KLaw on potential Brave Donovan Tate

by rocket8188 on Apr 20, 2009 1:40 AM EDT

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4079335&name=mlb_draft

More draft talk for those that care. I think Tate is going to be the value pick for the Braves at 7. I know many people will say you already have Schafer why gets another big potential CF but hey this is baseball. Tate now may get you a former Cy Young winner later. Or if he starts adding power he could project to be a plus defender in left. The same could be said for Ackley who projecting to be a 1b/LF guy. I wish that Crow would drop but I doubt that happens so I'm guessing Ackley, Purke, Green, Tate, or Matzek.

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There was an article about Tate in one of more recent BaseballAmerica magazines. I got the vibe that he’ll be a hard player to sign since he has huge intentions of playing multiple sports in college.

I’m all for drafting the best player available, regardless of position. Surpluses tend to work themselves out – whether that’s through a trade or someone sucking.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by beeniez on Apr 20, 2009 2:55 AM EDT reply actions

Best player on the board will be either Purke or Matzek once we pick at #7. Green, Ackley, and Crow will be off the board when we pick at #7. Tate is a great story and local boy but him being a Multi Athlete Star that will most likely will go to UNC to play footbal and baseball. If you have any doubts on signing this guy than go with the sure thing that Braves love to get there hands on a Southpaw HS pitcher with #1/#2 upside and see them in 4/5 yrs.

Though I really hope that Green falls down in which he would be chipper’s replacement at 3b but alot has to happen from now till the draft in order for him to slide down to #7. Now if the Braves are making a big push in the next several draft to win now mode with the group of Freeman/Heyward/Hanson/JJ/Schafer/Esco/KJ than they could gear themselves towards a College pitcher like K Gibson(Mizzo)/A Oliver (Ok State)/M Leake (Ariz State) to help the club in 10/11. But again the Braves MO is get ther best player on the board which at #7 we will either select one the Lefty HS pitching studs of Purke or Matzek…

by Hanson-Ace on Apr 20, 2009 3:33 AM EDT reply actions

I really wish someone would do some research on it but I’m afraid of high school arms that high. They can’t be very successful.

by rocket8188 on Apr 20, 2009 5:09 AM EDT reply actions

i’ve often read, however, that the braves prefer working with pitchers out of high school – they’re malleable and less likely to have developed negative habits which can be hard to work out

"When life gives you lemons, just say 'Fuck the lemons,' and bail."

by Bravely going forward on Apr 20, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

there has been research done on it and high schoolers bust slightly more than college pitchers but if I remember the article read on it the high school pitchers win more awards and make more ll star teams in the long run. You can’t shy away from taking a top talent just because of their age factor. Look at Mark Prior. He wasn’t a complete bust but he only 2-3 useful seasons. Luke Hochevar hasn’t been much use in KC.

by yondaime4 on Apr 20, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

College coaches play to win games. Their jobs depend upon it and they don’t always have the best long term interest of the player in mind when make decisions/ call pitches. A lot of college arms with pro potential are damaged and ruined by abuse and/or questionable decisions.

"for my little nephew: in my second drawer where i keep my weed, under the handgun is a stack of pornos that will put callouses on your hands"

"Fundamentals are a crutch for the talentless"

"You wanna know about relationships, I know all there is to know – just ask my second wife Tina – yea she was a stripper and if Montel Williams wants to talk some shit some more then he can go f**k himself cause those charges were dropped."

-Kenny Powers

by jeg on Apr 20, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Jim Callis of Baseball America mentioned recently that Zach Wheeler might be where the Braves are looking. I’ll try and find the link, I don’t know if it is premium content or not.

by eaheckman10 on Apr 20, 2009 9:17 AM EDT reply actions

From the chat transcript at http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/chat/2009/267981.html

Q: Dave from Pensacola, FL asks:
Obviously the Braves are known for drafting HS players, but do you see them taking a college pitcher like White, Crow, or Gibson with their first pick?

Jim Callis: We’re hearing that Georgia high school righthander Zack Wheeler won’t get out of the top 10 picks. If that’s true, the Braves seem like the most natural candidate to take him.

by eaheckman10 on Apr 20, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I would be surprised if we don’t select Wheeler. IDK, maybe we make some exceptions to our organizational philosphy since we have such a high pick.

...catsports...

by bwellnjonesco on Apr 20, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I think if Tate is available they take him. They will sign him

by yondaime4 on Apr 20, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously. Everyone talks about this kid going to play at college. People don’t turn down 4 to 6 million dollars. They just don’t. Unless they’re stupid.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Apr 21, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve heard both. More than likely he leverages the football into an extra mil or something but I think if he goes to a good organization that isn’t going to low ball him from the start there is no way he isn’t in a minor league camp this time next year.

by rocket8188 on Apr 21, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Lowe II

Looks like this guy is a beefed up Lowe but don’t know if I would still pass on Purke or Matzek for another local guy named Zack but if a guy can throw a sinker 93+ with movement and have a + slider with control is not a bad either.

Though I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Braves go the local route again….

by Hanson-Ace on Apr 20, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

I would love for them to draft this Wheeler fellow if thats what he has up his sleeve. Basically Derek Lowe – 10+ years. If he could develop a change up that would give him 4 pitches (4S FB, Snk, Slider, Change Up)

by drumzalicious on Apr 20, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions