Saturday, October 27, 2007, 02:29 PM EST
[General]
Imagine the feeling of acceptance by hundreds, the reverence of thousands and the eyes of millions watching. This is the start of the free agency period. The free agency period allows fans to feel hope, to feel they have a chance and to feel that baseball is just around the corner.
Many fans won't know the prospects, but most know the names of the big time stars. Free agents can energize an entire city and this class is no different.
Over the next couple of days the free agents will be broken down into lists of 20 ranked accordingly with their predicted landing spot and contract. Players with options that are near locks to be exercised, i.e. Greg Maddux, will not be included.
1) Alex Rodriguez - 3B/SS
What can't you say about Alex Rodriguez? He's rich, he's intelligent, he's attractive, he's the best player in the game and most of all, he's a publicity buzz all in himself. Rodriguez will have a chance to break the single season home run record with this new contract increasing revenues. Provided Rodriguez moves back to shortstop, he is going to provide Gold Glove defense and Silver Slugger offense.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels 8 years - $290 million
2) Andruw Jones - CF
Everyone wants to make a big deal about Jones' down year and declining defense. What no one forgot to mention was that even with a slight decline, Andruw Jones absolutely dwarfed the defensive competition. His swing has gotten longer causing him to collapse his back leg, something that is correctable. His hands haven't slown down, his mechanics have gotten sloppy. Jones has always shown tremendous power and range, something that make him ideal for a number of teams.
Prediction: San Diego Padres - 5 years, $57 million
3) Barry Bonds - LF/DH
Forget, if you will, the name and look only at the numbers. For a measly one of two year deal, a team can add a player with an OPS over 1000 with 30 homer power. In addition, the team still gets an average outfielder who is capable of 40-50 games in the field.
Prediction: Oakland Athletics - 1 year $10 million with a vesting option for '09
4) Kosuke Fukodome - RF
Fukodome is the best hitting Japanese import since Hideki Matsui. Fukodome might only hit 15-20 home runs but should hit around 50 doubles as he hits to all fields and sprays the ball extremely well. The only concern on him will be his recovery from elbow surgery. Fukodome won't bring the craze that Daisuke Matsuzaka did, but he will definitely attract a following.
Prediction: San Francisco Giants - 4 years $50 million
5) Adam Dunn - LF/DH Cincinnati Reds
Dunn has a team option and could very likely be declined with new manager Dusty Baker's traditionalist viewpoints on baseball. Dunn has weaknesses, notably strikeouts and defense, but his ability to get on base and hit the ball out off the ballpark make him extremely valuable to a team in desperate need of some pop from the DH spot.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels 3 years $45 million
6) Torii Hunter - CF Minnesota Twins
Hunter could not have timed his best season to date better. Hunter showed excellent power and discipline. His defense is always going to be overrated, but is still very good, especially for a team who needs their centerfielder to cover more ground. Provided the team can get him on only a 4 year deal, this could be one of the better signings this offseason.
Prediction: Minnesota Twins 5 years $65 million
7) Mariano Rivera - RP New York Yankees
Rivera's flirtation with free agency has left many to wonder if the Sandman will seek employment elsewhere. He is still the best reliever at the game even in the twilight of his career. Any team who pursues him brings a lot of attention to themselves and shows themselves as true contenders.
Prediction: New York Yankees 3 years $39 million
8) Jorge Posada - C New York Yankees
As with Hunter, Posada could not have chosen a better time to have his best offensive season to date. Posada benefit greatly from getting scheduled time off and was fresh for most of the season. He should be allowed to play in 155-160 games per season provided he is able to DH in about 30.
