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Draft  | Story | 6/10/2010

Chat Transcript from the 2010 Draft

Day 1 Coverage

1:58
Twitter
PerfectGameUSA: 
Check PG site for more Draft Coverage Today Until Wednesday
2:07
David Rawnsley: 
Happy Draft Day! This is my 22nd draft and I'm looking forward to it starting. Things are a bit different than back then, as the draft was basically held in secret back in the late 1980's. 
2:08
David Rawnsley: 
Feel free to ask any questions you might have throughout the afternoon and I'll do my best to answer as many as possible. Allan Simpson and Patrick Ebert could be checking in as well.
2:12
David Rawnsley: 
2:10 [mike stanberg] 
who do u think is going 3rd 

Easy question: Whoever of Manny Machado and Jameson Taillon doesn't go second. I think most people think that those two are clearly the two next best players behind Bryce Harper. Signability is always a wild card, but I think the top 3 teams are going to go with "Best Player Available"
2:20
David Rawnsley: 
I have no idea who Uwem Udofia is, sorry. 
2:22
David Rawnsley: 
2:17 [Guest] 
Who do you think may go in the first round that very few experts are talking about 

The problem with some of the "expert" mock drafts is they look like dart boards, throw enough names out there and you are sure to get a few right. It would be hard to ID too many names that haven't been mentioned somewhere. I listed 10 such names back on June 3 in my last mock that I thought had a chance to surprise. https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?Article=4812
2:24
David Rawnsley: 
We have Peter Torres from Coral Park HS in Miami as Group 4 player, meaning there is a chance he could get drafted late in the draft but it is more likely he will be heading on to college. In Torres' case that's Austin Peay U.
2:29
David Rawnsley: 
Taillon: Josh Johnson (FL Marlins) 

Machado: Comp'd to Alex Rodriguez becaue of Miami connection, but this is a bit harder because there is more projection involved in Machado, especially with how much power he hits for. But you have to start by thinking of 6-3 shortstops, which narrows the list significantly......Jeter, the former ARod, Ramirez.....that's assuming that Machado stays at SS when he's 24 years old and 6-3, 205.
2:32
Twitter
PerfectGameUSA: 
PG Experts David Rawnsley, Allan Simpson, and Patrick Ebert Covering Draft w/Live Chat Starting at 2 et http://bit.ly/9L9Odk
2:36
David Rawnsley: 
Based on pure talent, Cowart could easily be one of the top 10 players in the country. I'm sure if Jerry Ford had a draft pick Cowart would go in the top 5 picks overall. That being said, Cowart's 1st round ability at 2 positions (IF/RHP) and his reportedly very high signability number may have scared off many teams. I think Cowart has strongly stated that he wants to play in the field and he certainly has the right to say that and put his own number on what it will cost to get him to change his mind.
2:46
David Rawnsley: 
I haven't heard anything about Allie wanting to hit first. I've also been told that he walked only 11 hitters in 50 innings this spring and his mechanics/command are significanlty better. I see him going in the 15-25 range in the first round, although one of the themes of this draft the last week seems to be high school RHP's sliding. Some teams like the Angels could make a haul on HS RHP's if they chose to. 
2:47
David Rawnsley: 
You can find people that will quietly say they'd prefer Taillon over Harper, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone say it for attribution. Harper really is that good, especially when you consider he should have been a high school junior. Consider the context.
2:50
David Rawnsley: 
I didn't see Machado play this spring, so I'm not even sure he'd be my first HS pick after Taillon; I'd just be going on other's opinions. But based on what I've seen myself, I'd be debating between Whitson and O'Connor, with Cowart in the mix.
2:51
David Rawnsley: 
I would be shocked if the White Sox didn't draft Ozney Guillen. They drafted Kenny Williams son a couple of years ago and many years ago drafted then GM Ron Schuler's daughter....seriously. I would also expect the Giants to draft U. Kansas closer Brett Bochy, who unfortunately missed much of the spring with TJ surgery. 
2:55
David Rawnsley: 
Cliff, there are far, far too many factors involved in making a college/signing decision to summarize them with any validity. Every young man and every situation is different. The bottom line for me is what the young man wants to do in his heart is always more important than making a decision based on money. College is a wonderful thing. So is playing professional baseball. Make the decision on what you want to do based on that, not a few 0's after a $$ sign.
2:56
David Rawnsley: 
What you're proposing for the Orioles is exactly what the Pirates did last year. It will be a couple of years before we see if Pittsburgh benefits from that, but it took alot of guts (the Pirates whole approach) and is sure a better option the entrenched and enduring mediocrity.
2:58
David Rawnsley: 
Allan Simpson is updating his top 300 list during the afternoon to reflect last minute changes and evaluations. I know the first 100 has been posted and he just emailed across the next 100. Check in sometime this afternoon on the main PG site to see what the updates are.
3:00
David Rawnsley: 
I'm not answering a question here and it has nothing to do with the draft but I wanted to pass on my congratulations to the Iowa Western CC team for winning the NJCAA World Series this weekend, winning their last 3 games against College of Southern Nevada (Harper's team) and San Jacinto (the #1 ranked team much of the year).
3:14
David Rawnsley: 
Sorry, was just told that the questions aren't being posted with my answers....Sorry! I'll make the adjustment.
3:17
David Rawnsley: 
3:09 [Joe Nason] 
If I might be a bit nosy.... what was the proposal for the Orioles of which you [...]compared to the Pirates 

An Orioles fan recommended that the O's overpay draft slots and try to restock their depleted farm system instead of overpaying old veterans like Julio Lugo to take up space on their roster. That's pretty much what the Pirates did last year in jettsoning many of their ML players and going way over slot for numerous players who slid because of signability.
3:28
David Rawnsley: 
3:22 [Joe Nason] 
Keith Law is reporting that the Pirates WILL select Taillon with the second pick[...] . Are your sources saying anything on this? And thanks for all your input. 

Joe, to be honest I'm not working sources right now, I'll let the media guys like Law and Jim Callis do that up to the last minute. I'm a scout who writes and work for a scouting organization. I've got 150+ players from the Sunshine South event this weekend in Texas to get notes compiled and reports written on and am doing that between questions right now. I think picking Taillon would be the correct pick without question, though. He is special.
3:32
David Rawnsley: 
3:22 [Kory] 
When can we expect RHP Blake Treinen of South Dakota State and any other of the [...]Jackrabbits drafted? 

The Jackrabbits (great nickname) had an outstanding year, going 39-20 and beating 3 NCAA regional teams. Treinen and Jesse Sawyer should be round 15-25 type picks and I know scouts love Trevor Vermeulen, although his size and sidearm style might make him better as a senior pick in 2011.
3:35
David Rawnsley: 
3:25 [Michael] 
Who are some of the lesser known Florida high schoolers that you think will have[...] an impact? 

The three FL high schoolers who really raised their stock this spring after being not on many draft lists were Mason Williams, Kyle Waldrop and Sean Dwyer. Waldrop, who was a better known football player and had some injury problems as a sophomroe and junior could really surprise. Another "sleeper" is 2B/SS Wendall Soto, who is a superior defensive player and said to be very signable (always an issue with FL high schoolers). 
3:38
David Rawnsley: 
3:31 [Steve] 
Brandon Glazer from Clearspring MD rumored to go as high as the 5th round to KC.[...] Ever heard of him? 


Heard of him, but Allan Simpson did Maryland and doesn't list Glazer, who is signed with College of Charleston, as a top 25 round player. Always be cautious when you hear a player associated with just one team.
3:40
David Rawnsley: 
The draft will be shown on the MLB Network, for those of you who have that on your cable systems. There will also be an audio feed on MLB.com. Just like the NFL draft coverage on ESPN, you'll have plenty of people (Peter Gammons, John Hart, Harold Reynolds) who know a huge amount about big league baseball and very little about the players drafted.
3:43
David Rawnsley: 
3:38 [Heather] 
Does MD have any high school players we should look for at any point in the draft? 

It's a thin year in Maryland, no Brandon Kline's this year. The two top players on our board are SS Kyle Convissar and C Alex Ramsey of the state champion Severna Park HS team. Both have rides to Maryland but neither project to be picked in a signable round.
3:46
David Rawnsley: 
3:33 [Coach Mac] 
What do you think the chances are of Corderius Dodd being drafted in the top 10 rounds? 

Allan Simpson had Dodd in the 10-15 round area but he sounds like an interesting player if he's signable. Here is what Allan wrote on his Tennessee state preview 

"Rapidly-improving player has big athletic ability, raw power potential/bat speed; at 6-2, 250, profiles for 1B." 
3:51
David Rawnsley: 
3:45 [Guest] 
last year long islands steve matz was drafted early by the mets...will any long [...]islanders be drafted this year 

OF Mark Podlas and RHP T.J. Pecoraro are the two top players on Long Island but are fringy top 10 round talents right now (Matz was a 2nd rounder) whose college commitments (Virginia and Vanderbilt respectively) will keep them out of signing rounds.
4:01
David Rawnsley: 
3:56 [Matt] 
Do you see AJ Cole falling out of the first round? What is his ceiling? What i[...]s scaring teams off late in the game? 

Most mock drafts seem to have Cole down at the end of the first round now, mostly based on his so-so performance at the FL State All-Star game. I can never understand this about scouts, especially in this day and age. Cole has thrown outstanding most of the last 2 years (I've seen him at least 5 times) and there's a glitch near the draft and everyone gets nervous and forgets the entire resume. Some team could get a real steal in a spot Cole has no place dropping to. In the same way, some team will pick a player ahead of Cole that they'd never seen play until the last month. Mark my word on that.
4:03
David Rawnsley: 
RE: Cole's ceiling. I don't like throw "number 2 starter, etc." type summaries on players but Cole is a 6-5, 190 kid who can pitch at 93-95/T98 and throw strikes while showing promise with his breaking ball. Not many of those in the big leagues.
4:22
David Rawnsley: 
4:15 [Joe LeCates] 
David, thank you for the chat. Your thoughts on Jake Skole? 

I admit that I'm a bit stunned by all the excitement on Skole. He's played something like 9 games in the last year....he didn't play last summer with East Cobb because football was his priority and he missed most of the spring season with a bad ankle. He's a great athlete (witness the FB scholarship) but he was never the best player on the East Cobb Astros teams when he played. Teams have players with huge resumes of positive achievement and tools and Skole has essentially a 3-week resume. There is definitely a place near the top of the draft for an athlete like Skole but it really stretches me to hear him talked about in the first round.
4:43
David Rawnsley: 
4:30 [Joe LeCates] 
David, any late word on who may be locked-in on Austin WIlson right now? What is[...] your gut feeling about whether he turns pro or steps onto campus at Stanford in the fall? 

Not sure who is locked in on Wilson but I put him with the Angels for both my mocks. A team with multiple picks makes the most sense for a signability question. The scouts in SoCal I talk to all say that Wilson really wants to play, which leads me to believe he might be more signable than it appears. He has a very high ceiling and those type of players need to be in pro ball to develop, no offense to Stanford. My gut is he ends up signing.
4:55
David Rawnsley: 
4:46 [Mike] 
David, did PG factor in signability into the pre-draft projections or is the ana[...]lysis just on ability? 

The analysis is based on ability. Signability is obviously a factor in everything (or more accurately, the posturing for signability) but that's the team's business. That's why Austin Wilson is in my mock drafts, for instance, while he's been disappearing from others.
4:58
David Rawnsley: 
4:46 [Jay Ventura] 
Our High School team in Ohio (Walsh Jesuit) has three RHP's who continue to be t[...]alked about as draft picks in Tyler Skulina, Johnny Fasola and Greg Greve. Any thoughts on this? 

I'm a big fan of Fasola; he compares very closely to Rob Segedin at Tulane for me. I understand he threw much harder this year than previously but so did Segedin as a senior.....I still see him as a 3B out of college. I also hear that Skulina didn't throw as hard this spring; his velocity has been very inconsistent over the past 2 years at PG events as well. But it's obviously been a great run for Walsh Jesuit
4:59
David Rawnsley: 
4:54 [Steve Smo] 
Whats the news on Mueller and Recchia from Illinois? From around the area and r[...]ead in papers there the guys? Any news on them? 

Mueller didn't throw as well in 2010 as he did in 2009 and had a tender shoulder that worries scouts. He could still go in the 6th-8th round area though if he was signable. Recchia is considered more of a senior sign type in 2011 as a 6-0 RH'er who relies on his breaking ball for outs.
5:02
David Rawnsley: 
4:57 [Rick] 
There are 3 kids here in Broward County that had great seasons and it seems no o[...]ne knows about them. Bret Couvell, William Rudolph and Dillon Popovich? any word on them? When I google I get lots of info but no draft nerws. 

Can't speak for the teams but we don't have any of them on our projected draft lists.
5:06
David Rawnsley: 
4:16 [John] 
Who will be the first "surprise" pick of the draft? 

When/if Jake Skole goes in the first round....I don't think it can get anymore surprising for me.
5:07
David Rawnsley: 
5:06 [Cliff] 
201-300 coming soon ? 

Allan just sent it in 10 minutes ago....working down to the deadline!
6:08
Allan Simpson: 
Greetings! This is the 30th draft I have covered. As much as I thought the 1981 draft had special significance because of a decided swing that year towards college players for the first time, that draft had nothing on this one. 

The amount of attention that the draft now generates is substantial, especially from TV and the internet. It was unimaginable that TV would cover the draft 30 years ago, and the internet simply didn't exist. 

The only coverage was in newspapers, and it was pretty limited at that. As I remember, the only national writers who paid any attention to the draft at the time were Peter Gammons (Boston Globe) and Tracy Ringolsby (Seattle P-I, which doesn't even exist anymore). 

The draft was always an integral part of Baseball America's coverage, and we had the good fortune to accurately peg Mike Moore (Oral Roberts) and Joe Carter (Wichita State) as the top 2 picks in 1981. Obviously, both players have long since retired from the game. 

And coverage of the draft (and interest in the draft) has changed dramatically.
6:10
David Rawnsley: 
Interesting. Bud Selig just announced Harper as an Outfielder 
6:11
David Rawnsley: 
I personally disagree with that. Joe Mauer is a great player but is he one of the top 2-3 players in the game if he plays right field?
6:12
Patrick Ebert: 
The Nationals clearly intend to fast-track Harper's bat. Not only is Harper's value behind the plate greater, but I was anxious to see a battery of Strasburg and Harper, arguably the two most hype draft prospects of all time.
6:14
David Rawnsley: 
Once you take Harper out from behind the plate he'll never go back. It will be interesting to see if it comes out later that Harper going out as an outfielder impacts his signability and how quickly he signs and what he signs for. He's obviously more fast track as an outfielder, which means he can actually earn the money sooner.
6:15
David Rawnsley: 
Allan, what drafts in the last 10-15 years do you think Taillon would have been the number 1 overall pick and thus the first/only high school right hander picked number 1?
6:15
David Rawnsley: 
MLB.com seems to forget that Bill Gullickson was also a high school RHP who was a #2 pick overall.
6:16
Patrick Ebert: 
The Pirates just got themselves one heck of an arm. As David alluded to, Taillon could have gone first overall in most drafts.
6:18
Allan Simpson: 
With the Nationals already conceding that Harper will be an outfielder, that pretty much eliminates the obvious comparsions to Joe Mauer. Too bad. 

Both premier lefthanded bats, special catching skills, obvious athletic ability. In almost every phase, Harper is farther along than Mauer was at 17. No question that he has more power potential. Mauer's upside was considerable, but being from St. Paul and a three-sport athlete, he was just much farther behind on the development curve.
6:19
David Rawnsley: 
I think one thing that will become obvious with Taillon in the next 1-2 years is that his command/delivery and his curveball are big pluses. We get caught talking about velocity so much with top prospects that we forget how good Taillon is regarding his ability to repeat his delivery and spin the ball. He throws an 83 mph true CB for strikes and it's a big, nasty pitch.
6:20
Patrick Ebert: 
Boras may have had something to do with this. He did say something to the effect that a team would be crazy to draft and develop Harper as a catcher.
6:20
David Rawnsley: 
That's why I wonder how much prior conversation there was between Mike Rizzo and Scott Boras about Harper's position and how it might affect the contract.
6:22
Patrick Ebert: 
David, does Machado stay at short?
6:24
David Rawnsley: 
I still have a tough time with Machado at #3, but that's based on the fact that he was nowhere close to the #3 player in the draft last summer and fall when I last saw him. He undoubtedly has improved significantly this spring. There is alot made of the fact that the 6-3, 185 lb Machado has never lifted weights and is not close to physically mature. Can he play SS at 6-3, 225 like Hanley Ramirez can? I'm betting not. If he ends up being 24 years old and is 6-3, 205/6-4, 210 or more, he doesn't play shortstop.
6:25
David Rawnsley: 
Just scroll down the list of starting ML shortstops and see how many are that big type athlete. Not many.......
6:28
Patrick Ebert: 
Ed, Yasmani Grandal should go next. He was rumored to go to the Royals at #4, but obviously that didn't happen. Grandal should go somewhere in the top 15-20 overall picks. Prep Canadian Kellin Deglan could sneak into the tail end of the first round. Micah Gibbs of LSU should go right around where Deglan does.
6:28
David Rawnsley: 
Wow, that's a surprise pick and a pretty good one. I have consistently had Colon at #7 on my mock drafts, while the other major mocks have dropped him into the mid 20's. People forget that Colon absolutely dominated playing for Team USA last summer before breaking his leg. He'll play in the ML's quick for the Royals (have you looked at who the Royals have been playing in the middle infield the past few years??!!).
6:30
David Rawnsley: 
It's also worth noting that Colon started playing in PG events at the end of his 7th grade year (!!) when his name was Christian Rodriguez. He's always been the same player...one of the best instinctive players that you will see at this level. Remember where Christian Colon was drafted this year when Tony Wolters hears his name picked later.
6:30
Allan Simpson: 
An international draft may still be two years away, but it looks like it may have already arrived. 

