2009 Draft In the Books

The draft gradually decreases in interest as the rounds wear on, but there were still some diamonds in the rough chosen today in rounds 31-50. Here were the most notable developments.

• Many highly-touted high school players dropped because of signability or a strong commitment to college. The top ones, along with their probable team next year, are RHP Renny Parthemore (Penn State), RHP/SS Marcus Stroman (Duke), SS/2B Scooter Gennett (Florida State), C Austin Maddox (Florida), RHP Michael Heller (Florida), C Michael Zunino (Florida), RHP Keifer Nuncio (Texas), C Jonathan Walsh (Texas), RHP/SS Chad Kettler (Oklahoma), and C Geno Escalante (Cal State Fullerton). The Gators have an amazing recruiting class, and it wasn't ravaged that hard by the draft.
  
• I'm surprised Rice catcher Diego Seastrunk lasted all the way until the 31st round. The former third baseman has a line-drive bat and good plate discipline, and his move behind the plate only enhances his value. If the Giants can get him signed, that's a good pick. Rice will be crossing its fingers that he'll return for his senior year.
• Iowa actually had a healthy amount of draft picks, with several players from the state being taken from rounds 17-45. The complete list: RHP Steve Turnbull (Iowa), RHP Shuhei Fujiya (UNI), LHP Nick Kirk (UNI), RHP Mitch Mormann (DMACC), LHP Mike Strong (Iowa Western), LHP Matt Dermody (Norwalk HS), RHP Matt Swynenberg (Black Hawk JC), RHP Patrick Cooper (DMACC), RHP Matt Koch (Cherokee Washington HS), LHP Kyle Heim (Iowa), RHP Mike Schurz (Iowa), LHP Brian Feekin (Iowa Western), RHP Derek Landis (Iowa Western), LHP Cole Nelson (DMACC).
• Some of the best picks of the third day: 1B Andrew Clark (Cubs, 31st round), RHP Jordan Whatcott (Angels, 31), RHP Kyle Morrison (Nationals, 32), RHP Garrett Claypool (A's, 32), RHP Coty Woods (Rockies, 33), 2B Mike Freeman (Diamondbacks, 36), RHP Cullen Sexton (Brewers, 37), LHP Chris Manno (Nationals, 38), RHP Dan Sarisky (Astros, 40), OF Ryan Lee (White Sox, 41), and RHP Tyler Lavigne (Cardinals, 50). It'll be interesting to see which of late-round picks can rise from obscurity and make it big.
• With the draft all the way complete, I'm leaning toward giving the Mets the title of Worst Draft in the Industry. Literally, they got LHP Steve Matz, 2B Robbie Shields, LHP Darin Gorski, and some other fringy talents. I'd give New York's effort a D at best.
• Check out my posts from the first 2 days of the draft for the most important info. My much-anticipated hypothetical draft will be coming in a couple weeks as well.

Ryan Lee, one of the better picks today

*Photo courtesy of www.gopoly.com