7th Overall: Jacob Turner, rhp, Tigers (TRADED)
82nd Overall: J.R. Murphy, c, Yankees
109th Overall: Jeffrey Kobernus, if, Nationals
112th Overall: Brandon Jacobs, of, Red Sox
122nd Overall: Chad Jenkings, rhp, Nationals (RELEASED)
128th Overall: Steven Matz, lhp, Mets
142nd Overall: Yuniesky Maya, rhp, Free Agent
2009 Draft
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2009 Draft
Last edited by Yankees on Sat Dec 26, 2009 6:22 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Jacob Turner:
In picking up this pick, I was targeting Turner, Kyle Gibson, or Shelby Miller. I truly wanted Turner or Gibson, but figured one might be gone. Given some interesting choices in the top 6 picks, I was thrilled to have all the options on the table. Miller was more of a discussion point to go against Turner or Gibson, so he went off the table almost immediately - but I definitely struggled with Turner vs. Gibson. Ultimately, ceiling limitations and injury past couldn't play over ability to move quickly, and Turner was the choice.
Turner provides the best arm I've picked up in the draft probably since Billingsley. He's 18 years old, touches 98, has a legitimate plus curveball, throws a change, and has exactly what scouts look for out of a high school prospect. BP says he compares favorably to Verlander. I'll take it...
In picking up this pick, I was targeting Turner, Kyle Gibson, or Shelby Miller. I truly wanted Turner or Gibson, but figured one might be gone. Given some interesting choices in the top 6 picks, I was thrilled to have all the options on the table. Miller was more of a discussion point to go against Turner or Gibson, so he went off the table almost immediately - but I definitely struggled with Turner vs. Gibson. Ultimately, ceiling limitations and injury past couldn't play over ability to move quickly, and Turner was the choice.
Turner provides the best arm I've picked up in the draft probably since Billingsley. He's 18 years old, touches 98, has a legitimate plus curveball, throws a change, and has exactly what scouts look for out of a high school prospect. BP says he compares favorably to Verlander. I'll take it...
Last edited by Yankees on Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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J.R. Murphy:
Murphy is an offense first catcher who flashes a lightning quick bat, and has a tremendous feel for hitting. Murphy hit very well in an abbreviated pro debut in the GCL, and is spending time in the Instrucs this off-season focusing on improving his defense. While his defense lags far behing his bat, very few people think Murphy will have to move from behind the plate if he puts in the time and effort. Many do believe that his bat could force a move before his defense behind the plate catches up, but the Yanks remain adamant that he's a catcher. If he can become adequate defensively and stay behind the plate, Murphy has the bat to become an All-Star. If he's forced to move to a OF/IF corner, his prospect status will take a hit.
Normally at this point in the draft I take chances on big arms or tremendous athletes, but the more I read about Murphy, the more positive I felt he could stay behind the plate and produce at a high offensive level.
Murphy is an offense first catcher who flashes a lightning quick bat, and has a tremendous feel for hitting. Murphy hit very well in an abbreviated pro debut in the GCL, and is spending time in the Instrucs this off-season focusing on improving his defense. While his defense lags far behing his bat, very few people think Murphy will have to move from behind the plate if he puts in the time and effort. Many do believe that his bat could force a move before his defense behind the plate catches up, but the Yanks remain adamant that he's a catcher. If he can become adequate defensively and stay behind the plate, Murphy has the bat to become an All-Star. If he's forced to move to a OF/IF corner, his prospect status will take a hit.
Normally at this point in the draft I take chances on big arms or tremendous athletes, but the more I read about Murphy, the more positive I felt he could stay behind the plate and produce at a high offensive level.
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J.R. Murphy, c Born: May 13, 1991 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-0 • Wt: 190
Drafted: HS—Bradenton, Fla. (2nd round) • Signed by: Jeff Deardorff/Brian Barber
Background: After missing his junior season in high school following knee surgery, Murphy moved to catcher as a prep senior and hit .627 with 11 home runs last spring. The Yankees bought him away from a Miami commitment with a $1.25 million bonus.
Strengths: The Yankees love Murphy's blend of hitting ability and athleticism, which is above-average for a catcher. He has a feel for hitting and knows his swing well. He generates good bat speed and pairs a low-maintenance, line-drive stroke with a polished offensive approach. He should hit for average and eventually should add solid power. He augments his plus arm with a quick transfer.
Weaknesses: Murphy is raw defensively and lacks experience handling velocity. The Yankees were encouraged with his rapid improvement after signing, but he'll have to polish his receiving and learn how to call games and handle a staff. He's a fringe-average runner who figures to slow down with the grind of catching.
The Future: The Yankees have spent $7.35 million on six highly touted amateur catchers since 2006, including four in the Top 10. Murphy has as much athletic ability as any of them, which may prompt him to switch positions down the road. For now, New York will develop him as a catcher and could send him to low Class A in 2010.
Drafted: HS—Bradenton, Fla. (2nd round) • Signed by: Jeff Deardorff/Brian Barber
Background: After missing his junior season in high school following knee surgery, Murphy moved to catcher as a prep senior and hit .627 with 11 home runs last spring. The Yankees bought him away from a Miami commitment with a $1.25 million bonus.
