Draft Preview: 2008 Dexter-Sports Mock Draft
-Dexter-Sports
11:14 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Here it is! The wait is over. The 2008 Dexter-Sports Mock Draft.
To view scouting profiles, click here.
1) Tampa Bay Rays: Gordon Beckham, SS Georgia - Everyone has sold been sold on the Rays going with either Buster Posey or Tim Beckham, but I think otherwise. The Rays will want someone whose bat will be the sure thing in the distant future. Beckham gives them that.
2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez, 3B Vanderbilt - Is there another option for the Pirates? The Pirates are happy with Alvarez and will quickly try to develop him into the franchise player they need. He will fit well in the future with Andrew McCutchen, Steven Pearce and Nate McClouth.
3) Kansas City Royals: Buster Posey, C Florida State - Posey gives the Royals instant depth at a rather weak position in their system. Knowing that John Buck isn't the long term option, The Royals will develop Posey as fast as possible.
4) Baltimore Orioles: Tim Beckham, SS Griffin (GA.) HS - The Orioles originally would of went with Brian Matusz with this pick, to soldify the future rotation, but with Beckham still available at this point, the Orioles will not resist.
5) San Fransisco Giants: Brian Matusz, LHP San Diego - The Giants originally would think Justin Smoak or Eric Hosmer with this pick, but with the fast development of Angel Villanueva, the Giants will go with the best lefty in the draft.
6) Florida Marlins: Kyle Skipworth, C Patriot (CA.) HS - With the catcher market being fairly slim, the Marlins will draft Skipworth a bit earlier than expected. Justin Smoak or Eric Hosmer wouldn't be a suprise either.
7) Cincinnati Reds: Aaron Crow, RHP Missouri - Though we have saw the development of Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, and Edison Volquez, the Reds will go after Crow because he is that impressive.
8) Chicago White Sox: Justin Smoak, 1B South Carolina - Smoak finally gets off the board here . The White Sox are in need of a first baseman of the future. Kenny Williams will love this pick. It gives him someone to fall back on if he needs to make a trade as well.
9) Washington Nationals: Shooter Hunt, RHP Tulane - Hunt's curve will be the major seller to Jim Bowden and management. Tanner Scheppers is tempting here, but with his recent injury, the Nats will focus in on Hunt.
10) Houston Astros: Tanner Scheppers, RHP Fresno State - The Astros have made it known that pitching is on their radar. Scheppers will be the best available at this moment, and the Astros will take it. Though his recent tender elbow might be a concern, Scheppers can still hit 96 on the gun frequently.
11) Texas Rangers: Christian Friedrich, LHP Eastern Kentucky - The Rangers could really use pitching help and from the left side it doesn't get much better than Friedrich. Though his fastball sits in the high 80's to low 90's it's his breaking balls that will have the Rangers excited.
12) Oakland Athletics: Eric Hosmer, 1B American Heritage (FL.) HS - The A's jump for joy because somehow the best prep hitter has fallen to them. Though Hosmer is a Boras agent, the A's could hold a fine line with the youngster, or Beane could just pay the money for the hitter. Beane spent over a million on first round pick James Simmons last year.
13) St. Louis Cardinals: Tim Mellville, RHP Holt (MO.) HS - The Cardinal scouts have fallen in love with the local phenom an will be extremely pleased to draft him. Melville has been all over sports media and is possibly the most publicized draftee on the market. Mellville is the top high school pitcher in the draft.
14) Minnesota Twins: Brett Wallace, 1B/3B Arizona State - The Twins are a big fan of Melville, but at this spot in the draft there is not a pitcher that is close to major league ready. Wallace will bring them possibly the best third base option since Corey Koskie left Minnesota. Wallace has a good bat, but it will take him a little time to develop defensively at third.
15) Los Angeles Dodgers: Aaron Hicks, RHP/OF Wilson (CA.) HS - Someone is going to take a chance in the middle of the round on this kid. Hicks has the highest floor of anyone in the draft. The Dodgers will have to decide if he will be a career hitter or pitcher though.
