Draft Grant Green or No?

by scully0505 on May 2, 2009 4:59 PM EDT

Although our system is very shallow when it comes to starting pitching, I'm a fan of drafting the best talent available, regardless of position, because (obviously) it's still very hard to project college/ hs talent to the mlb. Putting aside team needs, what do you all think about Grant Green (SS, USC)? Do you think we should draft him, assuming he falls to #4?

Many of you probably know who he is but for those who don't, he was considered a premier talent entering this year and is often compared to Troy Tulowitzki and Evan Longoria (I had either Green or Ackley at #2, following Strasburg). However, he has struggled this year, especially early on. Many analysts still think he will go towards the top of the first round, but many advocates of deeper stat analysis aren't sold on him as the sure bet an early first rounder should be. Some view him as somewhat of a lottery ticket, more suitable for the end of the round. If you haven't already seen it, check out this article from Project Prospect and let me know what you think about him.

How Good a Draft Prospect is Green?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Green

Doesn’t project for power and probably not able to stay at SS, so I say no.

by buccoben on May 2, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

Check out Jonathan Mayo's draft report on Green

He projects to have pretty good power (for a shortstop) and everything I’ve read says he’s five tool and should not have to move from short, although he has struggled a bit in the field this year “uncharacteristically”

by scully0505 on May 2, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

oops no link…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=green

by scully0505 on May 2, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Scout I know

for Rockies says no way he stays at SS and would only add power in some ballparks as he doesn’t go to RF with any authority.

by buccoben on May 2, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

If not Green, then who?

I personally feel Green is the way to go for the Pirates if he is still available. Mariners probably go for Ackley and the Pads go for pitching. So unless the Pirates want pitching like Kyle Gibson or Alex White, Green will be the best available player.

I think he can stick at SS, at worst you convert to CF.

by backtocali on May 4, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

We have outfield prospects (and current OF's)

We need pitching and middle infielders for the future. How good are Gibson or white? Or Crow if we are avoiding Scheppers?

McLouth is The Trouth

by GTrain on May 4, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Drafting for need in the Rule 4 Draft? Bad idea…

by wickethewok on May 4, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

agreed

drafting the best player available is the only option for a team in our position.

by johnnycuff on May 4, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Grant Green as a converted outfielder is not drafting BPA

McLouth is The Trouth

by GTrain on May 4, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

then we shouldn’t draft him. because he’s not the best player available.

i only disagreed with your statement that we need to draft infielders and pitching specifically, not that we should/shouldn’t draft green. if he can’t stay in the infield, then of course he’s not as valuable as a player with the same bat that plays SS.

by johnnycuff on May 4, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

At this point in the year...

…we don’t know whether he’s the best player available or not. There’s a month’s worth of college games left, plus the postseason.

He’s a guy we should be watching at this point. That’s all.

by Vlad on May 4, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I see what you're saying

I didn’t mean it as we should only draft for need, such as passing on Ackley or another great outfielder. I just mean that it is worth considering and more as evidence in the case against green than draft philosophy.

McLouth is The Trouth

by GTrain on May 5, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions