PERFECT GAME CROSSCHECKER'S DAILY TOP TEN LIST
WEEK 5: 3/5/2007 - 3/11/2007
 
Friday, March 9, 2007
It could be a draft bonanza in Tennessee this year, with the likelihood of three first-round picks and the possibility of a fourth. The state has produced three first-rounders in the same draft only once before—in 2001. Vanderbilt lefthander David Price won’t just be a first-rounder, but he ranks as the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick overall. If that happens, Price would become the first player with a Tennessee connection to be selected first. University of Tennessee outfielder Julio Borbon and catcher J.P. Arencibia are also projected first-rounders, while Volunteers lefthander James Adkins is given an outside shot.

Altogether, Tennessee has produced 22 first-round picks in the draft’s 42-year history, with the Dodgers dipping into the Volunteer State for a first-rounder on four occasions. Here are the 10 highest Tennessee picks, with the selection number noted in parentheses:
 
Top 10 Tennessee Draft Picks
1. *Dewon Brazelton, rhp, Middle Tennessee State U. Devil Rays ’01 (3)
2. *Terry Blocker, of, Tennessee State U. Mets ’81 (4)
3. John Jones, c, Loretto HS, St. Joseph Senators ’67 (5)
4. Bobby Goodman, c, Bishop Byrne HS, Memphis Expos ’72 (5)
5. *Jeremy Sowers, lhp, Vanderbilt U. Indians ’04 (6)
6. Chris Smith, lhp, Cumberland U. Orioles ’01 (7)
7. *Todd Helton, 1b, U. of Tennessee Rockies ’95 (8)
8. *Alan Cockrell, of, U. of Tennessee Giants ’84 (9)
9. *Chris Burke, ss, U. of Tennessee Astros ’01 (10)
10. Mark Snyder, rhp, Bearden HS, Knoxville Indians ’82 (12)
-- Allan Simpson
 
Thursday, March 8, 2007
With a strong likelihood that rookies Alex Gordon and Ryan Braun will open the 2007 season at third base for the Royals and Brewers, respectively, we thought it would be appropriate to run the top 10 college infielders drafted over the 10-year period from 1997-2006. With the exception of Drew Meyer, every player on the list is expected to establish himself as a big league regular—if he hasn’t already done so.
 
Top 10 College Infielders Drafted, 1997-2006
1. Pat Burrell, 1b, Phillies 1998/Miami (1st pick)
  Solid but unspectacular left fielder seems good for .260-30-100 numbers per year.
2. Alex Gordon, 3b, Royals 2005/Nebraska (2nd pick)
  Looks like a future all-star with the frequent George Brett comparisons.
3. Rickie Weeks, 2b, Brewers 2003/Southern (2nd pick)
  Could blossom into one of the game’s better second basemen—if he can stay healthy.
4. Evan Longoria, ss, Devil Rays 2006/Long Beach State (3rd pick)
  On the fast track to the majors, he had best debut of any 2006 draft pick.
5. Troy Glaus, 3b, Angels 1997/UCLA (3rd pick)
  Has been extremely consistent (when healthy), with steady .260-35-100 numbers.
6. Ryan Zimmerman, 3b, Nationals 2005/Virginia (4th pick)
  2006 rookie-of-the-year runner-up is already one of top third basemen in game.
7. Ryan Braun, 3b, Brewers 2005/Miami (5th pick)
  Brewers’ star-quality infield of Fielder, Weeks, Hardy and Braun could happen in ‘07.
8. Mark Teixeira, 3b, Rangers 2001/Georgia Tech (5th pick)
  Few appreciate that he will open the 2007 season at 26 years old.
9. Troy Tulowitzki, ss, Rockies 2005/Long Beach State (7th pick)
  Like fellow Long Beach State product Longoria, could be a top player for years to come.
10. Drew Meyer, ss, Rangers 2002/South Carolina (9th pick)
  Made majors debut in 2006, but his weak bat will make that level a rarity.
-- David Rawnsley
 
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The skills needed by a top-level baseball executive are very different than needed by a top-level baseball player. So it really shouldn’t be surprising that so few top players end up as high-level executives after their playing days are over. The realities of the time investment needed and the lack of relative financial incentive for a successful player contribute, too.

With that in mind, here is our list of top 10 current major league executives, ranked by their playing achievements. “Special assistants” and “Special assignment scouts” without everyday executive/administrative responsibilities have not been included.
 
