Former #1 Pick Switches from Short to the Mound

Matt Bush, who the Padres drafted number one overall back in 2004 has officially moved from shortstop to pitcher. There was much speculation about the move, and it was well deserved, since Bush hit just .221/.291/.276 in three years of pro ball spread out at four different levels. Also, Bush suffered some minor injuries which helped decrease his range in the field. However, Bush still possesses a fantastic arm, and has topped out at 98 mph so far on the mound.

Bush will probably end up being the type of pitcher who will sit in the mid 90s and then rear back when he needs to to get to 98. This is a positive move all around, as Bush was seen as one of the biggest busts ever for a #1 pick, but this switch to the mound is the first step to hopefully a major league career for Matt Bush.

Top 25 Under 25 In 25: #13

13. Tim Lincecum, RHP, San Francisco Giants


It took the Giants awhile to bring Lincecum up, but thank God they did. Many people have expressed concerns over Lincecum's mechanics, but really they aren't bad at all. Lincecum has been compared to many pitchers, ranging from Koufax to Hershiser to Oswalt, but really he has a style all his own. He really rotates his hips so they almost face second base, and that, along with his tremendous arm speed helps generate his unbelievable velocity. Perhaps Lincecum could run into arm troubles later in his career due to the tough workload he went through at the University of Washington, but Lincecum has to be the best pitching prospect in the game today.

Top 25 In 25 Under 25: #15

15. Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Longoria, the D Rays first pick last year, is already the best prospect in the system, and in Tampa that's saying something. Last season, Longoria split time among three levels and hit .315/.360/.597. Yes thats right, a .597 slugging percentage. This year, in his first full season in AA, Longoria is hitting .274/.385/.520. Many people compare him to Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, but in reality he has a much higher upside. He is younger and has put up better numbers so far, and Longoria will be a 10 time all star and will eventually be the among the best third basemen in the majors.

Top 25 Under 25 In 25: #16

16. Chris Young, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Young is a player who fits the old mold of what makes a good baseball player (athletic, fast, projectable) rather than the newfangled model (patient, hits for tons of power), but he still gets here at #16. Why? Well, while he wont hit for a high average, and his OBP is godawful (.288 so far this season), but he is projected to have a 20/20 season and is right on that pace, and in the future you could easily see him hitting 25 homers and stealing 30 bases a year, all while playing a plus centerfield (although it will be interesting to see what happens when 2005 #1 overall pick Justin Upton comes up).

Pick #30- New York (AL)

30. Andrew Brackman, RHP, NC State

A potentially top 3 selection, Brackman hasn't pitched in about a week due to a tired arm. Brackman played basketball as well at NC State and although he has a lot of developing to do, he is still a 7 footer who can throw nearly 100 MPH

Pick #29- San Francisco

29. Wendell Fairley, OF, George County-Lucedale HS, Mississippi

Another fast player, Fairley will be a centerfielder who is the prototypical five tool player. Probably a bit of a reach, but Fairley is a high ceiling player who will be signable after those two other first rounders.

Pick #28- Minnesota

28. Ben Revere, OF, Lexington HS, Kentucky

An extremely fast runner, Revere wasn't very high on a lot of players boards. An extremely good athlete, the Twins are going to have to develop him a bunch and hopefully he can end up being a long term replacement in center field.

Pick #27- Detroit

27. Rick Porcello, RHP, Seton Hall Prep, New Jersey

Probably the highest ranked high school pitcher, Porcello is going to command an extremely large bonus. He has four quality pitches, but I think in the end he'll either go unsigned or he'll cost too much for his value.

Pick #26- Oakland

26. James Simmons, RHP, UC Riverside

Had a 1.18 ERA in the 06 Cape Cod League. He has good upside and excellent command. He doesn't have too much in the way of hard breaking stuff, but he can certainly keep hitters off balance. And oh yeah, a huge suprise as the A's take yet another college player.

Pick #25- Chicago (AL)

25. Aaron Poreda, LHP, U of San Francisco

Poreda doesn't have much in the way of secondary pitches, but he throws extremely hard and can get a lot of guys out since he gets ahead of a lot of batters. He has kind of come out of nowhere so it will be exciting to see how he develops.

Pick #24- Texas

24. Michael Main, RHP, Deland HS, Florida

Main began the year as one of the top high school arms in the draft. He can throw in the high 90s, and he is extremely athletic. He has a good breaking ball, and can spot it wherever he wants to. Texas has a terrible pitchers park, but Main has the type of arm to get it done.

Pick #23- San Diego

23. Nick Schmidt, LHP, Arkansas

Schmidt has been flying up draft boards and was even rumored to be a top 10 pick, which would have been a reach. Schmidt will probably reach the majors very quickly, but he may or may not develop into anything more than he already is.

Pick #22- San Francisco

22. Tim Alderson, Horizon HS, Arizona

A big kid at 6'7", Alderson probably won't be a starter. A wierd thing about him is he doesn't throw out of the windup. He has very good command, especially for a high school player. His delivery may be cause for concern, which is why he will be a reliever.

Pick #21- Toronto

21. JP Arencibia, C, U Tennessee

Had some injury problems this year, but he has extreme power potential. He loses some potential if he has to switch to 1B, but I don't think he'll have to. Arencibia probably won't be a high average guy as he has an all or nothing swing.

Pick #20- Los Angeles (NL)

20. Chris Withrow, RHP, Midland HS, Texas

A tall righthander, crisp delivery who is projectable. Withrow is going to have to develop and he may need a lot of time to do so. He has three good pitches and is extremely athletic.

Pick #19- Philadelphia

19. Joe Savery, LHP, Rice University

One of the highest ceiling players in the draft, Savery is an excellent pick. He has some injury problems, but he is one of the top picks in the entire country. Savery could be an even better pitcher than David Price. Sits in the low 90's, but he can hit spots with the best of them. Also should be a good hitting pitcher

Pick #18- St. Louis

18. Peter Kozma, SS, Owasso HS, Oklahoma

Not an extremely athletic shortstop, he is around average with all of his five tools. Fundamentally sound, but Kozma is certainly a reach for the Cardinals as he has basically zero upside.

Pick #17- Texas

17. Blake Beavan, RHP, Irving HS, Texas

A big kid, Beavan struck out 139 batters in just over 70 innings this year. He has kind of an ugly delivery with a lot of recoil, but he has good command and plus stuff, so it's no real suprise that Texas picked the local kid. Beavan is maybe the best competitor in the draft, as he defeated Cuba with the US national junior team.

Pick #16- Toronto

16. Kevin Ahrens, 3B, Memorial HS, Texas

Ahrens played SS in high school, but will move to 3rd at the pro level. A good switch hitter with power, Ahrens has been compared to Chipper Jones. His less than average range is what could force a move to 3rd. He has a great approach at both sides of the plate, even though he is relatively new to switch hitting.

Pick #15- Cincinnati

15. Devin Mesoraco, C, Puxatawney HS, Pennsylvania

Probably the best player available who is also signable, Mesoraco shot up draft boards throughout the whole season. A good comp is Russell Martin. He did have Tommy John surgery last year and he has questions to answer.