*Official* 2008 MLB Draft Thread

[Sockinchisox]

Starts at 1 on ESPN2, Sox pick 8th.

The most rumored players the Sox are considering:

Gordon Beckham SS (Reds seem ready to take him at 7)
Yonder Alonso 1B
Brett Wallace 1B/3B
Justin Smoak 1B/DH

[sox1970]

My prediction: G. Beckham if he's there at 8. If not, Justin Smoak.

A lot of reports say Wallace's stock has dropped.

[EMachine10]

Originally Posted by sox1970

My prediction: G. Beckham if he's there at 8. If not, Justin Smoak.

A lot of reports say Wallace's stock has dropped.

Yeah, he's got a bit of a weight issue, but his bat is pretty darn good.

[Boondock Saint]

I'd like to see us take a 1B or 3B for the future. But I know little to nothing about the MLB draft and its prospects, so my opinion is little more than guessing.

[Fungo]

I'm going with Shooter Hunt, RHP, Tulane.

Ethan Martin is another guy I wouldn't mind

[sox1970]

Originally Posted by Fungo

I'm going with Shooter Hunt, RHP, Tulane.

I'll be shocked and disappointed if they don't take a position player. They need an impact offensive player, and they should be able to get one in the top 10 of the draft.

[Sockinchisox]

Originally Posted by sox1970

I'll be shocked and disappointed if they don't take a position player. They need an impact offensive player, and they should be able to get one in the top 10 of the draft.

Same here, a bat is almost a no brainer take here in a draft full of corner infielders.

I also wouldn't mind Hosmer, but I don't think we'd pay him what he wants.

[jabrch]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=286

Jim Callis' pre-draft notes

A few highlights
He thinks it is a done deal that Beckham goes #1 and Alvarez goes #2.

KC took Boras guys before - so they'd consider Hosmer.

Hunt, Crow and Matusz are slipping - this will be a weak pitching draft

Alan Reiger is Jason Castro's godfather - and Callis speculates that we'd Reiger may draft him. I hope not...

Slot money is up 10% over last year.

[sox1970]

^

That's Tim Beckham, not Gordon.

[JohnTucker0814]

I would like to see Smoak... hard hitting switch hitter to play 1B... I figure it would be the perfect scenario because Paulie will be done about the time Smoak comes up...

[kraut83]

Can anyone enlighten me on catchers besides Castro, that would be available or worth taking at #8. Also, what would the chances be that the Sox take one over Beckham/Alonzo/Smoak?

[sox1970]

Originally Posted by kraut83

Can anyone enlighten me on catchers besides Castro, that would be available or worth taking at #8. Also, what would the chances be that the Sox take one over Beckham/Alonzo/Smoak?

Buster Posey and Kyle Skipworth are the two highest catching prosepcts. Posey will be gone in the Top 5.

The mlb.com guy is saying the Sox may take Skipworth if Gordon Beckham is gone and Skipworth falls that far.

Skipworth is described as Joe Mauer with more power, but less defensive skills. He's a high schooler, so it would take years for him to be ready.

Originally Posted by sox1970

Buster Posey and Kyle Skipworth are the two highest catching prosepcts. Posey will be gone in the Top 5.

The mlb.com guy is saying the Sox may take Skipworth if Gordon Beckham is gone and Skipworth falls that far.

Skipworth is described as Joe Mauer with more power, but less defensive skills. He's a high schooler, so it would take years for him to be ready.

Posey is rumored to be looking for 12 million. That has turned a lot of teams off (if true) and that could cause him to drop to us.

Originally Posted by EMachine10

Yeah, he's got a bit of a weight issue, but his bat is pretty darn good.

He's had a weight problem his entire college career, so that shouldn't be some new release or something. He can straight mash. He might be a little bit of a stretch, and does not rank higher than Smoak or Alonso. But if those 2 along with GBeckham are gone, I wouldn't be disappointed with him. Kind of like Adrian Gonzalez with bigger legs lol.

Originally Posted by JohnTucker0814

I would like to see Smoak... hard hitting switch hitter to play 1B... I figure it would be the perfect scenario because Paulie will be done about the time Smoak comes up...

Me too. I think he is my #1 preference. Him or Posey if he slips.