Comments on: The 2007 Non-Signee

By: chuckb

chuckb — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 04:05:54 +0000

I still believe that was true.

By: cj

cj — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 02:16:07 +0000

I don’t really think Mortenson is considered a promising prospect by Colorado, I think he has made a few starts this year but not really.impressed

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 01:27:24 +0000

Kyle Russell is playing at the AA level for the Dodgers. He is hitting .261 with 16 home runs in 330 at bats. He strikes out way too much.

By: pitch and hit

pitch and hit — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:23:54 +0000

You are close on Kopp but not accurate, I assume most info you get from what is printed rather than spoken.

Todd throws a cut FB, hides it well, not fast, that’s how he gets people out. He is a one inning pitcher at this point.

By: Mrs. TLR

Mrs. TLR — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:08:35 +0000

The Cards sometimes go over slot, as with McElroy this year, plus Cox and Jenkins last year.

Kopp missed 2007 with a foot problem. In 2008, he had shoulder soreness that held him to 42 IP. In 09, it knocked him out at 90 IP. In 2010, Kopp had a fine season at Springfield, and got slammed in the PCL; he shouldered 164 IP. He throws a sinker with good velocity and a slider. He began this season with a health difficulty again. The Cards seem to have accepted his shoulder is not sturdy enough for starting and are easing him into relief. Kopp is a bit like Gary Daley Jr, good arm, when not sore, but could use a changeup.
Todd has fastball & good slider.

By: pitch and hit

pitch and hit — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:42:11 +0000

Russell made high bonus demands which made him unattractive to many teams, I was surprised the cards took a chance. Cardinals never give into bonus demands, they draft on who wants to be a cardinal and who is willing to take what they offer without bickering, that’s why they sign so many more than most teams. Kozma obviously was willing and able, once they got him they obviously needed pitching, 3 college pitchers (one a senior) much cheaper than taking Russell who would not sign for slot anyway. Keep in mind that most slots were down that year, as suggested by MLB. It may very well be that in the end (years from now) he turns out to be the better player than all of them, but hey, that’s the draft.
How many times have you seen any of the above mentioned players in person, or do you just go by stats? I was curious how people form their opinions. Like Todd, do you know why they like him? Or Kopp, what the real story is on him?
All except a few pitchers are drafted with starter in mind, it is the job of the farm to turn out starters, some take other paths, especially in this organization, to move forward. Being able to start, and releive, helps your cause (Lynn).

By: siddfynch

siddfynch — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:38:57 +0000

That too, potentially.

But how close did they really come to overpaying? I don’t really know the answer, but I think I recall pretty clearly that he was going to be a big-name cost…so why not take him in a protected slot?

By: zuke354

zuke354 — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:27:58 +0000

You mean explain why they almost overpaid for a guy who probably took less money the following year?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:54:47 +0000

Kopp could still turn into a very dominant reliever if they keep him there.

By: Mrs. TLR

Mrs. TLR — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:31:56 +0000

Who did the Cards draft ahead of Russell?
Kozma (AAA rookie, younger than AA Russell);
Mortensen (promising rookie for Colorado);
David Kopp (unpromising at AA);
Jess Todd (once promising, now AAA reliever);
and Daniel Descalso (Cards rookie).
At least the Cards did well to select Descalso ahead of Russell.
In retrospect it would have been better to draft Russell rather than Kopp or Todd, but who could know Kopp would have injuries and turn out as he has?