Special to Ducksnorts by Peter Friberg
[Note: As I went to publish Peter's article, he e-mailed me to let me know that Kansas City could be taking right-hander Brad Lincoln with the first pick overall, which would throw the draft back into flux.]
A week before the draft, the Padres draft group huddled together in San Diego to decide what to do with #17 pick. While they were sifting through several names, four stood out: Texas right-hander Kyle McCulloch, UCLA left-hander David Huff, California high school catcher Hank Conger, and Washington high school outfielder Travis Snider. Snider moved up on too many boards, Conger moved down the Padres’ wish list, and McCulloch and Huff both underwhelmed the brass.
Now, less than 10 hours before the draft, two new names (not new, but new to the discussion) enter the picture. The Padres are poised to take right-hander Brett Sinkbeil of Missouri St. at number 17. If Sinkbeil is unavailable at 17 (in what looks to be a volatile draft) the Padres would take Wake Forest’s third baseman, Matt Antonelli, and convert him to a second baseman or center fielder.
In another developing tidbit, the Padres have watched local prospect Justin Masterson closely all season. Masterson had been rumored to be popped in the teens. Now, in his MLB.com projection, Jonathan Mayo doesn’t even mention Masterson as a consideration from any teams in the top 30. If Masterson can slide past just four more teams, the Padres will likely call the Aztec right-hander with the 35th pick. Bryan Smith of BaseballAnalysts.com ranks Masterson as the 11th best collegian in the draft and notes that no draft-eligible pitcher this season had an ERA more affected by context than Masterson.
Getting either Sinkbeil or Antonelli plus Masterson would be a huge beginning of the day for the Padres.
Stats:
| Name | IP | H | HR | BB | SO | BAA | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinkbeil | 69.2 | 45 | 4 | 23 | 75 | .184 | 2.45 |
| Masterson | 116.0 | 124 | 8 | 26 | 108 | .268 | 4.81 |
| Name | BA | OBP | SLG | BB | SO | SB | CS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antonelli | .333 | .439 | .584 | 39 | 24 | 15 | 3 |
240 Comments
Taking marginal first round talent that also has injury concerns with our two top picks really sounds like a recipe for disaster. I sure hope I am wrong on this. I am sure the Padre’s scouts know more than me but I hope they are not taking a signability stance over talent.
I wouldn’t call either of them marginal. With this draft’s lack of CLEAR top-shelf talent, both players have a lot going for them. Callis’ Tuesday morning Mock Draft has passing on Sinkbiel and taking Antonelli…
I am underwhelmed by Antonelli, and would rather take Conger if Sinkbiel is not available. Antonelli has very little upside by most indications.
I am so SO curious to see what happens today! Hopefully we’ll pull some magic!
Here are a couple places to follow the action online:
Should be interesting to see what Grady Fuson et al. are able to accomplish. Keep your fingers crossed!
Almost all college players will fall short on “upside” because they’re closer to physical maturity. You can dream more on high schoolers, but a lot of those dreams don’t come true.
I’d take Conger and do everything to keep him at catcher, but they’re looking at Antonelli as a 2b or CF who could progress quickly.
I would love a big bodied power bat or power pitcher. I actually like what I am reading about the SDSU kid. He would definitely need some fine tuning but it looks like all the tools are there and he was probably a lot better pitcher than his numbers indicate. We’ll see in a couple of hours I guess!
TW – I agree with you about college players, but in a draft that is short on college hitting, I am unsure about selecting a kid that might not ever develop any significant power. His peripherals look good, but they are already talking of moving him to two positions that will “cover” his lack of power. Does he even have the speed to play center? If they are going to take a hitter with that first pick, then I still say take the best out of Snider/Conger/Marrero if available.
Antonelli’s supposed to be a terrific athlete. It’s not just foot speed in CF – Jim Edmonds.
It is strange that scouts will say he might not have the power to play 3b in the majors but that he could have the skills to play a corner OF position, where normally you’re looking for….power. He’s a great defender at 3b. He also has terrific plate discipline, and a high OBP makes up for some power.
If Matt LaPorta falls to us at 35, I’d take a shot at him.
I’d love to see LaPorta or Conger also. I think if conger proves he can hit for power with wood he’ll be amazing!
I hope you are right TW. I would love to know more about the kid, and I am willing to keep an open mind, but there is still this nagging fear in my mind that the team will go cheap, and Antonelli seems to scream cheap at me. But I freely admit I am speaking largely from ignorance.
You’re not wrong to be suspicious of the money. We passed on Drew and Hochevar for that same reason in the past two years.
If Drabek falls to us and we pass, then I’ll be upset. Yes, high school pitchers are risky. But that’s a premium talent with about as much of a track record as you can get in high school. He’s not Jeff Allison or Colt Griffin.
