Who's the next Joba? - MLB Draft preview

by Travis G on Jun 8, 2009 12:00 PM EDT in Minors Comment 12 comments

The MLB amateur draft is tomorrow evening (6 p.m., MLB Network). The Yankees have the 29th and 76th overall picks (due to not signing Gerrit Cole and Scott Bittle last year).

It's almost impossible to predict the MLB draft, unlike the NBA and NFL, because it often takes years to break into the Bigs. Andrew Brackman was drafted in the first round in 2007 and is only in Low-A Charleston. The most recent draftees on the current team are Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson (both taken in 2006).

For comparison, the New York Giants first round pick last year was Kenny Phillips, who played in every game and was sixth in tackles. It's extremely rare nowadays to see a draftee play in MLB the year he's drafted.

Anyway, the consensus #1 overall pick will be (barring any unforeseen developments) Stephen Strasburg, a right-handed pitcher from San Diego State. There's not much hype surrounding him - he's only been called the 'best prospect ever.' His stats stand as such: 97.1 innings, 1.57 ERA, .79 WHIP, 133 K, 16 BB, 1 HR. He threw a 17-strikeout no-hitter on May 8th.

The Yankees could go any direction with the 29th pick. Baseball teams generally don't draft for need (again, because it takes so long to reach the majors, who knows what the 'needs' will be at that time), but the Yankees' MO in recent years has been to take high-ceiling RHP in the first round (Hughes, Cole, Brackman, Joba).

Sean Potter (of Pending Pinstripes) has the Yanks taking New Jersey high-school centerfielder Michael Trout. The Sporting News predicts Tony Sanchez, a catcher from Boston College. Project Prospect goes for Rex Brothers (sounds like a WWF tag-team, no?), a LHP from Lipscomb U (in Tennessee). MyMLBDraft.com sees the Yankees taking (finally) 6'6" RHP Kyle Heckathorn from Kennesaw State.

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Yankees NEED

a bit of luck here. Not saying they need the next Joba or Hughes, but the past 2 seasons have IMO been pretty bad.

Cole not signing is one thing, but Brackman is another. I know he’s got that high ceiling, but still the guy was coming off major surgery. Why the hell would you draft him? He may turn out great, but I still can’t really understand it.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 8, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it's called- buying low...

.. high risk high reward. He never would have fallen to the Yanks if healthy. I’m not praising the pick, but I can’t exactly harp on it either.

by NumberSeven on Jun 8, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yankee philosophy

It is the way they are leaning now … high risk, high reward. They are looking for guys who fall, and who should have gone higher. With their resources they can sign them and wait, or at least it seems that is how they feel.

by Ed Valentine on Jun 8, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they should have got Eric Beaulac, a projected 3rd round kid who fell to the 9th after his college team had a sub par season. 6’-6", local guy who throws mid-90s. Closed out his college career with a no hitter. Very athletic

15) Eric Beaulac, RHP, Grade C+: Another sleeper college arm, this one with a home state connection at LeMoyne.

by ryanwk628 on Jun 8, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope they pick another hard-throwing right-handed starter

I look forward to arguing about whether he belongs in the rotation or the bullpen in three years.

by long time listener on Jun 8, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Aaaah

How about a lefty, just to spice up the debate a little?

by Ed Valentine on Jun 8, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking the same

Id really love anything but another RH starter. I know Joba and Hughes seem to be working out nicely so far, but it would be nice?

Acutally a position prospect or maybe A HARD THROWING RELIEVER would be pretty nice too.

Id don’t know if the Yanks ‘stacked’ their system with young arms, but they do have some nice ones, but the positions are pretty barren aside from catcher.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 8, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Position players

Yes, the Yankees have spent the last few season trying to stockpile young pitching via the draft. We are beginning to see the fruits of that now. I know they are aware of the need for position players, too. Still, though, I love stockpiling the pitching. So many of these guys flame out, it’s nice not to put all your eggs in one basket.

by Ed Valentine on Jun 8, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you don't

draft based on needs in baseball though. you take the best avalible players. and this year there seems to be a lot more pitchers than position players. at least in the first round.

The Yanks basically have their entire infield in for forseeable future. and seem to have solid options in the minors for CF and C. that leaves just corner guys. so I don’t see the point of drafing on needs.

by RollingWave on Jun 8, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs