The 2010 MLB draft kicks off today, and expectations for the Angels couldn't be higher. They have five picks before the second round, including the 18th overall, and drafted very well under similar circumstances last year, when they nabbed high ceiling Mike Trout, Garrett Richards, and Tyler Skaggs, as well as guys with significant breakout potential in Randal Grichuk, Pat Corbin, Dillon Baird, and Carlos Ramirez. Due in part to their success, Angels' fans will have Scouting Director Eddie Bane under a microscope through the coming days.
In order to lay the groundwork for tonight, I thought I'd review how some of the most recent mock drafts delt with the Angels. Now, I am NOT an expert in amateur talent, and none of the so-called experts ever really get inside of the Angels' heads anyway, so take this with a grain of salt:
18th Pick
Baseball America: Dylan Covey
Minorleague Ball: Stetson Allie
Most everyone agrees that the Halos will kick off their draft with a prep high school pitching selection, and for months mock drafts have assumed that it will be one of the four "famous guy" prepsters entering 2010: Dylan Covey, Stetson Allie, AJ Cole, or Karsten Whitson (I'm not including James Taillon, because he'll be off the board well before we pick). However, the more I chew over this, the more I like MLB's Tyrell Jenkins pick. Jenkins is a two sports guy, but is not considered an especially difficult sign (according to BA, anyway) if he goes in the first couple of rounds. On arm strength alone, he matches up with most anyone in the draft except Taillon and Allie, but is considerably more raw. The Halos trust their staff with these kinds of projects, love the general athleticism that Jenkins brings to the table, and like to play contrarian to the draft group think.
RGHAN's pick is therefore... Tyrell Jenkins.
29th Pick
Baseball America: Seth Blair
MLB Bonus Baby: Nick Castellanos
Again, the general consensus is that the Halos will use their first round picks to stockpile (mostly prep) arms. Andy Seiler at MLB Bonus Baby went against the grain with his eighth and final mock draft, tagging the Halos to snatch up prep third baseman Nick Castellanos. While the Halos would have to consider Castellanos if he fell that far, I'm not sure they'd pull the trigger; he's one of the top prep bats in this draft, sure, but it's a weak draft for position players and Castellanos is short on premium athleticism and sure-thing power. It's not clear how much better he is than the second tier prep bats, and that, combined with his ambitious bonus demands, make me think the Halos would pass. I don't think Covey will fall this far either, and the Halos' will likely be looking for someone signable to set a price point for later picks. College lefty Sammy Solis or prepsters Aaron Sanchez, Ryne Stanek, Griffin Murphy are also possibilities here.
RGHAN's pick is therefore... Seth Blair
30th Pick
Baseball America: Sammy Solis
More arms, though minorleagueball mock draft participant mrkupe introduced the intriguing possibility of college outfielder/pitcher Brett Eibner. As a rightfielder, Eibner could provide plus defense and power, and he hit better this year than ever before. However, he has contact issues, and it's not clear to me that the Halos want to take on another Grichuk/Wood type K risk. Garin Cecchini would be a good wild card here, offering a plus left-handed bat and good defense at third, but he's been out all year with a torn ACL and the Halos put a lot of stock in predraft workouts. I think I'll stick with the arms, and after the relatively safe pick above, I'll lean towards another prep.
RGHAN's pick is therefore... Peter Tago.
1 recs | 104 comments
It's gonna be very interesting to see how your picks fair.
And then, of course, in the long run, how it all pans out. Keep us posted!
agent_99 - June 7, 2010
Sounds reasonable
I’d hope the angels would just go balls out and just get the best available, but with their past draft history, this sounds pretty realistic. I think going with RHP towards the top of the draft is the way to go. All of our top tier pitching talent (sans Reckling) are all pretty young and unproven and I’d love for the team to fill out the ranks a bit more.
My only critique of Jenkins at 18 is that it’s a lot more likely he’d be there at 29 than Covey (assuming Covey is available). Preferably we’d take Covey at 18 and then pick up Blair/Jenkins at 29/30. Tago seems more like a supplemental guy since he’ll be signable and the team has been linked to him ala Skaggs last year. The only other thing that I wouldn’t put past the team would be A.J. Cole depending on how far he drops. I’d think you’d seriously have to consider him if he drops to the end of the first round or some how makes it to the team in the supplemental round. Just go over slot and the pay the man.