I don’t think it’s so much money with Conger as the brain trust not thinking he’s all that special.
Conger seems to be sliding down the board a bit, but if we go pitcher with 17, I would take a flier on Conger with 35 if he’s still there.
Conger is well liked, but if he can’t stay at C, he falls to 1B and while he has the bat to play there, his lack of foot speed hurts less @ catcher (you need quick feet for throwing, but not range) than it does at 1B… So then what? DH? We’re in the NL… No one disputes Conger’s bat, but many teams worry about where he’ll fit in.
Antonelli plays sublime D @ 3B, and profiles in such a way to move easily to 2B… Keep in mind despite being pitched around all season he only struck out 24 times while walking 39 in 200 AB hitting 17 2B & 9 HR… So it’s not like his bat won’t play in CF or at 2B. I prefer Sinkbiel to Antonelli, but I like both picks (though I’m still high on Conger too).
Allan Simpson is talking on MLB radio about Ian Kennedy to the Pads, but Kennedy is a Boras guy, so I don’t know about that.
Peter, have you heard anything about Ian Kennedy? MLB Radio is reporting that we might have a pre-draft deal in place to take Kennedy at 17, and if true I would be very disappointed, especially after being convinced that Antonelli would not be a bad thing.
KC takes Hochevar.
I doubt the predraft deal, he might be an option at 35 though… I talk to people who have sources in the Padres draft room, Ian’s name has NEVER come up in my discussions (I’ve wrong before though, so who knows)…
Cincy takes Stubbs.
Paul (an occansional poster here) and I were worried the Dodgers & D’Backs would get Lincecum & Drabek. Drabek’s still on the board, but Dodgers went w/ Kershaw (am I supposed to feel better about that?) and Lincecum went to SF…
Colvin @ 13 – there’s a shocker
Snider @ 14 – exactly as thought
nervous…
DAMN, washington just took Maerro
oh well, Padres probably wouldnt have taken him anyway.
and…
here we go..
Antonelli
Yessssssssssssssss….Antonelli…great pick..
thank you Fuson…I am a believer..
Well Geoff, I got the order wrong above, but not bad…
WOW! did you guys see Philly took Drabek as a SS
Nicely done, PF. This is a tough draft class to project. And how come I’m only just now hearing about the Marrero pick on MLB radio?
Ian off the board to NYY – that underwhelms me if I’m a Yankee fan (which I’m not)
Simpson likes the Antonelli pick. Apparently the Red Sox were very high on him.
a lot of supposed Sup. round or 2nd round guys going in round 1 – speaks well for us at 35, 53, & 61… – i’m pumped!
any chance joba falls all the way to 35?
SWEET!!! I’m SYKED!!!
Conger 25 to LAA – makes sense
hank, yes there’s a chance – I’d love to get him there, or Kris Johnson (LHP Wichita St.) or Masterson…
Morris @ 26? this IS a topsy-turvy draft
I LOVED Morris, but good players are slipping
man thats a big drop in his stock..maybe everyone know something. Masterson sounds great too, if he is there, but I thought we could get him later cause he isnt so highly rated.\
WOW – Ottovino @ 30? – He has GREAT numbers, but I hadn’t heard him w/ ANYONE before the sup.
Yeah, Antonelli. Come on down. Welcome to the club. Hope you like Fish tacos.
Is Masterson going to project better than Royce Ring?
Remember, he was taken by the White Sox then traded to the Mets for Alomar, had a cup of coffee and then never show up again.
Darn it. I was hoping McCulloch was going to drop to the Padres.
YES, Ring was a college closer, Masterson pitched in a hitter’s league and put GOOD numbers w/ an inflated ERA
Masterson does nothing for me. It’s not the ERA, it’s the stuff.
Any chance the Padres should take Bryan Morris at 35?
that was the “Avery Morris” that the Dodger took at 26
Didi, I wish tho…
Does anyone know how soon the Sup. round get started?
None of the regular draft/minor league sites are maintaining a list. At least not sites that I know about. Drat.
Has Chamberlain been picked yet?
So we’re probably on:
Joba Chamberlain
Masterson
and Callis linked us to Burke a HS OF out of OK
SignOnSanDiego.com said we’re wanting a lot of bats out this draft so Burke could be it – though may try to pop him at 53…
BA is blogging the draft:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/news/261628.html
Burke is out of TN.
I see where the Tigers popped Miller, man they are setting up a hellva rotation. Verlander, zumaya and miller? thats some good arms..
If you can keep the updates coming guys. I’m at work and this is basically the only site that isn’t blocked on my computer so you guys are really helping me out. THANKS!!!
