A.J. Pierzynski earns 10- and -5 status next Monday, which comes complete with a trade veto power the White Sox may be reluctant to grant, even though he also become a free agent this fall. A.J. may have softened the situation by saying he would consider a trade if it made sense for both parties and it gave him a chance to win this season. He says he hasn’t been told by the club that anything is in the works and he says he’ll keep focusing on helping the White Sox until something comes up. This is a bit of a concern in AL-only leagues but no more so than on draft day.
Brian Roberts and his herniated disc sat out another spring training game on Monday and the Orioles say he’s scheduled to see a doctor in Florida today. They say they are just being cautious but nothing about this sounds good. If you want a kernel of hope, find it in the fact they haven’t yet decided to fly him out to be examined.
The Orioles took SS Manny Machado with the 3rd overall pick in the draft. Machado was arguably the top HS position player in the draft. He already stands 6-3/185 and he won’t be 18 for another month. It’s entirely possible that he’ll grow himself out of the position but he projects to hit well enough, with enough power to justify a CI post as a #3 or#5 hitter. That’s probably at least 2-3 seasons down the road however.
The Royals drafted SS Christian Colon out of Cal State Fullerton with the 4th overall pick. This may be a bit of a reach. Colon dos a lot of things well, but nothing compellingly well. If he can’t stick in the middle infield as a pro he’ll be a mediocre offensive contributor at a corner. Colon is definitely a first round talent but a disappointing take at #4 overall.
The Indians got perhaps the best lefty in the draft at #5 in Ole Miss’ Drew Pomeranz. Drew isn’t a power lefty but his fastball is heavy and he will bring 3 viable pitches to the pros along with advanced control. Pomeranz may only less than 24 months away but he doesn’t project to be a high-reward, high-impact starter.
The A’s took University of Texas- Arlington centerfielder Michael Choice with the 10th overall pick in yesterday’s draft. Choice is an odd …well …choice for the A’s, but in a draft class that is very shallow in terms of impact college hitters sometimes you have to reach. What he offers is raw power which the A’s rarely covet and he lacks the advanced zone command and hitting approach they normally look for. Choice has an odd swing mannerism in his front leg and looks very long to the ball. It looks like he’ll have some holes to close up as a pro. Choice wil be a good test to see if the A’s system can install some of the hitting traits they value as opposed to developing them. Choice has to be considered a project.
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