Scott da 6'0 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 I know we've touched on this a little bit recently, but the draft isn't too far away, and we hold the 7th pick. Hopefully we won't be picking this early for a long time, but while we're at it, we may as well pick up somebody that a couple years from now can be mentioned along with Hanson, Heyward, Freeman, etc.I've been reading through some mock drafts, and it appears that Stephen Strasburg, RHP, SDSU will go #1 overall to the Nats. He has been clocked at 102 MPH seven times. The big knock on him is that his mechanics are flawed. Still, with that stuff he's almost a lock for #1 or #2 overall, depending on whether or not the Nats or M's think they can sign him.However, turning to the Braves, I've seen several names mentioned for our pick. The guy that I see the most going to us at #7 is Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS (California). Tyler Matzek is a polished hard-throwing lefty starter from Capistrano Valley HS in California, and one that is drawing comparisons to the first pitcher selected in last year's draft (by Baltimore at #4) -- Brian Matusz.Arguably the top rated high school prospect for the 2009 draft, Matzek has tremendous poise and an easily-repeatable and almost effortless delivery. Much like the former San Diego Toreros ace -Matusz- Tyler has potentially four quality ML offerings. Tyler's fastball sits at 90-92, and can touch 94 when he needs to muscle up, and he'll occasionally throw it with three varied grips. As good as his fastball is, it's the command of it, as well as the strong secondary pitches that have scouts excited. He has a nasty curve, more sweeping than one that drops straight down, and it normally comes in around the mid-70's. He also incorporates a solid slider and a change that shows real promise as a plus pitch that comes in currently about ten miles an hour slower than his fastball... just as it should be.If Matzek continues his development, he easily could go as high as #2 overall. His ranking at #6 is very preliminary.http://www.mlb-draft.com/Top-Prospects-2009.php-------------------------------------------------------------------Sounds like a very intriguing guy. The other guy I've seen linked to us is Donovan Tate, OF, HS (GA). Given our love of picking home-grown talent, it wouldn't surprise me if we took this kid, even considering that our OF looks pretty loaded. Tate is an unbelievable athlete. He runs a 4.4 forty, and has been offered a football scholarship by USC (could drop him down the board if teams feel he may play football). He is also a great defensive player, obviously covering a lot of ground with that kind of speed.I'm hoping Matzek falls to us. A kid that young with that kind of stuff, and more importantly that kind of control and command is special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 I feel we need to try to get or infield talent in the minors up to par. We have paid a ton of attention to our outfield the past few years and now we are seeing the fruits of that labor. But outside of Freeman we don't really have anyone else to mention for infield. But then again we could always trade some of that outfield talent for infield talent. All I know is unless he start doing something about it now we are going to be hurting a ton once Chipper retires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott da 6'0 Posted March 1, 2009 Author Share Posted March 1, 2009 Whatever happened to Eric Campbell? I had been hearing his name mentioned over the past couple years as a potential replacement for Chipper at 3B, but I haven't heard anything from him. If I'm not mistaken he had some maturity issues (or legal problems, I'm not sure). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L.Rover Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 at the 7th pick, it is BPA. The Braves know better than to avoid a player like Donovan Tate simply because he is an OF. The prospect of him deciding to play at USC instead of MLB worries me, but I would like to think the Braves will do their HW.There are so many rounds of the MLB draft that our depth for INF could be addessed somewhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Whatever happened to Eric Campbell? I had been hearing his name mentioned over the past couple years as a potential replacement for Chipper at 3B, but I haven't heard anything from him. If I'm not mistaken he had some maturity issues (or legal problems, I'm not sure).Yeah last I heard was that he had some maturity issues. I don't remember where I read or heard that at though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknøwn Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Campbell has had a couple of rough seasons in Myrtle Beach in 2007 he hit just .221 with 14 HR and 49 RBI but he did improve last season he hit .255 with 19 HR and 67 RBIs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Eric Campbell, 3B, Grade C+: If his head is on straight, could surprise people in ’09. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Looking on Google for scouting reports about Eric Campbell and what scares me is I can't find nothing about for 2008 and 2009. Everythings from 2006 and 2007. :mellow: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L.Rover Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Looking on Google for scouting reports about Eric Campbell and what scares me is I can't find nothing about for 2008 and 2009. Everythings from 2006 and 2007. :mellow:well there won't be anything from 2009 other than organizational depth charts.If I remember correctly, Campbell was injured/ sent home for maturity issues during 2008, which might explain why you can't find anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 well there won't be anything from 2009 other than organizational depth charts.If I remember correctly, Campbell was injured/ sent home for maturity issues during 2008, which might explain why you can't find anything.I was just looking for a basic scouting report that was at least updated somewhat. But I can't find any that aren't from 2006 and 2007. You can't use them anymore because they are outdated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maine207 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Pitching in INF is what we need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maine207 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 we could go crow, or gibson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ugadawg Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 at the 7th pick, it is BPA. The Braves know better than to avoid a player like Donovan Tate simply because he is an OF. The prospect of him deciding to play at USC instead of MLB worries me, but I would like to think the Braves will do their HW.There are so many rounds of the MLB draft that our depth for INF could be addessed somewhere else.It is not USC. He committed to UNC. Several colleges were not big on chasing him due to the fact that they all knew he would go in the draft and that is where he belongs. The Braves will take him if he is even still on the board by that time. Many think he will be a top 3 pick. He is a top talent speed, glove, bat. He is a dominate CF with lead off speed and contact, and #3 hitter power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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