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Lookout Landing

The 2009 Draft: First Round

1. Nationals: Stephen Strasburg, RHP (San Diego State)
2. Mariners: Dustin Ackley, CF (UNC)
3. Padres: Donnovan Tate, CF (Cartersville High School, Georgia)
4. Pirates: Tony Sanchez, C (Boston College)
5. Orioles: Matt Hobgood, RHP (Norco High School, California)
6. Giants: Zach Wheeler, RHP (East Paulding High School, Georgia)
7. Braves: Mike Minor, LHP (Vanderbilt)
8. Reds: Mike Leake, RHP (ASU)
9. Tigers: Jacob Turner, RHP (Westminster Christian Academy, Missouri)
10. Nationals: Drew Storen, RHP (Stanford)
11. Rockies: Tyler Matzek, LHP (Capistrano Valley High School, California)
12. Royals: Aaron Crow, RHP (Fort Worth Cats)
13. Athletics: Grant Green, SS (USC)
14. Rangers: Matthew Purke, LHP (Klein High School, Texas)
15. Indians: Alex White, RHP (UNC)
16. Diamondbacks: Bobby Borchering, 3B (Bishop Verot High School, Florida)
17. Diamondbacks: A.J. Pollock, CF (Notre Dame)
18. Marlins: Chad James, LHP (Yukon High School, Oklahoma)
19. Cardinals: Shelby Miller, RHP (Brownwood High School, Texas)
20. Blue Jays: Chad Jenkins, RHP (Kenneshaw State University)
21. Astros: Jiovanni Mier, SS (Bonita High School)
22. Twins: Kyle Gibson, RHP (Missouri)
23. White Sox: Jared Mitchell, CF (Louisiana State)
24. Angels: Randall Grichuk, OF (Lamar Consolidated High School, Texas)
25. Angels: Mike Trout, CF (Melville Senior High school, New Jersey)
26. Brewers: Eric Arnett, RHP (Indiana)
27. Mariners: Nick Franklin, SS (Lake Brantley High School, Florida)
28. Red Sox: Ramon Fuentes, CF (Callego High School, Puerto Rico)
29. Yankees: Slade Heathcott, CF (Texas High School, Texas)
30. Rays: LeVon Washington, 2B (Gainsville High School, Florida)
31. Cubs: Brett Jackson, CF (California)
32. Rockies: Tim Wheeler, OF (Sacremento State)

0 recs  |  942 comments

Comments

Seriously, there is no reason to take this much time.
TV

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Smaller.
big screen TV's are all the rage these days though
The draft used to be done over the phone. Srsly.

I wonder who’s going to turn into the Mel Kiper Jr. of baseball.

Graham!
Does he have the hair for it?
I think it's a helmet that gets passed around

Jimmy the Greek had it, now Kiper has it.

I'd hate to see Graham have to lug around Kiper's hair though
I however would love it.

We need to go all Flock of Seagulls with Graham’s hair.

this could be entertaining
I'll get the egg whites.
Cool whip works too
This demands Photoshop or MS Draw, I think.
Now 5 minutes of analysis of why the Nationals picked Strasburg.
You don't sign someone for $50 then start them in the minors...
They're not going to spend $50 million so that's a moot point
If I signed someone for $50 I'd start them as a lawn-care associate and they could work their way up from there
I think Andy Hargrove signed for $50 and started int he minors
He still owes the org $49.95
Welcome, Dustin!
THANK GOD.
Oh hey! A team that makes a good decision!
So glad they didn't screw this up
I don't like it

there were several relievers still on the board

Shocking turn of events.

Wake me when #27 rolls around.

GOOOOOOOOOOOO NATIONALS!

Now sign the fuck out of Strasburg. Give him $20 million if necessary, I don’t care. Just do it.

Same for Ackley.

So Tate eh San Diego?
Z on MLB TV

Talking about Ackley’s future, they see him as a an OF’er.

"Short period of time before he's a big leaguer"

He says that everyone reacts differently to professional baseball but they see Ackley making the bigs sooner than later (paraphrasing)

Can he make it to Baltimore in the next 25 minutes?
After announcing Sanchez

Selig did a little ‘num num num’ smacky thing with his mouth. I’ll have to watch to see if he keeps doing this.

He did!

It is sad how excited I am about this.

Hobgood @ 5?

That’s, interesting?

Aaaaand the O's overdraft...

Watch Crow Fall! Fall! FALL!!!

Wow, I'm glad not to be rooting for the "Signability" O's

What a kick in the nuts for their fans. I was at a game at Camden last year and both of them were already pretty surly.

Mesothelioma cases are getting fewer and fewer these days
So far this draft is looking nothing at all like BPA
Did you think they were going to start damming rivers and selling dump power for pennies to aluminum companies?
When will Dustin Ackley be ready for the big leagues?
That's a crapshoot guess really at this point
So what you're saying is that he's a surefire all-star in 2010?
Well he will sign at the last possible minute.

Then he will spend 2 years in the Peace Corps. So 2012 at the earliest.

Actually, I wonder if Matt Wieters will do an Morman mission (also two years) before he retires, as he is an LDS follower.
And by Wieters by I mean Bryce Harper.
Don't worry

I can talk him out of it.

