DRAFT 2007
FIRST-YEAR CHECKLIST

COMPILED BY ALLAN SIMPSON
National Coordinator, PG CrossChecker

New Signing Deadline Delays Pro Debuts

First-year success (or failure) is not an indicator of future success (or failure) at the best of times insofar as first-round draft picks are concerned. But the 2007 draft may have taken that notion to a new low. With three or four exceptions, no first-rounder left an imprint on professional baseball this summer.

 

The new Aug. 15 signing deadline was a principle reason why so few first-rounders burst out of the gate with anything more than a thud this summer. It contributed to the slowest signing pace ever for first-rounders, with 13 of 30 such selections not signing until the final 48 hours—some within minutes of the deadline. Nine of those 13 first-rounders, including No. 1 overall pick David Price, never suited up at all for their new teams this summer, while the remaining four—all high school position players—made only token appearances.

 

Even the first-rounders who did get their careers off the ground didn’t overly distinguish themselves. Three exceptions were Brewers outfielder Matt LaPorta, the seventh overall selection, who hit 12 homers in 115 at-bats; White Sox lefthander Aaron Poreda, the 25th pick, who went 4-0, 1.17 in 46 innings; and Twins outfielder Ben Revere, the 28th pick, who hit .325 and led theRookie-level Gulf Coast League in triples and runs scored.

 

Lefthander Ross Detwiler (2-2, 3.55 in 33 innings) didn’t dominate in his debut, but he earns special recognition as he became just the 58th player in the draft’s 42-year history to play in the big leagues in the same year he was drafted. Detwiler, the sixth overall pick, had worked in one inning for the Nationals through games of Sept. 18. No other 2007 draft pick played higher than Double-A.

 

The absence of an impact debut by a 2007 first-rounder left center stage to a number of lower-round selections. Two who rose to the occasion were Rookie-level Pioneer League stalwarts: Billings third baseman Brandon Waring, a seventh-round pick of the Reds who led the league and topped all first-year players with 20 homers; and Helena outfielder Caleb Gindl, a fifth-round pick of the Brewers who topped the league and all first-year pros with a .372 average.

With Waring and Gindl as the benchmarks, here’s a breakdown of the top performers, by position, from this year’s draft. Players who produced at a higher caliber of competition, relative to their age, were generally given priority.

 

TOP 10 PERFORMERS OVERALL, 2007 DRAFT

COLLEGE CLASS

Player, Pos., Team (Draft Round)    College                      Accomplishment

1. Brandon Waring, 3b, Reds (7)         Furman                       .313-20-63 at 2 levels; led Pioneer League in homers

2. Jaime Pedroza, ss, Dodgers (9)       UC Riverside                .354-8-41 at 2 levels; second in Pioneer League in BA

3. Justin Snyder, ss, Yankees (21)      San Diego                    .335-5-40; led New York-Penn League in runs, hits

4. Stephen Hill, 1b, Cardinals (13)       Stephen F. Austin        .320-12-55 at 2 levels; hit 11 HRs in Midwest League

5. Dylan Owen, rhp, Mets (20)             Francis Marion             9-1, 1.49; topped New York-Penn League in wins, ERA

6. Damon Sublett, 2b, Yankees (7)      Wichita State               .326-8-53; led New York-Penn League in RBIs

7. Clint Robinson, 1b, Royals (25)       Troy                             .335-15-66; led Pioneer League in RBIs

8. Josh Donaldson, c, Cubs (1-S)        Auburn                         .335-9-35 at 2 levels

9. Jon Lucroy, c, Brewers (3)              Louisiana-Lafayette      .342-4-39; Pioneer League all-star

10. Andy D’Alessio, 1b, Giants (19)     Clemson                     .328-16-59; topped Arizona League in homers, RBIs

COMMENT: With all due respect to the fine seasons the 10 players noted enjoyed, there is a decided lack of star quality in this group. That’s in large measure because (1.) so few of the elite college players in this year’s draft signed early enough to make a meaningful contribution, and (2.) teams were overly protective in not allowing most pitchers, especially those they had signed to significant bonuses, to make anything more than token appearances. The Red Sox, for instance, gave 10 starts to their top draft pick, Washington lefthander Nick Hagadone, but he worked in only 24 innings—never going deep enough into a game to qualify for a win. He posted a fine 1.85 ERA along with 33 strikeouts while also allowing just 14 hits and eight walks—but his record was a deceiving 0-1. It’s unfair to acknowledge a starting pitcher when he doesn’t win even one game. For the most part, it was middle- or lower-round picks who had their day in the sun this summer. But things should be back to normal in 2008 as Price and Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, the $6 million man who signed the second-largest bonus in draft history, join a number of other high-round picks who will make their professional debuts. 

