Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

TamRa - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:27 AM EDT (#118807) #

Gonna go ahead and get this out of the way. There is NO WAY this can fall into place, but I can contrive a series of events reported by BA alone that get the Jays the player I want:

1 Zona takes Upton. Cut & Dried.

2. KC has been reported to be considering Maybin, or a cheap pick. now, I doubt this but the report is out there.

3. Seattle has been lately said to be interested in Clement even over Tulo. Again, I doubt it but...

4. Nats are said to be locked in on Zimmerman

5. Milwaukee worries me but at least one of the speculations on them had them unafraid to take Pelfery

That would, of course, leave Alex Gordon for the Jays!!!

Yeah yeah, so I'm a dreamer...

Eric Purdy - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:44 AM EDT (#118809) #

I've resigned myself to the fact that we're taking Romero so as not to get my hopes up.

How about an over/under on when we see the first Jays high school pick. Say, round 9. I'll take over (after).

Thomas - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 08:35 AM EDT (#118814) #

JP's done a very fine job with the draft so far and although I haven't agreed with all of his choices (such as Thigpen over Suzuki), I think it'd be extremely difficult to make any sort of justified complaint on the results, to this point, of the last three drafts. That being said, I'm not sold on Romero with this pick. I know the Jays don't want to end up with a draft where they have nothing to show for it until the third round, which is what would happen if this #6 pick busts.

However, I think at the 6 hole you should for a higher-ceiling guy than you would if you were picking in the mid-teens and when there is a premium high-school bat like Maybin out there available, you should take him. There's no guarantee he won't be gone at #6, but if he's there it still seems as if the Jays will take Romero, and I'd not be sold on that.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 08:55 AM EDT (#118818) #

Coverage in the papers:

Elliot thinks Tulowitzki may be available at #6 now, and the Jays will face the choice between he and Romero:

http://torontosun.com/Sports/Baseball/2005/06/07/1074979-sun.html

Elliot's mock draft has Romero to the Jays, and interestingly Clement to the Mariners:

http://torontosun.com/Sports/Baseball/2005/06/07/1074977-sun.html

VGeras - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 09:11 AM EDT (#118819) #

BA has the same Top 7

Jim - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 09:26 AM EDT (#118823) #

I started to get the feeling recently that they will end up with Tulowitzki. I'll take any bat over Romero. If they pass on Maybin for Romero, I'd be very disappointed.

Smaj - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 09:47 AM EDT (#118825) #

Every team covets pitching. The Jays are building an incredibly deep minor league system of what appears to be future MLB pitchers (granted not many project to be staff Aces). Regardless, acquiring pitching talent is extremely expensive at the major league level in trade or free agency. MLB franchises tend to overpay in trade or cash for minor league pitching prospects (see Hillenbrand for Adam Peterson). Jays are building depth in the minors with pitching talent which hopefully leads to a young, talented & cost effective MLB pitching staff in Toronto for many years to come. Secondly, this allows the Jays to trade from a position of strength, to acquire the hitting talent they desperately require both in Toronto & the minors. JP's draft strategy appears to be working (clearly still a work in progress) thus I don't think we should be surprised when the Jays select Romero today. He will be another asset to develop in the short term (2-3 years) who will either fit into the Jays rotation or be moved to acquire other needed talent.

the shadow - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 09:48 AM EDT (#118826) #

If they are going to take a pitcher I would hope they would select Craig Hansen over Romero

Wedding Singer - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 09:50 AM EDT (#118827) #

JP has consistently stated that it is much easier to bring in an impact bat from outside the organization (either through a trade or free agency) than it is to sign or trade for an impact arm. I think that he will always choose an arm over a bat in the draft; and I don't necessarily disagree (although I think I would prefer a number of other arms that might be available at that spot, such as Pelfrey or Hochevar, rather than Romero). I think that JP pictures a rotation a few years out with three strong lefties (Jackson, Purcey, Romero); and he figures he can fill in the bats through other means. Of course, TINSTAAP applies here......

Wedding Singer - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 09:52 AM EDT (#118829) #

Smaj beat me to the punch; and expressed what I was trying to say much more effectively.......

