Who would you take with the #1 pick

[fdmstng99]

And that will be the pits if they go in that order (Strasburg, White, Green, Matzek). I want one of those 4 guys, but we're picking 5.

Why does it seem like this happens to us every year.

[DennisTheOsFan]

Why does it seem like this happens to us every year.

Yeah, its disheartening. We always play just enough to stay out of the top spot in the draft. We lucked out with Wieters falling to 4, so I'm hoping we can luck out again.

[Stotle]

Why does it seem like this happens to us every year.

BAL probably got the best hitter in the draft in '07 and probably got the best pitcher in the draft in '08. Not sure why this seems to be a prevailing thought with regards to the players available to BAL.

[DennisTheOsFan]

I'm talking about past drafts. Like losing out to Tex in '02 (I think that was the year) and also we just missed Jay Bruce too, right?

[mtairydan]

Too early to rank White as a MiL prospect. Matzek is 4 on my list behind Green.

I am with you as well on this one:

1) Strasberg 2) White 3) Green 4) Matzek 5) O's pick BPA

[bigelow]

i would think that matzek compares more as clayton kershaw more than hamels

[baltimoriole]

i would think that matzek compares more as clayton kershaw more than hamels

IIRC Kershaw can hit 97+ with relative ease. Matzek hasn't shown the ability to hit high 90's. Everything I've read about him says he tops out around 93ish. I'd still want Matzek if available, but Kershaws power makes him a bona fide potential ace., Matzek doesn't quite have that so other things will need to come into play for him to be considered as high of a prospect. Such as: location, combination of 3-4 plus pitches, and a solid swing and miss out pitch.

[Stotle]

IIRC Kershaw can hit 97+ with relative ease. Matzek hasn't shown the ability to hit high 90's. Everything I've read about him says he tops out around 93ish. I'd still want Matzek if available, but Kershaws power makes him a bona fide potential ace., Matzek doesn't quite have that so other things will need to come into play for him to be considered as high of a prospect. Such as: location, combination of 3-4 plus pitches, and a solid swing and miss out pitch.

Exactly right. The reason I didn't use Kershaw was velocity. Now, I think Matzek has the potential to add velo, but right now it's closer to Hamels than it is to Kershaw. Also, Kershaw doesn't have the four pitch mix. He dominates off of the strength of two flash plus-plus pitches rather than three to four above-average to plus.

However, I'd disagree with you if you are saying you don't think Matzek is a potential ace. To me, his tool set is exactly what you'd look for in a HSer that can develop into a #1.

[DennisTheOsFan]

Exactly right. The reason I didn't use Kershaw was velocity. Now, I think Matzek has the potential to add velo, but right now it's closer to Hamels than it is to Kershaw. Also, Kershaw doesn't have the four pitch mix. He dominates off of the strength of two flash plus-plus pitches rather than three to four above-average to plus.

However, I'd disagree with you if you are saying you don't think Matzek is a potential ace. To me, his tool set is exactly what you'd look for in a HSer that can develop into a #1.

Which is what makes it hard for me to take Alex White ahead of Matzek. I'd be fine with White if that's who we take (more of a sure thing), but I'd be happier if we land Matzek.

[Big Mac]

Sorry, I fixed my above post to be more clear. White is a clear #2 behind STrasburg, for me.

Stotle, do you think it is likely White would still be available when we pick?

I'd love to grab White in the draft.

[Stotle]

Stotle, do you think it is likely White would still be available when we pick?

I'd love to grab White in the draft.

Only if he has a down year at UNC. He makes sense for SDN, SEA and PIT.

[Ruzious]

I am with you as well on this one:

1) Strasberg 2) White 3) Green 4) Matzek 5) O's pick BPA

There's still plenty o time for 2 phenoms to step up near the top and let the O's nab Green. Would he be a perfect fit or what?

[TJ Wrangler]

Assuming Strasburg is gone, I take Green, Gibson, or Matzek in that order.

White has terrible mechanics, as does Crow. Green is perfect for us to take if we get a shot at him. Gibson has good mechanics and is very projectable.

[wickedwitch]

There's still plenty o time for 2 phenoms to step up near the top and let the O's nab Green. Would he be a perfect fit or what?

I'm rooting for Green to have an awful year.

[Ruzious]

I'm rooting for Green to have an awful year.

Wishing ill on someone is bad form!

Instead, let's spread some nasty rumor about him.