Dustin Ackley CF/1B at #5

[raypetty]

Just curious as to how the OH feels about the O's drafting Dustin Ackley from the UNC with our #5 pick.

[ChaosLex]

Just curious as to how the OH feels about the O's drafting Dustin Ackley from the UNC with our #5 pick.

I'd be happy with one of Strasburg/Green/White/Ackley/Crow in that order.

[raypetty]

We don't have a legit 1B and although Ackley isn't a true 1B he has played the position and he has a great bat and his defense is considered very good, but he had TJ surgery, that's why I think 1B is a good fit for him. We need to seriously look at him come draft day if he is still on the board when we pick. JMO.

[RVAbird]

This should be in the draft forum but I'll chime in anyway...

If Ackley is confined to 1B he's a bit of an overdraft for me at 1.5. His bat still plays there in a slightly less conventional manner and he's still a legit first round pick as a first baseman, but he's only a top 5 pick for me if we think he can handle CF or 2B. He could be a top 10 pick as a corner outfielder.

Either way we should be taking the best talent available in the first round rather than drafting for need. I think you'd have to rank Strasburg, Green and White ahead of Ackley and arguably Crow and Matsek as well. But of course I'd love to have a guy like Ackley in our system.

Edit: Though it sure is nice that all 6 of those guys are pitchers, shortstops or (perhaps) firstbasemen, which all fill organizational needs.

[furryburres]

I'm thinking draft another pitcher if Green is picked. Pitching is such a crapshoot, and with our recent pitching troubles, might as well build up the strongest pitching in the minor leagues.

[Stotle]

My top 5, right now, would look like this:

1. Strasburg

2. White

3. Green

4. Matzek

5. Davidson

[wickedwitch]

If Ackley is confined to 1B he's a bit of an overdraft for me at 1.5. His bat still plays there in a slightly less conventional manner and he's still a legit first round pick as a first baseman, but he's only a top 5 pick for me if we think he can handle CF or 2B. He could be a top 10 pick as a corner outfielder.

:agree:

I have some doubt as to whether he can hit in ML, and while you can live with mediocre hitting at some positions, 1b is not one of those.

[RVAbird]

My top 5, right now, would look like this:

1. Strasburg

2. White

3. Green

4. Matzek

5. Davidson

Wow, pretty high on Davidson, huh? I don't know much about him and haven't heard his name much. His bat is legit at third?

Matzek is likely the top prep pitcher in the draft so I can see him in the top 5, but at this point I'd probably favor Crow.

[Stotle]

Wow, pretty high on Davidson, huh? I don't know much about him and haven't heard his name much. His bat is legit at third?

Matzek is likely the top prep pitcher in the draft so I can see him in the top 5, but at this point I'd probably favor Crow.

I like Davidson as the best HS bat in the draft. Not sure what publications may agree with me (haven't started reading up on what everyone else is thinking). Chance to be a plus-hitter / fringe-plus-plus-power type. He isn't in Hosmer's class of hitter yet, but he has a chance to stay at 3rd, which makes him a little more interesting as a top 5 (for me).

[PaulBako]

I like Davidson as the best HS bat in the draft. Not sure what publications may agree with me (haven't started reading up on what everyone else is thinking). Chance to be a plus-hitter / fringe-plus-plus-power type. He isn't in Hosmer's class of hitter yet, but he has a chance to stay at 3rd, which makes him a little more interesting as a top 5 (for me).

Is Davidson kind of like Vitters?

[PaulBako]

Could Ackley play 2B? If he can, we should get him.

[jcroemer]

Could Ackley play 2B? If he can, we should get him.

Currently, he is a first baseman and outfielder. He just had surgery in July. At 6-1 and 184 there are rumors that he will move to second base, where he would be a bigger asset.

[DennisTheOsFan]

Is there a reason why Ackley has to be pushed out of the OF? Wasn't his time at 1B just to let his arm recover?

Once his right arm is recovered, he should go right back to OF. If his arm isn't that good, I'd be fine with him at LF.

[jcroemer]

I think the rumors he may move to second are very intriguing if you are Joe Jordan and know you need 2Bs in the system. I can't see picking Ackley over Matzek though.

[Stotle]

Is there a reason why Ackley has to be pushed out of the OF? Wasn't his time at 1B just to let his arm recover?

Once his right arm is recovered, he should go right back to OF. If his arm isn't that good, I'd be fine with him at LF.

I think it's a matter of keeping his arm healthy -- apparently it may not hold up with constant throws from the OF. And OFs throwing motion is different from an IFs, and requires more shoulder. IFs can thow from the ear.