Quick Draft Update
paracorto asks: what's up with Anthony Rendon's injuries?
The Rice 3b (well, so far in 2011, Rice DH) currently has a shoulder strain, previously he had two ankle injuries (same ankle). Ankle is completely healed, and both were "freak accident" type injuries not considered recurring.
The shoulder strain has kept him from throwing from third base. Originally, it was just supposed to be for a few weeks, but it is going on three months now. Supposedly there are no long-term issues. Impossible to know, but it seems that part of not playing him at 3b is an overabundance of caution (which, given the millions of dollars at stake for the kid, is understandable).
The combination of the injury and reduced SLG has diminished his glow, but my sense from the reports regarding the Mariners is that they still view him as their first choice. He only has 4 HR in 48 G, whereas last year he had 26 in 63 G. But he already has 65 walks. For those just tuning in, the NCAA changed the rules and made college bats considerably less "springy" -- resulting in diminished offensive numbers for almost everyone.
This year's line: .333/.535/.522. Last year's line: .394/.530/.801.
=====
John Sickles of minorleagueball.com has a mock draft out, which also includes the supplemental round.
1. Rendon to Pirates
2. Gerrit Cole (UCLA RHP) to Mariners
3. Danny Hultzen (Virginia LHP) to D-backs
4. Jed Bradley (Ga. Tech LHP) to Orioles
5. Bubba Starling (KS high school OF) to Royals
6. Trevor Bauer (UCLA RHP) to Nationals (but considered as high as 3)
Since he goes through the supplemental round (60 picks), his mock gives a sense of who might be available for the Ms at #62.
There are four injured or recovering-from-injury guys that some of us here have "hoped" (or "wished") would fall as far as #62. No dice on any of them according to Sickles. Andrew Susac, Ore. St. C, gone at #19. Josh Osich, Ore. St. LHP coming off TJ, gone at #27. Matt Purke, TCU LHP who was the "Trevor Bauer" (guy who could challenge Cole for top college arm) at the start of the season before imploding with shoulder issues, gone at #38. And Jackie Bradley Jr., S. Car. CF who led his team to the national championship as a sophomore but now has a wrist injury, gone at #35.
Based on Sickles, G_Money's darkhorse favorite for the #62 slot, IL high school OF Charlie Tilson, would still be there. As would OBF's nominee, another Beaver -- RHP Sam Gaviglio. And my own nominee (but only if Rendon is not the #2), Nebraska 3b Cody Asche. Asche is one of the few with better offensive numbers with the new bats.
=====
A Pittsburgh blogger has the party line from the Pirate brass, but still concludes that they'll pick either Rendon or Cole.