Bryan Hoch recently spoke with Damon Oppenheimer regarding the 2009 draft. First, he talks about their new budget:
“We’ve been given a budget by ownership this year, and we’re going to work within that budget. We have parameters that we’re going to use. You have to be a little more cautious and you have to pay attention to certain players’ wishes and needs. It might not be what we value that player as. If some of these guys are going to hold true to what they’re looking for, you’re going to see a few more kids roll into college this year.”
We’ve heard this news before. I feel that this is less about a lack of money and more about agents taking advantage of the Yankees. Guys who never were really planning on going to college like Brett Marshall were demanding more money than their standard slot bonus, because the Yankees had an infinite budget. Oppenheimer can now tell an agent, “I have a budget. Take your 100,000 dollars” and be in a better negotiating position.
Hoch also gathers more speculation on 1st round picks:
The Yankees could highlight an athletic outfield prospect like California’s Brett Jackson on their Draft board, and there has been talk about Southern California shortstop Grant Green and Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez. One wonders how flexible the idea of a Draft budget is for the Yankees, who shelled out $423.5 million to lock up Sabathia, Teixeira and Burnett without much of a second thought.
Tony Sanchez’s name has been tossed around before. He’s a defense-first catcher who has some, if modest, hitting skills. I wouldn’t be too happy with him at 29th overall. Brett Jackson would be an interesting pick. He had a strong year for the University of California and is toolsy, but he strikes out a ton.
I don’t think that Grant Green will be available at #29, but he could be a great pick up if falls to the Yankees. Green is a good shortstop who can hit pretty well, and should move fast through the majors. “Derek Jeter replacement” might as well be written on his forehead. He led the USC team this year, and could theoretically be very close to the majors in time for Jeter’s contract to run out if signed quickly.
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10 Responses to Bryan Hoch: More 1st Round Possibilties
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TIQ IQ
The MLB draft is so different than the other drafts. In the NBA, you can make a short list for each club, maybe 3 or 4 names, from which their pick will come. In baseball, that list is more like 10-15 names.
MLB.com has their mock draft up, and have the Yankees taking Jackson.
From what I’ve read I think I’d prefer to have Healthcott over Jackson. But again I’ve never seen either player. Toolsy outfielders are just so hard to predict, but then again the odds of them making it can’t be worse than a pitcher getting hurt. The K’s just scare me with Jackson.
Haven’t heard Purke’s name much since Oppenheimer mentioned a strict budget. Perhaps the lack of compensation available for this pick hurts any chance at grabbing one of the best lefties who is likely to fall.
Sanchez is an interesting pick, everyone raves about his defense but I can’t get a read on his bat. The power appears to be there, but how will it be with wood? Has he played out on the cape before? Only person I’ve heard that believes his bat will def develop is his uncle over at the lohud page.
Green would be a steal at #29, despite the doubts that he can stay at short. I mean can he really be worse than Jeter was the past few years? (aware that Jeter has improved some this year)
It all depends on what “budget” means. They were prepared to go overslot for Cole and went overslot for at least ten guys (including guys like Turley and Lassiter where they went way overslot). So if DO gets a budget like he had last year with Cole’s offer included, that may still be enough to get a lot done, maybe even a guy like Purke.
True, but that was before the economy tanked, and before they spent huge sums on Burnett, Sabathia, and Teixeira. I agree the budget will likely be sizable, but to assume that they will be willing to go way overslot like they were willing to last year could potentially leave you disappointed. I’m hoping they spend big as well, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they didn’t.
I guess this would put the kibosh on picking Scheppers if he slips, esp b/c they lose this pick completely this year if they don’t get a signee – no compensation
Scheppers is not in a great position to make huge contract demands or walk away. He’s already playing in the independent leagues. I can’t remember the last prospect to play two years in independent ball. He might even have to head to Japan for real playing time and training.
He’s dropping due to injury concerns, I think.
Brett Jackson in Sophomore year (2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz5BwZrodRM
Nice stuff. You can definitely tell that he is very quick based on those videos. He motors around on a few triples.
09 video on Bret jackson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK_uIJTr8LI