Antonelli bio at Wake Forest site:
http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/antonelli_matt00.html
correct TW – i read the hometown and misread it as OK… LOL
has sup started? MLB.com doesn’t show it yet…
If we’re thinking bats, Lars Anderson is still there too
Dodgers took Mattingly’s kid, who wasn’t projected to go this early.
Pads take Burke, the TN HS outfielder.
burke – cool, thought we’d get him at 53… but i like him
*correction: thought we COULD
Thanks, Peter, for the Morris info. Wish..oh wish.
A little bummed to take a toolsy outfielder with Kris Johnson sitting there still, but I am glad that the system is getting more athletic.
There went Rasmus, way earlier than projected…
I see Burke listed as OF/LHP. Which position are the Padres going to use him as?
I think OF
post 70 was supposed to say I love K. Johnosn – nice pick by Boston
Pads drafted Burke as RF. Analysts say FB runs 92-93 also. Unbelievably Chamberlain slips to the Yanks at #41.
Burke will likely report to Eugene, yes? Ft Wayne for Antonelli or do you think straight to Elsinore?
Geoff, yeah, I just saw that Joba went to the Yankees. How did the Padres skip on him?
I would guess that Antonelli will go to Eugene as well, especially if he is going to play elsewhere on the diamond.
Joshua Butler (USD) was just taken by Tampa
Keep in mind the Padres went real pitcher heavy last year and made comments about wanting to improve their stock of hitters. Plus, Joba’s a nice pickup, but he had significant injury concerns (shoulder – worst type of scare)
Ah, thanks, Peter. Looks like the Yankees are going with arms this year that can help quickly. Or not.
Chad Huffman
Huffman to the Padres.
Any word on Justin Masterson yet?
Peter-tell us about Huffman. Haven’t heard him mentioned…
Whoa, some surprises. We do need quality power hitters in the system and it appears like Fuson is out for replenishment. Just surprising to me is all..
Huffman’s #’s .388/.498/.742 16-2B 2-3B 18-HR 71-RBI 155-TB 58-R 38-BB 31-K 10-HBP
Bio: http://gofrogs.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/huffman_chad00.html
hit .262 last year in the cape cod league with a .417 OBP 4HR 42B there….. selected by scouts to take BP last year at Fenway.
somehow I got on the wrong thread – he’s actually a guy I don’t know much about – I’ll be doing a follow-up for Geoff, I’ll let you know then
Hey, the Padres got a lefty.
Wade LeBlanc, huh?
LeBlanc over Masterson? wow – pitchability LHP – decent numbers…
Wade LeBlanc, LHP, Alabama:
http://www.rolltide.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=8000&ATCLID=239762
“Best command in draft” according to MLB radio commentary.
Barfield @ 93? w/ other guys who may profile best as OF’ers? IDK…
“LeBlanc’s strong track record boosts his stock, but his modest ceiling keeps him from becoming a first- or second-round talent.” – BA
I do not love the LeBlanc pick. I feel like we’ve got the pitchability lefty who barely touches 90 with the fastball (Caesar Ramos). I really would have preferred Masterson there.
LeBlanc was said to have only topped out in the high 80s velocity but has good command. Polished maybe like Ramos was last year.. same lefty.. I think it’s good the Padres are getting some arms.
Alabama (1) will play Jacksonville State (4) at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night, while Troy (2) will battle Southern Miss (3) in the tournament opener at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
The Tide will most likely throw Wade LeBlanc (10-0, 2.72 ERA) on Friday night, and Tommy Hunter (10-3, 3.19 ERA) on Saturday night. Bernard Robert would likely be the third starter.
more HS pitchers for Oakland – from Vista HS no less
Paul, I echo that
Lars Anderson is STILL on the board (!?!). So is Dallas Buck, and Masterson
there goes Masterson
Masterson to Red Sox. Do you think Fuson is a little amused by Oakland’s selection of the HS pitcher?
Wow…I love the BoSox draft. They got Bard (a potential top-ten talent), Masterson, and Kris Johnson (who Peter and I both wanted in the supplemental round), and a 5-tool outfielder who draws comparisons to Jeff Francouer.
Go Theo…
Fontaine to ATL – he has BIG bonus demands – may be a smoke screen like thier OF – what is his name? – to get him to them
Seriously if they pass on a power guy like Masterson I am going to be kinda annoyed. They are getting nice arms but I would variety would be important. It seems like they all have about the same ceiling when it comes to velocity. I’m no scout but who want a rotation where every guy throws similar stuff? Don’t you want to give opposing teams different looks every night?
who was the OF Paul, I missed it
Not proof reading your posts is RAD!!! Sorry for the 3rd grade grammer skills.