No. 2 Jameson Taillon has extensive ties to Canada (his parents are from Toronto, and he is a Canadian citizen), No. 3 Manny Machado has roots in the Dominican Republic, No. 4 Christian Colon is originally from Puerto Rico.
6:30
Patrick Ebert: 
Colon may be somewhat of a surprise, but I had him connected to the Royals last October based on the simple fact that Colon fits their needs perfectly. Good pick KC.
6:31
David Rawnsley: 
Outstanding point, Allan.
6:33
David Rawnsley: 
I'm glad that Pomeranz' lesser stuff over the last month due to his oblique injury didn't hurt his draft status. I harp frequently on why teams spend all the time and resources on scouting players 1-2 years out from the draft if they make decisions on performance over the last 3-4 weeks prior to the draft.
6:34
David Rawnsley: 
My thought is that Chris Sale should be the next pick, as it's hard to seperate he and Pomeranz as prospects in my mind.
6:35
Patrick Ebert: 
I'm happy to see that Pomeranz didn't fall despite reports a few weeks ago that his stuff wasn't as sharp. I heard his fastball was back up to its usual velo during his last two outings, and he has one of the better curveballs of any draft eligible talent. He should be helping the Indians out within a couple of years.
6:36
David Rawnsley: 
I'm being told that Barrett Loux is going to be the next pick.
6:37
Patrick Ebert: 
Loux then Harvey is the word...
6:39
David Rawnsley: 
I saw Loux pitch in March and he was solid....definitely a first rounder. He sat steady 92-94 mph for his entire pitch count and has flashed a plus CB and plus Chg. He does need more consistency in those off speed pitches, though, and that FB was pretty straight.
6:41
David Rawnsley: 
There are a whole bunch of college RHP's that seem to be pretty even...Wimmer, Wojo, McGuire. Who likes them the most is the big question. I still like Sale better than all of them, however. It's worth noting that Harvey probably has better stuff than all of them, though.
6:42
Patrick Ebert: 
I watched Loux in the Regionals this past weekend, and while his fastball wasn't up where you saw it, it did have better movement at the lower speeds - and his changeup looked pretty good - his curve wasn't particularly sharp
6:43
Patrick Ebert: 
Jonathan Mayo just mentioned DeShields is expected to go next, a name the Astros have been connected to for several weeks now.
6:43
David Rawnsley: 
I can respect the Mets for this pick. Harvey has been a top, top guy for some time and he definitely showed his stuff this spring.
6:44
David Rawnsley: 
I've been saving myself for DeShields....we'll see if it happens.
6:46
Patrick Ebert: 
Nice to see Bryce Harper smile. Every time I have seen him, and even when I was around him back in February for a few days, he seemed pretty tightly wound (although I'm sure some would argue that he was just focused). Having his selection behind him has to be a huge weight off of his shoulder. Good for him!
6:47
David Rawnsley: 
Loux and Harvey have pitched HEAVY loads this spring, if I were the Mets and the Diamondbacks I would be very careful about throwing them the rest of the summer if they did sign in time. Loux has an elbow history as well.
6:47
David Rawnsley: 
The only time I met and talked to Harper personally he was very relaxed and happy...I think like many older athletes he probably has developed a shell/skin that he withdraws behind frequently. That might work well for him in the long run.
6:48
Patrick Ebert: 
There you go David...
6:48
Allan Simpson: 
A quick review of the 2007 draft, and players that remain unsigned, shows that Christian Colon (a 10th-rounder that year) is the 14th-highest player on that list. Here are the 10 highest picks that passed on signing out of HS, in favor of college:

1. Hunter Morris, Auburn (2nd round). Projects 2nd round 
2. Brandon Workman, Texas (3rd round). Projects 1st round. 
3. Derek Dietrich, ss, Georgia Tech (3rd round). Projects sandwich/2nd round 
4. Tommy Toledo, rhp, Florida (3rd round). Projects 6th-10th round
5. Matt Harvey, rhp, North Carolina (3rd round). Just picked in first round, as expected 
6. Garrett Nash, ss, Oregon State (4th round); been on two-year Mormon mission/projects after 20th round 
7. Brett Eibner, of-rhp, Arkansas (4th round). Projects as first-rounder as pitcher or hitter 
8. John Gast, lhp, Florida State (5th round). Projects as 5th-7th rounder. 
9. Kyle Blair, rhp, San Diego (5th round). Projects 3rd-4th round. 
10. Nathan Striz, rhp, North Carolina (5th round). May be late draft
6:52
David Rawnsley: 
80 speed......great athlete, football running back. Steadfastly avoided top level competition in the past. He's never shown what he can do on the big stage. What do you have, Chone Figgins minus the arm strength with the #8 pick? While I respect that his father was a decent big leaguer, if his name was Delino Smith is the 8th pick in this draft? There are so many players with plus tools and very long resumes at this point in the draft. Especially considering that Houston has a very shallow minor league system.
6:53
David Rawnsley: 
I think MLB has mentioned signability more times with DeShields than they did for the first 7 picks.
6:53
David Rawnsley: 
Enough said 
6:53
Patrick Ebert: 
Speaking of Chone Figgins, do you think the Mariners would like to have their first-round pick back?
6:55
Patrick Ebert: 
Bret, Biddle could go as high as #14 to the Brewers. He was at their pre-draft this past weekend. The Phillies towards the end of the first round also are high on the young lefty, who obviously would be more of a hometown pick.
6:55
David Rawnsley: 
Whitson was the second best high school pitcher in the draft for me and shows where San Diego is going as an organization. He has a polish that very few high school pitchers have and that 82-84 mph slider is a plus big league pitch. Clearly a best player available pick.
6:58
David Rawnsley: 
Most high school pitchers have to learn a true slider. Some can, some can't. I see very, VERY few true sliders during a year of watching the top HS pitchers throw. Big league hitters have dreams at night that a higher being will come down to earth and eliminate the slider from what human beings can physically do.
7:01
David Rawnsley: 
This is almost a cliche pick for the Old A's. Choice walks 74 times this year. I remember Choice from a showcase his junior year in high school when he played second base. MLB just talked about how he went undrafted out of HS. He wasn't anywhere CLOSE to being a high school draft. He just got bigger and stronger and moved to his best position. Chase Utley, on the other hand, was one of the best HS hitters ever in the greater LA area. He hit more balls out of Blair Field as a HS'er than almost anyone ever did....and weighed 150 lbs when doing it.
7:03
David Rawnsley: 
Blue Jays next....they will become an interesting theme the rest of the top of the draft.
7:06
David Rawnsley: 
With 11 picks in the first 110 or so, picking McGuire here is a nice conservative selection. It could have been Wimmer or Wojo (with apologies to the Citadel pitcher....waiting to hear Selig pronouce his name). Toronto has to rebuild their system....they could get 7-8 future big leaguers with those picks and set their foundation for years.
7:07
David Rawnsley: 
Again, MLB mentioned that McGuire was undrafted out of HS. He pitched at the PG National before his senior year and was 88-91 if I remember right....6-6, 220, quality arm. He wasn't drafted because he had a firm commitment to Georgia Tech, not because the scouts (or PG) missed him!
7:07
Patrick Ebert: 
Saw a mock earlier today that had the Reds taking Chance Ruffin. If that's how it shakes out I would be pretty disappointed if I were a Reds fan.
7:08
Patrick Ebert: 
I agree, I don't like how they focus on that aspect. There is so much that goes into the reasons as to why a player does or doesn't get drafted.
7:09
David Rawnsley: 
And you'd be the same Reds fan that had problems with Mike Leake in the first round last year! Chance Ruffin will pitch in the ML's and be successful by next May. 
7:09
Patrick Ebert: 
Nope, I liked Leake.
7:09
Allan Simpson: 
It appears that the selection of Delino DeShields with the eighth pick marks the sixth time in draft history that a father/son combo have been first-round picks. The previous such selections: 

