Draft Update: Andrew Barbosa

Andrew Barbosa is a name you read nothing about on draft oriented websites. He's known to Giants fans because he was previously a low round draft pick by the Giants, twice! What's intriguing about him is his size, 6'8", 235 lbs. He was hampered by injuries in JC ball and walked on at the University of South Florida this season. Despite the lack of publicity, I'd bet he's moving up a lot of draft boards. A few weeks ago, he struck out 16 batters in a game. His most recent start was this last Saturday where he posted a line of 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's against Seton Hall. His season line now stands at 6-2, 2.47, 73 IP, 19 BB, 84 K's. USF plays in the Big East so the competition level is good. The Giants have a history of redrafting players they aren't able to sign the first time around, so watch for Barbosa's name somewhere in the middle rounds.

This note doesn't have direct impact on the Giants draft, but Yasmani Grandal, catcher from Univ of Miami seems to be taking on some serious helium. He is a superior defensive catcher who is having an excellent offensive season. Rumors have him climbing into the top 10 with one specific link to the KC Royals at #4! Grandal's line so far this season: .424/.551/.741 with 10 HR's.

There was a note in my most recent copy of Baseball America that the percentage of African-American players in MLB continues to decline. I haven't done a study of the numbers, but my guesstimate is that there seems to be more A-A players getting attention in this draft than in the past. It isn't just at the top of the draft either. There have always been the Uptons, Delmon Young's, Tim Beckhams at the top of the draft. The difference this year is that you can find interesting African-American players scattered throughout the projected top 5 or 6 rounds. Some of the names include:

College hitters: Austin Wates, Michael Choice, Kevin Keyes, Cory Vaughn

High school hitters: Austin Wilson, Brian Ragira, Chevez Clarke and several others.

There are even several high school pitchers: Peter Tago, Taijuan Walker, and a couple of others.

Maybe baseball's efforts to re-establish baseball in the inner city are starting to pay off? Let's hope so. Baseball needs that talent!