There weren't many surprises with the remaining first round picks as C Matt Wieters (Ilya), OF Travis Snider (Danny), OF Cameron Maybin (Buster), SP Tommy Hanson (Jordie), OF Dexter Fowler (Kedro), SP Gio Gonzalez (Yosef), OF Colby Rasmus (Grosh), C Taylor Teagarden (Jason M.) and SP Trevor Cahill (Jason G.) rounded out the top 10 picks.
For a complete list of the 2009 Entry Draft click here.
Top 5 Players Taken Too Early:
1. SS Elvis Andrus (20th overall)
Andrus, mysteriously ranked #5 on MLB.com preseason prospect rankings, was acquired by the Rangers in the increasingly favourable Mark Teixeira trade from the Braves back in July '07. Acquired along with other top prospects C Jarrod Saltalamacchia and SP Neftali Feliz, Andrus is poised to take over the starting SS role in Texas, even prompting the Rangers to shift former SS Michael Young to 3B to clear the way. At just 20 years old, Andrus is likely to provide more value for the Rangers than the S.S. Express as he will eventually contribute a batting average around .300 combined with loads of runs, and the ability to challenge for the AL lead in stolen bases. Not a bad player to have, but there were plenty others on the board who should have gone first.
2. 2B Chris Getz (17th overall)
Sure Getz may have just won the ChiSox second base job, but I just don't see enough talent from the 25 year old to make enough fantasy impact to justify his draft position. Sure 2B is always a position where it's a good idea to have some depth, but the fact that Getz has impressed Ozzie Guillen with his "hustle and baseball IQ" does more for his real life value than his fantasy value.
3. SP Scott Lewis (14th overall)
While Lewis has just nailed down the #4 spot in the Indians Opening Day rotation, he was selected between SP Rick Porcello and SP Neftali Feliz, who both posses loads more potential. The only way to fully explain this pick is to examine the manager who made it. YBOMB. Enough said.
4. SP Jeff Samardzija (25th overall)
The former Notre Dame WR has plenty of upside as a starter, but may be used out of the bullpen initially. If that's the case, he wont be worth carrying on the active roster. For the sake of his fantasy owners, hopefully the Cubs will keep Samardzija in the minors and continue to let his arm develop as a starter.
5. C J.P. Arencibia (23rd overall)
Ok, so there may have been a little bias in this pick based on the article I wrote about Arencibia back on January 31, 2009, but I just had to take him after securing OF Travis Snider and SP Carlos Carrasco in the first two rounds. Arencibia may still be a year or so away from being ready to make an impact at the major league level but he is the future at the catching position in Toronto. Arencibia split his 2008 season between A+ Dunedin and AA New Hampshire and combined to hit 27 HR and drive in 105 runs. It's clear that the power potential is there but with just a mere 18 BB in 510 AB, there's still some work to be done. There were some higher-ceiling players left on the board, but Arencibia should be fun to watch.
Some of the top prospects taken below all these selections: 1B Lars Anderson, SP Chris Tillman, SP Jordan Zimmerman, OF Fernando Martinez, 1B Kila Ka'aihue, and SP Jake Arrieta.
Top 5 Steals:
1. SP Jeremy Hellickson (73rd overall)
With a loaded Tampa Bay rotation, Hellickson may still be a year or two away from the majors but should challenge Wade Davis for the right to earn the first promotion should a vacancy arrive at Tropicana Field. Through 4 professional seasons in the minors, Hellickson has a combined 2.80 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, and a 375/71 K/BB ratio over 347.1 IP.
2. SP Shairon Martis (61st overall)
Martis is best known for throwing a shortened no-hitter in the '06 WBC while pitching for the Netherlands. He appears poised to make an impact this year as he and fellow Nat's prospect Jordan Zimmerman have secured rotation spots to open the season. Martis has posted a 1.42 ERA over 19 IP this spring, while posting an 11/4 K/BB ratio. It appears as if the Nationals are always rebuilding, so you can bet that Martis will be given a longer leash than most pitching prospects in '09.
3. SS Reid Brignac (83rd overall)
It seems like Brignac has been poised for fantasy greatness since the game was invented, yet he is still just 23 years old. 2008 was a down year as he posted a mediocre OPS at AAA and missed a chunk of time due to a broken wrist. Two years removed from a 24 HR 99 RBI season between A+ Visalia and AA Montgomery in '06, Brignac still has loads of offensive potential and if he can get back on track in '09, he could be a steal in the 9th round of the draft.
4. SP Jake Arrieta (58th overall)
Of all the young Baltimore arms Arrieta may prove to be the best. However, with just one pro season under his belt, he is definitely in need of more seasoning down on the farm. Like most young pitchers, they need extra time to develop and refine control of their secondary pitches. A 2008 Futures Game participant, Arrieta pitched only 1 inning in big league camp this spring. After a full year in high A ball in '08, look for Arrieta to begin to ascend the ranks of the Baltimore farm system, and be knocking on the door with fellow phenom Chris Tillman in early 2010.
5. SP Jordan Zimmerman (31st overall)
Zimmerman, like Martis, has grabbed a rotation job with the Nat's to open the season after an impressive showing in the Grapefruit League. In 14.1 IP, Zimmerman has struck out 20 while only walking 2, showcasing the ability that earned him MLB.com's Nationals Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award. Zimmerman is likely the better pitcher of the two, but is behind Martis on this list based on their respective draft positions.
