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.
