Do we need a fundamental shift in draft philosophy?

[Moose Milligan]

Suppose Hobgood get's his pre-draft advertised velocity back and starts sitting 92-93 and looking dominant sometime this year or next? Would that convince you? I didn't believe Hobgood was BPA either, but I don't think it's a slam dunk to say Jordan didn't believe it.

I mean, when he was taken. My stance on him doesn't have to do with what he's doing now. I don't understand what Jordan saw to make him go against everyone elses board and make that pick. Hobgood does have some good traits and I can see why Jordan liked him, however I didn't think there was anything there to rank him over Matzek.

[Moose Milligan]

Reading between the lines, Jordan saw a big kid who had good mechanics, a plus fastball, and curve with plus potential, and an easy sign. Jordan insists that the physical traits had more to do with the selection than the signability. Let's assume Jordan is/was being honest. Your stance is that Hobgood was not the BPA. Fine, but how can you say it doesnt' matter how he performs on the field now or next year? If Hobgood becomes what Jordan thinks/expects him to come then Jordan is vindicated and Hobgood was the BPA. It's just a difference of opinion. Either Jordan was right or he was wrong. It's still a bit early to say he was wrong. Hobgood's not exactly stinking up the joint in Delmarva. Matzek is not a slam dunk hall of famer yet either.

I see what you're saying and you have a point.

But I can retaliate with an SG-like "Doesn't matter how they pan out, still doesn't make it the correct pick, you're wrong and I'm right" stance...

Jokes aside, yes, if he does turn it on and vindicates Jordan's stance and you have to give Jordan props.

[mweb]

Who are we to say he doesn't usually take the BPA? We have no idea how he ranks all the players each year. We can say he didn't take what seemed like the BPA according to various sources and/or our opinions, but I don't see any reason to doubt that he picks who he thinks is the BPA most of the time, with signability obviously coming into play.

[PBR Street Gang]

Can anyone actually say what Joe Jordan's draft philosophy actually is? The guy has been all over the place in practically every draft. One year the O's took 9 RHP's in a row(2007)? Granted some of those guys were decent, but that's never been explained.

[frode]

I just don't see why we should make a focused effort at finding expensive signs in every round...the whole reasoning behind classifying the draft as a 'crap shoot' is that there's rarely any connection between a player's hype in the draft and his development in the minor leagues into a major league prospect.

It's good to find some gems here and there, but to make a concerted effort at seeking those types of players isn't going to lead to more consistent success with developing prospects for the majors.