The Top 54 Draft Picks For 2009

[Greg Pappas]

The OP has the updated Top 40 at the moment... and the accompanying notes/reports are forthcoming.

The 'notes/reports' on the players will not necessarily be in order, as the actual Top 50 order will change throughout leading up to the draft... so look through both my and Allstar's posts to find them.

[allstar1579]

Greg's got a lot going on right now, so I'm going to try to get 21-30 done sometime tonight or tomorrow. The original order has been updated a bit, so I'll try to go back and get some of the guys that might have slipped through. Let me know if you guys see anyone now in the top 20 that haven't been done yet.

[allstar1579]

Chad Jenkins, RHSP, 6’ 4-225, Kennesaw St., DOB-12/22/87

Jenkins is all over the draft boards. Some have him as high as 12th and others have him in the supplemental round. What isn’t all over the place are his pitches, he has very good command of all of his pitches, which include a two and four seam fastball with good sink, a plus slider he throws 80-85 for an out pitch, and a plus changeup that sits about 80 with good movement. He’s got good size, clean mechanics, and a workhorse mentality makes Jenkins a sleeper to be one of the best to come out of the first round.

*Andy Oliver, LHSP, 6’ 3-212, Oklahoma St., DOB- 12/3/87 (21)

Oliver is considered the best college lefty in the draft, yet he still sits projected to go in the latter half of the first round. He’s got a fastball that ranges from 92-97 with some good sink, and he’s got a plus changeup that he plays very well off of the fastball, but his slider is not very good making him a two-pitch pitcher. He needs to develop another offspeed pitch to be successful at the higher levels, or could be converted to a closer in the Wagner mold.

Max Stassi, C, 5’ 10-205, HS (CA), DOB- 3/15/91 (18)

Stassi is a highly rated catching prospect, which should be amongst the first to go in a catching deep year, however his best attribute seems to be his baseball instincts. He’s got an average arm, below average speed, and has some power, but won’t be a huge home run hitter. He seems a solid but unspectacular player and will go somewhere in the first 45 picks.

Wil Myers, C, 6' 3-185, HS (NC), DOB- 12/10/90 (18)

Myers has potential to hit, but needs to work on his mechanics, however he has plus raw power to go with it. He has above average speed and a plus arm and blocks the plate well even though he is pretty recent to catching. He is a great athlete who has played multiple other positions and could be moved around, although of course he has more value as a catcher.

*Chad James, LHSP, 6’ 4-195, HS (OK), DOB- 1/23/91 (18)

James is a projectable lefty which always generates some interest in the draft. He’s got a lively fastball that gets up to 93-94, a power curve that has some potential but is still inconsistent and there is work on a changeup but that is still a long way from being good. He’s got the foundation to have a good three pitch power combo, but projectable is the key word here.

[Greg Pappas]

*Everett Williams, CF, 5’ 10-200, HS (TX) , DOB- 10/1/90 (18)

Williams is a fast and athletic youngster with a strong and very quick bat. If Donovan Tate had Williams' bat, Tate would very likely go#2 overall. He profiles as an average defender in CF -and according to his HS coach- has a good arm as well. Williams doesn't always play with fire, but when he does he looks like a future ML'er.

Garrett Gould, RHSP, 6’ 3-195, HS (KS), DOB- 7/20/91 (17)

Multi-sport star Gould surprised scouts by winning the MVP of the WWBA championships last year, out-dueling Shelby Miller en route to a 1 hit/1 BB/18 K performance. This year, Gould has shot up the draft boards by adding 3 mph to his fastball, pushing it to 94, and featuring perhaps the best curveball in the prep ranks. Among the youngest prep starters in the draft as well.

Tony Sanchez, C, 6’ 1-220, Boston College, DOB- 5/20/88 (21)

A team-leader, Sanchez has added a good year at bat to an already solid defensive package, making him the top college catcher available. While he profiles as an above-average defender, his bat remains a question mark, as he struggles against off-speed stuff. A smart player that could develop into a solid ML'er.

Mike Trout, CF, 6’ 1-190, HS (NJ), DOB- 8/7/91 (17)

Trout is a New Jersey high-schooler who is a good athlete with very projectable tools. He profiles as a strong and fast CF'er with a good bat, and great makeup to boot. Compared to Aaron Rowand, although he is faster than Rowand. If he can hit with consistency as a pro, he could be special.

*Jared Mitchell, OF , 6' 0-192, LSU, DOB- 10/13/88 (20)

Mitchell is another former football player who is just now focusing on baseball, and scouts see serious potential in the best college athlete in the draft. Mitchell has blazing speed and profiles best as a CF'er, albeit with a below-average arm. He appeasrs to be a classic high-risk/high-reward athlete.

[allstar1579]

*Mike Minor, LHSP, 6’ 4-195, Vanderbilt, DOB- 12/26/87 (21)

Minor is what you might call a soft tossing lefty. His fastball can reach 92-93 but sits most comfortably at 89-90. His slider is good with some hard bite, the best of his secondary pitches, borderline a plus pitch. His changeup is good, but he underutilizes it, and his curveball isn’t very good right now, it’s more just there to give a different look. Minor is a guy that won’t “wow” you with his stuff, but he will go out there every 5th day and assume he is going to win. Being a lefty with three usable pitches will get you drafted in the first round somewhere.