Wedding Singer - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 11:08 AM EDT (#118833) #

BA has posted their final draft projection - but available only to subscribers. Can somebody with access to this list let us know if the Jays are still projected to take Romero?

Gerry - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 11:17 AM EDT (#118834) #

BA says the Jays are on Romero 100%, always have been, still are. We'll see.

Mike Forbes - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 11:18 AM EDT (#118835) #

I'm willing to bet that they're picking Romero in that draft. I'm not a subscriber but it seems painfully obvious now.

Halladayfan32 - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 11:25 AM EDT (#118836) #

This is from the BA site:

6. Blue Jays: Ricky Romero, lhp, Cal State Fullerton. This is the biggest lock in the first 10 picks. Barring an almost impossible scenario where Upton or Gordon would drop this far, the Blue Jays are going to take Romero, the best lefty in a draft that's thin at that position.

They have Tulowitski going to Colorado @ #7 and Maybin going #10 to Detroit.

Mike Forbes - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 11:30 AM EDT (#118838) #

What a sad pick this will be if Maybin is still available. We can only hope Romero will be something different than the back end starter he is projected to be.

Thomas - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 11:30 AM EDT (#118839) #

Even a bigger lock than Zimmerman? That's surprising.

The Bone - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:00 PM EDT (#118842) #

MLB.com on Ricky Romero COMMENT: Fluid, easy delivery. Has two kinds of FB: a slider-like cutter and a nasty sinker that drops late. Can change speeds on 12-6 CB. Features a sharp slider. Very intense on the mound, keeps hitters off-balance. Potential front-end starter. Who is projecting him to be a back of the rotation guy, Forbes?

Maldoff - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:02 PM EDT (#118843) #

I still don't get the infatuation the Jays have with Romero. Everywhere I read, he seems to be ranked around the number 10-12 area, and we're picking sixth. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Stellers Jay - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:06 PM EDT (#118844) #

DRAFT CAMERON MAYBIN!

Brian W - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:13 PM EDT (#118846) #

Anybody know what time the draft actually starts? MLB.com has coverage starting at 12:30 Eastern, but I don't know how much of that is preview.

Mick Doherty - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:19 PM EDT (#118847) #

Hey, how about a ninth-round selection spent on Texas high school RHSP Koby Clemens?

Halladayfan32 - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:24 PM EDT (#118848) #

The Draft starts at 1pm EST.

Thomas - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:26 PM EDT (#118849) #

Perfect, just in time for my luch break. How can I chow down when I don't know whether it'll be Romero, Tulowitzki, Maybin or someone else?

Actually, I guess I probably do know....

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:29 PM EDT (#118850) #

The fascination is that Romero is the guy they like best period. They only get to make one pick in the round so if they don't take the guy they like best there they are never going to get him. Obviously they feel stronger about Romero being closer to a front-line pitcher than a late rotation pitcher and all scouting reports I've seen have me agreeing. They make me think Chacin with better stuff at 20 years old (Chacin went to AA at 19). That can't be bad.

It doesn't really matter to me that Romero is ranked 10th or 12th by various publications. Barry Zito didn't go until 9th. Jeff Francis didn't go until 9th. Roger Clemens didn't go until 19th. Obviously these players could have easily been taken Top 5 and still given great value. Picking Romero 6th instead of 12th is hardly a stretch. Beyond Upton and Gordon you have a whole tier of players that are hard to seperate talent wise (though Maybin and Bruce are the best pure talents I think).

Rankings of prospects before they play pro-ball are near meaningless. What matters is who you like best. The Jays might be wrong. I think hitters are generally safer picks and I don't mind waiting an extra year or two on a high school pick if he's the more talented. But if they feel that strongly about Romero then I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:41 PM EDT (#118852) #

Halladay went 17th overall. Surprising. Wilken and Buckley sure did have an eye for talent although it took Roy a lot of development and turmoil to finally make it. That's what you have to be willing to live with taking younger players.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:44 PM EDT (#118853) #

MLB.com has live video of the first 5 rounds as well as a live draft board (called Draft Caster).