Prediction: New York Yankees 3 years $40 million
9) Curt Schilling - SP Boston Red Sox
Schilling has become the master of controversy and the interview, earning his nickname of Red Light Curt. Schilling is truly a shell of his former self, but still capable of getting out hitters and pitching a lot of innings. His playoff success is well documented and his views make him especially good for a red state or moderate state as he will continue to talk and continue to alienate people as his career closes.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies 2 years $25 million
10) Mike Lowell - 3B Boston Red Sox
What a difference a few years make. Lowell has gone from scrap heap salary dump back to All-Star with Boston. Lowell has played some of the best defensive third base in the game for his entire career with a vastly underrated bat. Lowell has completely resurged, though any team should be weary of going past 3 years to sign him.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox 3 years $37 million
11) Yorvitt Torrealba - C Colorado Rockies
Torrealba has certainly introduced himself to the world with his spectacular play during the postseason. He is a below average defender but shows a lot of poise at the plate and dare we say, clutchness or clutchitude. He has definitely been credited with helping the Rockies' young pitching staff evolve to the point they are today.
Prediction: Colorado Rockies 3 years $27 million
12) Aaron Rowand - CF Philadelphia Phillies
Rowand will likely inspire the most debate amongst the free agents. On one hand, Rowand had an incredible 2007; on the other hand, Rowand had a shaky 2002-2006. Rowand continues to provide the most overrated defense in the game, making his perceived value significantly higher than his actual value. Rowand has never had the ability to stay healthy with his reckless play, 2007 excluded. He might be the most overpaid player from this entire class.
Prediction: Chicago White Sox 5 years $55 million
13) Luis Gonzalez - OF Los Angeles Dodgers
Gonzalez continued to hit well with the Dodgers, though the power is declining. He moved from 52 doubles in 2006 to only 23 in 2007. That signals a declining trend, though Gonzalez has alternated good and bad years in his career. For any team willing to offer him a 1 year deal, they could reap the rewards significantly.
Prediction: 1 year $7.5 million Minnesota Twins
14) Tom Glavine - SP New York Mets
In 2007 Glavine finally got his 300th win. His career is essentially over, though he can masquerade as a number 4 starter on a playoff team, or a number 2 starter on a poor team. Glavine's fastball has really lost a lot of life which has caused him to take even more off of his changeup. He isn't quite the junkballer that Jamie Moyer is, but is getting close.
Prediction: Atlanta Braves 1 year $9 million
15) Omar Vizquel - SS San Francisco Giants
Even in his 40's, Vizquel's defense is still among the best in the game. He has become an even better hitter later in his career and could definitely be the player who puts a team over the top. He is better suited for the bottom part of a lineup on an AL team versus the top of the lineup in the NL.
Prediction: Chicago White Sox 2 years $16 million
16) Kaz Matsui - 2B Colorado Rockies
What a dramatic difference a change of scenery can make. Matsui was thought of as one of the biggest import busts with the Mets but is absolutely revered in Colorado. His loyalty will definitely be tested when he's presented with a chance to sign a very big money deal.
Predicton: Colorado Rockies 3 years $18 million
17) Kyle Lohse - SP Philadelphia Phillies
Lohse will reap the benefits of a strong close to the season and Scott Boras has to be licking his chops at the possibility. He showed great stuff with the Phillies and really buckled down with the team becoming one of the most consistent starters on the team. However, his problem has been consistency and the mental approach to the game. If he can harness his potential, he's a solid number 3 starter, though he might get paid like a much better performer.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies 3 years $24 million
18) Mike Piazza - DH Oakland Athletics
2007 marked Piazza's worst year in many years. His OPS was the lowest it had been since his rookie year, which doesn't project well for his future in the big leagues. Piazza will likely have to take another one year "prove it" deal.
Prediction: Minnesota Twins 1 year $6.5 million
19) Bartolo Colon - P Los Angeles Angels
Colon has really experienced an enormous fall from his once dominant self. His shoulder injuries of late have to make a team extremely weary as he is not exactly in the best shape to recover. However, his k/9 rating spiked up in 2007 which means the rest of his stuff should be returning soon. If a team is willing to take a chance on him, they could very easily reap the rewards.
