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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
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12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Draft-O-Rama Ding Dong
2008-06-05 07:33
by Jon Weisman

Kemp Suspended for Four
Matt Kemp was suspended for four games for his role in Tuesday's fight, pending appeal. Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba got three games. Kemp got the extra game for "inciting" the incident. 
- via Ken Gurnick, MLB.com
Update: Kemp has appealed the length of the suspension and will play tonight, writes Diamond Leung of the Press-Enterprise.
Dodgers vs. the World, 11 a.m.

Here's some pregame reading, courtesy of MLB.com and Baseball America.

Update: With their first pick - 15th overall - the Dodgers selected Ethan Martin, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound pitcher/third baseman from Georgia. Martin turns 19 Friday.

Even though MLB.com profiles him as a pitcher, MLB announced him as a third baseman. From John Manuel at Baseball America:

Just four high school players were among the first 14 selections, and at the halfway point of the first round, the Dodgers added to that with Ethan Martin. However, commissioner Selig announced Martin as a third baseman, not a righthander. The Dodgers have had success with such athletes, such as James McDonald (from outfield to pitcher) and Edwin Jackson (who DH'd early in his career before going just to the mound).

Of course, this move really mirrors the drafting of James Loney, who was touted as a pitcher before the Dodgers ensconced him in the infield.

More from Keith Law at ESPN.com:

Martin is a two-way player. He came into the year as a potential first-rounder as a third baseman, but he didn't hit well at the beginning. He likes to pitch, and he shut down American Plantation H.S. (the team of prospects Eric Hosmer and Adrian Nieto) in February. He throws 91-95 mph. He has a chance to be an above-average bat at third base, and he obviously has a plus arm. I would be surprised if the Dodgers ... keep him as a pitcher because they tend to prefer guys with polish. He has arm strength, but not much polish as a pitcher.

Update 2: Diamond Leung of the Press-Enterprise indicates that the announcement was a mistake and that Martin was selected as a pitcher. Tony Jackson of the Daily News has more on Martin.

Update 3: Blue Heaven has Martin's baseball cards!

Update 4: From the Dodgers' press release:

"Ethan is a fantastic young athlete who excels on the mound with an exploding fastball and a sharp-biting curve," said Assistant General Manager, Scouting Logan White. "He is a terrific competitor with first-class makeup."

Martin last week was named the 2008 Gatorade Georgia State High School Player of the Year after going 11-1 with a 0.99 ERA as a senior at Stephens County High School (stats do not include last weekend's Class AAA Georgia State Championship Series). He also had 141 strikeouts in 79.0 innings of work entering the season's final series. Martin had entered the season as a Baseball America Second-Team Pre-Season High School All-American.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder was named as a 2007 AFLAC All-American after his junior season, during which he went 6-1 with 81 strikeouts and a 1.41 ERA.

The 18-year-old is rated by Baseball America as having the second-best fastball among draft-eligible high school pitchers. He is also rated by the publication as having the third-best secondary pitch amongst the same group.

"Ethan has a good angle on his fastball with late sinking action anywhere from 90-96 miles per hour," said Scouting Director Tim Hallgren. "He also has a plus-curveball that has late three-quarter downward action at the plate."

Martin entered the draft as the eighth-best pitcher – and the 16th-best overall prospect – among draft-eligible players according to Baseball America.

Although drafted by the Dodgers as a pitcher, Martin also played third base this season and hit .540 with 14 homers and 33 RBI in 31 games going into the Class AAA three-game final series last weekend.

Update 5: Ken Gurnick has more from White at MLB.com:

"He was a position player until two years ago, so he's got a fresh arm. He's already got a plus-curveball and he throws 90-95 mph every time out. He's still filling out, so he projects to get better. We did a lot of research on him and he's healthy." ...

White said Martin, as his body fills out, could be compared to Arizona pitcher Dan Haren.

"His arm action, his breaking ball, his athleticism - in some ways he reminds me of Haren," said White. ...

Last year's No. 15 selection was Devin Mesoraco, a high school catcher signed by Cincinnati for $1.4 million. Signability of Martin is not expected to be an issue.

Comments (613)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-06-05 07:46:56
1.   Terry A
Who you callin' Ding Dong?
2008-06-05 07:52:36
2.   old dodger fan
How do Ned and Logan White interact on this, especially in the early rounds?

Do owners get involved much?

2008-06-05 08:07:12
3.   silverwidow
MLB and BA both agree on closer Andrew Cashner.

I thought we were getting a toolsy OF. Doesn't make sense.

2008-06-05 08:13:41
4.   Ken Noe
4 Maybe Broxton's not the closer of the future after all. I know Cashner's a college kid, how close is he?
2008-06-05 08:16:14
5.   Sam DC
Rays announce they'll take Beckham.
2008-06-05 08:19:38
6.   Sam DC
Post's National Baseball reporter Dave Sheinin is one of my favorite baseball writers. He wrote a major profile of Hamilton before the 2007 season. I asked him about the Hamilton/Volquez deal that folks were discussing here recently in his online chat today, here's his take"

20003: Dave -- Kudos again for your great Hamilton piece. I hope it and you are getting even more attention after your award win and now that Hamilton has turned into Willy Mays. Can't wait until you get a regular column.

On Hamilton, I read over an argument recently about who won the Hamilton/Volquez deal, which mostly turns on trying to figure out which amazing story/performance is more likely to carry forward (unless you think Danny Herrera is going to blossom). What's your take?

Dave Sheinin: Thanks and thanks. Great question about the trade, and obviously it's a tough call. Volquez had another amazing start last night (his ERA is now 1.32), and Hamilton, like you said, has turned into Willie Mays. The easy answer here is that both teams benefited and the trade worked out equally well for both sides. But I'm going to take a stand and say the Rangers came out ahead. All other things being equal, I'll take an incredible young position player over an incredible young starting pitcher -- not only because the position player plays every day, but also because the pitcher is more likely down the road to suffer a career-altering injury.

Chat: http://tinyurl.com/4nevza
Last year's Hamilton Profile: http://tinyurl.com/23vfot

2008-06-05 08:25:15
7.   Sam DC
5 Tim Beckham
2008-06-05 08:37:16
8.   Penarol1916
4. Then how about Elbert or Meloan as closer of the future. I don't care for this pick, and it just seems to have Colletti's fingerprints all over it in an attempt to bolster the bullpen, which isn't even the weak point of the present team. I could maybe understand this pick if bullpen help was the missing link to make this team a World Series contender over the next 2 years, otherwise this just doesn't make any sense.
2008-06-05 08:38:36
9.   Bob Timmermann
Tampa Bay is going to be very dangerous in set pieces now.
2008-06-05 08:42:49
10.   Ken Noe
8 I literally defer to everyone on DT when it comes to the draft. I did just read that Cashner could be pitching in the bigs as early as September; I wonder if our draft experts agree. At any rate, I too would prefer to see Meloan or Elbert, but with the recent lack of punch and bullpen strength that Jon documented, I can't help but wonder if our Ned is thinking about a deal. Broxton plus one of the guys you mention could bring some pop.
2008-06-05 08:45:21
11.   Bob Timmermann
10
Do not defer to me in the draft. My gap in knowledge about prospects is so wide you can park a C-130 in it and then have room to build three sprawling bedroom communities on either side of it.
2008-06-05 08:50:32
12.   dianagramr
11

I (heart) your turn of a phrase ...
==========================

Does MLB's "BaseballChannel" feature anyone quite like ESPN's draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.?

2008-06-05 08:50:57
13.   Jon Weisman
Are we really going to start criticizing Colletti for a media-projected draft pick that hasn't even happened?
2008-06-05 08:51:06
14.   Bob Timmermann
I hear that CanuckDodger is working on his pompadour as we speak.
2008-06-05 08:51:07
15.   Ken Noe
11 I defer to everyone except Bob when it comes to the draft. I defer to Bob when it comes to OCLC, Cutter numbers, and LC Subject headings.
2008-06-05 08:54:02
16.   Bob Timmermann
15
I defer to Ken in telling me whether I should say Bull Run or Manassas.
2008-06-05 08:55:45
17.   scareduck
6 - that's nonsense. As was perfectly visible in last night's 15-9 blowout, the one thing the Rangers need above all else is pitching, particularly starting pitching. When they are sending up washed-up never-was's like Sidney Ponson to throw batting practice every fifth day, it's obvious who won that deal.

The Rangers of the early 2000's had A-Rod, arguably the best all-around player of his era and the best-hitting shortstop of all time, not to mention a formidable infield of Mark Teixeira and Hank Blalock in their primes. Texas ended 2002 and 2003 fifth in the AL in runs scored essentially on that infield alone, as they had relatively pedestrian outfields during that span. But none of it could overcome their chronic lack of pitching; only once since 2000 have the Rangers had a staff ERA in the upper half, in 2004 with a 4.53 ERA when they placed fifth in the AL. And a good bit of that was because league pitching got noticeably worse that year.

2008-06-05 08:56:25
18.   Bob Timmermann
My Google news alert tells me that Beckham will just be the third Georgian to be the #1 pick. The others were Ron Blomberg, Mike Ivie, and Kris Benson.

Now I have to get my head around the fact that Ron Blomberg was from Georgia.

2008-06-05 08:57:43
19.   Sam DC
And that 3 plus 1 equals 3.
2008-06-05 09:00:16
20.   still bevens
So which high priced Boras clients are going to be snapped up by Detroit, NYY, etc?
2008-06-05 09:01:13
21.   dianagramr
17

well-said ....

19

perhaps one of the triumvirate of Blomberg, Ivie and Benson was an alias for another

2008-06-05 09:03:12
22.   dianagramr
20

All teams should be forced to listen to the tale of Brien Taylor ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brien_Taylor

2008-06-05 09:03:18
23.   Gen3Blue
Keep in mind what a game of liar's poker team's pre draft intentions are.

That statement may contain some redundancy, but what the heck, it's for emphasis.

2008-06-05 09:03:46
24.   twerp
Whatever became of former Dodger uberprospect and farmhand Jumbo Diaz, he of the reported 100 mph heat?
2008-06-05 09:06:28
25.   madmac
this might explain why Chan Ho fights with his feet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7D8aDp3RUs

2008-06-05 09:06:42
26.   Gen3Blue
Has Canuck made a recent projection on pick 15?
2008-06-05 09:07:03
27.   silverwidow
24 I believe a shoulder injury shelved him.
2008-06-05 09:07:08
28.   cryptic
How about Ethan Martin, RHP out of Stephens Co. HS in Georgia?
2008-06-05 09:07:24
29.   regfairfield
22 Don't have your top prospect get in a bar brawl?
2008-06-05 09:11:53
30.   underdog
23 Very true. I don't think the Dodgers are taking Cashner, particularly because two "experts" are sure they are.

I predict they nab one of these guys, depending on availability:
Hicks (unlikely to be available)
Collier
Ethan Martin
C Kelly
or (if they do take a college guy) C Friedrich

I wonder if there's any chance they reach just a bit for J Weeks (Rickie's bro)?

2008-06-05 09:13:30
31.   D4P
In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the hit movie Bull Durham, the Durham Bulls are pleased to announce Hollywood star Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West are coming to Durham to celebrate Independence Day with a concert at the DBAP on July 4th.
2008-06-05 09:14:24
32.   underdog
My other wish for draft day: I hope the Giants do something do something dumb. They'll probably get Justin Smoak but instead I hope they reach. Make it happen, Sabean.
2008-06-05 09:15:30
33.   underdog
minus an extra "do something" - as much as I want it to happen.

--

Whoever drafts Shooter Hunt will end up with one of the best names in the draft, although maybe not a great pick.

2008-06-05 09:17:19
34.   regfairfield
Did anyone think we were taking Withrow last year?

33 Any relation to Bridger?

2008-06-05 09:18:12
35.   Gen3Blue
30 Know anything about what Kelly's like?
I can't seem to remember him, though I read what I could find on all these guys.
2008-06-05 09:20:53
36.   old dodger fan
17 As bad as their pitching is I wonder why they didn't offer us something (even a draft pick) for Loaiza?
2008-06-05 09:20:56
37.   Gen3Blue
And isn't a there a pitcher named Lobstien or something, speaking of BB names.
2008-06-05 09:21:07
38.   dianagramr
31

In symbiotic news, in honor of the 12th anniversary of the hit movie Independence Day, the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball (based in Durham) http://tinyurl.com/47ckfa , are reluctantly announcing that Will Smith will not be reuniting with DJ Jazzy Jeff for a concert.

2008-06-05 09:23:26
39.   underdog
34 Nope, and no relation to noted pitcher Thatdogll Hunt either.

36 You can't trade draft picks in baseball. You can be awarded them for free agent signings, depending on status.

2008-06-05 09:24:56
40.   regfairfield
36 Loaiza would get murdered in that park. Daniels (rightly) hates fly ball pitchers, which explains why he got rid of Young and Volquez.
2008-06-05 09:25:16
41.   underdog
35 - More on Casey Kelly (and one worry about him is if you draft him beyond 12-15 he's threatening to go to the university of Tenn instead):

http://tennessee.scout.com/2/759539.html

2008-06-05 09:26:19
42.   D4P
Jazzy Jeff was the DJ; Fresh Prince was the rapper.
2008-06-05 09:26:34
43.   underdog
Still, trading some extra pitching to the Rangers in exchange for a hitter ain't a bad idea. Desperate teams make desperate moves... Not sure which team is more desperate though!
2008-06-05 09:28:27
44.   regfairfield
43 I think they should have had waiver priority on him, so if they actually wanted him, they could have claimed him.
2008-06-05 09:30:50
45.   Gen3Blue
41 Thanks D.
2008-06-05 09:30:59
46.   underdog
44 - I was off the Loiaza train of thought, just thinking in general. Not sure which pitcher we'd actually trade at this point, but...
2008-06-05 09:31:19
47.   nofatmike
31 "Hollywood star Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West are coming to Durham to celebrate Independence Day"

God Bless America...

