FanPost

Should we have taken Hosmer?




The 2008 draft was one of the more exciting times for Pirates fans with the expected selection of Pedro Alvarez, who was described as talent evaluators as the next big thing and a "can't miss" prospect, but did the Pirates "miss"?

I am not one of those people that thinks Pedro is a lost cause because obviously it is way too early for that type of talk, especially after the way he finished last season off. However, I'm sure most of us have seen the way that Kansas City Royals 1st Baseman Eric Hosmer has come up and completely dominated right away. Hosmer was recalled May 6 and went hitless in his debut (0-2 2BB). Since then, though, he has started going on a tear, including hitting home runs the last two nights at Yankee Stadium. If you watch highlights of this kid he looks very impressive and looks a lot more like a "can't miss" prospect to me. Hosmer has a .333 avg (7-21) with 2 HR 5 RBI 4 Runs and 1 SB so far in his short stint in the majors. Compare that to Pedro's numbers (.204 (22-108) 1 HR 7 RBI 9 Runs 1 SB).

Also a selection of Hosmer would have meant no Lyle Overbay and the Pirates most likely would have signed a veteran 3rd baseman (Jack Hanahan?) and plugged Hosmer at first either at the beginning of the year or early May and also would make it easier to draft Rendon this summer.

Hosmer hasn't been the only player that has stood out from that draft class. Obviously we all saw what Buster Posey did last year hitting .305 with 18 HR and 67 RBI and he was taken 5th overall by the Giants.

Look at 1B Ike Davis (taken 18th overall by the Mets). So far this year he is off to a terrific start .302 avg 7 HR 25 RBI 20 Runs.

1B Brett Wallace (13th overall by the Cardinals, now with the Astros) .328 avg 2 HR 11 RBI 18 Runs.

Obviously it is WAY too early to call this draft a bust for the Pirates, but it is a bit concerning to me that a lot of the players taken after Pedro have progressed very well and Pedro has regressed since his strong finish. I also find it amusing that the free agency talk for Hosmer has already begun:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AuYy9Elh8Er1OdBlMKt9HcwRvLYF?slug=jp-boras_hosmer_royals_contract_51211

So maybe we did get it right....

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