Strengths: The Yankees love Murphy's blend of hitting ability and athleticism, which is above-average for a catcher. He has a feel for hitting and knows his swing well. He generates good bat speed and pairs a low-maintenance, line-drive stroke with a polished offensive approach. He should hit for average and eventually should add solid power. He augments his plus arm with a quick transfer.
Weaknesses: Murphy is raw defensively and lacks experience handling velocity. The Yankees were encouraged with his rapid improvement after signing, but he'll have to polish his receiving and learn how to call games and handle a staff. He's a fringe-average runner who figures to slow down with the grind of catching.
The Future: The Yankees have spent $7.35 million on six highly touted amateur catchers since 2006, including four in the Top 10. Murphy has as much athletic ability as any of them, which may prompt him to switch positions down the road. For now, New York will develop him as a catcher and could send him to low Class A in 2010.
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Jeffrey Kobernus:
Kobernus should make up for moving Giavotella a few weeks back. Like Gia, Kobernus is just a ballplayer. Though still learning to play second, he projects as a plus defender there. He also features a tremendous gap to gap line drive stroke. Kobernus should move quickly through the Nats system, and projects as a first division starter at second, though could certainly move to 3rd if necessary.
Kobernus should make up for moving Giavotella a few weeks back. Like Gia, Kobernus is just a ballplayer. Though still learning to play second, he projects as a plus defender there. He also features a tremendous gap to gap line drive stroke. Kobernus should move quickly through the Nats system, and projects as a first division starter at second, though could certainly move to 3rd if necessary.
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7. Jeff Kobernus, 2b Born: June 30, 1988 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-2 • Wt: 210
Drafted: California, 2009 (2nd round) • Signed by: Ryan Fox
Background: The son of a former Athletics minor leaguer of the same name, Kobernus was a three-year starter at California, playing mostly third base his first two seasons before moving to second as a junior. After signing for $705,500 as a second-round pick in June, he had his pro debut cut short after 10 games by an old knee injury that required minor surgery. The Nationals expected him to be fully healthy by the middle of the fall.
Strengths: Versatile and athletic, Kobernus has a well-rounded game. He makes consistent contact with a line-drive, gap-to-gap swing, and he has an advanced offensive approach. He has above-average speed and outstanding baserunning instincts, helping him rack up 44 steals in three years at Cal. His hands, feet and arm all work well at second base, and he has a chance to be a plus defender there, or at third base if Washington desired. He's a baseball rat with a good work ethic.
Weaknesses: Kobernus still is learning the subtleties of his relatively new position, refining his footwork, pivots and feeds. He has fringe-average power, though he can run into occasional homers and the Nationals believe he could hit as many as 15-20 per year.
The Future: Kobernus could move quickly through the system, starting with a likely assignment to low Class A Hagerstown in 2010. He profiles as a solid big league regular, perhaps as soon as 2012.
2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Vermont (SS) .220 .273 .244 41 8 9 1 0 0 2 2 5 4
Drafted: California, 2009 (2nd round) • Signed by: Ryan Fox
Background: The son of a former Athletics minor leaguer of the same name, Kobernus was a three-year starter at California, playing mostly third base his first two seasons before moving to second as a junior. After signing for $705,500 as a second-round pick in June, he had his pro debut cut short after 10 games by an old knee injury that required minor surgery. The Nationals expected him to be fully healthy by the middle of the fall.
Strengths: Versatile and athletic, Kobernus has a well-rounded game. He makes consistent contact with a line-drive, gap-to-gap swing, and he has an advanced offensive approach. He has above-average speed and outstanding baserunning instincts, helping him rack up 44 steals in three years at Cal. His hands, feet and arm all work well at second base, and he has a chance to be a plus defender there, or at third base if Washington desired. He's a baseball rat with a good work ethic.
Weaknesses: Kobernus still is learning the subtleties of his relatively new position, refining his footwork, pivots and feeds. He has fringe-average power, though he can run into occasional homers and the Nationals believe he could hit as many as 15-20 per year.
The Future: Kobernus could move quickly through the system, starting with a likely assignment to low Class A Hagerstown in 2010. He profiles as a solid big league regular, perhaps as soon as 2012.
2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Vermont (SS) .220 .273 .244 41 8 9 1 0 0 2 2 5 4
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Steven Matz:
Matz is a high-ceiling lefty taken by the Mets in the second round this past year. He can run his fastball up to the mid 90's (has been clocked at 96, usually max's at 94), and has the makings of a plus curveball and a plus changeup - but needs to find consistency on both. At this point in the draft Matz seems like a very nice value pick - there's certainly a chance that his command and secondary pitches don't come all the way around - but his ceiling is very high - and a good value at 128.
Matz is a high-ceiling lefty taken by the Mets in the second round this past year. He can run his fastball up to the mid 90's (has been clocked at 96, usually max's at 94), and has the makings of a plus curveball and a plus changeup - but needs to find consistency on both. At this point in the draft Matz seems like a very nice value pick - there's certainly a chance that his command and secondary pitches don't come all the way around - but his ceiling is very high - and a good value at 128.
