2013 Drafting
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:31 am
This coming draft year is going to be 'out there'. I'm getting a little taste of it already in the Pre=Mature League.
I'll only talk about the players already selected, but to tell the truth, the real story lies in who has NOT been taken. This past season has scared the bejeezus out of drafters from taking previous top 10 rounders.
For instance, Brian McCann was just taken in the 12th round. McCann's combo of shoulder problems and a bad year was tough for drafters to stomach. Combine that with a seemingly much deeper catcher pool and McCann is not a top 10 catcher anymore. At least at this time of year, before his surgery and rehab.
Tim Lincecum also dropped down to the 11th round. Lack of velocity and him becoming as hittable as a blind jay walking pedestrian will do that to a pitcher.
Shane Victorino, a player who lost the bandbox of Philly as a home and could go to a less pleasant team was also taken in the 11th round.
Howie Kendrick, for those who still remember his high minor league batting average, is finally being more remembered for not filling categories and was taken in the 11th round, not the fifth.
On the opposite side of the spectrum are the players who are taking the place of these players in the top rounds.
Mike Trout was the first pick. I'm sure he'll be the first pick in many drafts.
Bryce Harper went in the third round. Jason Heyward in the second round.
Wilin Rosario in the fifth round
Gio Gonzalez in the third round.
Stephen Strasburg and Buster Posey in the first round.
Edwin Encarnacion in the second round.
Aroldis Chapman in the fourth round.
The turnaround is huge.
Also, positions that were shallow before have gotten deep.
Catchers and third basemen are seemingly plentiful.
McCann in the 12th round and Wil Middlebrooks in the 11th round are a testament to that.
This coming draft year looks to be one of the most unique confronting us.
No matter your draft style, there should be plenty of options for almost any plan to work.
Jump in, the waters fine!
I'll only talk about the players already selected, but to tell the truth, the real story lies in who has NOT been taken. This past season has scared the bejeezus out of drafters from taking previous top 10 rounders.
For instance, Brian McCann was just taken in the 12th round. McCann's combo of shoulder problems and a bad year was tough for drafters to stomach. Combine that with a seemingly much deeper catcher pool and McCann is not a top 10 catcher anymore. At least at this time of year, before his surgery and rehab.
Tim Lincecum also dropped down to the 11th round. Lack of velocity and him becoming as hittable as a blind jay walking pedestrian will do that to a pitcher.
Shane Victorino, a player who lost the bandbox of Philly as a home and could go to a less pleasant team was also taken in the 11th round.
Howie Kendrick, for those who still remember his high minor league batting average, is finally being more remembered for not filling categories and was taken in the 11th round, not the fifth.
On the opposite side of the spectrum are the players who are taking the place of these players in the top rounds.
Mike Trout was the first pick. I'm sure he'll be the first pick in many drafts.
Bryce Harper went in the third round. Jason Heyward in the second round.
Wilin Rosario in the fifth round
Gio Gonzalez in the third round.
Stephen Strasburg and Buster Posey in the first round.
Edwin Encarnacion in the second round.
Aroldis Chapman in the fourth round.
The turnaround is huge.
Also, positions that were shallow before have gotten deep.
Catchers and third basemen are seemingly plentiful.
McCann in the 12th round and Wil Middlebrooks in the 11th round are a testament to that.
This coming draft year looks to be one of the most unique confronting us.
No matter your draft style, there should be plenty of options for almost any plan to work.
Jump in, the waters fine!