In his Ask BA column yesterday, respected writer Jim Callis answered a question from a Phillies fan as to why they'd draft a CF/leadoff guy with their 1st round pick, seeing as the Phillies are deep in similar prospects.

 

His response was interesting:

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First, teams rarely draft for a specific need early in the draft. They usually take the best player available, which is why the Padres opted for Matt Bush at No. 1 after deciding he was the best value in that slot—even though another shortstop, Khalil Greene, is having a fine rookie season in San Diego. Almost every draftee is going to take at least three years to reach the majors, and it's impossible to know for sure what the strengths and weaknesses of the big league club and farm system will be at that point.

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I hadn't even considered the Matt Bush/Khalil Greene example in San Diego, and although Bush is a high school guy, Callis makes a valid point that most draftees take a fair amount of time to reach the majors.

 

Relating this to Josh Fields, and based on what the White Sox have said, they felt Fields was the best player available at #18.

 

The point being, and this is my personal opinion, I doubt the drafting of Fields means Sox management has soured on Crede.

 

I hope Fields gets signed, sets the minor leagues on fire, and is ready by 2006. Possible? Yes. Likely? No.

 

If it happens though, it's a good problem to have.

Absolutely agree with that. Its always a good thing to have too many good players than to not have them.

I thought Fields was already signed? No?

I thought Fields was already signed? No?

He isn't, but supposedly they talked before that draft to make sure he was signable.

This is exactly why the theory about the Sox management souring on Crede is a crock.