GagneCY03

Yes, Gagne was dominant. But it was for 82 innings a year. That's not enough production for me to use a first round pick on a guy. The marginal utility of a great closer over a serviceable one is less than a great position player over a good one. Plus, lots of great closers used to be starters (Gagne for example). There's no shortage of starting pitchers to convert to close. The only way I move a high draft pick to the pen is if he just cant get it done every 5th day.

I'm rooting hard for LaPorta to stay healthy and earn a first round selection. Looks like that ankle sprain isnt affecting his performance. But there's got to be a mistake on his stat line; it says he's been hit by pitch 14 times in 25 games. Can that be right?

I dont like the idea of taking closers early, much less in the first round. I dont care if you're getting a guy like, let's say, Eric Gagne. The simple fact is they're not going to contribute as much as a starting pitcher or hitter. Even in Gagne's 3 year run, he worked just over 80 innings each season. That's one inning in every other game. I just dont think you can justify taking a guy that early when he'll be playing so little.

The Price/Schmidt matchup wasnt quite the pitcher's duel I'd imagined it would be. Both pitchers gave up 5 runs on 6 hits with 4 walks and 8 strikeouts. Schmidt went 7 with 3 earned, while Price went 6 with 4 earned. Currently tied 7-7 in the 8th with Vandy closer Casey Weathers in to pitch.

Do you not see the Brewers taking the guys that fall due to their association with Boras?

Weaver and Hochevar fell because of Scott Boras. Brackman is a Boras client, so there's a possibility he falls. Price would only fall if he gets injured. I dont see him dropping out of the top 3. Wieters might fall a bit if teams arent sold on him staying behind the plate, though his bat is good enough to justify him being taken in the top 5 as a 1B. I hate to say it, but Michael Main would be right up the Brewers' alley...

The Brewers cant take Vitters; he has to fall to the Dodgers...http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

Blazer, is that pic an example of an upside-down takeaway? David Price with another complete game, except this one went 10 innings. Is Vandy's coach trying to blow out his arm?

Interesting how this thread went from Braun vs Maybin to Fielder vs Francouer. I guess I'll chime in. Francouer did very well last year at driving runs in, because he hit .320 with runners in scoring position. He also had Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones and Brian McCann hitting in front of him most of the time. His average in that situation is likely to decline, however, as pitchers exploit his over-aggressive nature and near inability to draw a walk. Fielder was considerably worse with RISP, though he also had lesser hitters in front of him. Given his patience and age, he's likely to improve. The problem with ignoring patience is you're ignoring one of the main components of scoring runs. You say you like to have batters who drive runs in, but it would be difficult for them to do that if there was no one on base. And when you have a guy getting on base less than 30% of the time, he's not helping the team. And this is only one year. I'd bet on Fielder's power numbers / RBI numbers to rise as Francouer's fall.

Interesting to see Price's ERA is the highest on their staff. Vanderbilt's closer, Casey Weathers, has been outstanding. His season line: 0.00 ERA, 18 K's, 3 Walks in 10.2 innings.

PGCC's "Who's Hot" feature is active and apparently Blake Beaven has started the season blazing. He's allowed 2 hits thus far, no earned runs and his strikeout to walk ration is 46:0. CJ, what do you think of him as a prospect? I see he sits 92-95 with his fastball and gets rave reviews for his slider. Given his size and downhill plane, I dont see much not to like about him. He could incorporate his lower half more in his delivery though.

I think Maybin was getting just a little too much hype pre-draft and, while he he's a great prospect, he's not head and shoulders ahead of Braun. I prefer Maybin, given his defensive position, but Braun certainly isnt simply a consolation prize. He's a legit bat (Though the hitch in his load worries me) with plus speed. He should be productive even as a LF.

It's generally easier to find defensive studs after the first few rounds of the draft. I'd take a great bat with questionable D over great D with a questionable bat, though.

Alright. I really hope he didnt hurt himself too seriously, considering how well he started this season.

CJ, you have any news on Matt LaPorta? I havent see him record any stats over the past few games. Is he hurt?

Brian Matusz rocks. 7 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 3 walks, 10 k's.

Awesome job on the PGCC site, CJ! Regarding McGeary, how high would he have to be drafted to forego his committment to Stanford?

Thanks for the info on Turner, CJ. Also nice to see the Dodgers move up a few spots in the supplemental first round.

CJ, I saw you over at the PG board and was wondering if you had read Shep's post about a kid named Chris Turner? Apparently he's an OF from the Tampa area and Shep was raving about his ability. Do you have any info on him?

Blazer25, I sent you a PM.

I watched the first 6 innings of the game (Just to see Price pitch) and I came away fairly impressed. Price wasnt blowing guys away like I expected (Until his final inning +) but he's very smooth and low effort to the plate. His breaking ball wasnt as good as I hoped, as it breaks pretty early and not a whole lot. It looked like he was using a cutter/2seamer as well which was keeping hitters off balance. Everything he threw had movement, but I was surprised at how Rice was consistently making contact. He finally started dominating in his last 1.2 innings and struck out 4 of the final 5 batters that he faced. The runs he gave up were due to errors committed behind him and a bit of wildness. Both of the first 2 runs scored on what should have been a double play, and that was after Pedro Alvarez suffered a brain fart and allowed Rice to load the bases instead of recording an out on a ball he fielded. My feeling is, had he not been facing the #1 team in the country, Price would have done much better but he didnt do all that bad. Joe Savery was alright. He drilled a hanging slider to lead off the second inning, but otherwise didnt look that great at the plate. He has an extreme closed stance, with his front foot near the plate and his back foot at the opposite end of the box. I wonder how much of the outside portion of the plate he can cover and how well he can turn on inside fastballs. He looked great at 1B. I'm anxious to see him pitch. Also, Brian Matusz will be pitching against USC tonight at 9 central and that game will be aired over the net for free at CSTV.com. I'll give a little writeup of his performance if no one minds. Turns out the SD/USC game wont be aired for free.

According to CSTV's website, the Rice/Vanderbilt game will the aired over the internet for free. The game starts at noon central time Friday.

Really looking forward to Price's debut. Just wish it was televised.

Handedness is a word, and I have a somewhat unfair preference for lefty hitters. Nice to see that there's some substance for the high grade, as he sounds like a 5 tool prospect.

Hey CJ, do you have any info on Angel Morales? He's an OF that attends the PR Baseball Academy and MLB's Scouting Bureau has ranked him as the best high school player available in the 2007 Draft.