1 - Padres, Matt Bush, SS. This one we know before the draft.

Mets took Humber.

Who'd the Tigers take?

Devil Rays, Jeff Niemann. MLB Radio missed the #2 pick.

This is moving VERY quickly. I may be able to hear the Jays pick!!!

As I said earlier, Milwaukee took Mark Rogers (overrated HS pitcher).

Indians got LHP Jeremy Sowers, he'll be a good one. Nice pick.

It will be interesting to see how far Weaver falls.

Mark Shapiro does a great job. Sowers might reach the majors first according to some reports.

7 - Reds take Homer Bailey.

Six or seven picks already? No wonder this isn't on TV, you'd only fill 10 minutes. :)

Verlander went #2

Who went 2nd?

Almost Jeopardy! like.

Orioles at #8 - Wade Townsend of Rice. Good pick. Rice gets three pitchers picked by #8, that has to be a record.

Bal Townsend; Col Nelson (HS)

Matt Bush
Justin Verlander
Philip Humber
Jeff Niemann
Mark Rogers
Jeremy Sowers
Homer Bailey
Wade Townsend
Chris Nelson (Rockies)

Rangers took Thomas Diamond; the first guy off the list who the Jays might have looked at as a possible.

College pitchers, bye-bye!

Well, all the top starting pitchers are going quick.

UNO's Thomas Diamond to Texas

Pirates take HS catcher Neil Walker (signability pick?)

7 college picthers picked so far, no Stephen Drew.

Weaver to Anaheim

Jered Weaver goes to Anaheim!

Very smart pick.

Anaheim got Weaver

Moreno's money knows no end as the Angels take Weaver at 12

Montreal takes reliever Bill Bray - who we'll probably see in the majors in September.

Butler to KC, a HS player.

Expos took a real signability pick, William Gray of William & Mary.

Royals took HS third baseman Billy Butler.

The Pirates, never confused with a Moneyball club, take a high school catcher. The Angels aren't afraid to spend money and may have stolen Weaver from the Dodgers.

Sorry, Bill Bray. That makes sense.

Arizona took Stephen Drew. Jays up I think?

And the pick is.......

Purcey

Purcey it is!

lol you guys are right on top of things...

Toronto gets Percy :P

Jays Got Purcey.

So Purcey, Fields or Thompson for the Jays?

We got the big lefty. Purcey is an Andy Pettitte fan; it will be just fine if he lives up to that standard.

From mlb.com:

EXTRA-LARGE. FRAME. THICK, STRONG BODY & LEGS. IMPRESSIVE PHYSICALLY. SIMILAR BODY AS MATT WHITE. NO WINDUP, HIGH 3/4 DELIVERY. FAIR MECHANICS. LONG ARC, PROPER ACTION. FB VELOCITY AVG, TOUCHES ABOVE AVG AT TIMES, MOST RIDE. SLURVE-TYPE CB. OCCAISIONAL STRAIGHT CHANGEUP. BIG BODY & IMPRESSIVE ARM. USABLE FB.

There's also video on Purcey. Click here and move down to his name.

I watched a bunch of MLB footage yesterday and Purcey had the best stuff of any lefthander. Very good pick.

The (multi-)million dollar question:

Are Purcey's control problems correctable?

I'm glad someone took Fields because I didn't want the Jays to take him. He looks awfully slow to me - too slow to be a major league third baseman. His bat is good enough to be competent at the big league level at first base, but I don't see anything more than that as a possibility.

Question:

In the MLB.com video, what do the two numbers in the bottom right stand for? One of them is pitch speed, I assume...

Brent's the man. If Purcey can harness his control to a reasonable degree, he's a potential #1 starter.

Jim Callis at BA did an excellent job with his first round forecast. He had Purcey, the Jays are not as secretive as we think.

Aaron Gleeman got his wish... the Twins got Minnesota P Glen Perkins.

11 college pitchers, 2 college position players through 22 picks.

The Yankees have a first round pick? What kind of a crazy draft is this?

Yankees take Philip Hughes, a HS pitcher. Cut out that sniggering back there.

Hopefully they can do something with his control (I am sure they wouldnt have drafted him otherwise)...

Good A's pick, Landon Powell. Looks like Suzuki will fall to the Jays if they want him.

Landon Powell is a good pick for the A's - they'll need catching down the road.

Oakland takes my #2 college position player - Robnett.

Richie Robnett to the A's, interesting pick. Pretty scouty draft pick for the A's.

A high school second baseman?

The Dodgers took Blake DeWitt. A HS 2B. Odd pick.

Hey Craig - look at my rankings on the other thread!

Purcey seemed to have made huge strides with his control earlier this year and then fell apart a little in his last few starts (I think it was about the time JP went to see him, IIRC). They may have even seen a fixable mechanical flaw that's holding him back. It's a solid pick. It sure would have been interesting to see if JP would have taken a shot if Weaver or Drew had fallen any further, but a solid pick nonetheless.

Who did LA nab?

Why does Baltimore get a first round pick? Weren't Lopez and Tejada Type A's? Ah, I'm too confused.

Sandwich picks anyone? I'd guess a hitter- EME or Suzuki or Chip Cannon.

Matt Campbell, a good pick by the Royals.

Never mind - Baltimore picks in the first half, I remember now.

"There's a good deal of money in baseball today," Purcey said when he rejected the Mariners' offer coming out of high school. "But the main reason you turn down going pro right away is just to become a better person and a better player. In college you improve as a baseball player and you get life experience. Money shouldn't be the reason you play the game."

I like him already.

Please take J.P. Howell at #32, please!

The Yanks have Houston's first-round pick, I believe, for the loss of Andy Pettitte.

Question: Would the Jays have taken Stephen Drew had he fallen one spot further?

Huston Street Is A Prototypical Blue Jays Draft Pick, A Safe Dependable Pitcher.. I Hope We Grab Him Or Kurt Suzuki.

LA picked LHP Scott Elbert at #17, the highest rated highschool lefty in the draft. At #28 they took highschool 2B Blake DeWitt. I think LA does know what they're doing here as they're rolling the dice for higher return rather than a predictable safe return. I think when you're picking late there is a point where it is more worth it to try for that higher return.

I agree with Mike, the Jays will get a hitter with the next pick.

Rob, Baltimore have a first-rounder because you can't lose your first-rounder if you're in the top 15 picks. The A's get Baltimore's second-rounder for Tejada.

A profile of Purcey is in the Blue Jay draft thread now.

I think they'll go with a pitcher. But to mix it up I say they'll draft Mike Ferris out of Miami, Ohio.

Is there a draft tracker that shows a list of the picks and gets updated as the draft goes on?

Cristian, I doubt they would have, but you never know. Drew's bonus demands had already put off 12-15 teams, many of them better financed than Toronto.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/draft/drafttracker
snellville: COMN for the CBS one.

Look for the Jays to take Danny Putnam.

cbs sportsline has a decnt draft tracker. (kind of slow to begin with but they have caught up the end of round one now)

I'd be happy with Putnam too.

Danny Putnam would be a good pick.

