And it’s on TV this year. Anyway, everyone expects that the Braves, picking 14th, will do what they normally do and take a southern high school pitcher. Generally, the three names you hear are:
Madison Bumgartner (North Carolina)
Josh Smoker (Georgia)
Blake Beavan (Texas)
I dunno. I think that the Braves might change up and take a position player again, at least if Bumgartner is off the board, as he probably will be.
The draft is on TV? Talk about 2 minutes of fame. Nobody will even remember most of these guys.
let’s get smokey
I wish we could get Heyward, but we won’t. I can dream, though.
Heyward would be nice but I don’t think he’ll be around.
Sickels likes Smoker, FWIW, and the Bravos love them some polished lefty arms.
I’m looking at mlb.com’s draft tracker and their Date of Births are way off. My brother graduates high school this year and he was born in ’88. Everyone in his class was born in either ’88 or ’89… mlb.com has some high school kids on there botn in 1993. That’s completely wrong.
I don’t know if Heyward or Bumgartner will be there, which sucks. But I kind of want Beavan, he’s huge, standing at 6’7″ and is being compared to the right-handed version of Randy Johnson because he’s intimidating and throws in the mid 90’s.
I like smoker too, it’s being said, at least by a couple of websites that I’ve read, that he’s one of the best left-handers in the draft.
By the way, i’m going to be live blogging the first round or so of the draft…no reason other than for shits and giggles.
Heyward is best case scenario, but I am not confident that they will get their chance. I am still not sold on Smoker–this is the best draft position the Braves have had in a decade and a half. I would hate to see them settle for somebody that they might get between 20-25.
One name to watch is Sean Doolittle–his stock is rising and you may remember that the Braves drafted him in the 39th round in 2004…
http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/draft/2007/notebooks/davidrawnsley/notebook_6607.aspx
Here’s a mock draft that has us getting Heyward, w/ Smoker and Bumgarner still available.
Name’s Bumgarner, not Bumgartner.
Thanks Spike–the MLB.Com draft had the Braves getting Michael Main….
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070607&content_id=2011187&vkey=draft2007&fext=.jsp
Thanks Tomm.
I just don’t see how they can go HS pitcher this year.
Stu can now celebrate..his guy went #1…but who didn’t see that coming?
Ladies and gentlemen, the sheer televised charisma of Mr. Bud Selig.
He’s like Bogart and Flynn rolled into one.
Didn’t Smoker’s velocity drop off considerably toward the end of his season? No, thanks.
Wow, LaPorta went early.
Two Vandy boys taken in the Top 8…and we’re sitting at home, watching Michigan in the Super-Regionals. I hate my life.
Heyward and all our other possible picks are all there….should be interesting…
Great Day for Vandy sports!!
Phillipe Aumont is still on the board after the top 10, I believe.
If the Giants could trade down or trade their picks for vets like Chris Woodward you know they would.
I really hope it’s not Heyward. I want a pitcher.
The XM guys are talking up Heyward to the Giants.
Steve Phillips is almost unbearable to listen to.
What I read about Smoker says left-hander who throws a 94 MPH fastball, great curveball and a splitter that’s “major league ready”.
Nope. Giants go Bumgarner.
There goes Bumgarner.
There goes Bumgarner…to the Giants.
It doesn’t sound like there’s a consistant report on Smoker. The one I read said low 90’s (lower than 94) with 3 developed secondary pitches and that he started sucking more towards the end of the year.
I know for a fact that his velocity dropped in his last couple starts. That’s not a good sign. Let’s look elsewhere.
I would be thrilled if we got Smoker with our Supplemental pick….but we should be able to do better with #14….
If his velocity is down, than you’re right, forget it.
Still, I am hoping for a pitcher regardless of Heyward’s availability.
But I trust the Braves’ scouts to make the right decision.
Two more picks people….
Wow there has been a huge run on pitching.
And there goes Aumont…
Man, I was hoping Aumont would make it to us.