2008-06-05 09:33:09
48.   underdog
This sucks. (According to the PE blog:)

Dodgers' Kemp suspended four games
9:26 AM Thu, Jun 05, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted by: Diamond Leung

Matt Kemp suspended four games and fined, while Yorvit Torrealba suspended three games and fined. Kemp's suspension will begin tonight unless it is appealed.

--

I am assuming it will be appealed, aren't you?

2008-06-05 09:33:40
49.   old dodger fan
46 I'm guessing they have seen enough of Chan Ho.
2008-06-05 09:35:38
50.   cargill06
48 4 games sounds kind of harsh
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-06-05 09:36:56
51.   Bob Timmermann
The suspension will be appealed. And then it will be reduced to three games or the Dodgers will wait until Kent has a minor injury and withdraw the appeal.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

2008-06-05 09:37:13
52.   Xeifrank
I wonder if Kemp is going to appeal part of his four game suspension. Torrealba got three. If he's out four games, I hope we see more of Delwyn Young than Mark Sweeney in the outfield. I suppose that would move Pierre back to CF for the games that Kemp would miss.
vr, Xei
2008-06-05 09:37:49
53.   Bob Timmermann
Torre has already said that Pierre would play CF if Kemp missed games because of a suspension.
2008-06-05 09:39:33
54.   regfairfield
46 McDonald for Andrus?
2008-06-05 09:39:48
55.   D4P
53
Well, Pierre will stand in CF at least...
2008-06-05 09:39:49
56.   delias man
25 thanks for getting me started looking at baseball videos on youtube.

this pitch can not be legal SFW

http://tinyurl.com/49mow9

2008-06-05 09:44:49
57.   Bob Timmermann
56
That's been around for a while (in YouTube terms). I don't see why it would be illegal if there are no runners on base.

If there were runners on base, it likely still would be legal, but even Jason Phillips could steal a base off that pitch.

2008-06-05 09:45:15
58.   Doctor
4 games is too harsh. He didn't throw a punch.
2008-06-05 09:47:07
59.   underdog
As long as he does appeal so we can at least have him for this Cubs series. They really need to reduce that penalty. Should be 2 for Matt and 1 for Torrealba, if you ask me, and no one did.

52 - I am sure Delwyn will get (at least most of) the replacement starts for Kemp.

54 - Hmm, tempting. Andrus hasn't yet been raking with the bat, but I know he's got the glove and a lot of upside. Not sure he's higher than Hu in hitting development at this point but could surpass him quickly. Hmm.

2008-06-05 09:47:32
60.   CajunDodger
17
I wonder what kind of difference Hamilton would have made on our team.

Kershaw for Hamilton

No Andruw Jones deal (minus $36 million in payroll)

An everyday outfield of Hamilton, Pierre, and Kemp/Ethier

No Minotaur

Not sure if I would have done the deal, but that would have been interesting...

2008-06-05 09:50:50
61.   Doctor
How many games did A-rod and Veritek get for getting in each others face in the ALCS a couple years ago... not all that different a situation.
2008-06-05 09:53:30
62.   delias man
57 there are some great softball homeplate collisions on youtube as well.
2008-06-05 09:53:57
63.   berkowit28
51 What does Kent have to do with it? I'm not following.
2008-06-05 09:55:10
64.   dianagramr
60

Would Hamilton have hit as well in Dodger Stadium? Would he have seen as many good pitches given the line-up around him?

2008-06-05 10:02:37
65.   JessicaLo
I got tickets from StubHub for tonights game, they come with Stadium Club passes. I've never been to the Stadium Club. Should I call and make reservations?
2008-06-05 10:08:59
66.   bhsportsguy
65 You should make a reservation since it might be full of people watching the Laker game.
2008-06-05 10:15:49
67.   OhioBlues12
Speaking of Hamilton, his teamate, old-friend Milton Bradley is at the top of the AL in OPS. Not saying that we should've done it (or that our mgmt would even entertain the idea) but he signed relatively cheaply this past offseason. How much better would we have been if Bradley signs, Andruw doesn't, Kent retires (because Bradley signs), and DeWitt/LaRoche man 2B/3B respectively?
2008-06-05 10:24:48
68.   CajunDodger
The Negro League Draft is goind on right now if anyone is interested...

Here is the link to watch it live

http://tinyurl.com/3kqq9g

2008-06-05 10:39:20
69.   Marty
65 If you just want to stand around, drink and watch the screens, you don't need a reservation. If you want to sit down and eat, you may need one. You can also wait until your name is called.
2008-06-05 10:43:01
70.   NWdodger
26 -- Canuck prefers Hicks but thinks he's gone by 15, Collier is his next favorite. I saw one writer comparing Collier to Jay Bruce.
2008-06-05 10:44:01
71.   El Lay Dave
64 Are B-R's park factors considered accurate? The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington multi(three)-year park factor is neutral for both batting and pitching, despite the conventional wisdom almost universally stating it as a big time hitters park. (If one goes back to 2005, its multi-year park factors each jump to 106.)
2008-06-05 10:46:13
72.   NWdodger
60 -- The Dodgers could have had Hamilton at the Rule 5 draft a few years ago. He was drafted by the Cubs and sold to the Reds. It was likely a matter of money and space on the 40 player roster. Of course they just got rid of Milton so they likely were a bit timid about bringing another possible character risk to the team.
2008-06-05 10:50:47
73.   Ken Noe
Brian Cashman exploring the LA housing market:

http://tinyurl.com/5lpjcz

2008-06-05 10:54:11
74.   underdog
72 - Did we rank ahead of the Cubs that year in the Rule 5 draft? I hadn't realized that.
2008-06-05 10:54:44
75.   El Lay Dave
73 At that time, two people who know Cashman well but asked not to be named because they were discussing his status, said Cashman was interested enough in the Los Angeles Dodgers' GM opening to explore the housing market there.

"GM opening"? Does this mean after DePodesta was fired, or just a mis-chosen word?

2008-06-05 10:55:41
76.   MollyKnight
My sister's best friend from grade school, Bryce Stowell, is projected to go pretty high in the draft. He's a pitcher out of UCI. And it would be wild to some day interview a guy I've known since he was seven years old. Ahhhhh!!
2008-06-05 10:55:51
77.   underdog
73 - To be clear, that was three years ago for Cashman, when there literally was a GM opening.

But that doesn't preclude him from looking at LA again, should youknowwho get the boot after the season.

2008-06-05 10:56:31
78.   underdog
75 - Probably the latter.
2008-06-05 10:56:31
79.   Ken Noe
75 Misread column, my bad.
2008-06-05 10:56:33
80.   was it tims mitt i saw
73 umm.. is ned leaving?
2008-06-05 10:56:43
81.   El Lay Dave
75 DUH! "At that time" refers to an earlier "three years ago", so yes, that was between DePodesta and Colletti.
2008-06-05 10:58:10
82.   NWdodger
74 -- We didn't rank above the Cubs but they sold his rights to the highest bidder which was only $50,000!
2008-06-05 10:58:19
83.   was it tims mitt i saw
never mind, I read it wrong too
2008-06-05 11:01:13
84.   El Lay Dave
The pins and needles we are all sitting upon while awaiting the draft has had a widespread effect upon our reading comprehension skills.
2008-06-05 11:02:17
85.   underdog
It's really weird to see the baseball draft on TV done up like the NFL draft, when only a few years ago it was still a secret ballot/locked room kind of thing.
2008-06-05 11:03:25
86.   underdog
84 - I do have a stomach ache! Either nerves about the draft, or maybe the high fiber cereal I had for breakfast.

Am "working at home" this morning until the Dodgers first pick is in the books.

2008-06-05 11:04:35
87.   regfairfield
85 I liked that a round took 10 minutes instead of three hours.
2008-06-05 11:05:55
88.   underdog
87 - What's the time limit per pick in the baseball first round?
2008-06-05 11:06:51
89.   Eric Stephen
Fun Lakers Finals Facts:

Games 1 on the Road
In Boston: 3-5
Overall: 6-8

Games 2 on the Road
In Boston: 2-6
Overall: 3-11

Games 3 at Home
Vs Boston: 5-3
Overall: 7-7

Games 4 at Home
Vs Boston: 1-7
Overall: 4-10

The Lakers have had home court advantage in half of their 28 NBA Finals, and are 11-3 in those series. Unfortunately, they are 3-11 in series without home court advantage. The last series they won without home court advantage was 1985...against the Celtics.

The lesson: it's OK to lose by 34 tonight.

2008-06-05 11:07:53
90.   regfairfield
88 No idea, I think they just make them wait to get through their TV stuff. All of a team's decisions should have been made before today, so there's no need to waste time between picks.
2008-06-05 11:10:03
91.   still bevens
Ugh my office thoroughly blocks any media content from mlb.com. How am I supposed to waste time watching the draft?
2008-06-05 11:11:34
92.   underdog
Bud Selig is quite the scintillating speaker. Yeesh.
2008-06-05 11:12:11
93.   trainwreck
The MLB draft does not fit on my screen, so I have no idea how much time is left when teams pick.
2008-06-05 11:12:21
94.   D4P
The lesson: it's OK to lose by 34 tonight

I think the Lakers's have a clear advantage in "mental toughness" and "experience in the playoffs", led by Kobe and Phil. This stuff matters a lot in basketball, more so than in (e.g.) baseball.

I have a lot more confidence in Kobe's ability to score/draw fouls in "crunch time" than that of the Celtics's big name players. But we'll see.

2008-06-05 11:13:27
95.   Eric Stephen
94
I love your use of "quotes".
2008-06-05 11:13:31
96.   Jon Weisman
91 - Try BaseballAmerica.com?
2008-06-05 11:14:54
97.   trainwreck
94
I agree, the Celts stars have never come through big time before and I expect Ray Allen to be a ghost in this series.
2008-06-05 11:16:02
98.   D4P
Ken and Bob defer to me regarding the use of quotes and ellipses.
2008-06-05 11:16:04
99.   Jon Weisman
From Will Carroll:

"It's like something's burning" is not what you want to hear from your Opening Day pitcher, which is why the Nats are very worried about Odalis Perez right now. He's been a stabilizing influence on their rotation, and losing him might force them to make some more aggressive moves.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7622

2008-06-05 11:17:24
100.   Eric Stephen
Besides overall cluelessness, why is Bud Selig not facing the camera?
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-06-05 11:17:36
101.   underdog
Tim Beckham to Rays, what a shocker.

When you think about it, how can the Rays not now be good, given all the #1 picks they've had over recent years.

2008-06-05 11:19:22
102.   natepurcell
Beckham is awesome. Good pick.
2008-06-05 11:19:28
103.   fanerman
I'll just trust Dodger Thoughts to tell me who picks who.
2008-06-05 11:20:21
104.   Eric Stephen
I guess Law (or LAW as portrayed on the ESPN bottom line) is the MLB answer to Mel Kiper, Jr.
2008-06-05 11:20:45
105.   underdog
Hey, tim beckham, turn that TV off while you're on the phone with ESPN.
2008-06-05 11:20:57
106.   Eric Stephen
First step when Beckham signs his first pro contract: new cell phone.
2008-06-05 11:21:45
107.   trainwreck
Beckham seems to have the profile of an Upton brother.

Between the Uptons and Kevin Love, it seems a big deal to get your kid to have strong wrists.

2008-06-05 11:21:55
108.   natepurcell
Law is very good on TV I think. At least, last year he impressed me.
2008-06-05 11:22:21
109.   trainwreck
104
They called him Mel Jr yesterday.
2008-06-05 11:22:53
110.   underdog
Good solid pick for the Pirates: Pedro Alvarez. They need position help soon, so that makes sense.
2008-06-05 11:22:58
111.   Bluebleeder87
every body here at work is saying the Lakers MUST win at least one in Boston I'd that true? My basketball knowledge is very limited so I just stay quiet & listen, but is it true?
2008-06-05 11:23:21
112.   trainwreck
Bud was staring at the Pirates people. Letting them know he will be watching to see how far they go over slot.
2008-06-05 11:23:46
113.   trainwreck
11
They have to because they only have three home games.
2008-06-05 11:23:48
114.   bhsportsguy
88

From ESPN.com:

Time limit: Five minutes between first-round picks; one minute between compensation picks

Since they are using 1 minute limits for compensation picks, my hunch is that it will be that for short for all other picks.

2008-06-05 11:24:01
115.   regfairfield
I can't believe the Pirates actually made a good pick.
2008-06-05 11:24:03
116.   trainwreck
Should be 111
2008-06-05 11:24:35
117.   bhsportsguy
When will draft picks actually show up at the draft?
2008-06-05 11:25:30
118.   fanerman
111 Boston has homecourt advantage, ie, they have 4 home games and the Lakers have 3, if the series went 7 games. So, for the Lakers to win the Finals, they are required to win at least one game in Boston.

Splitting the first 2 games is a good start, especially because of the 2-3-2 Finals format (ie, the Lakers home games are all bunched together). Winning 3 games in a row seems quite difficult.

2008-06-05 11:25:31
119.   Bluebleeder87
103 you can't go wrong that way. :o)
2008-06-05 11:25:56
120.   D4P
I can't believe the Pirates actually made a good pick

Don't they have a new "enlightened" GM...?

