The 2009 MLB draft continues to follow a lengthy tradition going back to the early days of baseball. Amatuer baseball is full of top notch pitching.
This draft class doesn’t dissapoint from the mound. In fact, pitching is such a neccessity in the top ten, and many prep and colligate arms are near the top of the talent bank, that we might only see one position player taken in the top ten of the 2009 draft. We all know who is going number one (unless you live under a rock) but what about after the Nationals take the podium in a just a bit more than a week? Let’s take a look:
1. Washington Nationals: Stephen Strasburg, RHP San Diego University- Strasburg has had the pre-draft hype the normally the number one pick in the NFL draft gets. There is no doubt about this kid’s talent. He struck out 23 last season against Utah, Shut down the Netherlands in the 2008 Olympics, no hit Air Force this season, and has what many consider the best arm ever to be drafted. There is no doubt that the Nationals will spend the cash to get this Scott Boras client. As one AL Scouting Director put it:
“It’s been a long time and I don’t know when there’s been another Strasburg. I can’t remember the disparity being like this as long as I’ve been a scouting director and I think you could probably make the case that it’s never been this big. Strasburg is kind of a unique prospect, so it’s a unique situation.”
So unique that the Nationals could be getting what many considered a pitcher more valuable than Mark Prior, Tim Lincecum, Roger Clemens or David Price were coming out of the college game.
2. Seattle Mariners: Dustin Ackley, OF/1B North Carolina- Jack Zduriencik has always been sneaky as the head scout for the Milwaukee Brewers, but one thing has always been consistent on draft day. Jack Z. falls in love with the players he scouts, especially those who can hit a ton. Dustin Ackley fits the bill. He does not have a true position just yet, and that won’t bother the Mariners management, because they could use depth all over. Ackley reminds of Darin Erstad, because of his versatility and ability to play first and center field. Many compare his hitting ability to Chase Utley. Ackley swings with ease, tallying above a .400 average all three seasons at North Carolina. Though he isn’t quite the power prospect, he had 20 homers this season for the Tar Heels (Three more than his two previous years put together). In a class defined by pitching throughout, Ackley’s veteran bat makes him the consensus number two pick in the draft. Despite that, he is one of the best athletes in the draft as well. As one Major League Scouting Director said:
“Ackley is the best hitter I’ve seen in years. I haven’t seen him play in center field, but as advanced as his hitting instincts are, I’d be surprised if he looked poor in center.”
3. San Diego Padres: Aaron Crow, RHP Fort Worth- The Padres would love to take a chance with outfielder Donovan Tate, but San Diego isn’t in the game of hoping to sign a player away from scholarship. Pitching has always been a favorite of the Pads, and despite really liking lefty Mike Minor, the Padres will fall in love with currrent independent pitcher Aaron Crow. Crow is dominating hitters in two starts so far for the Fort Worth Cats. In two starts he has struck out 13 in 11 innings, while retiring 31 of the 28 batters he has faced. The Padres might not want to spend 4 million dollars on Crow, but his stuff continues to get back to its 2008 form. According to one American League front-office official:
“He looks just a tick behind 2008, almost like he’s in the middle of spring training. I’ve seen him flash 95 mph with his fastball, and I’ve seen him flash a hard, 87 mph slider. He’s just a little inconsistent, but he’s not far away. And physically, he looks better than ever.”
4. Pittsburgh Pirates: Kyle Gibson, RHP Missouri- In a class full of starting pitching, Gibson isn’t a flamethrower, and doesn’t project as the best starter, but he is the best all-around righty in this draft. General Manager Neal Huntington doesn’t want to have a situation like last season, where the Pirates went down to the wire with Pedro Alvarez. Going after Gibson allows the Pirates to save some money, while picking up a solid pitcher who a decent sinking fastball and two of the best secondary pitches in the draft. Gibson could be the best starter out of Missouri in recent years. Some scouts think he will even be better than Diamondback Max Scherzer and current draftee Aaron Crow. The Pirates could also target prep starters Tyler Matzek and Jacob Turner with this pick as well.
