NW4A Player of the Year

No it is not based on immediate need. It's based on talent & signability ( especially for small market teams). Anyone who does not think MB is the NW4A player of the year is either eat up with envy or delusional.

 

I disagree

 

Talent & Signability

 

I agree with 007!

Maybe with a few of the top college guys, a team thinks about need because they will be ready to contribute soon. But in the era of free agency, coupled with the fact that high school draftees take anywhere from 4-6 years before they make it to the Show, teams do not consider need. As talented as Madison is, no one is thinking: "We need a lefty starter in 2008, so let's pick him." It's all about talent and signability. No team has a clue what it's needs will be by the time Madison is ready for the Show, if he's ever ready.

 

Underestimating...

I think you guys are underestimating the depth that clubs chart projectability.

Hey but at least we agree on disagreeing.

 

Needs

Well, organizationally, I would agree that teams target needs. Like, our system is really short on shortstops, or we could really use some more power potential, speed, righty power pitchers, etc. And yes, certain guys fit that bill, but there are maybe only one or two Mark Prior type guys every year--guys that can fill a major league need pretty much immediately. And small market teams frequently avoid certain players altogether, regardless of "need," due to signability. And that doesn't just mean the kid has a scholarship waiting; it means he might be a Boras client and his bonus demands are far too high.

 

Bubba- you make a lot of good points; especially the one about Boras' clients. Many teams just don't want to negotiate with him. As some of you know, new UNC signee and Madison teammate, Pochello (sp), was ranked slightly ahead of Bumgarner as far as a draftee. Guess who is agent is?...yep, Boras. I'll bet you that Madison will now be drafted ahead of him...just you watch.

 

I'm not sure that is entirely true. Many times they may draft a SS, but they forsee the player at a different position. Just look at the Diamondbacks. One year that draft Drew as their 1st selection (ss- Fla. St)..the next year (1st pick in the draft) they select ss- Upton.

I'm sure that everyone is correct in their opinions and it would be nice to have MLBscout reply with his thoughts, but I can't help believe that an organization's 1st priority in their early selections is drafting a young man they feel will help them the most (make the ML roster) in the least amount of time.