Dissecting the Kyle Skipworth Pick

The presiding opinion seems to be overwhelmingly positive for the Kyle Skipworth pick. That's always nice to see...

Here's what Baseball America had to say:

Kyle Skipworth to the Marlins. In our last podcast that wasn’t a college behemoth podcast, we both agreed that Skipworth can be the highest-ceiling player in this draft. He’s a lefthanded-hitting catcher who can just flat hit, and he has arm strength and improved catch-and-throw skills. Frankly, this pick rocks. The Marlins need catching, Skipworth has an advanced bat and can be a premium player at a premium position.

I like the words, "Frankly, this pick rocks." Feels nice.

And now, from Baseball Prospectus:

Like the Orioles, the Marlins have been locked in on their player for some time now. The top high school catcher, Kyle Skipworth has had a record-breaking season and greatly impressed scouts both in games and during private workouts. He’s a big left-handed hitter with excellent power and enough defense to stick behind the plate, and he would have a clear path to the majors in a catching-weak Marlins system. There are some inside the organization who would like to consider a college closer here, but the sixth pick is too high to employ that gambit. There's also a late push in favor of University of Miami first baseman Yonder Alonso; if he worked out, the Miami native and Cuban immigrant would be the face of the franchise, but the Marlins are a team that has always stuck to slot, and Alonso may have priced himself out of the opportunity.

Good point about Yonder Alonso and pricing. That may be ultimately why the Marlins didn't go for him. I'm very pleased with the pick, and I think Marlins fans will be too in about three years.