It's Draft Day

[Gman]

From the reviews I've read on this years draft class it sounds like the Braves losing their 20th pick in the first round for Wagner might actually prove fortunate. Most reviews say 3 or 4 guys stand out and then there's very little difference between prospect #5 thru Prospect #45. If that proves true then the lower drafting slot (sandwich pick #35) could actually get them a similar talent as the 20th slot but for lower dollars.

I have read on the Braves MLB.com site that they are looking for bats this year but won't be fussy. Given the lukewarm ratings for the first round of this draft I could see the Braves taking a shot at a "signability issue" guy like Clemson OF and starting QB Kyle Parker. If they get him to sign great, if not they can add the 35th pick to next years draft class (hopefully it'll have a stronger 1-35).

Any other news or commentary going on about this draft?

[BigWorm]

Good point G-Man. After reading your takes on the Braves not picking until 35th, I feel a lot better about it. Originally, I was bummed out that we lost our pick. But if the talent pool is like you say, we are better off not having to pay "first round money" for a mid level player we could get in the later rounds. Any local guys on the radar?

[I Come in Peace]

I think def has to be a bat with the pick. I'd wish it to be an infielder but just draft the most MLB ready hitter.

[Gman]

Dang...Rockies grabbed Kyle Parker with the 26th pick. Almost made it to the Braves.

[KB 34]

I think def has to be a bat with the pick. I'd wish it to be an infielder but just draft the most MLB ready hitter.
Just draft the guy who reminds the Braves scouts the most of Jason Heyward and go from there.

[Gman]

Braves did end up taking a bat with their sandwich pick. Matt Lipka, SS, a Texas High School. Looks like a potential speedy leadoff type with good size and strong arm. Here's a report on him. Brave Top Pick Lipka (http://tomahawktake.com/2010/06/08/with-the-35th-pick-the-atlanta-braves-select-matt-lipka/). The interesting part is the kid grew up a Brave fan (improving his signability perhaps?).

Boston used the Braves pick (lost for Wagner) to pick up a remarkably similar type. A Juco middle-infielder who projects to play either Inf or OF as well.

Braves have 2 picks in round 2. The first of which is the third pick of round 2 (for Gonzalez). A number of guys who were projected for round 1 fell thru so there's some good option. Tops on the list could be high-school 100MPH fireballer Stetson Allie (great name). We'll see if he slips by the Nats who have the first pick of round 2. I haven't read anything but I'm guessing he fits the Nats profile unless he's looking for much higher than slot money.

[quick]

Braves did end up taking a bat with their sandwich pick. Matt Lipka, SS, a Texas High School. Looks like a potential speedy leadoff type with good size and strong arm. Here's a report on him. Brave Top Pick Lipka (http://tomahawktake.com/2010/06/08/with-the-35th-pick-the-atlanta-braves-select-matt-lipka/). The interesting part is the kid grew up a Brave fan (improving his signability perhaps?).

Boston used the Braves pick (lost for Wagner) to pick up a remarkably similar type. A Juco middle-infielder who projects to play either Inf or OF as well.

Braves have 2 picks in round 2. The first of which is the third pick of round 2 (for Gonzalez). A number of guys who were projected for round 1 fell thru so there's some good option. Tops on the list could be high-school 100MPH fireballer Stetson Allie (great name). We'll see if he slips by the Nats who have the first pick of round 2. I haven't read anything but I'm guessing he fits the Nats profile unless he's looking for much higher than slot money.

Maybe Allie would prefer playing for a team not nicknamed after a (misspelling) of the name for a pesky little insect and he'l tell the Nats to forget about drafting him....

[luvdembravos]

I really like this kid, Phil Gosselin, that the Braves picked up. His coaches at UVA say he's a better hitter than Ryan Zimmerman and if that's so, we really got something. There's a nice story about him on the Braves website.

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100609&content_id=10984676&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

[Gman]

I really like this kid, Phil Gosselin, that the Braves picked up. His coaches at UVA say he's a better hitter than Ryan Zimmerman and if that's so, we really got something. There's a nice story about him on the Braves website.

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100609&content_id=10984676&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
Thanks for digging that up luvdembravos. Looks like he's got a solid shot to move up quick if he can stick at 2b. Maybe the Braves should get him signed quickly so they can get him in the lineup in time to face that beast Strasburg. ;)

[warefreak]

We already signed our 1st and 2nd rounders.

Awesome. There's nothing worse than drafting a player high and then not being able to sign them.

[Hillbilly]

3rd round pick Joe Leonard has signed and is headed for Danville. I believe that makes all the Braves top 17 picks that have signed from this year's draft.


Link (http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/sports/minors/article/d-braves_defeat_elizabethton_in_home_opener/22398/)