Yankees draft 2009 thread

[jacksonianmarch]

Tonight is the night. 6pm, first pick gets 15 minutes, then every other pick gets 4 minutes through the end of the first day, then its rapid fire, 1 minute between picks.

I have seen a lot of projections and each one has a different player falling to the yankees.

One projection has Matt Purke falling to NY. He is considered arguably the best HS pitcher out there, he's big, left handed and asking for Porcello money. The fact that the sox pick before the yankees could make that a bit more dicey.

Another is Slade Heathcott, a 5 tool CF HSer from Texas.

And yet another, is Max Stassi, a high school catcher from Yuba City California.

Interesting doings though, include the recent projections that Aaron Crow could fall out of the first round based on his holdout from last yr and that Tanner Scheppers could fall out for medical concerns. Mock drafts from earlier in the yr had both of these players in the top 10, with Crow going as high as #3 behind Strasburg and Ackley. I would absolutely love to take Aaron Crow if he fell. He is all about the money and we have a lot of it.

Thats it. Starts at 6pm, should be interesting to have on in the background while watching the yankees.

[Coco's Disciples]

It's at night? Sick.

Feel free to use to other draft thread for the other, inferior 29 teams.

[ORS]

This guy takes attention whoring to epic levels.

[jacksonianmarch]

Slade Heathcott goes 1st round. This is a high upside pick, lefty with power to all fields, plus speed and plus arm. He apparently has been a bit of a problem off the field, but on the field he is solid. He did have ACL reconstruction in November, but he is still running at an above average clip. What I love about this kid is that he offers a two way possibility if he fails on the offensive end, topping out at 95mph from the left hand side.

I like the pick, I do not think they took the best player available (Tanner Scheppers: shoulder woes will make his stock plummet) but they took a guy who has a ton of talent and should be an easier sign.

[msubulldogs21]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

He apparently has been a bit of a problem off the field

How so?

[jacksonianmarch]

I dont know what it is, but every scouting site I have looked at talks about him being a superior talent but every single one of them bring up some "off the field issues". Not sure what happened.

[jacksonianmarch]

Ahh, both of his parents are in jail.

[diony]

Only his dad.

[jacksonianmarch]

I heard both were. Maybe his mama is out, lol.

The Yankees selected J. R. Murphy out of Bradenton Florida with their second round selection. He's a recent convert to catcher who has a plus bat for the position and an above average arm. He projects to be a line drive, gap power kind of guy who has a projection to be an above average defender.

In a vacuum, I like this selection. But what the hell are we doing here?

The only position that we DIDNT NEED FILLED was at catcher
Francisco Cervelli
2006- INTL FA signee Jesus Montero
2007- 2nd round pick Austin Romine
2007- 6th round pick Chase Weems
2008- 7th round pick Kyle Higashioka

whatever, catcher is the toughest position to get solid depth, and if we draft enough high upside guys at the position, one is gonna bear fruit. That being said, I loved the idea of Renfroe but maybe his signability scared them off (since the yankees 2nd rounder isnt guaranteed for next yr).

[jacksonianmarch]

Prospect wire had Murphy as the #1 prospect out of the state of Florida. His numbers in high school were ridiculous. 1.97OPS, 4Ks, 11 homers. He also showcased in the Jupiter, FL world baseball wood bat tourney and was impressive. John Manuel says that scouts are split on him. Some think he is a supplemental round talent, others think he grades out more as a third round talent. And it all depends on how he is viewed behind the dish. Some say he will be an above average defender with a plus arm, others think he will end up in the corner OF slot or at 3b. Regardless, he's a high projection high schooler to add to the pile with Heathcott. Overall, two big talents to add to the system, which is not a bad thing.

[jacksonianmarch]

In summary of day 1..

The Yankees got a high upside OFer with power in Heathcott who will be over slot, but shouldnt be so far over that it becomes prohibitive. He fills a void the size of the Grand Canyon in our system in terms of OF talent with power. He's a CFer in waiting. And they got a line drive hitting catcher who scouts are split on, but everyone agrees he is a professional hitter right now. Considering that both picks are unprotected, I think the yankees did a very good job. I would have loved to have seen Renfroe in that second spot, but I get why they didnt nab him (dont want a repeat of Cole from a yr ago). But thus far, there isnt a pick that is an absolute head scratcher (like Bittle last yr) through 3 rounds. And if the rumor of the yankees having a draft budget is true, these two kids should leave a lot of room to sign some signability cases on day 2. I am excited for the next round.

[jacksonianmarch]

2nd Rounder
J.R. Murphy C Pendleton School, Bradenton, Fla.

The scouting consensus seemed to be that Murphy had risen to the top of the pile of Florida prep catchers by the end of the season, after an amazing spring playing for the IMG Academy in Bradenton. Murphy hit .627 with 11 home runs in 102 at-bats, rapping 34 extra-base hits overall and striking out just four times. That built off a strong summer and fall performance, as Murphy starred for the Florida Bombers during Connie Mack play and the World Wood Bat tournament in Jupiter, Fla., in October 2008. Murphy's bat attracts most of the attention, as he has a short, sharp righthanded swing that generates good bat speed and plate coverage. Scouts grade his hit tool ahead of his power, though he's expected to produce average power with wood. He's also athletic, having made a shift from outfield (and occasionally third base) to catcher. He's shown he's more than capable of handling catcher, showing plus arm strength, solid receiving ability and a quick transfer. The Miami recruit has intelligence and makeup needed for the position, as well, and had hit his way into supplemental round consideration

[yankeessuck013]

The Yankees chose Slade Heathcott, a high school outfielder from Texarkana, Tex., with the 29th pick in Tuesday’s draft. Heathcott, a left-handed hitter, had knee surgery last November but said he was healthy and called himself an aggressive, energetic player. “I’m pretty rounded in my five tools,” he said. “My hitting is probably the best out of the five.” Heathcott, 18, has a scholarship to Louisiana State and is being advised by Darek Braunecker, who also represents A. J. Burnett. “I’m a Yankees fan now,” Heathcott said. “I actually was a Red Sox fan.”

[jacksonianmarch]

Adam Warren 4th round pick. RHP from UNC
Caleb Cotham 5th round pick. RHP Vanderbilt
Robert Lyerly 6th round pick. 3b from UNC Charlotte
Sean Black 7th round pick. RHP Seton Hall
Samuel Elam 8th round pick. LHP Notre Dame
Gavin Brooks 9th round pick. LHP UCLA

[jacksonianmarch]

Not sure what to say about the fact that we are raiding the college pitching market. The biggest talent is Elam, who is lefty and throws mid 90s. He just has no control.