Prediction: Cleveland Indians 2 years $10 million
20) Mark Prior - SP Chicago Cubs
As with Colon, Prior hasn't had a great year since 2005. However, like Colon he was pitching through immense shoulder problems. Unlike Colon, Prior is in arguably the best shape of anyone in baseball and is 7 years younger. All signs point to Prior being able to come back and dominate once fully recovered. It isn't easy to acquire an ace, but if Prior is even 4/5's of what he was in 2003 and 2004, the team gambling is going to get one of the 5 best pitchers in baseball.
Prediction: San Diego Padres - 2 years $11 million
For 28 teams, the offseason has already begun. Conversations are
occurring on who should stay, who should go and who should just plain
go away. The time is now to think about 2008, the free agency period,
the draft and Latin American signings.
Here are 10 predictions for the coming offseason:
1)
Alex Rodriguez will top $300 million dollars
2) Roger Clemens will finally stay retired ending the career of one of the best 10 pitchers in the history of the game.
3) Three marquee names will be traded: Johan Santana (Dodgers), Dan Haren (Mets) and Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners)
4) The Milwaukee Brewers will take a chance on Eric Gagne
5)
The centerfield roulette wheel will spin wildly with 7 teams starting
new centerfielders in 2008: Rangers, Twins, Phillies, White Sox,
Braves, Nationals, Oakland
6) A name that will be thrown around more than Paris Hilton's will be Roy Oswalt's, though he'll go nowhere
7) The Yankees' payroll will drop significantly
8) At least 40 players, many of whom All-Stars will be implicated for steroids, or other drugs
9) Instant replay will be added to playoff games
10) The most discussed name, Barry Bonds, will become the DH for Oakland accepting a one year, $10 million contract
Stay tuned tomorrow, for I will begin to predict free agent signings.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 08:25 PM EST
[General]
Too often teams are blindsided by turning the draft into a crapshoot
rather than taking the players who will best help their team. It is now
three full seasons since the 2004 draft, enough time to judge if a
player is a stud, dud or somewhere in the middle.
In 2004, certain players had honored their commitment to their colleges
or other sports, having them go undrafted. Matt Wieters and Andrew
Brackman are two prime examples of players who fit this criteria,
therefore they are excluded from this list, though players who did not
sign are included.
2004 became known as the year of sticker
shock, started primarily by the San Diego Padres who balked at the
contract demands of Jered Weaver and Stephen Drew, the consensus top
college pitcher and hitter available respectively.
This
comprehensive look at the first round will be followed by the sandwich
picks and rounds two and three, though in less detail. There were gems
hidden throughout the draft just waiting to be found.
1. San Diego Padres - Matt Bush SS/RHP Mission Bay HS To
say this pick was a colossal failure could be the understatement of the
century. In one of the most loaded draft classes in recent years, the
Padres got sticker shock and opted for signability. Bush has since been
moved back to the mound where he projects as a closer if he can stay
healthy. If Bush reaches his potential, he could perhaps replace Trevor
Hoffman which would allow this pick to save a little face. Bush
features 4 pitches, one of which will likely be scrapped if he moves
into the bullpen full time. He features a plus fastball that tops out
at 98 mph with a biting slider, sharp curve and a very underdeveloped
changeup.
Grade: D- with the chance of improving to B- Could have had: Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Stephen Drew, Phil Hughes
2. Detroit Tigers - Justin Verlander RHP Old Dominion
For
those who don't follow the draft well, this pick was actually
scrutinized by many scouts and draft commentators. Verlander was
thought of as a college pitcher who lacked command. After two of the
best rookie and sophomore seasons to date, Verlander has quickly defied
expectations and is in the top 20 pitchers in all of baseball. His
fastball is a 75 pitch and his curveball a 72 with the changeup and
slider as 60's. Verlander is the ace of a staff and can single handedly
win a game for the team.
Grade: A+ Could have had: Jered Weaver, Stephen Drew
3. New York Mets-Philip Humber RHP Rice
This
was a bad pick then and a worse pick now. Rice pitchers are notorious
for having their arms abused and Humber projected as a middle relief
pitcher, not something one expects from the number three pick in the
draft. Humber will likely manage as a spot starter or middle reliever,
but that will essentially be it. The Mets' pitching woes could have
easily been helped had they taken a chance on a high school pitcher, or
Jered Weaver here. Humber has had a litany of elbow problems that will
likely lead to another Tommy John surgery.
