Looking back at the Moneyball draft

[VanCitySportsGuy]

The 2002 draft recieved a lot of attention in the book and so far it hasn't been anything special. The A's had 7 of the first 39 picks in the draft. Swisher and Blaton have turned out to be good selections. Teahan was used in a package to get Dotel. Once Alex Gordon arrives, Teahan will be pushed into a bench role.

The other 4 picks don't look good. I doubt Jeremy Brown even plays one single game in the majors. Every other A's pick after the first round doesn't look like they will reach the majors.

The A's had a chance to draft HS'ers Jeff Francoeur and Matt Cain but passed on both.

Some of the HS players taken before the first A's selection look like good players (BJ Upton, Adam Loewen, Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, and Jeremy Hermida).

I'm interested to read Michael Lewis's followup to Moneyball.

[paranoidmoonduck]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

Jeff Francouer only would have signed if it were the Braves who drafted him, and Cain might very well have cost too much (although I don't know his bonus with the Giants).

Jeremy Brown had a pretty decent season last year, and was the playoff MVP in AA. He will never start in Oakland, not with Suzuki and Powell in the system, but he is a definite possibility to replace Melhuse as a back in the near future.

Teahan is still a pretty good hitter, and being pushed out of the way by Alex Gordon is no embarrassment.

All you posted is missing the point anyway. The A's picked player they could afford while hoping the talent they sacrificed in tradition staples (speed, athleticism) wouldn't come back to bite them in the ***. Considering that both Blanton and Swisher were at times considered the #1 or #2 prospects in what has been a very good farm systems the last 5 years, that is not to be disregarded.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

Jeff Francouer only would have signed if it were the Braves who drafted him, and Cain might very well have cost too much (although I don't know his bonus with the Giants).

Jeremy Brown had a pretty decent season last year, and was the playoff MVP in AA. He will never start in Oakland, not with Suzuki and Powell in the system, but he is a definite possibility to replace Melhuse as a back in the near future.

Teahan is still a pretty good hitter, and being pushed out of the way by Alex Gordon is no embarrassment.

All you posted is missing the point anyway. The A's picked player they could afford while hoping the talent they sacrificed in tradition staples (speed, athleticism) wouldn't come back to bite them in the ***. Considering that both Blanton and Swisher were at times considered the #1 or #2 prospects in what has been a very good farm systems the last 5 years, that is not to be disregarded.

Don't get me wrong, the A's do a good job of drafting. Swisher and Blanton are both good players but the draft hasn't been anything special. Their was a recent article in the NY Post about the Moneyball draft but I can't find it at the moment.

[Stu]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

Don't get me wrong, the A's do a good job of drafting. Swisher and Blanton are both good players but the draft hasn't been anything special. Their was a recent article in the NY Post about the Moneyball draft but I can't find it at the moment.

I like looking back at this draft as well but it seems like you're holding it to higher standards than other drafts. I think most teams would be thrilled to get two players like Blanton and Swisher out of one draft.

Also in regards to them passing over some decent high schoolers, the point of them drafting players primarily out of college isn't because they think they'll be better, just that they will most likely be MLB ready sooner, thus requiring less of an investment.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

I like looking back at this draft as well but it seems like you're holding it to higher standards than other drafts. I think most teams would be thrilled to get two players like Blanton and Swisher out of one draft.

Also in regards to them passing over some decent high schoolers, the point of them drafting players primarily out of college isn't because they think they'll be better, just that they will most likely be MLB ready sooner, thus requiring less of an investment.

Your last paragraph is dead on. That's what they believe. BTW any team would gladly take guys like Blanton and Swisher in one draft. That alone makes it a good draft. Teahan to me is still going to turn out a good pro. He just needs time.

[1hotballa]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

Your last paragraph is dead on. That's what they believe. BTW any team would gladly take guys like Blanton and Swisher in one draft. That alone makes it a good draft. Teahan to me is still going to turn out a good pro. He just needs time.

Totaly agree with your post, and the post that you quoted. Saying the moneyball draft has failed is totaly crazy. Swisher is a Giambi clone, and Blanton is ready to be a star. If anybody can honestly say that the A's have not had the best drafts since the moneyball draft, I would like to see who has. If Beane had money to work with, there is no doubt in my mind that we would be looking at a A's dynasty right now. And this is comming from a HUGE Yankee fan.

