Palehosefan

This is a draft that we can REALLY restock our system, we have 7 of the top 90 picks. I think we will see 1 OF, 1 Catcher, 1 3B, and 4 Pitchers, just my opinion.

They have us drafting Fields, Vargas, and Jaramillo in the first and suppltemental 1st. That would be AWESOME. Info on Vargas, supposedly we REALLY want him, I can see why. From BA. Vargas has been overshadowed at Long Beach State by Jered Weaver, the projected No. 1 pick, but has commanded plenty of interest himself. In fact, his velocity has often topped Weaver's. He has been clocked up to 95 mph, a vast improvement from 2003 at Cypress JC, where his fastball ranged from 86-90. Scouts said Vargas was always capable of throwing harder, but it didn't happen until he took extra measures to tone up his 6-foot, 215-pound frame. Also an accomplished hitter, he was used more in a DH role this spring to conserve his energy. He was hitting .368-5-32 while going 7-6, 4.25 with 81 strikeouts in 97 innings on the mound. Vargas, who spent his freshman year at Louisiana State, doesn't have an especially fast arm, and there are questions whether he profiles better as a reliever or starter because he lacks a dominant second pitch. But he's a lefthander with a mid-90s fastball, and that alone should make him a sandwich pick or high second-rounder.

I think it starts an hour from now. Very interesting, supposedly Josh Fields will be our first pick, and Jason Vargas, and Tyler Lumsden will also be our picks later on according to BA's new mock draft.

The Indians do like Sowers alot, it will be interesting to see if they pass on Niemann. Here's what they are saying the latest about the D-Rays speaking about Chris Nelson. "He's still considered the best high school position player available, but no longer the frontrunner to go No. 4 as Tampa Bay considers some college pitching." So it looks like we know a few picks already, 6. Indians Jeremy Sowers, 11. Pittsburgh Neil Walker, 13. Expos Richie Robnett This is gonna be interesting, nobody knows for sure who's going where, can't remember it this chaotic right before a draft in a long time. Slight injuries are dropping Niemann's stock, it will be interesting also to see how close he gets to the Sox. I have a feeling we will have a shot at either Verlander, Weaver, or Neimann. That would be tough to not take a chance on any of them.

A few rumors out there for other teams for anyone who cares. Apparently the Expos could have guaranteed Richie Robnett as the pick at 13, its again a reach by the Expos, but a guy that will sign easy and can get to the big leagues with a relatively low ceiling. Also, apparently the Mets are sold on Humber from Rice if he's there. I would ABSOLUTELY HATE to see the Indians get their hands on Niemann at #6, that would be terrible to face Sabathia, Davis, Lee, and Niemann all the time.

I would like to see them take a chance on Collin Mahoney as maybe a future closer in the 2nd or 3rd round. Although we aren't too fond of Clemson's last 100mph'er right now. This from BA. "A former catcher, Mahoney has embraced the move to the mound, even using the same adviser who represents the patron saint of catcher-to-pitcher conversions, Troy Percival. Mahoney showed raw power at the plate but hit just .239 in 184 college at-bats. The burly 6-foot-4, 240-pounder became a scouting sensation when he hit 100 mph several times this spring, making him the draft's hardest thrower and owner of an 80 fastball grade, at the top of the 20-80 scouting scale. Scouts also are impressed that Mahoney has an idea of the strike zone with his fastball and 86-87 mph slider. His lack of experience shows up most in fielding, holding runners and the nuances of setting up hitters."

As you can tell I'm kind of a fan of the draft. I'm hoping for BJ Syzmanski or Greg Golson with our first pick, but wouldn't be sad at all with Neil Walker or Josh Fields. Anyone else have anyone they have settled on that they are hoping for?

Great game, I guess the Lakers found out the Eastern Conference Finals wasn't bad offense. Rip Hamilton didn't even play well and they still won by double figures.

I"m hoping more for a car crash than released right now.

I wonder if they are excited about Hernandez, this is from BA last year when we drafted him. "Though he's just 5-foot-11, Hernandez throws harder (92-96 mph)" Thats a nice arm that I had no idea about.

I just can't cheer for Kobe, I don't see how anyone can. He's arrogant, stays away from his teammates off the floor, and who knows who the real Kobe is. "Kobe, Gary, and Fisher are better than Rasheed, Billups, and Hamilton" I have to disagree with that comment. Hamilton has become a star in the league and is one of the top 2 guards in the NBA. Sure Kobe is the best, but Rip has moved into the top 5 also. Rasheed is as talented as any player in the NBA, and if he actually takes the offense into his hands he can dominate. He has been almost too passive on the Pistons, he's become a great teammate, but they need his offense badly. Chauncey Billups has also turned into a nice player, he can score 25 on any night, but he dissapears sometimes still. I would say those players cancel each other out, it will come down to whether Shaq can be stopped inside. Ben Wallace can't do it alone, they are gonna need fouls from Okur, Wallace and Wallace, Elden Campbell, and even Darko. They have to hope Shaq shoots less than 50% from the line also. If I were the Pistons I would keep feeding whoever Shaq is quarding the ball and try to get him in foul trouble, otherwise, Shaq will dominate.

