Dirtbags Baseball - Long Beach State 49ers

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Baseball America's Draft Report Card On Dirtbags Drafted In 2004

Baseball America has analyzed the drafts of all Major League teams. Here's what they had to say about Dirtbags taken in the June, 2004, draft:

Jered Weaver (Anaheim Angels - round 1, 12th overall):

Best Fastball: ... RHP Jered Weaver (1), who probably won't sign until the spring, has excellent command of a fastball that sits at 91-92 mph and touches 95...

Most Intriguing Background: Weaver's brother Jeff was a Tigers first-rounder in 1998 and pitches for the Dodgers.

Closest To The Majors: Once he signs, Weaver should need little minor league time before he's ready.

Assessment: Eddie Bane wasn't afraid to gamble in his first draft as Angels scouting director. He took Weaver, the draft's top-rated prospect, with the No. 12 pick after other teams passed because of his reported desire for an eight-figure deal.

Jason Vargas (Florida Marlins - round 2, 68th overall):

Best Pro Debut: No longer splitting time between pitching and DHing like he did at Long Beach State, LHP Jason Vargas (2) excelled. He went 5-2, 2.09 in 11 starts and worked the first seven innings of a combined no-hitter in his second outing after a promotion to low Class A.

Best Fastball: Vargas usually pitches at 91-94 mph, slightly harder than LHP Taylor Tankersley (1), who works at 90-93.

Closest To The Majors: Tankersley and Vargas should be neck and neck on their way to Pro Player Stadium.

Assessment: With Tankersley and Vargas joining fast-rising Scott Olsen in the system, Florida's rotation could have a decidedly lefty look in a few years...

John Bowker (San Francisco Giants - 3rd round, 100th overall):

Best Pro Debut: OF Eddy Martinez-Esteve (2) hit .329 between four clubs, including a sizzling .420 during 17 games in high Class A. OF John Bowker (3) began his career by going 22-for-43 (.512) in the Rookie-level Arizona League and hit .371-6-27 overall.

Best Pure Hitter: Martinez-Esteve or Bowker...

Best Raw Power: Again, it's Martinez-Esteve or Bowker. Bowker can pound fastballs and breaking balls alike, and he has more present power...

Closest To The Majors: The three outfielders at the top of San Francisco's draft are the most logical candidates,... [includes John Bowker]

Assessment: The Giants haven't developed an everyday big leaguer since drafting Bill Mueller and Chris Singleton in 1993. Between Martinez-Esteve, Bowker and Timpner, they hope they've ended that drought.

Brad Davis (Florida Marlins - 5th round, 158th overall):

Best Defensive Player: C Brad Davis (5) played first base and right field at Long Beach State in 2003 because Todd Jennings, who became a second-round pick of the Giants, was behind the plate. Davis is very athletic and has solid catch-and-throw skills. He also has a chance to hit.

Also drafted were (no comments by Baseball America):

Neil Jamison, drafted by the New York Mets in the 8th round, 224th overall, who did not sign and has returned to Long Beach State.

Mike Hofius, drafted by the Pittsburg Pirates in the 22nd round, 652nd overall.

Josh Buhagiar, drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 32nd round, 956th overall.

posted on 12/15/2004 by Jeff Agnew

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