 

TOP 10 PERFORMERS OVERALL, 2007 DRAFT

HIGH SCHOOL CLASS

Player, Pos., Team (Draft Round)    Hometown                 Accomplishment

1. Caleb Gindl, of, Brewers (5)             Pace, Fla .                   .372-5-42; topped Pioneer League in average

2. Michael Burgess, of, Nationals (1-S)                                  Tampa         .318-11-42 at 2 levels

3. Matt Mitchell, rhp, Royals (14)         Barstow, Calif.             5-1, 1.80, 72 SO in 55 IP

4. Nick Noonan, ss, Giants (1-S)         San Diego                    .316-3-40, 18 SB; second in Arizona League in RBIs

5. Andrew Lambo, of, Dodgers (4)        Newbury Park, Calif .     .343-5-32

6. Ben Revere, of, Twins (1)                Lexington, Ky .             .325-0-29, 21 SB; led Gulf Coast League in runs, triples

7. Danny Duffy, lhp, Royals (3)            Lompoc, Calif.              2-3, 1.45, 63 SO in 37 IP

8. Tyler Kolodny, 3b, Orioles (16)        Woodland Hills, Calif .   .318-6-30

9. John Tolisano, 2b, Blue Jays (4)      Sanibel, Fla .                .246-10-33; led Gulf Coast League in homers

10. Danny Carroll, of, Mariners (3)       Moreno Valley, Calif .    .312-0-24, 29 SB at 2 levels

COMMENT: With the transition from aluminum to wood bats, the demands of playing every day against equal or better competition and the anxiety of living away from home for possibly the first time, the adjustment to professional baseball often can be a difficult undertaking for a high school player. Some make the adjustment with ease; many struggle. Players from California and Florida typically are the most prepared for the rigors of the minor leagues—initially, at least—as they are generally further along in the development process when they sign because of the opportunity to play almost year-around against high-level competition. It’s no coincidence then that the above list is dominated by players from those states. California’s dominance might have been even more pronounced had some of the elite high school players in the 2007 draft, like Mike Moustakas (second pick overall), Josh Vitters (third) and Matt Dominguez (12th), not held out until the Aug. 15 signing deadline. All are advanced players and almost certainly would have made a seamless transition to pro ball this summer. It’s expected that all three will make a rapid ascent up the minor league ladder—possibly faster than any high school players in the 2007 draft.

                                                       

CATCHER

Player, Team (Draft Round)             School                       Accomplishment

1. Josh Donaldson, Cubs (1-S)            Auburn                         .335-9-35 at 2 levels

2. Jon Lucroy, Brewers (3)                  Louisiana-Lafayette      .342-4-39; Pioneer League all-star

3. Stephen Vogt, Devil Rays (12)         Azusa Pacific (Calif. )    .300-4-48

4. Andrew Walker, Pirates (5)             Texas Christian            .317-2-24

5. Jonathan Greene, Rangers (8)         Western Carolina          .248-11-44; Northwest League all-star

COMMENT: With eight catchers selected in the first round and supplemental first round, this was one of the best and deepest years ever for catchers. But of that elite eight, only Donaldson made a significant impact this summer—with the bat, at least. He hit for both power and average in the Northwest League. Wieters, the first catcher drafted (fifth overall), didn’t play at all after agreeing to the year’s largest signing bonus; he is scheduled to make his pro debut this fall in the Hawaii Winter League. The two other catchers that were true first-rounders were Devin Mesoraco (Reds, 15th overall), who hit just .219-1-8, and J.P. Arencibia (Blue Jays, 21st), who batted .254-3-25—disappointing numbers on Arencibia’s part, if only because the former Tennessee and Team USA star is an offensive-oriented receiver who has plenty of experience with wood. Padres supplemental first-rounder Mitch Canham (.276-2-18) might have cracked the above list if he had not missed a chunk of the summer with a groin injury. Of any position, catchers almost always make an easier transition to pro ball from the college ranks when compared to their high school counterparts because of the intricate demands of the position. But high schooler Travis d’Arnaud (Phillies, supplemental first-round) more than held his own in the Gulf Coast League, batting .241-4-20.

