5/29/12

Draft Notes 5-30-12 – Kevin Goldstein, Jim Callis



1. Carlos Correa - , SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (PR) - who he is: A big athletic shortstop with remarkable presence at the plate, quick hands, outstanding bat control and the potential for plus power. He's a plus runner who is graceful in the field and has one of the best infielder arms in the draft. The only concern is with his size, as he’s already 6-foot-3 and approaching 200 pounds, but he has more than enough ability to be a star at third base as well, and one scout believes he'd actually get to the big leagues quicker at that position. It's important to note that he is only 17, and multiple teams have cited Rany Jazayerli's draft/age study as entering into their evaluations this year. Draft skinny: Correa has been inching his way up draft boards all spring, and while it's unlikely he'll go number one, he's at least in Houston's mix. Once seen as a prime target for the Cubs at No. 6 overall, now many teams don't think he'll last that long.




A - My gut feeling right now is still Mark Appel going No. 1 overall. The Astros play this pretty close to the vest, so it's also possible they're looking at guys beyond Appel and Byron Buxton. 

I'm starting to hear a lot of Carlos Correa to the Mariners at No. 3. If I were doing a mock draft today, I'd probably go with him over Mike Zunino for Seattle.

I do think a lot of players will wait until the deadline to sign. They've been educated that the longer you wait, the more you get paid. And since everyone is adjusting to new rules this year, negotiations may go a little slower. At least the deadline is mid-July rather than mid-August.

Re: Lucas Giolito -  Health and signability still up in the air. He's not going to be "cleared" in terms of given a clean bill of health. He had a sprained ligament in his elbow. It's up to individual teams to decide what that will mean for his future. I still don't have any feel for where he'll go. I think Royals go for Appel/Kevin Gausman/Kyle Zimmer if they can get one, maybe Lance McCullers.

Re: Trey Williams - He's an all-bat guy with a questionable approach and pitch recognition, so there's a lot of risk there. Hasn't played with a lot of energy this spring either. There's plus raw power in there, but will he get to it?

Re: Matthew Reckling  -   Reckling will move up some because as a senior with no leverage, he can be had at a discount. And he's one of the better seniors available. I'd say third to fifth round. 

Re: JUCO - The best are Western Nevada RHP Dylan Baker, Polk County (Fla.) RHP Alec Asher and San Jacinto (Texas) LHP Daniel Stumpf.

Re: Gavin Cecchini -     Keep hearing the Mets. There aren't a lot of legit shortstops in this draft, and Cecchini will go soon after Arizona State's Deven Marrero does.

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