2004 BLB Amateur Draft - Starting Monday 12/2 at 8 AM ET

[Sully]

Giving a couple teams to reach out before I decide whether or not to make my picks. For anyone looking to talk, all I can say is make an offer and we'll go from there. I'm picking within the half hour.

[Sully]

Just getting home from the eagles game. Wanted Nelson and Brummett. Thought for sure I'd get one of them. Picks are up for trade. Make your best offer.

[Pat]

I had SS Dave Nelson, Davenport's pick, as the #1 hitter and my board. He's a switch hitting, future DWI winning shortstop, with an "8" on speed. Screams lead-off hitter.

He also already looks pretty developed. His expectation is "playing in the majors" and according to my scout he is already an "8" on SS defense and 5/4/4/5/4 current bating ratings.

Had I drafted him, he is probably the Bats starting SS by the end of June. Davenport doesn't have any need to rush him, however.

Sully has the next two picks. Good luck sir.

[nelmsm]

With the 1.4 Davenport picks SS Dave Nelson. Gives us the glove at shortstop we haven't had and my scout likes his offensive potential and speed. Hopefully we can keep his mind on baseball and he develops as we hope.

[nelmsm]

I was hoping he would be there when I got to 1.4. Now I've got to decide between the three guys next up on my list. I'll get the pick in as soon as I figure out which one.

[umd]

With the 3rd pick in the 2004 BLB draft the Hartford Whalers select SP Gil Brummett from the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. Brummett is a big left hander who went 24-2 in his college career.

I had a few trade offers but really wanted a SP from this draft. Brummett looks like a guy who could be in the BLB within a year or two and hopefully will be the ace of our staff.

The guy I was trying to come back up and get. Nice pick.

[Pat]

Love Brummett.

One thing that really stood out to me is the fact that he has improved every single year. His ERA+ consecutively: 159, 222, 291 and 372. He has a high groundball (68%), great velocity (98 MPH) and throws three plus-plus pitches. My only concerns are the fact that he throws a 4th pitch, changeup, which is rated as a "2." Also, the fact that he doesn't have any personality information is a bit strange. And the game sees him as "bullpen/emergency starter."

But my scout had him #2 on the draft list and thinks he is "front-of-the-rotation starter."

Davenport then back to back Dallas picks.

[Andrew]

With the 3rd pick in the 2004 BLB draft the Hartford Whalers select SP Gil Brummett from the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. Brummett is a big left hander who went 24-2 in his college career.

I had a few trade offers but really wanted a SP from this draft. Brummett looks like a guy who could be in the BLB within a year or two and hopefully will be the ace of our staff.

[tomr1962]

So picks wont go on the board until tomorrow?

[Andrew]

I won't be able to make my pick until noonish

[Pat]

Food for thought...my scout did have Verba as the #1 hitter on his "Draft List."

However, for a four year starter, arguably the best hitter in college baseball, he still has a lot of development left. My scout has his current ratings at 3-4-3-3-2. Which is good enough to hit well at Single-A but a ways to go. But I agree, you have no need to rush and with Marsh and Duarte, you won't have to.

Someone tell Andrew he needs to select his new franchise player.

[Carlos]

You tried your hardest.

True. I like my players battle tested. Mueller stepped up.

Anyway, in all seriousness, I'm not promoting Verba early. With Marshburn and Duarte, I have some time to hold off on making him a corner outfielder. Eventually, I'm sure two of those three will simply end up platooning on the field and DHing.

[Pat]

Hey now! I think Mueller is doing quite well for himself despite everyone and their mother saying I killed him.

You tried your hardest.

[Carlos]

Now you guys will just kill them by promoting them too early.

Hey now! I think Mueller is doing quite well for himself despite everyone and their mother saying I killed him.

But Verba won't get promoted until at least August. I like my guys to have 25 A ball at-bats before jumping straight to the pros.

[umd]

Now you guys will just kill them by promoting them too early.

I don't move guys up early. I only did it once (Matsumoto) back in my 2nd season when I was still learning.