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PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: The Mets signed just three pitchers in the first 20 rounds, which limits the number of candidates. LHP Stephen Matz (2), New York's top pick, works at 90-91 mph and maxes out at 94. Five-foot-10 RHP Michael Johnson (24) had a quick arm capable of reaching 96, but he blew out his elbow eight innings into this pro career and required Tommy John surgery. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Matz and LHP Zach Dotson (13) both have promising curveballs and changeups, but none is a consistent plus pitch at this point.
Adam Rubin: Tough year for me, too. Particularly late July. I imagine today's an especially tough day with a parade in the Canyon of Heroes. Anyway, Steven Matz was really close, but I believe—and I think the Mets concur—that Urbina's potential is slightly higher. Neither appeared in a game at the end of the regular season after signing.
BEST FASTBALL: The Mets signed just three pitchers in the first 20 rounds, which limits the number of candidates. LHP Stephen Matz (2), New York's top pick, works at 90-91 mph and maxes out at 94. Five-foot-10 RHP Michael Johnson (24) had a quick arm capable of reaching 96, but he blew out his elbow eight innings into this pro career and required Tommy John surgery. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Matz and LHP Zach Dotson (13) both have promising curveballs and changeups, but none is a consistent plus pitch at this point.
Adam Rubin: Tough year for me, too. Particularly late July. I imagine today's an especially tough day with a parade in the Canyon of Heroes. Anyway, Steven Matz was really close, but I believe—and I think the Mets concur—that Urbina's potential is slightly higher. Neither appeared in a game at the end of the regular season after signing.
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Yuniesky Maya:
Maya seems to be a good value pick this late in the draft. While already 28, Maya is a recent defection from Cuba, where he was the Cuban pitcher of the year last year. Maya also had a 1.23 era in the last WBC. Maya has a deep repertoire, featuring an 88-92 mph fastball (has hit 96 in Cuba last year), a slider, curveball, changeup, and splitter. He can throw all the pitches for strikes, and profiles as an innings-eating 4/5 in the MLB right now.
After a successful recent workout, Maya is expected to sign before the end of January - should be interesting to see where he ends up.
Maya seems to be a good value pick this late in the draft. While already 28, Maya is a recent defection from Cuba, where he was the Cuban pitcher of the year last year. Maya also had a 1.23 era in the last WBC. Maya has a deep repertoire, featuring an 88-92 mph fastball (has hit 96 in Cuba last year), a slider, curveball, changeup, and splitter. He can throw all the pitches for strikes, and profiles as an innings-eating 4/5 in the MLB right now.
After a successful recent workout, Maya is expected to sign before the end of January - should be interesting to see where he ends up.
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Yankees
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As mentioned in last week's Esquina, Cuban pitchers Deinys Suarez and Yuniesky Maya threw for several scouts in the Dominican Republic last week. Since then, more details have emerged about the workout.
One scout said Maya, 28, threw in the 88-92 mph range, much like he did in the World Baseball Classic this year when he had a 1.23 ERA in 7 1/3 innings.
"That's what he normally pitches," said Maya's agent Bart Hernandez. "His command was great. He has three plus quality pitches and he throws them for strikes."
Hernandez said that in addition to the fastball and two-seamer, Maya threw a slider, curveball and changeup. Additionally, Maya occasionally throws a splitter. Hernandez said Maya has already attracted interest from several teams, most of them, Hernandez says, who see Maya as a starter in the back end of the rotation.
"Due to his arsenal of pitches, he projects as a starting pitcher," Hernandez said. "It would be a shame to put him in the bullpen. He's in the prime of his career. It's not like he's a young kid needing development."
Maya has not yet been declared a free agent by Major League Baseball, though Hernandez expects that to happen quickly, perhaps as soon as this week. Once declared a free agent, Hernandez thinks Maya may sign in early January. Maya is not expected to throw again in a showcase.
One scout said Maya, 28, threw in the 88-92 mph range, much like he did in the World Baseball Classic this year when he had a 1.23 ERA in 7 1/3 innings.
"That's what he normally pitches," said Maya's agent Bart Hernandez. "His command was great. He has three plus quality pitches and he throws them for strikes."
Hernandez said that in addition to the fastball and two-seamer, Maya threw a slider, curveball and changeup. Additionally, Maya occasionally throws a splitter. Hernandez said Maya has already attracted interest from several teams, most of them, Hernandez says, who see Maya as a starter in the back end of the rotation.
"Due to his arsenal of pitches, he projects as a starting pitcher," Hernandez said. "It would be a shame to put him in the bullpen. He's in the prime of his career. It's not like he's a young kid needing development."
Maya has not yet been declared a free agent by Major League Baseball, though Hernandez expects that to happen quickly, perhaps as soon as this week. Once declared a free agent, Hernandez thinks Maya may sign in early January. Maya is not expected to throw again in a showcase.