Matt Davidson, 3B, 6' 3-215, HS (CA), DOB- 8/26/90 (18)

Davidson is a very solid player across the board, he’s got a good bat, good glove, good arm, good range, if he’s got one tool better than the rest it would be his power which is above average. Even though he is fairly solid defensively, some people think he may be better suited for a move to first base, which could be attributed to his average arm strength. If he can work out the slight loop in his swing, he really doesn’t have any other problems so to speak of and has the potential to be a very solid pick as early as the mid-first round.

A.J. Pollock, CF, 6’ 1-200, Notre Dame, DOB- 12/5/87 (21)

Pollock is a converted SS who is still learning the nuances of CF, but has the athleticism to do very well out there. He takes some poor routes on balls, but that will change with experience, and makes up for it with above average speed. A.J. won’t hit a ton of homers, but could hit 10-12 per year, and couple that with great base stealing instincts could make him a good player. Where he really shines is his hitting where he is one of the most pure hitters in the draft, and should thrive gap to gap. With his great ability to make contact, good speed and base running, he could be a great lead-off man when all is said and done.

*Tyler Skaggs, LHSP, 6' 5-185, HS (CA), DOB- 7/13/91 (17)

Skaggs has been overshadowed by some of the other HS pitching talent this year, but that is no slight at his ability as much as it is the depth of pitching in this draft. He is another soft-tossing lefty with a good foundation for secondary pitches. His fastball can be run up to 92, but usually sits a bit slower but has plus movement on it especially when he keeps it low. His curveball is his real bread and butter, and is a plus pitch already running 70-73 and is a swing-and-miss pitch. The changeup is a work in progress, and if he can get it to average level he could have a good MLB starter arsenal. Skaggs has been compared to a young Barry Zito.

Sam Dyson, RHRP, 6’ 2-195, South Carolina, DOB- 5/7/88 (21)

Dyson was once a real hot-shot HS prospect but considered a tough sign and slipped to the 19th round. A torn labrum his freshman year has stunted his development just a bit, as people wonder if he is 100% yet. Sam shows plus potential on a 96 mph fastball but he often throws it a bit too straight. His slider is also in the plus range, and gets up to about 86, and his changeup is average so he could end up a two-pitch guy in the future. Might have more of a future as a power reliever but that mostly depends on how well and often he uses his change in the future.

[Greg Pappas]

Matt Hobgood, RHSP, 6' 4-245, HS (CA), DOB- 8/3/90 (18)

Built like a linebacker, the Californian has some helium as the draft approaches. Hobgood has solid intangibles and a fiery competitiveness that accentuates a hard and heavy 90-92mph fastball, a very good curve and a developing slider. Has no changeup to speak of… so he’ll need that to develop to secure his future as a well-rounded starter.

*LeVon Washington, CF, 5' 10-170, HS (FL), DOB- ? (17)

Perhaps the worst arm in the draft -after TJ surgery- but Washington has excellent speed and can really hit. He has some pop in his bat, but not real HR power at this juncture, and profiles as a rangy fast CF’er with a solid OBP and BA. His skill-set could fall somewhere bewtween a Johnny Damon to a Joey Gathright. Time will tell.

Drew Storen, RHP, 6' 2-180, Stanford, DOB- 8/11/87 (21)

The draft- eligible sophomore is perhaps the highest rated closer in the draft, but many scouts see a starter-in-waiting. He doesn’t always have the best command, but he’s aggressive with his 92-96mph fastball, and has a plus slider that can institute doubt within the batter’s box. He has a decent change, but will need that to develop to make it as a starter. At worst a late innings reliever… at best, a #2 starter.

#Nick Franklin, SS, 6' 1-180, HS (FL), DOB- 3/2/91 (18)

Franklin has enough arm, coupled with solid range and catch-and-throw skills to stick at shortstop defensively. Franklin is a ‘baseball rat’ with an Auburn scholarship, and uses his good speed, easy actions, and solid athleticism to form a difficult opponent at bat and in the field. Franklin is a switch-hitter, and while he doesn’t profile to hit for power, he has an above-average bat that scouts compare to Aaron Hill. Could be a steal in the supplemental or second round.

Kyle Heckathorn, RHRP, 6' 6-240, Kennesaw St., DOB- 6/17/88 (21)

Heckathorn is a true wildcard in this draft, as he tantalizes scouts with stuff that is nearly on par with Stephen Strasburg. But the major difference lies in command, poise, and the inability to have a quality change. Heckathorn fires his fastball from 94-99, and has a slider with real plus potential… but again, without a change he profiles as a power reliever. Some see Kyle Farnsworth, but Heckathorn may one day put such so-so comparisons well behind him.

[waroriole]

What overall number is the O's 2nd round pick?

[Greg Pappas]

What overall number is the O's 2nd round pick?

54th overall... hence the changing of the thread title earlier.