 

FIRST BASE

Player, Team (Draft Round)             School                       Accomplishment

1. Stephen Hill, Cardinals (13)             Stephen F. Austin        .320-12-55 at 2 levels

2. Clint Robinson, Royals (25)             Troy                             .336-15-66; Pioneer League all-star

3. Andy D’Alessio, Giants (19)            Clemson                     .328-16-59 at 2 levels; led Arizona League in homers, RBIs

4. Danny Hamblin, A’s (10)                 Arkansas                     .275-11-62

5. Bill Rhinehart, Nationals (11)           Arizona                        .299-5-43

COMMENT: This is an all-college quintet, but it’s not like the college first-base crop was a vintage one in 2007. There were only two true college first sackers drafted in the first five rounds—Florida’s Matt LaPorta and Virginia ’s Sean Doolittle. At that, LaPorta was immediately moved to the outfield by the Brewers after being drafted with the seventh overall pick, and Doolittle, a supplemental first-rounder of the A’s, was more effective in college as a pitcher than he was as a hitter. Doolittle batted just .243-4-33 in his debut. Indians first-rounder Beau Mills, who had a monster spring with an NAIA record 38 homers as a third baseman for NAIA World Series champion Lewis-Clark State, was immediately switched to first base as a pro, but he batted a modest .261-6-42 as a first-year pro, playing at three levels. Hill, Robinson and D’Alessio all had much more productive first seasons but Hill’s was deemed the most impressive of the three because he did almost all his damage in the low Class A Midwest League. Robinson spent all season in the Rookie-level Pioneer League, while D’Alessio played the bulk of his season in the entry-level Arizona League—an unusual assignment for a college senior who led the nation in RBIs and finished second in homers in 2006. Freddie Freeman, a Braves second-rounder, made arguably the most impressive debut by a high school first-base talent, hitting .268-6-30 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

 

SECOND BASE

Player, Team (Draft Round)             School                       Accomplishment

1. Damon Sublett, Yankees (7)           Wichita State              .326-8-53; led New York-Penn League in RBIs

2. Justin Henry, Tigers (9)                   Mississippi                   .340-1-31; second in NY-P with 85 hits, third in BA

3. Tony Thomas, Cubs (3)                   Florida State                 .296-5-39, 28 SB at 2 levels; led Northwest League with 8 triples

4. Eric Farris, Brewers (4)                   Loyola Marymount       .326-1-34, 21 SB; Pioneer League all-star 2B

5. John Tolisano, Blue Jays (2)            HS—Sanibel, Fla.        .246-10-33; led Gulf Coast League in homers

COMMENT: With the possible exception of Arizona State All-American Eric Sogard (.255-4-33), who was drafted in the second round by the Padres, every second baseman drafted in the first 10 rounds in June performed at or close to expectations in his first stab at pro ball. Even by this position’s modest standards, there is a chance that a number of second basemen in this year’s draft class could reach the major leagues—if first impressions mean anything. The above list could easily have included the likes of Astros 10th-rounder Matt Cusick (.306-3-35), Diamondbacks eighth-rounder Taylor Harbin (.272-10-43), Braves seventh-rounder Travis Jones (.259-12-34), Phillies fourth-rounder Tyler Mach (.287-5-38) and Rockies ninth-rounder Jordan Pacheco (.287-3-32). Sublett had the most impressive debut and the Yankees may have further boosted their depth at second base as Justin Snyder (see shortstop) is more ideally suited defensively to play second. He played out of position this summer to accommodate Sublett. Outside of Tolisano and possibly Giants supplemental first-rounder Charlie Culberson (.286-1-16), the high school second base crop was predictably slower to evolve.

