Thought I'd tune into the draft, which is starting at noon I think. MLB Radio just had a message from the Office Of National Drug Control and Policy. Lovely.

MLB Radio just had a message from the Office Of National Drug Control and Policy. Lovely.

I'm all for drug control. If you're smoking a really big joint, you should use two hands for better control, or else you might drop it on your crotch. :)

I'm curious to find out if the Jays will draft Aric Van Gaalen for the third straight year.

Craig, Robert (or anyone else):

How would you rank the first day? Who are your winners?

I would say that I really like Oakland and LA's drafts. Boston as well, considering they didn't start 'till the 3rd.

http://www.thewolfshack.com
I hear the term draft and follow quite a bit.
Can someone explain what it means? How long do you hold a players rights? I thought it was a year, but that doesn't really jive with my idea of draft and follow.

All-Time, All-Name Team member Razor Shines is talking about his draft day with Billy Sample.

Max, I'll have a comprehensive ranking/grading for everyone up by the end of the week.

Paul,

"Draft and follow" refers to players who you don't sign, and who do not play at four-year colleges. A team retains the rights to sign a player until one of two events occurs:

(1) They take their first class in September at a four-year college; or

(2) One week before the following year's draft.

So, for example, Adrian Martin, last year's top HS pick by the Jays, was a draft-and-follow. He went to Indian River Community College (a junior college) in Florida and the Jays liked what they saw this year and signed him shortly before the draft. Teams often encourage high school players they like but aren't ready to commit to yet, to head to a junior college and if things still look good the following year, they will take him.

The one exception for four-year college players is players who are going to be fifth-year seniors. These players can be signed during their senior year.

San Diego select Craig Johnson, a RF from Sacramento State, and we're underway.

Player to watch from the Brentster:

Jordan Foster - Lamar University

.367/.486/.546, 8 HR, 44 BB, 19 K, 207 AB, 11 SB, 4 CS, CraigRanking: 62

MLB DraftTracker bio:
COMMENT: LARGE FRAME. SLOPED SHOULDERS. AVG BUILD. WIDE HIPS. PHYSICALLY MATURE. BALANCED STANCE. GOOD HAND-EYE COORDINATION. LINE DRIVE STROKE. CONSISTENT CONTACT. HITS TO ALL FIELDS. PATIENT AT PLATE. SUCCESSFUL HITTER AT COLLEGE LEVEL. EXCELLENT WORK HABITS.

Look at the BB/K ratio. He's a good size (6'1, 205) and is a good worker. Looks like a Fighting Jay to me.

Toronto's 19th-round pick is Aaron Matthews from Oregon State. Matthews ranked at 681 on my hitters list.

Aaron Matthews...

AARON MATHEWS OREGON ST U CF
R/R 5'9" 200 1982-05-10

COMMENT: STRONG, COMPACT BODY. MUSCULAR, THICK BUILD. PHYSICALLY MATURE. ADDED 10 LBS IN YR. BARREL CHESTED. HEAVY ARMS. POWERFUL LEGS. BUILT SIMILAR TO MATT STAIRS. UPRIGHT, SPREAD STANCE. FERVENT IN HIT APPROACH. ATTACKS BALL W/SLIGHT UPPERCUT. STRENGTH TO DRIVE BALL ALL FIELDS. PLUS SPEED PLAYS BOTH WAYS. AGGRESSIVE BASESTEALER. SOFT HANDS WHEN GETS TO BALL. HARD-NOSED. STRONG PHYSICAL PRESENCE, MAKE-UP. MAKES HARD CONTACT.

Sounds like a guy to pull for. There's video of Matthews on mlb.com... click here.

Boston took Logan Sorensen of Wichita State (another terrific pick), and the Cubs took Micah Owings, who is surely headed back to school.

Craig, thanks again for your work on NCAA hitters and pitchers. It certainly seems Beane and Frost were using something very similar.

BUILT SIMILAR TO MATT STAIRS.

They seem to say that about every Jays pick! :)

BUILT SIMILAR TO MATT STAIRS

I'll bet that Mr. Stairs would be glad to know that his is the standard against which all husky prospects' bodies are compared.

