http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/draft-reviews-tampa-bay-rays Welcome to the first edition of the Amateur Draft Reviews. This series will review the past three drafts for each organization for interesting facts and trends. It also serves as a preview for the upcoming MLB Amateur Draft, which takes place on June 9 and 10. Tampa Bay Rays 2008 Draft Slot: 1st overall Top Pick: Tim Beckham, SS, Georgia high school Best Pick: Tim Beckham Keep an Eye On: Jake Jefferies, C, UC Davis (3rd round) Notes: Jake Jefferies, a left-handed hitting catcher, has hit well in pro ball and has a good approach. Defensively, the only real question mark is his average arm. He is currently playing in A-ball. Tim Beckham’s older brother Jeremy Beckham was drafted in the 17th round and they are playing together in 2009 at A-ball. 2007 Draft Slot: 1st overall Top Pick: David Price, LHP, Vanderbilt University Best Pick: David Price Worst Pick: Will Kline, RHP, University of Mississippi (2nd round) Notes: You can’t fault Will Kline for being listed as the worst pick; he had shoulder surgery almost immediately after signing. His last pitch was thrown in 2007 and he was winless in nine starts. The team scored big by finding prep pitchers Nick Barnese (California high school) in the third round and Matthew Moore (New Mexico high school) in the eighth round. 2006 Draft Slot: 3rd overall Top Pick: Evan Longoria, 3B, Long Beach State Best Pick: Evan Longoria Worst Pick: Josh Butler, RHP, University of San Diego (2nd round) Notes: Perhaps overworked while leading the staff (which included Brian Matusz) at San Diego, Josh Butler has struggled to stay healthy and consistent in pro ball. He was traded to Milwaukee for Gabe Gross (a former 1st round pick of the Jays) in 2008. OF Desmond Jennings (Mississippi CC) looks like a steal in the 10th round. RHP Heath Rollins (Winthrop U) was a nice find - especially value-wise - in the 11th round. * * * 2009 Draft Slot: 30th Draft Preference (2006-08): None, the club does not favor college or prep players MLB Club Need: Relievers, catcher Organizational Need: First, second and third basemen, Left-handed pitching Organizational Strength: Outfielders, Shortstops, Right-handed pitching Notes: It will be interesting to see how Tampa Bay does with one of the last picks of the first round after being at the top of the draft for the life of the franchise. The club has always had a knack for finding solid pitching in the later rounds so that’s a good sign. You can point to TB’s high draft slot as a reason for drafting so well in the first round (David Price, Evan Longoria) but a lot of club’s have buckled under the pressure of owning a top-five pick. --

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