Any early reports on next years draft?

[Nader Raider Tim]

I doubt that there would be much information available but I figured it was worth a shot asking.

 

With the recent trade of Linebrink, who I am assuming will bring the Brewers compensatory picks if he is not resigned, and with Cordero's impending departure and the impending picks I am curious what next years draft looks like.

 

Does it look like a deep draft? Pitching heavy? Lot's of college talent?

[colbyjack]

It's tough to get a good read at this point in time. I think everyone always has a better idea after the major showcase events at the High School level and after the summer college leagues have wrapped up, which is typically mid to late August.

 

I think the first round will favor the college players, particularly the hitters. There could be several big bats taken early including Justin Smoak, Yonder Alonso and Pedro Alvarez, and there are quite a few solid bats after them (Jemile Weeks, David Adams, Gordon Beckham, Conor Gillaspie, David Cooper, Jordan Danks, Buster Posey, Jared Prince, Brandon Crawford).

 

Alvarez is probably the top '08 prospect overall, a left-handed hitting third baseman that plays for Vanderbilt, but San Diego's Brian Matusz may have something to say about that when I formulate my own rankings in the month of September as part of my annual draft recap/early draft preview story. Alvarez and Matusz may just be my 1A and 1B prospects similar to how Price & Wieters were to open this past year's draft eligible talent.

 

The high school ranks don't have the same number of awe-inspiring power arms that last year's class had, but there are still quite a few good ones that are making names for themselves this summer. After the East Coast Professional Showcase, the Area Code Games and the Aflac All-American Classic, I'll have a much better feel for who is the best among the prep players.

 

Right now the best prep player appears to be a first baseman by the name of Eric Hosmer, who looks to be the best all-around first baseman since Casey Kotchman. Equally smooth at the plate and around the bag, with a natural swing and very good power potential. Although it does say something when a prep first baseman is any year's top prospect, as scouts typically are looking for the world-class athletes at the top of the draft.

 

That honor goes to Aaron Hicks and Isaac Galloway, a pair of OFs from SoCal. Hicks also is an impressive pitching prospect, but I think his overall athleticism will cause scouts to favor him as a CF.

[JohnBriggs12]

I've been following St. Norbert infielder Adam Frost. The third team D3 All-American from tiny Sobieski, WI, is playing for the home town Green Bay Bullfrogs in the Northwoods League and doing just fine thank you. After a slow start, he now batting .307 (third on the team) and holding his own against top collegiate pitching.