The jays were rumoured to be interested in Orenduff @ 16 and he is still sitting there @ 32??

I forgot about Putnam! A fine pick if it were so.

Zach Jackson is also available.

BA is predincting the jays will take Zack Jackson @ 32

Matt fox, Dustin Pedoira, Mike Ferris, Danny Putnam Justin Oredenduf, Eric Beatie, Michael Rodgers, Brett Smith, Zach Jackson still available.

Thanks -- I just have a need to see lists for some reason.

CBS draft tracker, is about 15 minutes behind or so.

The Dodgers' choices of Scott Elbert and Blake DeWitt suggest that DePodesta has a lot of respect for Logan White as a talent scout, and they are also deep enough in young talent to wait for teenagers to develop. Within a year or two, the Jays should be in a similar position.

Jackson, Orenduff, Howell, Fox, Putnam, Suzuki -- there are a lot of fine picks still out there, and the Jays' decision may be predicated on things we know nothing about, like signability. They should get a good #2 as well.

:18 PM ET: Revised Sandwich Projection!
31. KC--Mike Ferris, 1b, Miami (Ohio)
32. Tor--Zach Jackson, lhp, Texas A&M
[12:41] JCallis3: 33. LA--Dexter Fowler, of, Milton HS, Alpharetta, Ga.
34. CWS--Jason Vargas, lhp, Long Beach State
35. Min--Grant Johnson, rhp, Notre Dame
36. Oak--Danny Putnam, of, Stanford
37. NYY--Tyler Lumsden, lhp, Clemson
38. CWS--Jason Jaramillo, c, Oklahoma State
39. Min--Eric Beattie, rhp, Tampa
40. Oak--J.P. Howell, lhp, Texas
41. NYY--B.J. Szymanski, of, Princeton

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/mlb/draftday/y2004/tracker_round_1_1.html
Snellville, the MLB tracker includes their scouting reports. COMN.

rydtgijdbosaiVBoiabP) Howell is gone.

Zack Jackson is the answer...

Here we go: JP Howell - KC

Toronto takes: Zack Jackson, LHP Texas A&M

A Jackson profile will be up in the Blue Jay draft thread in 5-10 minutes.

Zack Jackson it is.

KC now has a lefthanded version of Zach Greinke to go with the righthanded one.

The Jays take lefty Zach Jackson rather than righty Justin Orenduff. The Dodgers take Orenduff right after the Jays pick.

Danny Putnum still on the board but not likely after two Athletics supplemental picks.

There goes Putnum to the A's.

I think BA server has crashed

Two lefties for the Auburn rotation so far, a fine strategy.

Here's a Q & A with Zach Jackson from the Aggies' site.

I like Cleveland's 2nd round pick - Justin Hoyman.

It looks like the Jays felt the same way as many Bauxites who have been saying there aren't enough decent left-handed arms in the system.

I don't know anything about either of these guys, though you guys have been filling the blanks on Purcey. What's Jackson like?

The jays should focus on position players the next few picks.

Oakland takes Michael Rogers, NC State - again taking one of the top players on my statistical rankings.

Jackson throws 89-91 with a good changeup and decent curveball. Pretty good command and pitchability and decent life on the fastball. Comparable to a lefty currently in the Jays rotation in terms of stuff.

Brian Bixler goes to Pittsburgh, a great pick. He's going to be a good major leaguer.

Jackson from mlb.com:

LARGE FRAME. EXCELLENT BODY. PHYSICAL SPECIMEN. BROAD SLOPED SHOULDERS. STRONG, MUSCULAR, DURABLE, PROPORTIONED, ATHLETIC BUILD. QUICK FULL WINDUP, 3/4 DELIVERY. LOOSE, EASY ARM. HIDES BALL WELL. SNEAKY QUICK FB W/ DECEPTION, MOST 89-91, ARMSIDE TAIL, OCCAISIONAL CUTS. BALL GETS ON HITTER QUICK. NOT AFRAID TO PITCH INSIDE. CIRCLE CHANGE W/ SINK, DECEPTION. 3/4 SLURVE W/ SIGNS TIGHT ROTATION, DEPTH. PITCHABILITY. SHOWS POTENTIAL 3 ML PITCHES W/ PLUS COMMAND & DECEPTION. EXCELLENT MAKE-UP.

Click here for video evidence on Jackson.

Thanks, Coach, for the Zach Jackson interview. He's a lefty with what appears to be an odd motion, and is a self-described movie buff, whose favorites are Dumb and Dumber and Old School. Why does this sound familiar?

With the second-rounder Toronto picks Curtis Thigpen of Texas.

Jays second rounder coming up. They take Curtis Thigpen, a catcher from the University of Texas. I don't think anyone had that pick on their radar!

Catcher Curtis Thigpen is our 2nd round pick.

Thigpen is #51 on Craig's statistical list of NCAA hitters...

Thigpen from mlb.com:

COMMENT: MEDIUM FRAME. SLOPING SHOULDERS. WELL DEFINED, LEAN, MUSCULAR, ATHLETIC BUILD. BODY TYPE SIMILAR TO BRAD AUSMUS. BALANCED STANCE W/ PROPER HITTING APPROACH. LINE DRIVE STROKE W/ HAND QUICKNESS. USES WHOLE FIELD. ATHLETIC, AGILE BEHIND PLATE. PLAYABLE HANDS. RUNS WELL FOR CATCHER. LIKES TO PLAY. AGGRESSIVE. SOLID MAKE-UP. PLAYER W/ BAT POTENTIAL. ALSO SEEN AT 1B.

We also have video evidence on Thigpen.

I'm sorry, the Cardinals just called Mike Ferris a centerfielder. That's too damn funny.

http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/ba_pages/2003_04/bios/thigpen.html
Nice of y'all to pick a Longhorn. COMN for his UT bio.

He's hitting .363/.457/.542 this year.

Boston took Dustin Pedroia with their second round pick.

Thigpen's a #2 hitter-type. I'm surprised that they took Thigpen when Jaramillo was available, but obviously they see a lot in him.

Boston with a good pick in Dustin Pedroia, even if he winds up as a 2B.

It's clear that JP basically follows the philosophy of best player available (according to his criteria) rather than drafting for organizational need. With the Jays organizational lack of outfield and corner infield prospects you could have made a case for drafting this year to fill a need. I agree with JP's approach so long as you think there is a market to trade surplus prospects for need.

I forgot Suzuki was still on the board. Prototypical Oakland pick.

Oakland gets Kurt Suzuki, but a lot lower than originally expected.

Nigel, except in exceptional circumstances, very few organizations will ever "draft for need".

Geez, the Giants get Martinez-Esteve with the #70 pick. They really are the Kramer of major league organizations.

Nice grab for San Francisco in Martinez-Esteve. I was hoping the Jays might have been considering him.

Round 3... the Jays have two picks here, at 83 and 87.

Craig, how do you mean the Giants are like Kramer?

I'd say LHP was the most glaring hole in the organization, much moreso than OF or corner IF. So I don't know if it really proves anything other than JP & crew really liked Jackson and Purcey.

