Rendon or no?
by Justin84 on Dec 14, 2010 9:19 PM EST
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Many assume that when the Pirates make their pick in the draft, it will be Anthony Rendon. However, it has also been said that Rendon is surely not a consensus #1 pick. It is a shame that we get the #1 pick when there is no one at the level of Strasburg or Harper, but we need to make the best of it. My question is, what other options are there? Who is worthy of being drafted number one if the Pirates don't choose Rendon. Don't get me wrong, I think/hope the Pirates choose him. I am just curious to know of the other potential number one picks.
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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At this stage
the big doubt on Rendon is how he comes back after his ankle injury this summer. If he comes back with no ill effects, I think he is viewed as being a consensus #1 pick of this draft. When healthy, he sounds very close to a consensus #1 similar to Strasburg or Harper.
As far as alternatives…thats the nice thing about this draft. No one was close to Strasburg or Harper in 2009 or 2010, but this draft, at the top, sounds stacked. Pitchers Gerrit Cole and Matt Purke are candidates, and I think UConn OF George Springer is up there as well. It sounds like there are a lot of other big time talents, too. South Carolina OF Jackie Bradley, high schoolers Daniel Norris, Archie Bradley, and Bubba Starling sound pretty good too.
There’s a reason Harper came out early this year; he wasn’t sure if he’d be #1 overall. It sounds like Taillon may have gone farther down in the draft if he was in 2011 too. It sounds like a lot of people seemed to be 50-50 on Rendon/Harper if they had been in the same draft; that should tell you all you need to know about Rendon’s talent.
I have a soft spot for Kenny Powers, but thats a late round pick.
I should clarify
From what I have read (never having seen the kid play), Rendon is of course a cornerstone player, but not a franchise changer like Strasburg or Harper. I do agree that the draft has some good choices, but none measure up to Strasburg or Harper, IMO. Thanks for the names, I like checking into these guys during the offseason.
Jim Callis, Baseball America’s draft guru, said that he’d pick Rendon over Harper. That’s about as concensus as it gets if you’re saying Harper is a franchise changer
by Danatural08 on Dec 14, 2010 10:17 PM EST up reply actions
really?
Do you happen to have a link?
That’s enough to get you really excited about Rendon…
by FusilliJerry88 on Dec 14, 2010 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/chat/2010/2610881.html
Jim Callis: They’d still go near the top of the 2011 draft. But I’d take the top 2011 position player (Anthony Rendon) over either Harper or Machado, and I’d take a few of the top college pitchers (starting with Matt Purke and Gerrit Cole) over Taillon. The latter decision would be closer.
by BuccoBrigade on Dec 14, 2010 10:57 PM EST up reply actions
ive heard multiple people say they would have chosen rendon over harper
mainly because he is close to MLB ready, but hes more than solid across the board
by white angus on Dec 14, 2010 11:09 PM EST up reply actions
It seems
like he has almost no weaknesses in his game. Whereas Harper has a major one (position uncertainty). To be honest, if he’s healthy, it sounds like he has an absolutely lethal bat.
by NastyNate82 on Dec 14, 2010 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
I’ve heard this from multiple people as well
“Rendon > Harper”
While Harper certainly has otherworldy potential, Rendon is as close to a guarantee as possible to be an above average third-baseman with Evan Longoria/Ryan Zimmerman upside. Harper on the other hand has real holes in his swing and is more of a risk.
Plus, while the old (and true) adage in baseball is draft for talent, not for need or position, here Rendon better fits the Pirates situation. He will play a position in which he won’t be blocked and we do lack some depth at (3B or at least corner infielder) and will be ready quickly, unless like a high school draftee.
Finally, college bats are factually the most productive of any type of draft pick (college bats, college arms, HS bats, HS arms)
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Dec 15, 2010 4:02 AM EST up reply actions
later in that same discussion:
Jim Callis: I’ve answered this several times. Harper has more power, but Rendon still has good power. Rendon is a better hitter, offers more defensive value, has better makeup and will get to the big leagues quicker despite being drafted a year later. Taking Rendon is no slight to Harper.