 

THIRD BASE

Player, Team (Draft Round)             School                       Accomplishment

1. Brandon Waring, Reds (7)               Furman                       .313-20-63 at 2 levels; led Pioneer League in HRs, runs (63)

2. Darin Holcomb, Rockies (12)           Gonzaga                     .303-12-51

3. Braedyn Pruitt, Yankees (14)          Stetson                       .347-4-32; second in New York-Penn League in BA

4. Jay Brossman, Angels (36)             Utah                            .346-7-44; second in Pioneer League with 94 hits, third in BA

5. Marquez Smith, Cubs (8)                Clemson                     .280-8-55, 44 BB at 2 levels

COMMENT: While five college-bred third basemen were recognized, the real strength of this year’s third base crop came from the high school ranks. Vitters (Cubs, third overall) and Dominguez (Marlins, 12th) are the centerpieces, but the impact extends well beyond that pair to the likes of Jon Gilmore (.284-1-29), a supplemental first-rounder of the Braves; Travis Mattair (.235-3-21), a Phillies second-rounder; Matt West (.301-0-17), a Rangers second-rounder; Austin Gallagher (.284-4-17), a Dodgers’ third-rounder; and Richie Lucas (.264-2-30), a Mets fourth-founder. Joey Paciorek (.281-2-13), a Brewers 15th-rounder, and Tyler Kolodny (.318-6-30), an Orioles 16th-rounder, also made an impact among mid-round selections. That doesn’t even begin to address the depth provided by college players. In addition to the five players noted above, late-rounders like Cardinals 26th-rounder Arnoldi Cruz (.298-7-44 for four teams), Yankees 27th-rounder Brandon Laird (.339-8-29), Brewers 28th-rounder Steffan Wilson (.328-12-40), Reds 30th-rounder Brett Bartles (.322-5-28) and Orioles 31st-rounder Matt Tucker (.271-4-47) made positive initial impressions. Waring made the loudest statement with his 20 home runs in the Pioneer League, most among all 2007 draft picks. That came on the heels of hitting 27 homers during the college season at Furman, second-most among NCAA Division I players. Waring, however, will have to find a way to curb his high strikeout rate as he fanned 83 times in his first 267 pro at-bats.

 

SHORTSTOP

Player, Team (Draft Round)             School                       Accomplishment

1. Jaime Pedroza, Dodgers (9)            UC Riverside                .354-8-41 at 2 levels; second in Pioneer League in BA

2. Justin Snyder, Yankees (21)           San Diego                    .335-5-40; led New York-Penn League with .459 OBA

3. Nick Noonan, Giants (1-S)              HS—San Diego            .316-3-40; second in Arizona League in RBIs

4. Mark Hallberg, D’backs (9)              Florida State                 .313-6-32; Northwest League all-star

5. Todd Frazier, Reds (1-S)                 Rutgers                        .319-7-30 at 2 levels

COMMENT: It’s expected that Mike Moustakas, the second overall pick in the draft, will easily surge to the top of this list by next season. He got 41 token at-bats in the Pioneer League after signing with the Royals in mid-August, and even in a limited look he impressed by hitting .293 with five extra-base hits and 10 RBIs. But in terms of making the most favorable first impression among shortstops, no one stood out quite like Pedroza (Pioneer), Snyder (New York-Penn), Noonan (Arizona) and Hallberg (Northwest), who were the dominant shortstops in their respective short-season leagues this summer. Shortstop, in fact, was one of the deepest positions in the draft in terms of players standing out in their pro debuts, and a number of deserving players didn’t make the five-man cut. Among those college-developed players who fell just short of recognition were Cubs fourth-rounder Darwin Barney (.288-2-23), Angels fifth-rounder Andrew Romine (.286-5-35), two Braves selections—third-rounder Brandon Hicks (.285-7-28) and sixth-rounder Michael Fisher (.288-3-40)—and two White Sox picks, 13th-rounder Sergio Miranda (.301-1-31) and 15th-rounder Greg Paiml (.310-3-34). Tigers second-rounder Danny Worth hit only a combined .265-2-25, but it should be noted that he split his summer between high Class A and Double-A—a lofty assignment for a rookie pro. In addition to Moustakas and Noonan, three high school-bred shortstops to keep an eye on based on their debuts are Padres supplemental first-rounder Drew Cumberland (.320-0-7), Nationals second-rounder Jake Smolinski (.305-1-16) and Reds third-rounder Neftali Soto (.303-2-28).

