Tuesday Rockpile: Draft Day 1, and Ian Stewart is now your 3B
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 9, 2009 7:54 AM MDT
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The Rockies' struggles to begin the 2009 season made us long for Rocktober past. Their present success certainly yields optimism, if only held close to the chest. But today is about the future, as the first day of the MLB amateur draft starts tonight. The Rockies' first pick is 11th, the franchise's second lowest pick of the decade, but we also have 3 of the top 34 picks. Only four othe teams have two first-round picks.
The draft will air on MLB Network starting at 4:00pm MDT today and will go through the 50th round on Thursday. If you are without the Network, follow it using MLB.com's 2009 DraftCentral or their 2009 DraftTracker. As you might have expected, you can follow the MLB Draft (MLBDraft) on Twitter as well, and we will have a live draft thread here later in the day.
Renck: Rockies need to avoid the safe pick - The Denver Post Troy Renck practically pleads "Just don't play it safe. Open the wallet and take a chance." That's probably a plea in vain, but is shared with many fans. His particular favorite pick at 11 would be HS RHP Matt Hobgood. Rex Brothers, Mike Leake, Alex White and Tim Wheeler have also been listed as possibilities that Renck notes the Rockies have interest in.
Kyle Gibson, a No-brainer at No. 11 - Purple Row David Oh No stopped back in last night for the first time since I ever commented once here on the Row. In case you have missed it, he makes a compelling case as to why injured Mizzou RHP Kyle Gibson is the perfect fit for the Rockies at pick # 11. Russ profiled Gibson in February as well: Draft Profile: Kyle Gibson, RHP, University of Missouri - Purple Row
If you're curious about some of the top round talent with the bats, Beyond the Box Score has an in depth analysis on the 2009 MLB Draft's College Hitters Crop.
Here's a couple recent mock drafts from MLBDraftSite and MyMLBDraft.com. One site has the Rockies taking Gibson, and another Alex White, who in other mock drafts has gone as high as fourth.
Stewart tops area's prospects - The Denver Post Neil Devlin picks out a few Colorado prospects that could go in the draft. Fort Collins' own Jake Stewart tops the list despite signing a letter of intent with Stanford. C Justin Byrd (Arapahoe) and OF's Micah Green (Cherokee Trail) and Pat Hirschberg (Chaparral). Don't be surprised if the Rockies take a flyer on C Bennett Pickar (Eaton) either. He played with and just graduated with Dick Monfort's son Sterling on the Reds' undefeated 3A state championship team. I actually saw Pickar playing as early as fifth grade. The dude has been a grinder his whole life.
Other News
Stewart named NL Player of the Week : Ian Stewart was rewarded for his breakout week with not only a flurry to the fantasy wire but also the NL Player of the Week. Naturally, he went 0-for-5 with 2 K's in his next start after receiving the distinction.
Three-day draft has plenty of pitchers to pick from - The Denver Post
Troy Renck points out that the Rockies have hardly spent a dime on free agent pitchers in past years, so success from the hill will be built from the draft. Renck looks at some possibilities, but buried in the footnotes of the article was:
[Ian Stewart] is taking over for Garrett Atkins at third base. "But this is not the end for Garrett. I will look for matchups for him," Tracy said
You have to hand it to Tracy for making the decision and sticking with it, instead of jumping around all over the place. Given that Stewart mashes lefties with no mercy, those "matchups" may be hard to come by.
Iannetta due back Tuesday, Torrealba late in the week : The catcher quandry is coming back into focus. Chris Iannetta will return to the big club today, most likely at the expense of Edwin Bellorin. Yorvit Torrealba hopes to return by this weekend at the earliest, which will mean exposing Paul Phillips to waivers.
In case you haven't noticed, the Rockies are hot. I'm sure everyone has a heavy dose of optimism right now, so to temper it, here's two points. The last five games have been played at a ridiculously unsustainable level. Less sustainable than the giant pile of suck that was April and May. Then there's this:
Sure, six games is not a lot. But the ten teams ahead of the Rockies are. For them to lose, someone has to win, and two-thirds of those teams opponents are the very same as the ones we need to lose. Then consider that much of this upward movement would need to happen by the All-Star Break, or we would likely be sellers at the trade deadline, making the completion of a comeback practically impossible. Enjoy the hot streak, just don't set yourself up to get your heart broken.
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Scouting fifth graders are you?
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
He happened to be playing on the same team my twin brothers were all through middle school
And they teach em young at Eaton. I think Pickar was learning the knuckle curve in fifth grade. Actually – he was in fourth grade, my brothers in fifth.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 9, 2009 8:05 AM MDT up reply actions
Jake Stewart was on my sister's baseball team from K-4th grade...
he was a beast back then too. Now he’s really really good.
I also went to elementary school with his older brother (well, and Jake too I guess).
Eschew Obfuscation!