5. Baltimore Orioles: Mike Minor, LHP Vanderbilt- The Orioles continue to rebuild their squad, and with a solid core around the diamond, pitching will still be the target at the top of the draft in 2009. The Orioles have always been bigger fans of collegiate arms, and though Mike Minor isn’t the top ranked lefty, the Orioles have raved about his summer performance that included two wins for the USA collegiate team against Cuba. Minor isn’t the same lefty as former teammate David Price, but his plus changeup and solid pickoff move is intriguing. Look for Minor to start off where last year’s number four pick Brian Matusz left off in HiA Frederick.
6. San Francisco Giants: Tyler Matzek, LHP Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, CA.- Matzek hit the scouting map late after a great start in a preseason start against 2008 first rounder Gerritt Cole, who is now at UCLA. After starting the 2008 AFLAC game, Matzek has jumped up scouts charts as the best prep arm available. Matzek features a 90-93 MPH fastball, but has hit as high as 98 on the gun in recent starts. Matzek has a smooth arm action with ease as the ball leaves his hand. What scouts love is that any flaws can be easily fixed. The Giants will feel fortunate to add another top notch pitcher to their system.
7. Atlanta Braves: Zack Wheeler, RHP East Paulding HS, Dallas, GA.- The Braves always have a crush on local products, including Gordon Beckham and Joshua Fields last season. Wheeler fits the bill for the Braves, with a fastball sitting in the mid-90s and a decent slurve. What the Braves love is his solid command. Unlike recent prep products the Braves loved, Wheeler is considered signable. Wheeler is considered to Georgia’s best prep pitcher this season and is comparable to Ethan Martin, who was taken by the Dodgers last season. If Wheeler isn’t available for some reason, the Braves could take a chance on North Carolina commit and Georgia prep star Donovan Tate.
8. Cincinnati Reds: Alex White, LHP North Carolina- White fits with the Reds after bringing in a big bat in 2008. White won’t demand much as some of the prep pitchers still available, White has three plus pitches, and projects as a solid major league arm. Struggling a bit in his junior season, many believe that White could be more effective as a reliever, because he struggles with his command at times. What White brings to the table as a lefty stuff wise is good, but he has a competitiveness that isn’t matched in this draft class. If the Reds do take a chance on White, it could be a while before he reaches the majors. Many teams have looked into changing White’s arm action to help his command on the mound and make him a projectable big league ace.
9. Detroit Tigers: Tanner Scheppers, RHP St. Paul- After being one of the top arms in the 2008 draft, Scheppers has had just less than a month to prove that his shoulder issue that occurred late in the season with Fresno State is fully healed. If there is a team that is willing to take a chance on Scheppers, it is the Tigers, who A.) Love strong arms and B.) Don’t worry too much about mechanics. The Tigers could see Ryan Perry talent in Scheppers and develop yet another bullpen arm. Scheppers has struggled so far in independent play, but he has hit 98 MPH on the gun. He has the talent to be a top ten pick, and he has been cleared healthy. The Tigers will love to add him to the already packed pitching talent in their system. Grant Green might be a possibility as well, If the Tigers don’t have 100% faith in top position prospect, Cale Iorg. According to one National League scouting director, Scheppers is a top ten pick:
“Stuff-wise, he should go No. 2 in the draft. Your individual team doctor would have to give him a complete evaluation, but he has the total package.”
10. Washington Nationals: Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS, Spring, Texas - All along the Nationals have claimed that they will go after the best player with the number ten pick, and Purke has just as much promise as any other pitcher in the draft. Often compared to Cole Hammels, Purke already throws a 95 MPH fastball which will continue to grow in velocity as Purke’s body matures. What scares some teams is the fact that Purke throws from the three quarters arm slot. It helps add deception, but isn’t the cleanest arm delivery. Either way Purke is a good fit for the Nationals, who are trying to rebuild their system. Other options for the Nationals could be Shelby Miller, Mike Leake, Tim Wheeler, and Rex Brothers.
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