On the Beat: Weekend R... (06/21)
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June 21, 2009 Future ShockNL Draft Wrap
Picks in First Three Rounds
1: (16) Bobby Borchering, 3B, Bishop Verot HS (FL); (17) A.J. Pollock, OF, Notre Dame; (35) Matt Davidson, 1B, Yupica HS (CA); (41) Chris Owings, SS, Gilbert HS (SC); (45) Mike Belfiore, LHP, Boston College Quick Take: Borchering was a late-season riser on people's draft boards, and was seen in the end as the consensus top high school hitter on the board. He's a switch-hitter with plus power from both sides of the plate; his ability to stay at third base is a 50/50 proposition at this point. Pollock was an overdraft at 17th overall, but one can dream on him as a solid center fielder who hits second, almost like a bigger, right-handed David DeJesus. Massive raw power is Davidson's calling card, but the bat is really his only tool. Owings is another player who went higher than expected, but his tools, other than his power, are solid-to-plus across the board. Belfiore is a reliever with plus velocity from the left side who still has some projection in him, and he could improve if he settles on one breaking ball. Smith is one of those prospects who might be greater than the sum of his parts, as his sinker, slider, and changeup all rate as at least average, as does his command. Krauss had a monster junior year (.402/.521/.852), but doesn't really have a position, and there are questions about his level of competition and overall upside. Broxton is a big, toolsy athlete with plenty of upside, but he's very raw. Notable Later Picks: First baseman Ryan Wheeler (5th) is another premium bat from the college ranks, but like Krauss, the bat has to carry him. Third baseman Matt Helm (7th) was down all spring with an injury, but the D'backs are hoping to lure the Arizona product to the pros, as he entered the year with a good deal of hype. Lefty Pat Schuster (13th) received national attention when he tossed four straight no-hitters, but he's likely bound for Florida.
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Team Health Reports: Washington Nationals
"No sane person thinks that [Strausberg] will be anything less than a star."
So you think the comparisons to the other No. 1 overall pitchers who have disappointed in some capacity are bunk? Or to put it in other terms, is he the Justin Upton or the Alex Rodriguez of pitching prospects?
I'm not getting the Upton/A-Rod reference? A-Rod is clearly a star, and except for PED issues would clearly be a first-ballot HOFer, while Justin Upton is a young star, who's currently sporting a .321/.400/.586 as a freaking 21 year old. Both seemed to have quite lived up to their prospect hype...
As for other #1 overall pitching prospects, I think the thing is, he's better than almost all of them. The comparison that does come up often is Mark Prior, who wasn't even a #1 overall pick (Joe Mauer was that year), but even he was a complete stud and star before injuries decimated his ability, he did put up a 2.43 era, 1.10 whip, and 245 k in 211 innings as a 22 year old. Clearly the talent was there. As for the injuries, anyone can get injured, but that doesn't negate the talent they had prior to the injury.
I think that AdamMadison was saying is he really legit like the two guys he mentioned as opposed to mentioning players who were busts.
Isn't it a bit unfair to compare Strasburg to other pitchers that went #1? Strasburg is not a clone of those guys and there is no logical reason that is career path should mirror any of them. The #1 pick doesn't stamp a player with a mold they have to follow, it just means that the team picking number 1 thought that player was the best pick for them. The best that can be done with Strasburg is to evaluate him based on what he's done on the mound and trust the scouts that are paid to project players like him to do their job. Anything beyond -- like comparing him to other #1s or other high draft pick pitchers like Prior or Beckett -- is just headline grabbing.