Lets just get to .500
Not too worried about the wildcard. At this point, getting to .500 on the season would be a coup
Days in exile: 8 years, 5 months, 21 days
Yes
and .500 is something the Rox can do without concerning themselves with what other teams are doing.
Listen, this signature line is a big part of who I am.
by frightened inmate #2 on Jun 9, 2009 8:10 AM MDT up reply actions
Tell your standings to shut up.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
Shut up standings
(Franchise26 made me do it)
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 9, 2009 8:05 AM MDT up reply actions
I am stil optimistic
Don’t sell off, let them play. The Rockies have a bunch of home games coming up.
Of course, when I say don't sell off,
I am not including Atkins in that statement. Let’s see if we can get a few dozen baseballs and a pitching machine for him.
and a gatorade dispenser
Seriously, I want to see a team trade a guy with a big salary, and with some of the relief, offer a “free ticket day” or something like that. Not the coupons, but just a “Hey, baseball is free at Coors Field today, come watch!!!!!” and just hope concessions sales bring them close to breaking even.
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 8:57 AM MDT up reply actions
Colorado prep prospects
I’ve seen a lot of the best players in the state – my brother’s playing on the Marc Johnson (Cherry Creek’s head coach) select team this summer with the aforementioned Byrd and Green, among others, and I saw them play a couple weekends ago. I think it’s as talented a senior class as has come through Colorado in some time. Green’s headed to Wichita State, Byrd to Cal. There are, I think, at least three other D-I players on Johnson’s team this summer (not my kid brother, though, he’ll be playing D-III ball just like his older brother, although for his sake hopefully his career lasts longer than mine did).
That being said, I don’t see any Colorado prep players being taken today or even in the first ten rounds, although Green’s got the best chance based on his speed (already a big plus for him).
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
Green's got the best chance of the players I've seen, I should say...
Since apparently Stewart out of Rocky Mtn. is getting late first round buzz in Jim Callis’s latest mock draft… which Russ linked just as I was about to bring it over here and be the cool kid with the link for once.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
Don't forget about....
Geoff Baldwin, 1B from Grand Junction. Apparently he is being listed as a top 10 prep 1B nationally and has been projected to go somewhere from the fourth round on. Hopefully he’ll be picked early and sign, since he is otherwise committed to attend Nebraska next year.
Not surprising Devlin didn’t list him, since he does come from west of Golden. But still a bad idea to forget him on a list of top Colorado preps for this draft.
by Junction Rox on Jun 9, 2009 11:41 AM MDT up reply actions
Jim Callis's latest mock
Rockies take Matt Hobgood at 11 and and Wheeler at 32.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
You'd
be OK with Wheeler at 11? As David points out, and I have to agree, if you can get the guy at 32, getting him at 11 is an overdraft.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Okay, I should clarify,
I’d really be happy with certain combos between the three top picks. I doubt Wheeler makes it to 32, but obviously if he does, than you two are correct. He and Brothers would require taking higher upside chances at 32 and 34 for me to really be happy. If we chose Leake, I’d be depressed regardless of who was picked in those next two slots.
Most of us would
be disappointed with Leake.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
I know it's been touched on before
But could you please reiterate why?
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 8:57 AM MDT up reply actions
Read David OhNo's thoughts on him in his Fanpost
His stuff just doesn’t seem capable of getting MLB hitters out. He would be Greg Reynolds without Reynolds’ upside.
By taking Hobgood at 11 and it taking ??? for him to get ML ready
are we saying that we’re OK with who’s in the future pipeline until he’s ready?
Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?
Author: Jim Bouton
The main draft discussion
thread will be up at noon. Six hours before the draft, but I want to centralize the discussion in one location.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
I voted Pat Buchanan
The ballot was confusing.
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
It didn't count anyway.
The ballot was confusing to the counters too.
by Greg Stanwood on Jun 9, 2009 8:42 AM MDT up reply actions
We should draft that Griffey guy
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
Are you living in 1987?
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Well if he gets picked early
there’s this “Madox” guy who might drop to the 2nd round. Not much build, but Doug Mapson from the Cubs had an interesting breakdown. Guess he saw something we didn’t.
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 8:59 AM MDT up reply actions
When did you invent
a time travel machine? And when did you break the laws of physics?
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
If he doesn't go play basketball
I’ve heard Smoltz could be a good project type
Might be able to steal him in the later rounds
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 9:11 AM MDT up reply actions
And
let’s lure that Glavine kid from hockey.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
What do you know about that Walker guy?
I heard he might be looking at hockey do, but I don’t know if we actually use a pick in the first 10 rounds on him
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 9:22 AM MDT up reply actions
Were Canadians eligible to be drafted back then?
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
I still can't get over "The Metro"
Berlin is such a talented group
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 9:10 AM MDT up reply actions
I love the optimism...
And I’m feeling it too. But what makes the 6 games back in the wild card less exciting…is the fact that only two teams are behind us.
