Would YOU draft Anthony Ranaudo?

Written by Sean P | 17 May 2010

Yankee fans have been here before. A pitcher who is pegged for the upper half of the first round starts sliding. He’s been injured and successive bad starts have had him tumbling so far, he may fall out of the first round altogether. Sound familiar?

Andrew Brackman and Joba Chamberlain could not be in more different places right now, but on successive early June dates in 2006 and 2007, they were very much in the same place. Both Brackman and Chamberlain were initially heralded as early first round picks. Both dropped late due to injury concerns among other reasons. Both were drafted by the Yankees. One has been a controversial but widely recognized success while the other has to this point been an unmitigated disaster.

So if the Yankees take Anthony Ranaudo late in the first round, expect the comparisons to start flying. At one time thought to be the #2 pick in the draft, he has been plummeting down draft boards and many think he may drop out of the first round altogether.

The LSU 6’7” ace has a mid 90’s 4 seam and 2 seam fastball along with a “spike” or “knuckle” curve and the makings of an average changeup. He’s been the ace for one of the top college programs in the country and has clean mechanics that have allowed him to be durable (until this year obviously) and consistent late into games. In 2009, only Steven Strasburg and Mike Leake had more division 1 strikeouts. Originally slated to be a top 5 selection, Ranaudo had an elbow injury that kept him from pitching for several weeks. Upon returning, he’s been inconsistent and borderline awful. While the stuff may be back, command and control have eluded him (5 BB/9, 8.5 K/9, 5.04 FIP). He also has Scott Boras as an agent.

For some, they’ll see Ranaudo as Brackman 2.0 and want to avoid him at all costs. Others might see the success of Joba Chamberlain and be encouraged. The contrasts are stark, the possibilities obvious. There are no promises he’ll be available at all of course. A string of good outings in the SEC tournament or college World Series could boost him back into the early first round. Organizationally, Ranaudo makes sense with what Damon Oppenheimer tends to like. A college pitcher with some upside that for one reason or another drops to them.

So as we get closer to draft day, would you be interested in Ranaudo?