Drafting for need makes sense other leagues, where draftees make the team right away and contributions are easier to estimate. That sort of projection isn't sensible in a league where players are likely a few years away from the bigs.

I want to see a picture of J.P. standing in between the two HUGE lefties he's drafted. There's your page one...

Between Powell and Suzuki, I suspect the As have found themselves a fine catcher. They've done very well.

Thigpen is majoring in Health Promotion and Fitness. Conditioning likely won't ever be an issue for him...good to know.

Cristian, remember where George Costanza is going on about Kramer about how his "whole life is a fantasy camp", particularly the part about how he just falls into money? The Giants are the luckiest organization in the majors. They deliberately give away their first-round pick, and they fall into a first-round talent anyway,.

The A's have put together a really nice draft. Every single one of those guys are legitimate picks.

The Jays *might* take a flier on Jeff Larish if he's still available in four picks.

Jays #83 pick is Adam Lind. He checked in at #315 on my hitters list.

I would have picked EME at 16. I don't know if I'd call the Giants getting him late "lucky". Other teams have made very conscious decisions.

Is Chip Cannon still on the board?

Lind from mlb.com:

COMMENT: TALL, WELL PROP BUILD. BROAD SHOULDERS. ROOM TO FILL OUT. BUILT LIKE TODD HELTON. UPRIGHT, SLIGHTLY SPREAD OUT AT PLATE. GETS BAT HEAD THROUGH THE ZONE. SHOWS POWER TO ALL FIELDS. NICE SET-UP AT PLATE. ARM IS PLAYABLE W/ SOME CARRY. BETTER RUNNER UNDERWAY.

No video.

Adam Lind? Weird.

Compensation 3rd rounder is Adam Lind, 1B from U of South Alabama. Two pitchers and then two hitters in a row.

Their own third round pick is Danny Hill, RHP from U of Missouri. I think we'll see a lot more pitchers in the next few rounds.

Toronto's #87...

Danny Hill, RHP, University of Missouri.

COMMENT: MEDIUM, COMPACT, ATHLETIC FRAME. BROAD SHOULDERS. STRENGTH THROUGH CHEST AREA. MUSCULAR THIGHS & LEGS. MINIMAL STRENGTH GAINS. NO WINDUP, 3/4 ANGLE. FB RIDING LIFE, OCCAISIONAL SINK, MOST 90-92. AGGRESSIVE, NOT AFRAID TO PITCH INSIDE. THROWS K'S. FLASHES QUALITY 3/4 TILT SLIDER, TIGHT, SHARP BREAK, OUTPITCH, PLUS AT TIMES. FB VELOCITY & SLIDER MUCH IMPROVED, SPLIT BETTER IN PAST. COMPETES WELL. GOOD ATHLETE.

Lind is also a draft eligible sophomore.

Danny Hill checked in at 162 on my college pitchers list. Decent K numbers, nothing special.

Hey there, do you have up-to-date hitters rankings on the site anywhere? I'm interested to see where O's third round pick Jeff Fiorentino falls; his stats look good, but I can't find much info on him.

Oakland are all about the stats. They just picked Jason Windsor, a top-rated pitcher.

This is the Moneyball gauntlet.

Jason Windsor to Oakland. I think I love all of their picks so far.

Wierd, he is only 5-11 4.26 era

Hill surprises me a little. He's a short righty (5'-11") and a senior with less than a K per inning. 4.39 ERA, 94/34 K/BB, 106 H in 106.1 IP. They must see something in his delivery.

Blast, I can't get the feed at mlb.com. It must be the fourth by now, has Valiquette gone yet (lefty from Montreal)?

Great fourth-round pick by Milwaukee, taking Josh Baker of Rice.

Max, Valiquette hasn't gone. It'll be feasible to see him get drafted around now, but I'd say seventh round.

Damn, hoping to get Baker in the fourth ourselves.

Has anyone taken Mark Roberts of Oklahoma? It blows my mind that he's not a better prospect.

Had to be someone better. Maybe both Jackson and Purcey will command alot of money, so they will be tapped out for higher end prospects.

Colorado got Chris Iannetta, a great pick. Iannetta has the stuff to be a big-league catcher in two years. He's got a terrific arm *and* a solid bat.

Has Ian Kennedy, out of Southern California, gone yet? He was one guy I was hoping the Jays would pick up.

Ian Kennedy is a freshman, I think. I don't think he's eligible.

Yes but still, I am sure they could have gotten a cheap hitter not named Adam Lind. But ehy what do I know, its a crapshoot.

Pretty sure that Kennedy is a freshman (and a good one). He was teammates with Ian Stewart in the O.C. last year.

D'oh.

4th round pick is Robert Jansen, RHP from UCLA.

Jays' foutrh round pick, #117 overall, is RHP Casey Janssen. Good senior pick.

Do you think we were going for Olendourff if Arizona had not grabbed him the pick before?

Casey Janssen from mlb.com:

COMMENT: TALL, LEAN, WELL PROPORTIONED BODY. LONG, LOOSE MUSCLES. SQUARE SHOULDERS. NARROW WAIST. STRONG, WELL DEFINED LEGS. ROOM TO CARRY MORE WEIGHT. NO WINDUP, HIGH 3/4 ARM. SIDE STEP TO START. HIGH LEG KICK. OCCAISIONAL MAJOR LEAGUE FB W/ SINKING ACTION WHEN DOWN. GOOD ROTATION ON BOTH CB & SLIDER. SLIDER MOST EFFECTIVE BREAKING PITCH. GOOD MOTION ON CHANGEUP. MIXES PITCHES WELL. THROWS K'S W/ ALL. GOOD COMPETITOR. CHANCE TO BE SINKER BALL PITCHER.

Janssen showed up at #31 on my list and a solid #24 on Robert's list. He's a good pick in my view.

TALL, LEAN, WELL PROPORTIONED BODY.

I guess we are selling jeans here!

Smack, I hope not. Ohlendorff didn't face much competition and wasn't impressive. He came out at #425 on my performance list.

Incidentally, when I refer to "my list" it's my list of pitchers ranked solely by RSAA in 2004. It's not a comprehensive draft list.

I guess we are selling jeans here!

"Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2007 Toronto Blue Jeans..."

I'm just fascinated about who will get picked by Boston and Oakland.

Boston just took Tommy Hottovy, a great performer but with less than 100% stuff. Matthew Namee will be pretty damn excited about that pick.

Had to be someone better. Maybe both Jackson and Purcey will command alot of money, so they will be tapped out for higher end prospects.

Not that Hill and Janssen aren't quality pitchers (cause they certainly are, especially Janssen IMO), but I wouldn't be overly surprised if they were tabbing a couple seniors with little leverage to keep costs down.

Oakland just grabbed a hs pitcher Webb weird.

Dont know if it has been mentioned or not...but...

Danny Hill was ranked #155 by Baseball America...

Casey Janssen was ranked #181 by Baseball America...

The last 2 pitchers the Jays took were both seniors. Trying to keep costs down?

The last 2 pitchers the Jays took were both seniors. Trying to keep costs down?

