Hopefully he develops into a pure position player over the next few years. Sounds like an interesting pick. The BA guy really seems to like what the Astros are doing as far as following their convictions. He was pointing out how most teams with a weak farm system like the Stros tend to go for college guys that are closer to ready. He thinks this shows the Astros are doing their homework and picking guys that other teams may be overlooking.
Oh wow, 230 for a high school outfielder..that is HUGE! Heres some video on him: http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=4961152&content_id=4751359 I hope they grab some guys in the CWS like last year so we can watch them live and garner our own impressions
Yea wasnt he also the guy who replenished the red sox farm system and look where they are now. hopefully the samething happens to the astros.
Scouting Report for Mier from Baseball America Mier is supported by a large and enthusiastic family. At the 2008 Aflac Classic they made up a sizeable cheering section, complete with artfully constructed banners and signs. His mother Leticia is a fixture at his games, with her ever-present video camera, and has seen plenty of highlights this year. Mier is the rare prep shortstop who projects to remain at that position in pro ball. He has above-average speed and a powerful arm that grades out to well-above-average. He occasionally pitches for his high school squad, and scouts have gunned his fastball in the 91-93 mph range. He has an athletic and projectable 6-foot-2 170-pound frame. Mier has decent hands, though his actions need to be smoother, which should come with experience. He has been inconsistent with the bat, struggling last summer during showcases but looking sensational last fall at the World Wood Bat Championship and the Southern California scout ball all-star game. Overstriding threw off his timing earlier in the spring, but of late he shortened his stride, though he still has a tendency to lunge at the ball and get his weight out on his front leg. When Mier squares a pitch up, the ball flies off his bat. He has the natural quickness and hand-eye coordination to be an excellent hitter. He projects as a line-drive singles and doubles hitter, with slightly below-average power.
Scouting Report for Bushue A sprained right knee that didn't require surgery caused Bushue to miss most of his junior season and the summer showcase circuit in 2008, severely limiting his exposure. Now that he's healthy again, he has vaulted past lefthanders Ian Krol (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville) and Jerad Grundy (Johnsburg HS) as the best prep prospect--and perhaps the top draft pick--in Illinois this spring. An all-area basketball player who averaged 18.2 points per game as a senior, Bushue is just beginning to realize his potential on the diamond. An extremely athletic 6-foot-4, 180-pounder, he repeats his delivery well and throws with little effort. That allows him to maintain his 88-90 mph fastball into the late innings, and he can reach 93 mph with the promise of more to come. Bushue's curveball is a solid-average pitch, though he needs to use it more often, and he also messes around with a slider. He hasn't made much progress with a changeup, a pitch he'll need to remain a starter at higher levels. He has signed with John A. Logan (Ill.) CC rather than a four-year school and should be signable in the first 10 rounds. A team that believes in his upside could pop Bushue as early as the fourth round.
Scouting Report for Telvin Nash Head's biggest rival for top prep hitter this spring was Telvin Nash, a monstrous first baseman at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds. Nash runs below-average but isn't a slug, having played third base at times next to former prep teammate Tim Beckham, the shortstop drafted No. 1 overall last year. Nash has as much power as anyone in the state, with some scouts giving him a 70 grade for his raw power on the 20-80 scale. He has strength, leverage and good enough bat speed, but he's not considered an easy sign. He's committed to Kennesaw State and could come off the board around the fifth round to a team that believes he'll consistently tap into his power.
Scouting Report for Meyer Meyer is a versatile player whose draft stock has risen steadily as the season has progressed. A solidly built 6-foot-1 switch-hitter, Meyer has played shortstop and third base as well as catching. And as a pitcher, his fastball ranges from 87-91 mph, peaking at 92. Meyer's curveball is serviceable and could develop into a plus pitch. But his future is likely as a position player. He has the frame and arm to be an outstanding catcher. Yet his hands and fielding actions have improved immensely over the past year, and he flashes the playmaking ability to be an average to plus defensive third baseman as well. Meyer probably does not have the speed or quickness to play short, but second base is also a possibility. He is a recent convert to switch-hitting, and while he shows promise he has more power--and is more comfortable--from the right side.
To me, he seems like Jordan Lyles of last year. Similar build at 6'4 180ish pounds. Lyles had an average fastball as well but both are very projectable and are expected to add more velocity once they fill out.
