ON Top 50 Prospects 2012 – #41: Matt Hobgood

[TuckerBlair89]

http://orioles-nation.com/2012/03/18/to ... t-hobgood/

Matt Hobgood was drafted by the Orioles in the 1st round (5th overall) of the 2009 draft out of Norco High School (Norco, CA). Hobgood was named the 2009 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year . He received a $2.42 million signing bonus from the Orioles.

Full Top 50 List
41. Matt Hobgood
42. Matt Taylor
43. Michael Ohlman
44. Brian Ward
45. Aaron Baker
46. Jesse Beal
47. Cole McCurry
48. Mark Blackmar
49. Wynn Pelzer
50. Sean Gleason

[TuckerBlair89]

oh boy...I'm not quite sure where to even start with Hobgood.

First off, as Don said, the KID get's way too much negativity and bad-mouth towards him.
Yes, he has been what some would call a "bust" so far, but he is still a human. I'm appalled at some of the things people say about him.

That being said, he may never become what he was originally projected to be. Especially if he cannot go a season without being injured. This latest injury, shoulder soreness, is exactly what he didn't need to happen this year.

I wish him the best of luck, but the door is closing more and more each year. He still has time like Don said, but it's certainly not what they hoped for.

[Shorebirdfan]

Funny to see Tucker's comments above. When a first saw the main page with hobgood at #41, the first comments out of my mouth were....oh boy.

I couldn't agree more with Both Don and Tucker, his pick has truly been a lighning rod, I feel sorry everytime I read the negative things write about this kid (and remember that is exactly what he still is). I'd keep Matt shut down until the shoulder is completely healed. If we cannot get to that point, give the kid a shot at 1B. His offesnive numbers as a Sr with the bat were outstanding.

Like some others, I'd love to see this kid make it in SOME capactiy if for no other reason than to stick it back in the face of the negative voices out there.

[docjj]

This latest injury sounds bad. Torn cuff with "scapular instability".... that sounds career-ending. I was ok with the pick. He was highly rated. I saw him throwing 95 MPH with a hammer curve. I thought with his big build, he might be more durable than some of these skinny 170 lb guys.

Sadly, that wasn't the case. It seems pretty obvious he'll never remain healthy, and never get back that 95 MPH heat. I wonder if he'd consider trying his luck at hitting?

[DougDE]

I think he can come off this list. This latest injury cements him as a nonprospect in my mind. He can barely get on the field, nevermind stay there. It's a shame when injury keeps a kid from having a shot. I remember seeing that hammer curve on youtube and hearing about his fastball right after we drafted him and being excited about it.

[Old Sneakers]

Heartbreaking.

[Matt P]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orio ... 2801.story

I think the last paragraph tells all that anyone needs to know about how bad of a decision Joe Jordan made when he selected Matt Hobgood.

In retrospect, the club passed on several pitchers who have already made, or are close to, the majors, including Zach Wheeler, Mike Minor, Mike Leake, Jacob Turner, Drew Storen, Aaron Crow, Alex White and Shelby Miller.

[Rising O's]

Why does it take the Orioles three years to get these things resolved? A local specialist who was not contacted by the Orioles? Really? You would think he would be a guy the team would have in their rolodex.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve_melewsk ... njury.html

[bird's fan]

II feel bad for Matt and now I read that Dan Klein is having the same procedure done by the same doctor, Craig Morgan. Two things about this sticks in my craw. One, if Cam Roth had not suggested to Matt to see Dr Morgan he and Klein would still be walking around with bad shoulders. The second thing, the O' then, after the article came out about Roth's suggestion, release Roth. I'm disappointed the O's are so vindictive to do something like that and Stockstill , who I think should have been one of the first out the door when Dan came on board, is allowed to do something like this. Hopefully Dr Morgan can help these tow young men, time will tell.

[Ampontan]

Why do you think it's anything vindictive about Roth? He had a 5.05 ERA at Delmarva last year with a .286 BAA and he was 22 and a 29th round choice.

[bird's fan]

Roth did have a 5.05 era but 45 of the innings he pitched, more than half, and away games he had a 2.98 with a 230 BAA. He was a 2 year LHP and from what I was told, by another pitcher, he threw pretty well in the spring. He's gone and that's too bad because I think he could have been developed. Stats are a tough judgement in the minors because there is a lot that goes into them. Example, Copeland last year with the Shorebirds had over 6 era but went to Frederick and wound up with a 3 something. What's the difference? My thought is better catching and better offense along with a better defense. To me, catching was a sore spot for our pitchers, not all catchers but one in particular. I think along with pitchers we need quality catching and we're hurting in that department also. Ward suspension hurts but we have some guys that maybe can pick it up. Development is critical and Stockstill isn't getting it done and hasn't been getting it done. Hobgood, Klein and Coffey are down but why did it take so long for Hobgood and Klein to finally have the surgery they needed? We'll never know but, again, hopefully they will fully recover.