| 14 July 2009
Earlier today Mizzou righty Aaron Crow was announced as a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given to college baseball's player of the year. Because I'm an expert at cutting and pasting, here is the write-up on him:Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year Aaron Crow set Missouri's single-season record for wins (13) and posted a string of 43 scoreless innings pitched, which is unofficially tied for the fourth-longest streak in NCAA Division I history. Crow's 13 wins also led the NCAA and he finished 6th in strikeouts (127) as well. The junior righty is the first-ever Golden Spikes Award finalist from Missouri.
I cannot disagree with any of that, and if I would have had to do the journalism myself, I would have said the same thing. You can vote for Crow (though I can't tell how much fan-vote will matter) by going to Golden Spikes' official site. Click on the "Vote for your favorite player" link at the top right. As of this moment, Crow has 55% of the vote. Feel free to stuff this ballot box too - Bob Costas will love it.
Now onto some real hard-hitting journalism: where does Aaron Crow land in this Thursday's draft? MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo just put up a new mock draft on Tuesday. Last week he had Crow going to the Astros at #10. This week he bumped him up to the Orioles at #4. I can't endorse any player going to the O's, so for Aaron's sake, I hope this doesn't happen.
ESPN's Keith Law (insider column) says Crow is going to the Reds at #7. Cincy has been stockpiling young pitching over the past couple years, so if Crow is on the board, I think they'll take him. Walt Jocketty was never in charge of drafting while with the Cardinals, but he has a history of taking college pitchers high every year. Let's be honest: they've all turned out to suck...but at least the history is there.
John Sickels of minorleagueball.com and Baseball America's Jim Callis also say the Reds at #7 is the future landing spot for Crow.
Here is the draft order 1-10. I can't imagine Crow slipping past that, but I would be thrilled to see him in a Cardinal uniform (13th pick).
1) Rays
2) Pirates
3) Royals
4) Orioles
5) Giants
6) Marlins
7) Reds
8) White Sox
9) Nationals
10) Astros
My expert prediction: Reds at 7. The first three teams will go for bats. Orioles will probably take Brian Matusz (LHP) from San Diego. Giants will go for a bat. Do the Marlins ever take a college kid? Technically yes, but I think they'll take a bat either way. Aaron Crow will make up a nice Reds rotation in 2010 and beyond, along with youngsters Johnny Cueto Especial, Edinson Volquez, and Homer Bailey.
A few other Tiger notables that could be selected this Thursday or more likely on day two (Friday) are:
OF Ryan Lollis (Jr.)
OF Jacob Priday (Sr.)
1B Steve Gray (Jr.)
Priday was the only one who put up huge numbers and you'd have to figure that one or two of these guys will get the call, since the MLB Draft is like 6,000 rounds. Once the draft is over (July? August maybe?) we'll let you know where these guys are heading.
Any thoughts on Crow?
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