Issac Galloway and Harold Martinez

[StunninSteve]

How are they still on the board? I thought at one point they were considered really good HS prospects... Anyone have any insight???

[wickedwitch]

Martinez lost a lot of value this year. He's looked consistently bad. As a result, he's almost certainly going to college to boost his value.

[markpolis]

How are they still on the board? I thought at one point they were considered really good HS prospects... Anyone have any insight???

Good question. But it's not unusual at all for players such as Galloway and Martinez to fall so far in the draft. Coming into the season both players were thought to be sure-fire 1st round picks, but for whatever reason they both struggled this year and saw their draft stock fall significantly. Most often times when this happens the player(s) end up going to college, albeit JUCO or a four year school to work out any mechanical issues they have to improve their stock for future drafts.

Both of these kids thought today would be their big pay day. Once they started to slide in the draft they probably let it be known it would take a lot of money (much over slot) to get them signed. I'm sure they are both confident enough in their abilities that they can significantly improve their draft position by going to college. A team that is willing to take a chance and spend some extra money could get a tremendous talent in the later rounds.

I'd really like to see the Orioles take a chance on one of these kids by selecting them and going over slot money to get them signed.

Here are the draft reports for both players:

Issac Galloway:

Galloway has long been on the radar screens of scouts. An Aflac All-American and Area Code Games regular, Issac has dazzled onlookers on the scout ball, travel ball and showcase circuit for two years. Blessed with an ideal tall, lanky and projectable frame, Galloway is a premium athlete, consistently clocking in the 6.5 to 6.6 range in the 60-yard dash at various showcase events. Galloway also possesses an impressive throwing arm, rifling straight line trajectory throws from right field and center field in both pregame and game situations. Over the past two years, Galloway had measurably improved his bat, flashing a fluid natural swing and promising bat speed. In the fall off 2007, he enjoyed impressive wood bat BP sessions at several showcase events. However, Galloway picked a bad time to slump. He has hit poorly this spring, backtracking on the advances he had made in the fall of 2007. His struggles were due in part to an unusually spread-out stance. Despite an easy, smooth swing, Galloway has no load to generate power in his current setup. He's been overpowered by good velocity this spring on a regular basis. Defensively, Galloway is a wonderful outfielder, showing a gliding Torii Hunter/Mike Cameron knack for running down balls in center. While he will need additional experience and polish, Galloway profiles as an above-average defensive outfielder. Galloway's arm also grades out as above-average, though he's lacked accuracy this spring due to poor throwing mechanics. While he has significant tools, they are too raw for him to be a consensus first-round pick.

Harold Martinez:

Committed to Miami and a preseason All-American this year, Martinez has competed for Team USA's Junior and Youth national teams and was an Aflac All-American. This spring, he has struggled to translate his talent into production. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he has a projectable pro body that is still growing. He is likely to outgrow shortstop but should become an above-average defender at third base. An average runner, he is athletic and moves well, with good actions in the field and a solid arm. In batting practice, Martinez shows above-average raw power and good hitting mechanics, but in games, his struggles begin. He has major timing issues and often reverts to a swing with no load. While he has fallen from a first-round prospect, a team will still take a chance on Martinez, and repeated at-bats in the minor leagues may be just what he needs.

IMO, both players are well worth the risk and extra money it would take to get them signed. Hopefully JJ can convince AM and PA to sign one of these kids.

[allstar1579]

Both are saying they won't sign and will play in college to build draft status. Probably will get taken with a flier pick in the later rounds.

The one that surprised me was Melville slipping that far. I figured someone in the compensation rnd would take him.

[StunninSteve]

Both are saying they won't sign and will play in college to build draft status. Probably will get taken with a flier pick in the later rounds.

The one that surprised me was Melville slipping that far. I figured someone in the compensation rnd would take him.

Yeah I was a little disappointed we didn't snatch him in the third...