys in that round, you can't really control that, you just try to make the best educated choice and hope things click. I mean what is the average success rate for any one team's draft? (assuming 1 pick per round) You have a good draft if you find 4-5 guys who ever make the ML out of 30 rounds. 15% or so.

[Sports Guy]

True - relief pitchers can be found at any round and Joe Jordan has a strong track record of waiting until the seventh round or so to pop relievers (if you've complimented our SD for this draft strategy in the past, I've missed it), but it is not like all teams do this - Bard, Storen and many, many other relief pitcher picks were taken very, very early in the draft. Isolating this criticism to our scouting director is interesting because the criticism applies to many, many more scouting directors/GMs/organizations that are regularly referred to as working a draft better than our scouting director by those with a narrower perspective.

As I have said, I like the idea of taking relievers...Much better bet than most of his draft picks.

The problem I have is this...Either take a bonafide reliever early or take the higher upside starter. Taking the guy that is in between those 2, when you have better options sitting there, makes no sense to me. Its the cheap way out IMO.

[Can_of_corn]

As I have said, I like the idea of taking relievers...Much better bet than most of his draft picks.

The problem I have is this...Either take a bonafide reliever early or take the higher upside starter. Taking the guy that is in between those 2, when you have better options sitting there, makes no sense to me. Its the cheap way out IMO.

I agree. He does have a budget and odds are good Bundy is going to absorb a large percentage of that budget. I like the fact that he took a bunch of slot college guys that have a legitimate shot at helping the major league club down the line. We would all love for the O's to drop 15-20 million on the draft but that isn't going to happen.

To me the combination of an expensive first round pick and an abundance of college arms made this the perfect draft to hopefully alleviate the O's bullpen issues for the foreseeable future.

I would much rather spend a 3rd or a 4th then give up a 2nd for a Gonzo or a Baez.

[Stotle]

Delmonico spells his name with just the "D" capitalized.

[Sports Guy]

I agree. He does have a budget and odds are good Bundy is going to absorb a large percentage of that budget. I like the fact that he took a bunch of slot college guys that have a legitimate shot at helping the major league club down the line. We would all love for the O's to drop 15-20 million on the draft but that isn't going to happen.

To me the combination of an expensive first round pick and an abundance of college arms made this the perfect draft to hopefully alleviate the O's bullpen issues for the foreseeable future.

I would much rather spend a 3rd or a 4th then give up a 2nd for a Gonzo or a Baez.

Well, then the Orioles should expand the budget if a lot is going to be eaten up by one player.

Its absurd not to.

Want some extra money this year? Simple:

1) Cut Duchscherer...You have in your mind that he is getting another 400K if you activate him...so don't.

2) Makes some trades and save some money to put towards the draft.

Not difficult.

This is just how the Orioles operate...They always want to show you that they are doing everything they can and a lot of fans believe that....but the reality is they aren't..not even close.

[Stotle]

I agree. He does have a budget and odds are good Bundy is going to absorb a large percentage of that budget. I like the fact that he took a bunch of slot college guys that have a legitimate shot at helping the major league club down the line. We would all love for the O's to drop 15-20 million on the draft but that isn't going to happen.

To me the combination of an expensive first round pick and an abundance of college arms made this the perfect draft to hopefully alleviate the O's bullpen issues for the foreseeable future.

I would much rather spend a 3rd or a 4th then give up a 2nd for a Gonzo or a Baez.

I really strongly disagree with this line of thinking. I understand you need a draft budget, and I am against just throwing money at players to get them to sign (for the effect it could have on future negotitations). But when the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Rays are absolutely loading up on talent on Day 1, I think you need to be a little more aggressive. There was a LOT of college pitching available in the draft. I think BAL should have made it a priority to go one more round getting really agressive with the high school kids that fell.

Bundy, Esposito, another high upside kid, and Delmonico in the 6th would look a whole lot better. The issue to me isn't whether or not Baltimore selected good players. I think it was a fine collection of talent. But if you are looking at upside it is very easy to argue that Baltimore got absolutely spanked.

