Sox 2007 Draft - Page 5 - Talksox

One Red Seat · 06-08-2007, 04:38 PM

Hey, it's the "Soul of Sports".

Nice over-slot pick at #834. Grandal. Open the wallet and sign that fucker.

CrespoBlows · 06-08-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Red Seat

Hey, it's the "Soul of Sports".

Nice over-slot pick at #834. Grandal. Open the wallet and sign that fucker.

Scouting report?

One Red Seat · 06-08-2007, 04:42 PM

Hitting Ability: There is a question to how much he'll hit at the next level. He guesses a lot and gives away the outer half of the plate. Right now, he's got a non-professional swing. He hit only left-handed in this game, though he took swings right-handed during batting practice.
Power: Grandal does have some power potential, moreso from the left side of the plate, though his swing is longer from that side. His stroke from the right side is quicker, but doesn't produce as much power.
Running Speed: He's a catcher and running isn't a part of his game.
Arm Strength: Graded on pure strength, Grandal wouldn't get a plus mark. But he's got a good arm and a very quick release, making the entire "arm strength" package a plus.
Arm Accuracy: Grandal is extremely accurate with his throws. That, combined with his quick release, make him very difficult to run on.
Fielding: Grandal has excellent catching skills. He has good hands and centers the ball well.
Range: He has very quick feet and moves very well behind the plate.
Physical Description: Grandal is a strong, athletic backstop.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: A tremendous defensive package. He's a leader behind the plate, moves his feet well, has good hands, throws well. You name it, he can do it behind the plate.
Weaknesses: His bat is behind his glove. If he can make adjustments, there is some potential there, but there are definite holes in his swing.
Summary: Grandal is one of the, if not the, best defensive catcher in the draft class. He does everything well behind the plate, from throwing to handling pitchers. Unfortunately, his bat is behind his glove. The switch-hitter has some skills, but also has some holes. How much teams think they can fix that could help determine Grandal's ultimate draft status.

Maybe I overstated it due to his need for work with the bat.

One Red Seat · 06-08-2007, 04:47 PM

BA

42. Yasmani Grandal, c
School: Miami Springs (Fla.) HS. Class: Sr.
B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 205. Birthdate: 11/8/88.
Scouting Report: Grandal was born in Cuba and moved to Miami when he was 11, and he started catching when he was 13 at the encouragement of his stepfather. He emerged as the country's top prep catching prospect last summer when he played in the Aflac Classic and committed to Miami. He has since been surpassed by Devin Mesaraco for top high school catching honors, and his all-around game is solid but not exceptional. He has soft hands and receives fine, and he has an above-average arm that produces quick throws with carry and accuracy. His ability to make contact from both sides of the plate enhances his value, but his bat speed is fringe-average. He makes sharper contact and drives the ball much more consistently from the left side. Grandal has good makeup and instincts, and should be taken no later than the second round.

One Red Seat · 06-08-2007, 04:58 PM

They've got some signability picks there to make some hay with.

From the 11th round on, they picked Grimm, Bailey, Presley, Grandal, and Tepesch, who all projected to go much higher based on talent. Be interesting to see who gets signed and who goes on to school.

jacksonianmarch · 06-08-2007, 05:38 PM

Grandal is a solid pick for a team that really has a dearth of catching talent.

jacksonianmarch · 06-08-2007, 05:39 PM

If both teams can sign their picks, we may be 1 and 2 again in the draft, even though none of our teams picked before the 30th pick.

CrespoBlows · 06-08-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

If both teams can sign their picks, we may be 1 and 2 again in the draft, even though none of our teams picked before the 30th pick.

How many of these guys are in the top 200?

jacksonianmarch · 06-08-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrespoBlows

How many of these guys are in the top 200?

not sure, give me a minute. I have to use a member from another board to get access to BA.

jacksonianmarch · 06-08-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Red Seat

BA

42. Yasmani Grandal, c
School: Miami Springs (Fla.) HS. Class: Sr.
B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 205. Birthdate: 11/8/88.
Scouting Report: Grandal was born in Cuba and moved to Miami when he was 11, and he started catching when he was 13 at the encouragement of his stepfather. He emerged as the country's top prep catching prospect last summer when he played in the Aflac Classic and committed to Miami. He has since been surpassed by Devin Mesaraco for top high school catching honors, and his all-around game is solid but not exceptional. He has soft hands and receives fine, and he has an above-average arm that produces quick throws with carry and accuracy. His ability to make contact from both sides of the plate enhances his value, but his bat speed is fringe-average. He makes sharper contact and drives the ball much more consistently from the left side. Grandal has good makeup and instincts, and should be taken no later than the second round.

You have a prep kid who is THAT advanced defensively, you must make it work. He's 18, if you get the negotiations over with early, he'd essentially have 6 yrs to hone his hitting skills. And even if he never hits, a solid defensive catcher always has a chance as a backup. Sounds like a mediocre ceiling offensively, but his overall ceiling is well within reach. He's a safe prospect who you got in the late rounds. He'll be in your system for a very long time if signed.

jacksonianmarch · 06-08-2007, 09:15 PM

sox have 13 of the top 200.

CrespoBlows · 06-08-2007, 09:18 PM

Good stuff, thanks.

jacksonianmarch · 06-08-2007, 09:20 PM

Keith Law loves your first pick and the Middlebrooks pick. Granted, it is Keith Law, but he has a point. I thought the Middlebrooks pick was a great one, provided the sox sign him.

example1 · 06-08-2007, 09:25 PM

I love the impact baseball article about The Mailman (love the nickname too!)

"One of the things I love about The Mailman is when he steps up to the plate, it strikes fear in opposing coaches and players. The guy is unbelievable. You just think something good is going to happen every time he steps up to the plate. He is a huge offensive threat to opposing teams."

Not a neutral assessment by any stretch. This guy sounds dangerous.

riverside sluggers · 06-08-2007, 09:50 PM

I am happy about this draft, pending on who they are able to sign. Theyve got themselves a group of mostly project players. If done right, well then hooray for the Sox! Middlebrooks was a great pickup, I mean you have a guy that could be a great hitter or a pitcher with potential and can throw in the mid to high 90s!