2008-06-05 11:26:05
121.   Sushirabbit
Yey for Pedro!
2008-06-05 11:26:19
122.   fanerman
118 Grammatical errors abound over there.
2008-06-05 11:26:37
123.   trainwreck
Smart way for the Pirates to use their money. Just pay to get the best draft picks. Saves a lot of money.
2008-06-05 11:27:24
124.   regfairfield
120 Still have the same owner though.
2008-06-05 11:28:06
125.   trainwreck
120
Yeah.
2008-06-05 11:28:19
126.   underdog
Royals take 1B Eric Hosmer. Huh. Seems a solid pick, although it surprises me for some reason.
2008-06-05 11:28:33
127.   bhsportsguy
120 More importantly, they have top management who know the score of slotting since he oversaw it for MLB until this year.

123 Russell Westbrook is signing with an agent.

2008-06-05 11:28:35
128.   trainwreck
It is always great for the crowd to be completely dead by the third pick.
2008-06-05 11:29:08
129.   sporky
Kids born in the 90s are getting drafted. I'm not old enough to start feeling old!
2008-06-05 11:29:57
130.   underdog
123 Just stink to get the highest draft picks was their strategy for awhile, too.

Wow, another incomprehensible cell phone call with a draftee.

2008-06-05 11:30:38
131.   trainwreck
127
He is working out for Sonics. If he is even getting consideration for #4, it means he is going in the lottery.

I always expected him gone. Westbrook will always be one of my favorites.

2008-06-05 11:31:11
132.   underdog
"Now he's a baseball player" - enlightening commentary from Steve Phillips, on Hosmer.
2008-06-05 11:31:40
133.   BlueCrew Bruin
118 I've never understood why the NBA playoff format goes from 2-2-1-1-1 to 2-3-2. Is there a reason for that quirk?
2008-06-05 11:33:11
134.   D4P
133
I think they do it to reduce travel for the media.
2008-06-05 11:33:26
135.   bhsportsguy
131 It is quite a story, if Collison and Roll don't get hurt, I wonder how much Westbrook would have played at the beginning of the season.

I wonder if I should buy Westbrook autographed gear?

2008-06-05 11:33:47
136.   natepurcell
Giants go for Posey? or Beckham?
2008-06-05 11:34:04
137.   underdog
Orioles take Matusz, another solid pick.

Okay, Giants on the clock! They probably won't screw it up, but we can be hopeful!

2008-06-05 11:34:34
138.   trainwreck
136
Smoak.
2008-06-05 11:34:55
139.   bhsportsguy
136 Umm, Nate did you see who the Rays picked?
2008-06-05 11:35:20
140.   silverwidow
139 Gordon, not Tim.
2008-06-05 11:35:23
141.   underdog
136 - I wonder if they'll take Smoak? But yeah, otherwise I bet they take the other Beckham. But on the other hand, they want players who can be more fast tracked to the bigs, so Smoak or Posey.

I hope they take that broken Fresno State pitcher instead, though.

2008-06-05 11:35:37
142.   trainwreck
135
That be cool. Sad to hear Roll's career could be over.
2008-06-05 11:36:37
143.   bhsportsguy
142 Do you think Dragovic will ever get any minutes?
2008-06-05 11:36:45
144.   Sac Town Dodger Fan
David Stern= Vince McMahon
NBA Finals= Wrestlemania

The NBA lost my respect with Game 6 of the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals. Watched maybe 5 games since then.

Billingsley may have to knock in his own runs tonight!

2008-06-05 11:36:50
145.   Jacob Burch
139 He meant the hot-hitting short stop from Georgia Beckham.

...the other one.

2008-06-05 11:37:44
146.   blue22
BA is 4-for4 so far, and have Smoak going to the Giants.
2008-06-05 11:37:57
147.   bhsportsguy
142 Are you coming down for some b-ball games this season? Just let me know.
2008-06-05 11:38:39
148.   natepurcell
146

I pray they don't go 15 for 15.

2008-06-05 11:38:48
149.   bhsportsguy
144 Chris Webber was out of bounds during at the end of Game 5.
2008-06-05 11:39:11
150.   El Lay Dave
138 From BA's live blog:

"Or will they go with Smoak, a switch-hitter who could inspire "Smoak on the Water" references if he splashes balls into McCovey Cove down the line? (Full disclosure: I got that line from a fan who emailed it in.)"

Groan.

Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-06-05 11:39:23
151.   underdog
That "Gerald D..." to start threw me off in the Giants pick.
2008-06-05 11:39:48
152.   natepurcell
Hahaha.

When Selig said "Gerald"..

I was like, "OMG OMG GIANTS DID SOMETHING STUPID.."

then the "Buster Posey" party came.

2008-06-05 11:40:15
153.   trainwreck
143
I sure as heck hope not.
2008-06-05 11:40:49
154.   D4P
Currently 100.5 degrees here.
2008-06-05 11:41:00
155.   blue22
148 - They have Collier going at 27. Doesn't LA grab him at 15 if he's there?
2008-06-05 11:41:09
156.   Eric Stephen
111
every body here at work is saying the Lakers MUST win at least one in Boston I'd that true?

I'm assuming you meant one of the first two in Boston. There have been 29 NBA Finals with a 2-0 lead after two games. Only three of the teams down 0-2 went on to win the title:

1969 Celtics (vs. LA)
1977 Blazers (vs Phi)
2006 Heat (vs Dal)

I believe the only two teams to win the first two on the road were the 1993 Bulls (in Phoenix) and 1995 Rockets (in Orlando).

2008-06-05 11:41:25
157.   trainwreck
147
Going to try to.
2008-06-05 11:42:02
158.   underdog
I'm glad they took Posey; I think he'll be really solid but I have some doubts about him, more about the other two guys we thought they'd take.
2008-06-05 11:44:33
159.   underdog
Huh. The Marlins took Kyle Skipworth.
2008-06-05 11:44:41
160.   CanuckDodger
I think we are getting Cashner. I heard that the Brewers had Zach Collier at a private workout and he didn't impress them. We had Collier at a similar workout and perhaps he was equally lackluster there.
2008-06-05 11:45:37
161.   BlueCrew Bruin
159 Seems like he would've been worth skipping. HA-HAHA...ha...hehe...ahem.
2008-06-05 11:46:02
162.   Eric Stephen
133
Even weirder, the 1975 & 1978 Finals for some reason were 1-2-2-1-1. Also, the 1971 Finals appeared to be 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 but I can only confirm the first four games since the Bucks swept the Bullets.

2-3-2 format was (re)adopted in 1985 (it previously existed at times in the 1950s). Bill Simmons is convinced the format gave the Lakers the 1985 title.

2008-06-05 11:47:00
163.   natepurcell
Logan White will have jumped the shark if he drafts a college reliever in the top half of the first round.
2008-06-05 11:48:02
164.   underdog
162 - Bill Simmons needs to be run over with a steamroller - a steamroller with two giant Lakers flags on the backside.
2008-06-05 11:48:03
165.   blue22
158 - He's a great catcher, but still...a catcher. Smoak could've been a franchise bat for them.
2008-06-05 11:48:03
166.   bhsportsguy
Giants now have 2 really good catching prospects, Pablo Sandoval is killing the ball in the Cal league, he's just 21, Posey will probably go to their rookie league or to their A league club.
2008-06-05 11:48:31
167.   underdog
I am curious to see who actually falls a little bit in the draft, because the Dodgers could also get lucky.
2008-06-05 11:48:56
168.   El Lay Dave
159 John Manuel on BA's draft blog:

"Now the Marlins can take Kyle Skipworth at 6, with Gordon Beckham going 7 to the Reds under any scenario. The White Sox will probably be the landing spot now for Justin Smoak, with Aaron Crow going ninth to the Nationals.

"The big question now will be whether or not the Astros take Canadian catcher/infielder Brett Lawrie or Eastern Kentucky lefthander Christian Friedrich. That would leave Yonder Alonso at 11 for the Rangers, which puts Georgia prep righty Ethan Martin into play in the rest of the 12-20 range, possibly at 15 for the Dodgers or 21 to the Tigers."

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/

2008-06-05 11:49:15
169.   blue22
165 - Though maybe Villalona is their 1B of the future.
2008-06-05 11:50:03
170.   underdog
The Reds went up Yonder for their pick.
2008-06-05 11:50:45
171.   underdog
168 - So much for his Reds assumption there. Seems like they reached a little.
2008-06-05 11:51:18
172.   bhsportsguy
163 Maybe it is just a bad draft for the players he usually goes after.
2008-06-05 11:51:31
173.   underdog
I can't believe Smoak is still available.
2008-06-05 11:51:33
174.   CanuckDodger
163 -- If they take Cashner, I'm not going to condemn it out of hand. I will be interested to hear what White says about it.
2008-06-05 11:53:21
175.   trainwreck
This is going a lot slower than I expected.
2008-06-05 11:54:45
176.   natepurcell
Smoak is probably a white sox.
2008-06-05 11:55:00
177.   underdog
175 - It's 5 mins per pick, which isn't that bad, compared to NFL at least. Maybe it's just all the blather and ads that make it seem slower.
2008-06-05 11:55:23
178.   natepurcell
oh wow....
2008-06-05 11:55:42
179.   silverwidow
Will Gordon Beckham slip to us?
2008-06-05 11:55:50
180.   underdog
White Sox take The Other Beckham. Solid pick.

If the Nats don't take Smoak, OR Aaron Crow, I'll eat my hat.

2008-06-05 11:56:07
181.   underdog
179 - Nope.
2008-06-05 11:56:15
182.   Xeifrank
David Stearn's NBA Finals script got leaked today. Here is how the NBA brass has it mapped out.

Game 1: Boston
Game 2: Los Angeles
Game 3: Los Angeles
Game 4: Boston
Game 5: Los Angeles
Game 6: Boston
Game 7: Tie game with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter, and at this point the refs will then let the players decide who wins.

Enjoy the game tonight! :)

vr, Xei

2008-06-05 11:56:56
183.   Sam DC
Kind of nice to bring Albert Pujols in as a PH. (And yes he homered; 3-0 Cards over Nationals).
2008-06-05 11:58:01
184.   bhsportsguy
182 Maybe I just didn't care during the '90s and maybe I'm a little sensitive now but did this whole conspiracy thing exist when the Bulls were winning all of those titles?
2008-06-05 11:58:39
185.   Jacob Burch
I of course benched pujols on the injury news. That's not nice.
2008-06-05 11:59:34
186.   Xeifrank
184. Shhhhh! They're listening.
vr, Xei
2008-06-05 12:00:08
187.   gpellamjr
183 Wait! Are you watching baseball? Don't you know the draft is on?
2008-06-05 12:00:50
188.   underdog
The Nationals take Aaron Crow.

And underdog does not have to eat his hat. Stand down.

Smoak still there.

2008-06-05 12:02:43
189.   natepurcell
No real shocker so far except for Alonso, though he was going to go in the top 15 anyways.
2008-06-05 12:03:34
190.   Rob M
Anybody think Hewitt is a possiblity? Or has Preston Mattingly scared Logan away from raw toolsy shortstops? 15 is probably a little early for a guy like that anyways.
2008-06-05 12:05:47
191.   fanerman
184 I was a kid back then, but for what it's worth, I don't remember any conspiracy theories.
2008-06-05 12:06:12
192.   natepurcell
yes!!! a surprise!
2008-06-05 12:06:22
193.   underdog
The Astros take Stanford catcher Jason Castro. A solid player, but a reach at 10 if you ask me.

190 - Hewitt could be solid for someone but seems a reach at 15.

2008-06-05 12:06:48
194.   Bob Timmermann
162
In 1976, the Warriors couldn't use their regular arena, the Oakland Coliseum because it was booked for some other event. So they had to play at the Cow Palace in Daly City. But that was booked for a couple of days, so the NBA had to tweak the schedule.

The NBA has come a long way since then.

2008-06-05 12:06:59
195.   Jon Weisman
193 - That's what we said about Jason Castro during American Idol.
2008-06-05 12:07:33
196.   natepurcell
A's fans are sweating these next 5 minutes since they drafted Smoak 3 years ago and didn't sign him...
2008-06-05 12:08:00
197.   underdog
195 - I was waiting for an American Idol joke.

"You know he's smart, he went to Stanford" - Steve Phillips, kissing up to Jon Weisman

2008-06-05 12:08:10
198.   bhsportsguy
I would be really really really upset if I was an Astros fan.
2008-06-05 12:08:34
199.   underdog
196 - can the A's afford Smoak? If they can, they'll definitely pick him. They have to be thrilled.
2008-06-05 12:08:56
200.   bhsportsguy
197 Or Molly Knight but that would be too weird.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-06-05 12:09:09
201.   trainwreck
A's draft room looks a lot more advanced.
2008-06-05 12:09:11
202.   natepurcell
196

They just showed the A's draft room. It was filled with computers.

you do the math.

2008-06-05 12:09:39
203.   underdog
Texas could take Ethan Martin, too, so that would leave Smoak for the A's. Wow, there should be some good players sitting there for the Dodgers.
2008-06-05 12:09:39
204.   Jacob Burch
I have three degrees of seperation on Jason Castro, so I'm happy to hear about the reach. If my in-the-works-forever Blog gets started, my two-degree connection is working on a series of "following the player" interviews.
2008-06-05 12:10:05
205.   bhsportsguy
202 When I started working, I saw rooms filled with computers. But that was it. Just computers, big bulky computers.
2008-06-05 12:11:33
206.   natepurcell
And the A's dreams just went up in "Smoak".
2008-06-05 12:11:41
207.   underdog
The Rangers just couldn't pass up on Smoak. Can't blame them. Sorry, A's.
2008-06-05 12:11:48
208.   trainwreck
Awwww, wanted Smoak on A's.

