2009 Draft Prospects: An Early Look

The Giants currently boast fourth-worst record in the majors, pretty much vindicating smug prognosticators nationwide. (Hey, whatever takes the attention away from living in their mother's basement, right?)

The silver lining in this giant, black, killer tornado wielding cloud? Assuming the team maintains its current level of putrid play, they stand to pick fourth overall in next year's draft, and quite possibly even higher.

So, having locked up the key cogs of what was, by all accounts, a productive 2008 draft, let's take an early look at five blue-chippers the Giants could select from what will most assuredly be a high slot.

Stephen Strasburg RHP San Diego State

Now before all of you smack your heads in frustration at a pitcher being atop this list, bear in mind two things:

1. Every other player on this shortlist is of a position variety
2. This guy is ridiculous

There's a lot of buzz about this kid, and rightly so. Strasburg is considered the best pitching prospect to come out since Mark Prior, and, with any luck, this time, Dusty Baker won't get anywhere near him.

The lone collegian on the 2008 Olympic squad, Strasburg has already unleashed the fury of his 100MPH fastball on a helpless Dutch team this past week.

Strasburg, who rounds out his arsenal with a wicked slider and decent change, has been victimizing college hitters at an astounding clip his first two years at SDSU. Most notable: a 23 strikeout(!) game against the University of Utah in April.

His coach, former nemesis but awesomely voiced Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, a guy who knows a thing or two, had this to say:

“I've seen a lot of baseball,” said SDSU coach Tony Gwynn. “I have never seen anything like that.”

Now I know as well as anyone that the Giants pitching cupboard is pretty well-stocked, but this 6'4 right-hander would be difficult to pass up, regardless of need.

Strasburg Scouting Reports:
Baseball America
Baseball Prospectus
Breaking Bats
FanGraphs
VIDEO: Bullpen Session

Dustin Ackley 1B/OF UNC

The 2007 College Freshman of the Year is considered the top returning college hitter. He's held his own in the Cape Cod League, hitting in the middle of the league champ Harwich Mariners lineup.

Ackley's supposed to be a great athlete who most likely projects to the outfield in the pros. He doesn't have huge raw power at this stage, but he's a very polished, selective hitter who has a very predictable ceiling. Think Buster Posey with a little more pop at a position of less scarcity.

Check out this video of Ackley hitting a grand slam despite breaking his aluminum bat.



Ackley Scouting Reports:
Breaking Bats
Metal Bat Baseball
USC Trojans Blog

Grant Green SS USC

The namesake (and ensuing nickname potential) factor aside, Green, who tore up the Cape League, came out of the 2008 college season as the best shortstop outside of Georgia junior Gordon Beckham, who ended up going eighth overall to the White Sox. Although reports indicate he's smooth at short, at 6'3, 180, the big guy might go the Glaus route and move to third in the pros.

If he continues his progression from an impressive soph season (.390, 9 HRs, 46 RBI, 10 SBs) the third team All-America should be squarely in John Barr et al's crosshairs come June.

Green Scouting Reports:
Breaking Bats
Cod Ball

Donovan Tate CF Cartersville HS (GA)

The 6'3 Tate, son of former Bucs running back Lars Tate, is a legitimate five tooler and ranks as one of the top high schoolers in the country. Given his bloodlines, it's no surprise then that he's also a helluva football player - he's already garnered football scholarship offers from every major college program.

If Tate decides to focus on baseball in the fall, however, he'll most likely be in the top of next year's draft. Still, there's a lot of risk in taking a kid that, between football and college baseball, has a lot of other options if he doesn't get the contract he wants.

The reward, however, could be huge. Tate, who's supposed to be a great kid, been compared by coaches to Jeff Francoeur - Francoeur's recent slump notwithstanding, that's a risk worth taking.

Tate Scouting Reports:
Baseball America
Breaking Bats

Mychal Givens SS/RHP Plant HS (FL)

Givens recently won the Jackie Robinson Award as the nation's best high school player, in part because of his tremendous presence on the mound to complement his work as a position player.

But Givens is extremely raw, and although he has all the tools, there's no clear consensus as to what he could end up being. Much of his draft position will be determined by his senior year production, but, if he progresses, he'll be in the mix at the top of the draft.

A true boom or bust candidate. Think Tim Beckham with less raw power.

Givens Scouting Reports:
Aflac All-American Profile
Breaking Bats
Saberscouting
USC Trojans Blog

So as this hapless young Giants team plays out the string, bear in mind that, with each loss, the horizon of a talented young team inches closer.

Comment! Who would you like to see the Giants pick next summer?