Here are some links for your reading pleasure about Monday night's 1-1 pick.
*Keith Law says (Insider-only), with $11.2m available for the first 11 picks, the Astros might go with Mark Appel, to spread the money out over the next 10 picks.
*ESPNHS has a big ol' profile on Byron Buxton, and is well worth your time. It talks about his family, his upbringing, and his five tools. And there's a sixth tool: confidence. Buxton:
"It's going to be a big change, but I think I am a franchise player, and I can do great things and lead a team to the World Series to get a ring."
*Sporting News interviewed Harold Reynolds, John Hart, and Greg Amsinger, who will be covering the draft for the MLB Network on Monday night. All three said they'd go with Buxton.
Harold Reynolds:
He has the chance to be a once-in-a-generation player.
John Hart:
...If you’re looking for that player who has the chance to make the biggest impact, I’d take Buxton No. 1.
Greg Amsinger:
“The best all-around player in this draft is Buxton.
There's more in that Sporting News piece, of course, so click the link to read it.
*It's not a mock draft, but John Sickels posted his Top 100 Draft Prospects with scouting reports. He has Appel 4th (behind Correa, Zimmer, and Gausman), and Buxton 5th.
*Meanwhile, Mark Appel dominated the only team to give him a loss in 2012 - Fresno State - in the opening game of the Regional. Fresno State coach Mike Batesole:
“Last time out, we took his fastball away early and we thought he would make an adjustment this week, and surely he did. He came out with two outstanding breaking pitches. The kid is fantastic, he had the answer. I am pretty sure he could have won a big league game today.”
*But he did not strike out 18 batters to win the state title, like Byron Buxton did.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