Also, this could officially mark the beginning of the trading for the Rockies, with Stew being named 3B. I don’t think this recent success will slow the team down on Atkins, but I do think it’ll slow the boat for Hawpe/Spilly.
Oh, and this...quoted from mlbtraderumors.com
The Phillies, Red Sox and Tigers were among the teams inquiring about Spilborghs.
The Rockies will likely take their time fielding offers for Spilborghs and their other trade candidates. Jason Marquis, Huston Street and Brad Hawpe could all be dealt, but the Rockies aren’t in a hurry to part with them.
I love Marquis
But he should go, as well as Spilborghs, and while I’m not 100% sure Hawpe should, it really does make the most long-term sense.
I think I’d be ok with keeping Street around.
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 9:00 AM MDT up reply actions
I agree with all of these....
unless this winning streak turns to 10. Then we hold our cards, but Spilly and Atkins can still go.
If things turn and really tank…I say pull the trigger on Cook as well. (hides)
you're not the first to propose that
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 9:11 AM MDT up reply actions
Oh I know that,
I just don’t know if people agreed with it completely. He’s one of those guys who immediately helps a competitor, and could bring back some goodies.
I just wonder who we're getting back for these B- (Cook, Marquis, Hawpe) C (Spilly) and D (Atkins) players.
"Don't tell me about the world. Not today. It's springtime and they're knocking baseballs around fields where the grass is damp and green in the morning and the kids are trying to hit the curve ball." -Pete Hamill
Spills' ability to play CF puts him higher than a C player
We know he has pop in his bat, and he has a good season last year. He’s a solid player, just redundant to our depth
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 9:23 AM MDT up reply actions
We would be able to get the most back for Hawpe.
He’s got a lot more value than a lot of people give him credit for. He’s always been clutch and MR 2 out RISP rockstar but add the consistency that he’s had all year and I think a lot of teams would be foaming at the mouth for a guy like that.
I don't think we should get rid of both Spilly and Hawpe until we see how Carlos is going to fare against ML pitching.
And I would think Hawpe would be the one to move at this point.
Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?
Author: Jim Bouton
It'll be fun to bring back the result of this poll in a couple years...
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 9, 2009 9:03 AM MDT reply actions
I voted
Leake. When all else fails, the Rockies go against the grain and take the player that doesn’t make sense.
Here's your upside play
Keith Law is reporting in his morning draft notes that Colorado is heavy on Borchering, more than Hobgood. Borchering is your typical high upside prep corner,ala Ian Stewart. It’s a rumor, but I like it.
But Borchering won't stay at third.
There’s your future first baseman.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
which means we'll take a reliever
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 11:06 AM MDT up reply actions
I was kind of hoping the Rox would go the route of a HS upside bat with one of those three picks, provided the talent available at that point makes sense
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 9, 2009 9:34 AM MDT up reply actions
Borchering
He’s a baseball rat, it seems – lots of passion for the game. Interesting article on him here.
No way he stays at third, since he’s already 6’4"/200, but switch-hitting power bats don’t grow on trees, and you don’t get to be Player of the Year in Florida if you aren’t any good.
Borchering at 11 I can approve of. If Gibson were to slide to 32, I might have to change my pants.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
Think Gibson would sign for 32 slot $?
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 9, 2009 9:41 AM MDT up reply actions
it'd be grand if we'd go over slot a bit if he DID drop that low
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 9:43 AM MDT up reply actions
Yeah...having trouble envisioning Gibson dropping that far though
Someone will take a risk on his talent, especially when there’s five teams with 2 first-rounders
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 9, 2009 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions
Amatuer draft and the trading deadline
This is like the hot stove season all over again. Love it Love it Love it.
Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?
Author: Jim Bouton
Pssshhht.
Ian Stewart’s been my 3B all season.
The Arizona Diamondbacks: Invincible in 18 innings since '01
and Mark Reynolds has been mine
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions
An excellent call.
7th in the NL in HRs, 5th in SBs.
The Arizona Diamondbacks: Invincible in 18 innings since '01
has he always had wheels like that?
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 11:50 AM MDT up reply actions
Just last yr
and this yr. Last yr, he was leading our team in steals for most of the season until CY overtook him at the end. He still finished 2nd.
In four seasons in the minors, he only stole 12 bases. (And got caught 5x)
He’s #1 in the Majors in Power-Speed. (Upton is 9th)
The Arizona Diamondbacks: Invincible in 18 innings since '01
oh power-speed number
the most nontelling thin in the world other than “HIGHER IS BETTER”
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for Fredo
Chris Iannetta status: Mashing AAA
Seth Smith status: Badass
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 9, 2009 12:44 PM MDT up reply actions
Yep....
it IS another one of those goofy stats that seems somewhat excessive.
The Arizona Diamondbacks: Invincible in 18 innings since '01
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