Mayo: Sorry that one got cut off a bit, but I don’t think the Boras thing factors into it now that Fields is a senior. The difference is that some teams think Perry and Cashner could be starters. With Fields, yes, you get a good short reliever who can move fast. Perry and Cashner have bigger arms than Fields and if you think they can start, they could have front of the rotation potential.”

So maybe he thinks the Cards may turn Perry into a starter, not sure. Also in that same Mayo chat:
“knuckler26: Who has the sickest stuff as a pitcher in the Draft?

Mayo: Just on pure stuff, it might have to be Perry. Guy can flat-out throw.”

Ok, so last thing I’ll take from Mayo’s chat because it might be somewhat Cardinal related:
“draysbay: Where about in the Draft do you see Zach Putnam getting taken, and will it be as a pitcher or hitter?

Mayo: Looks like most are looking at Putnam as a pitcher. I don’t think he makes it out of the first half of the second round and could even sneak into the back end of the first.”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080521&content_id=2743374&vkey=draft2008&fext=.jsp

Also from Goldstein’s chat today (maybe Cardinal related):
“HeAdFiRsT (Michigan): Where do you see Zach Putnam as a RHP, is he worth a first round pick?
Kevin Goldstein: I’ve heard no first-round talk on Putnam — he’s more of a good-not-great kind of player who will likely go in the sandwich or second round.”

“Jim (Bay Area): I am heartbroken with the latest news on Scheppers. Is he still first round material? I’ve read that there may be more than we know as to the true extent and cause of the injury.
Kevin Goldstein: It’s really just awful news for him, and from what I can tell, there’s no way he’s going in the first round.”

“nb (Illinois): What’s your take on Odorizzi?
Kevin Goldstein: First-round arm. Size and stuff put him among the top high school pitchers around.”
http://baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=464

Hopefully thats not too much copying and pasting for you erik (it’s all free content, don’t worry).

as for what they would do if the top 4 pitchers are gone, i think alonso would also be gone. i think i would take brett wallace just b/c i have no doubt that he will mash his way to the big leagues. another possibility would be grabbing jake odorizzi, but i doubt they would.

i think in that scenario they take a guy like cashner and convert him to a starter or go way off the board and surprise everybody.

To me, ideal would be to see Hunt or Friedrich drop into the #13 slot because of some earlier team getting infatuated with someone and overdrafting. If they get one of those guys, then if Scheppers is still available the next time it’s their turn, take a flyer on him, weird shoulder injury or no weird shoulder injury; see previous comment about high leverage with risk.

The budget dictates what they take..b/c like most things in life you get what you pay for.

If you want the better talent you have to pay for…and that usually means going over slot to buy out college from the HS kids.

The Cards have righted the ship, they now have a margin for error they didnt have in past to take chances on players.

But it will come down to what Dewitt gives Luhnow…just like we used to talk about how Jocketty worked magic with a limited budget…same can be said for Luhnow.

Jocketty didnt play into why they passed on Porcello……the budget did.

If he isnt a Cardinal pick at some point on drafty day….it will be completely blown away.

If the Cards think Wallace can play 3B or LF…he becomes a viable pick at #13.

I still think Friedrich if he is there at #13 is the best pick…the K per 9, the BAA, the hitch free delivery and the fact he is LH, only 20 and showed great success at the Cape..makes him an ideal pick.

This franchise needs an influx of LH starters who actually project as starters not LOOGY’s

Great discussion guys….this is def becoming the goto site for anything Cards related.

Given that the AAA outfield is crowded with young prospects and Marti is over the hill, it make sense. But I was pulling for him just the same.

In the sandwich round, I’m willing to bet we’ll take another pitcher, but I would love to get a guy like James Darnell of South Carolina into the organization. Don’t know about his glove, however.