Thus far the Positional Players Draft Class of 2007 is very unimpressive at the dish.  Averages, OBP & Slugging are uninspiring all around.  Let's hope it's a transitionary phase & the month of August shows dramatic improvement all around.

On a positive note Mike G's infatuation with young catcher Collins seems warranted in the early going.  What do you see in Collins that has you so excited?

Another Collins in GCL

 Pitcher Tim Collins, who graduated from Worcester Tech last month, signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night and will report to the Dunedin Blue Jays, the team’s Single-A affiliate in the Florida State League.

“This came out of nowhere,” Collins said. “I was all set to go to (the Community College of Rhode Island), and then my Main South (American Legion) coach scheduled a workout with the Jays. (Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi) caught me pitching somewhere, then he and scout Tom Clark set up a workout.”

Collins threw a bullpen session on Thursday, met again with Clark, and signed a contract the next day.

Collins, who will leave for Dunedin on Wednesday, expects to work out of the bullpen for the first few weeks.

“I’m sure they’re going to have me take it slow,” Collins said. “I’ll probably do a little bullpen workout, and start off throwing one or two innings until I’m ready to start.”

I've never seen Romero pitch, but over the last couple of years I've read every scouting report I could find on him, and from what I've read, #3 starter and maybe even #2 starter doesn't seem like that much of a stretch.  I don't see him with the Jays next year though, with Janssen and Litsch likely ahead of him on the depth chart right now.

My biggest concern with Romero is that he has missed time with shoulder problems the last couple of years.  Most scouting reports I've read report he has "plus" command with his "average-plus" stuff, but he has not displayed good command in AA this year as he has a BB9 rate around 5.  I wonder if the injuries have played a part.

Anyway, despite what some might say, Ricciardi is not a complete idiot and I highly doubt he'd target a guy with 5th starter stuff with the 6th overall pick.  If Romero can stay healthy he should eventually be a good middle of the rotation lefty, from what I've read.

Greg JP

What site?  Who was the 'talent evaluator?'  Commenting about 'prospects' and further, predicting what the Jays see in their future, is a little disconcerting.  Without direct feedback from the front office, a lot of these writings should be taken with a grain of salt. 

Greg JP

What site?  Who was the 'talent evaluator?'  Commenting about 'prospects' and further, predicting what the Jays see in their future, is a little disconcerting.  Without direct feedback from the front office, a lot of these writings should be taken with a grain of salt.

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