Grade: D+ Could have had: Jered Weaver, Philip Hughes, Homer Bailey, Nick Adenhart
4. Tampa Bay Rays - Jeff Nieman RHP Rice
The
same can be said about Nieman as is said about Humber, replacing elbow
with shoulder. Nieman is an absolute horse on the mound losing a stare
down only to Randy Johnson. Tampa Bay took the right position, but the
wrong player. This pick has a chance to work out if Nieman can overcome
shoulder injuries, something that could very well lead him down the
career path of Kerry Wood as an amazing starter who was banished to the
land of "what ifs?"
Grade: C - with a chance to improve to B+ Could have had: Jered Weaver, Philip Hughes, Homer Bailey, Nick Adenhart
5. Milwaukee Brewers - Mark Rogers RHP Mt. Ararat High School One
of the saddest stories of the 2004 draft is Mark Rogers. His stuff is
the best I have ever seen, eclipsing Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson.
However, he has had a major shoulder injury that one can only pray that
he recovers from. He is young enough that if he can even regain 4/5's
of his dominance, he will become the best pitcher in the NL Central,
bar none.
Grade: C/inc with the chance to move to either D or A Could have had: Jered Weaver, Philip Hughes, Homer Bailey, Nick Adenhart
6. Cleveland Indians - Jeremy Sowers LHP Vanderbilt
Sowers
has had his ups and downs in the MLB, but still projects as a number 3
starter. Sowers pitches to contact, which means that against patient
lineups with power, he is going to get rocked at times. Sowers is
unflappable on the mound, something necessary for the type of pitcher
he is.
Grade: B Could have had: Jered Weaver, Homer Bailey, Philip Hughes
7. Cincinnati Reds - Homer Bailey RHP LaGrange High School
Bailey
is a flat out power pitcher who can dominate with a 95-98 mph fastball
and a 12-6 curve that is flat out knee buckling. His ascension to MLB
was very rapid, though once there he struggled mightily at times while
flourishing at others. He missed a lot of the season with a groin
injury, which can be one of the reasons his velocity was down and he
was simply terrible at the big league level. His sophomore season
should be significantly better if he stays committed to getting better
and finds his confidence on the mound. At the major league level, he
did what many young pitchers do - show incredible talent but also
incredible youth.
Grade: B Could have had: Stephen Drew, Jered Weaver, Phil Hughes
8. Baltimore Orioles - RHP Wade Townsend RHP Rice
It
seems that Baltimore's success with the third member of the Rice trio's
was the most effective. Townsend did not sign and re-entered the draft
in 2005, only to need Tommy John surgery. Though the Orioles did a
terrible job at scouting and gauging their ability to sign, it could
have worked out for them. Had Nick Adenhart been healthy, this would
have been the lowest he'd have fallen, and should have been selected
anyway. In addition to losing out on Townsend, the Orioles managed to
botch the compensation pick awarded to them in 2005 as well.
Grade: F Could have had: Nick Adenhart, Jered Weaver, Stephen Drew, Philp Hughes
9. Colorado Rockies - Chris Nelson SS Redan HS
Nelson
is going to make an impact somewhere, though very unlikely in Colorado
and very unlikely at shortstop. He shows a tremendous patience at the
plate, but is moving through the minors very slowly. He has a lot of
power and solid speed, though he might project to a three outcome
hitter in the bigs. In the best hitters league, he slugged a robust .503
Grade: C- Could Have Had: Stephen Drew, Jered Weaver, Phil Hughes
10. Texas Rangers- Thomas Diamond RHP University of New Orleans
Chalk
another one to Tommy John surgery. If you had 30% of the top 10 picks
needing TJ in the office pool, then congrats, you win! The bottom line
on Diamond is that he was a 23 year old striking out hitters, but
allowing WAY too many walks and runs. If he recovers fully, at best he
can be a 4th starter, though his G/F ratio is going to be amplified in
Arlington.
