Did It Work Out Well For Your Team ?
I don’t know about you but I had to be reminded that the MLB Draft actually took place . It seems as if the hierarchy of Major League Baseball is simply intent on making this something of a non-event . It may well be televised by the MLB Network but given that the league in terms of marketing the sport has at times covered the areas that would encapsulate the sublime and the ridiculous . Is anyone still sold on the World Baseball Classic ? Well I guess that we’ll just have to wait and see for the next scheduling of that particular event in 2013 .
=============================================================================================
==============================================================================================
Slide show for your perusal .
Well the Pittsburgh Pirates took number one overall —- Gerrit Cole a right handed pitcher out of UCLA . He would be followed by the Seattle Mariners taking Danny Hultzen (LHP/1B/OF) out of Virginia and given the proclivities of the Mariners they indeed will need all the help that they can for the foreseeable future . From my own perspective I know that with many of the players taken we are not liable see them playing in the majors for perhaps two or three years at best . But as always there’s always an exception to any rule. The Tampa Bays in light of their financial instability and the mere fact that principal partner Stuart Sternberg and GM Andrew Friedman have made it known of their intent now is to simply build this organization from the draft and rely little if any on the pursuing of free agents unless it is to their economic advantage .
Courtesy of MLB.com
UCLA pitchers Cole, Bauer selected first, third
By Spencer Fordin , MLB.com
SECAUCUS, N.J. — One college program became the face of baseball’s future Monday, when two UCLA arms made history by pacing a pitching-rich haul at the top of the First-Year Player Draft.
Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer were both selected in the first three picks of the Draft, setting a trend that started early and carried through the rest of the night. The first four players selected were all pitchers for the first time ever, and 12 arms had been taken by the time the Draft pulled through 20 picks.
The choices of Cole and Bauer, respectively selected by Pittsburgh and Arizona, marked the first time since 1978 that two college teammates had been taken in the top three picks of the Draft. Arizona State had earned the honor last time, with Bob Horner and Hubie Brooks taken first and third overall.
Cole, who went 6-8 with a 3.31 ERA for UCLA as a junior, gives the Pirates another potential high-impact arm in the farm system to pair with fast-rising Jameson Taillon, last year’s second overall draftee.
And by doing so, he validated a bet that he had made on himself. Cole was taken 28th overall by the Yankees out of high school in 2008, but instead chose to attend UCLA and further mature as a player. Now, he comes out of school with some inherently valuable experience and with vastly improved Draft stock.
=============================================================================
Click on the link provided to view this piece in its entirety.=============================================================================
Rays’ manager Joe Maddon and his coaching staff had the pleasure of knowing that they had 10 of the top eighty nine picks in this year’s draft and I’ve no doubt that the fans in general will be pleased with that . With that asides it appears with all of the outside controversies concerning the team they are now playing with a great deal of candor as they look to make their presence felt within the AL East . And given the sensitivity of the competitiveness within the division this could be a <a href=”http://mlb.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=tb”> season of make or break for the Tampa Bay Rays . And mark my words this could be a forbearing of either doom and gloom or extreme joy for this ball club and its loyal but ever seemingly emotional band of followers . Given the fallibility of both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees I do believe that if the Rays are fortuitous they could at best win the division or at the very least be the wildcard entrant within the AL ! But much of that will be predicated upon the performances of the team throughout the remainder of the season and in particular the month of June .
With the team owners and general managers alike looking for diamonds in the rough and to the long term future of their respective organizations . This much we are certain of when it comes the MLB Draft absolutely anything is liable to happen . With agents such as Scott Boras , Arne Tellem and Leigh Steinberg all looking to garner the best compensatory packages for their clients I am sure that the general managers and owners will no doubt have to be prudent in terms of their expenditure on the players they choose to pursue and sign . If anything what we have seen recent years doesn’t seem to reflect that at all but this is simply what the game has become about , chasing after the ‘almighty dollar’ without there actually being a certainty of actual success.
As a newly entrenched fan of the Atlanta Braves I am curious to see what GM Frank Wren and the scouting staff at his disposal led by Tony DeMacio and Kurt Kemp with will come up with by way of this year’s draft . The farm system and prospects are in place with the organization apparently set for the future . And with manager Fred Gonzalez and his coaching staff seemingly having got the players to buy into his philosophy there is a great deal that a Braves’ fan has to be pleased with at present . Jason Heyward is proving everything that one might have expected out of a a very talented five tool player .
This season within the NL East the Atlanta Braves know that they are in a dog fight . And with both the Florida Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies now playing at a very high level it will be very interesting to see how things pan out as the season progresses . The Braves have simply been prudent in their draft choices over the years . But this season with there being a some very talented college and high school players in this draft there’s a great deal on the line for the organization. If with the picks made in this draft and the players being signed successfully then things ought to bode well for the Atlanta Braves and their foreseeable future . As with the any of the other 29 teams that in total make the thirty teams in MLB , each seeks the same thing and that is to win a World Series title .
=============================================================================================
================================================================================================
Picture gallery for your perusal .
I for one am not about to now second guess Frank Wren as to the choices that he will make but given that he will also take under advisement any knowledge that can be provided by his predecessor John Schuerholz I am pretty certain that he will come to decisions that will be of great benefit to the Atlanta Braves . Do you feel that the came can be said of the team that you support and the decisions that will have to be made by the general manager there ? Simply chime in with a comment and thanks as always for the continued support as it’s greatly appreciated !
Alan aka tophatal ……………………..
Picture and slide show details .
——————————————————————————————————————
(1) Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (12) of the UCLA Bruins pitches against the South Carolina Gamecocks during Game 1 of the men’s 2010 NCAA College Baseball World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 28, 2010 in Omaha, Nebraska. Christian Petersen / Getty Images North America …
(2) Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (12) of the UCLA Bruins prepares himself before pitching against the South Carolina Gamecocks during Game 1 of the men’s 2010 NCAA College Baseball World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 28, 2010 in Omaha, Nebraska. Christian Petersen / Getty Images …….
(3) The Mariners haven’t made many headlines in recent years, but did so today by selecting University of Virginia southpaw pitcher Danny Hultzen with the No. 2 overall draft pick. Courtesy of Seattle Times / Chris Marsden ….
(4) From left to right Stuart Sternberg , Matt Silverman , Joe Maddon and Andrw Friedman hold aloft the 2008 ALCS Trophy . Courtesy of MLB.com ….
(5) : Ronny Paulino (9) of the New York Mets reacts after popping out in the fifth inning with no outs and the bases loaded as Brian McCann (16) of the Atlanta Braves looks on on June 5, 2011 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 6-4 . Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images ……
(6) Diory Hernandez (24) of the Atlanta Braves celebrates his ninth inning pinch hit three-run home run against the New York Mets with teammates Martin Prado (14) and Eric Hinske (20) on June 5, 2011 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 6-4. Photo Getty Images/ Jim McIsaac ….
(7) John Schuerholz, left, addresses reporters about the announcement he will become president of the Atlanta Braves baseball team and be replaced as general manager by Frank Wren, right, during a news conference Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, in Atlanta. AP Photo/John Amis …….
————————————————————————————————————————————
MLB Schedule 3 days at a glance
MLB Results & scoreboard 6th June 2011
Top 50 Prospects in this year’s draft
</a</a
Theoraclesays's Blog 
Ah the MLB Draft what could be more exciting than that ? But then again given the choice which would be more preferable watching that event or watching a political debate take place between Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin ? I’ve leave that for you to decide on which you would find more preferable !
Mitt I hope that’s your pocket book that’s touching my rear ? No Sarah I’m undecided as to what it touching your rear at present .
We here at the Nationals are content to spend whatever it takes to continue to look mediocre . After all Strasburg’s career ERA is .291 and in the minors he’s pitching like the ace we knew he’d be. He’ll be up by September when I expect us to be contending in the NL East and for the wildcard ! Mike Rizzo and team President principle owner Stan Kasten (right).
I intend to repay Mr Rizzo’s and Mar Kasten’s faith in me as my agent Scott Boras (left) says there’s a lot more to be earned in the majors apart from my $2m signing bonus .
tophatal …………………..
For patrons interested 2011 MLB Draft order
A’s Draft picks
Braves’ Draft picks
Rays’ Draft picks
Red Sox Draft picks
Yankees’ Draft picks
tophatal ……..
Not really too big on the MLB Draft so I can’t say much lol.
Yea you are right, Dirk showed some guts playing through that fever. I thought Terry and Marion’s play were huge. If they both can consistently contribute then it should be interesting.
Everyone’s pointing the finger at LeBron’s offensive display (lack of), but if it weren’t for his defense, rebounding, and assists, the game would have never been in that situation to begin with.
Also news regarding college football and boosters giving away perks in austin. Let’s hope the NCAA shifts its focus a bit. I f*ckin hate the LongHorns………the only team I hate more than the Mavs….
http://www.statesman.com/sports/longhorns/mccoys-wife-talks-on-radio-of-perk-offers-1525366.html
jgome
Let’s get real here ! Is there a college program in the nation that hasn’t had some form of impropriety that the NCAA ought to be investigating and that would also include parochial educational establishments ? I’m a huge Blue Devils’ fan but even I know that some time or another Coach K has sailed too close to the edge . Personally I’ve always maintained that these kids should be paid rather than being treated as indentured servants without pay ! Pay them per diem or bye weekly but stop with this fucking facade that the situation at present is fair . Billions are being made and that all in the ends leads to the situation that we’ve seen arise within USC , Ohio State and elsewhere across the collegiate landscape .
I know that NCAA President Mark Emmert has raised the idea of paying student athletes but several conference commissioners such as Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese and SEC Commissioner Mike Slive are dead set against the idea . I wonder why ?
Every single major conference is tainted and they each have their own sordid dirty little secrets to hide !
tophatal …
jgome
Last night’s display by LeBron simply adds credence why he’ll never be as good as Jordan in spite of the damn stupid comparisons now being made . This goes to show how friggin’ dumb these analysts and fans actually are in trying to make such a case !
Should the Heat lose this series then there’s going to be hell to pay and all fingers will be pointing at LBJ laying the claim as who’s to blame .
What have all of these women got in common ? Each can lay claim that they’ve seen and sucked on Tiger’s wood and nine iron .
If Tiger’s performing at a high level it won’t be on the golf course but when he’s got his penis inserted in some skank’s vagina ! That’s the only time he’s actually hitting a hole in one that’s for sure !
I like long walks on the beach at sunset and exposing my genitals to young women !
Zeke would rather be doing what he now does best and that’s to lay waste to a college basketball program than return to the NBA . After all he did cost the Knicks a couple of million in a sexual harassment lawsuit before he resigned from the front office .
tophatal ….
So Tiger’s dropped out of another competition….Do you think he will every play at a high level again?
Also rumors are that the Pistons are interested in Isiah’s coaching services….Will teams ever learn?
jgome
What’s not to like about the MLB Draft ? It’s not like you’re watching hardcore porn is it ? LOL,LOL,LOL !!! Scott Boras for all sense and purpose with his litany of clients in this draft will ream one or two owners and GM’s along the way .
I mean who else could dupe the Rangers into coughing up $250 million for the services of A -Rod ? And even after he’d left the team to join the Yankees they were still paying the greater part of his salary . How fuc#ed up is that ?
Party’s like a rock star and no doubt fu@#s Cameron Diaz like a porn star !
tophatal ………………..
