Originally Posted by
MissouriBronc
I started looking at this draft because of Jay Bruce's success...but seriously, check out this first round, it's pretty insane...knowing that there have been a lot more misses than hits in the first round of the MLB draft.
So, with this being draft week, I give you the 2005 draft:
1, Arizona, Justin Upton, SS
2, Kansas City, Alex Gordon, 3B
3, Seattle, Jeff Clement, C
4, Washington, Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
5, Milwaukee, Ryan Braun, 3B
6, Toronto, Ricardo Romero, P
7, Colorado, Troy Tulowitski, SS
8, Tampa Bay, Wade Townsend, P
9, New York Mets, Mike Pelfrey, P
10, Detroit, Cameron Maybin, CF
11, Pittsburgh, Andrew McCutchen, OF
12, Cincinnati, Jay Bruce, OF
Later in the round:
23, Boston, Jacoby Ellsbury, OF
25, Minnesota, Matt Garza, P
The only players you could say may be "busts" in the Top Dozen may be Ricardo Romero and Wade Townsend. Both were college seniors who have never got past AA. Romero is languishing in AA with a 6.43 ERA in 11 appearances. Townsend is in single A with a 6.21 ERA in 13 appearances, two starts, no saves...a minor league reliever.
Romero is the 5th rated player in the Blue Jays organization. But, you have to be disappointed with a 24-year old "prospect" in AA.
For Townsend, it's tough to live up to Evan Longoria, and he's about as close to a true bust as there was in the Top Dozen. He wasn't even named to the Rays Top 10 Prospects and is languishing in Single-A, at 25 years old.
Clement is the catcher of the future for Seattle, and blocked by Johjima. He's hitting .365 in AAA with 10 HR and 32 RBI...also has 15 2B. Very good numbers, his .SLG is .722 and an OBP of .487.
McCutchen is the top prospect in the Pirates organization and is being blocked by McLouth right now, but should be with the big club this year. He's hitting .288 with 7 HR and 15 2B, plus 17 SB.