Tom Grieve (1966) / Ben Grieve (1994) 
Jeff Burroughs (1969) / Sean Burroughs (1998) 
Lance Parrish (1974) / David Parrish (2000) 
Steve Swisher (1973) / Nick Swisher (2002) 
John Mayberry (1967) / John Mayberry Jr. (2002, 2005)
7:10
Patrick Ebert: 
It doesn't matter, Grandal goes to the Reds. And for the record, I like Ruffin as a pitcher, just not in the first round, and definitely not 12th overall.
7:10
David Rawnsley: 
Good for Yasmani, who is a quality young man who virtually lived with PG when he was between his junior/senior years in HS. He knows how to play and will play in the ML's for a long time.
7:11
David Rawnsley: 
I may have my years off but didn't the Reds pass on Grandal to pick Devin Meseraco three years ago? 
7:12
David Rawnsley: 
My scout on the IM says that Chris Sale will go next to the White Sox and he's been perfect when commiting to a pick thus far.
7:13
David Rawnsley: 
I agree that Ruffin isn't a #12 pick but he fits higher than I've heard anyone mention him in the media. He's about a 95% chance guy to pitch successfully in the ML's. What's the difference between Ruffin and Drew Storen when you get right down to it? 
7:16
David Rawnsley: 
Sale, now, is an example of a pitcher who wasn't worthy of a draft out of high school but who has really improved in college. He threw 85-88 mph out of Lakeland HS and was very funky.
7:16
Allan Simpson: 
Was it not just two years ago in the first round that the Reds picked Yonder Alonso, also from Miami, also born in Cuba?
7:17
David Rawnsley: 
And I think anyone who suggests that he is a reliever is completely out of their mind!!! He can paint, touches 94 and has a plus change up! He's never had any durability/physical issues.
7:17
David Rawnsley: 
The Reds definitely are taking on a Cuban flavor....Ardonis Chapman?
7:19
David Rawnsley: 
I'm told a Southern Caifornia high school RHP next. Covey? Tago? Sanchez? 
7:20
Allan Simpson: 
So now that Chris Sale (pronounced SALE) has been picked, where does Josh Sale (pronounced SA-lay) get taken?
7:22
David Rawnsley: 
I'm happy for Covey, as he will show you the best raw stuff for any HS pitcher next to Taillon. He wasn't strong late in the spring but the track record/resume carried the day. I like the Matt Cain comparison. The other high school RHP whose stock looked to be dropping where Covey's obviously didn't is Florida's A.J. Cole.
7:23
David Rawnsley: 
Allan, you hear Sale (the HS OF'er) with the Astros at #19. I think he's a 20-30 slot guy in the first round, so 19 wouldn't be out of line.
7:23
Patrick Ebert: 
I heard 6-8 names in conjunction with the Brewers over the past week+, and Covey was not one of them. They remain one of the more secretive teams out there, as a few sites were still calling for a college arm leading up to the pick.
7:24
David Rawnsley: 
I kept hearing Jake Skole this afternoon for the Brewers, which was scary.
7:24
David Rawnsley: 
I'm saving my Josh Sale story for when he's picked.....
7:24
Patrick Ebert: 
I thought Skole was targeted for the next pick, the Rangers?
7:25
Allan Simpson: 
According to PG's newly-published Top 300 list, here are the top 5 players that have gone unselected: 

8. Zach Cox 
10. Josh Sale 
12. Kolbrin Vitek 
14. Stetson Allie 
16. Brandon Workman
7:25
David Rawnsley: 
Just heard Skole as a potential pick for the Rangers at #15. Would be a pre-draft deal with a 2 sport clause
7:26
Patrick Ebert: 
Is there an echo in here?
7:27
David Rawnsley: 
With all due respect for Jake Skole, who we've seen play at PG since he was a freshman, he has no track record over the past year. Great athlete, primary football player.....but he's hardly played over the past year. And he's NOWHERE CLOSE to where Grady Sizemore was at the same age!
7:29
David Rawnsley: 
I've found it interesting that Skole's big moment this spring was hitting a bomb of Kaleb Cowart in the playoffs when everyone was in to see Cowart. Skole and Cowart have played together at East Cobb for years.....probably are very good friends.
7:30
David Rawnsley: 
Kolbrin Vitek next? Zach Cox must have thrown out some signability numbers that have teams concerned.
7:31
David Rawnsley: 
WOW! That's a huge, huge surprise 
7:32
David Rawnsley: 
Simpson (no relation to Allan) is a 5-11, 165 Division II pitcher. Great present stuff. But certainly no profile at all to this slot.
7:34
David Rawnsley: 
Did Jim Callis really say that Simpson was a LHP?
7:34
Allan Simpson: 
Only appropriate I grab this one. Bit of a surprise. D-II pitcher of year, but a 6-foot RHP in No. 16 spot. The first Arkansas player taken, ahead of Cox and Eibner?
7:39
David Rawnsley: 
At the 2009 Area Code Games, Sale went into the batting cage at Blair Field before a game and with his whole team waiting, took 74 straight swings. Didn't care. He's an arrogant hitter, which I say with the utmost respect. He hits plus pitching and hits it hard to all fields. He's a left fielder only, this talk of his catching is kind of absurd in my opinion. He will be paid to hit the ball out of the park and should do it with some frequency.
7:42
Allan Simpson: 
Is Sale not Travis Snider? Jays 14th-rounder four years ago. Both stocky OF from suburban Seattle, hitting machines.
7:42
David Rawnsley: 
Getting back to the Cubs pick, MLB mentioned that Tim Wilkin, the Cubs veteran scouting director, picked Roy Halliday and Chris Carpenter when he was with the Blue Jays. Both 6-6 high school projectable arms....not a 5-11 college arm.
7:44
Patrick Ebert: 
Incredible bat speed and arm speed stand out to me with the last two picks. Happy to see Cowart go in the first as he should.
7:44
David Rawnsley: 
Cowart is a big favorite of Perfect Game and the Angels obviously are willing to let him go out as an infielder. I've read that some scouts think Cowart has questions on defense. I personally think that Cowart has Gold Glove tools at third base and the question is about how much power he will hit with....and that's based on seeing him play about 50 games at third base.
7:45
David Rawnsley: 
Not a good comp to Buster Posey for me....different athletes.
7:48
Patrick Ebert: 
Foltynewicz to the Astros...I always root for the upper Midwest guys, so congrats Folty.
7:49
David Rawnsley: 
Astros pick Mike Foltynewicz from Illinois......what I was hearing from a number of Illinois scouts was that Folty was a 2nd round pick but he's certainly thrown like a first rounder at times. He pitched at the PG Indoor Showcase in February and showed first round stuff. I compare Folty to Brandon Workman at Texas at the same age (the UT signing helps) with a better delivery.
7:49
Patrick Ebert: 
Folty's stuff keeps getting better, and with his body it's easy to believe that he's just starting to scratch the surface on his potential.
7:50
David Rawnsley: 
One thing I heard on Folty was that he went with a slider this spring and that it wasn't nearly as good as the curveball he threw before (which I had as a potential plus pitch). I'm betting the Astros did a good job of scouting that curveball when he was throwing it more and recognized it for what it was.
7:54
Patrick Ebert: 
How far does Ranaudo fall in this draft? Could be like Luke Hochevar a few years back, dropping to the sandwich round (or farther). Don't be surprised if we're talking about Ranaudo at this time next year similar to how we've talked about players such as Hochevar, James Paxton, Max Scherez and Aaron Crow that have gone the Indy route after they opted not to sign after their junior year in college.
7:55
David Rawnsley: 
The scouts I talked to really, really respect Vitek as a hitter and raved about his adjustments he made within games with his swing and approach. It's worth noting that Vitek was also Ball State's top pitcher.....he might actually get better when he isn't throwing 75+ innings during a college season.
7:56
Allan Simpson: 
Not likely that Vitek plays 2B down the road. He played the position last summer and this spring mainly to preserve his arm as he was also Ball State's No. 1 pitcher. Third base, or even center field (he has 6.6 speed), is more logical option.
7:57
David Rawnsley: 
Patrick, I think that is the obvious landing place for Ranaudo. Almost every independent league veteran (Weaver, Drew, Scherzer, Paxton, Varitek) has been a Boras client, with the exceptions recently of Scheppers and Crow. It's the right business decision for someone like Ranaudo. He was a ML contract or $5M bonus in late February.
7:58
Patrick Ebert: 
Harold Reynolds with another semi-jab towards scouts and how another college player went in the first round that wasn't drafted out of high school. It's a little difficult to take the commentary seriously.
7:58
David Rawnsley: 
Alex Wimmers to the Twins.
7:59
Patrick Ebert: 
The Twins were on Wimmers hard all spring, so they have to be thrilled he fell this far. He definitely fits the mold of pitchers they go after, similar to Baker, Blackburn, etc.
7:59
David Rawnsley: 
What do you want to bet that Kyle Gibson (2009 1st rounder) and Alex Wimmers are winning games in the big leagues for the Twins for the next decade. Wimmers has a plus CB and plus Chg....he is the Mike Leake of the 2010 draft as Gammons says.
8:02
David Rawnsley: 
Of course, it's easier to draft pitchers when you know that Mauer and Morneau are going to be hitting in the middle of your lineup for the next decade
8:04
David Rawnsley: 
Kellin Deglen, the first Canadian picked....Allan, this is yours. 
8:07
David Rawnsley: 
I'd like to tip my hat to my old friend Turtle Thomas at Florida International. Turtle is a legendary recruiter as an assistant coach (LSU, Miami, Arizona State) who got his first head job at FIU two years ago. Both Deglen and #3 pick Manny Machado were FIU signees and I can safely say that no one thought that either of them were first rounders when they commited to FIU.
8:08
David Rawnsley: 
I'm told Christian Yelich at #23 next.
8:08
Allan Simpson: 
The amazing part about Deglan's selection is that he is the first high school catcher drafted--Canadian or American. Who would have ever thought that a Canadian, who is typically a little further behind on the development curve, would be the first player drafted at such a demanding defensive position? Easy Justin Morneau comp. Lefthanded bat, both drafted as a C, grew up about 10 miles apart.
8:09
Allan Simpson: 
No matter what happens, Yelich is headed for Miami. UM signee, Marlins draft.
8:12
David Rawnsley: 
Yelich was perhaps the fastest riser in the Southern California draft class this year. His improvement as a hitter, especially with his strength, was impressive. He's been playing first base for the ABD Bulldogs for years and was surrounded by more acclaimed/recognized players (Austin Wilson, Tony Wolters, Michael Lorenzen, Jake Hernandez). But Yelich always hit cleanup for the Bulldogs, who have dominated WWBA events for the past two years.
8:13
Allan Simpson: 
I can only imagine what Zach Cox is wondering, and where his mind is. Highest projected pick still undrafted, team currently playing Washington State in winner-take-all regional game, missed last two weeks with back strain which has limited him to a DH role in regional. 

