I'm thinking there might be concerns over the strength of competition with a guy who played at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Just a hunch.

Assuming it was the Mustangs he played on, the competition he played against will be top notch. They play in the Big West Conference (Fullerton, Long Beach State, UCI), which is one of the best baseball conferences in the country (not as deep as some of the protypical power conferences, but there is talent there).

 

This is also typical, I always recall the Sox drafting heavily from the West Coast. Part of that is because more talent is there (West Coast/Texas/Florida) but the Sox tend to draft a lot from some smaller schools.

Considering these are all guys most people have never heard of.... I really hope scouts get fired if they dont turn out.

I'm not too upset they didn't. He's fallen this far, and there's a reason for that: he's nothing special. The Morel pick doesn't do much for me, but I'd rather they take a potential offensive player than pitcher at this stage.

Thats bulls***. Watch him play and tell me he's nothing special. People don't love him cause he doesn't excel at any one thing, but he's good at EVERYTHING. The guy is a tremendous value at this point in time (I've probably seen at least 10 Texas games solely to watch him).

 

His counterpart, Kyle Gibson, a lot more power, a lot more overhyped, and a very long/ugly swing.

So, we draft a 22 year old pitcher with our third selection....

 

Do I dare even guess where he's ranked overall?

a reliever

Andrew O'Neil.

 

"Penn State closer Drew O'Neil was one of the most dominating pitchers in the Big 10 Conference this spring, going 0-2, 1.88 with 11 saves in 26 appearances. O'Neil threw from an over-the-top arm slot when he arrived at Penn State, but he messed around with a sidearm delivery in a bullpen session early last spring, and the Nittany Lions decided to keep him there. O'Neil's fastball velocity is unusual for a sidearmer: he sits at 89-92 with boring, sinking action and touches 93-94. His slider can be effective against righthanded hitters when he stays behind it, which he has done more consistently as a junior. Sometimes he gets underneath it, causing it to flatten out and spin harmlessly across the zone. He has a changeup that he seldom throws, but he figures to rely on his fastball and slider in pro ball. O'Neil draws comparisons to Mets reliever Joe Smith, who was drafted in the third round out of Wright State in 2006, and O'Neil could be drafted as high as the third himself, but his upside is limited. He could move quickly in pro ball and reach the majors as a reliever."

 

College closer averaging a walk every two innings and just under a K/IP

he was the #2 prospect in a weak pennslyvannia draft class according to baseballamerica, but he didnt make their top 200 overall

 

Penn State closer Drew O'Neil was one of the most dominating pitchers in the Big 10 Conference this spring, going 0-2, 1.88 with 11 saves in 26 appearances. O'Neil threw from an over-the-top arm slot when he arrived at Penn State, but he messed around with a sidearm delivery in a bullpen session early last spring, and the Nittany Lions decided to keep him there. O'Neil's fastball velocity is unusual for a sidearmer: he sits at 89-92 with boring, sinking action and touches 93-94. His slider can be effective against righthanded hitters when he stays behind it, which he has done more consistently as a junior. Sometimes he gets underneath it, causing it to flatten out and spin harmlessly across the zone. He has a changeup that he seldom throws, but he figures to rely on his fastball and slider in pro ball. O'Neil draws comparisons to Mets reliever Joe Smith, who was drafted in the third round out of Wright State in 2006, and O'Neil could be drafted as high as the third himself, but his upside is limited. He could move quickly in pro ball and reach the majors as a reliever.

I think you're seeing a pretty clear indication that the Sox intend to make no strides with these picks and hope instead to sign some small time players for under slot value.

O'Neil has already had TJ surgery.

Thats bulls***. Watch him play and tell me he's nothing special. People don't love him cause he doesn't excel at any one thing, but he's good at EVERYTHING. The guy is a tremendous value at this point in time (I've probably seen at least 10 Texas games solely to watch him).

 

His counterpart, Kyle Gibson, a lot more power, a lot more overhyped, and a very long/ugly swing.

 

I've watched the same games you've probably watched on Fox sports, and I've never thought he was anything special. If it wasn't for his name, I doubt anyone on here would want a guy with the numbers he's put up. He was also terrible when playing for Team USA.

College closer averaging a walk every two innings and just under a K/IP

 

 

in the big 10...

That sound like Ehren Wassermann to anyone else?

Assuming it was the Mustangs he played on, the competition he played against will be top notch. They play in the Big West Conference (Fullerton, Long Beach State, UCI), which is one of the best baseball conferences in the country (not as deep as some of the protypical power conferences, but there is talent there).

 

This is also typical, I always recall the Sox drafting heavily from the West Coast. Part of that is because more talent is there (West Coast/Texas/Florida) but the Sox tend to draft a lot from some smaller schools.

Sorry Kal, I didn't see the other people respond to those posts.

I like the O'Neil pick....sounds like a righty specialist.

he was the #2 prospect in a weak pennslyvannia draft class according to baseballamerica, but he didnt make their top 200 overall

 

Sound a lot like Long from a previous draft.

 

 

 

College closer averaging a walk every two innings and just under a K/IP

I love the "upside is limited.....should rise fast" portion of the Baseball America scouting report.

The old draft motto of draft the cheapest most signable guy is alive and well with the NEW scouting department leadership.

I've watched the same games you've probably watched on Fox sports, and I've never thought he was anything special. If it wasn't for his name, I doubt anyone on here would want a guy with the numbers he's put up. He was also terrible when playing for Team USA.

I've seen him in person as well and his swing is fluid and he makes everything look easy. His defense is a major plus (and the arm a freaking "cannon").

Looks like our scouts are trying to amass the oldest minor league system in history. Nice.

I've seen him in person as well and his swing is fluid and he makes everything look easy. His defense is a major plus (and the arm a freaking "cannon").

 

Why has he fallen so much then (this isn't meant in a sarcastic asshole way)?

I like the O'Neil pick....sounds like a righty specialist.

I guess philosophies are different after the first couple rounds, but honestly, why even attempt to draft a specialist of any kind? I rather find pitchers, atleast this early in the draft, who have projectability -- and if later they become a specialist then fine.

 

 

I've seen him in person as well and his swing is fluid and he makes everything look easy. His defense is a major plus (and the arm a freaking "cannon").

Who are you talking about? Beckham or Morel?

Why has he fallen so much then (this isn't meant in a sarcastic asshole way)?

im wondering the same myself...especially because in baseball america top tools in the draft, he was listed as the best overall athlete for college guys

I guess philosophies are different after the first couple rounds, but honestly, why even attempt to draft a specialist of any kind? I rather find pitchers, atleast this early in the draft, who have projectability -- and if later they become a specialist then fine.

 

Maybe it's just because I have zero faith that the Sox can develop players in the minors right now? Hopefully Buddy Bell can change that.