If so, we should lower our projections on what the 2005 payroll will be.

Yah really, I dont think JP thought he would get Jackson at #32.

Comments from BA on the jays:

:13 PM ET: Budget-Minded Blue Jays
The Blue Jays took a pair of college seniors to keep costs in line in the third and fourth rounds, but both have upside. Third-rounder Donnie Hill out of Missouri has two solid pitchers with an 89-92 mph sinker and solid slider, and he has shown a decent split-finger fastball. Janssen was a two-way player for his first thre seasons but thrived as a pitcher-only this year, going 10-4, 3.16 with just 30 walks and 87 hits allowed in 117 innings.
-- John Manuel

The Jays still have a ton of players in extended spring training. Its going to get crowded in rookie balls.

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. With 2 extra high picks the cost to sign players will be more this year so by taking seniors they'll cost less to sign (since they can't go back to school).

Perhaps we'll see another senior next?

Hill looks like he may thrive with an eventual move to the pen. Given his size he may be a little more effective at maximum effort with that sinker/slider/split combo.

Who's the best of the rest right now? I'm distracted building the profiles.

Brad McCann still available?

Jays take SS Closterman in the 5th round.

Ryan Klosterman SS Vanderbilt #87 on Craigs list...

Klosterman was #170 per BaseballAmerica...

Dont think McCann is gone yet but i would suspect he will be by Toronto's next pick...

Klosterman will probably move to 2nd base, fringy arm strength.

This is more like it. Ryan Klosterman is a solid hitter, played well against a very tough schedule. It's telling that players the Jays would have had lower down in previous years need to be picked higher up now.

Anyone else find the conference call as dry as the desert (as it should be in order to get through 1400+ players in a day and a half) until we reach the Los Angeles Dodgers and their delightful wingnut vice president Tommy Lasorda? He cracks me up. "His name is Spanish for war". Keep it up Tommy!

It's telling that players the Jays would have had lower down in previous years need to be picked higher up now.

It would come to pass that the Jays land all these lovely extra picks in a weak draft year. You never can tell, though...

I am still surprised at the Jays taking Thigpen, especially with Kurt Suzuki on the board...this is one comparison i will be looking at over the next few years...(Baseball America did not have Thigpen as one of their top 200 prospects).

Suzuki could of commanded first round money maybe.

Alot of players were still on the board when Thigpen is picked, they could of got this guy in the 4th round, or higher and selected a higher cieling player instead.

Klosterman is a leadoff hitter. Defensively very steady, he has good defensive numbers as well. Solid makeup.

Yeah, Tommy Lasorda cracks me up.

Anyone else find the conference call as dry as the desert until we reach the Los Angeles Dodgers and their delightful wingnut vice president Tommy Lasorda? He cracks me up. "His name is Spanish for war". Keep it up Tommy!

Yeah, Tommy is pretty funny.

On the other hand I don't need teams to tell me that this player is the brother in law of Lance Berkman, etc.

In terms of depth, this draft certainly seems to be shaping up much more like 2002 than 2003. It's hard to see a Vito or Roberts still being around in the 15th-20th round. Can't wait to find out though.

Ryan Klosterman is a good pick in pure baseball terms. Plus, he likes Seinfeld and David Eckstein. That is more like it.

Sheehan has an interesting piece about the results of the 2000 draft. What a motley crew.

Tampa Bay is holding up the draft!

In terms of Thigpen, signability and remaining budget is a big consideration. With two extra picks, the Jays may have gone with a guy who would command a lower bonus in order to finance their extra picks. This is also an organization that signs most of their first day picks so they want to make their money stretch.

Has anyone taken Joe Koshansky of the University of Virginia yet?

I agree Pistol "brother in law" is really irrelevant, but I like to know about bloodlines if there are any, even if the original family member only had a fleeting career because it means the player grew up around the game. As anyone who knows about languages knows, kids soak up whatever language is around them and after all baseball is a language.

Jays' sixth-round pick, #177..

cory Patton, OF, Texas A&M. Good hitter.

Hmm, for a pitching strong draft the Jays have selected a high percentage of position players. Their 6th round pick is an outfielder.

Pistol, the only reason teams do this is that it's traditional to do so.

Cory Patton's Bio. They've gone Texas crazy.

There goes Brad McCann to Florida.

McCann just went to Florida in the 6th round...

Patton : LARGE FRAME. BROAD, SLOPED SHOULDERS. SQUATTY, THICK, STRONG, OVERALL BUILD. BODY TYPE SIMILAR TO MATT STAIRS. SEVERE OPEN STANCE, FLAT BAT. HAND HITCH W/ LOTS OF MOVEMENT. BAT POTENTIAL. STRENGTH, QUICKNESS W/ LIFT FOR FUTURE PLUS PWR POTENTIAL. BALL JUMPS OFF BAT. JUST HITS. AVG ARM W/ ONLINE CARRY. OFFENSIVE, RUN PRODUCING TYPE BAT POTENTIAL. Click here and scroll down for the links to video on Patton. This guy's your slow slugger if ever I've seen one.

Our first Canadian I think!

Craig Langille, a HS pitcher out of New Brunswick (C.P. Allen High, who I played once at basketball many moons ago). To Milwaukee.

And bang, there, Philippe-Alex Valiquette chosen two picks after Langille to Cincy.

Can-Con Alert! Valiquette to Cincinatti

Toronto's 7th round pick, 207th overall...

Randy Dickens from Shippensburg U. (Division II I believe, so no stats)

RANDY DICKEN SHIPPENSBURG U
RHP R/R 6'1" 190 1982-08-19

COMMENT: STRONG FRAME. BROAD SHOULDERS. SOLID LOWER HALF. POTENTIAL TO ADD WEIGHT & STRENGTH. 3/4, LOOSE ARM. SINK ACTION FB, LOCATES WELL. MIXES IN 12 TO 6 CB. DECENT COMMAND. WORKS CORNERS. NOT OVERPOWERING, JUST GETS JOB DONE.

There's video on Dicken, which I'll have to remember to watch tonight. Click here.

Seattle snags a Canadian!

Thigpen & Lind are disappointments, especially for a team that is supposed to draft its way into being a contender. Thigpen projects as a back up catcher who is able to play other positions & Lind has a poor arm and is not a good athlete. Athlete is not a dirty word even though some people portray it as such. If money is a concern then trade your free agents and get what you can rather than paying out bonus money to these guys, especially with Jaramillo and Suzuki available. Now that my rant is over I'll start pulling for them and hope the jays are right but I can't help but think of what might have been.

Another Canadian pick, OF Sebastian Boucher of Ottawa out of Bethune-Cookman College.

The weird thing is, Bethune-Cookman is a black college. Now maybe I'm wrong, but I'm laying 3-2 odds that Boucher isn't black. Not that there's anything wrong with that; I just think it's odd.

Great pick by the Red Sox at 215, picking up Patrick Perry from Northern Colorado. Dang, I love the Red Sox and A's picks.

Dicken throws stikes, 104 K's to 19 BB in 73.2 innings. 1.53 ERA, 50 H, 2 HR. (of course keep in mind that's against Div. II competition but it's still pretty solid. )

Athlete is not a dirty word even though some people portray it as such.

Who does? When? You're making things up to make yourself look smart.

Good selection by San Diego, picking up Vern Sterry at the start of the eighth round.

Some southerner in the Tigers draft room wanted them to take "Hughes"... wonder who that is.

Randy Dicken's 2004 numbers... 73.2 IP, 1.59 ERA, 50 H, 19 BB, 103 K, 2 HR

Geez, Tampa's holding up the draft again. Can't these guys work a freaking telephone?

Sounds like Tampa Bay just took that Hughes guy.

I think Tampa held the draft up because they wanted to change their pick to the player that Tigers guy wanted.

Jays pick, 8th round, 237th overall, CHIP CANNON. You got your wish.

Tor got Cannon...

Chip Cannon!

Uh-oh, did someone break the thread?

Maybe they are reading my posts?

If so: Give Brent first-round money!

Sorry Eric, I had to delete your post. You and Pistol had a cosmic meeting of the minds and posted identical comments at identical times. I think it messed up the thread.

Yes, the thread broke, but I fixed it (I think).

Brent, you must be thrilled with Cannon, who immediately becomes the best player named Rhame in Toronto sports history.

Boston took Kyle Bono. Lemme tell you, I love their draft so far. Love it.

All right.

The weird thing is, Bethune-Cookman is a black college. Now maybe I'm wrong, but I'm laying 3-2 odds that Boucher isn't black.

You lose.

Next, pitcher Eddie of Florida State, for a 2 Cannon battery?

Heh... whoops. I'm going for some revisionist history.

Oh thank goodness... I was worried they weren't going to draft any cool names like Bubbie Buzachero, Brad Mumma, Jayce Tingler, Vito Chiaravolloti and Zeph Zinsman like the past 2 years.

Seriously, Cannon's a very good pick but you have to wonder if he would have lasted to the 15th round or so last year.

Dear lord, I can just hear the headline puns in the distance.

Oh well, I only lost $60 on that $40 bet. That makes up for my prediction that Milwaukee would take Mark Rogers.

I've just been out of lurking for about a week now and I've already broken a thread? Tremendous!

Ryan01, given how fast the guys I think of as "Pure Moneyball" players have gone, I'd be very surprised if Cannon had gone past ten rounds.

And Cannon is a senior to boot.....

Has anyone taken Mark Roberts of Oklahoma? It blows my mind that he's not a better prospect.

Nabbed by Texas in the... 9th round? I don't know where we are now.

Craig, I agree, I don't think Cannon would have made it past the 10th round this year either. But when you compare him to Vito and Roberts I think he might have been had a little later if it were last year's draft. Just my 3rd or 4th comment on the depth of this draft so far in this thread. I'll stop now.

Craig, I agree, I don't think Cannon would have made it past the 10th round this year either. But when you compare him to Vito and Roberts I think he might have been had a little later if it were last year's draft. Just my 3rd or 4th comment on the depth of this draft so far in this thread. I'll stop now.

Two great names in a row.

Toronto's 9th-round pick, #267 overall

Joey Metropoulos, 1B, USC.

I'll stop now.

Or maybe I wont. Maybe I'll just double post everyone to death. :(

JOSEPH METROPOULOS U SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

1B R/R 6'1" 230 1983-10-07

COMMENT: LARGE, FULLY MATURED BODY. BROAD SHOULDERS. MUSCULAR UPPER BODY DEFINED ARMS, STRONG WRISTS. POWERFUL LEGS. BIGGER MATT WILLIAMS. WRAPS BAT. AGGRESSIVE FB HITTER APPROACH. POWERFUL, QUICK BAT. BALL JUMPS OFF BAT W/ AUTHORITY. PLUS-PLUS PWR. AVG ARM, ON-LINE THROWS. COMPETITIVE INSTINCTS. TOO MUCH PWR TO IGNORE. GOOD MAKE-UP, TEAM PLAYER, FUN TO BE AROUND.

There's video on Metropoulos too. Click and scroll down.

He's a power hitter with no power.

Seems like the Jays are taking quite a few first basemen this year...

Lind, Cannon, Metropoulos?...

Great pick, great great pick, by Boston with their 9th-rounder. Matt Vanderbosch of Oral Roberts is the best-performing leadoff hitter in the NCAA this year. Terrific on-base and speed to burn.

Easily the greatest name since...well, Chip Cannon.

Yep, the Jays have definately crossed me up. In a draft where pitching was a strength they've taken more position players in the first 9 rounds than in the same rounds of the previous two drafts combined. The only difference being they took two pitchers before the second round.

Joey Metropolous looks a bit like Vito in that he had a bad final season, but his previous years were strong.

Maybe an injury sapped power?

Has no-one taken Jeff Larish?

I can't, for the life of me, figure out why Matt Macri fell to 140.

Colorado got a terrific pitcher, Jarrett Grube of Memphis.

As far as I can tell, Larish is still available!? There must be health issues. There must be. This is weird.

10th rounder is 2B Brian Hall of Stanford - whom I have ranked #171 in hitting (all classes Division 1) and #64 in speed-adjusted rankings.

Another position player for the Jays. This time at 2B. I guess they realized how crowded the low minors were with pitchers already.

Jays 10th round pick, 267th overall

Brian C. Hall, 2B from Stanford. Played as a RF (Stanford have a killer DP combo).

MEDIUM FRAME. LEAN, ATHLETIC BUILD. BROAD, ROUNDED SHOULDERS. EVENLY PROPORTIONED. STRONG. SOUND MECHANICS. AGGRESSIVE W/ BAT. GENERATES BAT SPEED THROUGH ZONE, LINE DRIVE STROKE W/ OCCAISIONAL PWR. RUN SCORER, WILL STEAL SOME BAGS, RUNS BASES WELL. MAKES ROUTINE PLAY, PROPER ROUTES, COVERS GROUND. ACCURATE ARM. ATHLETIC PLAYER W/ INSTINCTS FOR THE GAME. GOOD BAT SPEED, CHANCE TO HIT, OCCAISIONAL HR. TOOLS PLAY BETTER IN CF. BASE STEALING THREAT.

Hall's got video too. Click here.

Hall came out at 112 on my list of hitters in 2004.

I think it's expected that Larish will return to school to try to reclaim his status and will be a very hard sign. (esp. with Boras)

Wow, the Cubs just got Sam Fuld in the 10th round. I thought he'd go higher than that.

I'd like to say that Oakland's first seven picks rock! Every single one of them among the best performers in Division 1 this year.

We were thinking to much like Oakland, JP looks for sleeprs in the college ranks.

http://www.battersbox.ca/archives/00001896.shtml
FYI - The first 12 players taken by the Jays have summaries in the 2004 Blue Jay draft thread. COMN.

Has Dexter Fowler been drafted yet? I would figure, but I don't recall hearing his name(MLB radio went out on me for three or four rounds).

12 picks so far - 7 hitters, 5 pitchers

A little more hitting than I would have expected originally, although I'm not against it.