Are we even getting a game tonight?
The game thread is on the front page
Argh. Meant this for the other thread.
This draft tracker is ahead of MLB's draft tracker
Minor is a really bad pick.
Zach Wheeler

IQ over or under 85?

He needs his Jenn-ay.
That's meanlarious
The most beautiful name in the wide world.
Under

Is there a Mr. Wheeler….Mrs. Wheeler?

Jesus this kid is amazing.

The only thing he can think of is McCovy Cove and that Barry Bonds was there and that they had some good years.

If I’m a Giants fan, I’m in full rage mode.

He's a high schooler from backwoods Georgia.
Yeah, what he said.
why?

He’s a kid. He’s nervous as hell. Doesn’t mean he’s not a good ballplayer.

He's 17 and on national TV with some very famous people

give the kid a break

if that were me I would have pissed my pants three times already

while offering up such pearls of wisdom as “I LIKE PUDDING” when asked how it felt to be drafted.

A retarded Giants fan?
Re: SF- He knows that Bonds used to be there and everything, and that they have some history

Brilliant kid.

Zack Wheeler sounds exceedingly nervous in that interview
Does this mean Crow will be there at 27?

I know, he won’t.

I would be overjoyed if he was

How close is he to ML-ready?

It actually might.

Keith Law had both Scheppers and Crow falling into the second round in this morning’s mock draft, and the five top pitchers in the draft after Stras haven’t been drafted yet.

If that's true, that would be awesome.

I wouldn’t care at all then if the M’s picked Baron to save money.

Bavasi gets to work his magic now?
Sigh ... what a retard.
Isn't Cincinnati supposed to pick now?
Bud must have told everybody to WAIT until the full 5 minutes are up.

Seriously, this isn’t football where you can wheel and deal your picks if you’re so inclined. There’s no last minute crap that needs to be done here, unless there’s some huge surprise that lands someone unexpected in your lap.

Late but...ACKLEY!!!!!

Yes!

Go Cincernati.
Leake

Bavasi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE MARINERS WERE NEVER GOING TO TAKE MIKE LEAKE AT 2
Leake? What?
Leake to the Reds

Great pick. Leake’s an extremely good pitcher, probably the second best college arm in the draft behind Strasburg

Hm.

How is his mechanics?

They is fixing his car real good
I'm going to assume this is a joke
Too short
he's a rapper not a prospect
I think he just does adult movies now right?
HAROLD REYNOLDS WTF?
Cincinattuh

This is how I will pronounce that city from here until I no longer find it funny to do so.

Maybe 4-5 minutes total.

Reynolds

“Mariners were tempted to take Leake at #2”

Wrong.

They wanted to take a Leake

And went #2 instead…

THAT’S where he’s confused…

Reynolds though we might take Leake.

Must’ve been talking to Bill Bavasi.

Thank god Bavasi is advising others now.
This isn't a bad pick though.
Bavasi was probably wishing the M's hadn't signed Fields.

So he could draft him for the Reds this year.

Maybe you guys should save the Bavasi jokes for when the Reds actually screw something up
His head looks like something Dusty Baker would enjoy eating
So it looks like pitchers shoulders and elbows?
...nah.

Fuck Bavasi. It’s fun even when he doesn’t screw up.

Bavasi doesn't belong as a MLB GM...

but that doesn’t mean he’s useless. The problem is that MLB often operates on the Peter Principle.

Is there ANY WAY Matzek gets to us?
I'm going to say no.
Well, Law said that Matzek would plunge if the Tigers didn't take him, I think.

But I’d be shocked if he lasts that long.

Nats take him now.
No way

all their money is going to Strasburg.

I don't think they'll be able to afford him
Isn't Matzek asking for 7 or 8 million?
Shit I didn't know that.

Never mind then. Holy Cow.

Strasburg and Matzek?

How could they sign both?

No way in hell Washington takes him

this has gotta be someone cheap. Chad James?

Storen please please please
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YESYES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YESYES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YESYES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YESYEYES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YESYES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YESYES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

I need to ask GMs to pick whom I want them to pick more often.

Also, YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

It's going to be someone on the "well that's random" side because it has to be so cheap.
If all other teams do not draft him until the 27th pick
So, did Selig have a storke? Cause he is slurring his speech pretty bad.
He's wasted.
It really sounds like it.
Yep, hammered as usual on draft day
He sounded like this last year too
Porcello 2.0?
Can Turner be that good?
Sure, he's almost at Porcello's level as a prospect

He not a sure bet to develop like Porcello has, but I like the pick. Signability’s never been a problem for Detroit

I'm sure they hope not.

Porcello hasn’t translated the K’s into pro ball yet.

The Washington Nashals...

Who?

you know, the Natinals!
a more apropos joke

would be something about trading him bedard for Leake and Jay Bruce. Plus a few servicable players.

That's a joke?
as much as

Calling Bavasi an idiot for drafting Leake is, except mine is more apropos. I didn’t say either was funny.

I meant I could actually see him doing that.

Not that it wouldn’t be funny.

what

Interesting typo
OH NO SELIG WAS HANDED THE WRONG CARD
Ha....
Swing and a miss
I can't wait for the next trade rumor from PI...
STOREN'S GONE!
Take that, Nats!
Nice call on Storen
Storen at #10

Thanks Nats

so, on the spot time

who falls to the M’s selection, not whom will they take but who’s likely to be there now?

