The 2008 Draft Preview

I realize we're still 4 1/2 months away from the amateur draft, but I wanted to dedicate a post to the June amateur draft because the NCAA baseball season began on Friday, February 22.

Here is MLB.com's assessment on this year's draft class, and here is Baseball America's draft page, complete with (virtually) everything you need to know about potential 2008 draftees. Also, for what it's worth, here's a top 100 list from Sox Prospects.

Top 10:
1. Pedro Alvarez - 3B, Vanderbilt
2. Brian Matusz - LHP, San Diego
3. Isaac Galloway - OF, Los Osos HS (CA)
4. Justin Smoak - 1B, South Carolina
5. Eric Hosmer - 1B, American Heritage HS (FL)
6. Brandon Crawford - SS, UCLA
7. Brett DeVall - LHP, Rutherford HS (FL)
8. Jacob Thompson - RHP, Virginia
9. Tyson Ross - RHP, Cal
10. Aaron Hicks - OF, Wilson HS (CA)

As you know, the Royals have the third overall pick in the draft, which will take place June 5th and 6th.

Here are a few mini-profiles:

Brian Matusz (University of San Diego)
Ht: 6'5"
Wt: 200
B: L
T: L
Yr/DOB: Junior (2/11/87)

Per Sox Prospects:

Tall lefty mixes in a very good mid-90s fastball with late movement, a plus
chanegup, and a plus curveball. Solid pitcher's build. Above average control
with impressive strikeout numbers. Very projectable at high levels.

Isaac Galloway (Los Ohos H.S. - California)
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 190
B: R
T: R
Yr/DOB: Senior (10/10/89)
(High School season hasn't started yet)

Sox Prospects:

Tall, athletic RF with five tool potential. Big time speed, power still a work
in progress but the development posibilities are there.

Justin Smoak (University of South Carolina)
Ht: 6'4"
Wt: 215
B: S
T: L
Yr/DOB: Junior (12/5/86)
Drafted by OAK in 2005.

Sox Prospects:

Pure hitter with a great looking swing from both sides. Hitting tools are all
there - power, average, great batting eye, and excellent plate discipline.
Defensively, Smoak projects as an above average, athletic first baseman. He
throws lefty, which is not typical for a 1B. Hard worker with a reputation of
having a strong character. Average speed on the basepaths. Has drawn comparisons
to Todd Helton.

Here's a list comprised by John Sickels, author of Minor League Ball. Luke Greinke (Zack's brother) gets mentioned.

Adrian Nieto, C, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Florida: Sounds interesting, switch-hitting catcher
Buster Posey, C, Florida State: Top college catcher available
Kyle Skipworth, C, Patriot HS, Riverside, California: top high school catcher
Jemile Weeks, 2B, Miami: Bloodlines
Harold Martinez, 3B, Braddock HS, Miami: Like the glove/bat combo
Gordan Beckham, SS, Georgia: Solid across the board
Jordan Danks, OF, Texas: Bloodlines, athleticism, speed, glove, walks
Dominic de la Osa, OF, Vanderbilt: possible senior bargain, have to consider costs drafting for the Twins
Luke Greinke, OF-RHP, Auburn: bloodlines
Roger Kieschnick, OF, Texas Tech: Interesting power bat
Dennis Raben, OF, Miami: Power bat probably available at 14
Brent Warren, OF, Xavier HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Always track the Iowa guys close
Cody Adams, RHP, Southern Illinois: I like the Midwesterners
Brett DeVall, LHP, Niceville, Florida HS: power lefty with 6-4, 205 build
Tanner Scheppers, RHP, Fresno State: Just like this guy for some reason

I'll be posting more about the draft in the coming months.