Two things totally not related…

Cardboard Gods

I’ve been meaning to mention that Josh Wilker has published a book called Cardboard Gods. I’m about 40 pages in, and so far it’s an enjoyable read. At some point, I hope to have an actual review, but for now, Dex at Gaslamp Ball delivers the goods:

• Book Review: Cardboard Gods by Josh Wilker. “All told, the essays blend between memoir and reflection on baseball cards and makes for a good read (if not just occasionally a tad on the longish/writing exercisey side).”
• Interview: Cardboard Gods author, Josh Wilker. “Well, the Padres offered up a lot of beautiful images in the 1970s, such as the sight of Rollie Fingers in Padre brown and yellow in a 1978 card, or Vicente Romo in his 1975 card looking like he’s putting a hex on the opposition, but in the end it’s really hard to beat this guy…” (because the suspense is killing you, “this guy” is Oscar Gamble).
• West Coast Kurt Bevacqua Bazooka Bubble-Gum Bubble Blowing Championships. “Here is the info on Josh Wilker’s signing/reading this weekend:”
  

  SATURDAY, JUNE 12TH, 11 AM PACIFIC
  Upstart Crow Bookstore, 835C West Harbor Drive, Seaport Village, San Diego, CA
  Author appearance and book signing.
  Free and open to the public.
  For more info call: 619.232.4855

Book reading. Huh, if I ever write another, I’ll have to remember that. Anywho, get thee down to Upstart Crow if you can. Should be good times.

2010 Draft

I haven’t had time to follow this year’s draft at all, so I will reserve commentary until these kids have actually performed at the professional level. Meanwhile, here are some insights from folks in the know:

• Dreamweaving the Draft (FanGraphs). Bryan Smith compares Padres first-round pick Karsten Whitson to Jeremy Bonderman and Matt Clement. Hmmm, let’s hope he’s better than that.
• Karsten Whitson, Padres first round pick (Friar Forecast). Myron offers his thoughts on Whitson.
• Karsten Whitson (It Might Be Dangerous… You Go First). DePo offers his.
• Padres’ Moorad attends, talks about Draft (MLB.com). Owner Jeff Moorad weighs in: “I don’t think you can ever have enough arms.”
• Padres bluff, take high school pitcher with first pick (NC Times). Ah, the art of intentional misinformation. Quoth Assistant General Manager Jason McLeod: “We had to use a little slight of hand because we didn’t want to tip our hand on this kid. We’ve been on this kid the last 2 1/2 months.” [h/t Gaslamp Ball]
• San Diego picks a ‘rare’ pitcher (U-T). Quoth Scouting Director Jaron Madison: “Karsten is a guy we targeted midway through the spring because of his skills as well as his makeup and personality.”
• Jedd Gyorko, Padres second round pick (Friar Forecast). Myron on Gyorko: “Gyorko is rated as the 39th best draft prospect by Baseball America, 43rd by John Sickels, and 57th by Keith Law. Gyorko is a 5-10, 185 right-hand hitting shortstop. He has a stocky frame and will likely move to second or third base in professional ball. He has a very solid bat, however.”
• Final Mock Draft: Mock Away (Baseball Prospectus). FWIW, Kevin Goldstein had the Yankees taking Gyorko with their first pick.

Update: Here are some more articles of interest:

• 2010 MLB Draft Q&A: Karsten Whitson (Pinstripes Plus). Kevin Levine-Flandrup chatted with Whitson in April 2009.
• Bisson saddles up for Kentucky (Ottawa Sun). Friend of Ducksnorts Neate Sager chatted with fourth-round pick Chris Bisson in April 2009.
• Bisson No. 1 at No. 124 (Ottawa Citizen). Martin Cleary profiles Bisson, who is from the same part of Canada that produced Erik Bedard and former Padres catcher Luke Carlin.

If you’ve got any thoughts on the draft, feel free to share with the rest of the class. And if you’re in town, be sure to swing by Upstart Crow on Saturday morning for the Cardboard Gods shindizzle.

Tagged as: 2010 draft, baseball cards, cardboard gods, jedd gyorko, josh wilker, karsten whitson, oscar gamble, rollie fingers, shindizzle, upstart crow, vicente romo