MLB Mock 3.0

With the draft a week away I decided to do my 3rd mock. San Diego is looking really good and has 5 of the first 58 picks in the draft. 




#10 overall
Acquired: As consumption for failing to sign RHP Karsten Whisten

My Pick: RHP Sonny Gray

This is likely the pick as the Padres have displayed public intrest in Gray and Uconn RHP Matt Barnes. He has a nasty slider (almost as good as Gregerson'd), pinpoint control of his curveball, and a 93-96 MPH fastball.  He is 6'1'' and would be a tremendous pick. Barnes or Springer may go here. Latos-Kelly-Gray-Castro-Purke would be a rotation that would make players see SD on the calender and so darn, they will be a tough team. His delivery reminds me of Mike Adams, and he could be a Zach Greinke type pitcher. 

What a 1-4!

Bonus: 4.5 million

#25 overall:

My Pick: LHP Matt Purke

Purke is an incredibly interesting pick as he was drafted by the Rangers, 33rd overall, and did not sign in 2008 and went to college. He was going as high as 3rd overall to the D-Backs until he hurt his arm. His draft stock fell and he has been going in the supplemental round in most mocks. I value him a lot as you can see. He could be a David Price type player and is a stud. He is extremely high risk-high reward. Gray-Purke-Latos-Kelly-Castro could be historically good! 

Bonus: 1 million

#48 overall:

Acquired: Received as consumption for not signing Jon Garland

My Pick: CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

He is another player who's draft stock has fallen and is a 5-tool OF and reminds me of Shane Victorino.  He would be huge value if he is available and could be a solid leadoff hitter. I like him here but not at 25.

If Swihart is available here I'd snag him though.

#54 overall:

Acquired: Received as consumption for not signing Yorvit Torriealba

My Pick: 3B Josh Tobias

Tobias has power-speed potential at SS, 3B, 2B, or CF. He could be a .290 27 HR 30 SB player in his prime. At worst he could be a decent utility man. I really want us to draft this kid. He would be the best fit for SD if he plays second or short

#58 overall:

Acquired: Received as consumption for not signing Kevin Corriea

My Pick: RHP Micheal Kelly

Did you notice what ballpark that is? Yes, he is warming up at PETCO for the Aflac-All-Star high school game. He is a high upside high school pitcher that reminds me of Matt Garza.  He throws 95 MPH and is only 5 years older than me! He would have tremendous value and likely be a solid pitcher. He was made for San Diego.

Top 30 prospects: #27

Vincent Belnome

Via Madfriars.com

This 23-year old second basemen was drafted in the 28th round of the 2009 draft. In 2 years he has hit 29 homers and 64 doubles at second base! He is a hitter who can play 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. He really reminds me of Jose Lopez only more average and walks. He has a career OBP of .409, average defense, 20-30 homer power, below average speed, and a decent average. I really like this kid and he has a chance to be our 2B of the future!

Scott Sizemore

Vs.

Billy Beane has made another incredible trade, sending 6'4'' 29 year old LHP David Purcey to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for 26-year old Second Basemen Scott Sizemore. Beane is planning to convert Sizemore into a 3B, the A's have coveted him for a very long time. Sizemore has struggled with the bat in his 206 career at-bats, but is a surefire choice to rebound. The A's originally acquired David Purcey from the Toronto Blue Jays after he was designated him for assignment. Essentialy the A's got Sizemore for next to nothing!

Top 30 prospects: #28

Brad Brach

This 25 year-old kid was drafted in 2008 and can pitch, he was the closer for Fort Wayne, then Lake Elsinore, now San Antonio! He has a career ERA OF 2.07 and 91 saves in 4 minor league seasons. This kid is flat out dominant! I noticed his 11.5 career k-% and his 1.6 walk-% per nine innings. Every year but one his FIP was under 2.75! He is a star and Will be another arm like Frieri, Scribner, Qualls, Bell, Adams etc. I like this kid and can see him flourishing in a late relief role. I will continue to watch this kid and he will just be another solid arm in our pen.

Blake Tekotte

Blake Tekotte has been called up to replace the incumbent Will Venable. Venable was sent down to work on his swing after hitting .229. Tekotte was called up to sit(?)! Blake is a  top prospect(one of the top 30!) and should not be sitting! Unfortunately Chris Denorfia is now the starting RF. Tekotte just turned 24 yesterday and was called up due to his LH Bat. Samuel Deduno was designated for assignment to create space on the 40-man roster. San Diego now has 10 days to trade, release, or place Deduno on waivers. If he clears waivers he would be outrighted to AAA.

