2009 Draft: Giants Discussion on MLB.com

Here is Chris Haft's article on the Giants and their 6th pick. This reports the possibility of Ackley falling to us:

First-round buzz

The Giants have been linked to high school pitchers Tyler Matzek, Jacob Turner and Shelby Miller. Other mock Drafts also have them taking a shortstop, such as Mychal Givens or Grant Green. It has been suggested that first baseman/outfielder Dustin Ackley, widely considered the best pure college hitter available, could fall to the Giants. Barr wants to keep his options open: "I don't want to speculate on who it's going to be."

Here is what John Barr said about whoever the Giants do pick with the 6th pick:

"Whoever we end up drafting No. 6 is going to be a good player. We're confident about that because of all of the work we've done."

Jonathan Mayo also released his pre-draft day mock draft and still have the Giants selecting Matzek:

6. San Francisco Giants: Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, Calif.
There was some word that Matzek might drop down a few spots, and if Ackley falls because of signability, this might be a good spot for him, but there wasn't enough to change the pick.

In this latest mock draft, Tate is selected third by the Padres, as apparently they have been all over him. Despite that, there is talk that he and others could fall:

Matthew Purke, Dustin Ackley and Donavan Tate are all in the top 10, but could slide down if the perceived bonus figures end up being too much for takers at the top.

Giants Thoughts

I have no idea who might fall to us, there is a lot more uncertainty, particularly because so many of the top players are Boras's clients. Unless the Giants select Tate, I doubt they will be selecting a position player. Green appears to be the most qualified position player who otherwise might fall to us, but it would take a huge leap of faith, from what I've read, for the Giants to select him so early, particularly since he will be expensive no matter what, as Boras is his agent.

Ideally, we end up with Dustin Ackley, but from what I've read, one of three teams ahead of us are interested in him. Unless he makes noise about wanting a lot of money, much like how Posey got himself to fall to the Giants (the rumor was he wanted $12M), that does not look likely.

I just don't see the Giants paying so much for a player with question marks like Tate, so I have to assume that the Giants will go for a pitcher. Matzek appears to be the one that people think they will go for, though Turner and Miller have also been suggested. If Matzek and Crow are gone, as well as Ackley and Tate, the Giants could go for Grant Green, I suppose.

In any case, it is good that the Giants believe that there are at least 6 good players available, and thus that they will be certain to select a good player when it is their turn to select.