Coverage has already started though the picks aren't until 1pm I think.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:47 PM EDT (#118854) #

They're showing some video of Craig Hansen right now. He's pretty darn impressive. For a guy that big who throws that hard and can pitch multiple innings and has a rubber arm...wow. I think whoever ends up taking him has a potential All-Star.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:49 PM EDT (#118855) #

I agree with RBillie. I'd certainly prefer a hitter, and if the choice was Romero over Alex Gordon, I would be wondering. At the same time, if Romero is chosen, I will assume that a number of Jay personnel had seen him and subjectively formed the impression that he is likely to be a successful major league starter, and that other available choices did not have the same likely benefit (taking into account both ability and likelihood of translating that ability into performance). That subjective impression is not obviously wrong.

While JP's record at acquiring major and minor league talent is mixed, his overall drafting record is excellent in my view. A healthy respect is due his decision.

Mylegacy - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 12:52 PM EDT (#118856) #

If Clement and Zimmerman are gone it's either Romero or Maybin.

If we get Romero, along with Purcey and Jackson, does any team have three such high end lefties? One could cement a real good trade.

Maybin? Maybe? Do we want to wait four years to find out what we've got?

Named For Hank - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:03 PM EDT (#118858) #

Hey, what timing! Theo went to sleep and the first pick hasn't happened yet!

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:05 PM EDT (#118859) #

According to the MLB broadcast there's going to be 30 seconds between picks (at least for the first couple rounds) so the picks won't be coming quite as fast this year.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:08 PM EDT (#118860) #

The Yankees missed the conference call. That's why the draft was delayed.

Upton to Arizona.

Jays pick in 3-4 minutes!

Stellers Jay - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:10 PM EDT (#118862) #

wow. Clement goes 3 to Seattle. That's a surprise.

XooM - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:10 PM EDT (#118863) #

There goes Clement....to seattle

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:10 PM EDT (#118864) #

Alex Gordon to KC
Jeff Clement to Seattle - A late mover up the charts!
Ryan Zimmerman to the Nats

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:11 PM EDT (#118865) #

MAYBIN IS AVAILABLE
PLEASE, J.P.!!!

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:14 PM EDT (#118867) #

Anyone else surprised J.P. passed over both Maybin and Tulowitzki?

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:16 PM EDT (#118868) #

Maybin to the Tigers - apparently many teams didn't like his upside as much as many thought.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:16 PM EDT (#118869) #

Jays pass up Tulowitzki and Maybin to take Romero.

Colorado jumps on Tulowitzki and Tampa Bay takes Wade Townsend.

Mets take Mike Pelfry, maybe the best pitching talent from the college ranks.

Maybin finally goes to the Tigers at #10.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:20 PM EDT (#118873) #

Hochevar and Pelfrey - a couple Boras clients have slipped a little bit.

The Bone - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:25 PM EDT (#118876) #

So has Hansen - He was a possible #1 at some point, was he not?

Halladayfan32 - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:26 PM EDT (#118877) #

Reading BA Draft Preview, they nailed the first 18 picks.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:27 PM EDT (#118878) #

Hochevar and Hansen are still on the board after 25 picks. Pelfrey went 9th to the Mets.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:29 PM EDT (#118880) #

Red Sox get Ellsbury at 23 and Hansen at 26. Two great picks for them.

Stellers Jay - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:29 PM EDT (#118881) #

There's a good chance arizona gets both Upton and Hochevar, if they can find some money to sign both. Hochevar is still on the board late into the 20's of the 1st round

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:30 PM EDT (#118882) #

That should have said Hansen and Hochevar have slipped (not Pelfrey).

Hansen just went to the Red Sox at 26. Joey Devine, another closer, went to the Braves.

Stellers Jay - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:30 PM EDT (#118883) #

Hansen is an absolute steal at the 26th spot.