Eric, Fowler has not yet been picked.

He's committed to Stanford, no?

At this point, either he's not drafted at all, or it's a wasted pick - like when the D'backs picked a Stanford recruit in the 50th (he was 2-3 round talent, but his name escapes me - Manship. One of Matt or Jeff, the other one went to Notre Dame)

Did anybody catch the Jays last pick? There was a problem at mlb.com (radio) for some reason...

The last 2 pitchers the Jays took were both seniors. Trying to keep costs down?

If so, we should lower our projections on what the 2005 payroll will be.

Player development (signing bonuses, minor league expenses) comes out of a different pocket than the big-league payroll. They have to stay on budget in both cases, but there's no reason to assume one affects the other. The theory that they didn't expect to get both Purcey and Jackson and it will take more than expected to sign them makes sense to me.

I like Adam Lind, by the way. A high school Mr. Baseball as the best player in Indiana, freshman All-American in college, solid in the Cape league -- he's done everything asked so far. If he's also willing to sign for a reasonable bonus, that's great. Lind, Zach Jackson, Miguel Batista and a few million dollars in payroll flexibility seems like a nice return for letting Escobar leave.

I'm also excited about Klosterman and Cannon —- in fact, all the position players look like good picks to me -- and who knows about the pitchers? Danny Hill may have been a bit of a reach; we'll see. Maybe he projects as a closer. Janssen was a late bloomer, Dicken could be anything.

I'm with Craig, Robert and others in liking the Oakland and Boston drafts quite a lot, but I remain confident that J.P. and his people know exactly what they are doing.

One guy I was looking for who hasn't gone is Jason Urquidez of Arizona State.

I think the Jays' round 11 was a pitcher but I didn't catch the name.

Neither did I...lot of static on the phone line and it seemed that they put the volume down...

FWIW, my guess is that Brian Hall ends up as a centerfielder. He's past 22, and has very good speed, and has spent most of his time in the outfield in Stanford, and apparently none in the middle infield.

Toronto's new pick is Eric Nielson, OF, U of Nevada - Las Vegas.

#12 Nielson (from MLB): MEDIUM, COMPACT FRAME. STOCKY BUILD. SLOPING SHOULDERS. BARREL CHEST. WELL DEVELOP. STRONG & DURABLE. SIMILAR TO PAUL LODUCA. NARROW, UPRIGHT, OPEN STANCE. HARD, CONSISTENT CONTACT. TOP HAND AUTHORITY, HAS ADDED LOFT TO SWING. GAP SHOTS MOSTLY, OCCAISIONAL HR. ON-LINE THROWS. MAKES ROUTINE PLAYS. FEARLESS & AGGRESSIVE. PLAYS W/ PASSION. ALL BUSINESS. HAS HIT AT EVERY LEVEL. HAND SPEED & STRENGTH TO HIT. PWR POTENTIAL COULD SUPRISE W/ TIME. SOLID DEFENSE & ARM.

Nielsen is #30 on Craig's list...

Brian Hall is listed as a infielder/outfielder on Standford's web site, but the jays when they drafted him asked specifically he be listed as a second baseman.

Oakland just took Nick Blasi from the University of Witchita, who appears on Robert's list of top 10 position players prospects over 22.

Blasi is also #25 on Craig's adjusted stats list.

Looks like the jays 11th round pick was Kristian Bell RHP Blinn College.

Kyle Yates, RHP, University of Texas.

Another from the Lone Star state.

Dodgers just took Larish in round 13

Toronto picks pitcher Yates in the 13th round and the Dodgers select Larish right after that. Could be a steal for LA who have the money to sign him.

Which player still left on the board suprises you?
We are up to round 14, hope JP works his magic here

Kristian Bell and Kyle Yates both are smallish relievers

Huh, Anaheim picked Nick Adenhart in the 14th round. I can't imagine they'd be willing to pay him, so I wonder their reasoning (get in good with him for the future?).

Anaheim might pay him. Given how their new owner has thrown around money so far.

Draft and follow for Andeheart?

Did someone catch the Jays last pick? Think it was a pitcher...

Jordan Timm, LHP, Wisc Oshkosh

Description of Timm has him as an outfielder...listed as LHP though:

COMMENT: LARGE FRAME. STRONG, MATURE, WELL PROPORTIONED. BODY TYPE SIMILAR TO JACK CUST. WIDE, UPRIGHT STANCE. DONALD & RENEE. STRENGTH IN SWING, OCCAISIONAL HR PWR. ARM PLAYABLE. OUTFIELD REACTIONS & INSTINCTS, PROPER TECHNICS. WILL CATCH BALL. AVG RUNNER W/ BASE RUNNING INSTINCTS, WANTS TO STEAL. MATURE PHYSICALLY. AGGRESSIVE PLAYER.

http://www.naturesguard.com
Has anyone seen where Symanski went and when?

Szymanski went 48th overall to Cincy.

What about Billy Becher?

Chris H - I don't believe the profile you have on Timm is correct.

I have the other thread with the consolidated picks and profiles up to date through round 15.

Becher hasn't been picked yet. Probably as should be... teams saw right through his numbers, which are inflated with thin air.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/draftday/y2004/tracker_round_1_1.html
In the spirit of giving y'all a fishing pole...click on my name to get to MLB's Draft Tracker page, where you can search by last name to see where players have been chosen.

Is it just me or are these draft write-ups on the players just about the funniest thing you've read all day? Who comes up with these adjectives? Is this a baseball draft or the dating game?

WELL PROPORTIONED
SLOPING SHOULDERS
WELL DEFINED LEGS
FUN TO BE AROUND
USES WHOLE FIELD
JUST HITS
WILL CATCH BALL
LIKES TO PLAY

Just checked again...thats what they have listed for Timm at mlb.com???

Johnnys99 - dont see Belcher being taken...also havent seen Ryan Jones of East Carolina taken either...

Did Ryan Jones get selected yet?

Loveshack, it's scout shorthand. It seems silly, but if you know what the stuff means it actually can say quite a lot.

A few examples... "well proportioned" means a guy has a plus body. Which means he looks good in the uniform.

"just hits"... this is the guy without a lot of physical talent, maybe rough in the field, or slow, or even a bit of an ugly swing, but who gets good results with the bat.

"will catch ball"... usually associated with a 1Bman, sometimes an outfielder. Some first baseman can't catch the ball (i.e. they drop it occasionally), and don't show any aptitude for doing so. That's a trouble sign. "Will catch ball" is normally shorthand for a guy who looks like he will develop into a guy with soft hands.

"likes to play"... usually a hustler, a guy who enjoys the competition. Think Orlando Hudson.

"uses whole field"... self-explanatory. A guy (usually a power or linedrive guy... a spray hitter will usually not get this kind of remark since he normally uses the whole field anyway) who doesn't rely only on pulling the ball. The Jays teach this approach as an organizational thing.

Loveshack, it's scout shorthand. It seems silly, but if you know what the stuff means it actually can say quite a lot.

A few examples... "well proportioned" means a guy has a plus body. Which means he looks good in the uniform.