By the way, whatever happen to moving the draft so it wouldn't coincide with post-season college games?
8:14
David Rawnsley: 
I'm enjoying the MLB comments on college players. I've always thought that the perception that college juniors have leverage with signability is strictly a myth. I think a number of college players may have overpriced themselves and there are some frantic phone calls being made right now. 
8:14
David Rawnsley: 
Giants pick Gary Brown from Fullerton
8:14
David Rawnsley: 
Just as I had in my mock draft.
8:17
David Rawnsley: 
Brown is one of those hitters that the Moneyball numbers get confusing on. He hardly ever walks.....but then he hardly ever strikes out either. His barrel skills are extreme, much like an Ichiro type player. Pujols was actually like that early in his career....hardly ever walked or struck out. If he learns pitch recognition on big league stuff, he should develop very well.
8:18
David Rawnsley: 
I'm told Zach Cox's wait will end in a couple of minutes with the Cardinals pick.
8:21
David Rawnsley: 
Interestingly, Cox was more highly ranked as a right handed pitcher during high school than as a third baseman.
8:22
David Rawnsley: 
Solid 90-92 mph, sharp slurve type breaking ball.
8:23
Patrick Ebert: 
Brown will look perfect roaming the outfield at AT&T Park. I know Allan had Brown in the lower third of the first round for quite some time.
8:24
David Rawnsley: 
That would be an unusual position progression for Cox....RHP to 3B to 2B, if the Cardinals try him out at second base.
8:24
Allan Simpson: 
The five highest-ranked players still on the board:

14. Stetson Allie 
16. Brandon Workman 
17. Anthony Ranaudo 
19. Nick Castellanos 
20. Bryce Brentz 

8:24
David Rawnsley: 
I'm surprised that Allie is still out there....I was told that he touched 101 yesterday in a state HS playoff game.
8:25
Allan Simpson: 
Cox generally played 2B this spring for the Razorbacks, when Eibner pitched
8:27
Patrick Ebert: 
Those UNC recruits are always a tough sign!
8:28
Allan Simpson: 
Parker is third player with significant football skills taken so far (DeShields, Skole). Yet to come: Zach Lee, Tyrell Jenkins.
8:28
David Rawnsley: 
I really like the Holiday/Helton comparison with the Rockies in picking Kyle Parker. There is something different about picking a quarterback. You are picking an athlete who has succeeded on the big stage.
8:29
David Rawnsley: 
When I was with the Astros I felt the same way when we drafted and developed Kenny Lofton. He had played point guard against Georgetown in the Final 4 in basketball. Those type of athletes and the makeup/experience they bring are a huge intangible!
8:30
David Rawnsley: 
Phillies are a huge wild card, this should be interesting.....
8:30
Allan Simpson: 
Add Seth Smith to the Rockies/QB group. Ex-backup to Manning at Ole Miss, just like Helton ex-backup to Manning at Tennessee
8:32
David Rawnsley: 
Biddle isn't a hometown pick for the Phillies, although this will be talked about. He was the last pitcher not selected for the Aflac team last summer, he just didn't quite have the present stuff to warrant it. But you just knew that he would get better given time as he was so loose and was 6-6, 230.
8:34
David Rawnsley: 
Good point on Seth Smith, Allan. It's obviously something that Bill Schmidt and Dan O'Dowd believe in.
8:37
David Rawnsley: 
We're on the quarterback theme as the Dodgers pick Zach Lee.
8:37
Patrick Ebert: 
Are the Dodgers conceding this pick? So much for them going cheap...
8:38
David Rawnsley: 
That was exactly my thought. Is this a pick similar to the Reds drafting Jeremy Sowers? We don't want to spend the money so we'll pick an unsignable player.
8:38
Allan Simpson: 
8:02 [Guest] 
when will sean coyle be picked 

Red Sox. They see him as another Pedroia. May go to seven figures to sign him, no matter where they pick him. Red Sox spent $1 M a couple of years ago on PA HS product (Peter Hissey, 4th rounder). Hissey and Coyle are good friends
8:40
Allan Simpson: 
Angels have next two picks. So how do they decide who they pick first?
8:43
David Rawnsley: 
Cam Bedrosian to the Angels. The irony is that he really isn't like his dad physically, although it's hard not to say the raw stuff and make aren't similar. With DeShields that makes a couple of sons of former big leaguers in the first round.
8:46
David Rawnsley: 
There are a couple of SoCal high school first round pitchers who have definitely been mentioned around here.....Tago, Sanchez. Stetson Allie is still on the board and so is A.J. Cole. Throw in Kaleb Cowart, even as an initial 3B, and that's some serious young arms to bring into an organization.
8:47
David Rawnsley: 
8:45 [Draft Guru] 
Where did Steve Bedrosian get drafted? Is this another father/son 1st round combo? 

Dad Bedrosian was a 3rd round pick in 1978.
8:48
David Rawnsley: 
The Angels could have saved some cross checking travel money this spring and just stayed in Georgia, picking Chavez Clarke.
8:49
Allan Simpson: 
8:45 [Draft Guru] 
Where did Steve Bedrosian get drafted? Is this another father/son 1st round combo? 

Steve was a third-rounder in 1978 by Braves out of University of New Haven
8:51
David Rawnsley: 
Chavez Clarke was the runner-up in the Bo Jackson 5-Tool Challenge, held last October during the WWBA World Championships in Jupiter. I hope some people were able to see that on FOX this past week. It will be interesting to see how Chavez develops as a hitter; his run/throw/field tools are outstanding.
8:51
Allan Simpson: 
8:49 [Guest] 
when will austin urban be picked 

PA prep product. We have as 5th-8th rounder
8:54
David Rawnsley: 
I think that the Rays got a top 10 pick in Justin O'Conner. He has first round type tools at 3 different positions, shortstop, catcher and right handed pitcher and scouts rave about his makeup as well. The Rays have scored big when they pick at the top of the draft and now that they are picking at the bottom of the first round they seem to be doing just as well.
8:56
David Rawnsley: 
I had one of the veteran area scouts tell me that once O'Conner figures out his footwork behind the plate that he might post pop times that are close to unique. His arm strength and quickness are extreme.
8:56
Patrick Ebert: 
With Bedrosian going in the first, this year's draft marks the second year in a row in which the starting pitchers for the Aflac All-American Classic the summer before both went in the first round. Taillon of course was the other, with Zack Wheeler and Jacob Turner being last year's representatives.
9:01
David Rawnsley: 
I'd say that Cito Culver is the second most surprising pick of the first round behind Hayden Simpson (and lining up next to Jake Skole).
9:06
David Rawnsley: 
15 high school players picked in the first round, 1 junior college player, 16 college players. 