Grade: D+ Could have had: Jered Weaver, Philip Hughes, Nick Adenhart
11. Pittsburgh Pirates - Neil Walker C Pine Richland HS
The
Pirates really hit here, though they might be cornering themselves, no
pun intended, by moving him from catcher to third. He is a switch
hitter who has power to all fields, but most of all a very short and
compact swing that produces power rather than a power swing, think
Chase Utley. There is no reason he can't win the starting third base
job in 2008 and hit in the middle or top of the order.
Grade: A (if catcher), B+ if 3B Could have had: Jered Weaver, Stephen Drew
12. Los Angles Angels - Jered Weaver RHP Long Beach State
At
the time, without a doubt the consensus top player in the draft, Weaver
only fell because of bonus demands. He has front line stuff and the
attitude to go along with it. His mechanics suggest durability and the
back turn hides the ball extremely well. As with Justin Verlander,
Weaver has the ability to single handedly command a game.
Grade: A+ Could have had: Stephen Drew, Phil Hughes
13. Washington Nationals - Bill Bray RHP William and Mary
Arguably
one of the 3 worst picks of the first round, Bray was unceremoniously
dumped for lesser quality relievers. His peak value could be as a
closer, though he's most likely going to be a 7th or 8th inning set up
pitcher. He is a flyball pitcher pitching in a hitters park, a deadly
combo for the Reds, who now own him. His grade is increased only
because Wayne Krivsky stupidly gave up 2 solid regular players for Bray
and Bray Sr., Gary Majewkski.
Grade: Pick - D, trade, B- Could have had: Nick Adenhart, Scott Elbert, Phil Hughes, Yovani Gallardo, Huston Street
14. Kansas City Royals - Billy Butler INF Wolfson High School
Along
with Alex Gordon, Butler is going to be the face of the Kansas City
Royals in the year 2008-2012. He shows tremendous power and a very even
stroke. Impressively enough, he has worked extremely hard to get better
at defense and even plays a passable left field, though his ultimate
position is likely to be DH or occasionally first base. He's a very
likeable character too, something that helps when trying to forge an
identity on a team. Think Travis Hafner
Grade: B+ Could have had: Scott Elbert, Stephen Drew
15. Arizona Diamondbacks - SS Stephen Drew Florida State
When
the bonus demands soared for Drew and the plummet started, the
Diamondbacks had to be doing the happy dance. Drew has shown why he was
so highly regarded in his brief time in the show. He has delivered
clutch hits, hits for power and average while playing some of the best
defense in all of baseball.
Grade: A Could have had: Phil Hughes, Scott Elbert, Josh Fields
16. Toronto Blue Jays - David Purcey LHP University of Oklahoma
This
was a bad pick in 2004 and a worse pick in 2007. Even as a 25 year old
in Double A, hitters were still destroying him. Purcey was a college
lefty without a dominate pitch or any projectability. If he does sniff
the big leagues, it will be as a late reliever or lefty specialist.
Again, that's not really what is thought of a top 20 pick.
Grade: D- Could have had: Phil Hughes, Nick Adenhart, Scott Elbert, Huston Street
17. Los Angeles Dodgers - Scott Elbert LHP Seneca High School Scott
Elbert is a dominating lefty who will anchor the Dodgers' rotation
provided his minor nicks aren't lingering. Elbert had one of the best
swing and miss percents in all of the minor leagues, something that
bodes well for projectability at the major league level.
Grade: B Could have had: Phil Hughes, Nick Adenhart, Josh Fields
18. Chicago White Sox - Josh Fields INF/OF Oklahoma State Unviersity
Though
Fields is one of the most overrated prospects in the game, he is still
an above average player and will help the White Sox. It was an astute
pick as he can single handedly win a game for the White Sox, though he
can also single handedly lose it.
