MLB - Mock Draft and Thoughts

Mock: Top 15

1. Nationals: Stephen Strasburg, P, San Diego State
2. Mariners: Dustin Ackley, CF/1B, North Carolina
3. Padres: Aaron Crow, P, Independent baseball
4. Pirates: Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College
5. Orioles: Tyler Matzek, P, Capistrano Valley HS
6. Giants: Shelby Miller, P, Brownwood HS (TX)
7. Braves: Zack Wheeler, P, East Paulding HS (GA)
8. Reds: Kyle Gibson, P, Missouri
9. Tigers: Jacob Turner, P, Westminster Christian Academy(MO)
10. Nationals: Mike Leake, P, Arizona State
11. Rockies: Tim Wheeler, CF, Sacramento State
12. Royals: Max Stassi, C, Yuba City HS (CA)
13. A's: Grant Green, SS, USC
14. Rangers: Tanner Scheppers, P, Independent baseball
15. Indians: Donovan Tate, CF, Cartersville HS (GA)

**Memo to Washington: Please do not give in to Scott Boras' supposed asking price of $50m for Stephen Strasburg. In fact, please give him less than 40% of that. No other player has received more than $10.5m; now, Strasburg is going to get almost five times that? Please.

**If the draft plays out like this and the Nats can sign both of these arms, they will have the makings of a solid rotation for the next few years.

**I will not speak badly against any agent, but I have to question why some top prospects sign with Boras. How does it make sense to hire a guy that some teams refuse to deal with?

**Don't worry Nats fans, all fourteen of you. You have a nine game lead in the race for next year's number one pick.

**Last year, my man crush was Justin Smoak. This year: Tyler Matzek.

MLB Draft Update

Here are some interesting facts about the MLB Draft courtesy of Jim Callis at Baseball America.

If the Rule IV Draft were to occur today:

*The Angels would own five of the first 45 picks.

The Angels lost their own first rounder by signing Type A reliever Brian Fuentes but still have a slew of high picks. Additionally, if they ever reconsidered making a deal for Manny (a long shot), they'll still have five of the first 46 picks - the Dodgers would receive the Angels first round pick currently owned by the Rockies and a supplemental first rounder while the Rockies would get the Angels' second round pick.

*The Mariners, assuming they do not sign 2008 first rounder Joshua Fields, would own three first round draft picks and the first supplemental first round pick.

New Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik knew what he was doing by jumping ship from the Brewers. In Seattle, he'll have full player personnel control, a long leash, money to spend, and four high draft picks including the number two overall selection. Not a bad situation.

*The Nationals, assuming they do not sign 2008 first rounder Aaron Crow, would pick twice in the first 10 picks (1st and 10th).

Unfortunately for the Nats, they could have paired this year's top selection with Crow to form a lethal 1-2 combo atop their rotation but they failed to sign Crow.

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Other Draft Notes

*San Diego State's Stephen Strasburg continues to be the odds on favorite be the first overall selection. Check out the box score from his 23-strikeout game last season.

*For those interested in seeing a mock draft, this is the best one I've seen.

*Nice writeups and videos of some top prospects.

*As I mentioned a few days back, the Mets erred in a big way by choosing to re-sign Oliver Perez as opposed to pursuing Derek Lowe. They could really use the picks to restock their farm system.