Interesting video of Matthews. His stance is quite wide. At the 1:38 mark there's a lovely shot of him legging out a triple. He's got speed under 4.3 to first base, which is nice... he looks like less than 200 pounds to me. He's got a nice swing, good weight transfer. Good power, but a contact hitter, not a guy who draws walks.

Near, the end, Matthews goes home-to-first in 4.11. Very nice.

BUILT SIMILAR TO MATT STAIRS was begging for a more entertaining retort than either Moffatt or myself could deliver.

Jays' 20th-round pick is Robert Scott, a Canadian high-schooler.

BUILT SIMILAR TO MATT STAIRS was begging for a more entertaining retort than either Moffatt or myself could deliver.

Wanna go get some coffee? I need it. :)

Better Matt Stairs than Brad Ausmus. Yeesh. Not the most inspiring comparison considering Thigpen wasn't particularly well regarded.

I dunno, Brad Ausmus is a good-body guy. He just can't hit (much, anymore). Thigpen projects to hit.

Craig, as great as your coverage of the draft is (do you have nothing to do at work but listen to the draft and watch video of the prospects) I really feel like I need the player's ID number or else it's just not complete.

Good Question from the BA chat , We got the two best lefties?

Q: Jasmine from St. Paul asks:
David Purcey, Glen Perkins, and Zach Jackson. Which pitcher is closest to the majors? Which pitcher has the highest ceiling?

A: Jim Callis: Highest ceiling: Purcey. Closest: Jackson, just slightly over Perkins.

Jays' 21st-round pick is Scott Roy from Hartford University.

Good solid pick, going back to America East where they got Mike MacDonald in the 15th round. Roy ranked #196 on my list, and sports a nifty K/W ratio of 4.3 (18 W, 77 K in 82 IP).

I know they're not selling jeans, I'd just feel better if they said Mike Piazza-type body (no matter what Mr. Harper says).

Anybody know anything about the Toronto kid drafted?

Who was the 21st pick by the jays?

Whats the story about the the 20th pick?

More on Thigpen from BA:

I thought Thigpen was going to go in the third to fifth round, and was a little surprised he went second. Not surprised he went to the Blue Jays, who apparently were all over the Big 12 this year. Thigpen is a line-drive hitter with terrific plate discipline. He would catch more at Texas if not for the presence of Taylor Teagarden, a likely 2005 first-rounder. Thigpen can catch, play both infield corners and in the outfield. Very versatile, well-rounded player, especially for a catcher. Great reserve to have if he doesn't make it as a starter.

And did I dream it, or did somebody draft a Toronto HSer? The Mets?

19th round pick Aaron Matthews (Oregon State) ranks #435 hitting and #205 speed-adjusted (100+ PA, 2735 Qualifiers).

Toronto selects Daryl Harang.
If he makes it to the bigs, I already have his "K" sign tabbed. He shall be referred to as... "THE HARANG-A-TANG"
He should be a great teammate to "METROPOLOUS PRIME"

21st round pick Scott Roy (Hartford) ranks #214 on my composite rankings among pitchers. Darryl Harang (San Diego State) ranks #527 (40+ innings, 1271 qualifiers)

Pick #22 JOSEPH WICE DIXIE COL LHP 6-4 210

BA on Joe Wice

Like his batterymate Matt Spring, LHP Joe Wice was unheralded in high school and went undrafted, only to emerge as a top prospect as a freshman. The 6-foot-4 Wice went 12-2, 1.70 and led the Scenic West Conference, which could produce more than 20 draft picks, in wins and strikeouts (87 in 85 innings). He can throw three of his four pitches for strikes, including an 88-89 mph fastball and an above-average curve

Wice is only 18 according to MLB as well. Big frame, could improve velocity. You can add him to the Pulaski Rotation.

Prep pick Robert Scott has the scouting report of an outfielder but the Jays list him as a RHP.

A lot of lefties selected in this draft with Joe Wice and Daryl Harang added today. You have to like what you hear about Purcey and Jackson though Scott Elbert might have the highest ceiling if he stays healthy.

