More Draft Coverage (Now With Umlauts!)

I continue to sort through the smörgåsbord of various Giants draft coverage out there.

Baggarly has a chat with new scouting director John Barr, who presumably is responsible for the shift in this year's change in draft philosophy. Some interesting tidbits on some of our later round draft picks:

- LHP Scott Barnes, St. John’s Univ. (8th rd.): “We felt there were a few arms we wanted to take a run at. We saw him a lot. We had him up at 92 mph and he’d thrown better in the past. We wanted to get him in the mix of things. He has a chance to be a very good pick.”

- RHP Ryan O’Sullivan, Valhalla (Calif.) HS (10th rd.): “We took a couple of guys with (college) commitments when we had a good feel for the kid and the scout had a good relationship with the family. He has a commitment to San Diego State, so we’ll see.”

- SS Carter Bell, Georges Vanier HS, Canada (22nd rd.): “We liked what we’d seen. He played at our complex with the Canadian Junior National Team. He has a commitment to Oregon State. But he’s very excited that we selected him and he may entertain signing.”

- LHP Thomas Musick, Univ. of Houston (24th rd.): “We took a couple of guys knowing they would go to the Cape (Cod League) so we’d get an extra look. Musick is one of them we liked. We rated him higher. We project him as a No.5 starter someday. He is sophomore-eligible because he used a redshirt year.”

- RHP Jason Jarvis, No school (23rd rd.): “He was at Arizona State and they used him as their closer, actually. But he was academically ineligible and so he wasn’t allowed to play with the team. (According to reports, he was caught cheating on an exam in a music appreciation class.) He had been playing in independent ball and filed for an exception to be draft-eligible. I’m not sure what all was involved with his past, but we just know he has a good arm. We hope he wants to get out there.”

Also, Keith Law, former Blue Jays front office guy and current ESPN talking head, has a few very positive points on the Giants in a couple of his recent chats.

I'm not a huge Law fan, but he is living proof that being complimentary to the Giants is the easiest way to legitimacy here at OBnB.

From his June 6th chat following Day 1 (Rounds 1-6):

Jason (Palo Alto, CA): KLaw, great chats! Also stellar coverage of the draft, enjoyed it very much! Would you rate the Giants as having one of the better drafts this year since they were able to get 2 players that were rated in your top 20? Also, can you give a little insight on SS Crawford from UCLA? Thanks again!

SportsNation Keith Law: I rated their day one the best overall. Crawford's a good defensive shortstop who can't hit. He should play in the big leagues, though.

Travers, SF: Hey Keith- Was initially bummed on Giants passing on Smoak, but with Villalona apparently settling at 1b, Posey was the right decision... right?

SportsNation Keith Law: Yes. I had Posey > Smoak anyway, and Villalona is starting to hit - slugging .465 in May/June so far, still 17 in low-A.

From Wednesday's chat:

Briguy (NY): Hey K-Law, this is Briguy from NY with a question for you... Which team got the biggest steal from the draft? Two possibilities could be Smoak to the Rangers or Posey to the Giants... THANKS!!

SportsNation Keith Law: Friedrich to the Rockies. Gillaspie to the Giants. Weatherford to the Rockies. Potentially Webb to the D-backs, since the Kentucky coach is leaving for Mississippi State and Webb is indicating that he won't attend UK now.

Kenny (Sacramento): After the last 2 drafts, which appeared to be solid, where would you rank the Giants farm system?

SportsNation Keith Law: Assuming they get these guys signed, which I assume they will, they're probably top five.

For an alcoholic, Law isn't so bad...

But, seriously, with Rafael Rodriguez on board along with Villalona, Alderson, Bumgarner, Sandoval, and eventually Posey and Gillaspie, the guy's got a point.

The San Francisco Giants, purveyors of a top-tier minor league system?

Creepy.

Stay tuned for more original coverage here at Orange Black and Blue - we have some more analysis and interviews in the pipeline from some of those in the know/guys I hang out with at the local biker bar.