With the 2010 MLB draft less than 3 months away, it’s time to start talking about what the Orioles should do come draft day. The Orioles have the #3 pick overall and I believe there are three options at that spot. The three “elite” talents in the draft are Jameson Taillon, Deck McGuire and of course, Bryce Harper. Obviously at least one of them will be there when it’s the Orioles’ pick, but I could see any one of the three being there. In other words, I could see Taillon going first overall and McGuire going second, or Harper first and Taillon second, etc.
If you had the choice for any one of these guys to be there at #3, which one would it be?
It’s a close call between Bryce Harper and Jameson Taillon, but I’d pick Taillon. Here’s why:
Read this scouting report via MLB.com:
Fastball: Taillon threw his fastball in the 94-99 mph range.
Fastball movement: It has explosive movement.
Curve: It’s a plus pitch and he threw it 81-85 mph.
Slider: Also a plus breaking ball, he throws it 84-88 mph.
Changeup: He has a changeup and it’s a solid pitch. He doesn’t always use it, but he knows it’s a pitch he’ll need at the next level.
Control: He does need to improve his command, though it’s not a real concern. He has a tendency to throw away from hitters too much and must learn to come in more, something that likely will come when he’s pitching to wood bats consistently.
Poise: He has plus poise and his makeup is off the charts.
Physical Description: Taillon is an absolute beast. He’s tall and lean with extra-long levers and a slim waist.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: Three plus pitches with the changeup giving him the potential to have a four-pitch mix.
Weaknesses: Like with many high school pitchers, his command can improve.
Summary: Taillon is the complete package in a high school pitcher, with tremendous size, stuff and a feel for pitching. He’s got three plus pitches in his fastball, slider and curve. Even his changeup, while not used that much, is solid. He uses his size to his advantage and has tremendous mound presence. As impressive as his stuff is, his makeup might be even better. A commitment to Rice might sound intriguing, but if he goes at the top of the first round, and everything points to that happening, it likely won’t be an issue.
What do you think of that scouting report? Are you amazed? Is there anything there that really concerns you? He already has three, yes three, plus pitches. He may have some command issues, but the size and stuff is there. What’s even more impressive is that along with his pitches, he has that poise and makeup. You know you have a kid who is smart and ready to learn. Now, why would I take him over McGuire or Harper?
Taking Taillon over McGuire is an easy choice for me. McGuire is a safer bet but Taillon has the chance to be special, really special. Taking Taillon over Harper was a difficult choice.
Via Buster Olney’s blog:
Yes, the tremendous bat speed is there — and yes, scouts are noting privately that Harper tends to swing and miss a whole lot more than great young hitters usually do. So far this spring, while playing at Southern Nevada, a junior college, he has 15 strikeouts in 56 at-bats and is hitting .356.
Does that concern you? “Harper tends to swing and miss a whole lot more than great young hitters usually do”. I know, I know the tools are some of the best, ever, but I feel like Harper is a bit overhyped and to me, I’d rather have a stud pitcher over a stud hitter.
If you want some more scouting info on Taillon, check out PnRScouting.com’s report.
So, if you had the choice for any one of these guys to be there at #3, which one would it be?
Image via PerfectGame USA.