Quick Update!

via seawaves.us

The Padres have a new player. The player to be named later in the Jason Bartlett deal is Cash Considerations! He can't hit, pitch, or play defense! All he does is keep Jeff Moorad's wallet full! Cash will not have any impact on the Padres. He will join San Diego June 1st or June 15th.

Padres Top 30 prospects: #29

Mark Hardy

Via milb.com

This kid was our 43rd overall draft selection last year. He has beat the odds and now has the second best stats of all the our picks. He has a 3.30 ERA and his FIP says that he is is just around where he should be. He is starting and relieving for Lake Elsinore, and looks like an effective pitcher. If I was the GM of any team I'd stick this kid in AA and have him start. Hardy is a stud and looks like he will be a back of the rotation type pitcher with Clayton Richard like ceiling.

Comparison:

Padres LHP Wade LeBlanc

Hint:

#28 is a closer, he has succeeded at almost every stop and is in AA, he flourished last year as Lake Elsinore's closer.



If you have any guesses please leave them in the comments.

Top 30 prospects: #30

Duanel Jones

He had tested positive for HGH after signing with the Giants for 1.5 million. SF voided the deal and we signed him to a 450k deal. He is a 3B by trade who is 6-3 195 pounds at 16! He projects to have a lot of power and a good arm. He does not look like he will make an impact for a very long time. This kid is raw and could be a good player or burn out and never be heard of again.

Top 30 prospects intro

I decided to look at our top 30, so I will count down untill I am at 1. Please feel free to comment on any picks. If you have a better one go ahead and share!

Trade!

Franklin Morales courtesy of zimbio.com

The Boston Red Sox have reportedly acquired LHP Franklin Morales from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a PTBNL or cash. Morales throws 94.4 MPH and has very high ceiling. My take on this deal is the Sox won big, the only way they can lose this deal is if Morales provides negative value! The Rox will probably get cash to complete the deal. The 25-year old lefty has posted a 3.86 ERA so far this year. He is wild and has walked 8 hitters in 14 innings. I went and looked up the numbers and actually was 0-2 with a 6.28 ERA against us, which means no more wins against the Rockies because of Morales. In 2008 Baseball America rated him as the 8th best prospect in the game and he was looking like a premier, young, front-of-the-rotation guy. He then experienced a move to the bullpen, since then he has posted a 5.17 ERA but in 2009 he took the closers roll for Brian Fuentes, and in 2010 filled in for the injured Huston Street. He saved 10 games through those 2 stretches. Boston also designated Hideki Okijima for assignment and signed RHP Kevin Millwood to a minor-league contract.

Padres Mock 2.0

 overall
Acquired: As consumption for failing to sign RHP Karsten Whisten

My Pick: CF George Springer

It was a tough pick here at number ten because most of the top talent is gone and the second-tier bests are available. Possible remnants of the top talent includes talented center fielder George Springer, SS Francisco Lidor, RHP Sonny Grey,  and RHP Matt Barnes. I see Springer/Lidor/Grey but I don't think Grey or Lidor would be available. Springer is talented and an easy sign. He reminds me of Jayson Werth and would be a huge pickup.

Bonus: 1.5 million

#25 overall:

My Pick: LHP Matt Purke

Purke is an incredibly interesting pick as he was drafted by the Rangers, 33rd overall, and did not sign in 2008 and went to college. He was going as high as 3rd overall to the D-Backs until he hurt his arm. His draft stock fell and he has been going in the supplemental round in most mocks. I value him a lot as you can see. He could be a David Price type player and is a stud. He is extremely high risk-high reward. 

Bonus: 1 million

#48 overall:

Acquired: Received as consumption for not signing Jon Garland

My Pick: CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

He is another player who's draft stock has fallen and is a 5-tool OF and reminds me of Shane Victorino.  He would be huge value if he is available and could be a solid leadoff hitter. I like him here but not at 25.

#54 overall:

Acquired: Received as consumption for not signing Yorvit Torriealba

My Pick: SS Levi Michael, Chapel Hill

He is a stud defensively, easy sign, lots of talent, and he reminds me of Padre Jason Bartlett. He fits the Padre mold.

#58 overall:

Acquired: Received as consumption for not signing Kevin Corriea

My Pick: RHP Micheal Kelly

Did you notice what ballpark that is? Yes, he is warming up at PETCO for the Aflac-All-Star high school    game. He is a high upside high school pitcher that reminds me of Matt Garza.  He throws 95 MPH and is only 5 years older than me!

I decided to do another mock draft, SD has some very intriguing picks in the draft and I like #25 the most, feel free to comment or email me with questions or comments at padres4221@hotmail.com. I will respond ASAP(within the day). I hope you like it!