Astros take high school infielder Mier with 1st pick By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle June 9, 2009, 10:46PM Over the last two years, the Astros have watched shortstop Jiovanni Mier play over 40 games, either at Bonita High in California or at showcase summer tournaments. Watching the kid from Southern California, the 18-year-olds presence in the middle of the field and at the plate caught assistant general manager Bobby Heck's attention. “His presence,” Heck said when asked what stood out most about Mier, whom the Astros picked in the first round Tuesday with the 21st pick in baseball’s first-year player draft. About an hour before he ran a bit late to his high school graduation, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Mier celebrated the Astros' selection. “He looks right,” Heck said. “He’s very confident. He’s poised. He has field awareness. He looks like a major league shortstop and plays like one and carries himself beyond his years.” Mier, 18, hit .394 with 18 RBIs, five home runs, 10 doubles and a .545 on-base percentage this past season at Bonita High. In the second round, the Astros chose Tanner Bushue, a 6-foot-4 righthanded pitcher from South Central High School of Kinmundy, Ill. He was 8-3 with a 0.62 ERA this year with 140 strikeouts. Outfielder Telvin Nash was the Astros' third-round pick with the 100th overall pick. Because they didn't sign their third-round pick, they were awarded a comp pick in the third round (111th overall), which they used to select third baseman Jonathan Meyer of Simi Valley (Calif.) High. Nash hit .527 with 40 RBIs this season, while Meyer hit .390 with three home runs and 34 RBIs. The big pick, however, was Mier. Although Mier has signed a letter of intent to play at USC, Mier shares Heck’s optimism that a deal with the Astros can be reached. “He wants to play,” Heck said. “He made that well known. He was actually here at our workout this past Friday, but there’s a long body of work on him. He’s made no bones about that he wants to go out and play.” Mier, who hits and throws from the right side, was joined by his mother, Leticia, last Friday during the Astros’ private workout for top prospects at Minute Maid Park. At that point, he met with several Astros officials, and it's clear he wants to start his professional career sooner than later. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to get out there and play. So the quicker the better. I know definitely we’ll come up with something. I’m just glad I’ll get a chance to go out there and play.” Mier’s older brother Jessie is a catcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization. But his baseball hero has been the New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter, on and off the field. “I’m a Jeter fan,” he said. “My dad (Fausto) always had me watch him growing up and the way he goes about the business, the way he plays the game, the way he just goes about everything, to carrying himself on the field and off the field. I really try to resemble him. I just wanted to make sure he’s the only shortstop I try to resemble myself like.” Mier was scouted primarily by area scout Doug Deutsch, although Heck and the Astros’ cross-checkers also got multiple looks at him late this year. Mier's baseball abilities weren’t the only aspects the Astros scrutinized. “As you guys know we covet makeup,” Heck said. “This is a very good family environment he’s from. We know the family very well. Our area scout Doug Deutsch has developed a very good relationship with his family. “His brother is a professional baseball player as well. This is a baseball family and very supportive. They told us they’d like him to land here prior to the draft.” Now it’s just a matter of getting a contract signed to ship Mier off to the minor leagues. “We thought he was the best baseball player, a middle of the field player,” Heck said. “Like you guys have heard me say many times before, this is a true shortstop who stays at shortstop. He has defensive ability and offensive ability as well. We think he’s going to grow into some power as well.”
Interesting... folks on 610 laughing about a comment by the drafted player that he was told by a Houston scout that the team was getting rid of Tejada. Even though its a given that the team will try to trade him if/when they aren't in contention mid season, and it is a certainty they wouldn't resign him next season... seems dumb to be talking about it. When I first heard the quote I was thinking Mier was joking ("Yea, now that they drafted me they can trade away Tejada") but that wasn't how the 610 talking heads were portraying it...
Looks like Hyatt had Tommy John Surgery in 2007. 2009 stats GP.....IP....R.....ER...Hits..SO...BB....ERA...W...L 13.0 25.2 22.0 17.0 20.0 23.0 15.0 5.960 3.0 0.0 http://njcaa.org/colleges_college_s...d=3&seasonselect=425&schmenu=4&collegeid=1779
they should certainly pursue turning tejada into a younger... well, anything... but i'm not so certain he won't be back. he's having a flat-out fantastic offensive season; at his current pace, it'll easily be the greatest season by an astro SS in history. if he'd agree to move to 3B next season (which, imo, would diminish some of his defensive liabilities), i'd certainly be open to bringing him back - not at $13M/per, obviously; but you could do a heck of a lot worse than a 3B making $5M-ish and posting a .900 OPS.
Stunned that every one of their day 1 picks were high school guys. Feel a bit relieved after having read that they considered some of the picks signable. Purpura's last draft is still stuck in my craw. The Astros better damn sure sign these kids. Another wasted draft is the last thing this once-proud organization needs.
I hope he really didn't say that because that is outrageous in so many ways. The most obvious is, Mier won't even sniff the majors for ATLEAST 3 or 4 more years. By then who knows if Miggy will still be with the Astros let alone still playing baseball altogether? What the Astros do now with their shortstop position is really irrelevant to him unless they go out and get a younger, mainstay type player.