A couple of the Purke/Gibson/Scheppers/Crow/Matzek group
All the amatuer players in North America minus seventeen guys
17?
sixteen.

whoops

26?
Ten guys have already been picked?
Thank you, Washington.

Thank you so very much.

Callis is calling this well.
Jesus.

Where’s the unpredictability? This is going just as the pre-draft analysis showed.

Finally!

Except Matzek is dropping hard.

The pre-draft analysis that was realeased minutes before the draft, yes
Yeah I know.

But I don’t like the idea of this being pre-determined and then they STILL take the full 5 fucking minutes to pick.

Relievers in the first round.

Goodness.

Top ten even!
Yeah, what MLB team would waste a top 10 pick on a reliever?

>:(

There's a difference between picks not working out and making stupid picks.
I know.

Of course, I think you can argue we’ve made a rash decision on deciding whether or not certain picks of starters are “working out”. Thus the >:(

This makes me smile
FUCK YOU NATS
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA
You got Strasburg! Fret not!
FUCK YOU WE DRAFTED A FUCKING RELIEVER

IT’S LIKE FIELDS ALL OVER AGAIN.

So your front office didn't fuck up Strasburg but still can manage to fuck up the rest of the draft
It was a signability pick.

They desperately can’t afford to get hosed on the #10 pick, since they won’t get it back if they don’t sign him.

But of course they should have just taken the best talent and paid out the nose. Which is easy to say when it’s not my money.

NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT YOUR REALLY MINOR SOB STORY YOU GOT SAS

YOU SHOULD BE BURNING HOUSES IN DETROIT

This confuses me.
There's no point in burning down your own neighborhood in a celebretory conflagration.
As opposed to the Mariners drafting THREE relievers?
Sorry.

You got Stasburg, though, so my sympathy is kinda limited.

They DESERVED this ;)
MOTHERFUCKER.
GIVE US STRASBURG AND WE'LL TAKE STOREN TOO
They can keep Storen.

We’ll take Strasburg and keep Ackley.

effin Rec'd
Reynolds' justification for Storen...

“Have you seen the Nats bull-pen?”

He went as far as calling it a "great pick" too.
He is an idiot.
I love Harold Reynolds. Watch your mouth.
No actually I think he is really bad at analysis
Wheee Ackley
If Crow or Matzek fall to the Mariners, they have to sign them, right?
I think Scheppers falling is more likely .
I know, but I was just thinking those two are too good to pass on, right?
Maybe it's just me but I am not a huge Crow fan.
I am.
Are you recovered yet from your surprise of him falling out of the Top 5?
Someone's going to have to take White eventually
Hopefully prior to us
I'd be totally OK with White
Leake sounds like a stud.

If he doesn’t make it as a pitcher, it sounds like they could turn him into a hitter.

He is really an unbelievable player..

I used to be the beat writer for the ASU baseball team, he is quite advanced, I could see a lot of money and quality pitching for him. Very simple delivery

Clearly everyone saw how well drafting relievers in the top 10 worked out for us and copied our plan of success

Whats the big deal with Storen again?

Is that someone we were afraid the Mariners might take?

Matzek gone.
There goes Matzek.
Well, so much for Matzek
DAMMIT THEY TOOK MATZEK!
Selig is drunk

Fuck Matzek is off the board.

Wait did he say Kyler Matzek
Good pick for the Rockies.
That was expected.
Wow, The Rockies didn't Rocky their pick.
There goes Matzek
Poor Matzek.
Park factors are sane there now - it's gone from 120s in the 1990s to 107-110 now (from Baseball Reference)
Rockies = HUGE BALLS
I'm going to have to bow-out here...

Hopefully when I wake it it will be to good news!

More relievers!
Matzek. Nice pick
According to Selig

They took Kyler Matchstick.

We’re still good guys.

Hope he's gonna enjoy playing at Coors 81 games a year
Someone please take Scheppers
Crow has to go first.
Ask and you shall recieve
Someone has to jump on him before 27
Yes but please leave Gibson/Purke/or Crow.
I thought we were going to take him at 2?
Jeez

Lots of pitchers getting grabbed up, and it feels like most of the top guys left on the board are pitchers too.

I haven’t been able to read up in advance on the guys not projected to go to the M’s, so sorry if this is a dumb question, but… Is the draft class really this shallow for hitters?

It's pretty damn shallow for infielders
Grant Green is still on the board.
He's still asking for #2 money last I heard
So he's an idiot? I'm glad we don't have a chance at him.
Franklin would be good at 33 though.
Borchering

Probably would have been picked by now if it weren’t for his late increase in money demands

Whoops... discussing the Rockies busting slot.

I am surprised this isn’t talked about more, but it doesn’t seem to be something you see people mention a lot.

And there goes Crow.
Crow to the Royals
Wow.

Royals take Crow.

Is KC gonna do something dumb?
Guess not.
We were going to pick Crow.

Thus making him a hypothetical ex-Mariner.

DAMMIT THE ROYALS STOLE CROW!
Well, shit.
Royals get Aaron Crow

Wow, the Royals are getting quite good at this drafting thing

Fuck. A player I like going to an organization I loathe.
What do you have against the Royals?
Grass Creek!
I don't know, just general dislike.
Look on the bright side

It’ll be like he’s playing for the 2005 Mariners.

