Down the Tracks

It was suggested to me recently that the Tribe should bomb the rest of the season to grab the #2 overall pick in the 2011 draft, as it would have the deepest stock of MLB ready pitching in recent memory.  Personally, I don't believe they can catch either the Pirates or the Orioles, but if any team can, it's our AAAA Indians.  The consensus top 4 college pitching prospects for the 2011 draft follow --


Matt Purke - LHP - TCU - 6'3" 175 lb - Rising Soph. - 2009 #14 overall, Rangers

2010 - 16-0, 3.02, 1.07 WHIP, 11.0 K/9
Think: Clayton Kershaw

Gerrit Cole - RHP - UCLA - 6'4" 215 - Rising Junior - 2008 #28, Yankees

2009 - 4-8, 3.49, 1.12, 11.0
2010 - 11-3, 3.37, 1.17, 11.2
Think: Tommy Hanson

Sonny Gray - RHP - Vanderbilt - 6'0" 185 - Rising Junior - 2008 #821, Cubs

2009 - 5-1, 4.30, 1.45, 11.0
2010 - 10-5, 3.48, 1.37, 9.4
Think: Roy Oswalt

Taylor Jungmann - RHP - Texas - 6'6" 195 - Rising Junior - 2008 #739, Angels

2009 - 11-3, 2.00, 1.06, 9.6
2010 - 8-3, 2.03, 1.08, 9.7
Think: Jeff Niemann

Despite this load of talent here is the position player expect by many to go #1 overall --

Anthony Rendon - 3B/SS - Rice - 5'11" 170 - Rising Junior - 2008 #820, Braves

2009 - .388, 20 HR, 72 RBI, 9 SB, 31 BB, 23 K, 1.170 OPS
2010 - .394, 26, 85, 14, 65, 22, 1.340
Think: Evan Longoria

This all very far away, but with the crap we've had to watch recently (wahoo 3-2 win, props to Matty, Chris, Bat) it's fun to imagine.  Cheers.