Getting to First Base

Draft Day #1: Pre-draft guesses

Welcome to the GTFB Draft Day Experience. This is my first stab at running coverage of the MLB Draft, but I’m looking forward to it. First things first, here is the draft order.

I’m really intrigued by this year’s Draft in particular because, as I mentioned the other day, the first round is almost totally up in the air. Washington will use its first pick on Stephen Strasburg  (even though that will take away a lot of their budget for their next pick at #10), Seattle will likely take UNC’s Dustin Ackley, and then…who knows?

I would love, by the way, to see Washington pull a shocker and pass on Strasburg.

Anyway, some speculation is floating for some of the other first round picks, and I’ve collected some of it right here.

1.) Nationals – Stephen Strasburg
2.) Mariners – MLB.com says Dustin Ackley
3.) Padres – Donovan Tate, a high school outfielder from Georgia
4.) Pirates – Keith Law reports that the Pirates will take Tony Sanchez, the catcher from Boston College. They’ve worked out a pre-draft deal with him already, so he’s off the board.
5.) Orioles – Zack Wheeler, another high school pitcher from Georgia
6.) Giants – Tyler Matzek, a high school LHP, according to MLB.com
7.) Braves – UNC’s Alex White, according to Keith Law, Baseball America, and Baseball Prospectus. Lo! A consensus?
8.) Reds – Jonathan Mayo just Tweeted that Cincinnati will go with White if he’s available. Otherwise, there’s just been vague talk that the Reds will “go for pitching”…but which pitcher, if they can’t have White?
9.) Tigers – Law says Detroit will take HS pitcher Jacob Turner.
10.) Nationals – This one’s tricky, since they’ll likely blow all their signing money on Strasburg. Will they have to take a budget pick higher than he deserves?
11.) Rockies – Tracy Ringolsby says the Rockies are eyeing RHP Matt Hobgood, but could go with UNC’s Alex White, ASU’s Mike Leake*, or LHP Rex Brothers. Keith Law said they could go for Bobby Borchering, a high school infielder, here.
12.) Royals – Sam Mellinger links KC to USC shortstop Grant Green
13.) Athletics
14.) Rangers
15.) Indians
16.) Diamondbacks – HS infielder Bobby Borchering, if he’s available.
17.) Diamondbacks – Notre Dame outfielder AJ Pollock, unless Leake is available.
18.) Marlins
19.) Cardinals
20.) Blue Jays
21.) Astros
22.) Twins
23.) White Sox
24.) Angels
25.) Angels
26.) Brewers
27.) Mariners
28.) Red Sox
29.) Yankees
30.) Rays
31.) Cubs
32.) Rockies

*Friend of the blog and excellent radio host in Kansas City, Greg Schaum, is convinced that the Royals will get Leake. Just wanted to put that here for posterity.