BA draft chat...

[cressj]

begins at 1 p.m. CST today (May 9th). They have actually allowed people to submit questions most of the day.

[cressj]

Q: Jay from Madison asks:

Who are the O's looking at with their first pick? Do you think they'll be able to sign Loewen? And is it certain that Loewen will be used as a pitcher -- not a hitter by whichever MLB team gets him?

 

A: Allan Simpson: Well, let's get started here today. I'm 20 minutes earlier than scheduled but I've already got 150 questions on the board. We'll try and address as a wide a cross section as possible even if every questioned isn't answered, but I think it's appropriate that there is an Adam Loewen reference with the very first one. He's obviously the big wild card in this draft. First, I think it's 50-50 that the Orioles will sign Loewen. They have little or no chance of getting a deal done unless they raise their offer to at least $4 million--which is about what he could expect if he came back into the draft. It's also possible that $4 million may not get it done as there may be some hangover from last year's negotiations, when the O's lowballed Loewen throughout the negotiations. Whether the Orioles get Loewen done or not may impact their regular pick (seventh overall). It's hard to say at this point what they're looking at, but Michael Aubrey of Tulane is being mentioned. As for Loewen, he'll definitely go out as a pitcher.

[cressj]

Q: Patrick @ brewerfan.net from Milwaukee, WI asks:

Are there any specific names being associated with the Milwaukee Brewers? Are they still high on college pitching, and if so, is there an arm worthy of the #2 overall selection past Loewen?

 

A: Allan Simpson: The Brewers targeted college pitching pretty much from the start, but I believe the only one they're really considering now is Loewen--if he doesn't sign with Baltimore. I don't see them taking Kyle Sleeth or Tim Stauffer in that spot--or even Marc Cornell, if he's healthy. The word now seems to be that they're on Delmon Young, but Young is squarely in the Devil Rays mix for No. 1.

[cressj]

AS started 20 minutes early as he already had over 150 questions sent to him.

[cressj]

Q: Peter Friberg from San Diego, CA asks:

Last year Hermedia busted onto the scene late, any other late-arrivals?

 

A: Josh Boyd: I don't think there are any that will be considered as high as Hermida, who went to the Marlins at 11 last year. He was not just a signability pick, either. Many thought he was the best hitter in the draft. SS Brandon Wood of Horizon HS in Tucson could qualify though, as the White Sox have interest in him with the 15th pick. He won't get past the Brewers in the second round. Bay Area HS SS Jason Donald is another fast riser, who could creep into the first round. Craig Whitaker has long been exposed to scouts, but is starting to get some serious, serious action from directors and crosscheckers.

[SoCalBrewfan]

nice catch on Wood, cress...also I saw this on the DRays:

 

Q: &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Draysfan from Tampa asks:

Allan, Any word on who the Rays are leaning towards taking next month? Weeks looks like an all-star in the making, but we need pitching in the worst way. Would Lamar look at possibly taking Loewen or Sleeth? Thanks!

 A: 

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp John Manuel: Allan says the Rays are all over Rickie Weeks, Ryan Harvey and Delmon Young and figure to take one of those three players first overall--whether or not Adam Loewen is available.

 

Could be that we do get a shot at Loewen after all!

[lovehate]

does anyone (colby) have any more info on hs ss Brandon Wood ? he seems to follow in the Hardy, Murray trend if we are indeed considering him

[HonoluluBrew]

Man, I think it would be great if Tampa drafted Young. Personally, I think the Brewers should get Rickie Weeks, he is a more developed player who plays infield and hits for power....sounds like what the Brewers need. But If Loewen doesn't get signed, there's a good chance we will get him, I don't know if Tampa would draft him.

[colbyjack]

This one's for MassBrew:

 

Q: nick from florida asks: Who do you think will be the top high school pitcher selected?

 

A: Allan Simpson: I'd put my money on Jeff Allison at this point. He's been dynamite so far this season; he's eaten alive the competition in Massachusetts--no matter that they're using wood bats there this spring. I can see him going as high as No. 5 to the Royals. Andrew Miller was the No. 1 arm coming in. He hasn't been consistent game-in and game-out, but should still go in the first 8-12 picks. John Danks is the other high school pitcher given the best chance of going in the top half of the first round.

 

Allison has stayed at the top for a couple of years now. RHP Jared Hughes & LHP Andrew Miller have wowed more scouts over the last year, but Allison has proven his worth through consistency time & time again.

 

Man, I think it would be great if Tampa drafted Young. Personally, I think the Brewers should get Rickie Weeks, he is a more developed player who plays infield and hits for power....sounds like what the Brewers need. But If Loewen doesn't get signed, there's a good chance we will get him, I don't know if Tampa would draft him.

 

Some scouts might argue that Delmon Young's bat is extremely advanced for a prep player, and could be just as advanced as Weeks'. Plus, he has more power potential. And if you're looking for the Brewers biggest positions of need, RF is right up there with C, 3B & pitching. Delmon Young fills an organizational need more than Weeks does given their "true" positions. If you're going to make a case for Weeks over Young you could make it if you feel he is quite simply the better player available, which he very well may be.

[MassBrew]

This one's for MassBrew:

 

Q: nick from florida asks: Who do you think will be the top high school pitcher selected?

 

A: Allan Simpson: I'd put my money on Jeff Allison at this point. He's been dynamite so far this season; he's eaten alive the competition in Massachusetts--no matter that they're using wood bats there this spring. I can see him going as high as No. 5 to the Royals. Andrew Miller was the No. 1 arm coming in. He hasn't been consistent game-in and game-out, but should still go in the first 8-12 picks. John Danks is the other high school pitcher given the best chance of going in the top half of the first round.

