MLB Draft Analysis: Day One
Keith Law of espn.com provided a reaction to the draft picks from Day 1 of the 2009 MLB Draft. For Day 2 analysis, click here.
Best picks of the first round
- Tyler Matzek, Colorado Rockies, #11 overall: He slid because of signability concerns and the Rockies benefited.
- Shelby Miller, St. Louis Cardinals, #19 overall: Like Matzek, he fell because of contract demands.
- Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins, #20 overall: The stress fracture in Gibson's throwing arm scared many teams off, but so long as it heals, the Twins got a steal.
Worst picks of the first round
- Tony Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates, #4 overall: It's not that Sanchez is not a first round player, but the Pirates reached too high at #4. The reason was a pre-draft deal that saved the Pirates some money, but they passed on too much talent.
- Randal Grichuk, Los Angeles Angles, #24 overall: Not even in Law's Top 100
- Nick Franklin, Seattle Mariners, #27 overall: Franklin does not have much upside along with below average power and mediocre defense at best.
More Thoughts
- Law liked the Diamondbacks draft of Bobby Borchering and AJ Pollock in the first round and Matt Davidson, Chris Owings and Mike Belifore in the second and third rounds.
- The Cubs took low stat, high upside athletic guys Brett Jackson and DJ LeMahieu.
- Rex Brothers was a steal for the Rockies at #34.
