Post by The Duke on Apr 10, 2008 6:53:17 GMT -5
My mild obsession of getting Friedrich on the Reds is noted, but what if the Reds don't like him or any other pitcher available at #7? Here are the hitters I think the Reds may consider that I like, and a scouting report from the internet:
Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS (GA) - 6'2" - 190 lbs - 1/27/1990 - R/R
Beckham is the type of athlete that makes everything he does look easy. He glides to balls hit deep in the hole to either side of him, and runs the bases gracefully, stretching singles into doubles and doubles into triples. He has good arm strength, soft hands and good instincts that should allow him to star at shortstop for years to come. While his defense draws more raves that his bat, he has improved at the plate over the last year and is now considered a legitimate threat, as he stings the ball to all parts of the field and has also shown the ability to hit the ball out as his body continues to mature and add strength. Shortstops with Beckham’s ability don’t come around very often, as he’s sure to go early. He was named the MVP of the Aflac All-American Classic going 1-3 with a triple and 3 RBI, 2 thanks to a pair of sac flies in key situations.
Aaron Hicks, CF, Woodrow Wilson HS (CA)- 6'1" - 160 lbs - 10/2/1989 - S/R
Hicks is arguably the most electrifying athlete in the nation, a two-way star that makes a difference as a hitter, on the base-paths and on the mound. He is a switch hitter with five-tool potential across the board, showing very good speed, bat speed and power and offers a style of play that is similar to the Mets Jose Reyes. Hicks is an outfielder that projects to play centerfield given his speed, range and very good arm strength. On the mound he uses and extremely quick and electric arm to pump his fastball consistently in the mid-90s with an impressive amount of natural movement you don’t see from a high school pitcher very often. His breaking ball is also a plus-plus pitch, although he struggles with his command and is more often than not his own worse enemy. He profiles better as an outfielder at this point in time, but that could change quickly if things start to click for him on the mound next spring.
Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage HS (FL) - 6'4" - 210 lns - 10/24/1989 - L/L
Hosmer boasts the smoothest and most natural swing available for the 2008 draft. He would be ranked higher if he played a more demanding position than first base, but that isn’t to take anything away from his future potential, as he could easily find himself taken among the top three to five overall selections next spring if he continues to hit as he’s expected to. Drawing comparisons to the Angels Casey Kotchman, Hosmer has a slick glove that equals his swing, as he has Gold Glove potential at first. His swing develops easy loft power, and he has a very disciplined eye at the plate that allows him to draw walks and smoke mistakes. He has committed to play for Arizona State.
Harold Martinez, 3B/SS, Braddock HS (FL) - 6'3" - 185 lbs - 5/3/1990 - R/R
Martinez and fellow Miami area corner infielder Eric Hosmer offer the two most promising sticks from the prep class. Martinez bats right-handed, and has the easy athleticism that allows him to play shortstop at the prep level. While he’s not an immediate candidate to move off the position, most think that his frame will continue to add strength which will prompt a move to the hot corner. His tools allow him to profile as a future Gold Glover at the position, with good lateral quickness and a very strong throwing arm. He will make his mark with his bat, with an easy swing that produces power to all fields, and an overall offensive package and body that has drawn a few comparisons to Alex Rodriguez. That tool package makes Martinez a candidate to be taken among the top 10 picks, and he has committed to play for Miami.
Assuming that Alvarez goes top 2, that's 4 position players that I would deem a good fit for the Reds. Matusz, Crow, and Freidrich ar emy top 3 pitchers, and we are guarnteed to get one of these guys. If they do go 1B, I don't think any of the college guys are options as Votto will hold down the fort for a while so only a HS'er that could develope a good 3-4 years would be a choice.
Beckham compares very favorably to Barry Larkin, but maybe with a little more power and a slightly less glove, but still a more than adequte glove for SS in the pros.
Hicks can go one of two ways, he could be the electric leadoff man that can steal 60-70 bases in a season (how I prefer him) or the Reds could develope him as a shut down closer with a great FB and a wicked changeup. And he's a switch hitter. Hicks/Stubbs could be a fantastic 1-2 in the order, and Stubbs and Hicks would give the Reds two GG caliber OF'ers along with Jay Bruce who is a plus defender in right or left.
Martinez is the RH power I think the Reds need to complement Bruce, and there is still a cahnce he could stick at short, but has he grows and the power developes even more, he is likely a 3B, but a very good one.