Just two picks away…Heyward would be great,Beavan too…I’m with Stu and Stephen, i’d take Smoker with our supplemental pick.
Oops..double “two picks away” post…I thought I stopped the first one in time..oh well.
Sean Doolittle is still there if we want a bat.
Dominguez, the 3B that got mentioned here a few days ago is gone.
I would be happy with either Heyward or Beavan…
Is there anywhere to watch it or follow the progress online?
If we take Doolittle, I might riot.
Well we are one pick away and Heyward and Beavan are still around so we will get one of them.
Just out of curiousity, how is the OF we took last year doing? Last I saw, he was hitting under .200
Mlb.com has a draft tracker, AAR.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/06/07/draft.tracker/index.html
Try that link. It seems to be updated pretty fast.
Wikipedia is actually being updated really quickly. It’s all i could find that wasn’t video (I’m at work and can’t use it).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Major_League_Baseball_Draft
AAR – MLB.com has a draft tracker. I’m listening on XM since work has me blocked.
@42
He’s still sucking ass.
AAR,
MLB.com has a great stat tracker complete with live picks, scouting reports and scouting videos…
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2007/index.jsp
Braves are now on the clock!
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2007/draftcaster.jsp
That’s not video.
Beau Mills to the Injuns. So Heyward is there…
That pick last year was epically awful. he struck-out over 35% of his AB’s; hit .190 in the lowest level of the minors and was described by one scout as having a horribly flawed swing (we graded an “F” for that pick). it sounds as if someone fell in love with a big kid with a 4.4 forty time.
I’m using this one
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/draft/drafttracker
Well, looks like we have a bunch of choices now. BRAVES ON DA CLOCK.
Here we go. Heyward? Smoker? Someone else?
Heyward i hope.
If it’s Heyward, I’ll rejoice.
I say go for Heyward and cross the fingers that Smoker falls.
Beavin, Heyward, Main…all there. And Smoker.
What’s the problem with Sean Doolittle?
Funny how I am holding my breath hoping the Braves get Heyward when I really have no idea about any of these guys.
We’re going to get Jason Heyward. A lot of places had him going to the Marlins.
The guys at Baseball Prospectus blogging the draft said that Cleveland wants a pitcher.
Hooray!!!
Wow, I love Jim Callis and I love his work, but he’s scary looking on tv. I can’t get over it, sorry.
Okay, so this draft moves along much more like our fantasy drafts. You barely have time to comment.
The main problem with Doolittle is he isn’t that good. I’ve seen him compared to Dave Magadan. I’ll pass.
I want Heyward or Beavan…Smoker with our second…
The XM guys are calling Heyward an “obvious choice.”
Heyward….
Is Heyward a RF? I thought he was the guy everyone compared to Fred McGriff at 1B?
It’s Heyward.
I still wanted a pitcher….
Heyward!!! POWER GALORE!
30 seconds left on the clock
YES!
John Cody Johnson was awful in the GCL last year (184/ 260/ 281), so I’m guessing that he’ll be there again what their season begins in a couple of weeks.
And welcome to our newest Brave, Mr. Heyward! The mock-drafters had the right idea in that we’d take another local, but not Mr. Smoker.
Yyyaaaaaaay…
Braves pick HEYWARD WHOO
Yeah!!
Chatsworth HIGH SCHOOL had 2 kids picked in the first 12. Wow.
Noah,
He’s an outfielder and a first baseman.
Chatsworth had a scary left side of the infield apparently.
Heyward’s dad played basketball at Dartmouth and his uncle played basketball for Wooden, so he has some athleticism.
Hmm…ESPN’s Keith Law said he may stay in centerfield.
I’m elated. Unlike last year, when I was confused. Now, let’s pile on the pitching from here on out.
Maybe Smoker falls to #33 (the Braves next pick) and they still get him. Who knows?
