the nevin pick is only a mistake in hindsight. it'd be nice to have jeter but that's hardly something i'd pick on the franchise for.
When the season comes to an end, the Astros will probably have a top five pick. IMO it doesn't matter who they pick as long as it is one of the more talented and highly projected/touted prospects. No more drafting a guy because he'll sign easy, lets take the most talented guy available with all our picks. I hope that Loretta, Lamb and Jennings sign with better teams so that we can get those teams 1st, 2nd or sandwich round picks depending on what FA grade Loretta, Lamb and Jennings receive. IMO the Astros really need to hit on their picks and get some more talent into the farm system. As far as Pedro Alvarez, he would probably be comparable to Ryan Braun, great stick at the plate, not so good at the hot corner. If the Astros were fortunate enough to get a talent like Alvarez we should be happy to have the problem of wondering where to put him on the big league club when he's ready.
3B/1B Pedro Alvarez- Vanderbilt RHP Brian Matusz- San Diego SS Brandon Crawford- UCLA 1B Justin Smoak- South Carolina RHP Tyson Ross- Cal These are pretty much the top 5 college players in that order. I put Crawford at #3 because he plays a premium position and Smoak is a 1B, although Smoak is a gold glove defender and capabale of hitting 35 homers. Crawford has 15 home run power and 25+ steals in him. Not to mention he is also very good with the glove. He strikes out quite a bit, but he was still just a sophomore in one of the best college conferences in America. Ross throws 92-96mph and has a nasty breaking ball. His command has gotten better and better, and he still has room to fill out his frame. If there is any highschooler who will go in the top 5, it will be Tim Beckham. A SS with insane speed and can really pick it from SS. MVP of the Aflac All American game.
Just out of curiosity, can someone tell me what's the expected time for a really hot baseball prospect to go from single A to the bigs? Is it possible that we draft someone so good they'll be able to be with the Astros in one season?
It really depends on the prospects' position and experience. College draftpicks, generally, have played at a higher level and are more mature so they start off in a higher level and move quicker. Likewise, some positions (relief pitchers for example) are able to move up faster than others (e.g. catchers). Generally it take more than a year for teams to bring up even the most advanced draft picks. Although it isn't always that they can't be productive major leaguers. Many of the teams picking in the top ten are bad teams and developing the future is more important than the present. It makes no sense for these teams to rush a top draft pick to the majors when they are out of contention for the year. Unless they want another David Clyde on their hands. Many teams are concerned about wasting a players service time. Out of the 2006 mlb top ten only pitchers andrew miller (out of unc) of the tigers, brandon morrow and tim lincecum have played in the majors. All are college players and miller was only was only originally brought up because of a clause in the contract that he signed. So it is certainly possible for a top college player to make the majors in a year, though it is certainly not the norm.
Justin Upton was the HS Player of the Year and #1 pick 2 years ago and he's up in the majors already but its pretty rare for guys to come up that fast.
