Is Wednesday's with JP on tonight? Or was he on this morning for that?

Anyways, if it is, someone should call and ask about the Latin player they just signed... I can't remember the country or name, but I know the details are on here somewhere, hopefully someone will know what I'm talking about.
:)

I'd call, but I'm at school working away.

J.P. is indeed on tonight, in a few minutes.

Okay, I'm listening to JP.

He says they've got their eyes on two players in the draft, two pitchers and two hitters.

Okay, I should have waited before I posted that.

JP says they want people who can help them quickly, can get through the minor league system quickly. He then says that he's not trying to knock the high school kids....

What Paul meant was that the Jays have narrowed it down to 4 players, two hitters and two pitchers. And it will be a college player.

Yes, thank you Gerry, apparently i can't listen and type at once.

JP just said that he's talked to Gibbons, and that they've decided that it's time to run Adams out there everyday.

It just occured to me... is still appropriate to 'live post' what JP's saying on the radio?

More from JP: Gaudin will be a major league reliever, and will likely spend most of 2005 in AAA; Gaudin should challenge for a bullpen job in 2006 (Speier, Walker replacement?).

Any guesses on the 4?

Pitcher #1 sure seems like Romero.

I hope the hitters are Tulowitzki and Clement; if not maybe Zimmerman?

Guessing that Weaver and Drew are not in the picture, maybe the second pitcher is Hochevar or Pelfrey?

If Gaudin keeps up his strong play at AAA, I don't see why the Jays wouldn't look at him as a SP candidate for next season.

The reason would be that Gaudin is a one-pitch pitcher. I don't know any one-pitch starters that have been successful, at least not for the past 50 years. Gaudin's slider is darned good, that's for certain. But it alone cannot make him into a quality starter, and I think it's questionable whether he's going to ever be as effective with his other pitches. Why bother struggling, trying to make a guy into a back-of-the-rotation starter, when he has the immediate potential to be a top-of-the-line reliever?

That's not to preclude Gaudin ever becoming an effective starter down the road, should be improve the command of his fastball and sharpen his change.

Still, if he is successful in a starting role in AAA, there's no reason why he wouldn't be tried in that spot in the majors. It's likely, though, that the Jays will take the easy way out and make him a full-time reliever.

I don't know any one-pitch starters that have been successful, at least not for the past 50 years.

Excepting the tricked-out freaks, of course ... Niekro, Wilhelm, Candiotti and the like.

That's true. It's funny how knuckleballers get treated as if they're not even there.

But if Gaudin throws his best slider ten times in a row, major league hitters will figure it out. They'll know what it does and how to hit it.

But the knuckleball is different. The Pitcher doesn't know what it's going to do. He's just throwing it out there saying "surprise me!"

My guesses are pretty much the same
Pitcher #1 Ricky Romero
Pitcher #2 Mike Pelfrey
Hitter #1 Ryan Zimmerman
Hitter #2 Jeff Clement

BA briefly has this to say about Romero: "Top arm on nation's top college team has first-round stuff, unmatched competitive fire.." It seems a little redundant to be picking another lefty with this years top pick don't you think?(esp. after drafting Purcey and Jackson last year) But what a sight it would be if somehow all three panned out... at the very least its a nice to know he's not represented by Boras.

It's going to be hard to ignore Clement's power, but Zimmerman seems like a much safer pick (if he's still available). It seems Washington is very high on him and have all but agreed to a deal.

Given a choice between Romero and Maybin, I'd take Maybin. There are at least six good hitting choices in this draft, and the Jays would be wise to take one of them. The success rate for high draft pitchers, be they college or high school, is significantly poorer than for position players.

Newspaper reports this year suggest that Gaudin's change has improved considerably. If that's true, he's got a major league starter's repertoire- 87 mph fastball, 70 mph change and a killer slider. Gaudin's only 22. It certainly won't hurt him to start him out in the pen anyways.

In terms of the DRAFT, I doubt highly the Jays will venture anywhere close to Boras' clients. Given the lack of offence in the minor league system & the need for power Zimmerman seems logical. Drafting from a needs perspective Jeff Clement a power hitting Catcher from USC makes some sense given Quiroz's stagnanted growth over the past 18 months. Pitching wise, St. John's Univ closer Craig Hansen is intriguing (power arm with polish already)...folowing the Billy Beane philosophy, JP may look at Batista as a tradeable asset come late June or July 31st.

I'm a big fan of Zimmerman too, but I believe he'll be snatched up before the 6th pick. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't be suprised to see Townsend picked.

Speaking of predictions, how about a little pre-draft contest? Trying to predict the Top 10 perhaps?

The Jays do have some interest in Townsend, but in my opinion I'd rather take my chances on a good hitter. I'm pretty sure one of Clement or Zimmerman is going to be available in the 6th spot. If both are gone, then there's a good possibility that Maybin has slid to 6th spot, and I don't know if JP can ignore this toolsy high schooler..unless of course he was taken 3rd instead of Tulowitzki.. Some tough and interesting decisions will be made come draft day.. wouldn't it be a surprise if JP pulls the string on everyone and drafts an outfielder?

1. Dbacks- Upton
2. Royals- Gordon
3. Mariners- Tulowitzki or Maybin
4. Nationals- Zimmerman
5. Brewers- Maybin or Tulowitzki
6. Blue Jays- Clement
7. Rockies- Romero if he slips past the Jays but most likely Hochevar because he's the more polished of the 2 Boras clients.
8. Devil Rays- Romero if he slips farther, but most likely Townsend
9. Mets- Pelfrey
10. Tigers- McCutchen

Actually, Zimmerman is noted for having little power. He gets comps to Jeff Cirillo, the good version. Sean Burroughs is who his detractors bring up.

If Maybin is still there at 6th, I'll be very frustrated when J.P. inevitably passes on him.

Ryan Braun could be a possibility if J.P. is smitten but most would consider it an overdraft.

Gah, the Zimmerman comment was directed towards Smaj. Really shouldn't have the reply to this button if it doesn't quote the person, guys.

I was just wondering.. what kind of comparison is Clement getting (best and worst)? And why is Clement so low on some of the mock drafts I've seen??

I was reading some of the older Draft articles and Gerry brings up a good point:
"If a GM needs to build through the draft, and has a four to five year time horizon for improving the major league team, he cannot rely on high school players, they just will not be ready in time."

JP has even less than 5 years to make something happen, so it's sad how the Jays may have to take a pass on Maybin (if he is available).. I guess if they pick Clement over Maybin then it wouldn't be so bad..

Also, has Stephen Head's stock completely fallen off? I remember a while ago, some people were really high on him.