Jon Jay – Go ‘Canes!!! – I’m glad we didn’t take him – reminds me of Eric Owens
Jason Place is the OF that the Bosox took early. BA compares him to Francouer.
wow – high praise – is it just me, or did the draft stall 2 pick before the end of the 2nd?
Oops about LeBlanc. He won last Friday.
Threw 7 2/3 with 5H 2BB 8K 1HR 128 pitches.
Still, I wish we got a power arm.
i really liked McBride
I can’t believe BA’s #25 Walden & their # 33 Derrick Robinson are still out there
I think Walden has a pretty firm UTexas committment, but Robinson was supposed to go high
Walden was the preseason #1 high school prospect according to BA.
#35 Arizona’s closer, Meancon is available (i think)
#41 Lars Anderson
#44 Latos (HS pitcher)
+ many other top guys
Excited to see Robinson and Lars Anderson still falling down the board. I wonder if Walden has signability issues. He’s committed to Texas.
Buck finally off the board – I wish him well, but AZ – dang!
Walden – yes he does
Barfield @ 93? any bets?
Jim’s son goes to Texas.
Jim?
SF scouts that Bay Area very thoroughly – not a suprise pick there
Jim Tracy. Isn’t Chad Tracy his son?
On Burke:
I’m a little torn here. He has committed to Vanderbilt in the fall, and They are building a pretty good program over there (My Alma Mater). Recently, Vanderbilt has had some pretty good success getting kids to go to college, so SD has to pony up the money if they want to sway him.
However, it may be that SD had done their homework, and had some sort of agreement in place before the selection. I suppose I’m happy either way.
King fell – some predicted him to be a top 20 pick
Yes Didi
@ 93… NICE Cedric Hunter!!!
Stephen King plays SS. That’s must have been hard on the kid. The horror.
Wouldn’t the Padres want a power arm here?
Cool, Peter. You picked Hunter at 35 in the MOD.
toolsy OF – but well regarded – I wonder if we still want Barfield @ 123? I’ve been told Barfield won’t be there at 123, but who knows. also this getting to be a OF-heavy draft
Does Barfield stay on the board for our next pick? He’s supposedly got almost no interest in going to college, which makes negotiations a little easier.
Hunter all the way down at 93 seems to be a steal and a half…
TW see my comment above – but in this draft – who knows… you gotta believe we’re going to take some middle infielders, more pitchers, and a catcher or 2…
& i got a serious Man-crush on Martin Beno, Juco pitcher out of Mississippi
Oakland took Sulentic – no surprise there – I think they got a HUGE bat
I don’t want us taking players just to stock the short-season teams and Ft. Wayne. If Barfield is the best player at 123, take him. There are always free agents to fill holes on minor league rosters.
I agree TW but the padres may be saying we want X number of OF bats… plus Antonelli & Huffman could both move to OF… so who knows
LaPorta? Anyone? Anyone?
he’s there, but he’s asking for a lot of money
Lars & Latos are both more intriguing to me than LaPorta
just called my source, he LOVED Hunter where we got him
From researching some of the picks it looks like we might have a pretty decent farm system in a couple of years and that’s kinda exciting to think about.
EXACTLY Krs1 – love the HS picks – not sold on Huffman, and I liked other pitchers more than LeBlanc @ 61, but overall I’m very pleased so far
I’d take that power. College first basemen have historically been big payoffs.
He can ask for a lot, but we have money to spend AND he doesn’t have that much leverage. He can go back to school and come out next year in a stronger draft.
HS bats have a better track record than college bats
Simpson likes the Padres draft so far. Cites LeBlanc’s command, Hunter’s athleticism, and Antonelli’s bat.
Yeah… I don’t dislike LeBlanc, but I just liked other pitchers more, Huffman is a big question-mark for me
There went Robinson
“HS bats have a better track record than college bats”
Not according to one of the smartest baseball analysts (and medical doctors) working today.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5152
“College hitters enjoy a sizeable advantage over every other class of draft pick, in both eras, and in every round.”
“College first basemen are the most valuable group of draft picks by an enormous margin. ”
“College players are roughly 50% more likely to reach the major leagues than high-school players of equal draft caliber. This advantage has not changed over time.”
hey waht’d the MLB radio guys say… I think they took my question (Ryan in New York) on how the Padres drafted… what’d they say?
I don’t like LeBlanc. We drafted him last year, when his name was Cesar Ramos.
That may be unfair, but how many times are we going to fish for the next Jamie Moyer?
I WANT A POWER PITCHER!!!
But on the bright side didn’t we get Peavy in like the 20th round or something? I could probably go look it up but I’m lazy and I don’t care that much but the point is there are still sleepers out there!
My bad TW, I misread the same article…
…but I still like Lars more than LaPorta
Peavy was a top 5 round talent who slipped because everyone thought he was going to Auburn. I don’t think there are many kids like that in this draft. If there are, we should be picking them.