Just pray Gibson or Purke are still around come #27
Or Grant Green!
Maybe you went over this, but why don't you like Scheppers?
Giant red flag injury concern.
Injury history.

Shoulder surgery already is a big fat klaxon going off.

Likes the stuff but he doesn't like the chances he stays healthy.
He's not Strasburg
Watch Gibson got at 25 and Purk at 26 and Scheppers ends up with us.
There had better be someone left at 27 worth going over slot for
Crow will get to play with Willie BoomBoom!
And hopefully Yuni Betancourt!
How does Ackley compare to Triunfel in terms of prospect level?
Better by a significant fraction, especially now Tri's hurt
Isn't Ackley a much more polished hitter?
Of course. He's also like two years older
Well he's much closer to the majors for one thing...
He'd be our number 1 prospect.
Triunfel's younger

Harder to project still, hurt, and high risk. Ackley’s a significantly less risk of actually being a major league hitter.

Ackley is a lot closer to the majors and provided he can play Center I'd say he's significantly better
Re-using the NFL draft song, MLB Network?

God you’re ghetto.

It's a Trout.
Geeze

He looks like a stereotypical New Jerseyan.

A's say 5 of their top 13 are on the board for this pick.
Think they even bothered to list SAS on that?
So who's going to the A's?

I’m getting a Tim Wheelery vibe but who knows

I am terrible at this
Better than Churchill!
Mike Trout has a scary looking sister

She’s like a younger Rosie O’Donnell

It is adorable that Crow hops after he releases the ball.
Royals like Indy league players.

I’m kidding of course, but that’s two Indy pitchers now.

FUCK YOU OAKLAND
Watch him become an All Star.
DAMN YOU BILL BEANE!
I love how there are guys named "Trout" and "Crow"

in the draft.

Grant Green gone
He only had to fall what? 16 more slots?
Grant Green to the A's.

Does he really fit their typical favorite player mold?

Green to the Athletics

:(

I really hope the Rangers pick Scheppers.
I don't
I should say they pick him and he ends up being what Graham predicted.

Not that I wish ill will on any prospect necessarily.

Miller or Purke are my guesses.

Probably Purke, more’s the pity

Hey I finally got one right
I want him to go somewhere where he can't hurt us if he stays healthy.
FUCK
Of course, I'd say that to anyone they drafted
Green from Los Angeleeeees, California
Suck cock Oakland. First you tank so we don't get SAS now you take Green.
Frank likes Green because he's a baseball player.
He mus have insider information

I thought Green was a gigolo

Grant Green-the next Bobby Crosby?
Bad omen for the A's
Frank Marcos

“[Grant Green] Is a baseball player!”

No shit?

All those guys who play football really just don't belong here
I love how everyone is poking fun at this.
Well it's a real John Madden moment.

I know he has some retarded rationale for saying that…. like… “He’s MY KIND of baseball player”, but it’s still stupid no matter how you slice it.

I know. It's great.
I really like this guy because he is a baseball player

…Uh really now?

Usually baseball drafts have baseball players.
Would be kind of silly if they'd drafted a ping pong player.
REQUEST to MLB GMs - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

Please let Kyle Gibson, Matthew Purke, Shelby Miller, and Alex White fall so that the M’s at 27 so have many nice options for that pick and may pick a second from this group of four at 33 if the M’s so choose.

(this worked when I asked the Nats to draft Storen, so what the hell)

Rangers just said fuck you.
Ehh, worth a shot.
Miller goes here i bet
Well that was wrong
Rangers take Purke
PURKE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Fuck fuck fuck
Fuck you Texas
Purke is gone.
Fuck the Rangers!
Good pick for Texas.
I thought I couldn't hate the Rangers anymore, but I was wrong.
I like Purke a lot :(
liked*

Now? Screw him.

So maybe Jon Daniels doesn't suck.
This is not going as hoped.
You did get Ackley.

There is still that.

True.

I guess I took that as a given coming into the day, thus it hasn’t factored into my expectations.

No, but aside from some signability picks, things are going as you should have expected.
Most people didn't have Purke going that early
Yeah, but should we?

Sounds like a hell of a talented kid. With the other guys falling due to signability and Gibson’s injury, it’s not that big a surprise.

Purke is asking for tonnes of money, so yes?
Yeah but Texas

Have they been that concerned with signability over the years?

Apart from Smoak, yes
Paradigm shift?
Is there any way of knowing that unless you're part of the Rangers org?
Well no.

But where there’s Smoak, there’s fire….

Well played, sir.
Crowd sound like it's full of retard down there.
BPA Rizzo?

Really?

Harold Reynold's giving the Nats credit for not going for a signability pick at #1
He's a union man.

He wants players to get paid.

Now we probably get into a mid-1st pitching talent. There is tonnes
What's the deal on Alex White?

Why hasn’t he gone yet?

Well

Good timing.

You were saying?
WAit they're gonna pull an M's and leave him as a reliever!
AHAHAHA the Nats are keeping Storen as a starter - from the mouth of their VP!!!
Good pick for the Indians
Bye White
Did you like him as much as Gibson?
I used to know a bitch named Alex White.

He was drafted by Cleveland one June night.

i know a girl named alex white as well...
Two straight Dback picks now
And yet they'll still take 10 minutes
Yech.

Churchill’s mock is looking pretty bad.