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
Who's to say that Covey or Cole is really better than Jenkins (aside from everyone who's read Baseball America)?
Those guys entered the season as Baseball America’s top arms, but have been riding on rep through the year. The Angels have much, much better info than BA, Baseball Beginnings, etc, and tend to ignore industry consensus, valuing most highly the players with skill sets and makeups that they feel are best suited to their player development system.
I’m just not convinced that the Halos have Covey and Cole ranked ahead of some of the other fireballers on their draft boards. They might draft Jenkins 18th while honestly feeling that they’re getting the best available player.
rghan - June 7, 2010
My point is not that the Angels specifically feel Jenkins is better...
Just that they march to their own tune
rghan - June 7, 2010
That's certainly, particularly with OF's, if nothing else
What’s your opinion on the team going overslot this year if they have prep arms that fall (i.e. an issue i would see with Cole if he’s picked later in the draft)?
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
*certainly true
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
I personally don think Covey is going to be available at the 18spot
I think they take a hitter first with pitching to follow. I think if castellanos falls to them at 18 and covey didn’t they take him. But I heard they are in love with covey so if he’s there they take him. Then I think Blair or even Aaron sanchez will be sure to follow.
angelskid2210 - June 7, 2010 via mobile
I've also heard the Angels are interested in O'Connor, though he's another one that a lot of the mocks have going a few picks ahead of 18
~MMP~ - June 7, 2010
O'Connor would be a good fit for the Halos at 18th
But for some reason, he hasn’t been linked to the Halos since his projection changed from back of the first round to middle of the first round. We’ll see tonight!
rghan - June 7, 2010
what position do they have him at?
I think I’ve seen SS and catcher.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
Pretty much just seen him as catcher
His athleticism and bat will have more value there than at SS
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
I wouldn't be against O'Conner, in this system we can never have too much catching.
I see it like this, Naps won’t be a catcher in 2 or 3 years. Wilson probably won’t be here in 2 years. So for the entire system we’ve got 3 catchers (Mathis, Conger and Ramirez). Having one more solid catching prospect couldn’t hurt.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
Keith Law's Mock on ESPN, FWIW:
18. Dylan Covey
29. Peter Tago
30. Cam Bedrosian
I really like Covey, and I’d like to see us get him with one of our picks. I don’t think he lasts until 29, so they’d probably have to grab him with 18 and hope that Jenkins falls, if they like him that much (and I agree with HFinDC, it seems like he has a better shot at falling than Covey).
Gorbachav5 - June 7, 2010
I agree, Covey needs to be snatched up immediately
before the draft, I had just assumed Covey was the same as when I read in March, two decent pitches high school pitcher. Now I’m reading he has three plus pitches and may be the best high school pitcher in the draft. Tallion will be drafted earlier but Covey’s in the same class. If he’s available at 18, much like Trout was at 25, just thank your lucky stars and draft him.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
I finalized mine last night, no more changes
18: Dylan Covey RHP HS (CA)
29: Kolbrin Vitek 2B/3B Ball State
30: Aaron Sanchez RHP HS (CA)
37: LeVon Washington 2B/CF Chipola JC (FL)
40: Peter Tago RHP HS (CA)
When I am right, I will be henceforth known as the “All knowing” Halowood, and when I’m wrong, which I inevitably will be, well nothing, I’ll still be every bit as accurate as Baseball America LOL.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
I like it except Vitelk won't be there.
But why washington? He hasn’t done anything special this year in JC ball. I don’t know about him.
angelskid2210 - June 7, 2010 via mobile
Washington, because he has the tools
He was rehabbing from injury this season, but it’s no secret, if you’re looking for a potentially 5 tool OF, Washington is your guy in this draft. Tampa Bay drafted him first last year but failed to sign him, so you know he’s impressed enough scouts before to be drafted higher than this. Also, his stock is only going to get higher. By this time next year we could be talking about him going top 10 in the draft.