[Stu]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

Totaly agree with your post, and the post that you quoted. Saying the moneyball draft has failed is totaly crazy. Swisher is a Giambi clone, and Blanton is ready to be a star. If anybody can honestly say that the A's have not had the best drafts since the moneyball draft, I would like to see who has. If Beane had money to work with, there is no doubt in my mind that we would be looking at a A's dynasty right now. And this is comming from a HUGE Yankee fan.

In fairness to asianflow, I don't think he was saying the moneyball draft was a failure, just pointing out some interesting facts about it.

[1hotballa]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

In fairness to asianflow, I don't think he was saying the moneyball draft was a failure, just pointing out some interesting facts about it.

The failure comment wasnt directed really towards him, more towards some of the other posts in this thread.

[1hotballa]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

The 2002 draft recieved a lot of attention in the book and so far it hasn't been anything special. The A's had 7 of the first 39 picks in the draft. Swisher and Blaton have turned out to be good selections. Teahan was used in a package to get Dotel. Once Alex Gordon arrives, Teahan will be pushed into a bench role.

The other 4 picks don't look good. I doubt Jeremy Brown even plays one single game in the majors. Every other A's pick after the first round doesn't look like they will reach the majors.

The A's had a chance to draft HS'ers Jeff Francoeur and Matt Cain but passed on both.

Some of the HS players taken before the first A's selection look like good players (BJ Upton, Adam Loewen, Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, and Jeremy Hermida).

I'm interested to read Michael Lewis's followup to Moneyball.

You mention all of these guys that the A's didnt draft, but have any of them made contributions to there club that Swisher and Blanton have? You can argue Francoeur but until his OBP raises up, Swisher will be the better playing in the long run, then you add in Blanton and the non easliy goes to the A's. Jeremy Brown was a mistake, but how many other teams have made mistakes drafting?

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

You mention all of these guys that the A's didnt draft, but have any of them made contributions to there club that Swisher and Blanton have? You can argue Francoeur but until his OBP raises up, Swisher will be the better playing in the long run, then you add in Blanton and the non easliy goes to the A's. Jeremy Brown was a mistake, but how many other teams have made mistakes drafting?

Outside of Francoeur, nobody has made a bigger impact at the major league level than Swisher and Blanton. I'm not sure if Swisher will turn out to be a better player than Francoeur. Swisher is 24 years old while Francoeur is still only 21. Swisher has already been mainly moved to 1B while Francoeur plays RF.

It will be interesting to look back at this draft 10 years from now. I believe BJ Upton will turn out to be the best player.

[Misfit]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

I think BJ Upton has bust written all over him.

[1hotballa]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

Outside of Francoeur, nobody has made a bigger impact at the major league level than Swisher and Blanton. I'm not sure if Swisher will turn out to be a better player than Francoeur. Swisher is 24 years old while Francoeur is still only 21. Swisher has already been mainly moved to 1B while Francoeur plays RF.

It will be interesting to look back at this draft 10 years from now. I believe BJ Upton will turn out to be the best player.

Until Francoeur learns to talk walks, Swisher will be a more valuable player.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

Until Francoeur learns to talk walks, Swisher will be a more valuable player.

Francoeur could be one of those flash in the pan players.

He fizzled towards the end of last season.

[paranoidmoonduck]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

Francoeur could be one of those flash in the pan players.

He fizzled towards the end of last season.

I think it is far more realistic to assume that he was just playing beyond his means for a month and half. His fizzle just simply means he is a rookie. The kid certainly needs to work on his discipline, but he is supremely talented and I think he'll be a very nice player for a long time.

[mikey]

Re: Looking back at the Moneyball draft

Swisher has already been mainly moved to 1B while Francoeur plays RF.

Incorrect.

Swisher will be starting in LF instead of RF. The talk about moving to 1B was hinged on whether or not Frank Thomas was signed, in which case Dan Johnson would be DH, Swisher 1B, and Payton/Kotsay/Bradley starting OF.