Lucas Giolito and the Orioles

[Rising O's]

Just do it Orioles! You will not regret it.

[Zach]

Just like we couldn't regret Hobgood?

[CSPitt17130]

Just like we couldn't regret Hobgood?

Not even close to the same thing. Giolito would have been in the discussion to go #1 overall before the injury. Hobgood was closer to being a supplemental pick than a #1 overall pick.

[Zach]

Then amend that to Billy Rowell who was projected to go about where we picked him. Works just as well. The discussion for #1 overall is a constantly changes thing. Last year Lance McCuellers was in the discussion as a number 1 overall pick, doesn't mean he deserves to get picked by us.

[CSPitt17130]

There's risk with every player, even with the players who are drafted where they should be. In those cases, you really shouldn't regret choosing a player if he was a reasonable choice in the first place.

[Zach]

That was more of my point with making a claim "You won't regret it". That is a pretty extreme claim to make for a high school kid coming off an injury. The UCL is particularly important for a pitcher and a strain weakens the ligament increasing the risk for a future tear.

[ofahn]

Sadly, this was reported today. Let's hope this kid still has a career.

Nationals first rounder Lucas Giolito re-injured his pitching elbow and will be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum, ESPN.com's Keith Law reports. Giolito, who was at one point a candidate to be selected first overall, signed for $2.925MM after the Nationals drafted him 16th overall in June.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/08/q ... olito.html

[Rising O's]

Its a shame but if it was going to happen, you want to have it happen now so he can be fully recovered for the start of 2014.

[Oriole85]

Not even close to the same thing. Giolito would have been in the discussion to go #1 overall before the injury. Hobgood was closer to being a supplemental pick than a #1 overall pick.

I looked back in June at the mock drafts for Hobgood, it's not as bad as some were making it out to be. Mostly I saw were in the 10s/20s, so you aren't too far off.

But it's absolutely absurd at the revisionist history with that pick, I've heard claims he was a "third round pick"... seems like it now, but at the time he wasn't.

[Oriole85]

Its a shame but if it was going to happen, you want to have it happen now so he can be fully recovered for the start of 2014.

My thoughts on the matter, better to happen after he signed his pro deal than while on a college campus with financial security. Reason 109, it's hard to turn down lots of $$$.

[Rising O's]

Hobgood had a ML curveball and a low-mid 90s fastball. With his size the O's were looking at a bulldog 2-3 starter. It is a shame that his career may be over. Not saying the O's should have gone with him though, just that he had some quality stuff.

[Matt P]

Giolito still has ace potential even with the surgery. Hobgood was thought of as a mid rotation starter at best.