Comps that I’ve seen so far are BJ Upton and Jonny Damon.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
I thought you said "5 tool"
And Damon is a comp? Does this guy throw like me? Or can he throw like a real ballplayer?
red floyd - June 7, 2010
Depends on when you ask lol
Before he was drafted by the Rays, he had a good enough arm to play CF. Right after being drafted, he had issues and had to slide over to 2B, his arm was very weak. He had surgery and to begin this year, it was still very weak. Supposedly he’s built it bac up and is capable of playing CF again. He’s never going to have a Vlad Guerrero or Juan Rivera arm, but it looks like it may be at least adequate.
The Jonny Damon comp was made when he had arm issues.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
Vitek may or may not be there
Yes he’s one of the more refined college hitters, but draft boards have no idea about him. He’s going anywhere from top 10 to supplemental round. But yes, I agree with you, he’s probably gone by that slot.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
I’ve heard the Padres are most likely going to take him, but of course that’s not a sure thing.
Gorbachav5 - June 7, 2010
I'm expecting the Padres to snag
Cox, Sale, Choice or Castellanos. Someone with slightly more upside than Vitek
Halowood - June 7, 2010
Wow Levon Washington
The Rays weren’t able to sign him as a 1st rd pick last year. I doubt his demands have changed much despite the terrible year he’s had.
In any case he is very high risk-high reward.
blochead - June 7, 2010
been looking around
whats the start time for the draft?
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
3 PM Pacific
and at 4 PM Harper will be busted with coke and a stripper in a Vegas motel.
SalmonStream - June 7, 2010
thx
and ha
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
nvm found it. 4pm our time
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
4pm PST
land4sale - June 7, 2010
thx
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
Minor League Baseball (Sickles) Mock
18) – Stetson Allie
29) – Peter Tago
30) – Dylan Covey
Expensive, but what a haul of prep arms
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
Very expensive but very good!!
angelskid2210 - June 7, 2010 via mobile
Just got this response from Keith Law
When I asked him what he thought about the Angels taking three prep arms in the first round:
Gorbachav5 - June 7, 2010
Makes a ton of sense
Too bad we’ll probably only end up with 2 or 3 prep guys because of cost
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
If we managed to land all 3 of those guys, I would dance a freakin jig on the coffee table
I’m guessing we land Tago and Covey, good enough for me, but Allie….whew, what an arm.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
How much would it cost? I don’t get how they get too expensive for HS arms. What kind of contract can they get?
SenorChuckles - June 7, 2010
It's not about Contract for a lot of these guys I don't think.
A lot of it is in the signing bonus. Sometimes a couple million per player.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
At least a couple millions
Most, if not all guys, have college scholarships at this point and so you have to buy them away from that. For top prep arms that generally runs a couple million. When the team drafted Matt Harvey a couple years ago, he wanted over 2 million. I’d presume that guys like Covey, Cole, Whitson, etc… will probably be asking 2 million and up at minimum
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
I dunno about that high...
I thought Trout and Grichuk we got for 1.3 million signing bonus each. I’m guessing 1.5 for these kids.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
oh, alright.
SenorChuckles - June 7, 2010
High school players have a lot of leverage because they have a lot of options – if you really like a guy and can’t sign him, they won’t be available in the draft again until 2013. Plus a lot of guys use offers from college as a bargaining point as well (you’ll hear on some guys how it will be difficult to “sign them away” from a certain school).
The risk is certainly higher since there’s a lot that can happen between age 18 and age 22 or 23. But the reward is also very high. 3 picks in the first round, if the Angels don’t overdraft lesser talent (which they did to some extent with Grichuk last year), will NOT be cheap.
Gorbachav5 - June 7, 2010
I think we over drafted Grichuk on purpose though.
Was he ready for the 1st round? No. However, given his skill set and the competition in D-1 colleges, he probably would have been a top 5 pick in a year or two.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
I agree that we overdrafted Grichuk on purpose
And there’s some merit to that, I suppose. But the draft is the best way to spend money efficiently, even if it’s a large sum. I doubt Grichuk was the best value available at that point in the draft.