If you can't tell, I greatly prefer the prep hitters in this draft to the college ones. Outside of Alvarez, none of them are nearly as good as last years college hitters. Had Todd Frazier stayed in school, he may have been a top 5 pick in this draft.
Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS (GA) - 6'2" - 190 lbs - 1/27/1990 - R/R
Beckham is the type of athlete that makes everything he does look easy. He glides to balls hit deep in the hole to either side of him, and runs the bases gracefully, stretching singles into doubles and doubles into triples. He has good arm strength, soft hands and good instincts that should allow him to star at shortstop for years to come. While his defense draws more raves that his bat, he has improved at the plate over the last year and is now considered a legitimate threat, as he stings the ball to all parts of the field and has also shown the ability to hit the ball out as his body continues to mature and add strength. Shortstops with Beckham’s ability don’t come around very often, as he’s sure to go early. He was named the MVP of the Aflac All-American Classic going 1-3 with a triple and 3 RBI, 2 thanks to a pair of sac flies in key situations.
Aaron Hicks, CF, Woodrow Wilson HS (CA)- 6'1" - 160 lbs - 10/2/1989 - S/R
Hicks is arguably the most electrifying athlete in the nation, a two-way star that makes a difference as a hitter, on the base-paths and on the mound. He is a switch hitter with five-tool potential across the board, showing very good speed, bat speed and power and offers a style of play that is similar to the Mets Jose Reyes. Hicks is an outfielder that projects to play centerfield given his speed, range and very good arm strength. On the mound he uses and extremely quick and electric arm to pump his fastball consistently in the mid-90s with an impressive amount of natural movement you don’t see from a high school pitcher very often. His breaking ball is also a plus-plus pitch, although he struggles with his command and is more often than not his own worse enemy. He profiles better as an outfielder at this point in time, but that could change quickly if things start to click for him on the mound next spring.
Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage HS (FL) - 6'4" - 210 lns - 10/24/1989 - L/L
Hosmer boasts the smoothest and most natural swing available for the 2008 draft. He would be ranked higher if he played a more demanding position than first base, but that isn’t to take anything away from his future potential, as he could easily find himself taken among the top three to five overall selections next spring if he continues to hit as he’s expected to. Drawing comparisons to the Angels Casey Kotchman, Hosmer has a slick glove that equals his swing, as he has Gold Glove potential at first. His swing develops easy loft power, and he has a very disciplined eye at the plate that allows him to draw walks and smoke mistakes. He has committed to play for Arizona State.
Harold Martinez, 3B/SS, Braddock HS (FL) - 6'3" - 185 lbs - 5/3/1990 - R/R
Martinez and fellow Miami area corner infielder Eric Hosmer offer the two most promising sticks from the prep class. Martinez bats right-handed, and has the easy athleticism that allows him to play shortstop at the prep level. While he’s not an immediate candidate to move off the position, most think that his frame will continue to add strength which will prompt a move to the hot corner. His tools allow him to profile as a future Gold Glover at the position, with good lateral quickness and a very strong throwing arm. He will make his mark with his bat, with an easy swing that produces power to all fields, and an overall offensive package and body that has drawn a few comparisons to Alex Rodriguez. That tool package makes Martinez a candidate to be taken among the top 10 picks, and he has committed to play for Miami.
Assuming that Alvarez goes top 2, that's 4 position players that I would deem a good fit for the Reds. Matusz, Crow, and Freidrich ar emy top 3 pitchers, and we are guarnteed to get one of these guys. If they do go 1B, I don't think any of the college guys are options as Votto will hold down the fort for a while so only a HS'er that could develope a good 3-4 years would be a choice.
Beckham compares very favorably to Barry Larkin, but maybe with a little more power and a slightly less glove, but still a more than adequte glove for SS in the pros.
Hicks can go one of two ways, he could be the electric leadoff man that can steal 60-70 bases in a season (how I prefer him) or the Reds could develope him as a shut down closer with a great FB and a wicked changeup. And he's a switch hitter. Hicks/Stubbs could be a fantastic 1-2 in the order, and Stubbs and Hicks would give the Reds two GG caliber OF'ers along with Jay Bruce who is a plus defender in right or left.
Martinez is the RH power I think the Reds need to complement Bruce, and there is still a cahnce he could stick at short, but has he grows and the power developes even more, he is likely a 3B, but a very good one.
If you can't tell, I greatly prefer the prep hitters in this draft to the college ones. Outside of Alvarez, none of them are nearly as good as last years college hitters. Had Todd Frazier stayed in school, he may have been a top 5 pick in this draft.