Sheds more light on the topic.
by insane_sanity on Dec 15, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
Rendon over Harper
It’s also on MLBtraderumors today.
Kenny Powers
Someone has to say lol. Zoom – over our heads?
Rendon
Random question but could he play SS for the Pirates? I know he’s had ankle concerns. But he played short in high school and even still, Rice doesn’t list him as 3B but infielder instead. I wouldn’t draft him to play first base, but if he could possibly play shortstop in the bigs, that would be fantastic
That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!
Don't think
he would play short. They may list him as an IF, but I imagine if he was a good enough SS, he would have been playing it at Rice. Weird thing I just kind of noticed: he’s not big at all. Just 6’0, less than 200 pounds.
by NastyNate82 on Dec 14, 2010 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
That’s why I don’t want him at first.
I think he definitely could play short in the majors, it would just take more time. There has to be some reason he didn’t play there much at Rice, but I don’t know what that is.
That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!
by BobPurkey34 on Dec 14, 2010 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
Rendon at SS is a stretch
Rendon at 3B and Alvarez to 1B is more likely and makes more sense..
If there are’nt any setbacks due to Rendons injuries he projects to be an above average defensive third basemen, and will hit plenty enough to play wherever.
by FusilliJerry88 on Dec 14, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
Why is that a stretch? Because of injury concerns?
That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!
by BobPurkey34 on Dec 14, 2010 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
because Rendon is looked at as being defensive ready for MLB at 3B
in the longoria/zimmerman mold.
by white angus on Dec 14, 2010 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
I understand that but we have a much greater need at SS. If it happens to take an extra year before getting to the majors, I’d be for that, because we have no top quality SS players in the organization.
That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!
by BobPurkey34 on Dec 14, 2010 11:20 PM EST up reply actions
We’re talking about the Pirates. We couldn’t even get J.J. Hardy for gods sake
That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!
by BobPurkey34 on Dec 15, 2010 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
Not that we COULDN'T get him
we didn’t want to pay the price for the upgrade. Shuffling guys out of position sounds like a bad idea to me. I’ll be happy with a solid hitting corner infield of Pedro and Rendon. Lets not get greedy by trying to move him to short.
by Wizard of Woz on Dec 15, 2010 8:39 AM EST up reply actions
hes right. pirates didnt want to pay the $7mm for the upgrade
i think since the O’s were willing to take on Harris’ contract, thats what sealed the deal with the Twinkies
by white angus on Dec 15, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
angus: that said, if the Pirates were #1 overall last year…you take Taillon over Harper?
by insane_sanity on Dec 15, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
honestly? i would take taillon, and not because of the money
all reports say that his arm is a once in a generation power righty, that hes mature and well ahead of guys his age. hard to pass on harper, but i would always take pitching over hitting, even rendon.
It is an interesting argument…but I think Washington did the right thing last year. Fortunately, we didn’t have the #1 pick…and the decision was made for us. I loved that we selected Taillon over Machado — his power arm was perfect at #2. I just really hesitate in taking a HS arm #1 overall – Brien Taylor always comes to mind.
As for Rendon? For a while I liked Purke overall. He’d provide us with a LH starting pitcher to put in the mix. Right now, though, I’m leaning heavily towards Rendon. He would immediately be one of 3 impact bats in our entire organization – McCutchen, Alvarez and him.
For the Pirates, as you said above, “grow your arms” — well, add to that “grow your impact bats”. We just cannot afford to try to outbid other teams for true impact bats, and have to develop those internally as well.
by insane_sanity on Dec 16, 2010 8:52 AM EST up reply actions
I'd rather draft bats
And draft high school pitchers in bulk because of the injury, they suck factor.
yeah
Harper was the right #1 pick, there’s no doubt in my mind abt that.
I would have gone Machado at #2, but i see the case for Taillon, and its a compelling one.
I think we should just get the best player available. I strongly disagree with drafting for need in baseball. Basketball is another story.
Bob, Anthony Rendon is an impact bat and plus-glove at 3B — that is probably MUCH more in need in our organization than a SS.