#10

Heath Bell



Heath Bell via Wikipedia







        We are 16-23, let's face it, we are not going to contend this year if things do not work out over the next month. We also have owners are paying less money to their players than Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano combined! Former Padres Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez (combined) are also going to make more that the Padres will this year. I think we all know where this is going. Heath Bell will probably not remain a Padre due to salary. I'd like you to understand the Nationals closer, Matt Capps, was coming off a year where he had a 5.80 ERA and 8 losses. He was under control for one and a half years and netted the Nationals rookie C Wilson Ramos, who was a top prospect at the time and is now their starting catcher, while Capps is overpaid at 7.15 million dollars! Teams will overpay for closers so let's look at our options.

The Rangers

Young Closer Neftali Feliz is injured and they may want to move him into the rotation.


The Cardinals


Closer Ryan Franklin imploded and Eduardo Sanchez is closing games


The Phillies


Brad Lidge and Jose Contreras are hurt so they are in need of a closer.


The Marlins


Their closer is Leo Nunez and would-be-padre-middle-relief-fodder Ryan Webb is their best reliever.


The Rays


Former Padre Adam Russell is their best reliever, and their closer is Kyle Farnsworth




Now what would we get in return:


From the Rays:


I'd target BJ Upton if if I wanted MLB players, and Desmond Jennings in terms of prospects. I'd expect a deal like this: Heath Bell for BJ Upton or Heath Bell for Hak-Ju Lee and Brandon Guyer. I do love Moore and Jennings though.


From the Rangers:


I saw 2 players. Juckerson Profar(18) and Elvis Andrus(23). They are both SS, and both under 24. Andrus would take over now, while Profar would take 3-5 years. He was the star of the 2004 little league team that won it all! Potential Deal: Profar and Jake Skole for Heath Bell.


From the Phillies:


I see one player, his name is Dominic Brown. Brown is a stud! Maybe Venable and Bell for Brown? I hope so.


From the Marlins:


I do not see much, maybe Matt Dominguez for Heath Bell


From the Cardinals:


It's all too much or too little. I like Rasmus but he would cost Bell and Maybin, which I would not do. I also like Jon Jay but he is not worth much. They are not a very good fit.


And my prediction: Heath Bell is traded to the Rangers for Jurickson Profar. This would give San Diego the best farm in the game as here would be the list:

1. Jurickson Profar
2. Anthony Rizzo
3. Casey Kelly
4. Raymond Fuentes
5. Simon Castro
6. Jaff Decker
7. Jed Gyorko
8. James Darnell
9. Kevius Sampson
10. Cody Decker
11. Donavan Tate
12. Evert Williams

Am I dreaming?

This is insane! The Padres won a game! We scored 13 runs! But whats the catch? Tim Stauffer manages to not win the game, and give up 6 runs, including home runs by Prince Fielder and MLB's worst Yuniesky Betancourt, in a game where we scored him 13 runs! Chad Qualls(2-2) cleaned up Stauff's mess and got the win, while pitching 1.1 innings of shutout ball lowering his ERA to a low 2.18.Check out the rest of the pens ERA: Heath Bell(1.29), Pat Neshek(2.25), Ernie Frieri(1.35), Cory Luebke [3.61(1.01 excluding a 6-run outing against LA)], Mike Adams(1.00), and Luke Gregerson(2.76). The league average is about 3.70 to 4.10! The averages are up! The only hitter with an average under .200 is Ryan Ludwick(.195), who went 3-6 with his 5th homer. Chris Denorfia(.370) led off the game with his 3rd homer and finished the game 3-4. Jason Bartlett raised his average to .256 with four hits and he also stole 2 bags. He is on track for 35 steals! Jorge Cantu raised his average to .209 with 1 hit in 4 tries. Headley had his 22nd walk and scored 2 runs. His OBP is right around .380! Headley is a huge asset and should be locked up long term! We could try top prospect James Darnell at 2nd base? Cameron Maybin(.250) went 4-6 with a double. I think we won that trade.  The bench duo of Alberto Gonzalez(.214, 2-5) and Rob Johnson(.238, 1-5, 2B), who are filling in for the injured Nick Hundley and Orlando Hudson are performing well. Brad Hawpe is now hitting .214,  now that may seem poor but comparing it to a few weeks ago when it was .098, it is MVP-caliber! he went 2-2. I hope we are out of our slump!

Ryan Ludwick and Chris Denorfia

Did you know?