Grade: C+ Could have had: Phil Hughes, Yovani Gallardo
19. St. Louis Cardinals - Chris Lambert RHP Boston College
...and
swing and a miss. Lambert was not exceptionally impressive coming out
of Boston College and has continued to underwhelm since signing. If
Lambert ever makes the major leagues, it is going to be as a mop-up,
late inning reliever. His stuff has vastly diminished leaving him as a
shell of an overrated prospect.
Grade: D- Could have had: Phil Hughes, Nick Adenhart, Yovanni Gallardo, Huston Street
20. Minnesota Twins - Trevor Plouffe SS/RHP Crespi Carmellite High School
Again,
I don't understand the fascination with "toolsy" players who have no
idea how to play baseball or to hit. Plouffe has shown very little
plate discipline, and poor baserunning skills. Plouffe is another
possible Quad-A player. Striking out often is not a big deal when it is
coupled with high walk totals (see: Adam Dunn, Ryan Howard). Plouffe
has a terrible walk rate and an extremely high strikeout rate,
something that does not bode well at all.
Grade: D Could have had: Phil Hughes, Yovanni Gallardo, Blake Dewitt
21. Philadelphia Phillies - Greg Golson OF Connaly HS
Apply
everything said about Plouffe and apply it tenfold to Golson. He has
every conceivable tool in the world but takes bad routes, can't hit and
can't run well despite world class speed. Quite literally, this pick is
one of the biggest failures in the first round. Golson could very well
surprise people and have a magic light bulb turn on, but frankly that
is very, very unlikely.
Grade: F Could have had: Nick Adenhart, Phil Hughes, Yovanni Gallardo, Huston Sreet
22. Minnesota Twins - Glen Perkins LHP University of Minnesota
In
the grand scheme of things, the Minnesota twins got a very solid middle
reliever with the ability to start here. They passed on several
possible aces and a shutdown reliever, but Perkins does have the
ability to get both left and right handed hitters out. Being from
Minnesota definitely helps raise his appeal as well. This was a safe
pick when made, and they didn't get greatness, but they didn't waste a
pick like so many teams do.
Grade: C+ Could have had: Huston Street, Phil Hughes, Gio Gonzalez
23. New York Yankees - Phil Hughes RHP Mission Hills High School
One
of the best picks in the draft was taking Mark Prior lite who had very
little signability concerns. Hughes is going to be the best pitcher on
the Yankees' staff, including Wang and Chamberlain. Most importantly,
he is a bulldog on the mound, something desperately needed in an ace.
He throws hard and he throws strikes. The only reason he fell was
because he was already physically mature at 18 and other teams like the
"tools and rawness" that gets them absolutely nowhere.
Grade: A Could have had: Yovanni Gallardo, Nick Adenhart
24. Oakland Athletics - Landon Powell C University of South Carolina
Powell
is an absolute monster at the plate, slugging well over 500 at most
stops. It's tough to project if his numbers are based on being older
than most of his competition or if that he is truly special. He is
essentially the Jack Cust of catchers, something that bodes well for
the team he is on.
Grade: C Could have had: Nick Adenhart, Gio Gonzalez, Yovanni Gallardo,
25. Minnesota Twins - Steven Waldrop RHP Farragut High School
He
has struggled at every level above A ball, which is not a good sign for
future success. Waldrop might never have a career in the big leagues as
he has no out pitch. He will be a 22 year old in A-Ball and barring a
meteoric rise, he will likely finish the season no higher than Double A.
Grade: D Could have had: Yovanni Gallardo, Gio Gonzalez, Huston Street
26. Oakland Athletics - Richard Robnett CF Fresno
Failure.
Robnett can't hit, can't field, can't run, can't play. Bluntly put, he
is a one trick pony and at best a bench player who can come in and hit
a long ball or stike out. Beane doesn't miss often, but here he
certainly did.
Grade: F Could have had: Blake Dewitt, Gio Gonzalez, Yovanni Gallardo
27. Florida Marlins - Taylor Tankersly LHP University of Alabama
Tankersly
is at worst a left handed specialist/set up man, best case scenario he
becomes a dominant closer. He is physically a hose and capable of
sustaining multiple innings of work, something very advantageous in a
pitcher. His slider is a 66-69 pitch to left handers and a 55-59 pitch
to right handers. A safe pick, but a definite need in a bullpen.
Grade: B- Could have had: Huston Street, Gio Gonzalez, Nick Adenhart
28. Los Angeles Dodgers - Blake Dewitt 2B Sikeston High School
Dewitt
has had a roller coaster coaster season but has generally been
productive. He doesn't walk much, but doesn't strike out often either.
He is very much a contact hitter, best suited for the number 2 hole.
Dewitt is another one of the Dodgers' legit and touted prospects. He'll
likely make a few All-Star games and be a very solid second baseman.
Grade: C Could have had: Reid Brignac, Dustin Pedroia, Hunter Pence
29. Kansas City Royals - Matthew Campbell LHP University of South Carolina
Another
"safe" pick that will not work out. Campbell has a chance to break in
as a solid middle reliever, but nothing more. All pitches rank as 49-59
with curveball being his out pitch. He shows great command, something
that is integral for a reliever.
Grade: C- Could have had: Huston Street, Nick Adenhart, Yovanni Gallardo
30. Texas Rangers - Eric Hurley RHP Wolfson High School
Hurley
has shown a tremendous ability to pitch well and pitch well in
ballparks like Arlington. He is never going to be mistaken for an ace,
but will be a very capable 2 or 3 starter in the mold of Kevin
Millwood.
Grade: B- Could have had: Nick Adenhart, Yovanni Gallardo, Huston Street
This is how the draft SHOULD have gone
1. San Diego Padres - Jered Weaver RHP Long Beach State University 2. Detroit Tigers - Justin Verlander RHP Old Dominion 3. New York Mets- Phil Hughes RHP Foothill High School 4. Tampa Bay Rays - Jeff Nieman RHP Rice 5. Milwaukee Brewers - Mark Rogers RHP Mt. Ararat High School 6. Cleveland Indians - Jeremy Sowers LHP Vanderbilt 7. Cincinnati Reds - Homer Bailey RHP LaGrange High School 8. Baltimore Orioles - Nick Adenhart RHP Williamsport High School 9. Colorado Rockies - Hunter Pence OF Unviersity of Texas Arlington 10. Texas Rangers- Yovanni Gallardo RHP Temple Technical High School 11. Pittsburgh Pirates - Neil Walker C Pine Richland HS 12. Los Angles Angels - Billy Butler INF Wolfson High School 13. Washington Nationals - Gio Gonzalez LHP Monsignor Edward Pace High School 14. Kansas City Royals - SS Stephen Drew Florida State 15. Arizona Diamondbacks - Scott Elbert LHP Seneca High School 16. Toronto Blue Jays - Dustin Pedrioa 2B Arizona State 17. Los Angeles Dodgers - Huston Street RHP University of Texas 18. Chicago White Sox - Josh Fields INF/OF Oklahoma State Unviersity 19. St. Louis Cardinals - David Price LHP Blackman High School 20. Minnesota Twins - Eric Patterson SS Georgia Tech 21. Philadelphia Phillies -Matt Bush RHP Mission Bay High School 22. Minnesota Twins - Mark Reynolds 3B University of Virginia 23. New York Yankees - Wade Davis RHP Lake Wales High School 24. Oakland Athletics - Chris Ianetta C University of North Carolina 25. Minnesota Twins - Landon Powell C/DH University of South Carolina 26. Oakland Athletics - Jacob McGee LHP Reed High School 27. Florida Marlins - Taylor Tankersly LHP University of Alabama 28. Los Angeles Dodgers - Blake Dewitt 2B Sikeston High School 29. Kansas City Royals - Wade Townsend RHP Rice 30. Texas Rangers - Eric Hurley RHP Wolfson High School
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