Churchill appears to make stuff up
I'd like to see some mock drafts that were close to what's actually happened.
DePodesta replied to one of his comments by saying "Who is Jason Churchhill?"
Hahahahahaha
Baseball game has started, for what its worth.
Game started, in case anyone was interested.
Angels are gonna draft Gibson just to spite us.
WHY ARE THE INDIANS TALKING ABOUT PUTTING ALEX WHITE IN THE BULLPEN?

Their rotation has exploded this year.

Matzek looks so nervous
Maybe I was making fun of Zach Wheeler too much...

But he sounds like a fucking mongoloid compared to these other guys selected so far.

Shit --- I really didn't want Texas to get a good pitcher...
Matzek's ears are made of metal.
Quick rundown on Eric Arnett anyone?

Haven’t heard much about him. Preferable to Scheppers if he happens to fall?

Why not just do both?!

It’s not like the draft board is going to change dramatically after you make YOUR FIRST PICK.

Back to back.

Wow

Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck

Borchering was suppose to fall

Christ!

What is the point in delaying this?! If you knew who you were taking at 16, you should know what’s left!

Good work Arizona
Now that's a flattering picture of Bobby.
The next person to bitch about the fact that each pick is taking 5 minutes isn't going to be able to comment for the remainder of the draft
I'm not bitching about the time limits (anymore).

But when it comes to having back to back picks… this is retarded.

Bye
Does that mean the rest of us are free to bitch now?
Try it
Oh don't worry, I understand it all. I like seeing the video between picks anyway.
Is that notmal? To be scouted as at 40 and projected to be at 30?
Older and bigger
Not unusual

As guys get bigger they often lose a step of speed.

Baron is scouted at ~75 and is expected to go at 33
Oh, you were talking about tools. Whoops
I thought it was a clever joke until this one, because I also made the same initial mis-reading.
It is for speed. Anything else doesn't make sense, though.
Scheppers, Miller, and Paxton still out there
And which do most prefer?
Gibson
Yeah I like Gibson above Scheppers, too.
Ah forgot about him
Even with the forearm stress fracture, you'd still prefer Gibson over most of the other pitchers available?

I know you don’t think the injury is that serious, but it’s still concerning, right?

I don't consider bone injuries that bad, no.

He was overused in Missou

I like that order, but I know SOMEbody here doesn't like Scheppy.
Offense, Offense, Offense.
Had to run for a bit, a client was screaming at me.

What did I miss?

Nats did a takeback on Stras, so the Ms picked him up instead.
Crow is gone, White is gone
Purke is gone, Green is gone
Oops, forgot I could refresh to see the updated leaderboard.
Lots of good players are off the board.

Purke, Green, Crow etc.

Wow Borchering and Pollock back to back
Suprised that they didn't go for a pitcher

but it doesn’t surprise that they went with a slot guy after picking Borchering

Marlins like to draft in their backyard

I could see them taking Bullock

I heard it's because of the cheaper transportation spots.
What good players are left?

Any above slot players left to fall to us at 27?

Kyle Gibson (BA #4), Shelby Miller (BA #11), Tanner Scheppers (BA#9)
Awwwww dammit they took Chad James...
There's a Yukon HS in Oklahoma?
Did Hart just call Josh Johnson, Jonathan Johnson?
And Miller's gone.
Miller gone.
Paxton to B Jays.
Miller's a fastball guy with not much else
Sounds like he would've been a perfect fit for us
Put him in the Pen!
How about his curve?
Why do you need a curve? Just throw fastballs, that is how are guys do it.
Pitches don't count if you don't know where the hell they're going
Scheppers is going to be a Mariner.
I think this is going to happen
We're not going to pick Stassi, right?
I hope not.

I’m a big fan.

Fuck. So who's left for us besides sloppy Scheppers?
Sloppy seconds?
Hey I have a question if Dustin Ackley somehow flops can I call him Dustin Astley?
We'll never give up on him.
He better never let us down then.
What about Rick Astley
Bustin Assley?
So Gibson is who we're hoping falls to us?
So besides his iffy shoulder, Scheppers is a good or a great pick?
Besides the fact that he's injured, is Ben Sheets an ace pitcher for the Rangers?
Besides the fact that Yuni can't hit or field, is he a good or great SS?
Oh yeah, interference.

Here comes the replay!

Indeed.

Vargas is falling back to earth.

Wrong thread dudes.
Well fuck.
His delivery is easy?
Chad Jenkins at #20 for the Jays - this makes me happy.
Stephen
He goes by Chad
Ah

My apologies then.

I'm predicting Trout to Astros
I've halibut enough of these predictions
Thats a terrible stretch.
Don't talk carp.
You cod have done worse.
You salmon get the chance to make these jokes.
Well I was wrong
I've run out of DVR buffer

And now this is incredibly boring. Did it really take the Nats 5 minutes to pick Strasburg?

All picks take 5 minutes because of TV.
Do you think the Angels would piss us off on purpose by drafting both Gibson and Scheppers.
I have no idea why you clowns want a shoulder injury with the #27 pick
Not to piss us off, but yes
They would be a dumb reason to draft people
I like Mier but at #21 it's a bit of a stretch
At least I don't have to reply to 300 comments about why we took another shortstop...
You guys should totally pick a 2B.

It’s what you need right now, after all.

Ideally a college senior who plays second base.
Kick that doucebag out.