Heyward that is…he also said he may move to right…
smoker might fall that low, although watch the white sox at 23. This was the correct pick for the Braves.
Hey, as long as we keep getting the best players that other teams inexplicably pass up, I’ll be pleased as punch. Especially when they’re Georgia boys like Heyward and (crossing fingers) Smoker.
Or 1st
Heyward! Let’s hope Smoker is available in the supplemental round. It seems like the Braves got the guy they wanted. Hopefully he turns out the way they project him.
Lets get the kid signed and have him replace Thorman now.
Kidding.
smoker might fall to 33, but watch the White Sox at 23(?)
It would be great if we could get Smoker with the next pick; I am agree with Stu–let collect some arms….
Beaven’s still on the board too… so are Harvey and Griffith… (and Porcello, but he’s represented by Dark Lord Boras).
Let also keep an eye on Main and Tim Alderson…
I think Harvey is also represented by the Dark Lord as well….
BP’s Kevin Goldstein & Bryan Smith on the pick:
“Kevin Goldstein (12:37:54 PM PST): Braves love tools, Braves love guys from the local East Cobb program, Braves love Heyward. They wanted him all along, they just didn’t think he’d be there. Great pick, and he’ll outperform some of the high school bats that went ahead of him.
BSmith (12:38:37 PM PST): It appears Heyward was Plan B for a lot of teams, which was great for the Braves, who got their guy at 14. No surprise from Georgia, but this isn’t merely a local pick, this is a really good move by the Braves. I like Heyward’s potential a little more than LaPorta and Mills, and his plate discipline doesn’t mean his bust potential is as high as a lot of prep players.”
John Sickels had Heyward as his #2 hitting prospect: http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2007/6/6/135952/1339
I bet Texas takes Beavan right here…local kid.
Thanks Jeremy. Sickels liked him a great deal as well:
Georgia high school outfielder Jason Heyward is, for me at least, one of the most intriguing players in the draft. A lefthanded hitter with plus power potential, he’s got solid tools all around…his worst tools are speed and arm strength, where he ranks as average. He has tons of power, and he has unusually good strike zone judgment for a high school hitter. He looks great to me on video, and I haven’t heard anything negative about his makeup or work ethic. And he’s one of the younger players available, not turning 18 until early August.
He’s definitely a top ten prospect, but here’s the thing about Heyward that really intrigues me. When I look over his scouting reports, and watch the video, and talk with people, I like him better all the time. In fact, I like him better than I like Vitters or Moustakas at this point. I think he’s the best high school position player in the draft.
Jay10–I think that you are right–here goes Beavan…
Wow, thanks Stephen…that is very encouraging!
I’ve been reading Sickels, and his enthusiasm on Heyward is definitely infectious. I know that I shouldn’t get TOO excited about a 17-year old high school hitting prospect, but this guy sounds like the real deal.
Thanks Jeremy. Sickels liked him as well–here is the corrected version:
“Georgia high school outfielder Jason Heyward is, for me at least, one of the most intriguing players in the draft. A lefthanded hitter with plus power potential, he’s got solid tools all around…his worst tools are speed and arm strength, where he ranks as average. He has tons of power, and he has unusually good strike zone judgment for a high school hitter. He looks great to me on video, and I haven’t heard anything negative about his makeup or work ethic. And he’s one of the younger players available, not turning 18 until early August.
He’s definitely a top ten prospect, but here’s the thing about Heyward that really intrigues me. When I look over his scouting reports, and watch the video, and talk with people, I like him better all the time. In fact, I like him better than I like Vitters or Moustakas at this point. I think he’s the best high school position player in the draft.”
I don’t wanna get too excited, either, AAR, but I project him as the all-time homerun leader by the end of his Major League career.
I predict he’s going to be so good that they’ll melt down statues of Hank Aaron across the nation to build one super Heyward statue. All before he turns 25.
Much like Chuck Norris…I hear he can cure cancer with his tears…too bad he’s never cried.