Jonny German - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:32 PM EDT (#118884) #

1	Arizona 	Upton   	SS	HS
2	Kansas City	Gordon  	3B	Col
3	Seattle 	Clement 	C	Col
4	Washington	Zimmerman	3B	Col
5	Milwaukee	Braun   	3B	Col
6	Toronto 	Romero  	LHP	Col
7	Colorado	Tulowitzki	3B	Col
8	Tampa Bay	Townsend	RHP	Col
9	NY Mets 	Pelfrey 	RHP	Col
10	Detroit 	Maybin  	OF	HS
11	Pittsburgh 	McCutchen  	OF	HS
12	Cincinatti	Bruce   	OF	HS
13	Baltimore	Snyder  	C	HS
14	Cleveland	Crowe   	OF	Col
15	Chicago Sox	Broadway	RHP	Col
16	Florida 	Volstad 	RHP	HS
17	NY Yankees	Henry   	SS	HS
18	San Diego	Carrillo 	RHP	Col
19	Texas   	Mayberry	OF	Col
20	Chicago Cubs	Pawelek 	RHP	Col
21	Oakland 	Pennington	SS	Col
22	Florida 	Thompson	LHP	HS
23	Boston  	Ellsbury	OF	Col
24	Houston 	Bogusevic	LHP	Col
25	Minnesota	Albidrez-Garza	RHP	Col
26	Boston  	Hansen  	RHP	Col
27	Atlanta 	Devine  	RHP	Col
28	St. Louis	Rasmus  	OF	HS
29	Florida 	Marceaux	RHP	Col
30	St. Louis	Greene  	SS	Col

XooM - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:32 PM EDT (#118885) #

"signing" Hansen would be an absolute steal

Wow.. Hochevar must have some serious contract demands to slip past the first round..

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:36 PM EDT (#118886) #

Yeah, agreed on Hochevar. A lot of teams passed on him that shouldn't have - he must have had a bonus demand out there that teams didn't like.

I was a little surprised that Matt Torra wasn't taken, but he was a 20s projection and we're just at 31. I'd bet he doesn't make it past the A's pick at 36.

RenaissanceMan - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 01:48 PM EDT (#118890) #

If Hochevar slips to the Red Sox at 42 and they take him I'll be very upset...

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:03 PM EDT (#118891) #

Arizona takes Matt Torra with the first sandwich pick.

The A's picked twice and passed both times on Jed Lowrie, instead going with SS Cliff Pennington and OF Travis Buck.

Eli Iorg, son of Garth, is taken by the Astros at 38.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:04 PM EDT (#118892) #

Lasorda enthusiastically selects Luke Hochevar for the Dodgers.

RenaissanceMan - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:04 PM EDT (#118893) #

That was close, Dodgers snag Hochevar at 40.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:08 PM EDT (#118896) #

Jed Lowrie to the Sox. Burley cries.

Skills - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:09 PM EDT (#118897) #

Is Eli Iorg of any relation to Garth?

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:13 PM EDT (#118899) #

Matt Green, who I took in the third round of the Sickels Mock Draft, just went with the first pick of round 2 to Arizona.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:15 PM EDT (#118900) #

Oakland takes a high school power arm at 53 in Italiano. And a raw one at that.

The world is ending...

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:22 PM EDT (#118902) #

About 23 picks away from the Jays pick in round 3. Players I like at this point:

Taylor Teagarden, C, Texas A&M
Daniel Carte, OF, Winthrop
Chase Headley, 3B, Tenn
Micah Owings, Tulane
Brian Pettway, OF, Miss
Kevin Slowey, P, Winthrop
Kevin Whelan, P, Texas A&M

joemayo - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:22 PM EDT (#118903) #

Stephen Head falls at #62 to Cleveland. too bad.........

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:25 PM EDT (#118904) #

Brad Corley went to the Pirates in Round 2. I took him in the Sickels mock draft in the fifth round. I'm going to win the non-existant best draft contest!

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:26 PM EDT (#118905) #

Hansen and Lowrie both to the Sox? It figures.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:27 PM EDT (#118906) #

Headley gone.

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:27 PM EDT (#118907) #

Consecutive high school picks by the A's.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:28 PM EDT (#118909) #

Oakland selects ANOTHER high school righthander at #69. Clearly they've opened their sights in this draft.