You don’t get to reach over the wall.

Dustin and WHite talking to us!
Ackley doesn't look happy.
He looks like he's about to fall asleep
Ackley is very shy
Get ready for 6+ years of loathing from the press.
Cue the minimalist greeting cards!
How the hell is he gonna hit in Safeco with thirty people watching him?
He was surprised when the M's chose him for some reason...
He doesn't read draft blogs?
That's a cookie cutter response.

Mr. Strasburg were you surprised to go first?

He shoulda tanked

to drop down in the draft.

Never heard of the Mariners till now
He doesn't like doing interviews like Erik Bedard likes doing interviews.
Flying through? The draft has been going near 2 hours!
Gibson gone

Twins select him at 22

DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT!
Shit shit shit shit shit shit
Say hello to Scheppers
WE'RE GONNA END UP WITH SCHEPPERS!
Time for the sky to fall
Its gonna be Scheppers

Fuck me

Baseball teams are smart. :|
There's still Paxton, Scheppers and who else?
Arnett as well

as far as pitching goes

Stassi
Not sure we need a catcher.
BPA BPA BPA BPA
Would he be BPA if Paxton, Scheppers, or Arnett are still there?
Depends who's answering.
It's not the NFL.
Trade trade trade
Angels still get two picks ahead of us.
I guess the ritualistic suicide has just been delayed?
Well if Scheppers is healthy I'm not gonna really give a damn but then again he has to stay healthy...
I'm crossing my fingers for Stassi
Why do we think Scheppers will be linked with us? Surely Z knows about the shoulder injury too..
I guess I'm wondering if any previous reporting has the M's interested in him.
Isn't it possible that we'll draft Franklin or Walla?
I'd love Scheppers at 27, but I may be the only one here.
I'm with you.

He’s a high risk, but also a very high upside. I’ll take it after taking the safest pick at number 2.

There is no good reason to punt draft picks
You're making it sound like there's a 0% chance he will ever pitch again.
I'm just not convinced it would be punting the pick.

It’s a gamble, not a sure thing failure.

You are creeping into injury prediction territory here.

Yes, he’s a huge risk, but it’s not like he has zero chance of staying healthy or contributing within club control years.

Right, but gambling on that is akin to wasting your pick, especially when he's going to take a good deal of money to sign

And I’ve never had a problem predicting future injuries based on past ones.

Come on now.
If we're going to have to take Baron to afford Scheppers I hate this

If we can somehow afford him without overdrafting Baron, whatever.

I figure if the M's take him that his medicals check out, at least with their own team doctors.

It’s not my ideal pick due to the scary shoulder concerns, but his upside is tantalizing. I won’t love the pick, but I certainly won’t hate it.

Scheppers will go in the next 5 picks
Jared Mitchell

Wow he went really, really high

There is always a pick like this.
He's an athlete not a baseball player at this point
I'm pretty sure he plays the game of baseball and does it pretty well
I like Mitchell
Me too, but not until our 2nd round pick.
I'd like to have him just for the MST3K jokes.

Crow would also have worked, but not as well.

Biggest position player upside? Uhhh Tate?
Graham, Can you update the best available for #27?
Scheppers, Paxton, Brothers, Stassi, we're being linked with Walla too.
How much better is Scheppers than Paxton or Brothers?
Upside is much higher, but higher bust probability too
He's more refined than Paxton, has better stuff now than either, and #1 upside.
God I hope the Angels fuck up somehow
I think this hope can be applied to everything the Anegls do
It most certainly can
Damn Gibson is a good interview too.
No cookie cutter answers.

I love it.

Damnit, Gibson sounds awesome.
Reach for someone, Angels.
If we don't get Scheppers, I hope we go for two good picks like Stassi/Davidson instead of punting 33.
Damn. All the guys who could fall are gone.
...who?
That was my thought exactly
Never heard of him
Someone pick Scheppers please
Wow an absolutely shitty pick. Good job Angels.
Dude Selig HAS to be under the influence of something.
Randal Grichuk

Whoa

Grichuk is gritty
Have never heard of him.
I want Scheppers now, even with the injury concerns he has a hell of a lot of talent
This guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dthR3VcVnRY

Doesn’t look like a very good fielder (I think he’s projected as a poor 3B, solid 1B), but he can rake.

Good bat for the second round but whaaaa?
Poor Trout.
I love Mike Trout

He’d be an awesome pick at 33

Though my guess would be that he's going next to the Angels
I agree.

I don’t know if he last that long.

Plus how fucking cool would it be to have Trout and Carp on the same team?
Think of the fish puns!
Oh yes please
This is my primary reason for wanting Trout
Yeah poor kid who decided to raise his demands in the last two days
Hehe

Hard to feel bad for him when you put it like that.

That’s his agent though, not him.

Who is this kid?
Wow. Chris Burke is the last Astros first round pick to make the majors (2001)
The Los AngelEEs Angels pick...
Scheppers here?

Would that explain the Grichuk pick?

