MLB Draft Starts Tomorrow—How Well Have The Cubs And Sox Drafted?
By Tim Bearden in News on Jun 3, 2012 8:00PM
The baseball draft isn't hyped as much as say the NFL or NBA, but it's just as integral. It's also not as exciting because, as fellow sports writer Benjy Lipsman pointed out, the players aren't as well known coming out of college and they may not make the majors for years after they're drafted—if at all.
The Chicago teams have a sordid history with the draft and their picks. Some have panned out, others haven't. Most notably in the last 15 years the Cubs drafted Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, both of whom turned out to be above average pitchers when they were healthy. Wood retired a Cub this season, which is sort of symbolic to do right before the draft if you think about it. It's time to forget the past and look to the future, a common theme with that team ever since the management changes in the off-season. The White Sox have, more or less, focused on pitching in the last 10 years.
Current Sox pitchers Chris Sale and Hector Santiago were drafted since 2007. Sale was their number one pick in 2010 and has proven to be a top draft choice so far his first starting season. He's 6-2 with a 2.34 ERA and 61 strikeouts. He was having trouble with his elbow earlier this season, but is continuing to have strong outings as a starter.
Santiago was beginning to show he had closing pitcher potential, but was removed from the spot when Sale was having elbow trouble this season. He had four saves in six chances and has 1-1 record and a 3.66 ERA.
The Sox are good at drafting pitching potential and bringing it into the big leagues. Of their last 10 draftees to become major leaguers, seven have been pitchers. But shortstop Gordon Beckham and third baseman Brent Morel were also drafted into their system. Beckham was their number one draft pick in 2008 and has been a good player for the Sox. Beckham has come up big this season and has been a clutch player in tight games. He had a multi-homer evening Friday against the Mariners and again helped them get a one run edge against Seattle on Saturday. Morel, well, that's another story.
Morel's had a tough season—he was only batting .177 prior to being placed on the 15-day disabled list. He's been a decent third baseman, but isn't quite the batter they were hoping for. He had a strong year in 2011 with 101 hits in 413 at bats and 41 RBIs, but we haven't seen that from him yet this season.
The Cubs haven't had quite as much luck with their draft choices since Prior. The Cubs have three of their last 10 draft picks currently on the roster. Darwin Barney, Casey Coleman, and Tony Campana all have spots in the dugout this season, but the boys in blue do not have any of their top draft picks playing for them in the majors. Tyler Colvin played for the Cubs from 2009-2011 after being their top pick in 2006. He's the last top draft they've had who had been on their roster. Currently Brett Jackson, who was their top draft pick in 2009, is sitting in AAA eagerly awaiting his opportunity to show the Cubs he's majors material.
Barney was drafted in 2007 and so far has been streaky. He didn't begin the year too well, but has been key in the last few games the Cubs have won. He has 15 RBIs on the season and while he only has three home runs, they've all come at critical points in games. Barney has been a solid draft choice for the Cubs and can only improve on his already existing skill set.
Campana was drafted in 2008, but hasn't been on the top of his game early this season. He is a solid batter with a .305 average, but seems to be taking his eye off the ball a little bit. Last season Campana struck out 30 times in total. This season in June he's already struck out 23 times. But he does connect more than he doesn't, so he's still an offensive advantage when he makes contact. However, he's been benched this season and hasn't had a start since May 21.
Campana hasn't had the "pop" at bats the Cubs were looking for this season. Last season, his first in the majors, he had a .259 average and only six RBIs. With four RBIs already this season he's showing he's improving, but just not at the speed Dale Sveum seems to want.
Coleman was drafted with Campana in 2008 and made his debut as a starter in 2010. He had a rough couple of seasons and had a 6.40 ERA in 2011. He's only pitched 12 innings this season, but Sveum seems to want to try him out as a closer. He hasn't been the answer to the Cubs pitching woes, which they're hoping to address this draft season.
Don't get your hopes up, Cubs fans, those pitchers may not be ready until 2014.
With the draft coming up tomorrow both of Chicago's ball clubs are evaluating their options and assessing their current talent pool to help improve their ball clubs. The White Sox have a lot of appeal being number one in the AL Central, but the Cubs may have a harder time bringing in the better players being a sub-par team this season.