2009 Draft

[Nick]

I'm surprised there was no threads on tonight's draft as of yet. I used to enjoy reading Marc's analysis on the old site. Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts on who the Jays could/should take tonight? Anyone else have any insight on the draft beyond Strasburg-mania?

[ILDD]

One very interesting name is Grant Green, SS from USC.

He's been ranked very highly for a long time now but Baseball America's latest mock drafts have him falling out of the first round with the Jays taking Jared Mitchell.

[NorthernRyanExpress]

Really haven't heard too much Jays draft chatter this year.

[djfreebodyremix]

toronto is about to come up

[slhubic]

and, 'chad jenkins' is the pick...and, a good one...

this is the pitcher left on the board that i was thinking would be the way to go; but, for position players, i was hoping for either 'mike trout' or ' nick franklin'...

[thePhelpsFan]

#20 Chad Jenkins, out of Kennesaw St. U, RHP

By all reports, he should rocket through the system. He's a big, developed righty with good control. Doesn't have high-end potential, but should round out the rotation very soon.

[djfreebodyremix]

sounds like a guy who would develop into average pitcher, according to the guys on mlb. a innings eater

[djfreebodyremix]

Tanner Scheppers is still out there. i wonder if the jays would take him if available

[The Mick]

Another guy with an average ceiling. Just peachy..

[slhubic]

#20 Chad Jenkins, out of Kennesaw St. U, RHP

By all reports, he should rocket through the system. He's a big, developed righty with good control. Doesn't have high-end potential, but should round out the rotation very soon.

yeah, i don't know, as it all seems somewhat typical, though (for some reason), i don't have any STRONG emotions about it either way (not like almost every other year, ESPECIALLY when troy was passed up)...

but, having said that, as for upside, that's why the pick i would have wanted was 'mike trout' (umm, remember another recent high school pick that showed some upside?)...

it is odd, though, as i just have a feeling about this pick, and besides being a (hopeful) sure-bet as a solid, very strong pitcher, i am very positive about the fact that he should be an innings-eater(?)

hmmm(?)...

[Darryl]

I don't mind the pitching selection cause you can never have enough pitching but I would have rather gambled on someone who projects to be a front end starter. We have enough guys who can fill that 3-5 slot.

[slhubic]

I don't mind the pitching selection cause you can never have enough pitching but I would have rather gambled on someone who projects to be a front end starter. We have enough guys who can fill that 3-5 slot.

yeah, i know what you mean, i just think that no else really jumped out at me(?)

i think 'shelby miller' looks good, and i have to say that i really admired what i heard in an interview with 'kyle gibson', but...

[djfreebodyremix]

dang, rex brothers is gone

[djfreebodyremix]

jays get paxon in comp round. i like this pick

[Krylian]

Toronto Blue Jays: James Paxton, LHP, Kentucky:

Scouting director Jon Lalonde shies away from high school players, and Paxton has Canadian roots. Paxton also has shot up draft boards the last two months by displaying a 95 mph fastball and a hard-breaking slider. He is represented by Boras.

[London Knights]

I don't mind the pitching selection cause you can never have enough pitching but I would have rather gambled on someone who projects to be a front end starter. We have enough guys who can fill that 3-5 slot.

Waiting for later rounds?  The last two drafts JP has been a little more aggressive with the draft picks. Maybe he just wanted another RHP in the system that can get to the Majors fast. 

LHP Prospects (including guys just flirting/pitching in the Majors)
Ricky Romero
Brett Cecil
Brad Mills
Marc Rzepczynski
Tim Collins

RHP Prospects (including guys just flirting/pitching in the Majors)
Robert Ray
Kyle Ginley
Andrew Liebel

It's kind of slim pickings at RHP right now coming up the shoot.

Great to see the Jays draft Paxton.  Too bad he is a Boras client however.

[Lime]

I don't mind the pitching selection cause you can never have enough pitching but I would have rather gambled on someone who projects to be a front end starter. We have enough guys who can fill that 3-5 slot.

Agreed. If the Jays are ever going to have a realistic shot to compete in their division they need to take some risks and try to land difference-makers.

Another reason that I deteste these "safe picks" is because there really is no such thing. Look at draft history, even specific to the Jays where "safe picks" like Adams and Purcey were taken.

[Darryl]

Be interesting to see how the negotations go with Paxton agent being Boras. I'm sure he'll try to play up the Canadian in Canada angle. I believe the last time we had a Boras client was Robbie Alomar.

[djfreebodyremix]

good info on paxton:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=paxton

[Krylian]

68th pick:

Jays take Jake Eliopoulos / LHP / Sacred Heart Catholic HS (Ontario). 6'3" 185.

Guys on MLB.com say he throws 3 average pitches but like that he throws his changeup at any time in any count.  Seems like that's his best pitch.

Sounds kinda mediocre to me (the 3 average pitch comments).  Oh well...we'll see.