All 15 high school players (and obviously the only JC player) have played in Perfect Game events. Will have to look in the data base to figure out the exact number for the college players.
9:07
David Rawnsley: 
Michael Kvasnicka from Minnesota goes with the first pick of the comp round.
9:10
David Rawnsley: 
Why is MLB calling Kvasnicka a 3B?
9:11
David Rawnsley: 
Aaron Sanchez is the 34th pick. Perfect spot for Sanchez.
9:11
David Rawnsley: 
Matt Lipka goes to the Braves with the 35th pick. Teammate of Zach Lee's at McKinney HS in the North Dallas area.
9:25
Patrick Ebert: 
With no pick in the first round, the Tigers apparently aren't scared off by Nick Castellanos' price tag.
9:33
Allan Simpson: 
Miami's recruiting class has taken a hit with 3B Nick Castellanos, 1B Christian Yelich and RHP Luke Jackson among those drafted already. But the Hurricanes have been spared so far on A.J. Cole and Yordy Cabrera, who both had solid chances of going in the first round.
9:33
Patrick Ebert: 
The live-armed prep righties from SoCal are going off the board like crazy in the sandwich round. Sanchez, Walker and now Tago. Plenty more (A.J. Vanegas, Scott Frazier, Robby Rowland, Adam Plutko) are still available.
9:41
Patrick Ebert: 
Trey C: It's hard to say a percentage of Lee signing. I was pretty surprised to see the Dodgers take him. I heard all along he was dead-set on attending LSU to play QB for their football team. He may sign, but I'm guessing there would be a provision that would allow him to continue to play football in college, which is really going to stunt his growth in baseball. I think the percentages have to be low at this point in time, although the Dodgers may be counting on the ability to spread out his bonus over 5 years as a two-sport star.
9:42
Patrick Ebert: 
Hawkeye, Sweeney of course is one of Perfect Game's favorite players. If PG had a pick, he would already be off the board, but he should be off the board in the next two rounds.
9:44
Patrick Ebert: 
Draft Guru, I like Castellanos body size and bat. He has great extension and legitimate power potential. I'm not sure he stays at third base, and may end up on an OF corner or 1B, although I know several people thinks he can stick at third. He put a big price tag on this spring, and may be Miami-bound because of it
9:45
Patrick Ebert: 
The Astros may have every intention of developing Kvasnicka as a third baseman. There were reports that teams may be interested in drafting him as a catcher, so developing him at the hot corner isn't that huge of a step. As noted in response to your question, the Astros do have Jason Castro in their system, but he alone shouldn't effect who they take at what position that much.
9:46
Patrick Ebert: 
Mike, seeing Workman fall out of the first round was a big surprise to me as well. I don't know how signability could cause him to fall that far. That's one I'll be interested in learning more about.
9:50
Patrick Ebert: 
It is also a little surprising to see both A.J. Cole and Stetson Allie fall out of the first round. I had heard that Allie would be no easy sign as a North Carolina commit. Austin Wilson was always viewed as a difficult sign, as most to all Stanford recruits re. There are three college guys out there in addition to Workman that I don't think will last much longer in the second round when the draft picks up tomorrow: Sammy Solis, Brett Eibner and Jesse Hahn. Yordy Cabrera, Rob Segedin and Austin Wates represent three of the better bats that can still be had.



Day 2 Coverage

11:01
David Rawnsley: 
Welcome to Day 2 of the draft. MLB.com is trying to hide the audio of the second day of the draft but I eventually found it.
11:08
David Rawnsley: 
Allan and I will do our best to keep up with some comments as the picks are made rapid fire throughout the day.
11:10
David Rawnsley: 
An interesting part of today's early picks will be the result of all the phone calls that were made last night. Signability changes when reality strikes and there were plenty of "new" signabilities made last night. Certainly someone like Stetson Allie might have a different approach than he did on Day 1.
11:14
David Rawnsley: 
With Harper yesterday and Strasburg starting tonight in Washington, the Nationals picks today might be overlooked a bit.
11:16
David Rawnsley: 
MLB has already messed things up 2 picks into the day, missing the Stetson Allie pick. I'm sure the Pirates spent lots of time on the phone with Allie and his representatives last night figuring out the signability.
11:18
David Rawnsley: 
LeVon Washington didn't fall too far from last year, about 23 picks, but I think he just cost himself a chunk of money. He's the second junior college player picked and there will be plenty more in the next few hours.
11:19
David Rawnsley: 
James Bradley from West Virginia is a bit of a surprise at this level, although there was alot of buzz on him late.
11:20
David Rawnsley: 
Workman is an outstanding draft for the Red Sox....can't understand why he didn't go significantly earlier. The thing about picking some of these high school pitchers is that you are betting that they get to where Workman is right now.
11:21
David Rawnsley: 
Velasquez must have changed his mind about refusing to go out as a pitcher, or the Astros may end up with an unsigned pick.
11:25
David Rawnsley: 
Now we start getting to the Blue Jays deep bucket of picks....first one Griffin Murphy, the LHP from SoCal. There is certainly a number of high school pitchers going and there are still plenty more on the board.
11:28
David Rawnsley: 
Scouts weren't seeing the 98 mph fastball from Petricka because he didn't pitch in 2007 when having TJ surgery and then threw only 19 innings in 2008 at Iowa Western CC . He was up to 94 mph in 2009 as a RS sophomore at Indiana State.
11:31
David Rawnsley: 
It was interesting that I heard some comps between Littlewood and Evan Longoria coming into the draft. You don't hear many comps to Longoria, I think especially since most people don't know about his background as he wasn't considered much of a prospect when he was Littlewood's age.
11:32
David Rawnsley: 
Kellen Sweeney goes to the Toronto Blue Jays, just as we've expected for some time among the PG Staff. Interesting that they had him listed as a third baseman. I personally think he's going to play second base.
11:34
David Rawnsley: 
Andreleton Simmons is one of the more obscure players pick so far and the MLB guys know nothing about him at all. But he certainly has the tools to go at this point in the draft. The third player picked out of the JC ranks.
11:36
David Rawnsley: 
Cody Buckel might be the next Mike Leake....but obviously may be entering pro ball at a different age.
11:38
David Rawnsley: 
I remember watching Jordan Swagerty pitch at the SE Southcase as a high school junior. He was a primary catcher but he showed just as much potential as a pitcher at that point and we wrote him up that way. He ended up as an Aflac All-American.
11:40
David Rawnsley: 
I really am never comfortable when too much analysis is given to whether a pitcher is going to be a reliever or starter down the road, especially if it's a high school pitcher.
11:41
David Rawnsley: 
Wow, nice slot for Ralston Cash. I believe that's the seventh player picked out of the East Cobb program.
11:44
David Rawnsley: 
The Yankees have picked two right handed hitting high school players who aren't likely to be middle of the field defensive players. I'm not really sure what their thought process is with Cito Culver and Angelo Gumbs.
11:46
David Rawnsley: 
Hague's hitting numbers from 2010 are virtually identical from 2009. Mayo has no clue, I guess.
11:47
David Rawnsley: 
Good pick for the Pirates. Rojas has plus tools and has performed. I thought he could have gone even higher.
11:49
David Rawnsley: 
There's one of my favorite players, Tony Wolters. The Indians got a future big leaguer in the third round, sure thing.
11:50
David Rawnsley: 
MLB just called a veteran big leaguer, Rich Rowland, a minor leaguer. Wow.
11:54
David Rawnsley: 
Zach Cates to the Padres at 91. Junior college players are a big thing in this draft. The interesting thing about Cates is that he went undrafted twice before this year....he was a primary catcher before this year.
11:58
David Rawnsley: 
Four Aflac All-American right handed pitchers haven't been picked yet and one has to assume that all are on team's "Unsignable" list at this point in the draft: A.J. Cole, A.J. Vanegas, DeAndre Smelter and Kevin Gausman.
11:59
David Rawnsley: 
The same thing also has to apply to Aflac OF Austin Wilson, which is not much of a surprise.
12:00
David Rawnsley: 
Surprised that Micah Gibbs lasted this far in the draft. He's going to play in the big leagues...if you are going to pick conservative you might as well pick a premium position player who switch hits.
12:01
David Rawnsley: 
Ryan Brett and Tony Wolters are similar players, Brett has more speed and Wolters is a better defensive player.
12:03
David Rawnsley: 
One trend that almost always happens in every draft is that college catchers go in a group. That's started now with Gibbs and Brantley. Expect more college catchers in the next 20-30 picks.
12:06
David Rawnsley: 
MLB has mentioned twice that Jason Heyward was somewhat "hidden" in Georgia. I can't even start to express what a stupid comment that is.
12:06
David Rawnsley: 
This is a career year for Georgia. They won't have nearly as many top level high school prospects over the next two years, or at least that have been identified thus far.
12:07
David Rawnsley: 
Jacob Realmuter from Oklahoma is an interesting pick; he had the most impressive statistics of perhaps any high school player in the country this year, hitting 27 home runs and driving in 110 runs.
12:11
David Rawnsley: 
We seem to have hit a lull in the high school picks, which for me is indicative of getting into signability area that teams are uncomfortable with for high school players.
12:12
David Rawnsley: 
I was told last night that the Red Sox had a deal with Coyle for $1,000,000. Don't know if that's going to happen, but the pick doesn't surprise me.
12:13
David Rawnsley: 
On the other hand, I was told that Soto would go higher than otherwise suspected because he was considered very signable. He's a defensive whiz.
12:14
David Rawnsley: 
Like the Yankees third round pick, though. MLB knows nothing about Segedin obviously, he has never played shortstop in college. He's a 3B with a big bat and big arm and he's always performed, scouts got worried off because of his past back problems.
12:15
David Rawnsley: 
Interesting that Oklahoma JC's have had two players picked so far and California JC's haven't had anyone picked: Marcus Knecht
12:18
David Rawnsley: 
This will be very interesting to see if the Nationals will pull out the wallet for A.J. Cole, who is clearly a first round type talent.
12:19
David Rawnsley: 
We've talked before about Georgia having a "career year" as a state. Nevada was the same way in 2010. They had an incredible amount of talent and will see about a half dozen more players picked over the next couple of rounds. Not all of them will be from the College of Southern Nevada pitching staff, either.
12:23
David Rawnsley: 
Of course, perhaps the best Nevada prospect after Harper, 3B Kris Bryant, will probably not be picked in a signability round and will end up at U. San Diego.
12:24
David Rawnsley: 
12:20 [RomanFIU] 
Nice to see a third FIU signee get picked with Soto going in the third round 