Halladayfan32 - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:30 PM EDT (#118910) #

Slowey selected by the Twins.

XooM - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:31 PM EDT (#118911) #

Imagine Carte playing in Coors field. If he can ever live up to that power potential.. Coors field can only do wonders for his stats.. that is if he ever makes it there

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:31 PM EDT (#118912) #

Slowey gone. So, maybe Teagarden and Thigpen get reunited.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:38 PM EDT (#118913) #

Can Teagarden hit though? I don't know how I'd feel about an organization starved for offence taking a defensive specialist.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:44 PM EDT (#118914) #

Sickels thinks that Teagarden's bat is underrated. He hasn't shown great power, but his OBP is solid.

I'm hoping for Brian Pettway, OF, Miss with the Jays pick (unless I missed him getting picked...my connection crapped out for a minute).

Brent S - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:45 PM EDT (#118915) #

Frankly, I'm terrible at predicting when the mid-range college guys will go in the draft, so I won't even both to say anything in that regard. One guy that I do like is Texas SS Seth Johnston. He's a senior with some defensive questions, so he might slide a bit. Although if I remember correctly, Danny Hill was a senior selected in the 3rd round last year.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:46 PM EDT (#118916) #

You always need catchers, and this is particularly so for the Jays. Anybody chosen in the 3rd round is not a likely major leaguer, so if Teagarden is the best available talent, it'd make sense.

Brent S - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:49 PM EDT (#118917) #

Pistol: I don't know if you are using it, but MLB has a "DraftCaster" applet that is accessible through their Draft Central page located here.

You can sort picks by round, name and school. It's pretty great.

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:50 PM EDT (#118918) #

Neighbourgall, the biggest wild card in the draft, goes to the Dbacks.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:51 PM EDT (#118919) #

My final mock draft pick is gone - Chris Nicoll to the Royals in round 3 (I took Nicoll in round 4).

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:54 PM EDT (#118920) #

Owings gone.

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:54 PM EDT (#118921) #

Pettway to the Jays. Good call, Pistol.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:56 PM EDT (#118923) #

Minnesotta taking a lot of college talent this year. Unusual for them.

Jays take Brian Pettway, a senior from U. of Miss. Power hitting outfielder.

Brent S - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:56 PM EDT (#118924) #

Pettway!

Pistol, you are indeed awesome.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:56 PM EDT (#118925) #

Pettway!!!

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:56 PM EDT (#118926) #

Hah, Pettway. I don't think I'll ever forget that one.

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:59 PM EDT (#118927) #

What's going on with Teagarden? From all I've heard, he should have at least gone in the second round. Is the Boras factor hurting him this much?

Lugnut Fan - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 02:59 PM EDT (#118928) #

Pettway is definitly a solid pick.

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:01 PM EDT (#118929) #

Cleveland selects a Canadian high schooler.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:04 PM EDT (#118930) #

I think what is happening with Teagarden is the Boras factor but also that people aren't sure about his bat. If you take a hitter in the upper rounds, even at a defensive position, you want to feel fairly certain that he has some potential with the bat.

Pettway seems like a solid talent but as a senior he better move fast if he's going to become a real prospect at the upper levels. His numbers seem great and the scouting report seems favourable.

And some businesswoman buds into the Major League Draft to announce that she's not in the right conference call. That's great.

Rich - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:04 PM EDT (#118931) #

An article about Pettway from a few weeks ago:

http://ohioprep.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=416389

Liked this bit from the article:

"Pettway currently leads all SEC hitters in batting average, slugging percentage (.768), and hits (80). He's also second in RBI and total bases (146) and third in on-base percentage (.493) and home runs (16), making him clear frontrunner for SEC Player of the Year honors."

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:06 PM EDT (#118935) #

There goes Teagarden, to Texas. Great pick as far as I can see.

Brent S - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:07 PM EDT (#118936) #

Pettway seems like a solid talent but as a senior he better move fast if he's going to become a real prospect at the upper levels.

