Whose to say ZVR and Cain can't become top of the rotation types?
I'm not sure it will happen, but to label those two -- and some other '09 draft picks -- as No. 4 starters is foolish at this point.
To me, if they were obvious top 3 rotation types they would have gotten taken in the first round and would have required substantially more $$ to lure away from college. Certainly they could I'm not saying they won't...and I really do like ZVR. But it is far more likely that they either never pan out at all or end up in the bullpen than they end up a #4-5 starter in the bigs. The chances of them becoming top 3 types are far more remote. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt by saying back of the rotation types.
And don't get me wrong. These are the types that I want to see the Pirates get into the system. The more we get, the more chance that someone actually hits his ceiling. But I don't want to see it done in place of getting PREMIUM talent into the system, which we are sorely lacking right now. Overdrafting with our first pick to save money for other "decent" prospects is not the way to go. Drafting the best player and spending the $$ with the first pick, then getting a bunch of others later is the way to go. Nutting needs to open up the checkbook even more so that NH can get the best player in round 1 AND the value picks later.
RJR
Let me start by saying that I agree with your premise that we need as much talent in the system as possible.
However....
Last draft, after Strasburg and Ackley, Matzek was the next best talent and Matzek wanted "precedent-setting money" in his father's own words. To me, that says Josh Beckett-esque major-league contract. I wanted us to get Matzek, but paying potentially $7M for a HS pitcher and then hamstringing yourself to have him in the majors in 3-4 years is a huge risk.
I championed for us to draft Zack Wheeler as a "safe" pick, albeit still one with high-end potential.
And then Matzek caved in to the Rockies and signed for $3.7M (can't remember exact number).
Alllll that said.....the Pirates did not want to deal with the Turner/Matzek/Purke triumvirate of major-league contracts and huge bonuses, it seems. They feel that spending first round money is best spent on a bat. In their opinion, it seems as if Sanchez was that bat.
OK, fine. I'll take that.
Then they went and signed some tough-sign guys....we know all the names. If I can read the tea leaves, their thoughts are...."If we get 1 of these guys to the majors and he is a top/middle of the rotation pitcher, we have succeeded. If we get 2, we are made of pure win."
They spread their risk out.
In 2008, they put all their eggs in one basket....Pedro. If he fails, that draft is most likely a failure. I love D'arnaud, but he is not "impact". He will "above-average" if everything works out. And at this point, projecting Miller, Cunningham, et al to be anything more than above-average is premature.
I also believe that, yes, Miguel Sano influenced their draft decisions. Again, my interpretation, is that they hoped to lock him down on July 2 and then determine who they could still sign/afford to sign from the 2009 draft for a whole month. When it dragged on, they were sort of twisting in the wind. In early August, it seems as if they resigned themselves to just signing guys from the 2009 draft and Sano would be a bonus.
I think it stings them bitterly that they lost him. I think it really burns them inside. Rene Gayo is crying over red beans as I type this.
However, I am somewhat glad they did not sign Sano as I have always been a vocal proponent against the million dollar Latin babies. More often than not, you read about how prospect X (Feliz from TEX for example) was signed for $50K or $100K. I would rather we sign 10 of those types than one Sano. Too much risk.
Again, all my opinions.
RJR/Tobaccoroad --- healthy dissent is what makes America great. I thought in light of both Zinn and Salinger passing within 1 day of each other that it bears mentioning that not everyone should think alike.
It's good to have you here. Just don't kick too much sand on everyone in the sandbox.
