The Game of Baseball

1. Tampa Bay Rays - Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin (GA) Griffin

One of the very few 5-tool players in this year's draft, he was on most boards the #1 player; assuming he makes his expected progress through the minors, Beckham should be in Tampa by his 21st birthday.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt

His broken hand apparently hurt his stock one bit did it? Pittsburgh didn't seem to think so. Has a MLB-ready bat; only an average arm. Former first-rounder Neal Walker is already at 3B, so Alvarez may get a position change (1B?)

3. Kansas City Royals - Eric Hosmer, 1B, Cooper City (FL) American Heritage

Hit .487 during his HS career; 6-2, 210#. Has outstanding bat control for a 1B. Was ranked as the #2 player in the nation. With the Royals' need at 1B, Hosmer should be on track for a 2010 debut.

4. Baltimore Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP, Univ. of San Diego

Ranked as the top pitcher of the draft. Poised beyond his years, and has 4 quality pitches w/great control. When - not if - he makes the Orioles' rotation, expect him to be there for a while.

5. San Francisco Giants - Buster Posey, C, Florida State

Very athletic for a catcher (went into college as a SS). Not a lot of power but hits ball to all fields. Will either back up or supplant Bengie Molina at C in the not too distant future.

6. Florida Marlins - Kyle Skipworth, C, Riverside (CA) Rubidoux

Already 6-4, he may be asked to play another position in the minors. Very clean swing. May play either 1B or a corner outfield spot at the major league level.

7. Cincinnati Reds - Yonder Alonso, 1B, Miami

Interesting pick, considering they already have Joey Votto at 1B in Cincinnati. His skill set suggests about 25-30 HR's at the major league level. Position change in the offing?

8. Chicago White Sox - Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia

Drafted at SS, but don't expect him to be one for much longer (probably 2B or 3B). Has very good strike zone knowledge; can hit for power but is more a line-drive hitter.

9. Washington Nationals - Aaron Crow, RHP, Missouri

Probably the pitcher that makes the earliest major league debut - which is good for Washington. Has a 96+ MPH fastball along with a power slider.

10. Houston Astros - Jason Castro, C, Stanford

Intelligent in all aspects of the catching game. Arm strength is an issue, though. This pick suggests that J.R. Towles better pick up his game a bit. Has pretty good speed for a catcher.

11. Texas Rangers - Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina

Judged as the best 1B in this year's draft; can be a Mark Teixeira -type. Slow on the basepaths, but that won't matter if he hits the expected 35-40 HR's at the major-league level.

12. Oakland Athletics - Jemile Weeks, 2B, Miami

Outstanding speed and a switch-hitter. Has some power, but not like his brother Rickie Weeks of the Milwaukee Brewers.

13. St. Louis Cardinals - Brett Wallace, 1B, Arizona State

One of the better pure hitters in this year's draft. One problem that stands in the way of Wallace - Albert Pujols.

14. Minnesota Twins - Aaron Hicks, CF, Long Beach (CA) Woodrow Wilson

Ranked as the #4 player in baseball. Strong-armed and athletic; could have been drafted higher as a pitcher but Hicks said he wanted to play outfield...hmmm. Very good baserunner with raw power that needs to be refined.

15. Los Angeles Dodgers - Ethan Martin, 3B/P, Toccoa (GA) Stephens County

Interesting prospect. Has a 95 MPH fastball with an 84 MPH split-finger fastball. Has major-league power which could put him on the fast-track to 3B. My money says he plays 3B.

16. Milwaukee Brewers - Brett Lawrie, C, Langley, British Columbia

Member of the Canadian National team. Is also capable of playing 2B or 3B, as well.

17. Toronto Blue Jays - David Cooper, 1B, California

Assuming he progresses should be a DH or 1B in Toronto. Average runner and defender with power to all fields. Needs improvement on contact to avoid those hitting slumps.

18. New York Mets (from Atlanta) - Ike Davis, 1B, Arizona State

Son of former major-leaguer Ron Davis, Ike has a sweet swing that the Mets hope to put to good use at Shea Stadium. Good tools overall.

19. Chicago Cubs - Andrew Cashner, RHP, TCU

A true power pitcher and is considered unhittable. Unhittable as possibly making the trip to Chicago as early as September 2008 as a member of the bullpen. But a starting role is where he will inevitably end up.

20. Seattle Mariners - Josh Fields, RHP, Georgia

Very strong and live arm. Could be in Seattle as soon as next season. When that happens it will be in the bullpen - probably as set-up man for J.J. Putz. That speaks volumes about the Mariners' current bullpen situation.

21. Detroit Tigers - Ryan Perry, RHP, Arizona

Has a 100 MPH fastball but is inconsistent with his control. If he makes it to Detroit, it will be as a member of the relief corps.

22. New York Mets - Reese Havens, SS, South Carolina

Lack of range, plus the fact that the Mets have Jose Reyes at SS will necessitate a move to another infield position. Smart with leadership qualities.

23. San Diego Padres - Allan Dykstra, 1B, Wake Forest

Odd pick considering Dykstra's skill-set. Lots of power, he is more suited to the American League - as a DH. Range is limited at 1B.

24. Philadelphia Phillies - Anthony Hewitt, SS, Salisbury (CT) Salisbury School

Good pick, but Jimmy Rollins is the SS in Philly; position switch to possibly OF is inevitable. He's a high-risk/high-reward player in that respect.

25. Colorado Rockies - Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kentucky

Nice pick that fell into their lap. Left-handed starting pitchers are rare - even more so in Colorado. Coors Field isn't the field of horrors that it used to be but it isn't exactly heaven on earth, either. Has an above-average curve with a low-90's fastball - commodities in short supply on the Rockies' pitching staff.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks - Daniel Schlereth, LHP, Arizona

Hometown boy falls here. A strong and compact left-handed reliever. Projects to be a situational reliever in Arizona - assuming he makes it there.

27. Minnesota Twins (from Los Angeles Angels) - Carlos Gutierrez, RHP, Miami

Good news - he has good movement on his fastball. Bad news - he has already had Tommy John surgery. Can be inconsistent with his control.

28. New York Yankees - Gerrit Cole, RHP, Santa Ana (CA) Lutheran

Cole has a big upside because of his above-average fastball. But signability may be an issue because Cole's agent is Scott Boras. This should be a test of Hank Steinbrenner's skills as a Yankee boss.

29. Cleveland Indians - Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, Pitt (NC) CC

Solid batter who's a lefty. Cleveland will have to deal with Chisenhall's character issues - he was kicked off the University of South Carolina baseball team after being charged with burglary and larceny. Questionable pick here.

30. Boston Red Sox - Casey Kelly, SS, Sarasota (FL) Sarasota

Can play shortstop or pitch. One roadblock in the way is that Kelly signed a letter of intent to play football and baseball at the University of Tennessee. Considering that Boston has Julio Lugo at SS, the Red Sox better give him some incentive not to go to college.