"just hits"... this is the guy without a lot of physical talent, maybe rough in the field, or slow, or even a bit of an ugly swing, but who gets good results with the bat.

"will catch ball"... usually associated with a 1Bman, sometimes an outfielder. Some first baseman can't catch the ball (i.e. they drop it occasionally), and don't show any aptitude for doing so. That's a trouble sign. "Will catch ball" is normally shorthand for a guy who looks like he will develop into a guy with soft hands.

"likes to play"... usually a hustler, a guy who enjoys the competition. Think Orlando Hudson.

"uses whole field"... self-explanatory. A guy (usually a power or linedrive guy... a spray hitter will usually not get this kind of remark since he normally uses the whole field anyway) who doesn't rely only on pulling the ball. The Jays teach this approach as an organizational thing.

Sorry for the 2x post. Anyway, Blue Jays 15th-rounder is RHP Mike Macdonald out of the University of Maine (Go Black Bears!). 6-1 senior righty (well, he's 23 anyway) who showed in at 158 on my 2004 top performers list.

Mike MacDonald's bio.

He's had some great K numbers, albeit against blah competition. But hey, it was better competition than Princeton's and his numbers were as good as Ohlendorf's. Nine Ks per nine innings this year and last year.

Thanks for the explanation Craig, I figured it was something like that I just didnt know the specifics. And it's still funny. FUN TO BE AROUND? Um, ok hehe. And what's with the shoulders thing? Is there a specific reason for mentioning whether each prospect has SLOPING, STRAIGHT, or BROAD shoulders? Are they just trying to fill up space? Dont they have photos? I realize that a guy with Broad Shoulders would on average probably have more power, but is that really an attribute worth taking into account when drafting?

Ah, it's a holdover from the old days, when most guys were purchased at 17 or 18 and you had to project adult bodies from teenagers.

Thanks, they should take a Flyer on Billy Becher, his stats are pretty impressive whatever way you take it.

Wow, a puerto rican High school was taken by the Jays.

The Jays take Joey McLaughlin Jr. in the 18th round, also a right-handed pitcher. Anyone wanna bet that he gets nearly as much media coverage tomorrow as Purcey?

The jays just drafted Joey McLaughlin Jr, son of former bluejays pitcher Joey McLaughlin. I wonder how happy he is that he was drafted by the bluejays. As I recall it the bluejays fans booed Joey McLaughlin mercilessly every time he came out to pitch.

Any info on Mclaughlin?

OK, the Jays' 16th-round pick is Jose Castro, a high-school shortstop out of Puerto Rico. Do yourself a favour and head over to mlb.com to look at the video of Castro at a tryout (it's near the bottom, click on "56K" or "350K" on the right-hand side). He doesn't really know where it's going (yet), but this little dude has an *arm*.

He's a serious project, but that's what mid-round high schoolers are all about. He's only 17.

Scouting report on Castro:

JOSE CASTRO PUERTO RICO BB ACADEMY HS
SS S/R 5'8" 160 1986-11-05

COMMENT: SMALL FRAME. LEAN, WIRY BUILD. LOOSE & AGILE. SLIGHTLY SLOPED SHOULDERS. FAIR MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT. SLIGHT OPEN STANCE, SETS UP FAR FROM PLATE, AVG STRIDE. SLIGHT UPPERCUT SWING W/ GOOD ACCELERATION. CONTACT HITTER. ALLEY PWR. AGGRESSIVE AT PLATE. USES WHOLE FIELD. STRONG INFIELDING ABILITY. EXCELLENT HAND-EYE. GOOD CARRY ON THROWS. GOOD TURNS ON BASES. ASTUTE, TOTAL CONCENTRATION IN GAME. PROJECTS TO HIT FROM LEFT SIDE.

Just another example of J.P.'s impish sense of humour :)

Craig - Any players ranked high on your lists that didn't get drafted?

What you don't want to see in your team's juco draftees... Michael Cooper gave up 8 hits and 7 runs in 1.2 innings in his team's playoff loss three weeks ago. But Cooper led his juco conference with a 1.13 ERA in 32 innings, a 35/11 K/W ratio.

a puerto rican High school was taken by the Jays

An entire high school? Even the nerds, skaters, and burnouts? I would have thought the Jays would have only been interested in baseball players.

Pistol, I've no idea. The #1 draft-eligible hitter, Ryan Jones of East Carolina, hasn't been picked but he has serious injury concerns. An injury of some kind has forced him to DH in the latter part of this year. If it's serious, it could scare teams off. Jones isn't a real scouty guy... he's only 5-7 and that's a huge black mark already.

Hey--can someone explain the concept of going for signability/budget picks in the draft? I can understand making strategic picks in rounds 1 and 2, but in the lower rounds as well? I thought the draft was supposed to be the great equalizer (ie, if you can't spend on pricey free agents, you can make up for it in the draft, especially if you have some extra picks from losing one or more free agents). Based on some observers' comments, it sounds as though the lower budget teams are at a big disadvantage on draft day as well.

I was a little suprised that Micah Owings of Georgia Tech was not drafted on day one.

My favorite pick in the draft... in the 16th round the A's apparently signed a photon who plays catcher... no dimension, no mass.

TYLER BEST LEWIS & CLARK ST COL C L/R 0'0" 0 1981-04-24

As someone on Primer pointed out, "there's a player who won't sell jeans".

in the 16th round the A's apparently signed a photon who plays catcher.

And it's hard to say
Just how some things never change
And it's hard to find
Any strength to draw the line
I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance
I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance

the lower budget teams are at a big disadvantage on draft day

What else is new? They are also at a disadvantage in the international FA market; only a few teams are able to throw $32 million at Jose Contreras. As with every other phase of talent acquisition, the frugal teams have to do two things -- be more creative than their rivals and avoid expensive mistakes. Paying $10 million to a first-rounder is out of the question, and making sure you can sign your picks in advance without blowing your budget is just common sense.

Mike, for me the first song that came to mind wasn't the neutron dance but this little ditty:

Particle man, particle man
Doing whatever a particle can
What's he like? It's not important
Particle man

Is he a dot or is he a speck?
When he's underwater does he get wet?
Or does the water get him instead?
Nobody knows
Particle man

Coach (or whomever else of the Cabal is handy), I'm sure that you guys can check IP addresses.

I'm hoping that the post 2 up can be quickly affirmed or deleted.

Oops, already done.

Fantastic job of maintaining the site the way an informed fan site should be!

Thanks, Max. It only takes a minute to delete an inappropriate comment, but it's still a nuisance. The offending IP address has been noted, and any other impersonations from that PC will result in it being banned from future comments.

"An entire high school? Even the nerds, skaters, and burnouts? I would have thought the Jays would have only been interested in baseball players."

Yep, the whole school, Correction: "er". Who has time to pay attention to typing at work anyways? Bad enough, myself and others are slacking off, but slacking in thorough matter. Skaters and burnouts in puerto Rico? Maybe burnouts, but i doubt skateboarders.

