Al Davis: New Cubs Director of Scouting? (Hayden Simpson Edition)
Something seemed unusual when the Oakland Raiders conducted a reasoned, intelligent draft, selecting based on need rather than speed, even flipping the script and waiting to pick up a work out warrior after he had dropped a round or two. Most outlets gave the organization A’s and B’s for their effort. Many believed that Al Davis had finally ceded control of the draft room to others in the Oakland Raiders’ organization.
Where did Al Davis go? Might I suggest looking at the offices on Addison and Clark?
Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs selected Hayden Simpson of Southern Arkansas with the 16th pick in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft. At a strapping 6’0″, 175 lbs, Simpson turned enough heads along the way to be ranked the 191st best pitcher in the Baseball America Preview.
I’ll repeat that. The Cubs spent the 16th pick to get the 191st pitcher. He must have run a wicked 40 yard dash, because everyone knows he only throws in the low 90′s and has no standout off-speed pitch. Reports are that other scouts had him pegged as a middle reliever.
Tim Wilken, the Cubs Scouting Director (and obviously an alias for Al Davis) had these glowing words about Simpson: “He’s very athletic and someone I thought could be a starter in the major leagues eventually.”
Well, for a guy whose size is compared to Tiny Tim Lincecum and Wee Roy Oswalt, he must be brimming with confidence and that attack dog mentality to compensate. Let’s hear what Simpson had to say: “It came as a complete shock. We were hearing second to fifth round.”
Best of luck with that Cubs fans.
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Comment from Sterling Cretsinger
Time November 13, 2010 at 7:06 am
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Comment from Proform Pete
Time February 25, 2011 at 11:58 am
This is for sure an Al Davis move! As soon as he is over paid and never produces, then it truley becomes an Al Davis pick! Sorry Cubs!
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Comment from Stormin Norman Disciple
Time June 8, 2010 at 9:43 am
This is typical Cubs. They purposely take a guy they know they won’t have to pay that much. Its this kind of cheap scouting and minor league drafting system that has made our farm system inconsistent at best. That being said, they did this same crap with Colvin and it worked (so far)