Redszone down 6/5/08? Draft Thread

[Caveat Emperor]

If there's a more reliable if in the chain of prospect ifs, this is it.  He's pretty developed and unlikely to lose his bat at this point.  And I think it's a little early to say that Stubbs's bat hasn't translated to the majors considering he hasn't played there yet.

With a college hitter, it's all about wood v. metal.

Stubbs was all world when he had an aluminum bat in his hands -- convert that to lumber, and it's a different ballgame entirely.

[vaticanplum]

It did last year, they had a catcher shortage and went for a catcher.

Which was the dumbest pick.  Ever.

[vaticanplum]

With a college hitter, it's all about wood v. metal.

Stubbs was all world when he had an aluminum bat in his hands -- convert that to lumber, and it's a different ballgame entirely.

So by that logic you should never draft based on hitting.  Right?

Look, there are a lot of chances involved in a draft.  I'd rather the Reds go with a developed player who's shown promise as a hitter -- and who they've apparently been scouting for a few years -- than draft based on position or draft high schoolers (mostly).  They may well have a larger plan in mind with which I don't agree, but I think it's a bit early to say that unless this kid turns into Pujols, this was worthless.  It would seem they have something else in mind than just the pick.

[OBM]

Which was the dumbest pick.  Ever.

FWIW Mesoraco has a .845 OPS in the Midwest League.

[IslandRed]

With a college hitter, it's all about wood v. metal.

Then it should comfort you that Alonso raked in the Cape Cod League last summer.

[OBM]

Alonso hit .338/.468/.497 - .965 OPS with a wooden bat in the Cape Cod last year.

[vaticanplum]

FWIW Mesoraco has a .845 OPS in the Midwest League.

Ok, maybe not ever 

[Caveat Emperor]

Look, there are a lot of chances involved in a draft.  I'd rather the Reds go with a developed player who's shown promise as a hitter -- and who they've apparently been scouting for a few years -- than draft based on position or draft high schoolers (mostly).  They may well have a larger plan in mind with which I don't agree, but I think it's a bit early to say that unless this kid turns into Pujols, this was worthless.  It would seem they have something else in mind than just the pick.

My whole point is this -- this kid was drafted exclusively for his stick. Literally that's the only skillset he has. Can't field (otherwise he wouldn't be a 1st baseman), can't run (by reports). He plays a position where replacement level hitting is abundant and easily developed. If he can't hit well above that level, the pick is really a waste.

[vaticanplum]

My whole point is this -- this kid was drafted exclusively for his stick. Literally that's the only skillset he has. Can't field (otherwise he wouldn't be a 1st baseman), can't run (by reports). He plays a position where replacement level hitting is abundant and easily developed. If he can't hit well above that level, the pick is really a waste.

I don't know about the running.  Take a look at this report:

http://www.collegebaseballprospects.net/2008/01/yonder-alonso.html

He also appears to be very patient.  Which I guess technically qualifies as "his stick", but is obviously not a skill set possessed by every power hitter.

I just don't agree with you, or at least I think it's too early to make this call.  There are a lot of things we don't know about him: his mental makeup, his versatility, etc.  The Reds have been checking out his skill set for a while and no doubt have reasons for picking him beyond just his stick.  They either have a larger strategic plan in mind with regard to team makeup or they're hoping he'll be a valuable enough bat that he'll give them options outside the organization.

[Chip R]

RZ is back up, gang.