1. Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS (GA)
2. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
3. Buster Posey, C, Florida State
4. Brian Matusz, LHS, San Diego
5. Kyle Skipworth, C, Patriot HS (CA)
6. Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
7. Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia
8. Aaron Crow, RHS, Missouri
9. Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage HS (FL)
10. Shooter Hunt, RHS, Tulane
...

Missouri IP H R ER BB SO AB BF NP
—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-
Crow, Aaron…...... 9.0 3 0 0 5 10 29 35 122

San Diego IP H R ER BB SO AB BF
—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——-
Matusz, Brian….... 9.0 3 0 0 1 10 29 32

Crow was facing Ole Miss (37-25) while Matusz got California (33-20-2)

Some other interesting performances from possible top picks over the weekend of Regional play:

Buster Posey, FSU: 8-for-15, 5 HR, 12 RBI in four games (with one to play vs. Tulane tonight)

Justin Smoak, S. Carolina: 7-for-15, 2 HR, 6 RBI (USC season is over)

Yonder Alonso, Miami: 2-for-10, 4 BB as Miami advances

Gordon Beckham, Georgia: 8-for-18, 1 HR, 6 RBI (one to play vs. Ga. Tech)

BP’s Kevin Goldstein

Since he plays for multiple travel teams, seeing Lawrie of late has involved traveling to warm-weather spots like Florida and, recently, the Dominican Republic. Last week’s trip with the junior national team was the biggest eye-opener, as the squarely-built Lawrie slammed eight home runs in eight games against professionals still in the Dominican, including five in a doubleheader that had scouts from plenty of teams with high first-round picks in attendance. Suddenly, he’s lined up for a series of private workouts this week, including one with a team picking in the single digits. He could be the first selection on Thursday that raises some serious eyeballs.

http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2008/06/brett_lawrie.php

1) Rays – Buster Posey – Fills a need + could be an all star. Lacks the upside of what most like with a #1 pick. TB Spotlight here.

2) Pirates – Pedro Alvarez – They CAN’T screw this up. Can they?

3) Royals – Eric Hosmer – KC loves Hosmer. If price it too much, look for T. Beckham or Justin Smoak.

4) Orioles – Tim Beckham – If Beckham is gone, the Orioles have a tough decision between Smoak, and Matusz. Spotlight here.

5) Giants – Justin Smoak – they will pass on Matusz as they are focused on a polished impact bat. If Smoak and T. Beckham are gone, it will be interesting to see who they turn to to out of the Hosmer, Posey, G. Beckham, Alonso, and Wallace group.

6) Marlins – Yonder Alonso – Marlins have been rumored to be on Skipoworth and Alonso. Still no pitcher taken.

7) Reds – Aaron Crow – They will have to decide which pitcher they want if this happens. Could really have something with their pitching staff. Soon. Spotlight here.

8) White Sox – Gordon Beckham – Obvious pick if he is there.

9) Nationals – Kyle Skipworth – Typical Bowden pick, high upside. Spotlight here.

10) Astros – Shooter Hunt – I do not think they will spend the money on Matusz – or anyone.

11) Rangers – Brian Matusz -If this happens, we might hear the Ranger’s brass rejoicing all the way from Orlando.

12) A’s – Brett Wallace – I have to believe the A’s would love for Wallace to get to them.

http://mvn.com/mlb-draft/2008/05/13/aaron-crow/

http://mvn.com/mlb-draft/2008/05/13/brian-matusz/

http://mvn.com/mlb-draft/2008/05/14/2008-mlb-draft-justin-smoak-video/

http://mvn.com/mlb-draft/2008/05/14/2008-mlb-draft-eric-hosmer-video/

http://mvn.com/mlb-draft/2008/05/18/kyle-skipworth-video/

http://mvn.com/mlb-draft/2008/05/18/gordon-beckham-video/

I would only be cool with that if he can stick at short. If Lawrie is going in the 10-12 range, I wouldn’t mind seeing if he could stick at catcher. C and SS are major needs, but then so is a legit Konerko replacement. Swisher has no business in that conversation, btw. He’s a last ditch fill in.

the less I know who I want the Sox to take. I have some favorites, but those guys aren’t likely to make it to eight (Smoak and Skipworth, namely). I’m reading about an aversion to taking Wallace, but I don’t know why that is—he seems like as good a bet as anyone to become a solid (albeit unspectacular and not star-potential) .275/.400/.500 hitter. Beckham is pretty intriguing, although (repeating myself here) I’d want to be 100% certain that my scouts believed he’ll be able to stick at SS.

Suffice it to say I don’t think I’ll have a reason to be mad on draft day, unless they do something completely out of left field.

Sox lead down to 0.5 game.

The Reds fan from Cincinnati that I work with has a perpetual hard-on about him. He just bought his jersey.

Jay Bruce went 2-for-4 with a home run as the Reds lost to the Phillies on Monday night.
Bruce also scored on an Adam Dunn double. After his first week in the big leagues, Bruce is hitting .577 with three home runs, seven RBI and 12 runs. For comparison’s sake, Corey Patterson was hitting .200 with four homers, 13 RBI and 21 runs in 45 games before getting demoted.

Phillies with the third straight MVP?

Chase Utley went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer as the Phillies beat the Reds on Monday night.
Utley has now homered in five straight and seven of the last eight games, bringing his total to a league-leading 21. His home runs have come in streaks this season, and the latest one has raised his numbers to .320/.403/.680. Awesome.