Speaking of the draft, it looks like the Padres are looking at Matt Bush as the #1 now. I wonder who it will be tomorrow? :-P This from mlb.com "Join us Monday for exclusive coverage of the 2004 First Year Player Draft. We'll have every pick of every round beginning at 12:50 p.m. ET." This page should allow you to listen to it, I hope its free because I'm gonna be listening. http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/radio/mlb_radio_index.jsp

If he would have bet his 5 on Smarty and Smarty won, he would have won about 5.20 lol. WOHOO. You always have to win more than you bet, but Smarty's odds were so good that you wouldn't win much over your bet. I usually go with somewhat longshots to make it worth my while whenever I make it out to a track sometime. Like if the horse is 35-1 or 40-1 then a 5 dollar bet would turn into around $200. 5 X 40 = 200 etc etc. You usually make a little more than the odds, so his horse was probably 35-1.

C. Olivo 1B. Mike Morse ;-) 2B. Pedro Lopez 3B. Micah Schurnstein SS. Robert Valido RF. Ryan Sweeney CF. Willie Harris LF. Brian Anderson Pitchers, Buehrle, Garland, Munoz, McCarthy, Fabio Castro Bullpen: Baj, Marte, Ryan Rodriguez, Diaz, Ryan Wing, Honel Yeah yeah its pretty much an all prospect team, its killing me to leave off Juan Uribe because I think this start isn't a big fluke. I also hated to leave off Jeremy Reed, I just couldn't find a place for him really. As you can tell, I also don't think Morse's season is a fluke. I think even with the not so great numbers, Rodriguez's stuff will eventually turn him into a solid reliever. I think Honel's curve will atleast let him be a reliever if his fastball can just stay at 90.

Thanks for the info on the 6th year thing, I was thinking 5 for some reason.

I don't think he's gonna be a Leifer type, Leifer seems to have struck out more than Larish does. But again, who knows with better pitching. I just like his walk to K total right now, and hope he can build on it. Also, on your signature quote, I think Olivo might get offended with talk of cork :-).

He's not the only one falling because of asking price, Verlander is also falling out of the top ten because he's asking for more than Mark Prior received. Would you guys take him if available and hope he comes to his senses? He has awesome stuff, and not so awesome control right now.

Isn't he going to be a 5th year free agent if not called up this year? He's personally my favorite player in the system, he's come a long long way since being drafted as a 17 year old that was completely in over his head.

He could definitely be a superstar. He has a 45 inch vertical and has great passing skills for a 6'6 wingman. He has a nice handle also, and his shooting is improving. His stock is soaring as much as anyone's in the draft. He would be a great pick at #3.

Yep, I'm hoping UNC keeps advancing so some of you can see them on tv. They won a squeaker today in tbe bottom of the ninth over Coastal Carolina I think. They have some good talent and 2 awesome freshmen in Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller, Gary Bakkar is a very solid pitcher that will be picked in the first 6 rounds also. But both Bard and Miller will likely be 1st round picks in a few years if they stay healthy, as could Nick Adenhart if he makes a nice recovery from TJ surgery a week ago. Marshall Hubbard could be another solid OF picked later on, he was 3rd team All America and had 15 rbi's and 79 rbi's I believe. They have been on a recruiting tear under Mike Fox, and had the best recruiting class in the nation 2 years ago and one of the best this year. Ok enough on my UNC rant, just hoping you guys get to see Iannetta play sometime.

I'm now hearing that the Bobcats are very interested in Ben Gordon, as he REALLY impressed them at a workout. Shaun Livingston basically told them not to draft him also, which they didn't like, because even after saying they weren't gonna draft a high schooler, they were gonna draft him anyways. This is gonna be a very interesting draft like I said. They also said Igoudala is the most athletic person in the draft, even over Josh Smith, thats a hell of a statement.

I don't know of many who penciled them in over Texas, Texas was the exact kind of team that would give UNC trouble, alot of size. Roy Williams knows a thing or two about defense, they will be just fine.

Good stuff Jason, I'm still hoping for Chris Iannetta in the 3rd round. He was just named one of the 3 finalist for the Johnny Bench award, along with Kurt Suzuki, and Landon Powell. Chris hit .342 with 15 homers and had 68 rbi's, while throwing out over 50% of runners. He was also 3rd team All-America this year. He's a good one. I would be all for Larish as the pick in the 2nd round, I like the walks to K total and the power numbers.

Josh Smith is falling in scouts eyes, just like JR Smith. Both have attitude concerns, and concerns over their work ethic.

Thats an oxymoron though, a sleeper that is overrated. Sure everyone picked them as a sleeper, but they did have the talent, just not used to it yet. It will be better this year, everything is in place.