I've been whining that draft picks, prospects and the like don't mean spit. I was wondering who was drafted ahead of Frank Thomas. Here is the 1989 top 10 picks.

 

1. Orioles Ben McDonald RHP Louisiana State University

2. Braves Tyler Houston C Las Vegas, NV

3. Mariners Roger Salkeld RHP Saugus, CA

4. Phillies Jeff Jackson OF Chicago, IL

5. Rangers Donald Harris OF Texas Tech

6. Cardinals Paul Coleman OF Frankston, TX

7. White Sox Frank Thomas 1B Auburn University

8. Cubs Earl Cunningham OF Lancaster, SC

9. Angels Kyle Abbot LHP Long Beach State University

10. Expos Charles Johnson C Fort Pierce, FL

 

Drop the farm clubs and invest the money in free agents.

But that was 10 years ago. There are so many more scouts, and technology available to make a betta read on players and their potential to make it in the big leagues. And they also know how to manage players betta in the lower levels which helps them make the transition to the big leagues. Only teams that hav high budgets can invest in free agency, small budget teams hav to put all their eggs in their farm club pretty much.

Here is 1999

 

1. Devil Rays Josh Hamilton OF Raleigh, NC

2. Marlins Josh Beckett RHP Spring, Texas

3. Tigers Eric Munson C University of Southern California

4. Diamondbacks Corey Myers SS Scottsdale, AZ

5. Twins B.J. Garbe OF Moses Lake, WA

6. Expos Josh Girdley LHP Jasper, Texas

7. Royals Kyle Snyder RHP University of North Carolina

8. Pirates Bobby Bradley RHP West Palm Beach, FL

9. Athletics Barry Zito LHP University of Southern California

10. Brewers Ben Sheets RHP N.E. Louisiana University

 

The sucess rate of top 10 picks still sucks.

Here is 1999

 

1.  Devil Rays  Josh Hamilton  OF  Raleigh, NC

2.  Marlins  Josh Beckett  RHP  Spring, Texas

3.  Tigers  Eric Munson  C  University of Southern California

4.  Diamondbacks  Corey Myers  SS  Scottsdale, AZ

5.  Twins  B.J. Garbe  OF  Moses Lake, WA

6.  Expos  Josh Girdley  LHP  Jasper, Texas

7.  Royals  Kyle Snyder  RHP  University of North Carolina

8.  Pirates  Bobby Bradley  RHP  West Palm Beach, FL

9.  Athletics  Barry Zito  LHP  University of Southern California

10.  Brewers  Ben Sheets  RHP  N.E. Louisiana University

 

The sucess rate of top 10 picks still sucks.

At least most of da pitchers on that list hav made it in the big leagues though. Hamilton really killed TB though.

if we drop the draft, we're signing about the 20th tier of free agent with our owner/budget.

 

Look at them line up to sign with the Sox this year.

But you have to look beyond the top ten picks. Buhrle was 38th, Piazza was way low in the draft, and there are countless other examples. It's true in football and baseball, when you draft, you have to make the best pick you can in EVERY round. There should be no wasted draft picks, which is what pissed me off when we selected Ron Shueler's daughter one year.

You have to work the draft hard if you are going to be successful consistently.

Again, read the topic "The R-Word"!

 

JR ain't spending money...get used to that! He's not selling either, get used to that too!

 

"Rebuilding" is the only way for the Sox. It sucks, but, that's the way it is.

 

as long as the suspect is prospects, there is a great note in the latest issue of Baseball America.

 

In 1986 the Twins top prospect was ... Billy Beane.

 

The Sox top prospect was ... Kenny Williams.

 

In fact, BA said the Kenny Williams could be a Kirk Gibson-level offensive player and that "no prospect in the game can match Williams' combination of strength and speed."

 

So if the Sox deal Maggs, we have the answer: Kenny Williams is going to play Kenny Williams in right field.

But you have to look beyond the top ten picks. Buhrle was 38th, Piazza was way low in the draft, and there are countless other examples. It's true in football and baseball, when you draft, you have to make the best pick you can in EVERY round. There should be no wasted draft picks, which is what pissed me off when we selected Ron Shueler's daughter one year.

You have to work the draft hard if you are going to be successful consistently.

which contributes to my point. You take dozens and dozens of prospects and hope 1 or 2 come out. Screw that. I'd give up prospects everytime for a mid season chance to win a division. Trade picks for players. I don't like any deal where we are giving up X and getting less than X in major leaguers and given prospects to make up for it.

Just remember that prospects not only help you on a major league level (By eventually becoming major league players), but also by helping you fill other areas of need via trade.

tyler houston #2 pick lol

That's baseball.

 

The Mick was taken in WAY late. Hell, he almost quit baseball.

 

Anything can happen whether you're 1st pick or 186th and thats just how the game is.

It's all about the players mind, if he wants to get better or be a stiff and do nothing. Most these players besides your upper 15 % of ball players. It's the players tenacity and will to get better which separates the othe 85 % (Eckstein)