Official Draft Discussion Thread (Rounds 10-19)

[And That]

White Sox just took Sheldon Cachot, a pick of ours last year.

[And That]

13th round: finally, a catcher

 

Ryan Babineau, a HSer from California.

[batman]

I need a break... can you take over, Toby?

 

~Bill

[And That]

For sure, but my computer is on the verge of a meltdown. I'll see how far it gets.

[batman]

I'll be back in a little while... thanks much.

 

~Bill

[plowjockey]

1st Canadian drafted. Are there any visas left this year, or do we wait til 06?

[bjkrautk]

Michael Bell (listed as 3b, announced as 2b), # 174 on BA rankings.

 

Quote:

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Drew Aaron Hill comparisons in Cape Cod stint last summer.

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[And That]

Bell also played SS and catcher at Grayson.

[batman]

I'm back... thanks again, Toby. Do you want me to take over? You can run with it if you want... completely up to you.

 

~Bill

[And That]

I need to run and get something to eat myself, so go ahead.

[batman]

Cool, will do.

 

~Bill

[batman]

The 17th round brings us Tim(othy) Smith, a left-handed hitting and throwing junior right-fielder from Midland College in Midland Texas.

 

~Bill

[batman]

The final pick on day one is William Braddock, a left-handed pitcher from New Jersey's Gloucester Catholic HS.

 

I'll be back later tonight with lots more articles and links... until then, I hope you've enjoyed the coverage!

 

~Bill

[maisel4me]

Thanks Bill and Toby, it has been great to follow.

[And That]

When the Braddock pick was announced by the Brewers' guy, he said Zack Braddock. William must be his official first name, but he goes by Zack. Kind of like the mild confusion of Jeremy "Bo" Hall a few years back.

[Brian the Automator]

Great job, you two.

[Mass Haas]

New Jersey high school LHP Zach Braddock made his first start April 15th of this year, he underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2004

[colbyjack]

Onto rounds 10-19...

 

I don't have much to add on most of these players, but I'm excited about the selection of C Ryan Babineau. I have followed him a little more closely than most prospects given the team's need for catchers. As noted by some of the pictures shared, he played for the Brewers Area Code Games team, so you know they know all about him. He probably will take more money than your typical 13th rounder, but I'm confident they can make it happen.

[batman]

I'm somewhat infatuated with Andrew Bailey... he seems like a guy that would have gone much, much earlier had he not had TJS. Given that the recovery rate is in the 90 percents now, I have every confidence that he'll be able to come back 100%. An accomplished college pitcher with a mid-90s fastball is a great pick in the 16th round.

 

Do you know anything about him, Patrick?

 

~Bill

[colbyjack]

Nope, but I'm in the process of emailing coaches like crazy trying to soak up as much info as possible. I agree, he's one of the more intriguing picks, and at this point in time I would guess he's a DFE candidate.

[PrimetimeHater]

Isn't Babineau supposed to be a really good defensive catcher with a good arm?

[colbyjack]

Yeah, he's a good catch and throw guy with a strong arm. His bat has promise too, with good bat speed and some power potential.

[xisxisxis]

I'm somewhat infatuated with Andrew Bailey... he seems like a guy that would have gone much, much earlier had he not had TJS. Given that the recovery rate is in the 90 percents now, I have every confidence that he'll be able to come back 100%.

 

Well the Brewers have had such wonderful luck with pitchers injuries, even pitchers with so-called fluid/easy deliveries it's a bit unsettling to go after someone with an injury. I guess Mega Thomas was too long ago to remember. Oh well, probably doesn't mean anything flushing a couple top 20 picks down the drain.

[batman]

Well the Brewers have had such wonderful luck with pitchers injuries, even pitchers with so-called fluid/easy deliveries it's a bit unsettling to go after someone with an injury.

 

I don't think that's really relevant in this situation... Bailey already had Tommy John Surgery and presumably won't start pitching for the Brewers until he's done with his rehabilitation. Chris Capuano had TJS before joining the Brewers organization and he's been great, for example. This isn't the same thing as drafting a pitcher with a sore arm and hoping he'll be okay... this is drafting a pitcher with a transplanted elbow ligament, something a whole lot of pitchers have in today's game.

 

~Bill

[And That]

I watched all of the scouting videos that were available for our draftees, and I have to say, the guy that impressed me the most was Hun Garrison. In the picture we have in the draft resource thread, he looks about 15, but he has a very mature, clean delivery. I think MLB compared him to Jaime Moyer, and while that is apt, he throws harder than Moyer.

 

He did two things very well. First, he repeated his delivery very well. With most younger guys, if you look at the side view of their pitching rotation, something always looks a little off. For instance, Mike James looks like he's about to tip over the way he lands when he pitches. (As an aside, not a big James fan after watching his display. Through a lot of sinkers, but he has a lot of work to do.) Garrison has such a fluid motion that he lands the same each time, which is crucial towards getting a good feel for all your pitches. Second, he worked both sides of the plate very well. He kept everything down, which is good, but he was able to move in and out with his stuff. This kid could advance pretty quickly. Kudos to scout Tony Blengino on this one.