And if he played D-1, he wouldn’t have been eligible for 3 more years (and even then, I doubt someone with his plate discipline issues gets anywhere near the top 5).
Gorbachav5 - June 7, 2010
That's not a given at all...and much more unlikely than likely that he would be a top 5 pick
A top 5…only if he really improved his strike zone control and showed much better ability in the field. He would have had to put up absolutely monster numbers and even still it’d be debatable considering he’d be using a metal bat
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
So they won’t hold rights to them? Whats the benefit from going to college? Rising their stock until they enter the draft again?
SenorChuckles - June 7, 2010
No, in baseball if you haven’t signed your draft pick by August 15th, they go back into the draft. The exception is for seniors in college. They can be signed any time before the next draft.
Raising their draft stock the main advantage other than the obvious benefits of going to college for free.
Gorbachav5 - June 7, 2010
thanks for clearing that up.
SenorChuckles - June 7, 2010
Man, I would be stoked with 3 prep arms
Which is what a lot of the mock drafts are suggesting. Of course they bear no resemblance to what we normally do, but Eddie Bane has mentioned the strength of high school righthanders. So i’m really looking forward to our selections.
In many ways, with the weakness of this draft, we are picking in some ideal spots to grab the RHP that falls. Be it Whitson, Covey, Allie, AJ Cole etc, whilst also picking up the guys we have been on all year: from what I have read, Tago, Bedrosian etc.
If we could sprinkle in a bat or two (or three), our Cedar Rapids team is going to be stacked next year. Exciting times!
TheQuestforMerlin - June 7, 2010
How about Zach Cox
The way I see it, the Angels need a very good 3B in the system and if it weren’t for his asking price he’d probably go top 10. Because of his asking price he’s expected to tumble down in the draft. He might be worth a look. Huge power.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
Boras Client asking for Alvarez money
Not happening with the number of picks we have
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
He doesn't have plus plus power
Good hitter, but no Alvarez or Langoria in the power department.
rghan - June 7, 2010
I should have put it more relative. BEcause I don't think there are any Alvarez or Longoria's this year.
Other than maybe Harper. He’s got good power for this draft.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
That's why Bane is sticking with the prep arms
There are a lot of them, but teams are shying away, so they’ll be available and somewhat cheaper than normal.
I don’t think the Angels are going to go for a guy who is asking a lot simply because he’s got tools that most other don’t IN THIS DRAFT. Any other draft and there’s no chance Cox would get away with asking for that much.
Plus, don’t draft for positional need in the first few rounds. Take the best value on the board.
Gorbachav5 - June 7, 2010
seems like sound advice.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
This is where my fanaticism tails off.
I guess I only really start following our prospects when they’re closer to The Show. I just don’t have the energy. But I appreciate that some of you do, so I can get the Cliff’s Notes on our drafts and farmhands.
Rally Manatee - June 7, 2010
I've always thought it takes a certain kind of person....
My analogy is salsa. Me personally, I love it, I put it on most everything. But for me, the growing of the ingredients themselves is just as exciting if not more so than the salsa itself. Some people however, don’t care so much about the growing process as much as they care eating it. But going out to the garden everyday, watering the plants, investing time and effort and seeing the fruits of my labor is the greatest part.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
I'm declaring that I officially have a mancrush on Stetson Allie
What an arm. I doubt we land him, but what a freakin’ arm.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
Tony Wolters, anyone?
From what I’ve read/seen from this kid, I really like his upside… maybe as a 2B?
howiestheman - June 7, 2010
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet
Wally Joyner is representing us at the draft. I’m not sure what that entails but I figured it was worth a post.
ryanfea - June 7, 2010
Awesome!
Halowood - June 7, 2010
is this going to be the open thread for the draft?
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
I was wondering the same thing
blochead - June 7, 2010
Worth mentioning....