How much of this is being covered on ESPN2?
Wow, Kozma already picked. That surprises me.
I heard that Jason Heyward took a trip to West Germany on his first birthday. Germany reunified less than two months later.
He will even make us forget Brian McCann….
David15,
I’m pretty sure they are covering the first round and then the supplemental round, after that I think it’s only available on MLB.com.
I hope Jason Heyward is in damn HIGH SCHOOL CALC CLASS right now reading this on the classroom computer laughing his ass off.
Brian who???
Kidding.
Jason Heyward lost his virginity before his dad did.
105 – ESPN2 is going to have the draft until 6 p.m.
At least that’s what my cable system was showing earlier.
Hahahahaha
Jason Heyward counted to infiniti…twice.
I predict Heyward will be so good that Delta will dump Jeff Francoeur and go with him (uh, what’s his first name by the way)? Gee, I can’t wait to see him contributing in 2011.
That’s right, Marc—the future doesn’t matter!
His first name is from here on, Chuck “Donkey Punchin’, Infinity Countin’, Shit Kickin'” Heyward. The Chuck is for Norris obviously (It’s really Jason).
Hey, why are we nicknaming Jason Heyward after Chuck Norris? Chuck Norris named his first three children after Jason Heyward.
thanks, Jay. I’d like to keep watching until the point where nobody on set has any idea who the kids being picked are.
Crop circles are Jason Heyward’s way of telling the world that, sometimes, corn just needs to lie the heck down.
Chuck Norris wears Jason Heyward pajamas to bed.
I just fixed Heyward’s wikipedia page. I wonder how long it’ll stay.
Jason Heyward is a future outfielder or first-baseman for the Atlanta Braves. He played baseball in high school for Henry County High School in McDonough, Georgia. He was selected 14th overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. He also lists his heroes as Chuck Norris, Mac Thomason, and God. It is rumored that in 6th Grade Math Class, Jason counted to infinity. Twice.
Josh,
Niiice!
Wow, our first round selection is graduating from my old school. Awesome.
Stu,
why u not online?
“Javier Lopez, former catcher from the Braves”…hmm, could sworn it was Javy.
Tim Alderson to the Giants….
What’s with all these high school players wearing those ridiculous flat bills?
Haven’t heard Smoker’s name being mentioned. He may very well be there in the supplemental round.
No word on Andrew Brackman either.
Brackman’s stock was falling before the draft–I am also waiting on Main, whom I would take over Smoker….
Brackman still throws almost 100 mph and there just aren’t many guys who do that.
Nick Schmidt to the Pads…
Dix,
I’m at work. Heh.
The Porcello guy who the XM people are calling the best high school pitcher is still on the board.
Yeah, I say we draft Porcello and just make a great offer. If the Yanks or Sox don’t do it before us, anyway.
Three goes Main….to Texas
What number in the draft are we up to now?
Lando,
We are at #25 right now…The Chicago White Sox are on the clock.
25
Wow. Texas has done very well with Beavan and Main. They need arms like those.
So we still have a shot a smoker?
Matt Harvey is another pticher I would love to have, he’s one of the best in the draft but his stock is falling because he’s a Boras guy.
And yes, Smoker looks like it’s a real possibility at this point.
I think the Yanks will take either Porcello or Harvey and Smoker looks increasingly available. Given Smoker’s last month he may fall to the Braves or further….
Smoker and Mike Gonzalez could just trade elbow ligaments.
Porcello to the Tigers.
Well, Porcello’s finally off the board.
Damn – ther went Porcello
Detroit just keeps collecting arms….pretty scary
All together now…
Man, watching his scouting video, Porcello has such an easy delivery for someone who throws so hard. Very nice.
At least he went to the AL….come on Smokey!
Here’s a question: if you can’t trade MLB picks, how can the Texas Rangers have the #17 and #24 picks of the first round?
I know there are supplemental picks for losing free agents, but I thought those came at the end of the round.
