Yonder Alonso

[LoganBuck]

Alonso doesn't have the speed or defensive ability of Drew, but at the plate they are very comparable.

[flyer85]

This is not true. He's not as polished, maybe, but their ceilings are very similar.

Drew was a true "5-tool player" who played a premium defensive position. He was extremely fast and had a cannon for an arm. Alonso is regarded as a average to below defensive 1b and is slow. His offensive potential may be similar but as an overall player he is not anywhere near the prospect that Drew was. JD has not turned out to be nearly as good as everyone thought he was going to be. He has been good but he was a Josh Hamilton type prospect ... he had it all.

[puca]

This is not true. He's not as polished, maybe, but their ceilings are very similar.

As hitters.

That is a key point. Drew was also a plus defensive outfielder with speed.

[Falls City Beer]

Alonso doesn't have the speed or defensive ability of Drew, but at the plate they are very comparable.

Honestly, that's all I care about. He's a 1B.

[flyer85]

Honestly, that's all I care about. He's a 1B.

which makes him a lot less valuable than a CF who is a similar hitter.

[puca]

Honestly, that's all I care about. He's a 1B.

But that is a huge difference.

It is much harder to get a CF that rakes than a 1b.

I want the bat as well. I would pay more for that bat if it played a premium defensive postion.

[flyer85]

But that is a huge difference.

It is much harder to get a CF that rakes than a 1b.

I want the bat as well. I would pay more for that bat if it played a premium defensive postion.

it's why Posey will get his money and Alonso, Smoak and Hosmer will not get anything close.

[bucksfan2]

In 1997, he clearly was the best and was taken #2 behind Matt Anderson (DET). In 1998, as I recall, many clubs were leery of taking him because of the fracas the year before, but I had thought the Reds might take him with their #7 pick, but St. Louis plucked him up at #5. I thought Bowden could get creative with Boras.

Interestingly, five of the players taken in the first round in 1998 have played for the Reds: Kearns, Lopez, Etherton, the unforgettable Jeff Austin and Corey Patterson. A sixth, Bubba Crosby, played with Louisville a bit last year.

I didn't follow baseball to the extent I do now back then. I remember Drew getting a ton of press about his talent as well as his demands. Back then he had it all: speed, defense, power, average, and a cannon for an arm. I thought people were talking about JD Drew as a once in a decade type talent.

Fast forward to Alonso. What does he have to be making such demands? He is a mature hitter but people question how well his power will adjust to the major leauges. He isn't fast, plays adequate defense at first, and doesn't have the flexibility to play elsewhere. I think the Reds would be foolish to pay him anything over 4M to sign.

Here is what I don't get. How much higher could he possibly go? He isn't a pitcher, doesn't play SS, CF, or C. He doesn't have the athleticism that will project him into a 5 tool player. He basically is a good average hitting first baseman. Either I am not understanding something here or he is getting some bad advice, but I don't see how Alonso can demand as much money as he is.

[Nugget]

In 1997, he clearly was the best and was taken #2 behind Matt Anderson (DET). In 1998, as I recall, many clubs were leery of taking him because of the fracas the year before, but I had thought the Reds might take him with their #7 pick, but St. Louis plucked him up at #5. I thought Bowden could get creative with Boras.

Interestingly, five of the players taken in the first round in 1998 have played for the Reds: Kearns, Lopez, Etherton, the unforgettable Jeff Austin and Corey Patterson. A sixth, Bubba Crosby, played with Louisville a bit last year.

I think Bubba made it into a REDS uniform before being DFA'd.

[redsmetz]

I think Bubba made it into a REDS uniform before being DFA'd.

I thought so too, but baseball-reference is not showing him with any playing time with the team; but maybe he was called up and didnt get in a game.

[indy_dave00]

Giants sign pick #5 Buster Posey.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/extraba...ts-a-physical/

Posey on the cusp of getting $7.5 million; Crawford signs, too
Posted by Andrew Baggarly on August 13th, 2008 at 8:01 pm | Categorized as Uncategorized

According to industry sources, No.5 overall pick Buster Posey is a done deal. It’s expected to be a major league contract in the neighborhood of $7.5 million. That shatters the biggest amateur bonus in franchise history — by nearly $5 million.

We knew Posey was going to get at least $6 million, which is what Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters got in the same slot last year. Posey’s bonus is more than the $6.15 million that Tampa Bay gave to the first overall pick, high school shortstop Tim Beckham. It might be the biggest deal that any draft pick signs this year.

The Giants refuse to confirm, though Brian Sabean told me that progress had been made and they might not be forced to sweat to the last hour of Friday’s deadline. I originally heard that Posey just needed to pass a physical, but now I’m told he already had one last week in Scottsdale.

Also, third-rounder Roger Kieschnick got $525,000, which is $40,000 over slot value. And while it hasn’t been announced, their fourth-round pick, UCLA shortstop Brandon Crawford, has signed for $375,000 — $92,000 over slot. Bruins officials were told he’s not coming back next season.

So yes, the Giants be a’spending.

[Hoosier Red]

Is Roger related to Brooks?

[indy_dave00]

No mention of it on his player profile at Texas Tech , but with the odd last name you'd think there is a connection somewhere.

[OnBaseMachine]

So the Reds aren't sure if they want to give him a major league contract but they don't care to waste roster spots on Bako, Valentin, Majewski, Fogg, Andy Phillips, Hopper, and others? Sheesh.

[OnBaseMachine]

Is Roger related to Brooks?

Yeah, they are cousins.