The only thing that keeps Baltimore safely ahead of the Yankees in terms of ceiling with this class is Dylan Bundy (who is the best player drafted by and AL East team this year, as of draft day).

[Sports Guy]

As I have said, I like the idea of taking relievers...Much better bet than most of his draft picks.

The problem I have is this...Either take a bonafide reliever early or take the higher upside starter. Taking the guy that is in between those 2, when you have better options sitting there, makes no sense to me. Its the cheap way out IMO.

BTW, just to add to this...These starters that are likely relievers should go to the pen now IMO.

People said well maybe JJ sees Wright as a starter and that's why he drafted him high.

The problem with that is, he probably won't be. The pick is better, at least in terms of what you are going to get out of him, if you make him a reliever now and let him move quickly.

[Can_of_corn]

I really strongly disagree with this line of thinking. I understand you need a draft budget, and I am against just throwing money at players to get them to sign (for the effect it could have on future negotitations). But when the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Rays are absolutely loading up on talent on Day 1, I think you need to be a little more aggressive. There was a LOT of college pitching available in the draft. I think BAL should have made it a priority to go one more round getting really agressive with the high school kids that fell.

Bundy, Esposito, another high upside kid, and Delmonico in the 6th would look a whole lot better. The issue to me isn't whether or not Baltimore selected good players. I think it was a fine collection of talent. But if you are looking at upside it is very easy to argue that Baltimore got absolutely spanked.

The only thing that keeps Baltimore safely ahead of the Yankees in terms of ceiling with this class is Dylan Bundy (who is the best player drafted by and AL East team this year, as of draft day).

As I said I would prefer if the O's went big. I would most certainly would have rather seen a big overslot pick in the 3rd or 4th round.

The O's obviously did not allocate the budget for it. Given the parameters he had to work within I think picking cheap, college arms for the bullpen was a smart move that should pay dividends in the future.

[Can_of_corn]

BTW, just to add to this...These starters that are likely relievers should go to the pen now IMO.

People said well maybe JJ sees Wright as a starter and that's why he drafted him high.

The problem with that is, he probably won't be. The pick is better, at least in terms of what you are going to get out of him, if you make him a reliever now and let him move quickly.

I agree 100% with this, also with Klein in the bullpen and moving Givens as well if he doesn't make good progress by the end of the season.

[Sports Guy]

As I said I would prefer if the O's went big. I would most certainly would have rather seen a big overslot pick in the 3rd or 4th round.

The O's obviously did not allocate the budget for it. Given the parameters he had to work within I think picking cheap, college arms for the bullpen was a smart move that should pay dividends in the future.

I actually do agree with this.

If the Orioles were going to be cheap skates in a draft that was extremely deep, then at least take some college guys that could fill roles and pay dividends soon.

Its a lot better to draft college arms like this than a bunch of no hit, field first, athlete guys that will never develop.

[Fan4Life]

As I have said, I like the idea of taking relievers...Much better bet than most of his draft picks.

The problem I have is this...Either take a bonafide reliever early or take the higher upside starter. Taking the guy that is in between those 2, when you have better options sitting there, makes no sense to me. Its the cheap way out IMO.

I completely agree. Anyone who looks at this draft after the top 3 names, doesn't think we adjusted our picks based on cost first, isn't paying attention or is just swimming for hope in a pool of orange cool-aid. How do you think we got to the point where our MiL system is now? The money players that have been int he system awhile have graduated. Most of the other money players are doing well at the level they are currently at. Do we have any slot money prospects that are exceeding their expectation?

[Stotle]

As I said I would prefer if the O's went big. I would most certainly would have rather seen a big overslot pick in the 3rd or 4th round.

The O's obviously did not allocate the budget for it. Given the parameters he had to work within I think picking cheap, college arms for the bullpen was a smart move that should pay dividends in the future.

That's fine, and I don't disagree. I actually REALLY like a number of picks after round 5. But if ever there was a year you could go to MLB and say, "Look, we need to give out these overslot bonuses to keep up with our division this draft," this was it. As far as executing a draft plan, I think BAL did a fine job. But I strongly disagree with the strategy we saw after Round 2.