Top 10 Executives With Playing Background
1. Bob Watson MLB vice-president of on-field operations. Former GM of the Astros and Yankees, Watson had 1,864 hits in 19 seasons, highlighted by two All-Star Game appearances.
2. Bob Boone Assistant GM, Washington Nationals. Boone has become Jim Bowden’s most trusted aide in stints as GM in Cincinnati and Washington. He caught in 2,264 games over 19 big league seasons and won seven Gold Gloves. He also had two stints as a manager as well.
3. Mike Flanagan Executive VP of baseball operations, Baltimore Orioles. He posted a 167-143 career record, highlighted by a 23-9 mark and a Cy Young Award in 1979.
4. Ken Forsch Assistant GM, Los Angeles Angels. A better pitcher than his boss for the Angels, Forsch had a career 114-113 record with 51 saves and two All-Star Game appearances.
5. Dick Tidrow Vice president, player personnel, San Francisco Giants. He was successful as both a starter (100-94) and closer (55 saves) during his 13-year big league career.
6. Bill Stoneman Vice president/general manager, Los Angeles Angels. He didn’t have a great career record (54-85) but threw two no-hitters and struck out 251 hitters in 1971. Unlike most player/executives, Stoneman holds a master’s degree.
7. Jerry DiPoto Director of player personnel, Arizona Diamondbacks. His eight-year career as a reliever peaked in 1998 with 19 saves; he was 27-24 with 49 saves for his career.
8. Scott Servais Minor league director, Texas Rangers. He stretched 11 major league seasons out of marginal talent; his front office role could have been predicted based on uncles Mark Servais (Cubs scout) and Ed Servais (Creighton head coach).
9. Eddie Bane Scouting director, Los Angeles Angels. Despite moving straight to the big leagues in 1973 at Minnesota’s first-round draft pick, Bane’s major league career was brief. But he was one of the greatest pitchers in college baseball history at Arizona State (1971-73).
10. Doug Strange Assistant GM, Pittsburgh Pirates. Like Servais, he stretched his marginal talent into a nine-year big league career, although only one season was as a regular.
-- David Rawnsley
 
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Of the 1,243 players that played in the big leagues in 2006, a total of 88 were originally drafted and signed after the 25th round—the same number that were drafted and signed as second-rounders. Of more significance in establishing how unpredictable baseball’s player development system can be, 47 big leaguers weren’t drafted at all and signed as non-drafted free agents.

Here are the 10 most significant late-round draft picks that played in the big leagues a year ago, with the team that originally drafted them and the round they were selected in:
 
Top 10 Late-Round Draft Picks
1. Mike Piazza, c, Padres Dodgers 1988 (62)
2. Kenny Rogers, lhp, Tigers Rangers 1982 (39)
3. Travis Hafner, 1b, Indians Rangers 1996 (31)
4. Jeff Conine, 1b-of, Orioles Royals 1987 (58)
5. Jason Isringhausen, rhp, Cardinals Mets 1991 (44)
6. Brad Ausmus, c, Astros Yankees 1987 (48)
7. Raul Ibanez, of, Mariners Mariners 1992 (36)
8. Woody Williams, rhp, Padres Blue Jays 1988 (30)
9. Marcus Giles, 2b, Braves Braves 1996 (53)
10. Dave Roberts, of, Padres Tigers 1994 (28)
-- Allan Simpson
 
Monday, March 5, 2007
Just as Omaha is synonymous with the College World Series, Grand Junction, Colo., is similarly linked to the Junior College World Series. The JCWS will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, with the 10-team tournament scheduled from May 26-June 2. All but the first event was held in Grand Junction.

Schools from 15 different states have won the title, but no school from California has ever won as that state is one of a handful that is not a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association. A Tennessee school, Walters State, won the first championship for that state in 2006 and, at 17-1 this year, continues to rank atop this week’s PG Crosschecker national Top 25 ranking. The new list will be released later today.

Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett (Triton, Ill., JC, 1982) still holds the JCWS record for batting average (.688), while the Indians’ Travis Hafner is the most prominent current major leaguer that is a former tournament MVP. He won for Cowley County (Kan.) CC in 1997.

Here are the 10 schools that have won multiple Junior College World Series championships.
 
Most Championships, Juco World Series
1. San Jacinto (Texas) JC 5 1985-87, 1989-90
2. Middle Georgia CC 4 1979-80, 1982, 1995
3. Mesa (Ariz.) CC 3 1970-72
3. Phoenix College 3 1960, 1962, 1965
3. Yavapai (Ariz.) CC 3 1975, 1977, 1993
5. Grayson County (Texas) CC 2 1999, 2000
5. Cowley County (Kan.) CC 2 1997-98
5. Ranger (Texas) JC 2 1973, 1978
5. Miami-Dade CC North 2 1964, 1981
5. Wilmington (N.C.) JC 2 1961, 1963
-- David Rawnsley