The problem about this for Turtle Thomas and his program is I'm thinking that they considered Soto the backup if they lost Machado. Now they are losing both plan A and plan B!
12:26
David Rawnsley: 
12:23 [Guest] 
What about the Iowa High School kids? Keller, Navin, and Musser. When should we [...]expect their names to come across?

If Keller is signable I would expect him to go right around where we are now, in the fourth round. It wouldn't have surprised me if he had been picked earlier. With Musser's shoulder injury I don't think he will be picked in the top 10 but I think a team will make a good run at him later this summer. I wouldn't expect Navin to be drafted in a signing round due to his Vandy commitment and where his bat is right now.
12:29
David Rawnsley: 
If I'm not mistaken, Brodie Greene of Texas A&M is the first college senior pick. Contrary to what MLB is saying, Sam Dyson is a 4th year junior with one year of college eligibility remaining.
12:33
David Rawnsley: 
It happens every year about this time....there is always a player about 4th/5th round that I've never heard of. With all due respect to LHP Hunter Ackerman, the Cubs pick.....that's a new name to me.
12:35
David Rawnsley: 
You make your own bed but I do feel a bit sorry for James Paxton, who passed on high comp round money last year and is now a mid 4th round pick. He can't go back to independent ball, he needs to get out and play right now.
12:38
David Rawnsley: 
I am a bit surprised that Dave Filak lasted this long. He showed top 50 type stuff early in the spring. Very good pick for the Braves.
12:39
David Rawnsley: 
Eddie Rosario, the first Puerto Rican off the board in the 4th round. I'm told he's very similar at the same age as a hitter to Bobby Abreu.
12:40
David Rawnsley: 
Here is Allan Simpson's report on Hunter Ackerman....who he did put in the 6th-8th round area on his North Carolina state preview. 

FR LHP blossomed overnight; three solid pitches (FB 89-92, + CU/CH), + command; 8-1, 1.40, 58 IP/92 SO 
12:42
David Rawnsley: 
Seth Rosin of Minnesota sits at 92-94, touches 95-96.
12:44
David Rawnsley: 
Boy, the Rockies love quarterbacks! They pick Kyle Parker in the first round and Russ Wilson in the 4th round. That is not a coincidence.
12:48
David Rawnsley: 
I was just with Garin Cecchini's younger brother, Gavin (2012), at the Sunshine South showcase this past weekend. Garin would have been a top 2 round pick except for his ACL injury and Gavin could be just as good a player in 2 years.
12:49
David Rawnsley: 
RE: Rockies and Quarterbacks. I'm told that the Rockies 3rd round pick, Alabama SS Josh Rutledge, was a star quarterback in high school as well.
12:53
David Rawnsley: 
The first Oregon State pitcher taken....at the start of the fifth round. Two years ago I would have bet that 4-5 OSU pitchers would be off the board by now. Serious injuries and underwhelming performances have really impacted that staff.
12:56
David Rawnsley: 
Jason Adam is a very interesting pick for the Royals in the 5th round. Scouts have told me that a) Adam is a very difficult sign, and b) he might be better than Ryne Stanek. But he is a hometown guy and you know that the Royals have had extensive conversations with the Adam Family about picking Jason in this slot.
1:04
David Rawnsley: 
Very interesting pick for the Blue Jays in Dickie Thon Jr. He was considered a very difficult sign due to his Rice scholarship and his family's long-term relationship with Wayne Graham. But he's a top 2 round talent right now.
1:09
David Rawnsley: 
Big run on Pennsylvania players? Three of them picked in the 5th round. I actually sat with a Villanova coach this weekend and they thought that Sczcur had priced himself out of the signing rounds.
1:22
David Rawnsley: 
At this point in the draft it's always worth noting when a player like Scott Frazier gets drafted. It usually means that a particular team that has some special insight into a signability of a player. Frazier was a top 2 round talent for many scouts. I think the Phillies probably know something about Frazier that gives them confidence.
1:39
David Rawnsley: 
Jason Hursh, the Pirates 6th round pick, is a great story. He went to the 2009 Sunshine South showcase as a SS/OF and threw 93 from the OF and 90 from SS. We asked him to pitch and inning, as he wasn't a pitcher, and he threw 88-91 mph and got invited to the PG National. Now he's a primary pitcher and a 6th round pick throwing a consistent 90-93 mph.
2:30
Allan Simpson: 
Jumping back in. Just updated the PG list of the top first five rounds. Unlike the running list of draft picks found on the MLB.com site, our list includes the players hometowns, whether they were previously drafted and their college commitments. We'll have the complete top 10 rounds later today. 

A large number of the players drafted appeared on our top 300 preview list that was posted yesterday. That list is available for free on the PerfectGame.org site. 

I can also say that every player (all 175) that was drafted in the first five rounds was identified with a mini scouting profile in our extensive state-by-state preview of the draft, which is also available on the site. 

We've posted complete scouting reports so far on players drafted in the first round, and will do so on all players drafted in the first 10 rounds, round-by-round. We'll also be providing signing bonuses on players in those rounds throughout the summer as they sign.
2:40
Allan Simpson: 
Best draft to date? Red Sox, slam dunk. 

They picked up four extra picks with the loss of Jason Bay and Billy Wagner, but Kolbrin Vitek (20), Bryce Brentz (36), Anthony Ranaudo (39), Brandon Workman (57), Sean Coyle (110) and Garin Cecchini (143) in the first four runds was a substantial haul. Cost could be considerable to get all under contract, with everyone likely to get above-slot bonuses, but the first four players could/should have been first-rounders, and Cecchini would have been a second-rounder before tearing up his knee.
3:00
Allan Simpson: 
If you get a chance, please watch the NHL draft on June 25-26 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. That will give you an idea how vastly superior the NHL (not to mention the NFL/NBA) covers its draft than MLB does with its very amateurish production--both last night (first round) on the MLB network, and today (rounds 2-onward) on mlb.com. 

Hockey's entry-level players are less well-known that baseball's first-rounders have become, but the NHL does a first-rate job of welcoming its players into the game, with pomp and ceremony, on a big stage, with thousands there to watch. All the early picks are available, along with their families. You saw baseball's continued clumsy attempt to promote its draft. There was no buzz at all to last night's made-for-TV event. 

MLB would also showcase itself much more favorably if it had people commenting on the selections that had a clue who the players were in the first 1-5 rounds, and had actually seen a representative number play at some point. 

