Draft: Reds focused on 4 players

[victor2111]

From John Fay:

The Reds pick seventh in tomorrow's draft, so what happens with the six picks above them will greatly influence what they do.

"I can give you a list of three or four guys," scouting director Chris Buckley said. "But, at 7, you don't know if they're going to be there."

The four the Reds are hoping for (with where Baseball America rates them):

--2. Brian Matusz, a left-handed pitcher from the University of San Diego: He was a fourth-round pick out of high school. He throws up to 93, but his offspeed stuff sets him apart.

--4. Buster Posey, a catcher from Florida State: He's a converted shortstop. Baseball America calls him "one of the safest picks in the his years draft. His projection as an offensive catcher with Gold Glove-caliber defense has boosted Posey's draft stock as much as anyone's over the weeks leading up to the draft."

--6. Gordon Beckham, a shortstop from Georgia: That's Jeff Keppinger's background as well. Beckham won the Cape Cod home run title last year. He's been among the leading hitters in the NCAA, both in average and home runs.

--10. Yonder Alonso, a first baseman from Miami: A very good hitter. Drove in 69 runs as a freshman. Hit .376 with 18 homers as a sophomore.

Notice that each player plays a different position.

"I believe in drafting for value," Buckley said. "What are the needs of the Reds today might not be the needs in three years when these guys will be ready. Walt (Jocketty) can trade anyone."

[The Duke]

Outside of Matusz I sure do hope that this is attempted mis-information, but I doubt that it is.

Posey and Mesoraco would both be ready to start High A at the start of next year so that makes no sense, unless they feel Posey is polished enough to start in High A right after he signs and starts next year in AA with an eye towards him being the starting Reds catcher in 2010 and moving mesoraco along slowly. Skipworth has higher upside, but Posey has better defense and will be in the bigs somewhere between early to late 2010. At least the Reds could be confident with their future at catcher with two good all around talents there.

Not a big Gordon Beckham fan, he is a bit slightish for a power hitter and while his defense at SS in decent, he'll never be special there. Wouldn't be terrible, but i'd rather have some other guys.

Alonso? He is an OK hitter but a liability on defense, probably can't move anywhere else, and I liek 2 other 1B better and when your picking 7th you probably shouldn't be settling for the 3rd best player at a position.

God, I hope Matusz falls to #7.

[awnawboi21]

I hope Yonder Alonso is a joke. This is the second time I've heard his name come up. The first time I brushed off, this time scares me.

[oldschoolstyle]

I said last year I wasn't opposed to drafting another catcher. Catcher is a premium position and having two good ones allow us some serious trade value. Think about Salty last year. Atlanta could afford to trade a great catching prospect because they already had McCann. By being able to trade a top notch catching prospect they got a year and a half of Texeira.

[The Duke]

Jun 4, 2008 12:40:41 GMT -5 oldschoolstyle said:

I said last year I wasn't apposed to drafting another catcher. Catcher is a premium position and having two good ones allow us some serious trade value. Think about Salty last year. Atlanta could afford to trade a great catching prospect because they already had McCann. By being able to trade a top notch catching prospect they got a year and a half of Texeira.

That is a good point and something I breifly touched upon. I guess I would be OK with Posey as long as he is a fast mover like he is suppsoed to be. It sure would be nice to get .280 with 15-20 HR with great defense from the C spot.

[oldschoolstyle]

Also, from what I've read, Posey is a concensus top 5 pick. If he slips it could just be a matter of us taking best value. Maybe not the best talent, but value is value whether it be for a player who plays for you or a player you trade away.

The biggest problem I would have is if we drafted Gordon. He AT BEST is going to be a league average SS. With the 7th pick we could do soooo much better.

Alonso, I've never seen he or Smoak. So to me I would be trusting the scouts on this one. It sounds like Smoak with the better defense and switch hitting ability with power and average from both sides is the better choice, but if we saw them play we might find out differently. Hosmer is a no brainer over both of those guys with a cannon of an arm that would allow him to play in the OF.

[awnawboi21]

There are a few guys IMO that are no brainers if they fall to #7. Granted, I'm not as up on the draft as you guys, but here are my no brainers....

Tim Beckham
Brian Matusz
Eric Hosmer (depending on the signing bonus)
Buster Posey


I'd say probably in that order.

I don't see a problem at all in having two very solid catchers in our system. Especially considering that Posey would be ready before Mesoraco.

[starpower25]

Yonder Alonso is a guy I like better then any other college bat ! No joke either . He would have to stay at 1st but I am fine with that as Votto has the ability to move to LF and we could awlays trade either votto or Alonso later. The fact is you take the best bat and IMO he is the best bat at 7...maybe.

web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2008/index.jsp?mc=alonso

Watch this video of the kid hit. He has 25-30 hr power right now and that would translate to 35 hr power in great america.

This would not be a bad pick at all and he would move very fast through our system.

[The Duke]

Alonso's weak defense scares me at 1B and he looks heavier than 215, but I guess he could just be a thick cut guy. Votto probably has the athleticism to pick up LF but I like him at 1B. Not to mention he is yet another lefty batter while Smoak is a switch hitter.

Bruce
Votto
Alonso

That's a 3-5 of all lefties, unless you move one of them to 6th.

[oldschoolstyle]

Alonso is a lefty though. Votto, Bruce, and he would all be lefties. Not a huge fan of that scenario.