2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft
Teams Hope To Improve Farm Systems in MLB Draft
Tim Beckham, Brian Matusz and Buster Posey are hoping to be the top overall pick in this year's draft.
Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS (Ga.)
There is no clear-cut number one pick in this year’s MLB Amateur Draft; Tim Beckham is a player that the Tampa Bay Rays can’t go wrong with. Said to be a five-tool player, Beckham does everything fluidly, from base running to playing the field, the Griffin High School shortstop is a natural. He has quick hands and good pop to go along with his great speed and defensive ability. If the scouts are right, Beckham will be the next young, exciting Tampa Bay Ray. Beckham has committed to USC for next season, but not many people pass up the contract he will be offered when he is chosen in the top three picks in June. He was the MVP of the Aflac All-American Classic at San Diego State University.
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
Highly-touted slugger has been raking in SEC for three seasons now. Pedro Alvarez has quite the résumé. After being named Baseball America’s Freshman of the Year in 2006 and a First Team All-American, he was again named First Team All-American by Baseball America in 2007, as well as by Rivals.com in 2007. During his first two seasons at Vanderbilt, Alvarez smacked a combined 40 home runs. This season, he was set back by injury, but is hitting .338 thus far, with seven home runs and 25 RBI through 32 games. He has tremendous power, and is the top slugger available in this year’s draft. Should not last longer than the pick four. Brewersfan.net calls him “the best college hitter since Alex Gordon.”
Brian Matusz, LHP, San Diego
Brian Matusz has the perfect frame for a pitcher. At 6-4 and 190 lbs, he has the ideal body type for a major league pitcher. Insidepitching.com named him West Region Pitcher of the Year in 2007. And the NCBWA named him First Team All-American. The lefty’s arsenal includes a fastball that tops out in the low 90s, a curveball that is above average, and a changeup that is a “plus” pitch. The polished lefty will be on the fast track to big leagues once he is drafted. Matusz is 10-2 this season with an ERA slightly over 2.00. He has an unbelievable 122 strikeouts, with only 20 walks. Matusz’s success so far this year has made him the top pitcher going into June’s draft. He is another candidate to be taken with the first pick.
Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage HS (Fla.)
Considered the top high school hitter in this year’s draft, Eric Hosmer has a nice stroke and eye-popping power. Hosmer has shown the ability to dominate offensively, but he offers top of the line defense, as well. He leads the nation’s number two-ranked team according to USA Today’s Super 25. Hosmer is a Scott Boras client, so he may fall a little further than he should on draft day. When it is all said and done Hosmer may end being chosen around pick number ten.
Buster Posey, C, Florida State
The top catcher in this year’s draft, listed slightly ahead of Kyle Shipworth on most draft lists, possesses great arm strength and is a very advanced hitter. Opponents have only converted on 58% of stolen base attempts against Posey this year. While he is not projected to be a great power hitter, Posey has 17 home runs and 20 doubles in 55 games this year. Posey is sporting a .471 average this season, as well. He is a great athlete that should fly through the minor leagues. Posey is also being considered by Tampa Bay, and will surely be a top five pick.
