The Tampa Bay Rays have the No. 1 pick in the draft for the second year in a row and while they’ve b...

The Tampa Bay Rays have the No. 1 pick in the draft for the second year in a row and while they’ve been tight-lipped publicly about the selection, there are growing indications that the Rays have targeted Florida State catcher Buster Posey.

Comments

http://www.draysbay.com/2008/4/30/470451/buster-posey-really

by davidsmarch on Apr 30, 2008 1:12 PM EDT 0 recs

Allan Simpson (founder of Baseball America) wrote the article, so at least for me, that adds a great deal of weight to the article. BTW, I was able to meet some of the Perfect Game people last year when my wife’s nephew pitched in their showcase game in Arkansas and that is a first-rate organization as well as a great prospect resource.

The question for me becomes what are the reasons for skipping over Tim Beckham? Do they not believe he is the best player available? Is it a matter of a draft philosophy skewed towards established college players? Or a little of both?

Longlorious.

by RATW on Apr 30, 2008 2:29 PM EDT 0 recs

Or, is Beckham driving a hard bargain?

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 30, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Good point.. could be posturing. Or as Callis said to Kevin, drafting for need. Or maybe the scouting department just really likes Posey.

Longlorious.

by RATW on Apr 30, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Jim Callis Says...

Kevin (DRaysBay): What do you make of the Buster Posey to Tampa Bay rumors?

SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:15 PM ET ) Those rumors are picking up steam. We’ve heard that no one is blowing the Rays away, and they might be inclined to fill their biggest need by taking a catcher in Posey. I like Posey, think he’ll be a solid player, occasional all-star, .275 hitter with 12-15 homers a year, athletic behind the plate. He’s a legit Top 10 pick, I don’t quite see him as a No. 1 pick. But yes, it could happen.

by Kevin Gengler on Apr 30, 2008 2:41 PM EDT 0 recs

“I like Posey, think he’ll be a solid player, occasional all-star, .275 hitter with 12-15 homers a year, athletic behind the plate.”

Can’t we expect .275 and 12-15 out of Jaso?

by websterjtc on Apr 30, 2008 5:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

Offensively

But not defensively. Posey is athletic and has an absolute cannon for an arm.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Apr 30, 2008 5:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

- FSU/Tools Whore

“There isn’t much over the fence power at this point in time, and he probably will never hit for more than 10-15 homers a year, but he could easily hit for 40-plus doubles while managing the strike zone. His overall athleticism gives him good speed for a catcher, as he profiles in a similar fashion to other catcher conversions such as Michael Barrett, Brandon Inge and even Craig Biggio.”

http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewAmateurPlayerProfile.do?playerId=795&draftId=6

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 30, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

This is the scouting report

I read before the season and the reason I’ve been against drafting him all along. However, scouting reports can change and I’m thinking his might have just gotten a little bit better. Our scouts have been pretty good about identifying elite talent. Longoria being the best example of a scouting report getting significantly better.

I know this isn’t perfect, but in the same conference the difference between Weiters and Posey is drastic. Posey this season has played 14 fewer games, so there is season left to lower his stats, but so far he’s got:
Weiters/Posey
AVG: .358/.473=+114 points
OBP: .480/5.573=+97 points
SLG: .592/.857=+265 points
BB%: 18.8/17%=-1.8
SO%: 13%/5.8%=+7.2

Counting stats:
HR:10/13
2B: 17/17
3B: 3/3
RBI: 59/52
SB: 2-2/4-7

He’s hit 10 more home runs this year than he did last year with a lot of time to go. It’s entirely possible for a guy who pitched a lot and was primarily recruited as a pitcher, but has tools to suddenly break-out and show a whole lot more power than it looked like he had.

I don’t feel particularly strong about any particular player in this draft. But if the Rays scouts think this power spike is for real, I think he’s the easy pick. Because if it is for real, he’s a 20-25 home run guy, that doesn’t K, BB’s at a pretty good clip and is going to hit over .300. That my friends is a super-star catcher.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Apr 30, 2008 6:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

WHOA

Not much of a difference between Moose and Busta…plus, with Posey’s smaller bill, he’d be less likely to move off C for 1B/DH duties than Wieters.

by Jacob Larsen on Apr 30, 2008 7:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Seriously!

Is there even a player worthy of the #1 pick in the draft? I see no David Price or anyone who dominates at their position. God willing, this is the last 1st overall pick for awhile and I wanted to make the most of it. IMO, Pedro Alvarez or Tim Becham are my picks for #1.

by Rays Rule on Apr 30, 2008 10:28 PM EDT 0 recs