Bud winked at the A's.

2008-06-05 12:12:55
209.   scareduck
73 and ensuing chatter -- this refers to a time three years ago when the Dodgers also had a GM opening, not now.
2008-06-05 12:13:10
210.   still bevens
Is drafting three catchers in the top 10 unique?
2008-06-05 12:13:41
211.   natepurcell
Goofy haircut there Alonso.
2008-06-05 12:14:58
212.   underdog
210 - Yeah. But with such a big drop off, apparently, between those three and the next catchers, teams desperate for catchers wanted to cover that to be safe. So it's not a shock, but definitely unusual.
2008-06-05 12:15:02
213.   JoeyP
Great pick by the Rangers.
Hopefully Wallace drops to the Dodgers.
2008-06-05 12:15:39
214.   underdog
C'mon, hurry up teams 12-14! I have to leave in 30 minutes or so for a mtg.
2008-06-05 12:16:08
215.   bhsportsguy
210 Baseball America can't find a draft where this happened, they are looking in the '70s now.
2008-06-05 12:16:37
216.   Eric Stephen
"A lot of people who talk about Moneyball don't understand what the book is about."

-Peter Gammons, putting the smack down on Karl Ravetch.

2008-06-05 12:16:43
217.   natepurcell
Uhh......
2008-06-05 12:16:52
218.   bhsportsguy
212 Yeah, but you really should never draft for need in the first round.
2008-06-05 12:17:11
219.   underdog
A's take J Weeks. Not a surprise, I figured either him or Wallace to Oakland.

Tell you what, Aaron Hicks... if he's still there at 15 and the Dodgers don't take him, I may cry.

2008-06-05 12:17:36
220.   Ken Noe
209 Yeah, I misread it to my embarrassment.
2008-06-05 12:17:40
221.   underdog
218 I agree, but the Astros disagree. :-)
2008-06-05 12:18:36
222.   bhsportsguy
221 And especially catchers.
2008-06-05 12:18:40
223.   CanuckDodger
213 -- Wallace will go to the Blue Jays, two picks after us.
2008-06-05 12:18:54
224.   Sam DC
That Cole Hamels is a pretty good pitcher.
2008-06-05 12:19:47
225.   underdog
I am lighting a candle now in prayer for Aaron Hicks.
2008-06-05 12:20:00
226.   CanuckDodger
I think Hicks will go to the Twins at 14. Do we pass up Ethan Martin for Cashner?
2008-06-05 12:20:15
227.   was it tims mitt i saw
maybe the baseballchannel.tv stream is on a delay or something but the mlb draft tracker shows the pick faster thanthe stream.

kind of drives me nuts that i see who they draft before the commish announces it.

is it like that for those watching on espn2 too?

2008-06-05 12:20:30
228.   JoeyP
If White takes a college reliever over Brett Wallace, he's nuts.
2008-06-05 12:22:12
229.   CanuckDodger
JoeyP, Wallace makes Cory Dunlap look like a bulimic supermodel. Not really, but you should get the idea.
2008-06-05 12:22:23
230.   natepurcell
Wallace the Walrus goes to the cards.

Twins might pick that polish college lefty starter now.

2008-06-05 12:22:29
231.   underdog
223 - Or he'll go right here to the Cardinals. ;-)
2008-06-05 12:22:40
232.   JoeyP
Maybe, but we're not selling jeans here.
2008-06-05 12:22:41
233.   cryptic
I still think it's Martin
2008-06-05 12:22:51
234.   natepurcell
Brett Wallace has a huge ass.
2008-06-05 12:23:15
235.   Sam DC
Wasn't Wallace just picked by St. L?
2008-06-05 12:24:12
236.   Sam DC
Sigh.
2008-06-05 12:24:51
237.   bhsportsguy
235 Yes, but there has been a wish by some that the Dodgers would select a college hitter, which the Dodgers have not done much of early in the draft.

Well its now between Martin and Hicks for the Dodgers.

2008-06-05 12:25:31
238.   Sam DC
New York Yankees' starting first baseman just went boom boom.
2008-06-05 12:25:38
239.   underdog
What about your fellow Canuck, Lawrie? He should be going in the next 5 picks or so, no?
2008-06-05 12:25:38
240.   NWdodger
The Twins are rumored to like Friedrich. There is still a chance Hicks could slip.
2008-06-05 12:25:54
241.   Bob Timmermann
218
You also should never follow a hippie to a second location.
2008-06-05 12:26:14
242.   still bevens
Hopefully Wallace's first round signing bonus will take the sting out of a bunch of people making comments about his ass on the internet. Knives are out on BTF.
2008-06-05 12:26:31
243.   NWdodger
I've heard Lawrie is supposed to go in the supplemental round
2008-06-05 12:27:19
244.   CanuckDodger
239 -- He's likely a 3B. I think the Dodgers are avoiding corner infielders.
2008-06-05 12:27:33
245.   trainwreck
Laaame.
2008-06-05 12:27:52
247.   trainwreck
Bud can't pronounce Los Angeles.
2008-06-05 12:27:54
248.   underdog
Rats. Should've known.

We're on the clock boys. With no Hicks, do we take Ethan Martin here?

2008-06-05 12:28:38
249.   JoeyP
244---"Resists making remark about"
2008-06-05 12:29:05
251.   underdog
Or do we take Friedrich?

247 - That cracked me up. Sounded like a Mel Blanc character there. "Loos Ahn-geleez"

Show/Hide Comments 252-300
2008-06-05 12:29:09
252.   still bevens
Whats our next pick after 15?
2008-06-05 12:29:34
253.   cryptic
248 lock it...Martin
2008-06-05 12:29:36
254.   Sushirabbit
yep, was hoping hicks would be there.
2008-06-05 12:29:43
255.   natepurcell
Give me Lawrie. Give me a bat.
2008-06-05 12:29:44
256.   NWdodger
Is Collier the pick? Or are they looking at Cashner? I think White pulls a rabbit out the hat no one is expecting.
2008-06-05 12:31:14
257.   underdog
Or Tim Melville, if they go HS pitcher as they usually do.
2008-06-05 12:31:16
258.   KG16
realistically speaking, what are the odds of a guy being drafted today making it to the bigs with the organization that drafted him?
2008-06-05 12:32:15
259.   underdog
Ethan Martin, Collier, Cashner, Melville, Friedrich... most likely picks here.
2008-06-05 12:32:25
260.   JoeyP
No college relievers at #15.
Thats just way too high for someone like that.
2008-06-05 12:32:40
261.   underdog
252 61.

Here we go!

2008-06-05 12:33:10
262.   natepurcell
OH WOW....AS A THIRD BASEMEN!!!
2008-06-05 12:33:11
263.   Jacob Burch
Martin, the opposite of a rabbit. I'll take it.
2008-06-05 12:33:28
264.   NWdodger
Martin it is!
2008-06-05 12:33:48
265.   trainwreck
Martin II
2008-06-05 12:34:27
266.   natepurcell
i got corrected earlier in the year when i wanted martin as a hitter.
2008-06-05 12:34:35
267.   underdog
Very solid and intriguing pick. I like it.
2008-06-05 12:34:46
268.   still bevens
I was about to pass out if we drafted a reliever.
2008-06-05 12:34:52
269.   JoeyP
Callis had Ethan Martin going #11 in his mock, so if thats a good evaluation the Dodgers would be getting pretty good value here with him.
2008-06-05 12:35:09
270.   trainwreck
We have enough guys at third.
2008-06-05 12:35:12
271.   MC Safety
Damn! I wanted the Dodgers to get the Long Beacher! Stupid Twins!
2008-06-05 12:35:41
272.   cryptic
solid pick
2008-06-05 12:35:46
273.   underdog
Maybe he can be our Micah Owings!
2008-06-05 12:35:48
274.   natepurcell
Martin has huge power and a good eye at the plate. He overswings sometimes which leads to Ks.
2008-06-05 12:36:32
275.   underdog
270 One of them will be at 2nd next year though. :-)

Plus, Martin could also be moved somewhere else. Will be interesting to see what Logan White says about him.

2008-06-05 12:36:35
276.   MollyKnight
Do we like that pick?
2008-06-05 12:36:38
277.   Jon Weisman
So is this a defeat for the Dodger draft fearmongers?
2008-06-05 12:36:41
278.   JoeyP
First 1st round position player since Blake Dewitt in 04, and James loney in 02.
2008-06-05 12:36:55
279.   Bumsrap
Tell us about Martin
2008-06-05 12:37:23
280.   underdog
Gordon Beckham's hair helmet is bigger than his head.
2008-06-05 12:37:30
281.   CanuckDodger
We took him as a hitter? Could Selig have made a mistake? He is an idiot, you know.
2008-06-05 12:37:46
282.   JoeyP
I dont really count Preston MAttingly in the 1st rd.
2008-06-05 12:38:03
283.   trainwreck
275
But I also mean in our minor league system. We need outfielders.

Martin sounds like an intriguing pitcher too.

2008-06-05 12:38:20
284.   bhsportsguy
Well, there are 15 more picks at 5 mins per round and then there 30 more picks (supplemental and 2nd round) before the Dodgers have their next pick at 61.

So I would predict somewhere around 2:30-2:45 p.m. PDT

2008-06-05 12:38:37
285.   underdog
276/277 - Yes!

Brewers take the Canuck, Lawrie.

Okay, I can go off to my meeting now. Tawk amongst yourselves.

2008-06-05 12:38:57
286.   MC Safety
Another masher to Milwaukee.
2008-06-05 12:38:58
287.   trainwreck
I wish picks could be traded just for entertainment purposes.
2008-06-05 12:38:59
288.   KG16
ok, I admit to not really knowing the strategery of a baseball draft, so why would it be a bad idea to draft for need in the first round? If the big club is in need of (or soon to be in need of) a position player, doesn't it make sense to get a college kid that can take over within a year or two?

Also, why take so many pitchers year in and year out?

2008-06-05 12:39:14
289.   blue22
279 - Keith Law says:

"Martin is a two-way player. He came into the year as a potential first-rounder as a third baseman, but he didn't hit well at the beginning. He likes to pitch, and he shut down American Plantation H.S. (the team of prospects Eric Hosmer and Adrian Nieto) in February. He throws 91-95 mph. He has a chance to be an above-average bat at third base, and he obviously has a plus arm. I would be surprised if the Dodgers kept well at beginn. Likes to pitch. Shut down Hosmer and Nieto team in a feb. turn 91-95 off the mound. Chance to be an above abverage bat at third . Plus arm. Good athlete. Would be surprise if keep him as a pitcher because they tend to prefer guys with polish. He has arm strength, but not much polish as a pitcher."

2008-06-05 12:39:16
290.   underdog
281 - Selig did sound kind of drunk when he read the Dodgers pick, didn't he?
2008-06-05 12:39:18
291.   natepurcell
people complain we don't draft power hitters.

Martin has some of the best raw power in this class.

2008-06-05 12:40:05
292.   NWdodger
I don't think we will know what the Dodgers have in mind for Martin until we hear an interview from someone in the front office. If I remember right they announced Loney as a pitcher.
2008-06-05 12:40:49
293.   Jon Weisman
Baseball America on the Dodger pick:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=308

2008-06-05 12:41:06
294.   delias man
I wanted hitting. 2010-2018 looks to be like 1963-1971. All 1-0 games.
2008-06-05 12:41:09
295.   JoeyP
Ethan Martin does have good size:
6'3 200#

He was a HS QB, and is listed in the ESPN college football database.

2008-06-05 12:41:51
296.   JoeyP
Tomorrow is Ethan Martin's birthday.
He'll be 19.
2008-06-05 12:41:59
297.   Gen3Blue
One constant--The new inside common wisdom-about Cashner- was wrong and probably put out for a reason.
2008-06-05 12:42:54
298.   still bevens
Found an animated gif of Martin's swing.

http://www.swingtraining.net/Carlos/Scouting/Martin-swings.gif

2008-06-05 12:44:31
299.   natepurcell
296

He's old.

2008-06-05 12:44:44
300.   underdog
Did you know that the University of California-Berkeley is in Berkeley, California? Thanks Bud!
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2008-06-05 12:45:48
301.   trainwreck
298
Nice.

Looks like he has quick and strong wrists.

2008-06-05 12:46:03
302.   JoeyP
Maybe the Dodgers will start him off at a higher level given his age?
2008-06-05 12:46:47
303.   Eric Stephen
300
To be fair, the University of California San Diego is in La Jolla.
2008-06-05 12:46:51
304.   underdog
Could Martin play another position, say in the OF, at some point? Does he project only as third or pitcher? If there's flexibility there I like it even more than I do.
2008-06-05 12:47:29
305.   underdog
303- True, and at least he pronounced Berkeley better than he did Lohs Ahngeleez.
2008-06-05 12:47:48
306.   JoeyP
According to Callis, the Blue Jays reached for Cooper, and the Astros really reached for Castro.
2008-06-05 12:47:52
307.   bhsportsguy
298 It's also available on the Insider site on ESPN.com.

299 Well they better sign him today just to add one extra year of development with no worries about 40-man roster protection.

Of course, he may want to wait 11 hours for the same reason.

2008-06-05 12:48:27
308.   Gen3Blue
How many times did he repeat his senior year?
2008-06-05 12:49:28
309.   underdog
Mets take Ike Davis, from ASU. I like him actually.
2008-06-05 12:50:01
310.   Bob Timmermann
La Jolla is in San Diego, despite the area's best attempts to say it isn't.
2008-06-05 12:50:05
311.   JoeyP
Anyone know who Martin's agent is?
Is he going to be a tough sign?
2008-06-05 12:50:05
312.   bhsportsguy
302 Probably not if you are talking about sending him to a full-season team.

