Wednesday, February 18, 2009

1 out of 10's Not Terrible... Right?

Looking ahead to the 2009 season, I'm going to take a trip back through the past 10 1st rounds of drafting for the your Pittsburgh Pirates... Enjoy
1998- 15th Overall: SP- Clint Johnston

O that Clint Johnston?
Isn't it really bad when your 1st round selection does not even have a Wikipedia page?
Should Have Taken: SP- C.C. Sabathia


Sabathia has only been one of the most consistent and dominant pitchers since he entered the league in 2001.
1999- 8th Overall- SP: Bobby Bradley

You know that Honus Wagner card..
2nd straight pitcher 2nd straight bust. Bobby Bradley never amounted to anything, and yes he also does not have a Wikipedia.
Should Have Taken- SP: Barry Zito
After finishing 6th in the ROY voting in 2000, Zito only became a 3-Time All-Star and one of the most dominant American League pitchers for the next 6 years.
2000- 19th Overall- SP: Sean Burnett
The 2000 draft was one of the weakest in recent memory when the only true notable player was when Adrian Gonzalez was take 1st overall by Florida. But still Burnett blew his arm out and is at best an average left handed specialist.
2001-8th Overall- SP: John Van Benschoten
JVB lead the nation in home run's his senior year so hey! lets make him a pitcher. In turn he blew out his arm, blew it out again, finally made it back to Pittsburgh in 2008 and was arguably the worst pitcher in the majors.
Should Have Taken- 3B: David Wright
I mean.. need I say much else?


The Bullington pick is probably the toughest to take just for the fact that 10 players have not only made a name for themselves but have dominated the game.
Should Have Taken- SP: Cole Hamels

World Series MVP

2003- 8th Overall- SP: Paul Maholm

Maholm has been serviceable so far. He was by far our best starter in 2008 and hopefully will be again in 2009.
Should Have Taken- OF: Carlos Quentin

Quentin was the favorite for the A.L. MVP in '08 until he pulled an Oliver Perez and broke his wrist after a strikeout in early September.
2004- 11th Overall- C/3B: Neil Walker

Walker was a local kid, and played a position that at the time needed a fill. He just hasn't yet brought anything to the table, and a times looks overmatched.
Should Have Taken- SP: Jered Weaver
Weaver in his 3 years of MLB service has not followed his brothers footsteps at all and has gone 35-9 with a 3.71 ERA
2005- 11th Overall- OF: Andrew McCutchen

Now some are going to look at this with the idea that I am trying to say this was a bad pick or something along those lines, and I'm not doing that completely. This will be McCutchen's 4th year in the minors, and we just dont know yet what McCutchen got.
Should Have Taken- OF: Jay Bruce
--The One thats not Griffey
Jay Bruce played in 108 games in his rookie year and although his average wasn't to par with what he is capable of he really showed flashes of being a bonafide superstar.
2006- 4th Overall- SP: Brad Lincoln

Lincoln was a top 4 SP coming out of the University of Houston, and with previous arm trouble of course Dave Littlefield thought he'd be a great addition to our farm system. Lincoln still has a chance to be great and in a few years we may see him in the majors but until then the pitchers we passed on were Andrew Miller, Clayton Kershaw, Bryan Morris who is now a Pirate regardless, and...
Should Have Taken- SP: Tim Lincecum

Lincecum in just his 2nd year in the majors in 2008 was an all-star and won the NL Cy Young. Arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
2007-4th Overall- RP: Daniel Moskos
Never has there been so much fail in one picture

With a "Can't Miss" prospect sitting on the board at #4, and another 'Potentially great power hitter', the pirates decide to take a relief pitcher out of Clemson. Some may think that Wieters could not have been signed due to agent Scott Boras wanting a $10 Mil. signing bonus, but the owners gave him a free pick regardless of monetary issue. This was thankfully Littlefields last major move as a GM.
Should Have Taken- C: Matt Wieters

Wieters- the "Can't miss prospect", became exactly that. In just 1 full year in the minors has already become a top 2 major league prospect and has showed signs of greatness. He will make the Orioles opening day roster and has to be the front runner for the ROY in the AL.
2008- 2nd overall- 3B: Pedro Alvarez
For his 1st draft as a GM, Huntington struck gold with the Lefty Power hitter out of Vandy. (See Video Below) Regardless of all the contract negotiations, and everything off the field, it truly looks like Alvarez has the chance to be an All-Star calibar player for years to come.
Possible Opening Day Lineup/ Rotation for 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates
1.) N. McLouth
2.) J. Bruce
3.) D. Wright
4.) C. Quentin
5.) M. Wieters
6.) Ad. LaRoche
7.) F. Sanchez
8.) J. Wilson
9.) T. Lincecum

SP- T. Lincecum
SP- C.C. Sabathia
SP- C. Hamels
SP- J. Weaver
SP- B. Zito




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