Padres Day 1 Draft Review

Donovan Tate, CF, Cartersville HS (GA)

I previously wrote:

.488 with 11 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, and 17 SB

Donovan Tate may have the highest upside of any hitter in this draft. He’s a true 5-tool talent in CF. He’s drawn comparisons to Arizona centerfielder, Chris Young, and Atlanta OF Jeff Francoeur (for his athleticism).

He is considered a tough-sign and has a commitment to UNC to play QB and CF. The one concern is according to his Baseball America scouting report, “He can get pull-happy and doesn't have a natural feel for hitting, but that doesn't significantly limit
his ceiling.” Most experts say that if he gives up football he will fully develop his hitting tool.

In a Baseball America article, John Maffei quotes Grady Fuson, "Tate has huge raw power. He has great projectable power. He has great lift and loft to the pull field. A worst case is that he's a Mike Cameron-type, a great defender with power who strikes out a lot.

"The best case is that he's Andruw Jones, at his best."

I won’t pretend that I didn’t have some of the pitchers rated ahead of Tate, but I’m excited to see what he will do in the system. I fully expect him to sign.

Everett Williams, CF, McCallum HS (TX)

Everett is someone I became aware of a couple months ago and was on my watch list for this pick. However, when the Padres drafted Tate #3 I thought they would go for one of the four shortstops, one of the catchers, or a pitcher… So I was surprised when the Padres popped their second straight centerfielder.

On MLB.com’s coverage, they said Everett’s hit tool was more advanced (and might be better) than Tate’s but his other tools are not as advanced or as projectable… Regardless, Everett is still considered a 5-tool talent and will be a nice addition to the system.

In a draft discussion with fellow Baseball America writer John Manual, Jim Callis wrote, “In Round Two, I love Everett Williams to the Padres at 52. They got two of the very best HS athletes in Tate and Williams. Williams has the best bat of those HS athletes. Tremendous value [sic].”

Jerry Sullivan, RHP, Oral Roberts U

I don't know much about Jerry Sullivan other than what's on Baseball America and what MLB.com said about him. He was projected to go in the 3rd-4th round but from what I can tell, he looks like a better prospect. His fastball sits 90-92 and can touch 93-4. Additionally, because he’s a Tommy John veteran (had it his senior year of high school) some think he has just scratched his potential. He could be a steal.

Sullivan’s 2009 statistics:

8-3 with 3.12 ERA in 98.0 IP, 93 H, 27/118 BB/SO ratio, 5 HR allowed