He could go to Ogden in the Rookie League. This is probably the last year the Dodgers will be in the Gulf Coast League with the move to Arizona next year.

2008-06-05 12:50:32
313.   imperabo
He was probably held back so he could dominate younger kids at sports and trick some team into drafting him. Good strategy.
2008-06-05 12:51:38
314.   bhsportsguy
311 If he had an agent, he'd be easy to sign since he would have no leverage. But seriously, he probably has an advisor but I have not read anything that would indicate a slot level bonus would not be enough to sign him.
2008-06-05 12:53:28
315.   CanuckDodger
At BP, Kevin Goldstein thinks a mistake was made announcing Martin as a 3B. He says Martin is WAY (his caps) better as a pitcher -- a potential "monster" whom one team official he talked to likened to Nolan Ryan. Bryan Smith agrees with Goldstein. However, Will Carroll pointed out that Logan White preferred Loney as a hitter when most teams preferred him as a pitcher, and Goldstein acknowledged the point.
2008-06-05 12:53:52
316.   Bumsrap
Which Martin will wind up as the Dodger catcher and which one as the infielder?
2008-06-05 12:56:20
317.   blue22
So the Cubs probably take Friedrich now?

And I'm predicting the Mariners spring for the college reliever in Cashner.

2008-06-05 12:56:47
318.   ToyCannon
Cool, we have a controversy over what our pick will play. I've always wanted a Micah Owings?
2008-06-05 12:57:20
319.   Xeifrank
UC Santa Barbara is in Goleta. Well, atleast I think is. :)
vr, Xei
2008-06-05 12:57:48
320.   KG16
310 - kind of like Anaheim Hills and Anaheim.
2008-06-05 12:59:05
321.   KG16
315 - so, if Martin is Nolan Ryan, and Kershaw is Koufax, what does that make Billingsly?

(note: comparisons of young pitchers to the greatest of the last half century are for entertainment purposes only)

2008-06-05 13:00:23
322.   natepurcell
321

Seaver. Duh.

2008-06-05 13:02:04
323.   KG16
322 - ok, so when do we draft Drysdale?
2008-06-05 13:02:29
324.   CanuckDodger
321 -- When White drafted Billingsley five years ago, he likened him to Tom Seaver without the drop-and-drive delivery.
2008-06-05 13:03:24
325.   blue22
Ah, the Cubs break Seattle's heart by drafting the reliever Cashner.

So Seattle picks the best available starter and moves him to the pen?

2008-06-05 13:07:41
326.   still bevens
Tony Jackson has Martin stats on his blog. Also notes that Martin was tangentially involved in that youtube video of a catcher ducking a fastball that hit an umpire. I guess it was Martin's brother who was pitching.
2008-06-05 13:10:47
327.   adrian beltre
a guy i work with at mlb just told me that when he was in la last year kent pulled him aside and ripped the young kids but singled out the bison. i feel like i have a duty to enlighten all the non dodger fans out there whos perception is warped by ken rosenthal and espn and all the other propoganda out there.
2008-06-05 13:11:59
328.   natepurcell
I love how Russ Martin is the player people compare prospects to in hopes of what they can become.
2008-06-05 13:13:02
329.   natepurcell
Diamond is listing Martin as a pitcher.

Will we have a Martin to Martin battery?

2008-06-05 13:14:44
330.   Jon Weisman
326 - I can't remember ever hearing about monetary fines for high school sports misconduct. Suspensions, yes, but not fines.
2008-06-05 13:16:09
331.   larry slimfast
327 singled him out positively or negatively?
2008-06-05 13:19:28
332.   bhsportsguy
327 But is that as bad as Kobe calling out Andrew Bynum to a couple of guys at a restaurant?
2008-06-05 13:21:05
333.   Eric Stephen
327
So Kemp will get hurt but the Dodgers will be in the World Series next year anyway?
2008-06-05 13:21:11
334.   CanuckDodger
329 -- More than that, Diamond says a team spokesman pointedly says the Dodgers drafted Martin as a pitcher. Like I said, Selig is an idiot.
2008-06-05 13:26:37
335.   El Lay Dave
334 Or is it the fractured front office at work? ;)
2008-06-05 13:28:58
336.   Jon Weisman
DePo on the Padres' pick:

http://itmightbedangerous.blogspot.com/2008/06/allan-dykstra.html

2008-06-05 13:31:47
337.   trainwreck
Well another stud high school pitcher is fine with me. It is Logan's fetish.
2008-06-05 13:34:58
338.   bhsportsguy
337 The only high school pitcher that Baseball America says has both a fastball and secondary pitch (curve) that are in the top 3 of all high school pitchers.

Scout's Inc. gave his fastball a grade of 60 (91-95 mph) and his curve ball at 50 (81 mph).

2008-06-05 13:37:56
339.   underdog
Hah. I love that the Padres took Lenny Dykstra's son. I don't know why I love it, but I do.

I'm still pretty happy with the Ethan Martin pick, wherever the heck he plays.

The Rockies finally put C Friedrich out of his misery.

2008-06-05 13:39:42
340.   JoeyP
Thats a nice pick for the Padres. They've done well the last several years with Antonelli and Headley.
2008-06-05 13:40:02
341.   blue22
339 - How stoked is Friedrich? He falls maybe 10-15 spots, and finally lands in Colorado. Yippee :-/
2008-06-05 13:40:23
342.   still bevens
339 Sadly I think 'Cutter' is Lenny's kids actual name.
2008-06-05 13:42:38
343.   JoeyP
Padres took the other Dykstra.
Not Cutter, who's 18 high schooler.
2008-06-05 13:44:57
344.   bhsportsguy
Scott Boras meets the Yankees and UCLA awaits to see if he does not sign.
2008-06-05 13:45:09
345.   underdog
Oh drat. I got those two mixed up. How many darned Dykstras can there be!

But I do see that Mark Schlereth's son was drafted. I wonder how many sons of NFL offensive lineman have made the big leagues...

2008-06-05 13:45:50
346.   Jon Weisman
From the Dodgers:

"Ethan is a fantastic young athlete who excels on the mound with an exploding fastball and a sharp-biting curve," said Assistant General Manager, Scouting Logan White. "He is a terrific competitor with first-class makeup."

"Ethan has a good angle on his fastball with late sinking action anywhere from 90-96 miles per hour," said Scouting Director Tim Hallgren. "He also has a plus-curveball that has late three-quarter downward action at the plate."

2008-06-05 13:46:13
347.   El Lay Dave
Diamond Leung has posted the Dodgers press release on E. Martin.

http://tinyurl.com/5exxb6

2008-06-05 13:48:24
348.   underdog
The Yankees may have gotten a steal in Gerrit Cole, since they don't mind dealing with Boras (and assuming they're not worried about his "character issues")
2008-06-05 13:48:30
349.   NWdodger
Yankees take Boras client Cole. UCLA can kiss him goodbye!
2008-06-05 13:49:42
350.   CanuckDodger
346 -- Every draft day in the last six years White has said either that or something very similar about the first player he has selected.:)
Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2008-06-05 13:50:21
351.   Jon Weisman
347 - So have I!
2008-06-05 13:51:33
352.   underdog
Wow, the Indians sure are taking a risk with their first pick, Chisenhall...
2008-06-05 13:52:05
353.   El Lay Dave
351 Indeed.

Gurnick is up also:
http://tinyurl.com/5wujwe

"He's too good an athlete, has too good a delivery and is a great makeup guy not to take him," said assistant general manager Logan White. "He was a position player until two years ago, so he's got a fresh arm. He's already got a plus-curveball and he throws 90-95 mph every time out. He's still filling out, so he projects to get better. We did a lot of research on him and he's healthy."

White said Martin is "no slouch at third, but we feel he's special on the mound and that's where we'd like him to go."

2008-06-05 13:52:58
354.   CanuckDodger
340 -- Allan Dykstra for the Padres is not a good pick. Bad swing. I much prefer his brother Cutter, and hope the Dodgers draft him. He might be available in the third round,
2008-06-05 13:53:28
355.   El Lay Dave
353 Plus a comparison:
"His arm action, his breaking ball, his athleticism -- in some ways he reminds me of [Dan] Haren," said White.
2008-06-05 13:54:09
356.   bhsportsguy
354 So you would not draft him with their 2nd pick?
2008-06-05 13:55:18
357.   underdog
Welp, pick #61 seems an awful long way away. I suppose I should do some work for awhile.
2008-06-05 13:55:21
358.   blue22
So who are the above-slot guys left - Melville and Hunt?
2008-06-05 13:57:59
359.   bhsportsguy
[357, not too long, it will probably happen in the next hour.
2008-06-05 13:59:43
360.   CanuckDodger
356 -- I wouldn't mind him with our second pick, but at the same time I don't like the idea of taking a guy early if we can get him in a later round. BA ranks him overall in a place that translates to the 3rd round, but some team may think of him as a 2nd rounder. We'll see.
2008-06-05 14:00:02
361.   dontraiseplz
Would this organization sign any above-slot guys? We can certainly find the best ones but never get them. If we took the Angels approach to signing players... what could've been...
2008-06-05 14:00:04
362.   Jacob Burch
357 keep in mind we're coming up to 1 minute picks, so it should be 40 minutes or so away.
2008-06-05 14:00:43
363.   still bevens
352 Burglary and grand larceny is pretty impressive.
2008-06-05 14:01:16
364.   underdog
Good point. Okay, I'll work hard for an hour then! ;-)

Wow, so Melville's still available? Hrm.

2008-06-05 14:02:19
365.   CanuckDodger
If I thought McCourt would pay the above-slot bonus, and Melville is still on the board at #61, I'd pick him and pay him. But McCourt brown-noses Selig too much for that to happen.
2008-06-05 14:16:20
366.   kinbote
0 Thank you very much for the updates, Jon. I'm just getting to a computer and you--again--provided the best information available.
2008-06-05 14:22:07
367.   JoeyP
360- Would you consider Ethan Martin a better prospect than Withrow/Melville?
2008-06-05 14:23:31
368.   scareduck
361 - if the Dodgers took the Angels' approach to signing players, they wouldn't have any first round draft picks.
2008-06-05 14:23:44
369.   Jacob Burch
I demand a CanuckBlog get started. I'll find a way to host it, darnit.
2008-06-05 14:24:19
370.   blue22
Collier to the Phils at 34.

And with DeVall going at 40, Melville is now the last remaining undrafted player from BA's most recent mock 1st round.

2008-06-05 14:24:57
371.   Jacob Burch
361 After bugging an Angels-guru friend, I'm told Jered Weaver is the exception, not rule, to above-slot players (as scareduck points out)
2008-06-05 14:26:57
372.   bhsportsguy
371 And as I recall, they basically never moved from their offer, Weaver really wanted to sign.
2008-06-05 14:28:11
373.   Jacob Burch
371 That sounds right--more of a comment of "big-name/boras-tangled prospects" that ended up on the Halos.
2008-06-05 14:29:14
374.   regfairfield
354 So, you'd say other low ceiling pick for the Padres then?
2008-06-05 14:29:59
375.   Michael D
With McCourt pushing hard to bring the All Star game back to Dodger Stadium we just aren't going above slot anytime soon.
2008-06-05 14:30:51
376.   scareduck
365 - McCourt needs to be on Selig's good side.

371 - the Angels will sometimes go above slot. I believe Mark Trumbo was that sort of exception, and certainly Nick Adenhart was (he was drafted in the 14th round but given first-round money). It is not something they do as a matter of course.

2008-06-05 14:31:10
377.   kinbote
I love the pick. The dead giveaway that he's a Logan White guy is the polished secondary pitch. White has to have that. I think he also really likes the fresh arm aspect.

I've been gone all day and I can't believe how few players have been chosen!

2008-06-05 14:33:40
378.   Jon Weisman
In the first-person plural, Will Leitch is leaving Deadspin.

http://deadspin.com/5013439/a-note-from-your-editor

2008-06-05 14:34:21
379.   underdog
The Giants just drafted a "Bill Mueller type" according to scouting reports. Not much power, solid hitter. Gillaspie.

Okay, only 14 more picks to go til the Dodgers next one.

2008-06-05 14:38:19
380.   blue22
378 - The "Royal We". Can't say I'm surprised, but that site won't be the same without him.
2008-06-05 14:40:27
381.   kinbote
So, is the consensus here that White would've taken Hicks if he were available?
2008-06-05 14:40:27
382.   bhsportsguy
The Dodgers have paid above slot, in 2006 Kyle Orr was probably given somewhere around 120-130K more than his slot bonus.

Also they paid slighly above slot for their
6th and 7th round picks in 2007.

Now they have not done anything big aside from the LaRoche signing under a different ownership and management but just pointing out that it has been done.

2008-06-05 14:41:16
383.   bhsportsguy
381 I don't know, Martin seems to have the raw tools that White likes.
2008-06-05 14:41:16
384.   fanerman
Back in the "Olden Days" when drafts weren't televised, how long did it take to get results? Were they still real time? Or did they announce huge lists of players after they finished, either a round or the whole draft?
2008-06-05 14:43:27
385.   bhsportsguy
384 In the olden olden days aside from the first round, teams did not announce their picks at all. Maybe they would announce their signings at some point but it was done so players and/or agents could not use anything for bargaining purposes.
2008-06-05 14:43:50
386.   underdog
Melville's still undrafted. 2nd round is about to start...
2008-06-05 14:46:10
387.   underdog
No surprise, but "Yay!" anyway:

Dodgers' Kemp appeals
2:21 PM Thu, Jun 05, 2008
Posted by: Diamond Leung

Matt Kemp has appealed his four-game suspension and will be available to play tonight.

2008-06-05 14:48:34
388.   JoeyP
374--I think Allen Dyksta's ceiling is huge considering his power and patience.

However, he's also 6'5 and its tough to make it in the big leagues with that big of K zone.

2008-06-05 14:48:35
389.   CanuckDodger
367 -- Withrow, Melville, Martin -- all pretty similar, with slight differences. I liked Melville's pitching frame the best out of those three. Taller. Martin had the best HS senior season out of those three, and he has a thicker frame than Withrow. Bottom line, they are three righties I can see in the majors throwing mid-90's with nice curveballs. Health will probably determine who turns out the best.
2008-06-05 14:53:06
390.   D4P
Nice to get Depo's thoughts on every Padre draft pick. Not that I know or care anything about the players, but still...
2008-06-05 14:53:24
391.   natepurcell
how many rounds today?
2008-06-05 14:54:27
392.   D4P
A few surprising? comments from Depo:

Skilled player, great makeup, very hard-nosed

In short, we think this is a very well-rounded player with great intangibles

2008-06-05 14:54:45
393.   natepurcell
Padres Jeff Decker reminds me of Blake Dewitt.
2008-06-05 14:55:06
394.   natepurcell
392

Why is that surprising?

2008-06-05 14:55:42
395.   still bevens
Surely his computer couldn't tell him such things.
2008-06-05 14:56:00
396.   underdog
Why such a long break before the 2nd round?

I hope the Dodgers go position player with some of their next picks, depending on who's available...

2008-06-05 14:56:26
397.   fanerman
394 Bill Plaschke taught me that DePo doesn't care about makeup and intangibles.
2008-06-05 14:56:30
398.   NWdodger
375--I don't see how paying over slot makes any difference with getting an All-Star game. The Yankees have gone over slot more than a few times and they are hosting this year.
2008-06-05 14:56:32
399.   D4P
394
Maybe I'm naive, but I wouldn't expect him to use words/phrases like "great makeup" or "hard-nosed" or "intangibles."

I expect that kinda stuff from people like Ned.

2008-06-05 14:56:56
400.   Eric Enders
391 I think they're just going until 6 PT, however many rounds they can get in before then.
Show/Hide Comments 401-450
2008-06-05 14:57:07
401.   bhsportsguy
392 Because you can't divide makeup with a calculator.
2008-06-05 14:58:40
402.   bhsportsguy
399 I hate to bring this up by why is it impossible to believe that he really is not much different than most baseball people.

He may use some additional methods of evaluation but he is not bound by them.

2008-06-05 14:59:41
403.   still bevens
I wish Depo was a real life caricature like they make him out to be. Like if he was the dude with the super computer in Willy Wonka.

'I am not telling the computer exactly what it can do with a lifetime supply of chocolate'

2008-06-05 14:59:51
404.   natepurcell
402

Because after building an altar to Depo, D4P would have nothing to show for it if he was just...you know...regular.

2008-06-05 15:00:21
405.   scareduck
401 - no, you use a mascara brush.
2008-06-05 15:01:16
406.   D4P
why is it impossible to believe that he really is not much different than most baseball people

I can't speak for anyone else, but the issue for me is not that it's impossible to believe that he's not much different.

Rather, I want to believe that he's different. I've idealized him in my mind, and like to believe that he's smarter and more competent than other GMs/Special Assistant to the Whatever His Official Title Is.

2008-06-05 15:01:16
407.   Eric Enders
384 Yeah, like BH said, back in the day (pre-1995 or so) you could never find out who the picks were other than the first-rounders. For the other picks, you had to wait about three weeks for the list to be published in Baseball America, and even then it was an alphabetical list and there was no way of finding out what round each player was drafted in.

Then sometime late in the season or during the offseason, BA would publish a more complete draft list after they'd completed their investigative work as to which round each player was drafted in. MLB was so tight-lipped about everything that following the draft was almost impossible.

2008-06-05 15:01:17
408.   D4P
why is it impossible to believe that he really is not much different than most baseball people

I can't speak for anyone else, but the issue for me is not that it's impossible to believe that he's not much different.

Rather, I want to believe that he's different. I've idealized him in my mind, and like to believe that he's smarter and more competent than other GMs/Special Assistant to the Whatever His Official Title Is.

2008-06-05 15:01:35
409.   CanuckDodger
394 -- I had some interest in Decker. His first name is actually "Jaff." He is only 5'10," short for a corner OF. Makes me think of the A's Matt Sulentic.
2008-06-05 15:02:35
410.   Bob Timmermann
CSI:NY is filming what looks to be a winter scene for an upcoming episode on Olive Street today.

This may require a lot of CGI.

2008-06-05 15:03:39
411.   bhsportsguy
408 I give you that.

But also most draft folks will tell you that at that level, sophisticated analysis is just not as useful as basic scouting which involves lots of interaction with the players. So things like those intangibles are going to play a part.

2008-06-05 15:04:44
412.   regfairfield
Wasn't intangibles a huge part of the A's draft process in Moneyball, and a big part of the reason why they liked Swisher?
2008-06-05 15:06:10
413.   D4P
411
I guess I wasn't thinking about the relative importance of intangibles in drafting vs. acquiring major leaguers. I feel better now.
2008-06-05 15:06:43
414.   Bob Timmermann
If "intangibles" weren't important in sports, why did Jimmy the Greek have them as a category he used to decide which team he picked in an NFL game?

Hmmm...

2008-06-05 15:07:39
415.   Jon Weisman
385 - Yes, when I worked at the Daily News, we would be making calls days in advance to local prospects to ask them to let us know if/when they had been drafted, and the inevitably be making calls all day long on draft day to find out if/when they had been drafted.
2008-06-05 15:14:43
416.   bhsportsguy
Oh, now we have reached the point when we get to hear Maury Wills announce the Dodger's picks (Lasorda is giving the commencement speech at El Camino College today).
2008-06-05 15:14:50
417.   natepurcell
Are we not having anymore rounds today? This draft setup sucks.
2008-06-05 15:15:44
418.   GBruin
What is the hold up on the draft?
2008-06-05 15:17:03
419.   natepurcell
From the draft video in the draft tracker, I don't like his arm action that much. That said, that video was from last summer so maybe he's progressed.

I wonder how many walks he gave up this spring.

2008-06-05 15:18:09
420.   jujibee
XM radio just said that this concludes the ESPN coverage of the 1st and supplemental 1st rounds. Stay tuned for rounds 2-5. Tommorrow rounds 6-50. Did not know there were 50 rounds.
2008-06-05 15:18:18
421.   natepurcell
Martin will be Shimmin's new favorite player if he keeps his Eric Byrnes hairdo.
2008-06-05 15:18:34
422.   bhsportsguy
417 There will be more rounds but ESPN had locked out the coverage (for the first and first supplemental rounds) until their 6:00 P.M. EDT Sportscenter so they took a break until 6:15 to start the 2nd round.

It will probably go until 6:00 p.m. PDT

2008-06-05 15:19:21
423.   bhsportsguy
420 Without the draft and follow process, most teams do not draft that many players anymore.
2008-06-05 15:21:39
424.   CanuckDodger
421 -- Yeah, "Eric Byrnes" was the first thing I said the first time I saw him.

I had hoped to see Martin's arm action from the back. A front view is not sufficient.

2008-06-05 15:22:55
425.   underdog
More on Ethan Martin from scouting report on Baseball America:

>>In the field, Martin is a plus defender with a plus arm and athleticism. His best tool, though, is his raw power and strength. On the mound, Martin offers a fastball in the mid-90s and an above-average breaking ball with slurve action. His changeup is also advanced for a high school pitcher and can be a plus pitch. Where in the past he may have been labeled a thrower, Martin has shown pitchability throughout the spring. Scouts love the way Martin plays the game, with a country strong swing and dirtbag mentality. They also love his versatility. The team that drafts Martin will be have a tough decision to make on his long-term future, because he offers the versatility and talent to reach the big leagues either way.<<

I like the "country strong swing" (especially if it's fried, too) and "ditbag mentality" sounds good, too.

2008-06-05 15:25:05
426.   underdog
Okay, 2nd round has started up finally. Rays pick Lobstein and Pirates take Scheppers (probably worthy the risk). Dodgers only 13 picks away!
2008-06-05 15:26:00
427.   natepurcell
Tim Melville, do it McCourt!
2008-06-05 15:29:28
428.   Jon Weisman
Diamond says Kemp has appealed his suspension.
2008-06-05 15:31:14
429.   underdog
428 - Ahem {cough} [387 {cough}

Yeah, if the Brewers don't use one of their consecutive picks here on Melville, he might still be available. Come on, Logan, talk him into it!

2008-06-05 15:31:50
430.   underdog
And Milwaukee doesn't take him, they do grab the (son of) Dykstra however.
2008-06-05 15:31:58
431.   Eric Enders
428 As well he should. Kemp may have started it with a little shove, but Torrealba's the one who escalated it into a full-blown incident.
2008-06-05 15:32:02
432.   natepurcell
Mil just took the Cutter :(
2008-06-05 15:33:02
433.   Eric Enders
Tim Melville or an All-Star Game?
Cake or Death?
2008-06-05 15:33:15
434.   Jon Weisman
429 - Ooh - wow. You got me.
2008-06-05 15:33:45
435.   natepurcell
I would like Isaac Galloway too.
2008-06-05 15:34:14
436.   scareduck
385 , 415 - Tim Salmon was projected to be a first-rounder in 1989 and slipped to third; they didn't call him until the ninth round. Even the players were kept in the dark in those days. Just stupid.
2008-06-05 15:35:00
437.   underdog
Galloway - yes, I agree! I would love that pick as well. I mean, what's the deal, has Melville fallen this far purely because of signability/slot money?
2008-06-05 15:35:13
438.   Sac Town Dodger Fan
Willy Aybar playing 1B for the Rays today. Hope he got his life back in order.
2008-06-05 15:35:22
439.   Marty
425 He sounds like a Gamer ™. Sign him at any cost.
2008-06-05 15:35:33
440.   underdog
Two Rosses in a row were just taken. Only two picks before the Dodgers go.... tick... tick... tick...
2008-06-05 15:36:01
441.   Disabled List
What a bummer of a day to be slammed at work. I see the DT brigade approves of the Ethan Martin pick, which I'm glad to hear.

I sincerely hope that one day, we'll look back on this day as a fortuitous one in the history of L.A. sports.

2008-06-05 15:36:07
442.   Eric Enders
You know, enough teams are going to have to pay above slot in this draft to sign their guys that it's going to make it difficult for Selig to get his no-soup-for-you revenge against all of them. The BA live blog notes that the Astros appear to be the only team left that's determined to play along with Bud.

Somebody has to host the All-Star Game, after all.

2008-06-05 15:36:53
443.   bhsportsguy
I thought it was just the University of California period
2008-06-05 15:37:06
444.   natepurcell
441

It just wasn't a low ceiling college reliever.

2008-06-05 15:37:12
445.   underdog
Melville or Galloway, {repeat the mantra until it happens}
2008-06-05 15:37:40
446.   natepurcell
I dont think the twins are taking Galloway, when they took Hicks. He is ours if we want him.
2008-06-05 15:38:08
447.   fanerman
442 Somebody = Houston?
2008-06-05 15:38:11
448.   Eric Enders
Is Melville Logan's Great White Whale?
2008-06-05 15:38:56
449.   underdog
Joshua Lindblom out of Purdue.

Huh?!

2008-06-05 15:39:02
450.   natepurcell
448

Brett Wallace is the great white whale.

Show/Hide Comments 451-500
2008-06-05 15:39:25
451.   natepurcell
OMG WE TOOK A RELIEVER.
2008-06-05 15:39:37
452.   underdog
Sigh. Maybe Galloway can last til the third round?

What the heck is up with Melville...

2008-06-05 15:40:15
453.   Disabled List
Joshua Lindblom. College pitcher.

Please don't be a reliever, please don't be a reliever, please don't be a reliever...

2008-06-05 15:40:42
454.   underdog
Nate, know anything about him? I sure don't. A college reliever with our second pick, I am blown away... I guess that was supposedly the strength of this draft though.
2008-06-05 15:40:59
455.   Disabled List
451 ARGH.
2008-06-05 15:40:59
456.   Bob Timmermann
I've never to been to the University of California, Period.

What part of the state is that in?

2008-06-05 15:41:10
457.   Eric Enders
Sheesh... another college reliever.

Third time in four years that the Dodgers have picked a U. of Tennessee pitcher in the first two rounds. (Lindblom tranferred to Purdue from Tennessee.)

2008-06-05 15:41:13
458.   fanerman
So does this mean that Logan White jumped the whale?
2008-06-05 15:41:13
459.   Indiana Jon
PURDUE!!!!! NO!!!!!
2008-06-05 15:42:18
460.   underdog
Check this out:
http://draft.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/05/filling_in_the_blanks_josh_lin.html

>>
With a fastball that has been clocked up to 97 mph with some sink, Lindblom has the power arsenal you look for in a short reliever. His curve is inconsistent, but his splitter has the chance to be a plus pitch in the future. He's also got a changeup that can work against left-handed hitters. He's been up-and-down this season, sometimes being very hittable and sometimes being untouchable. But with his live arm and big-league body and stuff, someone is sure to bite fairly early on.<<

2008-06-05 15:42:56
461.   Eric Enders
Jamie Shields and Coco Crisp are going to be sent to sit in the corner for a few games, as they just had a bench-clearing incident in which Crisp charged the mound after being hit in the thigh.
2008-06-05 15:42:58
462.   natepurcell
This guy is HUGE. Logan just took a whale.
2008-06-05 15:43:09
463.   Bob Timmermann
I think trouble's a brewing in Boston.

