Joe Mauer Rumors

Since 1985, only Joe Mauer has been selected #1 overall as a catcher and only five times prior to that was a catcher taken with the first pick.  Mauer is clearly the class of that group of first overall picks, the others did not have noteworthy careers.  Catchers have also been selected four times with the #2 pick and five times with the #3 pick.  The most notable success story of that group is BJ Surhoff, who spent the bulk of his career not as a catcher, but at other positions. 

The question then becomes, will Bryce Harper, who's largely expected to be the first overall pick by the Nationals, work out as a player, more or less a catcher?

"I don't think you can compare today's player to those from so long ago," said a current catching coordinator. "When I'm asked to come take a look at a kid our club is considering taking in the draft, it's a fresh start. With a catcher, I'm just looking to see if he has the hands and feet, and of course the arm strength, to develop into a major league catcher."

Will Bryce Harper be able to cut it as a professional catcher?

So far, Harper has fit into the catching coordinator's mold.  He's a very good athlete with a strong arm and plenty of coordination with his feet. 

The one thing that particularly works in Harper's favor for whatever team ends up drafting him is his bat.  "He's got big power potential and a really good arm," said a former GM. "He's got big power potential and a really good arm. You have options defensively. Looking back, I'm not sure most of those other guys other than Mauer had the offensive ceiling Harper has during his draft year." You have options defensively. Looking back, I'm not sure most of those other guys other than Mauer had the offensive ceiling Harper has during his draft year."

Though Harper's career thus far has been primarily at catcher, he's spent time in the infield, outfield and even on the mound.  If he struggles defensively at catcher, but is able to hit, teams will find a place on the field for him to play.

Keith Law of espn.com provides us with a detailed scouting report on phenom Bryce Harper. Here are some highlights.

• Harper's most impressive attribute is his hand and wrist strength which he uses to generate unusual power for someone so young.
• While he's probably not the 205 pounds he listed at, he currently has above average speed and even when he does fill out, his speed isn't likely to get much worse than average.
• He's currently a catcher though most scouts figure he'll play third base professionally to avoid the wear and tear of catching.
• While he's been clocked at 94mph as a pitcher, Law suggests that the recent Tommy John surgery for Luke Bailey and subsequent drop in draft stock should be enough to have Harper avoid pitching.
• Harper has supreme confidence, at times to his detriment. When pitchers are avoiding him, sometimes he chases believing he can make something out of nothing rather than just taking what's being given to him.
• Law projects his ceiling as Joe Mauer. Not bad.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports and Peter Gammons of espn.com each wrote articles recently about Stephen Strasburg and Dustin Ackley, the presumd #1 and #2 picks of the draft, respectively.

To read Passan's article, click here.

The Nationals have the #1 pick in the upcoming 2009 MLB Draft and general manager Mike Rizzo does not believe that any member of the 2009 draft class will play in the majors this season.  “I don’t see that in this year’s draft,” Rizzo said. “It’s such an acclimation process for a pitcher to go through, and it’s so very, very difficult, I just can’t see someone doing it.”  While Rizzo did not specifically mention Strasburg, the implication is obvious as he is the only player who anyone feels this would even be possible for.  The only realistic way that Strasburg could see the big leagues in 2009 is if his advisor, Scott Boras, somehow weaves a guaranteed call up into his contract, which some expect to approach $20M. 

To read Gammons article, click here.

We've heard many of the accolades heaped on Ackley to this point and have debated the question of whether he's a first baseman or a centerfielder.  While most suspect that he'll be an outfielder in the major leagues, his coach at UNC insists that, with enough time, he could play second base.  This is music to the ears of Mariners Jack Zduriencik who's club holds the #2 pick in the upcoming draft.  Gammons distinguishes Ackley from the prime bat of the 2008 class, Pedro Alvarez, who, after a protracted contract hold out, finally signed with the Pirates and is hitting .209 in the Carolina League.  Ackley seems to have the same "look" that is often evoked from players like Derek Jeter, Joe Mauer and David Wright.