 

OUTFIELD

Player, Team (Draft Round)             School                       Accomplishment

First Team

Michael Burgess, Nationals (S-1)        HS—Tampa                  .318-11-42 at 2 levels

Caleb Gindl, Brewers (5)                     HS—Pace, Fla .           .372-5-42; led Pioneer League in batting

Ozzie Lewis, Twins (21)                      Fresno State                .323-9-50; Appy League player of year

Second Team

Andrew Lambo, Dodgers (4)                HS—Newbury Park , Ca.     .343-5-32; third-highest BA in Pioneer League

Ben Revere, Twins (1)                         HS—Lexington, Ky.     .325-0-29, 21 SB; Gulf Coast League leader with 46 runs
Ty Wright, Cubs (7)                            Oklahoma State            .308-10-49 at 2 levels; .317 BA was third in Northwest League

Third Team

Jimmy Gallagher, White Sox (7)          Duke                           .332-9-44

Matt LaPorta, Brewers (1)                   Florida                         .304-12-31 at 2 levels

Wilson Tucker, Royals (33)                 Belmont                      .305-9-51 at 2 levels

Fourth Team

Matt Angle, Orioles (7)                       Ohio State                    .301-0-14, 34 SB; second in New York-Penn League in runs (60)

Kellen Kulbacki, Padres (1-S)             James Madison           .301-8-39

Jonathan Wyatt, Cubs (13)                 Georgia                        .306-4-41

Fifth Team

Garrett Bass, Nationals (42)                Jacksonville State        .293-6-42, 16 SB

Danny Carroll, Mariners (3)                 HS—Moreno Valley , Ca.     .312-0-24, 29 SB

Emeel Salem, Devil Rays (6)               Alabama                      .311-1-23, 28 SB

COMMENT: College-developed players generally make an easier transition to pro ball than their high school counterparts as they are more physically and mentally prepared for the day-to-day grind of the minor leagues. Not unexpectedly, college players were the dominant performers at every position this summer—with one notable exception, the outfield. And it took the inspired play of a trio of sub-six footers to turn the tide. The performance of Burgess and Revere was somewhat expected, as the 5-foot-11 Burgess was a heavy favorite to be drafted in the first round entering the 2007 season, only to fall to the sandwich round when he did not live up to expectations during the spring, while the 5-foot-9 Revere was the Twins first-round pick. Both players handled the adjustment to the Gulf Coast League with ease. Not only did they top .300, but Burgess showcased his enormous power potential and Revere his blazing speed. Both players may have been upstaged, however, by the 5-foot-9 Gindl, an unpretentious Brewers fifth-rounder who led all drafted players with a .372 average.  

 

STARTING PITCHERS

Player, Team (Draft Round)             School                       Accomplishment

First Team

Dylan Owen, Mets (20)                       Francis Marion             9-1, 1.49; led New York-Penn League in wins, ERA

Mike McCardell, Twins (6)                   Kutztown (Pa. )             7-1, 2.14, 63 IP, 8 BB/95 SO

Matt Mitchell, Royals (14)                   HS—Barstow, Calif.     5-1, 1.80, 55 IP, 72 SO

Second Team

Adrian Alaniz, Nationals (8)                 Texas                          8-2, 2.39, 60 IP, 8 BB/62 SO

Charlie Furbush, Tigers (4)                  Louisiana State             6-1, 2.32, 62 IP, 14 BB/69 SO

Jordan Zimmerman, Nationals (2)        Wisconsin-Oshkosh     5-2, 2.38, 53 IP, 71 SO

Third Team

Bruce Billings, Rockies (30)                San Diego State          4-2, 2.97; 79 IP, 89 SO; Northwest League SO leader

Josh Collmenter, D’backs (15)             Central Michigan           6-3, 2.71; Northwest League ERA leader

Danny Duffy, Royals (3)                      HS—Lompoc, Calif.      2-3, 1.45, 37 IP, 63 SO

Fourth Team

T.J. Brewer, Giants (35)                      Arkansas State             9-1, 3.05; Northwest League all-star, wins leader

Chance Chapman, Phillies (8)             Oral Roberts                5-3, 2.09, 78 IP, 20 BB/67 SO

Aaron Poreda, White Sox (1)              San Francisco              4-0, 1.17, 46 IP, 10 BB/48 SO

Fifth Team

Daniel Berlind, Twins (7)                     L.A. Pierce JC             6-2, 1.93, 56 IP, 52 SO

Brett Cecil, Blue Jays (1-S)                 Maryland                      1-0, 1.27, 50 IP, 11 BB/56 SO

Trevor Reckling, Angels (8)                 HS—Newark, N.J.        3-1, 2.75, 36 IP, 7 BB/55 SO

