Greg, Who is the Best Hitter in the Draft

[blueblood]

Best High School Hitter now, Hosmer or Beckham

Best College Hitter now,Alvarez or Smoak

Best Overall Potentials

PS, If Wieter is in this draft, where will rank him as a hitter?

[Greg Pappas]

Best High School Hitter now, Hosmer or Beckham

Best College Hitter now,Alvarez or Smoak

Best Overall Potentials

PS, If Wieter is in this draft, where will rank him as a hitter?

It's a fair group of questions and difficult to answer with any certainty. However... since you asked, I'll try;

High School Hitters>

Eric Hosmer

Kyle Skipworth

Tim Beckham

College>

Pedro Alvarez

Justin Smoak

Gordon Beckham

Yonder Alonso

Brett Wallace

David Cooper

Wieters would be in the mix to go #1 to TB if they were not opposed to Boras.

[bluehens45]

In my opinion Eric Hosmer is the best hitting high school prospect in the 8-10 years. Kid has a sweet stroke.

[furryburres]

You really can't ask those questions, because Beckham is definitely a more complete hitter (average, power), while Hosmer has more raw power and a sweeter swing.

But if it came down to who to draft, I'd definitely go with Beckham, as would any GM in the league.

[furryburres]

Best High School Hitter now, Hosmer or Beckham

Best College Hitter now,Alvarez or Smoak

Best Overall Potentials

PS, If Wieter is in this draft, where will rank him as a hitter?

Really, it's like this. HS Hitters- Beckham> Hosmer

College Hitter- Alvarez> Smoak

Potentials- definitely Beckham

[CharmCityHokie]

Out of all these guys, who is going to probably hit for the most power? I'm interested in slugging percentages!

[Greg Pappas]

You really can't ask those questions, because Beckham is definitely a more complete hitter (average, power), while Hosmer has more raw power and a sweeter swing.

But if it came down to who to draft, I'd definitely go with Beckham, as would any GM in the league.

In comparing Tim Beckham to Eric Hosmer as hitters, one must remember that there are great differences in their skillsets.

Hosmer is the better overall hitter in nearly every aspect, average, power, projection, batting eye... etc. Beckham excites scouts with a good overall offensive package coupled with great speed and defense at a premium position.

I understand the reasons scouts would choose the SS over the 1B, but the question was who was the better hitter. I'd take Skipworth over T. Beckham as well, as far as hitters go. That's not a knock on Beckham, but those two lefty's are just that good.

[NCRaven]

Hosmer is the better overall hitter in nearly every aspect, average, power, projection, batting eye... etc.

Greg, one of the advantages, often cited, of taking a college bat, Alvarez as an example, is that they can move more quickly through the minors and help at the ML level sooner. How advanced is Hosmer and do you think he's the kind of player that can move quickly? How does he compare to Alvarez?

[blueblood]

In comparing Tim Beckham to Eric Hosmer as hitters, one must remember that there are great differences in their skillsets.

Hosmer is the better overall hitter in nearly every aspect, average, power, projection, batting eye... etc. Beckham excites scouts with a good overall offensive package coupled with great speed and defense at a premium position.

I understand the reasons scouts would choose the SS over the 1B, but the question was who was the better hitter. I'd take Skipworth over T. Beckham as well, as far as hitters go. That's not a knock on Beckham, but those two lefty's are just that good.

It just sound like that T. Beckham is a high risk and mid to high reward when comparing to Hosmer, Alvarez, and Smoak. he IS the weakest hitter in this group.

Looking back at past couple draft, none of High school SS pan out well,

Matt Bush (1st in 2004) - Minor League Pitcher now

Stephen Drew (15th in 2004) - College SS

Justin Upton (1st in 2006) - Outfielder now

Mike Moustakas (2nd in 2007) - Will be moved to 2B or outfield

I am worry that T. Beckham will fall way behind Hosmer on hitting. and Hosmer will be the best overall Hitting prospect in this Draft.

After all, hitting is the name of this game.

[Greg Pappas]

Greg, one of the advantages, often cited, of taking a college bat, Alvarez as an example, is that they can move more quickly through the minors and help at the ML level sooner. How advanced is Hosmer and do you think he's the kind of player that can move quickly? How does he compare to Alvarez?

I was comparing Hosmer to TBeckham, it seems that your post thought I meant GBeckham... true?

As far as Hosmer vs. Alvarez... it's always a challenge in comparing HS'ers to Collegians, as the more experienced player gives the buyer a more content feeling when drafting... getting him to the big leagues quicker, being more of a 'sure thing'. My research has shown very little difference among the top ten players chosen in the draft, at least among hitters. Pitchers fall woefully short in their return on investment.

Alvarez is an excellent hitter with international and wood bat experience. While not a plus defender at third base, he may stick there, while some scouts believe he'll be moved to 1B or to a corner OF spot. I imagine himplaying an average third base in the majors, hitting .300, and being his team's offensive anchor in the middle of the lineup. He'll hit 30+ HR's and drive in over a 100 runs per season. Very solid choice certainly.

Hosmer may be among the best HS hitters in many years. He just rakes. He's 6' 4 - 215, and like Alvarez has a sweet left-handed swing, and has great power to all fields. There really isn't much difference between the two offensively... except Hosmer is already an outstanding defender at 1B.

Will we have to project more with Hosmer? Absolutely. Is Alvarez the more safe choice? Absolutely. They will both be excellent pros in my view, with Hosmer a superior defender. Just my view... but the slightest of edges to Hosmer.

[tnsmith90]

I was wondering how each of these guys' tools graded out on the 20-80 scale you always here about. Also where some of the top hitters in the game today graded out back when they were coming out, and where the best have traditionally graded out as well. Could Greg, or anyone else help me out with this?

[Greg Pappas]

I was wondering how each of these guys' tools graded out on the 20-80 scale you always here about. Also where some of the top hitters in the game today graded out back when they were coming out, and where the best have traditionally graded out as well. Could Greg, or anyone else help me out with this?

I'd like to have that consensus report as well.. but that's an awful big undertaking, and frankly I haven't the time to do it. Hopefully someone else will not only have access to that scouting info, but the time and inclination to do it.

[Stotle]

I was wondering how each of these guys' tools graded out on the 20-80 scale you always here about. Also where some of the top hitters in the game today graded out back when they were coming out, and where the best have traditionally graded out as well. Could Greg, or anyone else help me out with this?

Hosmer:

Hitting -- 60

Power -- 60

Running -- [45]

Fielding -- [50]

Arm -- [50]

T-Bex:

Hitting -- 60

Power -- [55]

Running -- 60

Fielding -- 70

Arm -- 60

Brackets indicate approximate rating from me; other numbers provided by scouting service.

[caribe]

Greg, I found out that Hosmer pitched the final two inning of a game last night and the scouts were amazed that he topped out at 98 mph. They might start making him run from pole to pole if he keeps this up (Just kidding). I'm sure you will hear more about his pitching real soon. P.S. 4 more stolen bases in his last two games, still perfect for the past two years.

[RLB29]

Some of you may not remember the "good ole days" when the O's had good fielding homerun hitting firstbasemen like Gentile, Powell, and Murray. Wouldn't it be nice to see Hosmer crack 30 or 40 homeruns each year? And, he is supposed to be very good with the glove too!