Walden
…is like that
Nathaniel Culp
Culp? – OK – (note to self: research N. Culp)
high-80’s command guy w/ a good change
Nate Culp, LHP, Missouri:
http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/culp_nathan00.html
Geez, another command lefty? Were they not as high on Barfield as I’d been led to believe?
We are going to need money to get Burke away from college, but c’mon.
Burke’s in a $1m(ish) slot – so that should be enough…
I’m a big Juco pitcher fan and I like Chad Lee – Oakland’s draft looks a lot like my MOD comments on Sickles’ site
what about young Barfield where’s he gonna go?
i can’t imagine the padres passing on him again at 153… but i already pointed out that some of the non-OF hitters they drafted actually project as OFers, so they may be full on that position. IDK
Overloading doesn’t seem to be a problem with soft-tossing LHP. Why shy away from too many hard-hitting outfielders?
I don’t have an issue with the Padres taking Hunter over Barfield. I think that Hunter is a little more athletic, a little less polished.
I do hope that an OF quota doesn’t prevent them from taking Jeremy Barfield if they do like him. It seems like he would be quite a value at anywhere below where he is now…
I agree w/ both of you, I’m just suggesting it’s a possibility. We were linked to Jeremy at 93, but with all the bats we took early, I wasn’t surprised when we passed on him. Then when we passed on him again at 123, it got me wondering even more…
Paul, I can definitely see taking Hunter or many other OF before Barfield. I just don’t want the team passing because they’re looking for a 2007 SS for Ft. Wayne or another “winner” lefty who can’t break glass with his best fastball.
I agree Tom. That’s precisely what I was trying to say. Thanks for clarifying my comment.
here we go:
Power arm, please.
uhhh ok…
Woodoward at 153…Another college arm. Anyone know anything about him? Please tell me that he can break 90 with his fastball….
Andy Underwood, RHP, Fresno St.:
http://gobulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/underwood_andy00.html
I think Big West baseball is underrated, so hopefully there’s more to this guy…
Underwood looked pretty good against Hawaii. Seems like a good pick this far down.
quote from the Hawaii game:
That was plenty for Fresno State starter Andy Underwood, who picked up his sixth win of the year while providing a contrast for the offense, holding Hawai’i to six hits in seven innings, allowing one unearned run and walking one batter while striking out five on an efficient 77 pitches.
Thanks, Geoff. You are quick.
Peter, it’s WAC.
Underwood, Andy, FS
12-3 3.40 ERA 20-18 APP/GS 4 CG 1/1 SHO 1 SV 132.1 IP 131 H 59 R 50 ER 37 BB 110 K 29 2B 0 3B 6 HR 510 AB .257 B/AVG 1 WP 11 HBP 2 BK
Before I forget it, I would like to express a world of thanks to Geoff and Peter for providing this terrific venue to follow and comment on the draft.
Here’s the WAC stats. It looks like he’s pretty good and as good as Steven Wright of UH.
http://tinyurl.com/gxzj9
Seems Fuson does love his “soft tossin lefties” tho..geeeesh
I have seen them both and not sure he is as good as Wright, but I could be biased..ha ha
I would like to join Hank in thanking Peter for his excellent work on this. He is the draft guru. Much appreciated!
Hank, having seen them both, how do you compare the two, from velocity to pitching ability to situational makeup (runners on, no runners, tight game etc.)
Thanks. Here’s hoping he’s not a righty soft tosser also.
I’ve seen Arizona stocking up on arms. Wow.
Thanks, Peter and Geoff. This is the most fun I’ve had during draft day.
Uh oh. From the comment, it sounds like he’s another crafty righty pitcher. This Mr. Bascom.
Tim Bascom, RHP, Central Florida:
http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/bascom_tim00.html
Wright is a power pitcher with terrific makeup. His fresh/soph year he was our closer and did a great job.
I got to see wright a lot while only a couple of times against Underwood who seemed more like sinker slider type.
I think this is goo dfor the Padres because they could always use a lot of arms. I Don’t think our arms are that impressive right now other than some top guys… I think the Padres did need to improve starting pitching depth.. especially in the minors
this drop by Barfield suggest he won’t be drafted?
I think Barfield will be drafted in the next couple of rounds. Heck peavy wasnt drafted until the 17th round. He is really and unhearalded hs kid (except for Josh’s glowing reports) I would think we can wait a few rounds and still get him. Depends on how anxious he is to play pro ball or go to school..
yeah where has Barfield committed. and also I don’t know I put in the word for a flyer on Chris Cody LHP Manhattan, he pitched int he Cape last year and is a College SR.. grady fuson take a flyer on the guy he has 123K’s in a good amount of innings.