Overall I'm surprised at just how many hitters were taken by the Jays on Day 1. I think because the Jays got both of the guys they were targeting with their first pick that freed them up to go a little heavier on hitting the rest of the day. They obviously think a lot of Jackson to take him ahead of guys like Orenduff, Putnam, and others.

I believe part of the reason, is the because of the amount of holdovers still in extended spring training that are pitchers.

Any idea why the Jays used their 3rd pick on Curtis Thigpen? He seems like a decent college player, but his stats aren't off the charts. He seems like the kind of guy who might have been available for a few more rounds.

Actually, check that. Thigpen's 2004 stats for U of Texas were very good (he lead the team in ABs, BA, OBP, and slugging at .363/.457/.542). In 2003 he hit .311/.408/.464, and .256/.410/.390 the year before that. So the trend is pretty good.

Any word on any draft-and-follow or stealth signs of '03 guys just before this years draft? Last year, Nick Thomas and Amos Day signed....looks like Thomas has some competition for PT in Auburn now - they better get him up to Charleston so that he can play some - same goes with Jermy Acey.

I can't wait till 2007!!!!!

Ace-Roy Halladay
2p-Dustin McGowan
3p-Josh Banks
4p-David Bush
5p-Purcey/Rosario/Jackson

Closer: Cy Fraser

I don't know if he's a real prospect but from what ive seen jose castro will be alot of fun to watch play defense. Defensive replacement anyone? Hopefully the jays will sign him. This kids got a gun of an arm.

So, any early "grades" or just general thoughts on how the Jays did on Day 1 of the draft?

I liked most of the picks, but didn't understand some (mostly the signability picks, seeing as how a tighter budget A's team didn't seem to mind about signability)

Favorite Pick anyone?

Mine's Zach Jackson, I think he's going to be a star!

Dave, I've been reviewing the first 10 rounds this morning on my trip into work. I'll have a full set of grades for each team up in a couple of days.

Early impression : Jays get a B so far, maybe a B+ on the curve. J.P. called the 2003 draft a "B+" earlier this year, and I don't think this one will be in quite the same class (J.P.'s a hard marker; I'd give '03 an A- so far), but it's very impressive. Far more impressive than I was originally giving credit for.

Some other, very preliminary, grades from teams I've looked at in depth: Oakland A/A+ (yes, that good), Boston A-, San Diego B (not good considering they had the top pick in every round but the 2nd), Cincinnati C+, Milwaukee C-, Minnesota D (but what do I know - still, 6 HS pitchers in the first 7 rounds), Montreal F. If an F minus was possible, I'd give the Expos an F minus. With a dingleberry on top. I weep for my former team.

My favorite Jays pick is Casey Janssen, the fourth-round pick, a RHP out of UCLA who has really blossomed into a superb pitcher since dedicating himself 100% to pitching. A very good pickup at that spot. I also love the two huge lefties, Purcey and Jackson. Purcey (I'll try to get into this some in the other draft thread) has terrific upside potential, probably as good as any pitcher still in the draft at #16, whether college, HS, whatever.

http://www.okcu.edu/athletics/rosdetail.aspx?id=93&c=2
COMN for the bio of Joey McLaughlin Jr. He looks a bit like his father.

I think to really get an A you need to have produced some front line talent from a draft. The 2003 draft has some players who have a chance to be good but so far you can't really say someone has emerged who looks like a star at the major league level. Although if Aaron Hill's road stats are more indicative of his potential then maybe there's something there. Still it does look like a very good draft...B+ looks about right considering they got a number of useful players in the mid-to-late rounds as well.

I'd give the 2003 draft an A or A+. I don't know yet whether Aaron Hill or Josh Banks or Shaun Marcum will become a major league star. For that matter, I don't know whether Banks or Marcum will make it to the big leagues. It is pretty clear to me however that overall the 2003 draft will produce one minor star (from among those three) at least, and three other solid contributors at a minimum.

I'd give the 2002 draft a B. I view the 2004 draft as the riskiest yet undertaken by JP. I have no idea whether Purcey or Jackson will make it, but it seems that if one does, he could be very, very good. I'd withhold a grade at least until we see this year's crew in Auburn, and maybe later.

Live chat with Jim Callis over at Baseball America 10:45 a.m. ET.

I may ask about a comparison between Thigpen and Suzuki...

Well done, Chris H!

I only wish that Callis had compared the two catchers...

What you think about Adams as a prospect has a huge impact on how you would grade the '02 draft. If you look at that draft you have Bush who seems like the surest bet to become a major league regular whether as a mid to back end of the rotation starter or as a short reliever. You also have Peterson who may well make it to Toronto as a reliever but some caution applies here - he's almost 25 and still in AA. Other than Adams there isn't much else. Perry had value in the Oakland/Toronto trade-a-thon but is looking like a longshot as a prospect now. There are two decent arms injured in Maureau and Leonard but given their age and pitching history I would say they are both real longshots. So you're really left with Bush, Peterson and Adams as real prospects. I'm not that high on Adams so I would give the '02 draft a C+ or B- (solid but nothing special) but if Adams turns out well then its a pretty good draft.

My question got answered:

Q: Chris H from Boston asks:
I was surprised to see the Jays take Thigpen in the 2nd round when Kurt Suzuki was still on the board. Could you tell us a bit about Curtis Thigpen. Thanks!

A: Jim Callis: I thought Thigpen was going to go in the third to fifth round, and was a little surprised he went second. Not surprised he went to the Blue Jays, who apparently were all over the Big 12 this year. Thigpen is a line-drive hitter with terrific plate discipline. He would catch more at Texas if not for the presence of Taylor Teagarden, a likely 2005 first-rounder. Thigpen can catch, play both infield corners and in the outfield. Very versatile, well-rounded player, especially for a catcher. Great reserve to have if he doesn't make it as a starter.

Mike Green ~ "Thanks, Coach, for the Zach Jackson interview. He's a lefty with what appears to be an odd motion, and is a self-described movie buff, whose favorites are Dumb and Dumber and Old School. Why does this sound familiar?"

Who are you implying he sounds like?

http://www.geocities.com/kies19
Howdy,
I'm a student at Texas A&M and I'm a huge Aggie baseball fan. If you guys want to know anything about ZachJack or General Patton feel free to shoot me an email (you can get it from my site).
Cory is my favorite player to come through A&M, so I've followed him more closely than you'd think was possible. I did a HUGE article on him last Friday at my site (link from the bottom of my main page).
As for Jackson, he's great. Someone said earlier that he has a good curveball but that's not correct. He doesn't throw curveball, but instead opts for a slider. The key for his success is locating his change-up.
We're playing LSU in the Super Regionals this weekend and the games should be televised on ESPN or ESPN2 if you guys want to see'em live.

Anything else, just holla....

"Texas A&M & Baseball In No Particular Order"
www.geocities.com/kies19

Oh, I don't know...Nuke Laloosh maybe. Who, of course, was part Fernando Valenzuela. The goofy lefty, along with the crafty lefty, is a part of baseball lore. Here's hoping that Jackson brings some craftiness with the goofiness.

AgRyan, that was a very entertaining and informative piece on Cory Patton.