Jays Draft Report, Day 1
Well, the first day of the draft is over. Let's take a look at the Jays' haul.
Chad Jenkins, RHP, 1st round (20th overall) - Kennesaw State. 6'4", 225 lbs, Born 12/1987: Jenkins, the Jays' first pick in 2009, features a 90-94 m.p.h. fastball with good sinking action, and a very good slider. To get lefties out, Jenkins uses his changeup, which is also a solid pitch, giving him a repertoire that should play well in the majors. Jenkins is said to be smart on the mound with good command. The only drawbacks are that he projects as more of a workhorse solid mid-rotation guy than a potential ace and that he hasn't faced the toughest competition yet. With some projecting him to go as early as top-10, the Jays have to be pleased with this pick.
James Paxton, LHP, Supplemental round (37th overall) - University of Kentucky. 6'4", 215 lbs, Born 6/1988: The Jays used the compensatory pick from A.J. Burnett's defection to sign Paxton, who grew up in Richmond, British Columbia. Paxton walked 17 and struck out 97 in his 65 innings this season. Paxton's fastball has been clocked into the high 90s and it has some movement as well. Paxton also has a good slider and a changeup. He's a little raw for a college pitcher as well regarded as he is, and his control is in some question, but the Jays have to be happy with getting Paxton in the sandwich round as many thought he'd go in the first round. Even without the Canadian connection, Paxton's upside makes him an excellent pick at this point - only question is whether the Jays will be able to sign him, as he is a Boras client. Good use of the Jays' newfound willingness to go over slot. There's also a chance he could end up in the bullpen, but the Jays will give him every possible opportunity to show that he can start.
Jake Eliopoulos, LHP, 2nd Round (68th overall) - Ontario, Canada HS. 6'3", 178 lbs, Born 5/1991: The Jays upped their CanCon by picking Eliopoulos after Paxton, but Jake was actually born in the Ukraine. He's a lefty with high 80s heat topping out around 90 as well as a changeup and curve. As Eliopoulos fills out and gets a little older, scouts think his velocity will improve a bit. The wiry portsider was the number one ranked Canadian high school pitcher.
Jake Barrett, RHP, 3rd Round (99th overall) - Arizona HS. 6'4", 235 lbs, Born 7/1991: Barrett has a low/mid 90s fastball that's been described as a bit straight. He also throws a power curve on which he sometimes relies too heavily, and a split finger pitch he uses to great effect against lefty hitters. He's a solid high school power arm whose command has impressed already but it has some ways to go so he will have to keep working on it as he moves up the minors.
Jacob Marisnick, CF, 3rd Round (104th overall) - California HS, 6'4", 200 lbs, Born 3/1991: Marisnick is a toolsy and athletic outfield prospect whose defense looks solid but whose hitting is a little in question. He has power and speed potential, however. He has a commitment to University of Oregon from which the Jays would have to pull him. He has been compared to Hunter Pence.
So, how did the Jays do? Who are you most excited about, and which pick don't you like?
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They sound good but.........
……..perhaps the ratio of 4 to 1 between pitchers and position players should be a bit evened out. Let’s hope that they become as successful as some of the guys who are doing well right now after coming up through the farm system.
by Marco1978 on Jun 10, 2009 7:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well
I like the Jenkins pick a lot…he may not need a ton of time in the minors either. I hope the Jays sign him early and get him playing this year.
Paxton is a good pick up as well, 1st round talent falling to the supplemental is nice, but Boras scares a little though I doubt it’ll be a huge issue for the Jays.
Not sure about Eliopoulos, could have been a signability pick with the fear that Paxton will cost more then slot $?
I think getting Barrett and Marisnick in the 2nd and 3rd rounds could be steals, high ceiling high school talent can be risky but can also make JP look like a genious, hopefully they both sign.
Overall I thought heading in the Jays could have used more bats then arms in the early rounds having a plethora of pitching talent in the minors already though I guess you can never have enough pitching…hopefully the later rounds consist of more toolsy/high risk-high reward bats…
by bunner on Jun 10, 2009 8:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Over the slot
What does that mean? I’ve heard that term a couple of times in the last few days…
The draft looks good so far – I was hoping to pick up a couple of big positional prospects since our minors are a little thin in that area right now but the draft’s such a crap shoot anyway, that I’m not too concerned.
More pitchers are never a bad thing and we can always use some of those arms down the road as trade bait.
by masterkembo on Jun 10, 2009 8:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
slot...
MLB sets a $ amount for each position in the draft, if you pay more then that you are going over slot to sign the player…which obviously the Nats will do with Strasburg.
I think the Jays should go in the tank now finish dead last and sign that Bryce Harper kid who might be eligible for next year’s draft…
by bunner on Jun 10, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bryce Harper
Thats all I hear about. Apparently Stasburg is the best college prospect of all time, but that being said eveyone is looking forward to next year for this Harper Kid? I don’t follow that closely but who is this kid?
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 10, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tanking? No thanks.
You want to know a telling stat? Since the draft was put into place back in the 60’s not a single 1st overall pick has made the hall of fame.
'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alive remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.
by JohnnyG on Jun 10, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not really a fair assessment
ken griffey jr is obviously going to the hall
"The NY Mets are my favorite squadron" -- Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
by jessef on Jun 10, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shhhhhhhh….. I meant yet :P
'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alive remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.
by JohnnyG on Jun 10, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even still
1 for the 30 or so that are probably eligible? That still is a pretty telling stat to me.
I can’t wait for the day that NFL and MLB go the way of NBA and restrict rookie salaries and draft bonuses. It sickens me as a fan to see unproven guys get paid more than our major leaguers who have served their due…
I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. ~Rogers Hornsby
by wroth91 on Jun 10, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you feel about trading draft picks?
"The NY Mets are my favorite squadron" -- Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
by jessef on Jun 10, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's no guarantee he will be eligible
He’s 16. They’re talking about him getting a GED so he can be eligible next year instead of finishing high school the normal way, but they haven’t actually done it yet.
They're not just hitting home runs. They're doing the little things, like hitting doubles.
by Torgen on Jun 10, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
great question
I should’ve explained that. Major League Baseball sets an amount that you are “supposed” to pay to sign players in the first round, second round, etc. The purpose is to prevent the draft from turning into de facto free agency where whoever can pay the most gets the best players. However, they have no real way of forcing teams to follow slot, so some teams are willing to exceed the suggested amount, leading some very well-regarded amateurs to essentially demand that teams go “over slot” or they will refuse to sign with the team that drafts them. So sometimes you will hear a drafted player referred to as a “signability” pick, meaning the team drafted them assuming that they would be able to sign the player without going over slot.
In the past, Jays ownership has been one of the teams that has been reluctant to go over slot. Some have suggested that staying with slot was a quid pro quo for the equalisation payments the Jays were receiving from mlb to compensate them for the exchange rate (since the loonie has typically been worth less than the american dollar). I have no idea whether or not that was the reason, but Paul Beeston this year announced that the Jays would be going “over slot” for the first time – and they will certainly have to go over slot if they want to sign Paxton, since he is represented by superagent Scott Boras, who is notorious for getting big deals for his amateur players by threatening that they won’t sign otherwise
"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman
by hugo on Jun 10, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else think
that this Eliopoulos pick is a bit crappy? It seems like hes 3rd round talent and isnt anything that special… It looks like the Jays just picked him because hes Canadian???
And heres hoping we go for more speed/athletic players in the next few rounds.
Onions Baby Onions
by ohmybosh on Jun 10, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well since he's only 18
there is a lot of growth possible there. All high school picks are a crap shoot but he’s 6’3", has room to fill out, and he is already throwing at 90 mph. He might surprise.
by Tom Dakers on Jun 10, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got to love Paxton's pick up if we can sign him.
I like the picks, a couple of University guys that might be able to make it to the Jays in a short period of time and some high school kids with good up side. Can’t complain too much at the moment, give us a couple of years and if none of them pan out we’ll complain retroactively.
by Tom Dakers on Jun 10, 2009 10:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hugo...
Not to be over picky but…
but Jake was actually born in the Ukraine
Should be, Jake was actually born in Ukraine. I’ve never been to the Canada. Not a biggie, just a pet peave of mine!
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 10, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
right
the use of the definite article actually comes from Ukrainian immigrants to the U.S. and Canada – unfamiliar with English, they called it “the Ukraine” because in other languages you use the definite article. For example, in Italian you typically use the definite article when referring to a country.
"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman
by hugo on Jun 10, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Early in the morning for grammar police
Hey Hugo, which one of these will we see first playing in Toronto?
by Tom Dakers on Jun 10, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
u sp34k t43 engrish gud
'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alive remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.
by JohnnyG on Jun 10, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
speak english fine....
Type english sort of like one of those infinite monkeys, the one sitting right beside the one that typed the complete works of Shakespeare.
by Tom Dakers on Jun 10, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jenkins
he looks like he could be in a major-league rotation pretty soon, actually. Only thing that would slow him is the number of good young pitchers the Jays have hanging around the majors, AAA, and AA.
"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman
by hugo on Jun 10, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Paxton was ranked higher
But dropped because of Boras?
Just what I heard, and eveyone has an opinion these days…I don’t really follow.
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 10, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Paxton
has the higher upside (lefties who can throw in the high-90s are pretty rare), but Jenkins is closer to the majors. At least, that’s my take.
"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman
by hugo on Jun 10, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If for no other reason
I really hope Paxton is a stud because we esentially got him for AJ. I’d love to see us beat AJ in a couple years with Paxton on the mound!
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 10, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe he can come in and have a few great starts?
I’m not sure really how the Farm pitchers have been doing as of late.
by allday28 on Jun 10, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Ukraine meant borderlands
and “The Ukraine” referred to the borderlands between Russia and Europe?
"The NY Mets are my favorite squadron" -- Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
by jessef on Jun 10, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well Ukraine is an english word.
Ukraina(pronounced Oo-Krai-eeena) is the Ukrainian pronounciation and modern scholars figure it was a derivative of “Krai” which means border. “The Ukraine” is just a term that everyone says therefore has gotten into the english language. Ironically people from Ukraine always misuse “the” as well, maybe thats where that came from. ie: The Vernon Wells isn’t clutch.
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 10, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks craig
i will keep this little bit of trivia in my backpocket
"The NY Mets are my favorite squadron" -- Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
by jessef on Jun 10, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do we keep taking lefites? We seem to have only one RHP in our farm system.
Onions Baby Onions
by ohmybosh on Jun 10, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Aaron Loup??
2008: Appeared in 15 games, including eight starts, as a sophomore…went 2-3 with a 5.66 ERA and a .283 opponent batting average in 47.2 innings of work..
why would you draft that guy?
Onions Baby Onions
by ohmybosh on Jun 10, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm surprised the Jays' draft was so pitching heavy,
given the team’s recent ability to produce adequate starters out of nowhere (and then get them injured, but as long as they keep coming that doesn’t really matter).
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Jun 10, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agreed
i would have liked to see some more athletic OFers and power hitting 1B/3B types.
Onions Baby Onions
by ohmybosh on Jun 10, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
short on pitching, long on OF at low minors
The draftees will be MLB ready in 3-5 years. All our top starting pitching prospects, besides Henderson Alvarez, are MLB ready now. After Zip, there is a long drop to Alvarez in Lansing.
Meanwhile, in the OF, we have four players with the big club signed or controlled for the next 4-5 years (unfortunately, in one case). LF should be the easiest position to fill in FA if needed (wtf – dellucci, wilk, mench??). Our low minors are stocked with OF prospects like Sierra, Tolisano, Thames, Chavez, Eiland, Brisker, and Wilson.
Regardless, don’t draft for organizational need unless talent is equivalent – and this draft was a pitching draft at the top.
by ayjackson on Jun 11, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It follows the saying that you can never have too much pitching...
It’s something I agree with and I think it’s easier to trade a good pitching prospect for a good position player than the other way around.
by siggian on Jun 10, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JP has said that it is hard to get pitchers to come to toronto....
I wouldn’t know why but he figures it is easier to get a bat to come here.
by Tom Dakers on Jun 10, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You think that might have something to do with a pitchers reluctance to pitch in the AL east and bloat their career numbers? Thus hurting their chances of getting a bigger contract afterwards?
'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alive remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.
by JohnnyG on Jun 10, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know,
Mike Hampton went and pitched in Colorado for $400 trillion dollars.
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 10, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know if it is actually the case or not, I imagine that sorta theory would get more bloated in the traditional media.
I imagine it might pop into the back of the head of some agents but I don’t suspect it is a driving force in a players decision.
'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alive remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.
by JohnnyG on Jun 10, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so we just signed david dellucci
good stuff
by Aquamelli on Jun 10, 2009 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
Sportsnet just showed a clip of Jenkins and hes got a bit of a belly. Not saying anything bad about that considering my figure but still.
'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alive remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.
by JohnnyG on Jun 10, 2009 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
there have been plenty of great big pitchers
seems to make them more durable…
Onions Baby Onions
by ohmybosh on Jun 10, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The other advantage is that if they manage to trim some of that weight
The player should still be durable, but without the associated negative effects of being overweight (knees/shin splints/etc).
I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. ~Rogers Hornsby
by wroth91 on Jun 10, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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