[Greg Pappas]

*Brett Jackson, CF, 6' 2-210, California, DOB- 8/2/88 (20)

Jackson is a strong and almost graceful athlete that has drawn physical comparisons to a young JD Drew. He plays a bit like George Brett, as far as being aggressive on the bases and maintaining a positive team-first attitude. Jackson has the shills to play CF in the pros, and he will likely have to, as his bat –while quick- is not as good as his other tools. He strikes out far too often, and while he does sting the ball with authority when he makes contact, many worry about how he’ll fare against pro pitching. High risk/high reward here.

Zack Von Rosenberg, RHSP, 6' 5-200, HS (LA), DOB- 9/24/90 (18)

A rare polished prep pitcher, Von Rosenberg has scouts dreaming of a future front-of-the-rotation starter. Scouts feel that his current 89-90 mph fastball will improve as he matures, and with good command of his fastball, solid curve, and solid change, coupled with smooth mechanics on an impressive 6’ 5 frame, Von Rosenberg may sneak into round one. I like his chances.

*Jeff Malm, 1B, 6' 2-225, HS (NV), DOB- 10/31/90 (18)

Malm is an advanced hitter as a prep, and is as good as any prep position player in the draft with a bat in his hands. He is limited to 1B, but profiles to be an average defender there with a good arm. While 6’ 3-225 pounds, Malm worries scouts because it is not a muscular or solid weight… leaving concerns about future weight gain and dedication. If teams are convinced his lefty bat can continue to hammer pitching at the pro level, someone will take a chance on his body, and may just find themselves a star.

Tommy Joseph, C/1B, 6' 1-210, HS (AZ), DOB- 7/16/91 (17)

Still just 17, Joseph offers a potential skill-set of both a power bat and a good defender behind the plate. A strong and accurate arm bodes well for Joseph, but he’s still learning to catch full-time and has a long way to go. His quickness is not where one would like it to be, and some scouts see a potential move to 1B down the road. He has a solid 6’ 1-210 frame and showcases light-tower power that scouts feel sure will carry over to wood bats. If a team feels he can stick behind the dish, Joseph will get called as early as late round one.

Jiovanni Mier, SS, 6' 2-175, HS (CA), DOB- 8/26/90 (18)

One of the more interesting prospects in the draft, the 6’ 2-170 pound Mier draws physical comps to Nomar Garciaparra. He is a shortstop, and will remain a shortstop as a pro, but while a good defender, he’ll still need to show smother mechanics in the field. Scouts believe he will be an above average defender however, and it the bat that has them befuddled. Mier has been lights out at bat at some tournaments, and awful at others. A consistent stance and pro coaching may yet bring out the best of a potentially outstanding ML shortstop.

[LookinUp]

Up until now, I was under the impression that Mier was the potential steal. However, that write-up of Nick Franklin has me drooling. I'm hoping one falls to the O's at 2:5. I think they both have big time potential if they're properly developed.

[Greg Pappas]

Up until now, I was under the impression that Mier was the potential steal. However, that write-up of Nick Franklin has me drooling. I'm hoping one falls to the O's at 2:5. I think they both have big time potential if they're properly developed.

Mier and Franklin are similarly ranked shortstop prospects, but they are very well known talents and may not fall to 2:5... but yes, either would be solid choices.

There are two other SS prospects that also impress me...

Derrick Dennis, SS, 6' 3-175, HS (MI)

Danny Fields, SS, 6' 2-200, HS (MI)

[crawdad]

Mier and Franklin are similarly ranked shortstop prospects, but they are very well known talents and may not fall to 2:5... but yes, either would be solid choices.

There are two other SS prospects that also impress me...

Derrick Dennis, SS, 6' 3-175, HS (MI)

Danny Fields, SS, 6' 2-200, HS (MI)

Interesting . . . yeah, I am totally unimpressed with Franklin's bat.

[Stotle]

Interesting . . . yeah, I am totally unimpressed with Franklin's bat.

I don't think Franklin sticks at SS.

[ittakeshardwork]

Are you kidding? Ray Charles could see that the Franklin kid can hit. This USA Player was the MVP at the Florida All-star classic in front of 100 scouts on a team that hadn't won since 1990, 6A Player of the year, etc. etc. Batted .538 with 11 homeruns this year.

From what I have read, because of his stick and defense, it makes him a total package.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=932

http://centralflorida.highschoolplaybook.com/media/ShowMedia.do;jsessionid=8BE370F7417D165128A53FCC3ECEC287?mid=bcbbbba8f3ba3ac00d8c4fabb2856d29&autostart=true

_____________________

Marlins Special Analyst

[WebLink21]

Are you kidding? Ray Charles could see that the Franklin kid can hit. This USA Player was the MVP at the Florida All-star classic in front of 100 scouts on a team that hadn't won since 1990, 6A Player of the year, etc. etc. Batted .538 with 11 homeruns this year.

From what I have read, because of his stick and defense, it makes him a total package.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=932

http://centralflorida.highschoolplaybook.com/media/ShowMedia.do;jsessionid=8BE370F7417D165128A53FCC3ECEC287?mid=bcbbbba8f3ba3ac00d8c4fabb2856d29&autostart=true

_____________________

Marlins Special Analyst

Nick Franklin, is that you?