It's draft day
OK, so we haven't read even 1/1,000th the stories on baseball's amateur draft, which began today, as we have on the NBA Draft, which is still three weeks away. But, while I'm as eager as the next guy to find out if the Bucks will take Andrew Bogut or UNC freshman Marvin Williams No. 1 on June 28, it's worth mentioning that baseball's draft is a lot different than basketball's two-round, made-for-TV event, but no less important to major-league teams.
It's especially important for clubs whose philosophy is to build through the draft and the farm system, rather than through free agency. That's what the Braves have done successfully the last 15 years to remain consistently strong. It's also important when you've loaded up on supplemental picks and have 6 selections in the first 54 picks, like the Red sox.
One problem that former Mets GM Steve Phillips mentioned on ESPN radio this weekend is that it's more of a crapshoot than other pro sports drafts. He said you'll have 30 teams with 30 completely different draft lists. A pitcher with what one team considers a "plus-plus" arm may not have nearly enough "upside" to another scouting department. Team A would take this guy top 3 rounds; team B has him projected 20-25th rounds.
The Philly Inquirer's Jim Salisbury has an interesting take on the importance/randomness of baseball's draft.
This year, shortstop Justin Upton of Chesapeake, Va., went No.1 to Arizona. Three years ago, his brother B.J. went second to Tampa Bay. Virginia 3B Ryan Zimmerman went 4th overall to Washington -- surprisingly the first ACC player to go -- and UNCG pitcher Chris Mason went in the 2nd round to Tampa Bay. And on and on it goes (follow the draft here) ...
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