2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
ROUND 1 (31): Brett Jackson, OF (Cal)
L/R, 6'2, 210, 20 years old
COMMENT: College junior was named 1st team All-PAC-10 in 2009... Also was a pre-season All-American... Above-average defender with enough arm to play CF or LF, but not RF.... Above-average speed... Aggressive baserunner... Outstanding bat speed, but he strikes out a lot... Hit 321/407/564, with 8 HR & 41 RBI, 17 2B, 6 3B, 29/61 BB/K in 253 PA, and 11 SB (5 CS) for the Golden Bears in 2009... A similar type player as Cubs OF prospects Cliff Andersen and Drew Rundle...
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ROUND 2 (79): D. J. LeMahieu, INF (LSU)
R/R, 6'4, 190, 20 years old
COMMENT: Draft-eligible sophomore... Played SS as Freshman at LSU, then was shifted to 2B as Soph... Has power potential, but so far has been intent on hitting ball to opposite field... Will probably have to learn to pull the ball if he wants to progress... Has average speed... Below-average arm for SS, and struggles with footwork at 2B... Might have to be moved to a corner IF-OF spot at some point... Hit 340/408/462 for Tigers in 2009, with 4 HR & 39 RBI, 12 2B, 3 3B, 27/38 BB/K in 286 PA, with 10 SB (3 CS), and nine errors... Played HS ball in Michigan... Follows in the footsteps of LSU Cubbies Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot...
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ROUND 3 (109): Austin Kirk, LHP (Owasso HS - Owasso, OK)
L/L, 6'1, 205, 19 years old
COMMENT: Went 9-1 with a 0.45 ERA and 21/111 BB/K in 62 IP for the Rams in 2009... Showed an overpowering fastball that was clocked at 95 MPH in state semi-finals, as well as a sharp breaking ball and solid change-up... Has signed NLI with University of Oklahoma... Played OF & 1B when he wasn't pitching, and hit .400+ with 5 HR in 2009...
The draft will resume tomorrow, starting with Round #4.
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#1 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker
Will Jackson be the Cubs CF in 2012-13?
#14 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker
Only if you're referring to the Daytona Cubs.
#2 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker
I didn't love Jackson, but I preferred him to say, AJ Pollock, and overall, I'm okay with this pick. I think I liked Wheeler's upside better than Jackson's, but it's a slim difference. There were a lot of arms that I really liked, though. Understandably, we weren't going to spend too much, so a guy like Scheppers was unrealistic, but some of those lefty arms intrigued me. Here's hoping someone lasts to the late 2nd.
#3 Welcome to the Cubs Brett Jackson!
BA's summary of pick:
Brett Jackson goes to the Cubs, who has five-tool ability and might be the best hitting prospect in the system after Josh Vitters as soon as he signs. Of course, he also could be another Tyler Colvin. But at No. 31, the Cubs get solid value, considering the fact that Jackson was projected to go top-half of the first round earlier this season.
BA's review
BRETT JACKSON, OF, CALIFORNIA
Jackson is most frequently compared with J.D. Drew, at least physically. But while critics often question Drew's passion, the same accusation could never be directed at Jackson. Strong and muscular, Jackson is a wonderful athlete who is a perpetual motion machine on the field and plays with flair. He is an enthusiastic, upbeat and supportive teammate, and he's an aggressive baserunner who challenges outfielders and takes the extra base, often diving in headfirst while doing so. He uses his above-average speed to chase down drives in the gaps in center field, and he has the range to flag down balls hit in front of him or over his head. His arm can be inconsistent, but he has enough arm strength for both left and center. Most criticism surrounding Jackson centers on his hitting, where he's not nearly as polished as Drew. He utilizes an inward-turning, hand-pumping, leg-kicking, load-up-and-let-it-fly swing. He has excellent bat speed and shows the ability to rifle the ball around the diamond, with acceptable home run power, particularly for a leadoff man. His high strikeout totals hurt his draft chances, though, and he had 58 whiffs in 206 at-bats this season.
#4 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports....
scouting profile with video that I posted earlier of Jackson...
#5 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
Any chance someone will draft Milton Bradley?
Please?
#8 Re: Any chance someone will draft Milton Bradley?
So MARK DEROSA hit his 10th home run tonight -- a grand slam.
#32 Re: Any chance someone will draft Milton Bradley?
1) Maybe we need another check-in on Stevens, Archer, and Gaub. Last we saw, they were all three tearing it up. I mean, it's not like we need good pitching or anything. Yeah, it sucks we don't have Dero anymore. Those three pitchers may be of significantly greater value.
2) We'd be Ok with a weak hitting 2nd baseman if Milton and Soto were hitting and Rammy were healthy. I still think Bradley will turn it around this season. In his worst season since 2003 he hit 267/362/424 and that was all the way back in 2004. I'm not convinced yet that all of a sudden he's going to hit 100-150 points lower OPS than in the previous 6 years.
#50 Re: Any chance someone will draft Milton Bradley?
Archer is 2-1 over 11 starts with a 1.76 ERA 53K's, 26 BB's no HR's allowed in 41 innings at Peoria. He needs to be stretched out so he's averaging 6 innings a start, then promoted.
Gaub pitched a perfect inning with 2 K's for his 3rd save with the Smokies. He's got a 3.18 ERA and 34K's, 14 BB's and 3 HR's allowed in 22.2 innings. He needs to quit walking guys.
Stevens is 0-2 with a 1.55 ERA and 26K's, 16BB's, no HR's in 29 innings for the I-Cubs. Also needs to quit walking guys.
#6 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
In a totally unrelated question-directed to Az Phil: How close is Darwin Barney?
#7 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
round 2 pick #79: is another LSU infielder, but he's 6'4 so it's double fonty...
David LeMahiew SS, sophmore 6'4" 193 lbs R/R
Summary: As a shortstop from a major college program, LeMahieu is going to get plenty of looks. Like most LSU products, he plays the game the right way and makes the most of his average tools. He's got a solid approach at the plate, but doesn't have a ton of raw power. That wouldn't matter, except for the fact he might have to move to third as he matures. Still, as a real "baseball player" who's excelled in a major program, he's bound to be drafted well.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports....
#9 That's a better report than I have seen
Here is BA:
eMahieu looked like a first-round pick last summer when he starred in the Cape Cod League. Scouts saw enough athleticism in his lanky 6-foot-4, 193-pound frame to think he could play shortstop, and they liked his power potential. But he hasn't played up to that level this spring. Though LeMahieu led Louisiana State, which has been in the top 10 most of the season, with a .356 average heading into the final week of the regular season, scouts expected him to deliver more than four home runs. He employs an inside-out, opposite-field approach, so he should have more power if he turns on more pitches. Scouts also have noted that his swing seems slower and longer this spring. They also think LeMahieu now has no chance at playing shortstop, as he has looked more methodical and less explosive. The Tigers concurred, moving him to second base at midseason after they had trouble turning double plays. His arm has regressed, too, and at shortstop he would need a full windup to make longer throws. A fringe-average runner, LeMahieu may not have the quick feet for second base, either, and he'd have to produce a lot more power if he shifted to third base or the outfield. Further complicating matters is the extra leverage he possesses as a draft-eligible sophomore. Enough scouting directors saw LeMahieu play well on the Cape that he still should get picked in the second or third round, and he may be signable if he goes that high.
#16 Re: That's a better report than I have seen
Thank God there's no copyright laws that apply to the internet.
#10 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
Milton Bradley is a $10MM schlepp, my gawd. O fer 6 with 10 men LOB! We're one week away from being able to trade this turd. Any conceivable takers?
Angels would like to be rid of GMJ. Jose Guillen is unliked and unwanted in KC. Those are the two bad contracts that immediately come to mind. Any others?
#11 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
Round 3 pick:
Austin Kirk, L/L, 19 yr old 6' 1" Oklahoma highschool pitcher
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=496115...
#12 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
BA's report on Kirk not as high on fastball (high 80s-low 90s), but reports are that he stepped up the fastball in the playoffs to touch 95.
He is also seemingly a great kid and student. 3.8 GPA (from baseball recruiting website), but just an all around friendly and mature kid if this story is any indicator:
http://newsok.com/all-state-baseball-owassos-kirk-...
#18 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
stuff like that happens...people went on and on about andrew brackmam throwing 99mph...he did it once, in winter league, on 1 pitch. for the most part he worked 94-96mph (not like that's junk).
#46 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
Don't most guys add a couple MPH to their fastballs after HS anyway, or is what they have at 18 all they're going to have? I honestly don't know.
#47 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
There was a discussion on this in that Baseball Prospectus chat. Sometimes pitchers do, but it's pretty rare. Nevertheless scouting directors think that anyone who is 6'4" and throws 90 will be able to throw 94 by the time they're 22, and continue to use that as a reason to draft them. If the kid we took in the third round was 4 inches taller he would have been drafted in the first round. But since he isn't 6'4" he can't add any imaginary MPH's to his fastball so he was a 4th or 5th round pick.
#13 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
When the comments given by AZ Phil on the 3rd round pick are better than the comments on the 1st and 2nd round picks it seems on paper that we had a bad 1st day of the draft. Of course drafts take atleast 3 years to evaluate though.
