ESPN article suggests that Ranaudo is the early favorite to be the #1 pick next year--although they are calling is a very weak draft class. MLB Draft - 2010 crop highlighted by Anthony Ranaudo, but no clear top pick - ESPN
Well, may not be #1 anymore. Not because of the poor outing yesterday, but because prep phenom Bryce Harper has enrolled in a junior college and will get his GED. This will make Harper eligible to enter the 2010 draft. For those of you not familiar with Harper, he's sort of the Lebron James of baseball right now--power hitting high school catcher who was featured on the cover of last week's SI.
With the draft class reportedly "down" for next year, I'm surprised that the early rumor that Ochinko may very well sign as an 11th round pick is a bit surprising to me. I thought Dean and Ochinko were drafted much lower than their potential. Especially Dean. I would think that both guys could benefit themselves by returning for their Sr seasons the way Coleman (from 14th round in '08 to 5th in '09) did. I definately think Dean gets picked higher if he's a position player. If Ochinko does leave, I HOPE Dean stays. He can slide right into the 1B spot or in the LF position. :tigbas:
I certainly hope they come back, but I'm not all that confident. You lose a lot of bargaining power when you come back for your senior year. They'll both have to see how much they can squeeze out of their respective franchises.
Ochinko's problem is he is a projected catcher, who isn't playing catcher on his college club. Both Dean and Ochinko could stay, but if I were betting, I think all of the LSU players drafted will sign.
