Well, while we were distracted by the games on the field, the MLB draft creeps ever closer. The draft is one week from today, on Monday June 7.
By virtue of the tragedy that was 2009, the Mets will be picking 7th. The Nationals, Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Indians, and Diamondbacks will be picking one through six.
So for the week leading up to the draft, we’ll be running a feature all this week looking at the top players in each category who could possibly be taken by the Mets.
Today will be the Right-Handed Starting Pitchers.
Jameson Taillon: I won’t go into too much detail on Taillon, as there is no way he falls to 7th. He’s an high-school pitcher who is built like an NBA player (6’7’’, 230 lbs. and growing) who happens to be the best pitcher in a weak class. Taillon throws gas with movement, and quality breaking pitches and a changeup that he can get over for strikes. Taillon will almost certainly be a top 3 pick, and a top of the rotation starter.
Deck McGuire: McGuire does not have a high ceiling, and will likely top out as a #3 starter, but he’s arguably the safest pick, and the quickest to the majors. McGuire has done nothing but win during his three years at Georgia Tech, amassing a 27-6 record. He will give up hits, but he will also record a healthy amount of K’s. He throws a slider, a 90-93 MPH fastball, and a change, with strong command of all three. My judgment is that he could have a long career as a great 4, good 3. His upside is not what you look for as a 7th overall pick, but he’s the safest pick, and could make the team in 2012.
Karsten Whitson: Whitson is the next best High School righty. He throws a 93-96 MPH fastball, and a low-80’s slider and change. He will need time to work on his pitches and fill out his frame. Has average command of his pitches. His mechanics have drawn mixed reviews from scouts, with some believing that his delivery needs more work with the follow-through. Could develop anywhere between 2-4, though I think he’ll be a strong 3. He’s only 18, and he’ll spend at least a few years in the minors, so an ETA could be anywhere between 2013 or 2015.
Stetson Allie: Another High School righty. Allie throws a good two-seam fastball with lateral movement, a 98 MPH four-seamer, a high-80’s slider and a mid-80’s change. It’s worth mentioning that he can play the field, and has good power as a corner infielder. His future is as a pitcher, though. Allie will be drafted as a starter, he’ll be treated as a starter, he’ll make it as a reliever, and he’ll succeed as a closer. My judgment is that he is better set to be a closer than a starter due to the power of his pitches, and his inability to pitch deep into games. Do you want a hard throwing, 5 inning starter, or a hard-throwing closer? BTW: type “Stetson Allie” into Google, and look at what comes up first on the drop-down menu.
Brandon Workman: Workman is a junior out of Texas who has a good repertoire. Workman throws a two and four seamer (reaches mid-90’s), a 12-6 curve, a slider, cutter, and changeup. I won’t go too in depth, as he will certainly not be a top-7 pick, but he does have attributes to be between a 2-4 starter.
Anthony Ranuado: What a difference a year makes. The guy was top 5 last year after leading LSU to the College World Series Championship. In case you were wondering how a can’t miss prospect is barely mentioned now; after an arm injury over the winter, he fell off a cliff production-wise. Ranuado (also a Boras client) has had a strong SEC tournament, in which he pitched three innings in relief to beat Alabama for the SEC title yesterday. It will not be enough to put him back in the top-20.
Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at the prominent lefties in the draft. Wednesday will be the outfielders, and Thursday will be the infielders.
Dude, you like read my mind.
Yesterday morning I was thinking about when somebody would do a piece on the Draft.
Who do you think the Mets will get? I’ve seen mock drafts that have them all over the place.
Deck Mcguire, Jameson Taillon, Zack Cox, and Yasmani Grandal. I like Anthony Ranaudo actually, but he’s not a 7th pick. I also don’t see the Mets taking Cox (3B) or Grandal (C).
The Mets have picks 7, 89, and 122.
I like grandal if he falls to the Mets at 7…i don’t see thole as the catcher of the future. Grandal has some pop and is a solid defender as of now. Cox is a Havens clone…a position the Mets have covered, since they drafted Havens in 2008 and Robbie Shields in 2009.
I am not a big fan of taking HS pitchers unless they are elite level as Tallion is. I don’t perceive Whitson to be an elite level pitcher either. If Pomeranz or Sale fell, i’d do cartwheels if either did, i’d grab them. I think Deck McGuire reminds me of the Reds Mike Leake, solid, and unspectacular arm that knows how to pitch. If a good college arm is unavailable, i’ll take Grandel if he fell or Brentz from MTS.
Nice job Sach. You really did a great job researching it and I really look forward to reading the rest of your pre-draft analysis. I just hope we don’t end up drafting a high school pitcher as time and time again we get burned and they rarely ever end up pitching for the Mets. Last years high schooler is already gone for 12 months with Tommy John Surgery. What I hope to see come out of this is a solid college level catcher or lefthanded pitcher. Like Sean, I’m also not sold on Thole and see him more as a Paul LoDuca type with even less power.
I agree with the above comments about Thole. I don’t trust him too much, I’d love it if he could become a 40 2B catcher, but I don’t think his power will develop to that with his swing.
Grandal could definately fall to the Mets at 7, but Harper is obviously going 1…
However, this draft does have decent pitching depth overall, so a pitcher might be more likely to be taken.
Totally agree. Who needs Baseball America when we have you? Nice job.
Good stuff, as others have noted I look forward to the rest of the series.
With the caveat that I’m just “a guy” and not a talent evaluator/projector, if I can Grandal I’d take him in a heartbeat. I’m not convinced of Thole’s long term future as a catcher (though I have little doubt of his future as a lite-hitter).
When in my amateur way I look at the Mets minors I don’t see a lot of starting pitching ready to arrive and in that context I also be pleased with McGuire. That he could be here soon and be a 3rd starter does fit in nicely. But picking that high it makes sense to go with best available, not need, so whoever the best available is when their pick comes up I sure hope they nab him, “slot” be damned.
Karsten Whitson on most draft sites is considered the best second pitcher behind James Tallion what’s scaring a lot of teams away is his asking price. Some team will take a chance on him and will get a really great top of the rotation type of pitcher.After what has happened to Steven Matz you don’t want any parts of Anthony Ranaudo who is still suffering from arm problems this year, that’s why his stock is way down i be very surprised if he’s taken in the first round. Stetson Allie you don’t draft a guy who’s nothing better than a closer that high, as for the others i don’t like the label safe pick. Zach Cox is another Havens and Robbie Shields draft pick the only reason Omar picks him because he will be easy to sign. Bryce Brentz is compared to Nick Markasis with the Orioles lot of conflicting reports about his defense some say he’s a prototypical RF others no better than a decent or mediocre LF may have to eventually play 1B sounds like a DH. Cristian Colon compared to Ronnie Belliard no better than a utility player. One player i might be happy with if the Mets draft him Yasmani Grandal good defensive catcher who now hitting a lot and with power. The Royals who took a catcher last year might just take him this guy is said to be on the fast track to the majors may need only one full season in the minors. The names i’ve been hearing the Mets are focusing on the most are players who not be difficult to sign and well within the slot guidelines for this pick.