Tomorrow is the MLB draft.... I know it obviously doesnt receive as much exposure as the NFL and NBA drafts (even NHL for that matter), but it is definitely critical on how a team sets a foundation for the long-term future...
The Dbacks select 15th over-all in Round 1 and they must select either a LH or RH college starting pitcher who could possibly be ready to make the jump into the Majors w/in 2-years.....They've done well over the past couple of years in selecting position players.....
Here's Steve Gilbert's draft preview and I definitely agree with him:
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/n...t2004&fext=.jsp
Diamondbacks draft preview
With no urgent needs, will take best available player
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com
"We feel like we are deep up and down the system," scouting director Mike Rizzo said.
Complete Draft coverage >
Last year, the Diamondbacks wanted to improve their position player depth, particularly at the corner infield and outfield positions. With that in mind, they selected college outfielders Conor Jackson (19th) and Carlos Quentin (29th) in the first round. They followed that up by picking college third baseman Jamie D'Antona with their third pick.
Quentin had Tommy John surgery after the draft, a condition the club knew about when they drafted him, but both Jackson and D'Antona were both standouts in their first years. Jackson was named the Northwest League's Most Valuable Player and D'Antona tied for the NWL lead in home runs.
While there are no urgent needs that need to be filled in the system, there is one place the club will focus a little attention on.
Past five No. 1 picks Year Player 2003 Conor Jackson, 3B 2002 Sergio Santos, SS 2001 Jayson Bulger, RHP 2000 None 1999 Corey Myers, SS
"We wouldn't mind going back to some college pitching, especially focusing on some left-handed pitching," Rizzo said. "We'd like to beef that part of the system up a little bit. You can never have too much of it."
Rizzo, who took over for Don Mitchell after the 1999 draft, has gotten the reputation as being a scouting director that favors college players over high school ones. And while that's true -- 18 of their first 21 picks last year were collegians -- Rizzo is flexible.
In the 2002 draft, he chose high school shortstop Sergio Santos in the first round.
"If there are two players and their ability is equal, then I would lean towards the college guy," Rizzo said. "If there is a high school player with far and away more ability than I'd certainly take him."
The drafting of college players during Rizzo's tenure has helped the Diamondbacks stock up a farm system that has recently drawn praise in national publications. Because of free agent signings, the Diamondbacks did not have first-round picks in the 1998 and 2000 drafts.
"In the last four drafts we've created a very deep and talented system that is just now starting to get some recognition," Rizzo said
As Rizzo looks at the draft, he sees a deep talent pool that might be a little short on high-profile, high-ceiling players.
That could bode well for the Diamondbacks, who hold their highest pick since 1999 when they drafted fourth overall. Mitchell, who preferred high school players with high ceilings, was the scouting director at that time and he selected high school shortstop Corey Myers, who has struggled in the D-Backs system.
"We think that we'll be able to get a really good, quality player at 15," Rizzo said.
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
The Dbacks select 15th over-all in Round 1 and they must select either a LH or RH college starting pitcher who could possibly be ready to make the jump into the Majors w/in 2-years.....They've done well over the past couple of years in selecting position players.....
Here's Steve Gilbert's draft preview and I definitely agree with him:
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/n...t2004&fext=.jsp
Diamondbacks draft preview
With no urgent needs, will take best available player
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images
2001 draft picks Scott Hairston (above) and Chad Tracy are poised to make an impact this season. (Alan Diaz/AP)
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks know exactly who they will select with their first round pick -- No. 15 overall -- in Monday's First-Year Player Draft: the best player available. Yes, it's a cliche, but the Diamondbacks feel good enough about the state of their minor league system that they don't feel there are any urgent needs that need to be filled. "We feel like we are deep up and down the system," scouting director Mike Rizzo said.
You must be registered for see images attach
Complete Draft coverage >
Last year, the Diamondbacks wanted to improve their position player depth, particularly at the corner infield and outfield positions. With that in mind, they selected college outfielders Conor Jackson (19th) and Carlos Quentin (29th) in the first round. They followed that up by picking college third baseman Jamie D'Antona with their third pick.
Quentin had Tommy John surgery after the draft, a condition the club knew about when they drafted him, but both Jackson and D'Antona were both standouts in their first years. Jackson was named the Northwest League's Most Valuable Player and D'Antona tied for the NWL lead in home runs.
While there are no urgent needs that need to be filled in the system, there is one place the club will focus a little attention on.
Past five No. 1 picks Year Player 2003 Conor Jackson, 3B 2002 Sergio Santos, SS 2001 Jayson Bulger, RHP 2000 None 1999 Corey Myers, SS
"We wouldn't mind going back to some college pitching, especially focusing on some left-handed pitching," Rizzo said. "We'd like to beef that part of the system up a little bit. You can never have too much of it."
Rizzo, who took over for Don Mitchell after the 1999 draft, has gotten the reputation as being a scouting director that favors college players over high school ones. And while that's true -- 18 of their first 21 picks last year were collegians -- Rizzo is flexible.
In the 2002 draft, he chose high school shortstop Sergio Santos in the first round.
"If there are two players and their ability is equal, then I would lean towards the college guy," Rizzo said. "If there is a high school player with far and away more ability than I'd certainly take him."
The drafting of college players during Rizzo's tenure has helped the Diamondbacks stock up a farm system that has recently drawn praise in national publications. Because of free agent signings, the Diamondbacks did not have first-round picks in the 1998 and 2000 drafts.
"In the last four drafts we've created a very deep and talented system that is just now starting to get some recognition," Rizzo said
As Rizzo looks at the draft, he sees a deep talent pool that might be a little short on high-profile, high-ceiling players.
That could bode well for the Diamondbacks, who hold their highest pick since 1999 when they drafted fourth overall. Mitchell, who preferred high school players with high ceilings, was the scouting director at that time and he selected high school shortstop Corey Myers, who has struggled in the D-Backs system.
"We think that we'll be able to get a really good, quality player at 15," Rizzo said.
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
