2008 MLB Draft

[NYJets]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

IMO these type of players getting drafted taints the draft.

How so? The draft isn't meant to honor players for how they played in high school or college, it's meant to get players who can play on the next level.

Most players like this probably won't work out but some do. Guys who were good college players but don't have the talent to play at the next level never really work out, drafting a guy who can only throw low to mid 80's is pretty much wasting a pick.

[stewaat]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

How so? The draft isn't meant to honor players for how they played in high school or college, it's meant to get players who can play on the next level.

Most players like this probably won't work out but some do. Guys who were good college players but don't have the talent to play at the next level never really work out, drafting a guy who can only throw low to mid 80's is pretty much wasting a pick.

It's not about drafting people who CAN play at the next level, it's about drafting people who organizations think they CAN MOLD into next level players.

When you see someone drafted who you personally knew was a complete waste of space...you get the bitter taste in your mouth I have. To me it does taint the draft.

However yea there are an insane amount of picks and some "reaches" will be taken.

[stewaat]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

the MLB draft is the best draft in sports.


why would you not draft somebody who throws 90-94 compared to somebody who doesnt. its simple baseball. a guy who throws 80-85 isn't going to get mlb hitters out while a guy who has a 90-94 has a chance too. mlb teams can fix these kids, although not all the time.

That's the exact problem with baseball nowadays. Everyone is obsessed with the MPH flashing on the screen.

Is velocity important? Of course it is. The problem is the premium placed on velocity far outweighs the fact if a kid can pitch or not.

[ryanm1058123]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

got news for you, don't care how well somebody has pitched in high school or college, it's all about stuff. i don't care if you never let up a run the whole year in your specific college, if you throw 80-85 you aren't getting major league hitters out. its that simple and mlb teams know that

[MassNole]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

got news for you, don't care how well somebody has pitched in high school or college, it's all about stuff. i don't care if you never let up a run the whole year in your specific college, if you throw 80-85 you aren't getting major league hitters out. its that simple and mlb teams know that

I think Greg Maddux would disagree with your assessment.

[duke776]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

I think Greg Maddux would disagree with your assessment.

Jamie Moyer's "fastball"(aound 80mph) would also disagree with that statement.

[CMH]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

got news for you, don't care how well somebody has pitched in high school or college, it's all about stuff. i don't care if you never let up a run the whole year in your specific college, if you throw 80-85 you aren't getting major league hitters out. its that simple and mlb teams know that

Do you watch baseball? Because if you do then you are obviously just pulling our legs. You have to be.

I mean, that comment is just plain wrong.

[ryanm1058123]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

uh, got news for you, those guys didn't come into the league at those speeds. maddux threw in the 90s and moyer threw in the high 80s to low 90s. teams aren't gonna take dudes who are only gonna sit in 80-85 their whole career. they will take those guys if they got some projection in their body, but not if they don't.

its not rocket science

[goUTES]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

ryan, you're doing a pretty good job of throwing out the same opening phrase...i'd say about 91-94 with movement.

[stewaat]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

uh, got news for you, those guys didn't come into the league at those speeds. maddux threw in the 90s and moyer threw in the high 80s to low 90s. teams aren't gonna take dudes who are only gonna sit in 80-85 their whole career. they will take those guys if they got some projection in their body, but not if they don't.

its not rocket science

Here's my guess at what pro scouts look for:

RHP: 90-91 consistently
LHP: 87-88 consistently

Movement doesn't really matter because it's believed they can teach that.
Control isn't all that important because they believe they can teach that.

The body definitely does play into things. A more mature body equates to the belief the ceiling is near.

I went through this whole process man. I was 89-90 in HS topping at 93. In college my mechanics went down the drain and despite becoming a much better, mature pitcher with success I was throwing 86-87 hitting 90.

I never threw 4-seam fastballs either. I had tons of ground balls and rarely gave up XBH's. I'm not saying I'm the greatest thing...I got hit around at times. I'm saying that I think I have been around the whole process and understand what they want and look for. I still think it's a joke that a hollow-headed lefty who throws gas and is big gets drafted despite being the laziest human being I've ever seen. But hey maybe they'll get him into shape and he'll turn things around. However just remember a very, very small percentage of people drafted make it to the MLB for an appearance.

And you're right, pro teams are not going to take people who sit 80-85. That's just to the point where you can't fool anyone and location/movement doesn't really matter.

[ryanm1058123]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

Here's my guess at what pro scouts look for:

RHP: 90-91 consistently
LHP: 87-88 consistently

Movement doesn't really matter because it's believed they can teach that.
Control isn't all that important because they believe they can teach that.

The body definitely does play into things. A more mature body equates to the belief the ceiling is near.

I went through this whole process man. I was 89-90 in HS topping at 93. In college my mechanics went down the drain and despite becoming a much better, mature pitcher with success I was throwing 86-87 hitting 90.

I never threw 4-seam fastballs either. I had tons of ground balls and rarely gave up XBH's. I'm not saying I'm the greatest thing...I got hit around at times. I'm saying that I think I have been around the whole process and understand what they want and look for. I still think it's a joke that a hollow-headed lefty who throws gas and is big gets drafted despite being the laziest human being I've ever seen. But hey maybe they'll get him into shape and he'll turn things around. However just remember a very, very small percentage of people drafted make it to the MLB for an appearance.

And you're right, pro teams are not going to take people who sit 80-85. That's just to the point where you can't fool anyone and location/movement doesn't really matter.

agree with you on just about everything. don't understand why you never threw your 4 seamer #1 it would have upped your velocity #2 most pitching coaches and just the organizations in general base everything around a 4 seamer, at least have it in your repitoire.

did you have any projection in your body? there must be something else to this, yankees routinely take dudes who have messed up mechanics to try and fix them. they get quite a ton of steals doing that as well.

did you pitch for a big school? were your numbers good in college?

[stewaat]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

agree with you on just about everything. don't understand why you never threw your 4 seamer #1 it would have upped your velocity #2 most pitching coaches and just the organizations in general base everything around a 4 seamer, at least have it in your repitoire.

did you have any projection in your body? there must be something else to this, yankees routinely take dudes who have messed up mechanics to try and fix them. they get quite a ton of steals doing that as well.

did you pitch for a big school? were your numbers good in college?

The problem is just my arm has lost its juice and I don't have a good breaking ball. The 4-seamer just never felt right...I'm sure I could learn it though. I got through HS and college without it.

I have the ideal pitcher's body for a righty (6-3, 205)
Big school known for pitchers
14-5, ERA ~3.50
Had shoulder problem after freshman year and then knee surgery sophomore year. Went 7-1 as a freshman, then beat a top 25 ranked Central Florida team early sophomore year. I was set up for the rotation but then I hurt my knee and only managed 15 innings all year. Junior year I was moved into the bullpen.

I'm debating trying Independent ball.


However being around baseball I realize that guys with my "stuff" are a dime a dozen...but these guys can be successful at the next level.

My whole point was that seeing this worthless lefty drafted tainted the draft for me.

[Coug00]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

With King Felix injuring his ankle in New York tonight and Princess Bedard out with his normal "pick em" ailment the M's have pretty much locked up the 2009 #1 pick.

With the first pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Mariners select...

[BatsareBugs]

Re: 2008 MLB Draft

With King Felix injuring his ankle in New York tonight and Princess Bedard out with his normal "pick em" ailment the M's have pretty much locked up the 2009 #1 pick.

With the first pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Mariners select...

No! The Padres need to tank their season more!