#1 Prospect pick

[Johnny Tuttle]

In a mixed league 12-team keeper, I've got a fair few OF prospects (including Rasmus, Fowler, LaPorta, and Heyward with Bruce already in the bigs), but a deficit on infielders at both levels.

In our restocking draft, I've traded to increase my draft picks to having 5 in the three round draft, including #1 and #10 overall.

I'm thinking the top 6 undrafted prospects looks like:
Beckham, G.
Baumgartner
Feliz
Alvarez
Smoak
Hosmer

I don't think I can take Strasbourg yet while he's not drafted.

Here are my questions:
#1. Take Alvarez first because of his upside? Wait for a Beckham for the second pick in the first round?
#2. Can I sleep on the pitchers and just try for Matusz later or hope one drops to me (doubtful, but Baumgartner's very young)?
#3. If I trade away that first prospect pick, I'd have 9 slots before my first pick, and I do think these are looking like the best in the draft this year. Am I missing someone, particularly someone who moved up a lot in 2008 who might have fallen through the cracks?

Thanks very much for the help and your time.

Also, I should point out that I'm half-heartedly trying to pair the first overall pick with a player for a stud:

e.g.,
1. Aramis Ramirez, the pick, and Gamel for Longoria
2. Dice-K, the pick, and Gamel for Lincecum
3. Morneau and the pick for Miguel Cabrera
4. Ramirez and the pick for Wright
5. Maybe even the pick for BJ Upton?

Is this aiming too high, too low, or just right?

Assuming the other owner likes Pedro Alvarez, there's a shot at the 3B: that's my logic anywhoo.

[HOOTIE]

I would never take those offers you listed, but you can try?

I like Alvarez of the guys you listed. Possible others for your 2nd pick?

Carlos Truinfel SS
Dexter Fowler OF
Tommy Hanson SP

[BigDunn]

I think you're aiming a tiny bit too high in the trade offers, but I think that's the right approach. I doubt that anyone will agree to those trades, but you never know with something like the #1 prospect pick, you might find someone that is in love with one of the prospects (something we all are guilty of at some point) and get a great deal. As for the guys you mentioned, I like Alvarez the best, although Feliz and Baumgartner are awfully tempting.

Thanks for helping with mine. Good to see that there's at least one other manager out there that likes Bedard as much as I do.

[gore51]

I pretty much agree with the other users' comments. If you were to keep the pick I would take Bumgarner and then with your next pick hope that one of the guys is remaining. I am a huge fan of Triunfel and Dexter Fowler could be helping out your team as soon as this season

viewtopic.php?t=367600

[mission27]

I'd probably take Bumgardner but if you can make any of those trades (especially #2,3,4) DO IT.

[Johnny Tuttle]

Sincerely, I'm surprised to hear Baum over Alvarez.

Those two and Feliz are my considerations for the top pick.

[theinflatinator91]

I like Gordan Beckham the best. He is a great middle infielder who can mash. He is expected to be up next year, 2010. This guy is a stud, he plays for one of the best offensive lineups in baseball (Chicago White Sox), and he plays two positions that are extremely thin. So if it were up to me I would jump all over him!

Alvarez wont fall to your next pick, but I dont like him much anyways. According to the Pirates origination he showed up 30 pound overweight, and had tendinitis in both knees. There is also something about his mentality that I dont like.

Baumgarner is very good, and will probably be up this year.

I would take Smoke over Hosmer, because of the Rangers' offense. Plus Hosmer will be battling people like Billy Butler, Kila Ka'aihue, and Mike Jacobs. Smoke will only need to battle Chris Davis who will likely move to third after this season to make room for Smoke...

That is just what I think though. Good luck!

[rupertoooo]

I would draft a hitter. Percentage wise hitters have an easier time making it to the bigs, although even that percentage is quite small.

I believe G. Beckham is probably the closest to being big league ready (if that means something to you) if you go by what he did during his brief Minor League appearance. In addition he fared very well in the Arizona Winter League.