Every year over at Minor League Ball, John Sickels recruits his dedicated readers to serve as scouting directors for each of the 30 MLB clubs, and he hosts a mock draft the weekend before the actual draft. Two years ago I acted as the Yanks’ scouting director, taking Andrew Brackman in the first round just like Damon Oppenheimer & Co. did a few days later. I’m not normally one to toot my own horn, but I want to point out that my fourth rounder, Rick Hague (presently at Rice), is looking like a late first/early second rounder for the 2010 Draft. So yeah, I rock.
I didn’t take part in the mock draft last year because of the time commitment, instead opting to review the draft after the fact and making my picks then. I somehow ended up taking high school pitchers from Kentucky with my first three picks, not exactly conventional. But that’s besides the point, the important thing is that doing the mock draft that way was much easier for me, albeit not as fun.
I’m not sure why, but the mock draft only ran three rounds this year (it’s been five rounds in the past), so the Yanks only got to make two picks. The Yanks’ scouting director didn’t show up, so Sickels picked for them. Here are my picks vs. his.
Round 1, Pick 29
Actual Pick: Matt Hobgood, RHP, California HS
Mike’s Pick: Hobgood
All of the guys that we’ve heard may fall because of signability – Matt Purke, Donavan Tate, Tanner Scheppers – were off the board, but Hobgood was still too good to pass up. I also considered guys like Slade Heathcott and Reymond Fuentes, but Hobgood is a legit first rounder with a premium power arm and big, durable frame. You can see his scouting video here. Not much to add, love the pick.
The Yanks don’t have a sandwich round selection, but you can see the picks here.
Round 2, Pick 76
Actual Pick: Jake Barrett, RHP, Arizona HS
Mike’s Pick: Brooks Raley, LHP, Texas A&M
The guy I really wanted to take, California prep outfielder Jake Marisnick, went to the Phillies one pick before the Yanks, a great pick for them. Raley is a nice consolation prize though, a draft eligible sophomore with quite a bit of projection remaining in his 6′-3″, 185 lb frame. A two way star, he’s better on the mound than in the outfield thanks to his high-80’s fastball and low-80’s curve that he commands exceptionally well. His changeup is a work in progress. Given his athleticism and wiry frame, it’s easy to envision him filling out and adding another four of five miles an hour to his heat, which combined with his command would take him from a very good to an elite southpaw prospect.
Barrett would have made a fine pick as well – big righty with a heavy fastball and a tight curve that he can drop for strikes – but I just prefer Raley’s arm from the left side. You can see Raley’s scouting video here, and Barrett’s here.
The Yanks don’t have a third round pick because of the AJ Burnett signing, but you can see the picks here.
So yeah, having just two picks is kinda lame, but it’s still fun to put yourself in the Yanks’ shoes.
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