Now that we are 3.5 years removed from the 2008 draft, I thought it would be an interesting time to look back at what was a much discussed first round on this board.
Tim Beckham has struggled mightily in the Rays minor leagues, although he is having somewhat of a bounceback year in 2011.
Pedro Alvarez and Brian Matusz were widely billed as the best hitter and pitcher in the draft, respectively, and they have experienced similar careers thus far. Both rose fast through their systems, but battled injuries and then seemingly regressed this year, with Alvarez being demoted to AAA after straddling the Mendoza line and Matusz sporting an ERA over 8 in limited innings.
Buster Posey is and likely will continue to be the jewel of this class, despite being sidelined for the season with a broken ankle.
Eric Hosmer and Yonder Alonso have had similar starts, both getting a taste of the majors after putting up minor league OPS over .800.
Gordon Beckham and Justin Smoak, two players most people on this board were clamoring for, both had rapid rises to the big leagues but have cooled off considerably, posting .700 OPS over roughly 200 major league games in the last couple years.
Rounding out the top 10 are two catchers- Kyle Skipworth, who appears to have not figured things out and is floundering in AA, and Jason Castro who has had a solid start and will likely be looking at a September callup with the Astros.
Other notable first round selections include Ike Davis, who is looking like the best value selection in the round at #18 overall, and Brett Wallace who has been dealt three times already (including for Matt Holliday) and is having a nice 24-year-old season in Houston. Brett Lawrie single-handedly fetched the Brewers Shaun Marcum, so both of the Reds' NL Central rivals had successful picks as they were able to fetch All-Stars for their clubs.
Gerrit Cole, this year's #1 overall pick, was selected at #28 overall by the Yankees, but failed to sign.
So I ask, at this point in time do you think the Reds make the right move by selecting Alonso? Or do you still wish for Smoak and/or G.Beckham?
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