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Good call on trout
And there goes Trout
And there he goes
Fuck. Angel Trout.
Trout gone

Weird draft so far by Anaheim

IT'S A TROUT.
Quick! someone help Selig he is having a stroke
Well, add two more to the list of players I don't like
2 picks away!
Obvious joke about Tim Salmon's legacy with the Angels and Mike Trout being a future Angel
Those two picks didn't seem to go very well for LAA.
Angels will be telling some grand fish stories now.
Was he really the only player in the building?
Yup

In fairness, a few of them are playing in the CWS

Those both seem like reaches
Trout wasn't a huge reach, but since other players have been skipped out on I'm pretty surprised they went for him. Especially after their previous pick.
Ignorance: I keep hearing "five tool player" what are the five tools?
Traditionally: Contact, Power, Speed, Arm, Fielding
So how the hell is Halman a 5 tool player if he strikes out alot?
He isn't.
Something along the lines of contact, power, speed, arm. glove.
Hitting (average/contact), Power, Speed/baserunning, Defense, Arm
range, arm, speed, avg, power
Hit for average, hit for power, run, field, throw

Unless you are a Mariner then it’s
Swing at balls
Never walk
Take strikes
Never change
Eat a lot

He had no idea, don't lie Trout.
The commentator seem to think every pick is a great one.
I can't even imagine the panegygics he would have given to Michael Garciaparra
I'm going to remember Dustin Ackley, Harold.
We're next!
ohmygodohmygodohmygod
Arnett is gone
There goes Arnett

Kinda darn. Mariners pick next

ON THE CLOCK ON THE CLOCK ON THE CLOCK
PAXTON PAXTON PAXTON
Please no Scheppers
It's between Scheppers or Paxton.
Paxton, Walla, or Franklin please
Franklin over Scheppers or Stassi?
I'm bettin Scheppers..

Let’s hope for health!

Graham:

Love you. Don’t do anything that the LL community will regret if and when we pick up Scheppers.

Paxton would be sexy, but I'd love me some Scheppers.

Either way we have one of the best draft classes.

If they have the balls, they can get two awesome picks at 27 and 33.
If they have the money
Mariners have the money.
I didn't realize you were the M's accountant
GRIFFEY!
Tre!
Trey already has a contract--

Armstrong delivered one dated 2012 the day he was born

Thats just good general managing!
Wow there's a ton of talent left on the board

Going cheap would certainly be irritating

I'd rather have Trout than Fields.
He seems like a guy who's really going to piss us the fuck off in a few years
Here it comes...

This one makes me nervous.

Fuentes?
I hate that trade more than I do the Bedard deal.
less than a minute to go
Please Scheppers
Can we draft Strasburg in case the Nationals can't sign him?
GMZ sticks out in a crowd
I like our draft room
Oh boy here we go!
heeeere we go
NICK FRANKLIN WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
I love Johjima!
Yay!
I should have done it during the first pick.
Franklin!!!
YEZ YES YES YES YES
NICK FRANKLIN BABY
Nick Franklin!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA!
Franklin!!
Ok I can deal with that
FUCKING LOVE IT!
That'll work.
NICK FRANKLIN HOLY NOT SCHEPPERS!
WE DIDN'T FUCK UP!
MAYBE A TAD OF A REACH BUT YES YES YRSE
OH HELL YES

SWITCH HITTING SHORTSTOP

Graham's not going to kill someone!

At least not out of anger…

Whew, time to loosen the rope around my neck
Wait so does this mean we take a real pick with 33?
What do you mean?
Instead of drafting Baron.
Baron is not a 33rd pick
Scheppers!
You got your wish, Graham.

It’s a big overdraft, though, isn’t it?

I like that pick a lot
Is this cause for Fiddle Cat?
Now the fucking Sox or Yanks are going to get Paxton and Stassi.
GMZ IS GOOD AT HIS JOB
GMZ is sitting out the draft
GMZ hired people who are smart.

Therefore, GMZ is good at his job.

HE'S A GAMER AND A GRINDER AND A BALLPLAYER AND HE'S VERSATILE
AND WHITE
I'm sort of disappointed.
I'd pop Scheppers at 33 now if he's still there.
I'd agree with you now
Doubt he'll still be there though
Paxton or maybe Oliver or Brothers if not?
I would love Paxton if he's still there
Rex Brothers if only because his name is fucking awesome
He looks eerily like JJ Hardy.
So I assume we're not going to reach at 33 now?
Depends on who we see available at #51
Isn't 51 too far away to project?
Not really

The draft board shrinks as picks goes by.

I, for one, can't wait for the flat brim era to come to an end.
The PI comments thread makes me laugh.
I dare not tread over there.
If they don't like a pitcher at 33

I’d hoping for Tim Wheeler

How the hell is Wheeler still on the board?
No idea

Guess teams may question his sudden breakout or maybe there’s a signability issue

Yeah I really don't like this at all. How is he not still there at 33?
Like why not Paxton first, then Franklin, he's almost certainly still there.
If Scheppers/PAxton is still avaliable at 33rd I would do backflips if we drafted them.
Saw him earlier. He looks sorta scrawny. So I guess he throws right, but can bat lefty?
He's a shortstop

he better throw right-handed

Switch hitter.
switch-hitter
Boston will take Paxton
HR's support for this pick worries me. Otherwise, I know nothing of the guy.
He's supported every pick, right?
You know you are right. I will stop worrying now.
Man I just realized how awesome it would be to have a Trout to go along with a Carp.
Would have rather drafted Paxton.

But I’m still pleased with Franklin.

Franklin would have been there with the 33rd pick.
Exactly, so why not Paxton/Franklin??
He's cheaper I guess.
Perhaps the guy they want at 33

will still be there at 33

Where does Franklin rank now on our list of SS prospects?