BA has him listed as a junior (link)

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:10 PM EDT (#118937) #

Are you kidding me?? Another high school pitcher for Oakland!! What is going on?

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:13 PM EDT (#118938) #

Could someone post a link of the player profiles at MLB.com. I can't seem to find my way there right now.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:14 PM EDT (#118939) #

Whelan is still available from Pistol's 3rd round list. Hmm.

CaramonLS - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:14 PM EDT (#118940) #

How fast is Romero likely to move through our system?

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:20 PM EDT (#118941) #

I think you could see Romero in Toronto 2 years from now, similar to Bush and Hill.

Thomas - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:21 PM EDT (#118942) #

And some businesswoman buds into the Major League Draft to announce that she's not in the right conference call. That's great.

That's hilarious.

Picture some confused-looking businesswomen walking up to the NBA draft podium, past a puzzled David Stern and announcing, "It appears I'm in the wrong conference room."

Mike Forbes - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:23 PM EDT (#118943) #

Reese Havens must be picked by Toronto.

CaramonLS - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:24 PM EDT (#118944) #

I just hope JP is right in his selection... I guess according to Him Romero is the #1 pitcher in the draft.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:28 PM EDT (#118945) #

If everything goes right with Romero, we might see him by September of 2006. If the Jays are more their usual conservative selves it might be mid-to-late 2007.

I think how he performs in short season this year will determine what happens. I'm not sure if they'll have room to move him to Dunedin straight away but they might if a guy like Isenberg or Purcey or Janssen gets promoted to AA (maybe pushing Banks to AAA).

I think if he can pitch a couple of months in Dunedin and does fine they MAY be able to start him in AA in 2006 (as they did with Aaron Hill) and let him advance from there. As long as he continues throwing strikes and stays healthy, I'm optimistic that we can see him by late 2006.

In fact, I think that was JP's main motivation in taking him that early. Young age, polished, good performance, good tools, good makeup. Pretty solid pick I think.

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:31 PM EDT (#118946) #

Jays fourth round pick is coming up after three more picks. Speculation?

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:33 PM EDT (#118947) #

Kevin Whelan RHP, Texas A&M?

Mick Doherty - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:33 PM EDT (#118948) #

Here's MJ Hindman's take on Teagarden for the Rangers' Jamey Newberg-led online draft watch:

The Texas Rangers went in for another hitter with their third round pick, stealing University of Texas catcher Taylor Teagarden with the 99th overall pick.

Teagarden, who was projected by some to go as early as the late first round, is universally regarded as the best defensive catcher in the draft and has an improving power bat.

Flex - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:34 PM EDT (#118949) #

"I guess according to Him Romero is the #1 pitcher in the draft."

Well if the Almighty likes him, I'd say that's pretty high praise.

Mark - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:34 PM EDT (#118950) #

I know I must forget the past but it hurts just a little to see some of the names that fell past Florida's #16 pick. The "Delgado Pick".

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:34 PM EDT (#118951) #

Ryan Patterson, OF, LSU

He was one of my sleeper picks in my mock draft thread.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:35 PM EDT (#118952) #

Jays select Ryan Patterson.

CaramonLS - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:39 PM EDT (#118953) #

Anyone know anything about Patterson?

R Billie - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:40 PM EDT (#118956) #

It shouldn't hurt Mark. The Jays never had a shot of getting a draft pick for Delgado unless he signed early which was very unlikely.

Marc Hulet - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:48 PM EDT (#118958) #

Patterson (college senior) .369 AVG 249 AB 74 RUNS 92 HITS 23 DOUBLES 2 TRIPLES 20 HOMERS 56 RBI and walked more than he struck out, but he did not walk much at all in his previous seasons. Jays are really snapping up the over-aged outfielders who will move quickly but likely won't have very high ceilings.

Rich - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 03:49 PM EDT (#118959) #

Patterson hit .369 / .448 / .719 with 20 home runs in 61 games. Solid numbers in the SEC.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 04:08 PM EDT (#118963) #

How about a pitcher here? Michael Nix? Danny Powers?