On May 28th, 2009, the Padres were set to trade ace Jake Peavy to the White Sox for 4 pitchers. The Padres would shed 42 million dollars and the Sox would get a front line SP to put them over the top. Jake, not wanting  to be a White Sock as their record was worse than ours! He had the ability to veto a trade to any team and pretty much said I refuse to be traded! Two weeks later Peavy was injured and would not be back until September so everyone thought that Peavy wouldn't be traded. On July 31st, within minutes of the deadline, the Padres sent Peavy to the Chi Sox for Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter, and Adam Russell. Peavy pitched 3 starts that year for the Chi Sox, producing a 1.38 ERA. Richard went 5-3 with a 4.09 ERA and was a huge 1art of our rotation. Over the next year Richard was actually more valuable than Peavy! Peavy had 22 starts and a 4.22 ERA, while Richard went 14-9 in 33 starts while posting a 3.75 ERA. Russell became depth out of the pen while Carter struggled and got cut and Poreda forgot how to throw strikes. In December 2011, The Padres traded Ceasar Ramos (a man who would never be able to get a spot in the pen, so was useless), Brandon Gomes, Nellie Figeroa(both are prospects), and Adam Russell(the centerpiece) to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jason Bartlett and a PTBNL(a nobody). So essentailly Bartlett and Richard for Peavy was the swap.It has been speculated that the original package was exactly the same: Jake Peavy for Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter, and Adam Russell. Yesterday Kevin Towers revealed that the package was actually Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Adam Russell, and Daniel Hudson. Everything would have been better for everyone if Peavy would have said yes. (except for the Twins and D-Backs) Peavy wouldn't have been pitching in Philly that night, we  would still get Bartlett and everyone. We could be world champs! If you think about it, We beat the Reds based on the fact we were 8-4 against them in the last 12 games. Giants top Phililes. We top Giants. We top Rangers. WS Champs. I say that because we would make it to the playoffs because of Hudson, an amazing pitcher, the ace of the d-backs. Who won because of Peavy's decision? The Twins and Diamondbacks.

The could have been team... The Lineup!

I decided to have a little fun and look back at some actual rumors(Oxymoron!) and see how are team could have been if Towers and Hoyer were a little more aggresive:

The Lineup:

1. 3B Micheal Young

Young was never a likely Padre but SD is one of 8 clubs he would accept a deal to. Texas would have had to eat a TON of salary for a deal ever to happen. A trade would look like this: Micheal Young and lots of cash for Logan Forsythe, Aaron Poreda, and Corey Luebke.



2. 2B Orlando Hudson

I understand he is already a Padre but the last two years we have almost signed him, if we had signed him last year we already would still be with us.

3. CF Josh Hamilton

Last year at the deadline I heard about a Hammy to the Padres for pitching rumor out there. I figure Latos for Hamilton would be what both teams were looking  for! The Padres would have a MONSTER LINEUP! A 3-4-5-6 of Hamilton-Kemp-Pence-Napoli would be better than any other MLB team I feel. If this deal were to happen it would be one of the biggest deals of all-time! The deal: Mat Latos for Josh Hamilton

4. RF Matt Kemp

A few years ago at the deadline I was begging SD to aquire him. A package would have taken prized 3B Chase Headley but he is a super star! He would be our best player, we would have won 100 games last year and Gonzo would still be here. Here would be the deal: Chase Headley for Matt Kemp.

5. LF Hunter Pence

Pence was discussed in the Jake Peavy talks and would also have been an incredible addition to a lineup like Kemp and push us into the WS. Imagine what a team! Here is the deal: Jake Peavy for Hunter Pence and Bud Norris

6. C Mike Napoli

Napoli would have been a Padre if we wanted to deal Heath. A Bell-Napoli swap may have happened if Napoli was still an Angel. The deal: Mike Napoli for Heath Bell

7. 1B Luke Scott

Scott is one of my personal favorites and would have come very cheap. He would be a fantastic 7-hitter and was really close to being a Padre. The deal: Luke Scott for Josh Geer and Wade LeBlanc.

8. SS JJ Hardy

Hardy was the other SS looked at by SD before we got Jason Bartlett. I still like Jason better but that rumor came true. Hardy would have been aquired for a lot less and is a pretty good 8 hole guy. The Deal: Adam Russell for JJ Hardy.

Dustin Moseley's first Win

Coming into the game Dustin was 0-3 with a 1.99 ERA in four April starts and was looking for a third run of support while he was on the mound, and he got 3 runs! Cameron Maybin and Brad Hawpe drove in a combined 3 runs and the Padres put together 3-run second. Dustin cruised along while giving up 4 hits in 7 shutout innings. In the ninth the Padres broke it open, putting the first crooked number on the board this year! Cantu and Bartlett drove in a pair while Chase Headley capped it with a 2-run double. Chad Qualls closed it out giving SD a 7-0 win over LA. Dustin Moseley (1-3) got credit for the win while former Padre Jon Garland got the loss.