"Coco Crisp is hit by a pitch"
"On-field delay."

2008-06-05 15:43:22
464.   Jon Weisman
Man, the wailing over picking a college reliever is a bit overwrought, isn't it?
2008-06-05 15:43:41
465.   underdog
Hey, only 26 picks before they go again. You never know who might still be there then.
2008-06-05 15:43:51
466.   Bob Timmermann
461
Rick Sutcliffe DEMANDED justice after last night's game. He wanted Crisp's head on a pikestaff.
2008-06-05 15:44:30
467.   underdog
464 - Just a bit. ;-)

Hey, I still like our James Adkins pick in the previous draft, though he didn't go quite as early.

2008-06-05 15:44:39
468.   Sac Town Dodger Fan
459 Classic reaction! That's how i feel about the Lakers in the Finals.
2008-06-05 15:45:01
469.   Underbruin
Lindbloom has a big arm (closed for Purdue, fastball up to 95/96). Sickels had him lasting until 71 in his mock at the end of may. Prospectus has him ranked as 37th best talent: http://www.baseball-analysis.com/article.php?articleid=7611

Ceiling of closer, could end up in mid-relief.

2008-06-05 15:46:42
470.   D4P
Instead of trading prospects for middle relievers, I guess we're now just cutting to the chase.
2008-06-05 15:49:06
471.   Eric Enders
Quite a few full-blown punches were thrown in this one. Shields swung first and took a huge swing, but Crisp ducked his head out of the way and then landed a weak punch to Shields' face. After that, it looked like Crisp got the heck beat out of him as he was gang-tackled and beaten by Dioner Navarro and Jonny Gomes, the latter of whom pummeled Crisp while he was on the ground.
2008-06-05 15:49:22
472.   KG16
If you figure that Saito doesn't have much time left, this makes sense... Lindbloom and/or Broxton out of the pen late might not be a bad thing.

Of course, I've not seen Lindbloom at all.

2008-06-05 15:49:23
473.   underdog
I haven't really liked any of the guys who have now gone after Lindblom, so, so far so good...
2008-06-05 15:50:04
474.   Jon Weisman
Tony Jackson has a signability update on Martin:

http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2008/06/ethan-martin-sa.html

2008-06-05 15:51:16
475.   Sac Town Dodger Fan
Rays fighting with the Yanks in Spring Training, now the Sox. They certainly are not afraid of anybody.
2008-06-05 15:52:05
476.   D4P
474
And the lineup. You know, for the major league squad.

Pierre. LF
Kemp. CF
Ethier. RF
Kent. 2B
Martin. C
Loney. 1B
DeWitt. 3B
Hu. SS
Billingsley. P

2008-06-05 15:52:32
477.   CanuckDodger
Like I thought, the Dodgers wanted to draft a set-up man for Broxton, for the post-Saito era. Fine, at least we didn't go college reliever in the first round. And this guy throws hard, so I like him a lot more than Adkins.
2008-06-05 15:53:45
478.   underdog
Lindblom looks good, I just watched the video on him.

Canuck, any chance Galloway lasts 'til the Dodgers pick next?

2008-06-05 15:54:24
479.   underdog
476 - That's a line-up that should be able to get something going. Should, on paper anyway.
2008-06-05 15:55:45
480.   ucladodger
Coco Crisp got exactly what he deserved in that beatdown. Total bush league play yesterday, he easily could have really hurt Iwamura. The only bad part is that i'm guessing Shields will miss at least 1 start and Crawford will get a few games. Just watching yesterday, the Sox are extremely unlikeable. Pedroia is a whiney little punk and now the thing with Coco.
2008-06-05 15:56:13
481.   Underbruin
471 - Speaking of old friend Dioner, anybody else impressed with the season he's had to date? Regression likely, of course (.364 BABIP), but he's hitting the ball very well, and he's still only 24.
2008-06-05 15:56:20
482.   Eric Enders
Should replay be allowed in baseball to figure out who gets ejected in a brawl, as is allowed in college basketball?
2008-06-05 15:56:40
483.   GMac In The 909
In case anyone wants to learn a little something about Lindblom (i.e. the history major was selected in the third round of the 2005 draft by the Astros):

http://tinyurl.com/4ofxpw

2008-06-05 15:57:14
484.   delias man
482 it is surely used for suspensions
2008-06-05 15:59:28
485.   Jon Weisman
481 - I have a post in mind re: Dioner, mainly because I'm so happy for him to be doing well after the personal trauma he's had in his life.
2008-06-05 16:00:01
486.   CanuckDodger
478 -- If Galloway hasn't been taken by now, I bet he is in the same shoes as Melville: he threw out a really big number for a signing bonus demand. He won't get picked now till teams start taking "insurance guys" who have fallen due to signability.
2008-06-05 16:00:44
487.   underdog
483 - And still more about him:
http://tinyurl.com/69nenp

>>The former Harrison standout struggled as a starter for coach Doug Schreiber's team, eventually moving to the bullpen and becoming the Boilermakers' closer. Without question, Lindblom has thrived in this role.

"You watch some of these closers in the Major Leagues and they're off the wall and crazy," Lindblom said. "You have to take that role over. It helps when the opposing hitter steps in the batter's box and thinks you're a little crazy.

"I'm kind of out there, a little goofy. I feel like, right now, I fit the role pretty well."

It's hard for the Boilermakers and the rest of the Big Ten Conference to disagree. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Lindblom leads the league in saves (11) and is tied for fourth nationally in the same category. He's also struck out 39 batters and walked nine in 352/3 innings, compiling a 3.28 ERA.<<

2008-06-05 16:00:49
488.   sporky
459 Heh.

Kevin Goldstein (BP) on Melville:

>>It's looking more and more like he'll be a Tar Heel. His mom sent an email to scouts a few days back saying he'd expect 10-15 money -- I guess that was enough to kill him.<<

2008-06-05 16:01:52
489.   Eric Enders
This is going to help Boston a lot more than Tampa Bay as far as suspensions go. Boston will lose Crisp -- who cares? The Rays will lose Shields, Gomes, Crawford, and possibly Iwamura and Navarro.
2008-06-05 16:02:51
490.   Bob Timmermann
The Gameday video link says "Tampa Bay-Boston Incident."
2008-06-05 16:03:37
491.   sporky
My expectations for the Cubs series: please, please just don't get swept. Sniffle.
2008-06-05 16:03:40
492.   Bob Timmermann
489
Don't they stagger suspensions so no more than one player is out at a time? Wasn't that what happened with the Dodgers after the l'affaire Kreuter in Chicago?
2008-06-05 16:03:52
493.   Jim Hitchcock
Has anybody out there ever read the 2 volumn set `The DiMaggio Albums'? A friend has offered to loan them to me.
2008-06-05 16:05:37
494.   Underbruin
487 - I think a significant portion of that ERA came in a game against Western Kentucky, if I remember correctly - something like 4 or 5 runs.
2008-06-05 16:05:55
495.   underdog
Only 5 picks away from the Dodgers 3rd pick...

And I'm done trying to guess.

2008-06-05 16:06:19
496.   Eric Enders
492 It's still going to help Boston, because Tampa Bay will be losing more players of quality, regardless of when. Even though the whole thing is Boston's fault.

The Kreuter suspensions were done so as to not have more than three players out at any given time.

2008-06-05 16:07:48
497.   sporky
496 The Kreuter suspensions were done so as to not have more than three players out at any given time.

... how many players were suspended?

2008-06-05 16:08:46
498.   JoeyP
Lindblom's got a great arm and should start maybe in AA or high A.

If he's put on the fast track, it's not a bad pick.

If you're going to take a college reliever this early, he better not be a developmental guy.

2008-06-05 16:09:00
499.   Underbruin
Woah.

Apparently steroid abuse claims in the NFL are taken a bit more... seriously than in the MLB.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3427526

"A convicted steroids dealer who recently met with NFL security officials and gave them names of players he said bought steroids from him has been found dead in his home."

"No snitchin'", so to speak.

2008-06-05 16:09:54
500.   Eric Enders
497 19 -- actually, 16 players and three coaches.
Show/Hide Comments 501-550
2008-06-05 16:11:38
501.   underdog
Dodgers take... outfielder Kyle Russell of Texas!
2008-06-05 16:11:49
502.   Eric Enders
Yeah! Kyle Russell!
2008-06-05 16:11:56
503.   JoeyP
College Outfielder!

Wow.

Maybe someone that might turn out to be better than Ruggiano.

2008-06-05 16:12:30
504.   Bob Timmermann
The most interesting part about the Crisp-Shields bout was that when Crisp ran out to the mound, he flipped his helmet off of his head. And Shields reciprocated by taking his cap off before engaging in fisticuffs.

However, Shields, practicing safe fighting, kept his glove on.

2008-06-05 16:12:52
505.   underdog
From last year on Russell:
http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2007/05/kyle_russell_co.php

He's got some pop. I like that pick.

2008-06-05 16:12:59
506.   Jacob Burch
Russell Martin is going to have a lot of Airplane! moments if this turns into a good draft for the dodgers.
2008-06-05 16:13:34
507.   JoeyP
Kyle Russel is 6'5 190'.
Sounds like a toolsy OF'er.
The big K zone scares me.
2008-06-05 16:13:36
508.   underdog
Wow, two guys from Cal Poly SLO were taken in the third round.
2008-06-05 16:13:59
509.   CanuckDodger
Hoy cow! JoeyP is needing to change is underwear right about now. The Adam Dunn of college outfielders.
2008-06-05 16:14:55
510.   JoeyP
Russell will be 22 on June 27th.
Looks like we're going to be re-stocking the Jax Suns pretty soon.
2008-06-05 16:15:05
511.   underdog
As I was saying, Russell has some pop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBiOpDn7W5U
2008-06-05 16:15:06
512.   Indiana Jon
509 Does he take walks like Dunn?
2008-06-05 16:15:16
513.   sporky
500 I wish I saw that one.
2008-06-05 16:17:14
514.   underdog
Doesn't he project to be a slightly better outfielder than Dunn, though?

506 ?? Did he pick the wrong week to quit sniffing glue?

2008-06-05 16:18:05
515.   Underbruin
Wow - Sickels had Russel going late in the 5th. Bit of a reach?
2008-06-05 16:18:41
516.   JoeyP
Looks way more athletic on his video than Dunn does.

Real tall, long lefty swing.

2008-06-05 16:18:48
517.   Indiana Jon
What number is our next pick?
2008-06-05 16:19:07
518.   Eric Stephen
514
I think 506 was going for the cockpit introductions.
2008-06-05 16:19:12
519.   Jacob Burch
503 A player seen in the Bos/TB incident and involved in the Dioner trade. The day feels complete and unified.
2008-06-05 16:19:17
520.   regfairfield
I'm really not enthusiastic about a guy who struggled to make contact in College.
2008-06-05 16:19:19
521.   Eric Enders
I've seen Russell play a lot, obviously. He is UT's career and single-season home run record holder. He's a pure hitter, a good batting average guy with plus power. He's an OK athlete. He might have the athleticism to stick in right field, but he may become a LF or a 1B. He was a draft-eligible sophomore last year, and was picked by the Cardinals in the fourth round, but turned down an $800,000 offer to come back to school.

He started off this season in a deep, deep slump, but really caught fire and was dominant during the latter part of the year.

He's a type of player I never would have thought the Dodgers would have interest in. Among Texas players, I was actually hoping we'd draft Jordan Danks, a toolsy center fielder who's sort of a poor man's Matt Kemp.

2008-06-05 16:19:41
522.   bhsportsguy
512 He walked 1/6 PA this year and he struck out about 1/4 PA.

But you are dealing with college pitchers so its hard to say he has good plate discipline.

BA had him as their 137th best pick.

2008-06-05 16:20:28
523.   Underbruin
506 - Theoretically you could have Russell Martin playing with Ethan Martin and Kyle Russell.
2008-06-05 16:20:56
524.   Underbruin
523 - Whoop, that was supposed to be at 514, sorry.
2008-06-05 16:21:49
525.   Gen3Blue
476 so I guess Kemp is not starting to serve tonight, and I am glad because I dont' think this is a big deal, No way it should be worse than a game apiece.
But, whatever, I like the long stretch of farm developed players in the line-up, even though they are not doing well at present. Believe me, when LaRoche gets added, and they lend their support to each other in terms of taking a few pitches, it is going to be a stressful event for any pitcher. I hope the organization has a mission in mind, and I can't believe they are blind to this plan!
2008-06-05 16:22:34
526.   regfairfield
522 And then you shift him to wood bats...

Yeah, really don't like this pick.

2008-06-05 16:22:34
527.   Disabled List
I see nothing wrong with a 3rd round flyer on a college-level slugger. This organization needs power hitters at every level. The closer to the bigs, the better.
2008-06-05 16:22:35
528.   Indiana Jon
523 We need to draft Martin Russell to make the circle complete.
2008-06-05 16:22:46
529.   JoeyP
He did lead the Cape Cod league in Ks.
64 in 126 Abs.

But, he can mash.