Craig Cooper, U Notre Dame 1B
Craig Cooper, 1B, Notre Dame:
http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/cooper_craig00.html
Cooper .425/.522/.654 19-2B 9-HR 41-RBI 79-Runs (lead by almost double on team) 9SB 6CS 14SO 38BB
http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/cooper_craig00.html BIO
(info from BIO)
” ranked 3rd on Brewster Whitecaps with 17 RBI and 3 HRs while playing in wood-bat Cape Cod League during summer of ‘04 (.217, 11 R, 6 2B, 17 BB, 4 SB) … also played for Brewster in summer of `05 (.225, 12 R, 3 2B, 12 BB, 6 SB) … had impressive ‘03 summer with Hays (Kan.) Larks of Jayhawk League, as one of top players for 42-12 team that reached final six at prestigious National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita (.337, 24-27 SBs, 38 RBI, 42 R, 5 HR, 5 3B, 7 2B, .527 slugging, .413 OB, 20 BB, .939 fielding/4 Es) …”
Didn’t impress in the Cape but has good speed and a good bat in college. we’ll see how he does. He can play a few positions the mlb guys said.
Long Island Boy from Plainview, NY … Senior at Notre Dame so he’ll sign.
T. Bascom, UCF…………. 2.47 ERA 5-6 W-L 14 GS 1 CG 80.0 IP 62H 25 R 22 ER 25 BB 90 K 12 2B 2 3B 1 HR 288 AB .215 B/AVG 3 WP 11 HBP 2 BK
Interesting numbers:
Batters Struck out: Brad Lincoln 152, Tim Bascom 90
Batters Struck Out Looking: Brad Lincoln 59, Tim Bascom
I guess, the Padres may pass on Barfield.
Chris Cody got drafted 7th rd. Detroit Tigers. oh well Padres have a lot of arms anyway.. I’m still impressed he got drafted as high
I’m a little late on this 1st pick. It seems like another signability choice for SD – what is that, like 4 years in a row now (Bush, Stauffer, Antonelli and there’s one other..) I understand the small budget, but if you can spend 14 million on Chan Ho Park you can throw an extra million or two into the draft and get some high-upside guys. Antonelli’s makeup is praised, for what that’s worth, andhe has apparently “developed well” whatever that means, but watching him play this season (admittedly just on TV twice), he’s underwhelming. I hate to say it, but he reminds me of Joe Randa. Maybe, at the very best, Scott Cooper or Aaron Boone. I mean, he’s better than Castilla right now, but in Petco he’s going to be a .285 singles hitter. He does have good strike zone judgment, and it’s possible that could help him develop some power in the future, but still. San Diego needs to try to make a splash in the draft sometime. There were so many high-upside guys drafted after Antonelli. Like Pedro Beato, who is going to be an absolute stud, barring injury. Or even Kyle Drabek, drafted right after Antonelli. I know, he’s a headcase, but he probably has the best pure stuff in the draft. Sigh. Hopefully I’m wrong.
Barfield has committed only to San Jacinto CC, which makes him a good candidate for a draft-and-follow.
hey this draft didn’t have a lot of depth so I don’t think there needs to be any complaining right now.. this draft was said to have really little depth afte rthe top so we’ll see how it pans out.. Antonelli looks okay. anything developing at 3B is better than what we’ve had.. Headley’s performed well and now another one behind him even though Antonelli could change positions
David,
Khalil was drafted in 2002. He was a senior, so he had almost no leverage, but he was also a top college player. I wouldn’t call him signability.
Stauffer only got cheap after the draft when he revealed a shoulder injury. I don’t think we drafted him to save money.
Bush, yes.
I’m not overly excited about Antonelli, but in this particular draft there were no Stephen Drews or Verlanders at 17 to pass.
I keep seeing Pueto Rico BB Academy HS. What is that? Anybody knows? Thanks for the info.
Drabek a headcase may be way too strong. I don’t remember anybody in my high school, nerds to jocks, who didn’t drink too much more than once.
I would have liked to see us take him, but I like Antonelli too.
What I don’t like about the draft so far is the pitching.
Tom King, SS, Troy U.:
http://tinyurl.com/pza9x
Didi,
Pretty much what it says. Puerto Rico is subject to the draft. That high school specializes in baseball.
http://www.prbahs.org/
“Khalil was drafted in 2002. He was a senior, so he had almost no leverage, but he was also a top college player. I wouldn’t call him signability.
Stauffer only got cheap after the draft when he revealed a shoulder injury. I don’t think we drafted him to save money.
Bush, yes.
