Show Notes:
- First time host Todd Criner is a fantasy guy and a big prospect guy to boot.
- "Are you nervous, Todd?" "No." -- Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm convinced.
- Small cameo by Morgan Foster. Blink and you'll miss it.
- The top prospects discussed include:
- LHP David Price, Tampa Bay Rays-- Athletic, plus pitches, lefty, and tall. What's not to like? Inconsistent arm action apparently.
- LHP Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers -- Solid, young, power-pitching lefty. Impressed Foster with his wisdom and looks like Orel Hershiser.
- LHP Jacob McGee, Tampa Bay Rays -- Scrawny fifth-round pick in 2004. Why is he on this list? He has filled out since then, and Foster says that if he was in the Draft Class of 2008, he would be the best pitching prospect (ahead of Brian Matusz.)
- C Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles -- Being tall (like Minnesota C Joe Mauer) could force Wieters off the plate. Looked comfortable behind the plate according to Foster. A polished switch-hitter with power from both sides.
- 3B Pedro Alvarez, Vanderbilt Commodores (NCAA) -- Well-rounded hitter. Might have to move, since range could be an issue at third base. The assumed No. 1 pick in the 2008, making Vanderbilt the first school to have back-to-back players selected at No. 1 (Price).
- RF Travis Snider, Toronto Blue Jays -- Bad rep with the scouting community because of his body type. Very strong, similar size and body type to Prince Fielder or Matt Stairs. His bat is possibly more valuable than Jay Bruce.
- RHP Rick Porcello, Detroit Tigers -- 28th overall pick who fell because demands for "Josh Beckett"-money. Workouts and build project to a No. 1 caliber pitcher.
- 3B Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals -- Second pick in 2007 Draft. Higher ceiling than Travis Snider thanks to similar batting skills and better defense.
- RHP Jarrod Parker, Arizona Diamondbacks -- Compares to Tim Lincecum, Roy Oswalt. An undersized pitcher who throws hard. More polish than Rick Porcello.
- LHP Brian Matusz, San Diego Toreros (NCAA) -- No. 1 pitching prospect in 2008 Draft. Amazing curveball paired with a great changeup. Matusz's sophomore year edges out Price's sophomore year. Could end up with a higher ceiling than Verlander and Price.
- Complete list (with honorable mentions and predicted graduations) found here.
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