I'm pretty sure Wice will be a draft-and-follow, so I doubt you'll see him in Pulaski this season.

Good Question from the BA chat , We got the two best lefties?

No, Sowers was the top lefty, but JP said they got 2 of the top 4 (JP Howell being one of the four and taken right before Jackson).

Two huge weakness for the jays farm sytem are outfielders and lefthanders, Surprised they have not picked any more catchers. Maybe a latin player will catch for Pulaski? Richmond and Thigpen in Auburn.

I believe he was still available coming into the day - I'd like to see the Jays select Jim Burt, 1B, Miami again this year.

Jim burt was taken in the 19th round , see BA blog

Nevermind. It looks like the Mets took Burt in round 19.

No, Sowers was the top lefty, but JP said they got 2 of the top 4 (JP Howell being one of the four and taken right before Jackson).

BA had Scott Elbert, taken right after Purcey by the Dodgers, as the 2nd best LHP after Sowers. Elbert's a high schooler, and probably wasn't on the Jays radar.

Jim Burt #554 to the mets

Billy Becher was taken at #660 by the Cards.

Ryan Jones went to the A's.

JESSE LITSCH SOUTH FLORIDA CC RHP , taken by the Jays, another 19 year old for Puluski.

BUILT SIMILAR TO MATT STAIRS was begging for a more entertaining retort than either Moffatt or myself could deliver.

Watch the video at MLB.com. Not only is he built like him, but he swings like him too, right down to that little hitch that Stairs has.

Well, for myself, I don't find the Matt Stairs comparison really helpful for Matthews. He's 5'9", 200, runs very well, hits right and plays centerfield. He's a free swinger. My comp: Kirby Puckett. Now if he hits close to as well as Kirby, the Jays have something.

http://www.utampa.edu/athletics/sports/baseball/stats.html
Blue Jays Selected Casey Mackenzie for U Tampa, played on the same team as Eric Beatie.

Off-topic, have the Jays made their roster moves yet?

I'm sure they have, but they haven't been announced yet. It doesn't seem to be on the newswires yet.

I couldn't find them either.

Scott Carson (lovingly, I'm sure) mentions the Batter's Box 'eggheads' in today's column...

To update the Jays picks:

24- Jesse Litsch, 19 yr. old RHP
25- Jason Armstrong, SS
26- Brian Bomaster, Tulane C
27- Casey MacKenzie U. Tampa RHP
28- Joshua Lex (now there's a name for you), and better yet he's a catcher who is a photon. He'll have a lot of trouble blocking the plate, unless he finds himself some mass.
29-Michael Macaluso SS USouth Florida
30-Cory Hahn Tulane RHP (they got the battery there)

For better or for worse, this Jays draft is far more "traditional" scouting-dominated than last year's.

The Jays need a big bat, so why not draft Ryan Jones in the 20th round instead of a high school pitcher?

There are negatives, to be sure. The injury whatever it is that has limited him to DH. The fact that he's a senior is significant, but he outhit Drew Moffitt and Ryan Welborn who are virtually the same age. There's his lack of prior success.

But this guy was the best hitter in Division 1 this year. If it's a fluke your 20th round pick washes out - big deal. But if it isn't, you've got a guy who could be a productive DH at the very least.

Scott Carson (lovingly, I'm sure) mentions the Batter's Box 'eggheads' in today's column...

[Sounds of teeth grinding...]

Robert, BA is reporting that the injury that forced Ryan Jones to move to DH is ligament damage to his elbow. Call me nuts, but that means Tommy John surgery.

Now I don't know how much Tommy John surgery costs, let alone the rehab. I do know that if the Jays sign Jones, they will be picking up the tab. It seems like a pretty sizable cheque that they would be writing; far more than he'd command in a bonus on the market.

Can someone cut and paste what Carson said about us? I don't feel like installing Flash in order to visit the site.

Just a passing reference, really...

First up, Eric Gagne and the Los Angeles Dodgers, with or without lefty phenom Brian Morris -- the Syd Finch of a new generation. Baseball's best Canadian closer since John Hiller hasn't blown a save in 76 straight opportunities. Try these numbers on for size, you Batter's Box eggheads: Since the streak began, .144 Opp Avg, 0.79 ERA, 14.4 K's/9 IP, and of the 39 hits he's allowed to the 292 batters faced, Gagne has allowed only seven extra-base hits. I guess the only reason that Rollie Fingers and Mark Marshall are whining about Gagne's numbers is jealousy.

The total absence of italics irks me when I ordered them specifically...

Wow.. that's rather random on Carson's part. I'm sure it's meant to be tounge-and-cheek, but he seems to be denegrating the use of stats, then using them to show how amazing Gagne has been.

The total absence of italics irks me when I ordered them specifically...

You got them backwards. The < i > goes first, and the < /i > goes last. You had them the other way around. It's fixed now.

Nonsense, I never make mistakes.

I think Carson is just pointing out that, while saves may not reflect a pitcher's performance, even statheads would concede that his streak is unreal.

I hope a list of all the kids from Toronto High Schools becomes available. I'd like to know if Coach or A have anything to say about them.

Just a random reference to see if we're paying attention I think. Of course we all know Gagne has been ridiculously good.

He's approaching mortality this year as he's allowed 3 homers and 7 walks in 23 innings. As a result his ERA is threatening 2.00. Still only 13 hits overall and 32 strikeouts make him pretty darn tough.

So far, it looks like just Smith from Birchmount Park, Richmond from Cawthra Park (in Mississauga) and Caufield from Lawrence Park.

Having coached Clay, I'm really happy for him, as he's worked very hard to get this reward.

Here's Clay Caufield's scouting report:

LARGE FRAME. STRONG, SOLID BUILD. ROUND SOULDERS. THICK CHEST. HIGH WAIST. LONG LEGS. MUSCULAR THIGHS. BIG FOREARMS. SOME ROOM FOR ADDED DEVELOPMENT. SIMILAR TO STEVE KARSAY. SEMI WINDUP, OVER HEAD RELEASE. SHORT ARC. LOOSE, QUICK ARM. 4-SEAM FB, HEAVY, OCCASIONAL RIDE, 2-SEAM LATE TAIL, SINK, MOST 88 EARLY. DECEPTIVE DELIVERY, HIDES BALL WELL. 3/4 ROTATION CB, OCCASIONAL SHORT LATE BREAK, FUTURE SLIDER. THROWS K'S. GOOD PITCHERS BUILD. DURABLE & STRONG. FRESH ARM. FLASHES ML FB W/ GOOD MOVEMENT. MOUND PRESENCE.

Sound right to you, Max?

He's approaching mortality this year

Ahh, words. "He's almost mortal this year" would be fine, but approaching mortality has a whole other connotation altogether. I'm sure I'll get over it.

With Caufield and Richmond, I guess the Braves were scouting around T.O.

Here's the report on Smith, taken by the Mets:

LARGE FRAME. SOLID BUILD. STRENGTH THROUGHOUT. SLOPED SHOULDERS. HIGH WAIST. MUSCULAR THIGHS. BIG FOREARMS. ROOM FOR ADDED DEVELOPMENT. SIMILAR TO J.D. DREW. NARROW, STRAIGHT UP STANCE. FULLY RECOVERED. UPPERCUT SWING. STRENGTH & QUICKNESS IN HANDS. FUTURE HR & GAP PWR POTENTIAL. POWERFUL STRIDE, MUCH BETTER UNDERWAY, 6.75 - 60 YD DEFENSIVE INSTINCTS. REACTS TO BALL OFF BAT. ACCURATE ARM, PROPER ROTATION STRONG & ATHLETIC. AGILE. STRENGTH TO HIT W/ PWR. WORKS HARD.

"He's almost mortal this year" would be fine

I'm not sure that would have been fine, either. You could suggest that by 'mortal' you mean 'human', but it's a stretch.

I need to find something to do...

I know Kent's got a guy he's coaching who they thought might get drafted, but I can't remember his name... Anyone?

