For Sniper

[Cannon Shell]

New York Mets

Draft Philosophy: Add some depth to a horrible system with three picks in the first 33.

First Pick: Ike Davis, 1B, Arizona State (18th overall)
How High He Could Have Gone: Eighteen may have been a little high as is. Toronto likely had a difficult time choosing before deciding on David Cooper one pick ahead of him.
Path To The Big Leagues: With Carlos Delgado a shell of his former self, Davis will now try to outshine a resurgent Mike Carp in the long-term competition for the first base job. If both turn into big leaguers, Davis has the arm and legs to play a decent right field.

Rest of the First Day:
1. Reese Havens, SS, South Carolina: A makeup player who had a breakout season; a second baseman more than a shortstop, although some want to see if he can catch.
1. Brad Holt, RHP, UNC Wilmington: A late-riser who showed mid-90s heat late into the spring and held that velocity deep into games.
2. Javier Rodriguez, OF, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (PR): Big body and tools with plus power and speed potential.
3. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF, Azusa Pacific: He can hit, but some see him as a bit of a tweener without enough power for a corner.
4. Sean Ratliff, OF, Stanford: High on power, low on average; he could be kind of a boom or bust type.
5. Dock Doyle, C, Coastal Carolina: A solid catcher with average tools across the board other than speed, but nothing eye-popping.
6. Josh Satin, 2B, California: Posted tremendous numbers in college; profiles as an all-bat/not-so-glovely second baseman.

Best Second-Day Selections:
9. Eric Beaulac, RHP, Le Moyne: A big sinkerballer who could move quickly as a reliever.
10. Brian Valenzeula, LHP, Vista Murrieta HS (CA): This minuscule southpaw has good arm strength and an excellent breaking ball; he could end up as situational bullpen arm.
13. Scott Shaw, RHP, Illinois: Scouts have trouble explaining how a guy with Shaw’s body and stuff can’t get hitters out... yet he can’t.