Cards take Scott Bittle in 4th round, Ryan Jackson in 5th
Posted by erik in 2009 MLB Draft, tags: Ryan Jackson, Scott BittleSays BA’s draft blog:
The Cardinals took injured Ole Miss righthander Scott Bittle, who has a tear (or strain) in his right shoulder capsule, depending on who you talk to. When healthy, though, Bittle is ridiculously good, with a premium mid-80s cutter.
Bittle struck out 16 per nine innings last season, 14 per nine this past season. He was drafted by the Yankees last year, in the 2nd round, but the Yankees didn’t sign him once they got the medicals on his shoulder. If he’s healthy, great, but I’m not real thrilled with this pick, as my off the cuff reaction. Yet another reliever.
Scott Bittle in the fourth round to the Cards is really interesting. The Rebels had to shut him down this year with an arm injury, but in the weeks prior, he was as dominant as anyone in the nation. He has a nasty cutter that makes him hell on right-handers, and he’s a senior: cheap sign. I like that pick, although I wonder if they could have got it off 1-2 rounds later.
Ryan Jackson is a premium glove with a horrid bat. He’s the NCAA’s answer to Adam Everett. He did hit .360 as a sophomore, so maybe it was just a bad year. BA ranked him their 80th best draft available player. Defense is often underrated, so I think this is an underrated pick.
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Hmmm. . okay. After the Miller pick I’m extremely underwhelmed. Someone please tell me what I want to hear and that we’re actually doing okay.
while i generally agree that you should get the best player available, is anybody else a little weirded out that we got four pitchers in the first four rounds (one who is half-catcher, yes)? and that two, maybe three of them, project primarily as relievers?
Tear in the shoulder capsule … “off the cuff reaction” … Erik, go wash your mouth out with soap. And immerse your keyboard too, just in case. :-)
RYAN JACKSON IS MY CUZIN, HE HAS WORKED HARD HIS WHOLE LIFE TO MAKE. THE CARDINALS MADE THE WRIGHT CHOICE. ATLEAST THEY CAN DO SOMETHING WRIGHT, MAKE GOOD DRAFT PICKS
Well Scott Bittle is my cousin and he deserves to be in the mlb after all the awards he has earned. The “Thing” is all the evidence you need. Its amazing in general.