I’m a casual baseball fan and don’t understand why drafts in baseball don’t seem to produce the same results as basketball or football. BoSox have been ok the last 5 five years, where did they get Papelbon? Why wasn’t he drafted by a crappy team like KC Royals?
Why can’t the loser teams draft players like Papelbon? When someone throws 98 mph and fairly straight, isn’t that a sure sign that this guy should be drafted high? He was drafted in the 4th round in 2002!
2007-10-26 04:03:11 · 8 answers · asked by ConnorWilhem3 4 in Sports ➔ Baseball
It's not like the NFL where players come straight from college to the pros. There are a lot of deals that go down for young talent in AA and AAA that make future teams great. Acually a lot of teams have good young talent right now but they don't have the pitching to back it up. Look at the D-rays. They have a good lineup but pitching killed them this season.
2007-10-26 04:15:12 · answer #1 · answered by Jerbson 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No baseball scout can safely say that they have found a CAN't MISS prospect.
Some of the best players to ever play baseball were drafted after the 15th round.
Mike Piazza, who is one of the best all-time catchers and the all-time leader in HRs was drafted after the 30th round.
The Yankees drafted a Can't Miss pitcher in the late 80's first overall who never pitched in a MLB game.
You just never know.
The Red Sox just recently built up their minor league system, under the Larry Lucchino, Theo Epstein regime.
For years they relied on free agents for the majority of the MLB roster.
2007-10-26 12:39:06 · answer #2 · answered by Mr realistic...believer in truth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good scouting is an indicator but a lot of times a good minor league system refines these kids to what they are today. There are a lot of pitchers w/ 98+ mph fastballs but you need good control, a mix of pitches and the ability to make them dominating pitches.
There's a good chance that the Royals have a few flamethrowers in their system but if you don't have good minor league coaches to refine their talent then unfortunately nothing comes out of these players. Big market teams are able to spend the necessary $$ to make sure their prospects are being properly trained.
2007-10-26 11:25:27 · answer #3 · answered by NotoriousOne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Papelbon was actually drafted by Oakland in the 40th round in 2002, but he decided to go back to college for another year. The next year, the Red Sox drafted him. So the "loser" teams as you put it, saw his talent first.
2007-10-26 11:35:34 · answer #4 · answered by jfbroc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scouting for baseball is different from football. There are too many games going on at high school level and it is difficult, especially for less wealthy clubs to spend a huge amount on scouting. Football drafts on the other hand, are easier because you only have fewer games at the college level.
Baskeball has only recently started recruiting directly from high school and I disagree that the rate of success is much higher than baseball.
2007-10-26 11:14:56 · answer #5 · answered by Existentialist_Guru 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most players drafted have tons of talent. Its systems that turn these players into studs. It takes a great deal of patience and coaching to get these guys to the next level. Better systems turn out better talent.
2007-10-26 11:15:39 · answer #6 · answered by josh_huth 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's all about recognizing talent...Maybe the Royals didn't see Pap's 98 mph fastball
2007-10-26 11:06:38 · answer #7 · answered by Terry C. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats what you call great scouting!!!
2007-10-26 11:14:00 · answer #8 · answered by J Dub 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