Written by Greg Fertel
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10 June 2007
I've had a couple of days to digest it all, and I have to say that the more I think about this draft, the more excited I am. I don't think that this is the kind of draft that Baseball America and other publications will grade as highly as last year's, but it could turn out just as good. A few observations:
The Yankees were aggressive, but not reckless. A good poker player knows that sometimes you bet big without a hand, but you only do it when the reward is generous. The Yankees bet big as much as they ever have in this draft, using valuable draft picks on guys who could require substantial resources to sign if they will at all, but these guys have talent. They also picked guys who are big risks to flame out or get injured like Chris Carpenter, and
Andrew Brackman, but have the stuff to be the best in the business if everything works out.
They got their guys. The Yankees went a little of the board with their 2nd and 3rd round picks, selecting
Austin Romine and Ryan Pope. The Yankees scouted these guys heavily and have confidence that their homework will pay off, even if other teams don't think so.
They looked for market inefficiencies. The Yankees drafted a guy from rural Georgia who hadn't gotten a lot of looks, a short pitcher from Arizona, a college swing man with excellent stuff, an outfielder playing Division I independent league, and a slugger from Louisville with a bad swing. These are all guys who were somewhat obscured from organizations with thinner scouting staffs.
They are willing to spend money. Andrew Brackman. Bradley Suttle. Chris Carpenter. Carmen Angelini. Greg Peavey.
Damon Sublett. The Yankees will have to flex some serious financial muscle to get these guys to sign. Some will probably slip through.
There is no Dellin Betances. Despite the late round tough signs, no genuine 1st round talent really fell to the Yankees. Guys like
Brad Suttle and Greg Peavey are Supplemental/2nd round players, and are steals if the Yankees can sign him, but they aren't going to be instantly thrust into my top-10 prospect list.
We'll have to wait and see. I won't be able to judge the quality of the overall draft until August 15th, when players will either be signed or will reenter the draft. Luckily, I will return from my hiatus right on time on the 14th to make those judgments.