I’m not overly excited about Antonelli, but in this particular draft there were no Stephen Drews or Verlanders at 17 to pass. ”
Thanks for the clarification. For some reason I thought Stauffer’s injury was known before the draft. I also kept thinking that Nicholson guy was in the last 4 years, but he must have been earlier than that. And while I think antonelli may be decent (ESPN’s Keith Law calls him a “fringe” regular) I think the potential with Drabek is just too great to pass up. It’s like choosing between, say, Reggie Sanders and Kerry Wood. One of them is a known quantity, and the other could be brilliant. There’s a downside to each approach. I hope Antonelli proves me wrong. I do like that he is an accomplished athlete and has good strike-zone judgment. Those two don’t often come together.
3Bman run
David… Antonelli isn’t projected to be a 3rd baseman in the majors so you don’t need to worry about other 3b comparisons. Think quick moving outfielder that will run and steal bases probably a #2 type hitter with decent power.
And come on guys let’s let the 15 Million a year for Chan Ho thing go. We are only paying about 10 million of that (or Phil Nevin’s 2006 salary) and Chan Ho is the last thing on this team right now to complain about. Yeah you never know which guy you’re going to get but he’s been a pleasant surprise this season and I would rather pay him 20 million a year than have that a-hole Nevin for $100 dollars any day of the week!
David Freese, 3B, South Alabama:
http://www.southalabama.edu/athletics/baseball/2006%20Bios/dfreese.shtml
Jeremy Barfield to Mets.
then Jeremy Barfield is picked right after him.. by the mets.
http://www.southalabama.edu/athletics/baseball/2006%20Bios/dfreese.shtml
Freese is a senior so he is also signable .. maybe the Padres have an idea one of these guys can blossom at 3B
about Tom King.. he transferred from South Carolina after hitting in the mid-.200s in his first two years.. and then put up monster numbers.. take that for what it’s worth.
Thanks, Tom.
I wonder if the newly open Comptom Baseball Academy/institution would bear more MLB players after a few years.
Left work early today – heard interview on DoubleX w/ Antonelli’s coach, wierd – I’ll go into more details in a minute… – BTW, I appreciate the kind words, it’s a labor of love – fun stuff!
what’d the coach say about Antonelli?
Kody Valverde, C, Alabama:
http://www.rolltide.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=8000&ATCLID=239769
Kody Valverde
http://www.rolltide.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=8000&ATCLID=239769
In Alaskan Summer League in 05 : “Valverde played in 31 games and batted .250 (20-for-80) with one home run and 15 RBI”
Antonelli’s coach said that when he got there, he wanted Antonelli (as his team’s best hitter) to bat in the 3 or 4 holes (natch). But Antonelli struggled there. When he moved him to the 1 hole, he blossomed. Then, later, he went on to say how Antonelli’s walks really played well into him (Matt) being a 1-hole hitter, where at the 3-4 holes “you don’t want” guys walking.
WHAT?!? Maybe Antonelli strruggled because his coach wasn’t bright enough to take his patience as an asset where his hitting ability could drive in runs for him. Dude hit 11 HR & 17 2B ( I earlier said 9 HR, but that’s not accurate)…
Real bizarre interview
“David… Antonelli isn’t projected to be a 3rd baseman in the majors so you don’t need to worry about other 3b comparisons. Think quick moving outfielder that will run and steal bases probably a #2 type hitter with decent power.”
Yeah, as I’ve been reading about the draft more and more, it seems that Antonelli will move off 3rd and to 2nd or CF. He’ll probably be much more valuable in center, as an Andy Van Slyke type – not huge numbers anywhere, but a good all-around guy. I’m starting to warm to him (it took all of the last 10 minutes.) I think Barfield will be good enough to play for many years, so I don’t imagine SD will move Antonelli to 2nd.
“And come on guys let’s let the 15 Million a year for Chan Ho thing go. We are only paying about 10 million of that (or Phil Nevin’s 2006 salary) and Chan Ho is the last thing on this team right now to complain about. Yeah you never know which guy you’re going to get but he’s been a pleasant surprise this season and I would rather pay him 20 million a year than have that a-hole Nevin for $100 dollars any day of the week! ”
Park has been a pleasant surprise only in context. He has a 4.5 ERA and a terrible record against good teams. If you watch him pitch you just shake your head and pray. Even against Pittsburgh the other night, he had a 7 run lead and I just kept worrying he was going to blow it. I just hate that the argument is framed in “Nevin vs. Park” parameters. They were both overpaid and if I had the choice of either of them I’d pick none of the above, and spend the extra millions elsewhere. Like on a real 3rd baseman or on the draft or anything else.
Valverde 24 CS on 62 ATT (okay?)
