June draft - Updated Top 20

[edabbs44]

Here's Jim Callis' (from BA) updated top 20 draft eligible prospects. Since Cincy drafts #8, we should be hoping for close to the majors pitching. They are saying this draft is strong on college pitchers and that's about it. Rumors are floating around that KC is thinking Lincecum at #1.

1. Andrew Miller, lhp, North Carolina
Would have been a first-rounder out of high school had he been signable
2. Brandon Morrow, rhp, California
Starting to harness his upper-90s heat and flashing good secondary stuff
3. Tim Lincecum, rhp, Washington
Has blown away college hitters since last summer in Cape Cod
4. Brad Lincoln, rhp, Houston
Should be even more effective on the mound once he gives up hitting
5. Evan Longoria, 3b, Long Beach State
The best position player available, but more of a solid guy than a superstar
6. Drew Stubbs, of, Texas
Scouts love his tools but still have questions about how he'll hit in the majors
7. Matt LaPorta, 1b, Florida
Turning on the power after being slowed by an oblique strain
8. Clayton Kershaw, lhp, Highland Park HS (Dallas)
Top high school prospect after entering year as projected second- or third-rounder
9. Joba Chamberlain, rhp, Nebraska
Regaining his form after early-season bout with triceps tendinitis
10. Kyle Drabek, rhp, The Woodlands (Texas) HS
Could be first prep middle infielder taken—if he weren't so talented on the mound
11. Max Scherzer, rhp, Missouri
Can't rank him higher until he bounces back from shoulder tendinitis
12. Ian Kennedy, rhp, Southern California
Has lost a little off an already average fastball, but he knows how to pitch
13. Kyle McCulloch, rhp, Texas
Like the Longhorns and Stubbs, getting it going after a slow start
14. Wes Hodges, 3b, Georgia Tech
One of only a handful of position players with a chance to go in the top half of the first round
15. Daniel Bard, rhp, North Carolina
Would move up if he showed a more consistent breaking ball and success
16. Chris Tillman, rhp, Fountain Valley (Calif.) HS
Classic high school projectable pitcher at 6-foot-7 and 185 pounds
17. Brett Sinkbeil, rhp, Missouri State
Doesn't get Scherzer's hype, but he has been the top pitcher in Missouri this spring
18. Chris Marrero, 3b, Monsignor Pace HS (Opa Locka, Fla.)
Best high school position player has impressive tools but hasn't performed up to expectations
19. Justin Masterson, rhp, San Diego State
The breakout player in the Cape Cod League summer starts for the Aztecs but projects as a reliever
20. Mark Melancon, rhp, Arizona
Might be the next college reliever to reach the majors a few months after signing

[flyer85]

I still like Bard, he seems to be a pitcher with a similar history to Verlander.

[DeadRedinCT]

Joba... Joba... Joba... Joba...

[dougdirt]

This draft is said to be VERY weak...and it kind of worries me even with a top 10 pick that we are going to be overpaying for an underplaying guy. I do see the Reds taking a college pitcher, but this years class doesnt have a whole lot of seperating between 1-10 on the best pitchers available.

[flyer85]

This draft is said to be VERY weak...

especially at the top. This is not the year to have a #1 or top 5 pick because there aren't any locks. Picking 8th isn't a bad spot.

[NC Reds]

Max Scherzer

[lollipopcurve]

College position players are the safest picks. Clearly the system needs arms, but I am intrigued by the Reds having a shot at Stubbs (a great defensive CF with speed and power potential) or LaPorta (seemingly the top power prospect).

Hard to know which of these college pitchers will succeed.

[TRF]

McCulloch for me based soley on last year's steal of the draft LeCure.

[flyer85]

Hard to know which of these college pitchers will succeed.

I'd take my chances with Bard, overpowering stuff and inconsistent command and a career eerily similar to Verlander.

[KoryMac5]

First base looks like such a need it would be hard to pass up Laporta if he fell into our laps.

[Newman4]

Wow, not the best things to say about a top 20 list. Lots of injuries and question marks.

[flyer85]

First base looks like such a need it would be hard to pass up Laporta if he fell into our laps.

first base is never a need, its where hitting prospects that can't play anywhere else end up(like Joey Votto).

[edabbs44]

College position players are the safest picks. Clearly the system needs arms, but I am intrigued by the Reds having a shot at Stubbs (a great defensive CF with speed and power potential) or LaPorta (seemingly the top power prospect).

Hard to know which of these college pitchers will succeed.

I like the LaPorta suggestion, but Stubbs wouldn't be a fit right now. With Kearns and Dunn possibly locked in to the corners and Bruce (hopefully) on his way up, I think pitching, catching and a 1st baseman would be the best moves. If Stubbs is mentioned, we might have to assume that Kearns or Dunn are not expected to be here in a few years, or that Dunn will become the permanent 1b in the near future.

[dougdirt]

I doubt Dunn will be at first base. He doesnt want to play there.

[klw]

The undiscussed player who I wish the Reds would look at with a later round pick is Jay Heafner from Davidson College. He was a third team All-American last year when he hit.448, had an obp of .533 and slugged .700 for a OPS of .1233. I remember reading he throws in the 90's but could not find a link.

http://www2.davidson.edu/athletics/a...4589&module=39

His 2006 stats, not as impressive as last year but still not bad:

Overall Statistics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Davidson Baseball 2006
Overall Statistics for Davidson (as of Apr 18, 2006)
(All games Sorted by Batting avg)

     

Player                 AVG  GP-GS    AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR RBI   TB  SLG%  BB HBP  SO GDP   OB%  SF  SH  SB-ATT   PO   A   E  FLD%

 
10 Jay Heafner......  .329  37-37   140  41  46   9   1   6  28   75  .536  28   2  20   0  .444   1   0  12-16    52 132  12  .


Player                 ERA   W-L   APP  GS  CG SHO/CBO SV    IP   H   R  ER  BB  SO  2B  3B  HR   AB B/Avg   WP HBP  BK  SFA SHA
--------------
10 Jay Heafner......  3.18   0-1    13   0   0   0/0    7  11.1  10   4   4   4  12   2   0   1   44  .227    1   2   0    1   0