It hasn't stopped him from hitting - could it be that some rest and rehab will be enough? It seems there's at least a chance of that scenario coming to pass. You have the option of drafting him, letting your doctors check him out and then not signing him if the damage is really bad and you don't want to pay for TJ.

Remember, with pick number 20, it makes sense to accept any amount of risk if the potential reward is sufficiently large (and in this case, I think it surely is) because 20th round picks rarely become major leaguers and almost never become above average major leaguers.

In the latter rounds, the worst strategy is to be overly risk-averse.

Jason Armstrong SS. Hit 457 in Division 2,Trinity U

Andrew, the guy's name is Kris Dabrowiecki, I believe. Not sure if he's been drafted yet. I haven't seen his name, but I've not followed all of today's action as of yet.

He got taken by the Brewers in the 34th.

Jurgen, that's a pretty good report on Caufield. He's almost definitely a DFA, as he's going to Pensacola JC.

18-year old KRZYSZTOF DABROWIECKI of Ursula Franklin Academy was selected by the Brewers #1006 overall. Congratulations Chris, and good luck at Northeastern if that is to be your destination.

We're up to Round 39! I can sense some big picks coming up here. Unfortunately no Mike Piazza type players as the draft ends after Round 50.

Dabrowiecki's scouting report:

TALL. LARGE FRAME. WELL PROPORTIONED, ATHLETIC BUILD. SUPPLE. HIGH, SLIGHTLY SLOPED SHOULDERS. SHORT TORSO. EXTRA-LONG ARMS, LEGS. MUSCULAR THIGHS. BIG CALVES. ROOM FOR ADDED DEVELOPMENT. SIMILAR TO JEFF WEAVER. NO WINDUP, HIGH 3/4 DELIVERY. LONG ARC. LOOSE ARM. LIVE FB WHEN ON TOP, TAILS, SINKS, MOST 86. 3/4 ROTATION SLIDER, OCCASIONAL BITE, COMMANDS. STRAIGHT CHANGEUP, SINKS, FADES, KEEPS ARM SPEED. AROUND PLATE. PROJECTABLE PITCHERS BODY. ATHLETIC, AGILE. THROWS EASY. GETS HITTERS OUT.

SIMILAR TO JEFF WEAVER...

Hope he doesn't have Weaver's habit of self-medicating.

KRZYSZTOF DABROWIECKI

A fine Polish lad.

Guess the Jays felt like they had a need at 1B...drafted at least three of them yesterday...and a few today...

Yes, although most of them have played other positions. Wouldn't it be better to draft a good hitting 3b or bis ss, since they can make the transition to 1b and should have some athletic ability. I am sure theres are tons of all hit, no field 1b available in te minors.

http://www.ballstatesports.com/profile/0,1391,2895-2-,00.html
Brad Miller taken in the 49th round, another big first basemen. I doubt he will sign, bieng a draft eligible sophmore. COMN

http://me.woot.net
How is it exactly that drafting works from the standpoint of a player? I understand that only one team (the draftor) has the opportunity to sign this player. But what's in it for the player (as this would likely reduce his bargaining position)? Does he get a say in whether he's drafted? Can he 'opt out' of the draft?

Joe, any player from the US, Canada, Puerto Rico or who attends a US school must go through the draft. Each player must submit documentation to MLB showing that they are eligible prior to the draft otherwise the can not be drafted/signed. So if for some strange reason a player just didn't want to be drafted he could just not enter the draft. But if players could opt out of the draft and become free agents instead then it would just be a case of the rich teams buying all the top young players as the players could obviously get more money on an open market.

There is a loophole however that if a player does enter the draft and nobody picks him then for a period he can become a free agent and negotiate with any team. Kevin Cash was signed this way. The A's first pick Landon Powell (under the influence of the infamous Scott Boras) tried to take advantage of this a couple years ago as Powell got his GED a semester early and entered the draft but didn't inform any teams that he was eligible. As a result he slipped right through and became a free agent. There was a "Boras backlash" however and no team seemed willing to give Powell the money he was looking for so he went to college.

Can anyone else who was at the game explain how the streaker got onto the field? Did he really jump from the first deck? Is that even possible?

Sorry wrong thread