You do NOT just “get” impact bats, and we could potentially have 3 in our order in 2013: McCutchen, Alvarez and Rendon. For the first time in YEARS…we’d have power at the corner IF positions.
At #1…if there is a concensus “best player”, you take him.
by insane_sanity on Dec 15, 2010 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
Yes the injuries...
and if he had SS range he would be playing it in college. You find SS moving to 3B in the pros; not the other way around. Eveyrone is hoping that the injuries won’t affect his range at 3rd. There is no way he is moving to SS.
I definitely think
if the Pirates draft him, he will be drafted as a 3B. I could be wrong though.
maybe we'll JVB him and put him on the mound
by white angus on Dec 15, 2010 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Please don't bring up JVB
I have had nightmares of him launching balls into the Allegheny.
I think the fact that there is no #1 is more a testament to the depth of this draft than anything. As danatural08 said above, Callis rates Rendon above Harper. Who wouldn’t want their pick of three elite talents – Rendon, Purke, and Cole. There is no AROD or Griffey this year, but Rendon is essentially a Strasburg/Harper level prospect.
Interesting
I would argue Strasburg is on the Arod/Griffey level while Harper is below that and on level with Rendon.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Dec 15, 2010 4:03 AM EST up reply actions
Stras ...
may have been at that level. But let’s wait until we see how he responds to his surgery.
The statement was made in relation to the Draft. A current injury, well after the player was drafted, has absolutely no effect on his perceived value at the time of the draft. Brien Taylor was an incredible talent. Just because he never made it in the majors because of injury, does not take away from the fact that, at the time he was drafted, he was incredibly talented and said to be the best High School pitcher ever. If Strasburg never pitches in the majors again, it should not take away from the fact he was in the Griffey/Arod/Taylor level of players drafted.
by BuccoBrigade on Dec 15, 2010 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
If that's the case ...
Griffey was not a consensus #1.
The Mariners made their decision in the final week.
He was not viewed as an A-Rod type before the draft. He just became that good.
Mark Prior level is more like it. Best-case scenario, he could be John Smoltz, though.
by Adam Reynolds on Dec 15, 2010 10:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Callis
That is a huge statement by Callis. I hope that is a true testament to what we can hope for from Rendon.
Who needs Rendon when Alvarez and Pearce could hold down the corners for the next decade? ;)
by Adam Reynolds on Dec 15, 2010 9:45 AM EST via mobile reply actions
On MLBtradeRumors.com today
One talent evaluator says he might take Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon ahead of Bryce Harper if both players were in the same draft. The Pirates select first overall next year and may be tempted by Rendon, the consensus top player available.
It's still 2010 and some are interested in next June's draft....
1) There is little reason to speculate because so many things could happen to the top dogs of the present-i.e. injuries, lack of continued development.
2) A HS player or two could take a huge step forward-not as likely with the #1 overall pick, but we have to wait and see. Even some college soph this year could be miles better next year and the “best” player on the Bucco board.
3) You never draft by perceived need. You take the best player available.
4) If the Pirates agree that the best guy is Rendon next June, I bet they will take him.
5) But don’t be surprised if there is someone else between now and then who separates himself and is taken by the Pirates.
mostly because
the major league team is not that interesting…
by BurgherKing on Dec 15, 2010 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
BK
But what about getting Diaz, Correia, Olsen and Overbay?!!!!!
Not even a mention of Dusty Brown. He makes Doumit expendable.
by Suffering Buc on Dec 15, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
this is why we are having the discussion
I was looking for the other options that may come about. This is kind of along the mold of a mock draft. True, it’s not always correct, but it gives us something to discuss.
Provided Rendon makes a full recovery—it’s still iffy, but I heard one anecdote that he’s doing well—there’s no question he’s the pick. If he doesn’t, then I’m sure there will be another good talent available. But for me, what’s just as important as that first pick is having the first pick in every round. They have a great chance to pick up a lot of talent, and I hope they have a large enough draft budget to make those signings.
FYI
Minor League Ball has a thread going about Rendon vs Harper. The voting is split almost exactly in half, with Harper having a sliiiight edge…
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