Above Triunfel?

Well he's healthy and actually will stick at short so he might be a tick above.
Triunfel's not really a SS prospect
Prolly not just on age
Yes because he projects as a shortstop right now
I'm actually hoping we don't draft Baron with 33rd right now...
HAhahahaha. What?
Some really good talent should still be there at 33!
Bosox select Beltran's cousin.

Thank you, fellas.

Don't they that the know the couisins of the sluggers are the ones with the roids???
I love with this draft means for our under performing middle infield.
Nick Franklin is 18

eighteen. It means NOTHING for our current infield

I'm just saying the future doesn't look so bleak.

Hope is good.

Yeah, look out 2012 Yuni!
Hey look, it's Tino.
PAXTON AND SCHEPPERS ARE STIL FREAKING AVALIABLE!
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Wow, that's a hell of a name.
Better than Slocumb
Well I was totally expecting Scheppers here
Tampa sure as fuck ain't taking him

he may be available at 33

Do they just do the one round today?
Weird picks for BOS and NYY
Tell me about it

With the money they have…

They're not going broadcast past 32 are they?
Isn't that tomorrow?
Ok so maybe Scheppers will fall
Some of these guys will be free at #33:

Stassi, Myers, Scheppers, Paxton, Wheeler. Interesting

And they'll take Baron
I would love to have a guy named after a terrifying secret service agency
Okay, so even the big budget teams are passing on Scheppers et.al.
Medical record must have sucked.
Thank you Harold.
I'd still be expecting Baron here, guys.
And by 'here' I mean at #33
I'd be upset..they already reached on 1 player.
Please don't break my heart.
Hopefully with the players still on the board they'll change their minds
You'd think they'd have to take an arm at some point.
Probably but the draft is young
Wait what you can't trade picks in the MLB draft huh?
The MLB.com scuting report on Franklin sucks.
shock
Worse than usual.

He’s a real “baseball player” with solid tools across the board.

Again with this “baseball player” thing.

Levon Washington is the blackest name of all time.
LaDainian Tomlinson?
Chone Figgins
Reggie Willits
Can't believe I hadn't though about this until now
Khalil Green?
Joe White?
I think you mean Thompson
Levon Helms disagrees.
err. Helm.
There's never been a president named Helms so I disagree
Nigga Owens
HOW IS WHEELER PAXTON STRASSI AND SCHEPPERS STILL AVALIABLE!
AND WE'RE GONNA DRAFT BARON?!?!?!
Hey LeVon Washington is black

I AM SHOCKED

Makes more sense than the last two picks
Wait just one cotton pickin' minute, he's black?
where can you watch the draft after MLB network finishes?
MLB.COM I hope
MLB.com is streaming it
They're done after the 32nd pick
I don't think so
Oh sorry about that

I thought “comp” meant complete

You know Poythress would be pretty cool at #33 too
He sounds like he came up with a mathematical theory.
Wouldn't be surprised

Similar to Matt LaPorta

Why do people like Franklin at #27?
Graham told us to.
That's not a bad way to go, really.
We hear and obey.
He might not be the best player available but he does fill a huge need
Will it be a need in 4 years when he's ready?
Probably considering we have no real prospects at shortstop aside from him
So there's no way we'll sign or trade for anyone who can play SS?
It could happen, sure

But we could sign or trade for any position so I don’t see how that’s relevant, and good shortstops are scarce.

Because his name isn't Yunieski Betancourt.
Neither is Yuniesky Betancourt's.
I just love the idea of a switch hitting shortstop
Because our sexy overlords told us to.
So which round will they go to today?
Brett Jackson off the board
Cool.

One more pick ’til Paxton…

On the other hand

Colorado is high on pitching.

God we have our pick between Stassi, Wheeler, PAxton, and Scheppers!
I'd like Wheeler, I think.
We better not pick Baron.
I'd prefer the Beer Baron.
Why?
Because he uses bowling balls in ways others couldn't even dream of.
Oh! That beer baron.

The fact that I forgot about him embarrasses me. =(

Well, Wheeler's gone.
There goes Wheeler
There goes Wheeler
FUCK

I had a feeling they’d go for Wheeler

OH my god I love who we get to choose from with 33rd. TOO BAD WE MIGHT CHOOSE BARON!
FIFTEEN MINUTES!?
15 minutes? Booooo!
Good draft for the Rockies
15 minute delay? Fuck you MLB
FUCK YOU A 15 MINUTE BREAK

SPEED THIS BITCH UP

Only 1 min from here on out.
What is historic about the first round ending?
WTF? I want to go home.
Hey the Mariners are playing.
You know, there's a Mariners game going on if you're looking for something to do for the next 15 minutes
You can watch Vargas implode.
Also Stanley Cup Hockey
It's been over for a week and a half now.
Buh?
I refuse to believe that the final exist this year.

There’s no more hockey until the Olympic training camps.

Got it, hockey sensei.
It's like a NYM/NYY WS. I wouldn't watch a minute out of interest of my TV and sanity.
Makes sense! (I'm not watching it either)
We have next?
Is this thread even still going or did everyone leave? Stupid me.
I'm still here, Taylor.
Tends to happen when you show up. ;P
Now no one will ever read all the witty comments I posted :(

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