2008 Minor League Ball Mock Draft

by goyankees on May 13, 2008 3:51 PM EDT

Hello, and thank you for clicking.

I am your Organization Director for the 2008 Minor League Ball mock Amateur Draft, which will occur on Saturday, May 31st. Please pardon the goyankees-ness: I am completely devoted, now, to the Tampa Bay Rays and their minor league system.

The mock draft will be 5 rounds + supplemental rounds. We pick first in all five rounds, with no supplementals.

So, what I am asking for now is your basic opinion for the draft: First of all, what are our ppositions, if any, do we pursue, or do we simply go after the best available?

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Well, you're certainly more cordial than I would've expected given the name

I’m not sure if you’re asking for input on the first overall selection, but I guess it would come down to 3-4 options: Posey, T. Beckham, Alvarez, Matusz.

Last year the team went pitching heavy - either by choice or by random - but I think we should attempt to go BPA all the way through with a lean towards positional players.

"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 May 13, 2008 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

I was thinking SS Tim Beckham for the 1st pick

2008 - A New Era. The End of An Era.

by goyankees on May 13, 2008 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

In the first 3 rounds

I think you have to go for the best available. Actually, that might be true through round 5 as usually it is from 6 or 7 on that teams start looking at depth as much as talent. I am sure you know all the arguments against drafting for need; I think they are valid.

I have tended towards Alvarez for pick one because I think he might be closest to the majors and could be an impact bat. But in discussing with my son, he argues that if Alvarez does not have the really plus power you want at 1B, you have a somewhat replaceable player, whereas even if Beckham or Posey are not prime hitters, if they can play their positions well and hit decently, they are more valuable.

by bobr on May 13, 2008 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Alvarez

If, he is the best hitter in the draft, as I’ve heard, I think you draft him. Regardless of signability or position concerns. If you have a chance to get a middle of the lineup bat that seems w/o questions, I think you have to do it. A move to RF would be an ideal move for the org.

by rglass44 on May 13, 2008 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Again

I don’t think Alvarez is the best hitter in the draft, let alone college baseball.

He’s probably got the highest power projection, but he’s barely average defensively and he’s had a surgery on his hand that can sap power and isn’t timetable-able just yet.

However, if we want to throw 8 MIL away….draft Pedro.

by Jacob Larsen on May 13, 2008 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Broken bones in the wrist affect hitters similarly. These days we hear more about hamate fractures in hitters, often in the non-dominant hand. The hamate bone has a hook-like projection that sits very near the surface of the palm, and it can develop a crack as a result of contact with the bat or shearing of the tendons that pass over it. Athletes often don’t recognize an initial specific injury but begin to complain of pain and swelling in the area at which point imaging, usually a CT scan, uncovers the problem. Treatment might involve surgery to remove the broken piece, and it typically takes a couple of months to recover. Once fully healed, the good new

http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=injury101

Also I wouldn’t be shocked if Boras tries getting even more than 8 mil, although I wouldn’t consider it “throwing it away” if we signed him.

"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 May 13, 2008 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions