Sickels' impressions on AL East/our draft

by daveh33 on Jun 11, 2009 1:56 PM EDT

Tampa Bay: I have a huge amount of respect for how the Rays have built up their organization, but I have some questions about the top of this draft. First rounder LeVon Washington is a speed demon, but I have doubts about his bat and his weak arm limits him to second base. I think there were better options in the first round. Second round SS Ken Diekroger is extremely toolsy, but again there are doubts that he's going to hit, and this also looks like an overdraft to me. Frankly, third round pick Todd Glaesmann and fourth round pick Luke Bailey both look like better prospects to me than Washington and Diekroger. They fell to due to signability and health, respectively. If the Rays can sign them, they could both end up being better than Washington and Diekroger. Is this a clever stratagem on the Rays part? We'll see. Fifth round pick Jeff Malm has a terrific bat but poses a signability risk due to his Southern Cal commitment. Sixth round pick Devin Fuller, RHP out of Chandler Gilbert CC, throws hard but needs better secondary stuff; his upside is certainly impressive. Sleepers include Brett Nommensen (OF, Eastern Illinois, 8th round), Derek Dennis (SS, Michigan HS, 9th round), and Alex Koronis (RHP, Tampa, 11th round). If Glaesmann and Bailey are signable, this is a strong class, but I really wonder about Washington and Diekroger, and would personally have gone with other choices there. Of course, the Rays have a better farm system than I do.

I tend to agree with him a bit on being disappointed with the first 2 picks. There was still premo talent available, and with less question marks [Tim Wheeler]. Although we'll see what Friedman pulls out of his hat. will it be a rabbit?

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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I wondered about strategy...

Lets say the Rays had a good feeling that they could grab some top talent late due to signability. Let’s also say the valued Washington quite highly but maybe valued guys like Diekroger, Glaesmann, and Bailey just as high. Would it be a decent strategy to draft Washington early and sign him for slot (maybe the same they would have offered him later on) and gain a little leverage with the others? Just because Washington was the first rounder doesn’t mean he was the player they wanted most.

I also wonder if the 2nd round is now not the best place to draft someone who is high risk of not signing. The Rays have all the leverage now with Diekroger, if he doesn’t sign they have an extra second rounder next year. If they really like Diekroger than it isn’t a bad risk IMO.

by tallyray on Jun 11, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions