"Really? Marrero over Zunino? And why wouldn't you want a Buster Posey? I get the possible injury concerns but one advantage of us going to the AL will be keeping him fresh by using him at DH. I mean it isn't set in stone that he'll end up like Mauer. The odds may be against him though."

My point is that I don't want to draft a guy as a catcher like that, and then have to move him to 1B or DH out of fear of his health. I'd rather take a great hitter who plays a premium position (like SS) and NOT have to move him away from said premium position to protect him.

IMO, when you draft an elite hitter as a catcher, you're either going to have to spend his career worrying and risking injury to him, which will heavily affect the lineup while he's out since he's a key offensive player, or move him to a non-premium position to protect him, in which case you might as well have just taken another highly-regarded hitter who played a different premium position (SS, CF, 2B, 3B) who won't need to be moved or protected.

There are exceptions of course, like a Bryce Harper who has the upside to be the best hitter in the game and could be a megastar at any position, so it's not a bad thing to move him, but Zunino isn't that kind of prospect. He doesn't seem to be significantly better or have significantly more upside than Marrero or other prospects in this draft class IMO.

Here's an interesting mock draft: www.minorleagueball.com/2012/3/5/2844620/2012-baseball-mock-draft

Predicting a 1-1 pick of...Kevin Gausman?

Info on him:
<http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2012/02/06/kevin-gausman-2012-draft-profile/
<http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/kevin-gausman-rhp-florida/

That's interesting. I haven't seen him projected that high before. I'll have to read more on him. I think that's just further proof they're are a lot of people that could go number 1. The next three months are going to be fun and hopefully when June rolls around we'll have a good idea who the best player in the draft is.

I know I'm not scout material, but would anyone be disappointed if we chose Buxton?
OK. I may be in the wrong thread. Is this for the sandwich pick?

I would, mostly because he seems very raw and doesn't seem to be significantly better than the other players available, and because we already have several strong OF prospects. Unless we're talking about a near-sure-fire guy, consensus #1 pick situation, I'd pass on another outfielder. Even with my Giolito hesitations, I'd pick him above Buxton.

"and because we already have several strong OF prospects."

Who are our strong outfield prospects besides Springer and maybe Santana? Neither have proven anything, and could easily flame out. I don't see how we couldn't make room for a guy like Buxton.

Ovando and Wates for sure. Jay Austin also still has upside, considering his age. Then there are some solid lower-tier guys like Goebbert. I'm not saying we're bursting at the seems or that Buxton wouldn't help us at all, but only that I don't think we should use the 1-1 pick on an outfielder unless they're the ultra-super-consensus #1 talent in the draft, and Buxton ain't.

"Who are our strong outfield prospects besides Springer and maybe Santana? Neither have proven anything, and could easily flame out. I don't see how we couldn't make room for a guy like Buxton."

This is the point that I've been trying to make. We only have one top-100 prospect in the OF, and even he is completely unproven in the minors. We have *zero* quality OF prospects who have managed to hit AA pitching. An OF logjam is so unlikely it's not even worth considering.

I said he's not Posey.
======

which is what I don't get. He his hitting better than Posey at similar levels.

Austin Wates? Really? He only had 6 HR at Lancaster. I'm not crazy about drafting an OF either but lets not pretend we have any kind of meaningful depth out there. Our best OF prospects haven't even made it to Lancaster yet. Odds are maybe only one of Ovando, Santana, Springer and Wates will have a solid career in MLB.

"Odds are maybe only one of Ovando, Santana, Springer and Wates will have a solid career in MLB."

I remember how touted the Lancaster outfield was in '09. Now it looks like we might get one 4th outfielder out of that scrum.

Whatchu talkin 'bout? Gaston is gonna explode this year.

"which is what I don't get. He his hitting better than Posey at similar levels"

His junior year at Florida State Posey hit .463 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs. He was also great behind the plate. If Zunino puts up number close to those for a full year then I will be really impressed.

http://floridastate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=827482

we can already compare Zunino to Posey's Sophomore year.

Zunino: .371/.442/.674 23 HR

Posey: 382/.453/.520 3HRs

and yes that was over a full year.

Keep in mind, Zunino is doing this with the new bats that diminished power in the college ranks, something Posey didn't have to worry about.

We can't compare junior year's because zunino hasn't complete a season as a junior.

We can't compare Junior years yet, but I said I would be impressed if he put up numbers comparable to what Posey did his Junior year. Obviously Posey did not grow into his power until he matured. Zunino hit for more power as a soph but that's about it. I've said this over and over, Zunino will be a solid big league player, he doesn't have the upside that Posey had coming out of college.

The more I think about it, I'm confident Luhnow is going to draft Zunino.

He is a huge SABR guy and up until recently, these guys rarely draft prep-arms high.

He wants a franchise player and there is no debating the franchise icon that the Giants have in Posey.

The other guys in the top 5 seem huge risks to me. and no offense to pitchers, but they are more of a DL risk and only play once every 5 days.

If Zunino continues his production through this year, I'm going out and calling the shot right now.

Mike Zunino, Drafted by the Houston Astros 1st overall pick.

It won't matter, what Appel or Giolito do. Zunino is the closest to a sure thing franchise player in this draft.

I'd rather have Marrero than Zunino if we're taking a college position player.

Keith Law has Zunino ranked 7th and says this about him: "Zunino doesn't have a standout tool, but is a solid-average guy across the board who can play one of the toughest positions to fill."

He has Marrero ranked 4th and says this about him: "He's a surefire big league shortstop who can hit and has a plus arm as well as generally good feel for the game on both sides of the ball; he's not a fast runner and probably maxes out in the 10-12 homer range."

I'd rather have a gold glove shortstop with .280 to .300 avg and 10 homers and some steals, than a solid average catcher.

Plus, as someone mentioned earlier with catchers you always have to worry about injuries and moving them off catcher and to 1st or DH. I'd rather plug a solid shortstop back there because it's more of a sure thing every day.

keith law is a dumb@$$

That's probably why the Astros and Luhnow tried to hire him.