Monday, June 3, 2002
Coming Soon
By by Allan Simpson
This season's first-year player draft doesn't have a can't-miss talent like RHP Mark Prior, taken by the Cubs at No. 2 last year, but it is deep in pitching -- especially high school pitching. And keep an eye on the sons of ex-big leaguers Cecil Fielder, John Mayberry and Steve Swisher.
Here's how Baseball America's Allan Simpson sees the first round unfolding:
1. Pirates: Bryan Bullington, RHP, Ball State
Scouting director Ed Creech wants five-tool SS B.J. Upton; new GM Dave Littlefield has a more pressing need for immediate help.
2. Devil Rays: Scott Kazmir, LHP, Cypress Falls HS, Houston
Despite size (six feet, 175), there isn't a more polished pitcher in the draft.
3. Reds: Chris Gruler, RHP, Liberty HS, Brentwood, Calif.
Cincinnati had nine front-office people scout Gruler's final start of the season.
4. Orioles: B.J. Upton, SS, Greenbrier Christian Academy, Chesapeake, Va.
Orioles are high on Virginia Tech LHP Joe Saunders, but they won't let Upton, another Virginia product, get away.
5. Expos: Bobby Brownlie, RHP, Rutgers
Montreal's iffy future means it's focusing on the safest commodity: college pitching. The condition of Brownlie's arm may complicate the issue.
6. Royals: Adam Loewen, LHP, Fraser Valley Christian HS, Surrey, B.C.
Signability is an issue for cash-strapped Royals, but they'll make Loewen the highest-drafted Canadian ever.
7. Brewers: Zack Greinke, RHP, Apopka (Fla.) HS
The Brewers have made noises about taking 5'11", 250-pound Prince Fielder (Cecil's son), but have spent more time identifying the best prep arm.
8. Tigers: John Mayberry Jr., 1B, Rockhurst HS, Kansas City, Mo.
Mayberry's father was the sixth overall pick 35 years ago. Young John's power potential might be similarly irresistible.
9. Rockies: Jeff Baker, 3B, Clemson
GM Dan O'Dowd wants a college pitcher, but he can't bypass the draft's best college power hitter.
10. Rangers: Jeremy Guthrie, RHP, Stanford
Rangers' only pick before Round 6; need for pitching leads to the most polished college arm.
11. Marlins: Jeremy Hermida, OF, Wheeler HS, Marietta, Ga.
Same people who conducted unpredictable drafts in Montreal now call the shots in Florida; they'll take the best HS bat.
12. Angels: Scott Moore, SS, Cypress (Calif.) HS
The Angels want a top HS hitter. This one's in their own backyard.
13. Padres: Cole Hamels, LHP, Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego
Hamels broke his arm pitching in a game two years ago. But the Padres will take a chance on a local kid.
14. Blue Jays: Jeff Francis, LHP, U. of British Columbia
Francis, a Canadian who can help quickly, is a fit for Toronto's ailing pitching staff and lagging fan support.
15. Mets: Clint Everts, RHP, Cypress Falls HS, Houston
Mets want a college pitcher but will take this half of the nation's best HS pitching combo.
16. Athletics: Russ Adams, 2B-SS, U. of North Carolina
College middle infielders are in short supply; A's will jump at the best one on the board.
17. Phillies: Matt Whitney, 3B, Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) HS
With Scott Rolen all but on his way out, a long-range replacement is needed.
18. White Sox: Joe Saunders, LHP, Virginia Tech
A college pitcher is a White Sox priority. They hope this polished LHP will slide to them.
19. Dodgers: Denard Span, OF, Tampa Catholic HS
LA has targeted a HS hitter; Span is a near spitting image of former All-Star Kenny Lofton.
20. Twins: Prince Fielder, 1B, Eau Gallie HS, Melbourne, Fla.
Taking a one-tool guy in Round 1 is risky, but Fielder has the most raw power.
21. Cubs: Luke Hagerty, LHP, Ball State
His college teammate, Bullington, is more polished, but the 6'8" Hagerty is more intriguing.
22. Indians: Sergio Santos, SS, Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif.
Cleveland stockpiled RHPs in 2001 draft. Now: best hitter available.
23. Braves: Jeff Francoeur, OF, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga.
The Braves have become the most territorial team in the scouting game. Francoeur, a premier football talent, is made to order.
24. Athletics: Drew Meyer, SS, U. of South Carolina
Oakland has seven of the first 39 picks and will replenish a sagging farm system.
25. Giants: Joe Blanton, RHP, U. of Kentucky
Giants want a college pitcher: Blanton, Villanova's Brian Slocum or Nevada's Darrell Rasner.
26. Athletics: Khalil Greene, SS, Clemson
The A's will target inexpensive college seniors like Greene in this spot and with their next five picks.
27. Diamondbacks: Royce Ring, LHP, San Diego State
A dependable closer is high on Arizona's wish list; Ring will answer that bell.
28. Mariners: Nick Swisher, 1B-OF, Ohio State
Power-hitting Swisher is the son of ex-big league All-Star catcher Steve Swisher.
29.Astros: Darrell Rasner, RHP, U. of Nevada.
If Rasner is gone, the Astros will take HS RHP Kevin Jepsen of Reno, Nev., or Northeast Texas CC RHP Derick Grigsby.
30. Athletics: Dave Bush, RHP, Wake Forest
A 2001 fourth-round pick by Tampa Bay, negotiations went sour and he went back to school. A closer with 94-mph gas.
This article appears in the June 10 issue of ESPN The Magazine.
