If you've paid any attention to MLB Draft Coverage, you've known the name Anthony Rendon for a while now. Rice's star third baseman was in a bit of a funk at the beginning of this season, causing some to bandy about names like Matt Purke of TCU or Gerrit Cole of UCLA as possible #1 overall picks. After all, the Pirates do have a promising young third baseman of their own now in Pedro Alvarez. Lets check in with Minor League Ball's John Sickels and see how Rendon's performance has changed his mind:
↵↵↵Anthony Rendon, 3B, Rice
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Junior, hits right, 6-0, 190. Hitting .370/.566/.583, 47 walks, 15 strikeouts in 108 at-bats. Shoulder injury has bugged him and consensus number one pick pre-season may drop all the way to number two. I still think he's an outstanding prospect with terrific plate discipline, power, and excellent defense, perhaps something like a blending of David Wright and Evan Longoria.
Oh, that's all? Only a mix of David Wright and Evan Longoria? Given the inherent injury risks that pitchers always have over hitters, it would be very hard in my mind for the Pirates to pass up Rendon. If they do, it'll be the Mariners gain.
↵The Astros, by the way, pick eleventh in this June's draft. Their chances of nabbing Rendon are about as slim as the odds that Alan Keyes wins the 2012 Election.
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