Anyone?
According to MLB.com, the Rangers’ #17 pick is “from Astros for type A Lee”, and their #24 pick is “from Angels for type A Matthews.”
Lucky dogs.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Yanks select Harvey….
They got the 17th pick from the Astros for Carlos Lee, and the 24th pick from the Angels for Mathews. They lost their 16th pick to the Blue Jays for Catalanatto of all people. The rules for A, B, and C types are kind of complicated as to who gets what, so I’d advise just looking it up cause I don’t know it off the top of my head by any means.
For the A guys, you get the first round pick of team that signs your free agent if they pick in the bottom half of the round, or their second rounder if not. You also get a sandwich pick at the end of the first round.
Someone edited my Wiki on Heyward so the thing about infinity is gone, but they left the thing about Norris and Mac being his heroes.
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/draft/drafttracker
This tracker lists all the picks and how thewy were obtained
A Fairley good selection for the Giants.
Okay, I see. Thanks.
But now my question is, which pick did the Nats get for losing Alfonso Soriano to the Cubs? Surely, he would be a Type A. And then they would have had their own pick for A) being so crappy and B) not signing anyone of note.
This is the first time I’ve followed the MLB draft. It’s a strange creature.
Stu, thanks bud. That clears things considerably.
Thanks to AAR and JoshTTM too. Good stuff.
It’s on that page. They got pick 67 for Soriano, probably because the Cubs were in the top half of the first round.
Cary, the Nats gets the 31st pick, the first pick of the supplemental round. Since the Cubs were awful, their first-round pick was protected.
Two more picks til the Braves at 33, and Smoker is still out there.
oh, and 31 as the sandwich pick.
They got the 1st pick in the supplemental. The cubs pick was too high to lose
Yankees select Brackman…
The Nats get the first supplemental pick (#31 overall) and the Cubs’ second-rounder (the third in that round, and #67 overall). Because the Cubs are in the top half of the first round, their first-rounder is protected.
Check this out:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2007/index.jsp?content=order
After the supplemental pick at 33, the Braves pick at 78, 108, 138, etc. on to 1518 (50th round).
It’s the same thing with the braves and orioles for Baez.
Most don’t think it will go past 40 rounds this year, what with the end of the Draft-and-Follow regime.
Yep, it’s important to keep that aspect of the Betemit trade in mind, Ethan. We got a couple picks out of it.
Let’s take Garvey, Smoker, or another HS picther.
Spike, thanks also for the CBS Sportsline draft tracker link. It’s helpful to see the free agents listed by the compensation picks.
So our upcoming pick (#33 overall) was acquired for losing Danys Baez to the Orioles. Ha!
so whats going on? is there a break between rounds 1 and the supplemental picks?
Yeah–does anybody out there know how long is the break between rounds?
Apparently so…they’re doing recaps on XM.
Avery,
Yeah, right now they are pretty much recapping the first round and interviewing GM’s.
Two minutes before they start the next round (it’s 5:05″
Mark Bowman did a quick article on Jason Heyward….
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070607&content_id=2011338&vkey=draft2007&fext=.jsp
It’s now 5:10…so apparently, they’ve started back up. But I don’t hear any picks.
I think the Rangers might’ve had the best first round….Beavan AND Main…jeez.
Noah,
ESPN is still recapping. And no one is on the clock yet.
The Natspos just took Smoker.
Well, when you get two picks, it’s pretty tough not to have one of the better first rounds.
Good—I wanted no part of him.
Who is the other pitcher we’ve been tracking? Harvey?
Hmm, so who do we hope for now?
Going all the way back up near the top of the thread…
Stu,
How is it again that you know “for a fact” that Jeff Smoker’s velocity tailed off in his final two starts? Just curious on that one.
Damn, do we need ANOTHER recap? This is the third one in about five minutes.
