AL West Draft Review
I figured I would start off the first edition of the prospect watch with a little insight into the MLB 2008 First Year Player Draft.
The Los Angeles Angels overall went very young this year and went after high ceiling Hurlers all the way throughout the draft. For having this strategy their first pick which didn’t come until selection number 74 was a little strange. Every other pitcher and I mean any other is prototype all the way, but not their first. Why? What did they see in this kid straight out of high school on the younger side even? I’ll tell you, Tyler Chatwood, out of Redlands East Valley HS (CA) is an exceptional pitcher for only being 5’11 175. He already has good command of his two plus pitches and has been working on a Slider to add to his Curve and Fastball with what I hear is coming along nicely. It is rumored in some scouting reports that he does not have a change-up per say but he has been experimenting with changing the speeds of his pitches at a very young age. When you look at him or watch him work out you see that he is a baseball player and has the athleticism to back it. This is a great pick for the LA Angels and should be a nice piece to their team at some point in the future.
Other noteable picks include Zach Cone, very high ceiling with many tools brought to the table. Gabriel Jacobo out of Jr. College has good power potential and also knows how to slap the ball around a bit. May need to work on his footwork in the infield but has potential to stay at 3B and not be converted to a 1B.
The Oakland Athletics had one of my favorite drafts yet again. They started off with a bang by selecting the highly touted Jemile Weeks with the 12th Pick overall. Jemile being the brother of Milwaukee Brewers Infielder Rickie Weeks. A lot of comparisons will be made between the two brothers but let me tell you that its what is different about them that makes Jemile special. Jemile Weeks is an excellent defensive Infielder, this might not excite all of us Fantasy Baseball players but it keeps him on the field more and in the batting order which is important. Jemile also hits for a much better average than his brother, he may not have the pop that his brother has but He could be an excellent defensive infielder that hts for average and brings on the high side 12HR in a season in his prime. He will steal enough to be relevant but not as much to think he could be a 20/20 guy anytime in the foreseeable future.
Other notebale pick include Preston Paramore fits the Joe Mauer mold, excellent defensive Catcher with high average potential. Tyson Ross fits the Randy Johnson mold of being towering on the mound with an imposing persona. Has all the makings to be something special but hold the phone his delivery may need to be tweeked otherwise top 20 pick potential with the 58th.