The baseball draft has clearly come out of the Dark Ages, but it still has a long way to go.
4:16
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PerfectGameUSA: 
Scouting Reports on All 32 First Round Picks http://bit.ly/9gWdeV
3:57
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PerfectGameUSA: 
Scouting Reports on 2nd Round Draft Picks http://bit.ly/9Xe6Ij
4:00
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4:01
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Scouting Reports First Round Supplemental http://bit.ly/dbY8EU
 
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Draft | Mock Draft | 7/6/2026

MLB Mock Draft: 4.0
Tyler Henninger
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MLB Draft: Top 500 Update Pick Team Name Pos. School 1 Chicago White Sox Roch Cholowsky SS UCLA 2 Tampa Bay Rays Grady Emerson SS Fort Worth Christian 3 Minnesota Twins Vahn Lackey C Georgia Tech 4 San Francisco Giants Jacob Lombard SS Gulliver Schools 5 Pittsburgh Pirates Jackson Flora RHP UC Santa Barbara 6 Kansas City Royals Drew Burress OF Georgia Tech 7 Baltimore Orioles Eric Booth Jr. OF Oak Grove 8 Athletics Chris Hacopian SS Texas A&M 9 Atlanta Braves Ryder Helfrick C Arkansas 10 Colorado Rockies Tyler Bell* SS Kentucky 11 Washington Nationals Jared Grindlinger LHP/OF Huntington Beach 12 Los Angeles Angels Cameron Flukey RHP Coastal Carolina 13 St. Louis Cardinals AJ Gracia OF Virginia 14 Miami Marlins Derek Curiel OF LSU 15 Arizona Diamondbacks Gio Rojas LHP Marjory Stoneman Douglas 16 Texas Rangers Liam Peterson RHP Florida 17 Houston Astros Justin Lebron SS Alabama 18...
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Press Release | Press Release | 7/9/2026

Perfect Game & ShiverSticks Come Together

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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   SHIVERSTICKS NAMED OFFICIAL POPSICLE OF PERFECT GAME   Former MLB All-Star Vernon Wells to Make Select Appearances at Perfect Game Events to Promote the Partnership   Sanford, Florida (Thursday, July 9, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with ShiverSticks, naming the Texas-based company the Official Popsicle of Perfect Game. Throughout the travel baseball season, ShiverSticks products will be featured across Perfect Game’s premier events and facilities, with onsite activations, concession integration, digital promotions and social media content designed to introduce players and fans to the...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/9/2026

Future Stars Take Center Stage at 14U BCS

Alyssa Golden
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The 21st annual 14U BCS National Championship returns to Fort Myers, Florida this Thursday through Monday, bringing many of the nation’s top teams to compete for one of the summer’s premier titles. Seven nationally ranked teams, featuring some of the top prospects in the class of 2030, will take the field looking to prove why they rank among the country’s elite. Headlining the field is No. 25-ranked outfielder James Watson of Canton, Georgia. The No. 9 outfielder in the nation has been one of the most productive hitters in the field this season, posting a 1.227 OPS while batting .394 with eight home runs, 69 RBI and 32 stolen bases over 84 games. Watson has also excelled on the mound, recording a 3.50 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 44 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .181 batting average. The athletic two-way player owns a 94 mph exit velocity, an 88-mph outfield...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/8/2026

Premier Invite Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Tripp Merren (‘29 TX) with a pair of missiles off the barrel today including a no-doubt 2-run 💣 and triple later both to RCF. Electric bat speed with easy strength off the barrel. Can really scoot around bases. #PremierInvite pic.twitter.com/VUEHQZ0bmM — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) July 3, 2026 Tripp Merren (2029, Houston, Texas) took home MVP honors enroute to a big championship win for the Houston Texans Astros Scout Team. Merren stands in at 6-foot-0 from a pretty physical frame at this age. He has the athleticism to go with it and already looks like he has filled out a good bit. Merren fits the mold as a true power hitting corner guy but can play all over on the dirt. He finished the week going 9-15 that included two doubles, a triple, and two homers. He also drove in seven runs and scored nine times. Talk about a complete week and Tripp was simply in the heart of...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/8/2026

16u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 2

Perfect Game Staff
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16u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 ‘28 Rylan Jenkins (GA) hits the bottom of the CF wall for a 2-RBI double; great rhythm to the stroke w/ lots of easy strength in the barrel. 6.46 runner. @BravesScout16u #WWBA @PG_Georgia pic.twitter.com/oxSt7fvsUw — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 7, 2026 Rylan Jenkins (2028, Tennille, Ga.) found a few loud barrels Tuesday morning, sending a pair of hard liners off the outfield wall. He drove in four runs and crossed home three times himself. The 5-foot-9 lefty hitter takes a smooth path to the baseball with excellent rhythm to the operation. He generates lots of easy strength at the point of contact and consistently produces high exit velocities to the pull-side and middle of the field. Jenkins is extremely twitchy and gets down the line in a hurry. He runs a 6.46 sixty and turns doubles into triples often. Tripp Sapp (2028, Loganville,...
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College | Story | 7/7/2026

USA Collegiate National Team: Stripes

Craig Cozart
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Collegiate National Team: Stars Notes Quick Hits  Each year at the end of June and beginning of July, top collegiate baseball talent from around the nation arrives in Cary, NC at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.  Typically, the rosters are filled with top underclass, non-draft-eligible talent but this year, we will see a sprinkling of upper-classmen as the coaches evaluate just under 60 players to get to their final 28 roster spots.  For a total of two weeks, the Stars Squad and the Stripes Squad will compete against outside competition in North Carolina as well as Virginia before finishing their slate with 5-games against each other at the NTC Complex.  Once the final roster has been announced the team will depart for Taiwan to compete in the 2026 World Baseball Championships, July 11-15.    CNT Stripes Position Players  Nico Partida ...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/8/2026

13u World Series Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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13u World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Chaysten Fuentes (2030, Ewa Beach, HI) worked really well from the right side of the plate ending up with five hits and a double in the last two days. The right handed hitting Hawaiian has a ton of strength to the body. The hands work directly to the ball and can hit to all fields in the approach. Has done an incredible job getting the barrel to almost everything and gets on plane in the turn.  Triston Valdez (2031, Castaic, CA) was electric on day four batting .500 with a double, triple, and five rbis. The barrel is really quick to the ball and works with a level path. Against NY Gotham 13u Ghost, Valdez would not be denied demolishing the bases clearing triple way back into the RCF gap. Stays inside the baseball consistently with the hands and torques it hard.  Christopher Julian Leija (2031, Weslaco, TX) really showed out the last two...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/7/2026

Two Day Rewind at 15u National Elite

Kinley Kitchens
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Two days into the 2026 Perfect Game 15U National Elite Championship, the storylines are already beginning to take shape. As one of the summer’s premier invite-only events, the tournament annually brings together many of the nation’s top 15U clubs, with 100 elite teams traveling to Hoover in pursuit of a championship. While there is still plenty of baseball left to play, the opening rounds have already produced breakout performances, dominant team victories, and plenty of excitement heading into bracket play. Several nationally recognized organizations entered the week as favorites, including MTBA Dawgs, ranked No. 3 nationally, Wildcatters Baseball at No. 10, and 5 Star Mafia, ranked No. 12. Meanwhile, newer programs like Jason Kidd Select Team have quickly shown they are capable of making noise against the nation’s best. One of the biggest storylines through the first...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/7/2026

15u Elite Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Troy Sutherland
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Tristan Barton (‘29, TX) has struck out three over three scoreless innings of work, getting a lively FB up to 89. Mixed in a sharp vt CB w/ late bite. Operates from a projectable RH frame w/ length + room to fill. #NatElite @Texas_PG pic.twitter.com/LXfkLOtxdo — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 5, 2026 Tristan Barton (’29, Gunter, TX) turned in a strong start on Sunday, lasting four innings of one run ball, striking out four. Barton operates from a bigger lengthy right-handed frame with considerable room to fill. He starts with a mid-body handset before working to the belt and into a high compact leg lift. Barton fires down via a compact arm action and high three quarters slot. The Texas native got a run/ride fastball up to 89, living in the mid-80s throughout the outing. He mixed in a sharp 12-6 curveball with vertical depth and late bite. Jack Graviss...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/7/2026

16u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1

Jason Phillips
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Nolan Ash (2028, Ashland, Mo.) showed off the power upside for Natty State 2028. The right-handed hitter starts from a spread stance with in-line feet and a high handset with a high back elbow, utilizes a leg lift stride. Creates separation and uses a direct hand path with a slightly uphill bat plane and some feel to generate lift from the lower half. Quick hands and stays in-sync with a rotational lower half and solid bat speed. Showed the power belting a solo bomb over the left field fence. Long and lean 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame with wiry strength present and more room to fill. The shortstop has a high ceiling and feel for the barrel. Colton Dodds (2028, Columbia, Mo.) showed off the barrel feel and power upside for Natty State 2028. The right-handed hitter starts from a wide base with in-line feet and a high handset with a high back elbow, utilizes a no stride trigger. Direct hands...
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College | Story | 7/7/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 7 Summer Edition

John Coppolella
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It’s an exciting time for College Baseball. Not only do potential and proposed changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) elevate the game, but we are coming off a thrilling College World Series and less than a week away from Major League Baseball’s 2026 Amateur Draft. In the middle of it all is the Cape Cod Baseball League.  The amateur players on the Cape are the future stars of the 2027 MLB Draft. The league runs from June 13th  through August 2nd. Games are played at historic stadiums in Old New England towns. It’s beautiful and charming. Hollywood even made a movie about the Cape Cod League ~25 years ago called Summer Catch. It scored an 8% (!) on Rotten Tomatoes, but, on the plus side, it featured 2001 Jessica Biel in a starring role.  It was so much fun writing Coppy’s Column this spring. My hope is to highlight a pitcher and...
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