Callis has us grabbing Tago 18th, Covey 29th and Allie 30th. That would be nuts.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
I didn't realize Tago had jumped up so far
He was mostly mentioned near the end of the 1st rd-early 2nd rd
blochead - June 7, 2010
I don't buy it....
rghan thinks he might go early too. I don’t think Tago goes until the sandwich round.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
I also don't think there's any way Covey gets to us at 29
I think if we want him, we have to take him at 18 (if he hasn’t gone earlier).
Gorbachav5 - June 7, 2010
yup
Halowood - June 7, 2010
He'll sign for slot
So instead of Covey demanding that he wants X + Slot at 18, Covey can demand X + slot at 29 which is going to be lower.
At least that’s what I would suspect for negotiation purposes (though who’s to say that would really work)
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
Andy Seiler has us getting the same 3 just in a different order
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
Should we start a draft open thread?
or just stay here and post?
blochead - June 7, 2010
this is the draft thread.
SenorChuckles - June 7, 2010
Just making sure
I don’t know if everyone is as hyped about this as me ;)
blochead - June 7, 2010
hit the refresh button and the top said draft thread, I’m excited to see what the Angels get :D
SenorChuckles - June 7, 2010
might as well.
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
MLB Network's outro (right before commercial)
Has video of Trout putting on an Angels hat from last year.
Figgi4life - June 7, 2010 via mobile
are there supposed to be more kids at the draft this year?
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
There are A LOT more
last year it was Trout and like one or two other guys…maybe it was just Trout now that I think of it.
blochead - June 7, 2010
I thought Trout was the only one.......
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
I love Trout
They also just showed the Angel area scout who scouted him
TheQuestforMerlin - June 7, 2010
Also
Keith Law in his ESPN chat today said if he could re-do the 2009 MLB draft it would go…
Strasburg, Trout, Ackley etc
TheQuestforMerlin - June 7, 2010
Kudos to the scouting department for doing their HW
but we sure lucked into that one.
blochead - June 7, 2010
Cold weather guys are notoriously tough to judge
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
Agree, specifically lucky in the sense that others passed
Man, those other GM’s must be pissed…
TheQuestforMerlin - June 7, 2010
why wasn’t trout drafted earlier? What were his negatives?
SenorChuckles - June 7, 2010
our scouts are smarter than their scouts
ryanfea - June 7, 2010
most excellent…
SenorChuckles - June 7, 2010
Luminous
blochead - June 7, 2010
Not a whole lot of scouting exposure because of where he played
The warm weather guys get scouted pretty extensively, but since the cold weather players start later and play less there are more question marks about them
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
is that why there are so many baseball kids from Florida.
SenorChuckles - June 7, 2010
I think he just didn't get enough attention because of where he was playing.
~MMP~ - June 7, 2010
I don't really know
Although i’ve heared there were concerns about power development and nobody thought his bat would be this advanced (plate discipline, contact, speed, power).
TheQuestforMerlin - June 7, 2010
MLBN
Had Renylolds go around talking to scouts, and one of them was Greg Moorhart (sp) about trout. He said that when he saw trout on the field he turned to his son and said “Theres a major league baseball player”
Figgi4life - June 7, 2010 via mobile
Very Exciting
ryanfea - June 7, 2010
is everyone watching on MLB.com like me?
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
thanks for that
princeton11loveshalos - June 7, 2010
yeah they got it live.
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
yep
ryanfea - June 7, 2010
I'm ready for this draft to start, most specifically I'm ready for picks 6 and up.
Halowood - June 7, 2010
Damn but just imagine
Strasburg and Harper.
princeton11loveshalos - June 7, 2010
thats what happens when you suck real bad.
norcaliangelsfan - June 7, 2010
Assuming he stays at catcher
He could move to the OF since they already have Derek Norris in the minors and there’s no way the move Zimmerman off third.
HaloFanInDC - June 7, 2010
There's talk the Nationals are already planning on putting him in the OF
~MMP~ - June 7, 2010
They are going to be dangerous in the NL East in the next couple of years
Nasty
TheQuestforMerlin - June 7, 2010
Draft Thread here
http://www.halosheaven.com/2010/6/7/1504896/angels-draft-brings-5-of-first
cupie - June 7, 2010
Chyeaa
5 in the top 40
princeton11loveshalos - June 7, 2010
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