16) Milwaukee Brewers: Jason Castro, C Stanford - The Brewers are desperate for catching help in the minors and Castro is the slugging catcher that the Brewers would love to develop. Though he needs a bit of help on the defensive side, his bat is major league ready. Castro could be the catcher of the future, with Jason Kendall only signed for this year.
17) Toronto Blue Jays: Yonder Alonso, 1B Miami - The Jays really like Alonso because of his durability and complete package at first base. He is very comparable to Lyle Overbay but with more power.
18) New York Mets: Andrew Cashner, RHP Texas Christian - Everyone, including Cashner, will be shocked to go this early, but the Mets will fall in love with his constant 98 MPH fastball and domination as a reliever this season.
19) Chicago Cubs: Zach Collier, OF Chino Hills (CA.) HA - With Felix Pie under producing and most of the Cubs' top prospects being at the corners, the Cubs will go with the best outfielder in the draft. Collier is comparable to Pie, but with a better bat.
20) Seattle Mariners: Joshua Fields, RHP Georgia - The Mariners would have considered Cashner over Fields but with him gone, they will go with Georgia's all-time save leader. Not a bad pick at this point.
21) Detroit Tigers: Ethan Martin, RHP/3B Stephens County (GA.) HS - The Tigers will be in no hurry to bring up anyone at any position but catcher. With the top three off the board the Tigers will take the highly talented Martin and make a decision if Martin is more talented offensively or as a pitcher.
22) New York Mets: Ike Davis, 1B Arizona State - With Carlos Delgado on the way out, the Mets will be looking for a power hitting first baseman. Davis fits the bill, and even though he isn't the most powerful hitter available at the first base position, he is the whole package. Others, like David Cooper of Cal, do not have the glove.
23) San Diego Padres: Reese Havens, SS South Carolina - Reese might be a stretch here, but the Padres really need a good middle infielder. With Mike Antonelli and Chase Headley majors bound, short stop seems like the position to fill. The Padres could deal Khalil Greene if they continue to be in the basement of the NL.
24) Philadelphia Phillies: Conor Gillaspie, 3B Wichita State - Gillaspie projects to be a doubles hitter and could be a good fit long term with Ryan Howard and the gang. Gillaspie is known for his high work ethic and ability to learn. Gillaspie could be the regular once Pedro Feliz's time is up with the Phillies.
25) Colorado Rockies: Jemile Weeks, 2B Miami - Weeks, who is the brother of Brewers lead off hitter Rickie Weeks, has a very similar scouting profile. Weeks will add speed and switch hitting ability to a system that really lacks a top notch second baseman.
26) Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake Odorizzi, RHP Highland (IL.) HS - The Diamondbacks are one of those that believe Odorizzi is the best high school pitcher in the draft. With him available to him, they will jump on this opportunity to develop yet another young talented pitcher.
27) Minnesota Twins: Dennis Raben, OF Miami - Nothing attracts more than left handed power, and with the future in mind, the Twins would love to ink up Raben to play with Delmon Young and Carlos Gomez in the future.
28) New York Yankees: David Cooper, 1B California - Not being sold on Shelly Duncan and with Jason Giambi on the way out, David Cooper seems like a good choice. He will most likely end up being a DH.
29) Cleveland Indians: Issac Galloway, OF Los Osos (CA) HS - Galloway will be taken here because Cleveland does not have a supplementary pick. Galloway is a top notch athlete with speed, and a very good throwing arm from the outfield. His bat continues to get better as he matures, which should seal the deal for the Indians.
30) Boston Red Sox: Ryan Perry, RHP Arizona - Why would the Red Sox go pitching? They will not be able to pass up on Perry, because of his often 98 MPH fastball. The Red Sox will further develop his secondary pitches and he could even be turned into a bullpen pitcher with a nasty fastball and slider.
