Rays Draft Success

[pootshwan]

I've gotta agree here. A team that finishes poorly will get the first picks of the best talent out there, yes. But how many times have hot-topic players gone downhill so fast. Todd Van Poppel comes to mind - highly touted prospect who was drafted relatively high in the proceedings but never amounted to more than an average pitcher at best. So the draft can be a gamble. The Rays have been lucky and gotten good results so far.

Exactly. The Rays success rate at picking quality MLB talent in the draft is baffling. High picks do not equal successful draft picks. The MLB draft is significantly more challenging than the NBA or NFL draft. Trying to predict how a 'kid' is going to progress through the Minor Leagues is something neither Football or Basketball have to do. NBA and NFL 1st round draftees are usually on the big club the following season. While Baseball Draft picks usually have an ETA of 2-5 years.

[Stl_Cardinals_Fan]

The MLB draft is significantly more challenging than the NBA or NFL draft. Trying to predict how a 'kid' is going to progress through the Minor Leagues is something neither Football or Basketball have to do. NBA and NFL 1st round draftees are usually on the big club the following season. While Baseball Draft picks usually have an ETA of 2-5 years.

I never even thought of that, that's a great point.