2010 Draft Thread

[Update 5:02 pm] Andy Seiler's final mock draft has the Rays taking Jake Skole and Mike Kvasnicka. Like Delino DeShields Jr, Skole is an athletic outfielder from Georgia with a football scholarship. His bat is slightly more advanced, though he struggles at times with breaking balls and doesn't have DeShields' speed. Kvasnicka is the top college catcher behind Yasmani Grandal. He showed solid potential with the bat at Minnesota, and his junior season has scouts thinking he can remain behind the plate.

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I'll be checking in with updates throughout the day, and will use this as the draft thread up until the Rays pick at 17, when we'll have our first profile posted.

Frankie Piliere's final mock has the Rays taking Delino DeShields Jr. at #17 and Jedd Gyorko at #31. DeShields, the son of the former big leaguer, is a speedy outfielder from a Georgia high with a commitment to LSU for both football and baseball. He's on the small side at 5'8" or 5'9" but he's one of the fastest players in the draft, and his bat offers more upside than you might think. Gyorko is a college shortstop who doesn't have the range to play there as a pro. His bat is his calling card, but he's a bit of a 'tweener without the defensive tools to play up the middle or the power for a corner spot.

Jim Callis' latest mock has the Rays grabbing Yasmani Grandal and Derek Dietrich. Grandal has been linked to multiple teams in the top 10, so it's doubtful he falls. Dietrich fits the same profile as Gyorko. He's a shortstop but won't stick there, and may not have the range to play 2B.

Josh Sale is a near-lock to go to the Astros, unless Drew Pomeranz or Chris Sale falls to them. That would require a surprise, like the Diamondbacks passing on one of those in favor of Matt Harvey or Deck McGuire, and then the Mets not scooping up Pomeranz/Sale up (they like HS C Justin O'Connor). Alternatively, Houston could fall in love with DeShields and pop him. The Royals' pre-draft deal with Grandal isn't as rock-solid as once thought, so they'd be in the Pomeranz/Sale mix too.

The Rays haven't been linked much to Stetson Allie, but I'd love it if he were there at #17. Florida high school pitchers A.J. Cole and Karsten Whitson figure to be around, and I'd prefer them to DeShields, but the latter offers enough upside that it's okay. For pick #31, the conventional wisdom has the Rays taking a "safe" college player. I'd still prefer someone like Kellin Deglan, a high school catcher who should sign for near-slot.

I'll update this post if anything interesting comes across today.