Here's a good article on him from baseball analysts:

http://tinyurl.com/6x9d8w

2008-06-05 16:22:55
530.   PDH5204
504 I'm just happy that Cereal Boy got pounded.
2008-06-05 16:23:33
531.   Bob Timmermann
Now Ellsbury's hurt in Boston. So old friend Drew has moved to CF and Youkilis is playing RF.
2008-06-05 16:25:14
532.   CanuckDodger
Dunn comparison: a lot of raw power with lofty strikeout totals. Scouts aren't sure that his swing and approach will work with wood bats. Don't know how much he walks. Not a pick I approve of, so we'll see how it works out. By the third round you are taking chances with guys anyway.
2008-06-05 16:26:03
533.   natepurcell
Kyle Russell is not a prototypical Logan White high draft pick.

Weird draft.

2008-06-05 16:26:12
534.   underdog
529 meet 505 -- and I'm fine with this pick, too. Worth a flyer. Don't like many of the other guys going around him. It's not a very Logan White-like pick, but they needed some power in the system.
2008-06-05 16:27:11
535.   silverwidow
Maybe Logan gets the 1st round and Tim Hallgren takes over...
2008-06-05 16:27:38
536.   Xeifrank
That's nice that MLB put little scouting videos together of every player. The videos could use a little editing work as half the pitches that the Dodgers player that they drafted from Texas he never swings at (bad pitches), and all but the remaining 2 or 3 he either swings and misses at or foul tips.
vr, Xei
2008-06-05 16:28:16
537.   Eric Enders
Just to get back to earth with the Adam Dunn comparisons, let's note that when Dunn was the age Russell is now, he was hitting .262/.371/.578 in the major leagues.
2008-06-05 16:29:08
538.   natepurcell
Off the wall Logan White draft.

1st round he selects a pitcher while has excellent raw stuff, isn't as polished as the typical prep pitchers he likes.

2nd round he takes a college reliever..and well..he's a college reliever.

3rd round he takes a massive slugger who can hardly make contact although when he does, it goes a long ways. His hitting draft picks in the first few rounds have all been high contact/line drive pure hitter types.

Is Hallgren really running this draft?

2008-06-05 16:29:09
539.   Underbruin
528 - Sounds like a plan, heh.
2008-06-05 16:30:20
540.   Eric Enders
Who was the last Texas Longhorn drafted by the Dodgers? I can't remember one since Kip Harkrider.
2008-06-05 16:30:28
541.   Underbruin
537 - But... But... They're both from Texas! :)
2008-06-05 16:32:56
542.   fanerman
White commented about Martin, so it seems like Martin has White's approval. Is someone from the Dodgers supposed to comment on every draft pick?
2008-06-05 16:33:47
543.   JoeyP
Royals take Melville.
2008-06-05 16:34:03
544.   Eric Enders
KC goes for Melville. They're going to need a huge signing budget this year.
2008-06-05 16:34:20
545.   GBruin
Nine years to the day since the Scissor Kick. Too bad Chan Ho pitched yesterday.
2008-06-05 16:34:52
546.   CanuckDodger
537 -- Nobody was suggesting he would turn out to be like Adam Dunn in the majors. He wouldn't haves lasted this long in the draft if anybody saw that as a possibility. As a college player, though, he combines lefty HR power with a lot of strikeouts.
2008-06-05 16:35:08
547.   underdog
I wonder if maybe we're pigeonholing Logan White as much as we (I) were doing with Billy Beane a little bit. And it's also important to remember that players get taken off draft boards before a team picks, so they have to go with who is next in line. I'm sure he liked Hicks, too, and may have grabbed him if he didn't go right before, but we don't know for sure, and at any rate it seems he really likes Martin. And the other guys seem worth a flyer given the strengths and weaknesses of the draft.
2008-06-05 16:35:13
548.   Bob Timmermann
According to Baseball-Reference, the last Longhorn drafted by the Dodgers was Justin Simmons in the 21st round in 2004.
2008-06-05 16:35:43
549.   Eric Enders
Maybe Danks will still be available when we pick in Round 4. He was, however, rated ahead of Russell on every draft list.
2008-06-05 16:36:22
550.   underdog
Melville = this year's Kyle Blair

Oooh, the Giants just took a UCLA guy - can they do that?

Show/Hide Comments 551-600
2008-06-05 16:36:22
551.   Eric Enders
548 That's right, I'd forgotten about that. I always wondered what the Dodgers saw in him.
2008-06-05 16:36:54
552.   Underbruin
Interesting gif from that Baseball Analysts article on Russell (comments section) comparing Russell's swing to Grady Sizemore (caveats apply in quality of pitching, as well as type of bat).
2008-06-05 16:37:15
553.   Bob Timmermann
551
I've now closed the gap in my knowledge of the MLB draft down to the size of a C-130 and just one sprawling suburban subdivision.
2008-06-05 16:37:28
554.   CanuckDodger
Frankly, if we are projecting an MLB result for Kyle Russell, I think "lefty Billy Ashley" hits the nail on the head.
2008-06-05 16:37:50
555.   JoeyP
Kyle Russell had ridiculous stats his Soph year.

24Hrs in 173 Abs.
.364/.465/.884

2008-06-05 16:38:36
556.   underdog
554 - Yikes.
2008-06-05 16:39:28
557.   regfairfield
554 Karim Garcia age 21:

.305/.361/.645 70K 262 AB.

2008-06-05 16:39:45
558.   regfairfield
557 That's in AAA.
2008-06-05 16:40:32
559.   Eric Enders
Billy Ashley's career -- remember, he was at least useful enough to set the Dodgers single-season record for pinch-hit HRs -- is probably an above-average outcome for a third-round pick.
2008-06-05 16:41:26
560.   Eric Enders
555 He led Division I in home runs while playing in an extreme pitcher's park.
2008-06-05 16:41:31
561.   JoeyP
Needless to say I have a new favorite draft pick to follow.

I'd have been excited if they took him in the 1st.

2008-06-05 16:41:47
562.   Bob Timmermann
The Giants last picked a Bruin when they took Paul Oseguera in the 10th round in 2006.
2008-06-05 16:42:07
563.   regfairfield
559 I thought that was Dave Hansen.
2008-06-05 16:42:12
564.   underdog
Betcha the Dodgers take a HS-er with the next pick, which is only a few away now...
2008-06-05 16:42:48
565.   CanuckDodger
The three guys we have picked were all born in June. I suspect astrology is determining our picks.:)
2008-06-05 16:43:12
566.   Jim Hitchcock
553 Little boxes on the hilltop, and their all made of ticky tack...
2008-06-05 16:43:37
567.   Eric Enders
563 Hansen broke Ashley's record. And set the MLB record. Which was then tied by John Vander Wal, after which I lose track.
2008-06-05 16:43:43
568.   Alex41592
Dodgers 4th round pick is next...
2008-06-05 16:43:46
569.   JoeyP
Dodgers are up!
2008-06-05 16:44:28
570.   Jim Hitchcock
566 They're...
2008-06-05 16:44:48
571.   JJ42
523 , 528
Didn't someone on DT say something about it being too bad that we couldn't field with 9 Russell Martins?
2008-06-05 16:45:25
572.   JoeyP
SS out of Seminole Cc...

Is that the same CC that Russ Martin went to?

2008-06-05 16:45:32
573.   underdog
Or they'll take a community college guy -- that was my next guess!

Devaris Strange-Gordon sounded familiar to me so I looked him up.

2008-06-05 16:46:13
574.   underdog
Son of Tom Gordon!
2008-06-05 16:46:29
575.   D4P
Devaris Strange-Gordon

Flash or Flash In the Pan...?

2008-06-05 16:46:44
576.   Eric Enders
Completely out of nowhere pick... Devaris Strange-Gordon, Tom Gordon's son. He's not listed among the top 115 draft prospects in the state of Florida.
2008-06-05 16:46:49
577.   JoeyP
Suprised White is staying away from HS pitching..I aint complaining ;)
2008-06-05 16:46:59
578.   scareduck
Re Kyle Russell, I saw him at Blair Field when he played Long Beach. The power is real and impressive considering the offense-deadening at sea-level (and often cold in the early season) Blair.
2008-06-05 16:47:00
579.   Disabled List
Wow, what's with all the college players?
2008-06-05 16:48:16
580.   underdog
http://tinyurl.com/6ebw4y
2008-06-05 16:49:09
581.   Indiana Jon
5'11" 150lbs? He's small.
2008-06-05 16:49:20
582.   regfairfield
He's skinnier than me, that can't be a good sign.
2008-06-05 16:49:24
583.   JoeyP
Maybe Gordon is this year's Preston Mattingly....

Reach pick...son of a big leaguer.

2008-06-05 16:49:36
584.   underdog
577 - You mean except for the first pick? ;-)

Okay, time for a meeting, then gone to a screening, will miss whatever mischievous picks the Dodgers make next as well as the Lakers game live and the Dodgers game, so... gulp... catch you all manana.

2008-06-05 16:49:48
585.   Eric Enders
581 That's the same thing people said about Flash when he was starting his career. 25 years ago.
2008-06-05 16:50:04
586.   NWdodger
White mentioned this draft was particularly weak in HS pitchers. He also mentioned that toolsy HS players in general a down this year. He sees this as an ongoing trend. Maybe they are planning on spending internationally this year.
2008-06-05 16:50:05
587.   Bob Timmermann
I never realized that Tom Gordon was trying to become the Sean Kemp of MLB.

But he came up a bit short.

2008-06-05 16:50:25
588.   underdog
I read somewhere that young Gordon is raw but also has high ceiling, projects to have many tools. Seems a risk but one with some upside.
2008-06-05 16:50:29
589.   Jon Weisman
582 - Them Martinez brothers were pretty skinny.
2008-06-05 16:50:39
590.   CanuckDodger
577 -- He picked a high school pitcher first, but no doubt your jubilation over Billy Ashley II has wiped that trauma from your memory.
2008-06-05 16:51:23
591.   JJ42
580 I just read that. Interesting background - seems like he grew up really fast and has a good work ethic.
2008-06-05 16:52:40
592.   regfairfield
589 I don't know what they were when they were signed, but Pedro and Ramon were listed at 170 and 187 at least.
2008-06-05 16:55:45
593.   NWdodger
Any bets on what round the Dodgers stop drafting at this year? Last year it was 39. I'm guessing 41 for no particular reason.
2008-06-05 16:56:26
594.   Eric Enders
According to a 2000 Tom Verducci SI article, Pedro weighed 137 and threw 82 mph when we signed him.
2008-06-05 16:57:13
595.   regfairfield
594 Showed me. Pedro didn't have to hit though.
2008-06-05 16:59:41
596.   regfairfield
Another bad sign:

Your search - "devaris strange-gordon" "scouting report" - did not match any documents.

2008-06-05 17:00:09
597.   bhsportsguy
Hey trainwreck, this is like football and basketball recruiting and signing day all in one.
2008-06-05 17:01:01
598.   Alex41592
Well that was funny. On ESPN Jamal Mashburn was caught getting makeup applied to his face. Whoops.
2008-06-05 17:01:41
599.   D4P
That's the same thing people said about Flash when he was starting his career. 25 years ago.

I saw Tom pitch for the Single-A Eugene Emeralds back in the day.

2008-06-05 17:01:53
600.   Eric Stephen
Youkilis and Ramirez just fought each other in the Boston dugout. Maybe their trying to fire up the Celts.
Show/Hide Comments 601-650
2008-06-05 17:02:52
601.   Eric Stephen
600
Wow. They're.
2008-06-05 17:03:09
602.   Eric Enders
The Indians pick Dave Roberts.

Didn't we have this coversation already, people? We have enough Dave Robertses already. We have the Red Sox stolen base guy, and the white guy who used to pitch for Houston, and the guy who writes great books about history and mountaineering. They're all too confusing. Please start focusing on the Sequoyah Stoneciphers of the world.

2008-06-05 17:06:21
603.   bhsportsguy
I miss the conference call picks.
2008-06-05 17:06:39
604.   trainwreck
597
Except I do not know any of these players.
2008-06-05 17:07:07
605.   Eric Enders
603 This is the one occasion on which I have ever, or could ever conceivably miss Tommy Lasorda.
2008-06-05 17:07:13
606.   bhsportsguy
590 He's still listing Martin as a 3B.
2008-06-05 17:07:24
607.   regfairfield
Are their any signability guys left?
2008-06-05 17:07:25
608.   natepurcell
I'm not really feeling this draft so far.
2008-06-05 17:07:48
609.   Jon Weisman
I'm gonna activate the game thread. Take cover!

5 ...

4 ...

3 ...

2008-06-05 17:07:48
610.   Bob Timmermann
There have been four Dave Roberts who have played in the majors and three of them have played for the Padres at some time.

The fourth guy was out of the majors in 1966.

There was lefty starter Dave Roberts,
Top draft pick Dave Roberts,
Speedster Dave Roberts.

2008-06-05 17:08:06
611.   bhsportsguy
605 I also miss those catalog numbers they used to give.
2008-06-05 17:08:43
612.   bhsportsguy
I was working, did Melville get picked or is he going to be a Tar Heel?
2008-06-05 17:09:02
613.   Jim Hitchcock
601 Sorry. You got that from me566 .
2008-06-05 17:11:16
614.   natepurcell
612

Royals selected him.

2008-06-05 17:20:47
615.   underdog
Dodgers picked: LSU draftee JonMichael Redding, RHP from Florida Community College at Jacksonville dominated Florida JUCO hitters in 2008. He started 17 games and had an 8-5 record, threw 124.2 innings, had 123 strike outs to just 29 walks, with a 2.02 ERA. He was among the national and state leaders in strike outs. He threw 5 complete games and also managed 2 saves in relief. He threw consistatly at 91-92 all season. He definetely established himself as one of the top Junior College pitchers in the nation this year.

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