11:14 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Here it is! The wait is over. The 2008 Dexter-Sports Mock Draft.
To view scouting profiles, click here.
1) Tampa Bay Rays: Gordon Beckham, SS Georgia - Everyone has sold been sold on the Rays going with either Buster Posey or Tim Beckham, but I think otherwise. The Rays will want someone whose bat will be the sure thing in the distant future. Beckham gives them that.
2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez, 3B Vanderbilt - Is there another option for the Pirates? The Pirates are happy with Alvarez and will quickly try to develop him into the franchise player they need. He will fit well in the future with Andrew McCutchen, Steven Pearce and Nate McClouth.
3) Kansas City Royals: Buster Posey, C Florida State - Posey gives the Royals instant depth at a rather weak position in their system. Knowing that John Buck isn't the long term option, The Royals will develop Posey as fast as possible.
4) Baltimore Orioles: Tim Beckham, SS Griffin (GA.) HS - The Orioles originally would of went with Brian Matusz with this pick, to soldify the future rotation, but with Beckham still available at this point, the Orioles will not resist.
5) San Fransisco Giants: Brian Matusz, LHP San Diego - The Giants originally would think Justin Smoak or Eric Hosmer with this pick, but with the fast development of Angel Villanueva, the Giants will go with the best lefty in the draft.
6) Florida Marlins: Kyle Skipworth, C Patriot (CA.) HS - With the catcher market being fairly slim, the Marlins will draft Skipworth a bit earlier than expected. Justin Smoak or Eric Hosmer wouldn't be a suprise either.
7) Cincinnati Reds: Aaron Crow, RHP Missouri - Though we have saw the development of Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, and Edison Volquez, the Reds will go after Crow because he is that impressive.
8) Chicago White Sox: Justin Smoak, 1B South Carolina - Smoak finally gets off the board here . The White Sox are in need of a first baseman of the future. Kenny Williams will love this pick. It gives him someone to fall back on if he needs to make a trade as well.
9) Washington Nationals: Shooter Hunt, RHP Tulane - Hunt's curve will be the major seller to Jim Bowden and management. Tanner Scheppers is tempting here, but with his recent injury, the Nats will focus in on Hunt.
10) Houston Astros: Tanner Scheppers, RHP Fresno State - The Astros have made it known that pitching is on their radar. Scheppers will be the best available at this moment, and the Astros will take it. Though his recent tender elbow might be a concern, Scheppers can still hit 96 on the gun frequently.
11) Texas Rangers: Christian Friedrich, LHP Eastern Kentucky - The Rangers could really use pitching help and from the left side it doesn't get much better than Friedrich. Though his fastball sits in the high 80's to low 90's it's his breaking balls that will have the Rangers excited.
12) Oakland Athletics: Eric Hosmer, 1B American Heritage (FL.) HS - The A's jump for joy because somehow the best prep hitter has fallen to them. Though Hosmer is a Boras agent, the A's could hold a fine line with the youngster, or Beane could just pay the money for the hitter. Beane spent over a million on first round pick James Simmons last year.
13) St. Louis Cardinals: Tim Mellville, RHP Holt (MO.) HS - The Cardinal scouts have fallen in love with the local phenom an will be extremely pleased to draft him. Melville has been all over sports media and is possibly the most publicized draftee on the market. Mellville is the top high school pitcher in the draft.
14) Minnesota Twins: Brett Wallace, 1B/3B Arizona State - The Twins are a big fan of Melville, but at this spot in the draft there is not a pitcher that is close to major league ready. Wallace will bring them possibly the best third base option since Corey Koskie left Minnesota. Wallace has a good bat, but it will take him a little time to develop defensively at third.
15) Los Angeles Dodgers: Aaron Hicks, RHP/OF Wilson (CA.) HS - Someone is going to take a chance in the middle of the round on this kid. Hicks has the highest floor of anyone in the draft. The Dodgers will have to decide if he will be a career hitter or pitcher though.