COMMENT: The reluctance of big league teams to let newly-drafted pitchers handle a normal workload in the summer months is evident in trying to assemble a representative list of all-star quality starters. Many pitchers either didn’t sign early enough to have meaningful seasons or were on such tight pitch-count leashes that they didn’t go deep enough into games to compile appropriate credentials. That was particularly the case with early-round picks as a number of teams went to extreme measures so as not to take any chance of abusing pitchers they had made significant investments in. A notable exception was the Royals, whose rotation in the Rookie-level Arizona League included their second- (Sam Runion), third- (Duffy), fourth- (Mitch Hodge) and 14th-round picks (Mitchell). The quartet made 33 starts and rang up 221 strikeouts while walking 82 in 183 innings. Mitchell was the most effective of the four, though Duffy’s strikeout rate of 15.3 per nine innings was one of the best in the minor leagues. If anything, teams were much less reluctant to let lower-round draft picks pile up a lot of innings. Two starters who worked enough innings to win nine games apiece were Brewer, a 35th-round pick, and Owen, a 20th-rounder. The two helped Brooklyn (New York-Penn) and Salem-Keizer (Northwest) post the best records in their respective short-season Class A leagues. In addition, Northwest League strikeout leader Bruce Billings, a 30th-rounder, worked 79 innings. Billings , Brewer and Owen are still considered longshots to play in the big leagues—but their odds definitely went up based on their first-year showings.

 

RELIEF PITCHERS

Player, Team (Draft Round)             School                       Accomplishment

First Team

Noah Krol, Yankees (17)                     Wichita State               0-0, 2.20, 17 SV, 29 IP/39 SO

David Otero, Giants (21)                     South Florida                0-0, 1.21, 19 SV, 22 IP, 12 H, 0 BB/15 SO

Second Team

Nick Fellman, Braves (12)                   Minn. State-Mankato    1-0, 2.25, 16 SV, 28 IP, 16 H, 7 BB/46 SO

Josh Dew, Cardinals (14)                    Troy                             0-1, 1.80, 15 SV, 25 IP, 14 H, 6 BB, 32 SO

Third Team

Blair Erickson, Twins (10)                   UC Irvine                     0-0, 1.53, 11 SV

Kyle Landis, Indians (18)                    Pittsburgh                    1-0, 0.33, 6 SV, 27 IP/37 SO

Fourth Team

Andrew Laughter, Rangers (10)           Louisiana-Lafayette      0-1, 2.03, 11 SV, 31 IP, 4 BB/32 SO

Jason Dominguez, Astros (31)            Pepperdine                  2-0, 1.35, 10 SV, 33 IP, 13 H

Fifth Team

Colt Hynes, Padres (31)                     Texas Tech                 3-2, 1.54, 4 SV, 41 IP, 6 BB/50 SO              

Aaron Brown, Mariners (9)                  Houston                      2-1, 1.95, 6 SV, 37 IP, 49 SO

COMMENT: The list of potential closers that might go in the first round or shortly after was long and impressive leading up to the 2007 draft, but none of the candidates particularly distinguished themselves this summer—either because they didn’t sign, signed too late, were used as starters, didn’t work enough or simply weren’t effective. Among the closer types that didn’t shine in 2007 but are in position to step it up in 2008 are Pirates lefthander Daniel Moskos (0-0, 3.45, 1 SV in 16 innings), the fourth overall pick; Rockies righthander Casey Weathers (0-1, 4.61, 2 SV in 14 innings), the eighth pick; Mets righthander Eddie Kunz (0-1, 6.75, 5 SV in 12 innings), the 42nd pick; Rangers righthander Tommy Hunter (2-3, 2.55, 1 SV in 18 innings), the 54th pick; Red Sox lefthander Nick Hagadone (0-1, 1.85 in 10 starts), the 55th pick; Blue Jays righthander Trystan Magnuson (did not pitch), the 56th pick; Nationals righthander Jordan Zimmerman (5-2, 2.38 in 11 starts), the 67th pick; Braves righthander Josh Fields (did not sign), the 69th pick; Mets righthander Brant Rustich (3-0, 1.56, 2 SV in 23 innings), the 93rd pick; and Mets lefthander Eric Niesen (0-3, 3.30 in 9 starts), the 99th pick. Lefthander Brett Cecil (1-0, 1.27 in 13 starts), the 38th pick, was also a potential closer but it now appears the Blue Jays will groom him as a starter—especially after he was effective in the role in pitching Auburn to its first NY-P championship in 34 years. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen which of the 10 closers/relievers noted above will continue to have success at the next level.