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Scouting The Draft PicksJune 7th, 2008
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I’m not one of those people who lives and dies with the draft in professional sports. Unless you have a really, really high pick, they probably won’t step in and change the fortunes of your franchise. And in baseball, guessing how a high school player is going to fill out and become a professional is better left to the talented scouts, especially those in the Mariners system. Having said all that, here is the quick take on the first five picks by the Rangers:
In the 1st Round, the Rangers took 1B Justin Smoak from South Carolina, although it would have been better if he was a pitcher for two reasons: (A) the Rangers are again playing a game they like to call “Batting Practice” with the Indians tonight, and (B) it would be super cool to have a pitcher named Just Smoak. The 6′4″-220 lb Smoak is already being compared to Mark Teixiera, meaning he will sign with Scott Boras, hold out, start slowly every season so that his team gets buried, and then question the team’s direction. Afterward he will declare that he wants to be part of the solution while he shops for a house in suburban Atlanta.
In between the first and second rounds, the Rangers were informed that they would get a sandwich pick. GM Jon Daniels took peanut butter and jelly. Assistant GM Thad Levine got turkey and cheese. Both asked for and received Pringles and a cupcake. They were informed that there would be a fruitcup pick after the fifth round.
In the second round, the Rangers picked LHP Robert Ross from Lexington Christian Academy in Kentucky. The Rangers are excited about his maturity, his command, and the fact that he’ll be taking AJ Murray’s spot in the rotation on Monday night. Later, someone pulls the Rangers GM aside and explains what it means when someone is “David Clyded.” Daniels reported that he was happy to take a chance on someone he went to high school with, and that the deal was actually sealed at their graduation last week.
In the third round, LHP Timothy Murphy from UCLA was initially selected by Texas, then traded along with David Murphy, Brandon Boggs, Ian Kinsler and both starting catchers for Jamie Moyer in what Tom Grieve later referred to as an “Oil Can Boyd kind of trade.” At the press conference reintroducing Moyer, who originally pitched for the Rangers when they were the Senators, Moyer mentions how wonderful it is to come back and be a Ranger again. He grinned at his grandson bouncing on his knee and promptly retired. At the back of the room, Jon Daniels choked on the last bite of his PBJ.
In the fourth round, the Rangers chose Joseph Wieland, a RHP from Bishop Mangue HS in Nevada. Wieland signed an absolutely horrible contract under the advice of his agent, Boris Boras, Scott’s lesser known and lesser talented brother. In return for a promise to sell Lemon Chills during the month of July, Wieland forced the Rangers to agree to find later draft picks that can be bundled with Wieland to form a clever set of initials, like BMW or WWF. The Rangers quickly agreed, hoping to capitalize on the marketing concept better than their DVD triumvirate of pitchers, which was fine until they traded John Danks and were left with VD.
In the fifth round, Texas took Clark Murphy, an OF from Fallbrook HS in California. After a long holdout, Murphy signs a deal that includes a record amount of bonus money for a fifth rounder, finishing his signature on the contract with a flourish that shatters his arm, shoulders, and four ribs. Upon further examination, it turns out that he suffers from OrtheoBalsa, a rare medical condition where the bones are actually made of lightweight balsa wood, first made famous by former Ranger pitcher Justin Thompson.
Which all goes to show you that you just can’t tell about draft picks. Players from the 37th round can turn into Kenny Rogers and hang around for twenty years. First rounders could be the guy taking your order at the Whataburger drive-thru lane. Either way, I’ll be patient and cheer for whoever hits the field in Arlington.
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