16) Milwaukee Brewers: Jason Castro, C Stanford - The Brewers are desperate for catching help in the minors and Castro is the slugging catcher that the Brewers would love to develop. Though he needs a bit of help on the defensive side, his bat is major league ready. Castro could be the catcher of the future, with Jason Kendall only signed for this year.
17) Toronto Blue Jays: Yonder Alonso, 1B Miami - The Jays really like Alonso because of his durability and complete package at first base. He is very comparable to Lyle Overbay but with more power.
18) New York Mets: Andrew Cashner, RHP Texas Christian - Everyone, including Cashner, will be shocked to go this early, but the Mets will fall in love with his constant 98 MPH fastball and domination as a reliever this season.
19) Chicago Cubs: Zach Collier, OF Chino Hills (CA.) HA - With Felix Pie under producing and most of the Cubs' top prospects being at the corners, the Cubs will go with the best outfielder in the draft. Collier is comparable to Pie, but with a better bat.
20) Seattle Mariners: Joshua Fields, RHP Georgia - The Mariners would have considered Cashner over Fields but with him gone, they will go with Georgia's all-time save leader. Not a bad pick at this point.
21) Detroit Tigers: Ethan Martin, RHP/3B Stephens County (GA.) HS - The Tigers will be in no hurry to bring up anyone at any position but catcher. With the top three off the board the Tigers will take the highly talented Martin and make a decision if Martin is more talented offensively or as a pitcher.
22) New York Mets: Ike Davis, 1B Arizona State - With Carlos Delgado on the way out, the Mets will be looking for a power hitting first baseman. Davis fits the bill, and even though he isn't the most powerful hitter available at the first base position, he is the whole package. Others, like David Cooper of Cal, do not have the glove.
23) San Diego Padres: Reese Havens, SS South Carolina - Reese might be a stretch here, but the Padres really need a good middle infielder. With Mike Antonelli and Chase Headley majors bound, short stop seems like the position to fill. The Padres could deal Khalil Greene if they continue to be in the basement of the NL.
24) Philadelphia Phillies: Conor Gillaspie, 3B Wichita State - Gillaspie projects to be a doubles hitter and could be a good fit long term with Ryan Howard and the gang. Gillaspie is known for his high work ethic and ability to learn. Gillaspie could be the regular once Pedro Feliz's time is up with the Phillies.
25) Colorado Rockies: Jemile Weeks, 2B Miami - Weeks, who is the brother of Brewers lead off hitter Rickie Weeks, has a very similar scouting profile. Weeks will add speed and switch hitting ability to a system that really lacks a top notch second baseman.
26) Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake Odorizzi, RHP Highland (IL.) HS - The Diamondbacks are one of those that believe Odorizzi is the best high school pitcher in the draft. With him available to him, they will jump on this opportunity to develop yet another young talented pitcher.
27) Minnesota Twins: Dennis Raben, OF Miami - Nothing attracts more than left handed power, and with the future in mind, the Twins would love to ink up Raben to play with Delmon Young and Carlos Gomez in the future.
28) New York Yankees: David Cooper, 1B California - Not being sold on Shelly Duncan and with Jason Giambi on the way out, David Cooper seems like a good choice. He will most likely end up being a DH.
29) Cleveland Indians: Issac Galloway, OF Los Osos (CA) HS - Galloway will be taken here because Cleveland does not have a supplementary pick. Galloway is a top notch athlete with speed, and a very good throwing arm from the outfield. His bat continues to get better as he matures, which should seal the deal for the Indians.
30) Boston Red Sox: Ryan Perry, RHP Arizona - Why would the Red Sox go pitching? They will not be able to pass up on Perry, because of his often 98 MPH fastball. The Red Sox will further develop his secondary pitches and he could even be turned into a bullpen pitcher with a nasty fastball and slider.