 

Allison has stayed at the top for a couple of years now. RHP Jared Hughes & LHP Andrew Miller have wowed more scouts over the last year, but Allison has proven his worth through consistency time & time again.

 

Colby, the question I submitted for that particular chat (unanswered) asked Jim Callis to compare Allison to Mike Jones of May 2001. I realize it's unlikely, but when you see Allison mentioned as high as #5, you wonder if the success Jones has had tempts the Brewers on Allison at all. Of course, Jones went at #12, not #2.

 

I can't wait until draft picks are tradeable, so we can debate the merits of the Brewers trading down 3 spots to pick a guy like Allison, while picking up an extra second or third round pick in the transaction. I know that MLB is worried about poorer teams trading out of high money slots, but a little NFL-type water-cooler talk would add a lot to the baseball draft.

[colbyjack]

Too bad that question didn't get answered MB, that's a good one.

 

I too like the idea of trading picks, but as you noted it really would have to be regulated somehow since some teams would likely move out of a slot for next to nothing if it meant they could pay a player for less money. At some point the structure of the draft is going to have to be addressed. First issue in my mind is getting the first round or three on TV. If the WNBA has their draft on ESPN, why doesn't MLB?

[igor67]

I don't know that teams trading down slot to save money would be the worst. In some ways it may represent a viable strategy. You don't want to see a team make an inferior trade to move down, but that would only happen if the market for high priced players were depressed..... The logical conclusion of which is a few teams drafting at the top, and if a few teams are drafting at the top that's a lot like a monopoly. In which case unless the Yankees are the only team playing everyone else is going to leverage their multiple picks into lower signing bonuses solving the problem.

[colbyjack]

Q: Julie Antinucci from Maryland asks: What do you think the chances are of the Orioles going for two solid picks in the first round (one of them being Josh Banks of FIU) if Loewen is not signed? Banks is a Marylander and has a solid performance this year at FIU, moving up in your rankings throughout the season...

 

A: Jim Callis: You'd have to hope they'd do that, wouldn't you? Still no definitive word on whether they'll get Loewen, though if I had to bet based on what we've heard, I'd guess they won't. If that's the case, their targets could be Aubrey or Mississippi State's Paul Maholm, maybe Markakis if he re-enters the draft. The Orioles almost certainly could get Banks at the top of the second round, and maybe in the third.

 

Yippee!

[colbyjack]

Q: Aaron from Phoenix, AZ asks: A very important question, what college players are being advised by Scott Boras and may alterslide in the draft as a result?

 

A: Jim Callis: The only first-rounder in that category is Sinisi, who has two other signability strikes against him in that he's from Rice and he's a sophomore. On talent, he fits in the top 10.

 

Unless he doesn't consider Ian Stewart to be a first-rounder, or if he just plain forgot about him, it would seem that Stewart is not a Boras advisee. Nice to know that there are so few Boras clients projected to go in the 1st round. The fewer, the better.

[cressj]

Callis implied the Brewers would take Loewen over Weeks. Interesting...

[colbyjack]

Q: Eric from Palm Beach, Fl asks: Jim, a player we havent heard a lot of lately is top catching prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia, where do you see him going in the draft and which teams have shown the most interst in him ? Thanks

 

A: Jim Callis: Saltalamacchia is a Florida high schooler, an athletic 6-foot-4 frame, considered the best all-around catcher in the draft. He's sliding a little recently, because he's thought to do better in showcases than in game situations, but he probably goes in the second round.

 

I personally don't think Salty will make it to our 2nd round pick, but I would like to know whose dream 1-2 for the draft doesn't consist of Loewen & Saltalamacchia?

[SoCalBrewfan]

colby...note that he says 'college players.'

[colbyjack]

Whoops, nice catch SoCal. Sorry about that!

[colbyjack]

Q: Mike Rizzo from Palmdale Ca asks: The Brewers have a DFE 16 round LHP Dana Eveland, Do you know if he has helped his cause this year ? If he does not sign where is he projected in this years draft ? thank you.

 

A: Jim Callis: Eveland has a nice sinkercurveslider combination. The Brewers are expected to sign him. If not, he could go in the fourth or fifth round.

 

I'd say he's helped himself if he goes from being a 16th rounder to a 4th or 5th rounder. Get it done Brewers, we want Mike at our next FanFest http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif !!!

[Katuluu]

I wonder if the BA draft chat will be brought to the next round of negotiations? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[MikeRizzo]

Well Dana's season is over and the talks begin on Monday. Im not sure if Draft chat will be brought up I kinda doubt it.They were 1 game away from the State Championships,it was pretty sad there after the game.

 

His last start on Friday was a no Decision he had 11 hits all singles and only 2 of those were hard hit a lot of high bounces and infield hits. There were 4 errors commited which did not help much.

 

The good news was he hit 94 on the Brewers gun !!!!

I would say that was good timing for him to do that other than that he was 88-92 .He also stuck out 10 in 8 innings I think his Avg. of 11.3 per 9inn will stay about the same for the year.

 

I am looking forward to the talks I will let you know what happens except for the amount of money.

 

Thanks for wanting him (us) mike

[colbyjack]

Thanks for wanting him (us) mike

 

To us, it is a pacakge deal. If we don't get both of you, forget about it http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

Make it happen Brewers!