Noah,
Oh damn..I guess they did start..well thanks for updating, because ESPN is still talking about Boras and so is mlb.tv
Why do we not want smoker? I’d take Harvey, of course, but it sucks to have to negotiate with Boras, who has a way of making M&Ms look like razorblades.
Crap…I’ve gotta roll.
Thanks for keeping me company folks. Have a good evening.
anyone know anything abt this Gilmore guy?
Any relation to Happy?
Yeah Noah,
Harvey is very very good…should’ve been a top 15 pick or better but Boras has teams afraid to take him. I hope we take him.
WE just took a third baseman…woah! Jonathan Gilmore.
Um…Gilmore…who?
hoboken,
Read it several places. I know Keith Law mentioned it.
Hadn’t heard anything at all. I’m shocked we didn’t take pitching.
Down goes frazier!
I guess we’re planning on having Smoltz for another 5 years
Player Name: Jon Gilmore
Position: Third base
School: City High School, Iowa City
School Type: High School
Academic Class: Senior
Birthdate: 08/23/88
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Hitting Ability: Gilmore showed a better approach at the plate during this showcase than he had in the past. He adjusted well to offspeed stuff and showed good extension through the zone.
Power: Gilmore has projectable raw power.
Running Speed: He’s a below-average runner.
Arm Strength: Gilmore’s arm seemed tired or labored during the showcase.
Fielding: Gilmore was a little slow defensively with an almost casual approach.
Range: The lack of quickness showed and his range was limited.
Physical Description: Gilmore has an Aaron Boone-body type and has changed physically in the past year, looking stronger now.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: Offensive potential, with power and overall hitting ability projection.
Weaknesses: His defensive game is behind his bat and was lackluster with the glove at this showcase.
Summary: Gilmore improved at the plate tremendously in his senior season. The infielder has good raw power and showed a better overall approach in his offensive game. His defense isn’t as sharp, but he will be drafted because of his bat potential.
Well, Gilmore was a Baseball America First Team All-American this year, as a shortsop. He’s from Iowa City, Iowa.
http://www.baseballnews.com/allamericans/currenthsallamericans.htm
Well done, Jay10. Thank you.
The scouting report suggests his feet are slow and his defense is terrible (I’m reading the one Jay posted, without citation, from mlb.com), so I’m not sure how he was considered a shortstop. But I like the “power potential” part.
Thanks Jay10. Last year the Braves were successful in getting lots of good arms (Locke, Rasmus, Rogers and Evarts) and they have already signed Cole Rohrbaugh (one of the best JCs available) so it seems like position players are key this year.
No problem.
Jay,
Be sure to cite the source when you post something that long.
Meanwhile, Curt Schilling has a no-no through seven…
Heyward doesn’t seem to stride much during his swing. Scouting videos are available on the MLB draftcaster.
would be perfect but for a Lugo error
schilling is through 8
Stu,
Oh ok…well I got it from MLB.com and their full scouting report thing.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2007/draftcaster.jsp
I guess it’s lucky I started schilling this week for my team, huh? Come on you fat bastard.
Heyward is a great, great pickup for the Braves. couldn’t be more thrilled that he fell to us. He of course could end up not panning out, but is exactly the type of risk we needed to take. Wuhoo!
Try and bunt Kendall, I would love that. It would piss Schilling off everyday the rest of his life.
and then he loses the no-no with 2 outs in the ninth. goddamn shannon stewart.
Ha. Shannon Stewart.
Haaha Shannon Stewart !!!
Well that’s unfortunate, couldn’t have happened to a bigger douche, I mean nicer guy. I hope he loses the game now.
Great Ben Davis reference, jj3bagger.
It would’ve been better had Mark Ellis gone deep in the next AB. But oh well. Screw Curt Schilling.
Sorry about your fantasy team, Kyle, but I’m with Adam on this one. I still hope the Sox win the game, though, because they need to win the division this year.
Wow, no Harvey, no Russell. What an um, coincidence.