.346/.462/.616 12HR 59RBI 130TB(4behind team leader) 17-2B 57 Runs
Alabama will be playing in a Super Regional on ESPN against North Carolina
June 9-10 at 6pm CT/4pm PT (ESPN for game one, espn2 for game two and ESPN for game three if nec)
June 11 at 3pm CT/1pm PT
I swear I’ll stop stealing your thunder Geoff.
hah Peter, we’ll I’m wondering because of the lineup concept there’s even a suggestion you should move your lineup into top to bottom in obp not matter what.. for the Padres that would mean
Giles .402
D Roberts .360
Piazza .333/Bard .389
Cameron .328
Greene .314
Gonzalez .305
Barfield .290
Castilla .271/ Bellhorn .312 / Blum .338
BASEBALL PROSPECTUS first round recap article
” Antonelli’s value will be very much influenced by what position he ends up playing. It almost certainly won’t be third base in the end, as he has the speed to play second base or center field. He’s certainly Grady Fuson’s kind of guy; a polished college hitter with good patience and good contact skills. Not a whole lot of star potential, but a safe bet to get there.”
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5163
by Kevin Goldstein
No, I think there’s something to a tradional lineup, if for no other reason, the players won’t rebel in it. If the players don’t think it will work, then THEY might take ABs off, get frustrated, watch the whole thing snowball and blame the system…
I don’t think the Padres have lineups in mind when they drafted Antonelli… But keep in mind, we took guys in each of the last two drafts who, to me, resemble Mark Loretta. Good BA, good plate discipline, lots of doubles w/ 10-15 HR (maybe 15-20) and solid-to-plus defense: Headley & Antonelli.
I think Headley has more power, but they are a lot alike…
I think that the reason that the Padres are taking so many left-handed pitchers is because way Petco has played so far. Everyone knows that Petco seriously depresses HR but I don’t think people realize that it depresses HR by right-handers much more than left-handers (last year it had a HR park factor of 74 for LH and 57 for RH). That’s the reason for all the lefthanded starters.
yeah I agree Peter. but I think that’s what you’re looking for in a solid college product. remember Loretta graduated from Northwestern and put up good numbers there as a college player.
Wow Tom, I would have said that w/ the huge right field and the relatively shorter fense along the left field wall, it played better to right-handed hitters… Interesting – I was one who “didn’t realize”
Sign Latos! he throws 98 and has a plus curve?
VERY INTERESTING….
We just took Latos in the 11th. There’s your POWER arm. The problem is, he has “maturity issues” as MLB.com puts it. Projected to go in the top 50 picks… He’s 6′5″ 208 and throws in the mid-90s, touching 96-7… He may be a draft-n-follow, or we could try to sign him, overpaying him for the round, but underpaying him based on his Sup. projection…
Teddy KGB “Pay him… Pay that man his money.”
Latos sounds interesting but he’s got time to develop in the system and we need young arms like these that drop to us.
I’d actually rather NOT sign him yet… I’d love to see him go to the Juco route, make sure he gets his head straight, then sign him before next year’s draft. Now if he wants to the 4-yr route, then sign him, yes.
well I think the Padres need to invest more int he farm.. I’d rather see them take the $ and spend on draft picks instead of going out and signing free agents this winter because I think this team needs to build from the ground up. No matter how many times you reshape and retool the bullpen
“We have some money to spend this draft, so we may take some chances late in the draft.”
From Fuson in the North County Times…
okay.
Grant Green – another signability guy (as in solid collegiate committment – this time to USC) sounds like a 5-tool guy based on what MLB.com says – I’m guessing Fuson knows what it’ll take to sign him and thinks he can get it done. When he was w/ Texas they did a LOT of this…
Sorry, I’m a little out of touch. Everything I’ve read about Latos is that he was a projected first rounder. Yet, he falls to the Padres in the later rounds of the first day. I know he’s looking at Oklahoma (It’s OK). But, is he represented by Boros? Can anybody fill me in?
Lamar, there were major questions about Latos’s makeup. He got rattled in a big game, called out his fielders, stuff like that. Big fastball, inconsistent breaking balls, but already has a changeup. I haven’t read of a strong college commitment. It’ll take money, but it was a terrific pick.
Lars Anderson just went in the 18th round to the BoSox, who might be having my favorite draft so far. They also picked up Matt LaPorta, a preseason top 5 guy who slipped when he tried to do nothing but hit home runs. Either one of these guys provides a big power source. It would have been nice for the Padres to take Anderson. Maybe they’re thinking about keeping room open for Kyle Blanks and Daryl Jones in the low minors
Here’s a link to the Padres’ draft … http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/2006xteam.php?team=SD … they’ve got thru 7th round posted as I type this … 9 picks with this breakdown …
(College: 7, High School: 2, Juco: 0, Other: 0)
Position Players: 5 Pitchers: 4