I’m still waiting to see what Bryce Harper can do in the Majors.
Chris Humpherys
Seeing Bryce play in the Majors could prove to be far more interesting than seeing Terrelle Pryor — playing in the NFL don’t you think ? It ain’t easy being that cheesy or sleazy …….. Pryor that is !
The jury is still out on Bryce but blowing a kiss to the opposing pitcher just because you hit a homer has me questioning the his sexuality .
tophatal ……..
Chris Humpherys
Bryce can do whatever he wants but the Nationals aren’t going to win anything anytime soon ! They’re at least two years away from even contending within the NL East much less the rest of MLB .
Kasten and the ownership have obfuscated their responsibilities in turning the team into a contender . Granted , the previous owners were no likely to know what they were doing to begin with !
You’ve got to be pleased with the crop of talent picked up by the Rays ?
tophatal …………………..
Can’t say I know anyone the A’s picked. Hopefully they work out, but based on recent years, I doubt they got any good hitters…
I’m with Chris, let’s see Bryce!
chappy
For the signing bonus alone Harper’s ass should already be in the Majors .
Beane
What do you mean I’ve got halitosis ? If only your wife’s genitalia smelt as well as my breath then we could be friends but I guess not !
Geren
I’ve ready some of mceezy’s pieces and his discontent with GM Billy Beane and Bob Geren to an extent . But that’s to be expected but all the blame can’t laid to rest on his shoulders alone as the entire ownership group has neglected this team . They’ve been hamstrung financially for a number of reasons the most glaring of which is the miserly attitude of principal partner Lew Wolff . He has absolutely no ambition to win whatsoever ! Had he wanted to do so then he’d have looked to bring in a partner with real deep pockets to invest in the organization .
The team’s prospects , farm system and recent draft picks will prove fruitful but in the meantime having to wait around has become burdensome for the fans especially when the same old rhetoric is thrown out season after season ….. ‘we’re looking to improve and win ‘ . After a while that bull##it becomes tiresome to endure and to listen to .
In the meantime there’s money going into the pockets of the likes of Wolff and his cohorts and the fans see little that’s tangible in return .
For the male A’s fans out there in search of something good here’s Megan Fox .
tophatal ……………….
Yeah, Lew Wolfee is a crook. He makes money and doesn’t re-invest it. Oakland filled up the stadium when they had good players like Rickey, Canseco, and McGwire, so the fans are out there, they just have to make the moves to get them there. Even back in 2006 (when they went to the ALCS) they were in the middle of the league in attendance. As they’ve slowly destroyed the fans confidence it feels like they are pulling a Major League the movie move on us…
chappy
Not so long ago I remember both you and mceezy bustin’ my chops because I questioned the A’s ownership and the fact that they were worthless ? If I recall , you both stated I ddn’t know what the hell I was talking about ? What made you change your view somewhat as of now ? I guess when you simply only look at the facade of an organization rather than being aware of what’s happening in the boardroom it tends to lessen that insight on the ballclub as a whole ? It’s not only what happens on the field that counts but more so what’s happening in the front office . A fact that seems to be lost on a mutual patron .
Stats simply mean sh_t when a team can barely eke out a financial profit without the assist of the league hierarchy which is something that’s now prevalent with the vast majority of the teams in baseball .
‘Trust me I know what I’m doing I love this team ‘ ! Lew Wolff principal owner of the A’s
tophatal …….
It’s hard to say if it worked out for my team… you can never tell with the MLB Draft, but there were some picks in the first round that I’m very intrigued by, especially Dylan Bundy to the Orioles.
KP
It’s always a hit or miss situation with the Draft , be it the NFL , NHL , MLB or NBA !
The Orioles of late have had some really lean years and much of that can be put down on the poor decision making concerning personnel — moves as well as the very fact that Peter Angelos and the front office aren’t always willing to be spend money to get the best talent available via free agency or when it comes to a trade .
Orioles draft history