Jonny German - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 04:10 PM EDT (#118964) #

Lefty Eric Fowler from Mississippi.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 04:11 PM EDT (#118966) #

Eric Fowler, another lefty.

JaysNJets - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 04:32 PM EDT (#118973) #

Hey guys,

What names should the casual observer be looking for going into Round Six? Any players that would look especially good in a Jays uniform?

sweat - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 04:40 PM EDT (#118975) #

a guy named joshua bell. catcher at auburn.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 04:42 PM EDT (#118977) #

It's funny, I almost guessed Josh Bell. He was someone I was interested in in the Mock Draft.

Flex - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 04:48 PM EDT (#118980) #

Pistol, are you talking about Josh Bell the catcher or Josh Bell the 3B? Baseball America seems to like the bat of Josh Bell #2 better.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 04:49 PM EDT (#118981) #

The catcher from Auburn who the Jays took. The Dodgers took the other Josh Bell if I remember correctly.

Max Parkinson - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 04:58 PM EDT (#118985) #

Neither Smoak nor Havens have been taken, correct?

For a team without a second rounder, maybe the Jays can drop some cash their way in the next two rounds. Ray Tanner would absolutely lose it.

XooM - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 05:14 PM EDT (#118988) #

"I just hope JP is right in his selection... I guess according to Him Romero is the #1 pitcher in the draft."

Well some people seem to believe that he may just be just a bit behind the likes of Pelfrey and Hochevar. But what really puts him over is signability. I have a good feeling about this guy. He seems to have the right combination of talent and attitude that should translate to success.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 05:19 PM EDT (#118989) #

The Astros took Koby Clemens in the 8th round.

And when the name is spelled with a K you know it's Roger's kid.

Eric Purdy - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 05:36 PM EDT (#118993) #

Josh Sowers, Jeremey's twin brother. He's a righty, though, unlike Jeremy. Solid value this late.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 05:45 PM EDT (#119000) #

Ryan Zimmerman signed with the Nats and will start out at *AA* and play in the AFL this winter. That's aggressive.

Mike Forbes - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 05:59 PM EDT (#119006) #

Highschool player alert! Wesley Stone, Shortstop.

Thomas - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 06:16 PM EDT (#119010) #

William Carnline, RHP, Texas Tech to the Jays in round 12.

I was reading that about Zimmerman, too. That's surprising. I knew he'd move fast, but starting him at AA?

Pistol - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 06:25 PM EDT (#119012) #

I was just taking a look at the Jays initial draft under JP.

In rounds 43-50 the Jays selected Chris Nicoll, Andrew Butera, and J Brent Cox, all of who were relatively high draft picks today.

Thomas - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 06:27 PM EDT (#119013) #

Thirteenth round gives the Jays Andrew Hatch, 3B, Nicholls State U.

Five of the A's first eight picks were high schoolers and four were pitchers.

Thomas - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 07:09 PM EDT (#119018) #

Round 15 sees Sean Shoffit, a JR out of Consumes River JC in Colorado.

Smaj - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 07:29 PM EDT (#119021) #

JP compared Romero to Johan Santana minus the changeup! Also said he loves Romero's makeup & competitive attitude.
Pretty high accolades.
Can Arnsberg teach Romero a changeup quickly!!!!

HippyGilmore - Tuesday, June 07 2005 @ 10:09 PM EDT (#119046) #

Johan Santana without the change-up had a 5.90 ERA over 129.2 major league innings.

Flex - Wednesday, June 08 2005 @ 12:08 AM EDT (#119062) #

Get to work, Arnsberg!

R Billie - Wednesday, June 08 2005 @ 02:56 AM EDT (#119070) #

Romero has an ok change. He just has to develop it and gain confidence in using it.

jgadfly - Wednesday, June 08 2005 @ 12:19 PM EDT (#119106) #

Baltimore GM Mike Flanagan in his brief tenure in Toronto advocated a lefthanded pitching coach for LHP's...how about Jimmy Key, Roving Minor League LHP Consultant ?...he would certainly have a full classroom and a fair bit of working knowledge to disseminate ...