#15 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
It's a weak draft this year and the Cubs picks aren't high, so this is a good year to have a so-so draft. That said, Wilken continues to disappoint.
#17 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
Agreed.
Why is the concept of 'baseball player first, athlete second' so hard for this guy to grasp? Congrats, you hit on Vernon Wells... one player shouldn't pervert your entire professional experience.
#23 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
Overall I certainly agree -- would have loved to grab three pitchers. Not sure that I wanted the Sac St. kid at 31, but if we were drafting a athlete project, I would have gone with Everett Williams.
It seems like the Cubs fell in love with Pollock and Jackson (or CF in general) and would take them no matter what. I thought when Williams fell they might grab him. But if they weren't going to overspend for Scheppers, Jackson seems like someone who was slotted for about that spot. He appears to have a weird swing and perhaps he can be taught more control so that he makes more contact. Not sure, however, where I am getting any faith that the Cubs have hitting expertise such that the swing correction will make a difference.
Am very hopeful for Kirk -- from the report, it sounds like there is potential he develops into a very good starter.
Not at all sure about LeMahieu. He was considered a mid first round pick after the Cape Cod League last summer, but was not impressive this year. Again perhaps the Cubs found something they thought they could fix, but your Flaherty comparison seems apt; I am not sure Flaherty will develop much further as it seemed like he was quite developed already (coach's son, worked hard at the game). Likewise, LeMahieu seemed to have hit a high point and then did not develop further. He is young though, so we can hope.
#22 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
How so? I am fairly pleased with last year's pitching heavy draft. On paper, it looks pretty solid right now. I don't fault him for his first draft - we didn't have many picks. The 2nd draft was a bit debatable after the early goings - the only reasoning I could attach was that they wanted some guys that could perhaps move fast and fill in the thin upper levels. Even then, Vitters looks good, Donaldson looks good, and some useful guys were picked later on.
We knew what we would get with Wilken - a tools oriented guy. According to some, Hendry has influenced him more towards collegians, although that seems debatable based on Wilken's history. As I said last week, and as many are apt to disagree, I'm not against taking gambles this year with the way the organization is right now. The organization is lacking in high level talent. We've got plenty of cup of tea guys.
In saying that, I don't really love the first 3 picks, but I don't hate it. Kirk is the one that intrigues me the most. I was okay with Jackson, didn't like him, preferred several guys that were still on the board, but it was okay. I somewhat expect LeMahieu, though I don't really care for it, as he seems like a raw Ryan Flaherty, and Flaherty's going through his own adjustment period (along with the fact that LeMahieu is likely going to cost). Also, LeMahieu, as of now, is either a below average defensive 2nd baseman with a decent bat, or a 3rd baseman with below average power. Eh ... obviously he's young, so there's growth potential, but eh.
#69 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
A little tough on Flaherty. I like a skinny shortstop who has 7 HRs on June 10th. Obviously he swings for the fences, so his BA suffers. He's 22.
#19 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
Totally off topic but an Indian friend (yes, really) sent me this and since it has 12 fucking million hits, all probably in India, I thought I would share it with you idjyiots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA1NoOOoaNw
#24 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
He looks like an Indian George Michael.
#20 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
I don't understand. Everyone in the world said this year's draft is rich in pitching and bare in hitting. So what do we do? Select hitters in the first two rounds, one of whom struck out in more than a quarter of his PA's last year. The other is a 6'4" infielder who can't hit, at least not for power. Sure, both of these guys could become major leaguers if everything works out, but you don't draft project guys in the first two rounds.
Wilken's strategy, if he has one, just doesn't make sense to me. Colvin was a waste, and while I liked Cashner, there were better prospects on the board. Last year was when you draft a hitter in the first round. It's like he's trying to be contrarian for contrarian's sake.
P.S. Does AZ Phil or anyone else know if the Cubs have started having their scouts videotape the prospects they watch themselves, rather than relying on just stock video and the scouts' eye analysis. Keith Law was on ESPN radio yesterday talking about how three of the better drafting organizations of late, TB, SF, and Boston, have all made their scouts videotape their players themselves so that there is more video evidence to use (e.g. break down a swing again back in the hotel, etc.). Law said more teams are starting to use this and I was wondering if the Cubs do.
#25 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
Unfortunately it does not appear that Jackson or LeMahieu will be able to develop into good relief pitchers either :)
#21 Re: 2009 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One
meh...it was a weak draft class for the cubs...esp. when their 1st pick was 31st.
that said, the cubs did go out and draft the 1 guy i hoped they wouldn't in the 1st round...dunno crap about the other 2 guys aside from what i learned here tonight.
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