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Below are my thoughts on how each American League East team did in the 2009 Rule-IV draft.

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles seemed, to me at least, to take a conservative approach in this draft. I was hoping they would’ve been more aggressive with the impressive group of youngsters coming up thier system now. Matthew Hobgood was a good pick, but I thought they should’ve gone with a Tyler Matzek or Aaron Crow here. Round 2 pick Mychal Givens is an intriguing pick. He has plus tools as a runner and a fielder but his bat needs a lot of improvement. He is a good prospect on the mound and I would develop him as a pitcher, but it is unclear to me how the O’s will develop him. 9th round pick Ryan Berry is a good late pick with a big arm that could be in the pen by next season.

Boston Red Sox – I can’t say that I ever dislike the Red Sox drafts. I absolutely love their first pick, Reymond Fuentes. He was my favorite high school position player in the draft and he has good bloodlines (he’s Carlos Beltran’s cousin). He has blazing speed (clocked at 3.68 seconds from home to first on a bunt) and should hit for average with power to come once he fills out his frame. William Wilson is a candidate, for me, to be in the Sox’s bullpen by next year although I believe the Sox like him as a starter. Other picks of note are David Renfroe (3rd) and William Volz (9th).

New York Yankees – Top pick Slade Heathcott is an interesting pick for the Yanks in the first round. He is a true centerfielder with plus speed and defensive skills. He has power that should develop into 15+ homers a year. The main knock on Heathcott is his make-up. He is a guy that I would not have taken in the first but he offers high reward. John Murphy is a good catching prospect that should have no problem staying behind the plate. He has a stroke that should produce line drives and a good average. I am a bit surprised the Yanks didn’t take more signability guys. They seemed to appraoch this draft like they had a low budget.

Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays took a high-risk/high-reward appraoch in this draft. They also steared towards toolsy high school players early on. LeVon Washington is a guy that should sign fast, and for slot. He’s a local kid (Gainesvile, FL) with good speed and defensive skills in center. He has room in his frame to fill out but the risk/reward is high. My favorite pick by the Rays is Luke Bailey (4th). Before being injured, Bailey was a potential first rounder. He has a chance to be an All-Star caliber catcher and is already a pretty polished hitter. He is set to go to Auburn but if the Rays throw some money at him, especially since they saved on their first round pick, they will get themselves their best catching prospect. 2nd rounder Kenny Diekroeger was a slight reach for me but has tools to develop into a solid regular. I also love the picks of Todd Glaesmann (3rd), Jeffrey Malm (5th), and big-time catching prospect sleeper (if he signs) Austin Maddox (37th).

Toronto Blue Jays – I love what they did at the top of their draft. They nabbed two college starters that should be big-league ready in no more than two years in Chad Jenkins and James Paxton. Paxton has more upside as a potential #1-2 guy but Jenkins has the frame to be a good #3-4 that will eat innings. High school starters Jake Eliopoulos (2nd) and Jake Barret (3rd) are great high risk/reward picks after Jenkins and Paxton. Jacob Marisnick (5th) is another solid pick if they can sign him away from Oregon. He should be a plus defender in a corner with a very good all-around skill package if all works out.

-Jonathan C. Mitchell

This is my final Mock Draft. Thanks to a lot of refrences like ESPN, MLBTR, MLB.com, and some others, this is how the first round could be shaping out.

1. Nationals: Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State

2. Mariners: Dustin Ackley, OF/1B, North Carolina

3. Padres: Donovan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS

4. Pirates: Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College

5. Orioles: Zack Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS

6. Giants: Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS

7. Braves: Alex White, RHP, North Carolina

8. Reds: Aaron Crow, RHP, Fort Worth Cats

9. Tigers: Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy

10. Nationals: Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt

11. Rockies: Bobby Borchering, 3B, Bishop Verot HS

12. Royals: Grant Green, SS, University of Southern California

13. Athletics: Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State

14. Rangers: Shelby Miller, RHP, Brownwood HS

15. Indians: Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana

16. Diamondbacks: Matt Davidson, 3B, Yucaipa HS

17. Diamondbacks: Wil Myers, C/3B, Wesleyan Christian Academy

18. Marlins: Chad James – LHP, Yukon HS

19. Cardinals: Randal Grichuk, OF, Lamar Consolidation HS

20. Blue Jays: Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State

21. Astros: Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul Saints

22. Twins: Billy Bullock, RHP, Florida

23. White Sox: Everett Williams, CF, McCallum HS

24. Angels: Drew Storen, RHP, Stanford

25. Angels: Reymond Fuentes, OF, Fernando Callego HS

26. Brewers: Mike Trout, OF, Millville HS

27. Mariners: Tim Wheeler, OF, Sacramento State

28. Red Sox: Max Stassi, C, Yuba City HS

29. Yankees: Rex Brothers, LHP, Lipscomb

30. Rays: Tommy Joseph, C, Horizon HS

31. Cubs: Jiovanni Mier, SS, Bonita HS

32. Rockies: Matt Hobgood, RHP, Norco HS

-Jonathan C. Mitchell

Tomorrow is the big day. The day that the worst teams from 2008 get their shot at the best available talent in the major league draft and a shot at rebuilding their system with “inexpensive” talent. So, here is my shot at how the first round could fill out.

1. Nationals: Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State – Is there any other choice?

2. Mariners: Dustin Ackley, OF/1B, North Carolina – Some rumors say the Mariners are 50/50 here but I can’t see them not taking Ackley. But, if they do go another route, it would most likely be Aaron Crow.

3. Padres: Aaron Crow, RHP, Fort Worth Cats – I hear Donovan Tate here a lot but I can’t see the Pads passing on Crow for a very raw high school talent like Tate when they can get other raw athletes with their next pick at 53.

4. Pirates: Wil Myers, C/3B, Wesleyan Christian Academy – Consesus seems to be that the Pirates will take a slot or below-slot guy here and spend the money in the International market. They could pop catcher Tony Sanchez or third baseman Bobby Borchering.

5. Orioles: Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS – I think they would like Crow to fall here. They could also pluck Tanner Scheppers if they want a guy that will move quicker in their system.

6. Giants: Tim Wheeler, OF, Sacramento State – I originally had Matzek going here but I don’t see him getting past the O’s unless Crow falls to them. The Giants have been in on Wheeler and they don’t seem as high on other top preps like Jacob Turner or Shelby Miller; especially with their asking prices going sky high.

7. Braves: Zack Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS – This is as close to a sure thing as you get past the first pick. He’s a potential top of the rotation guy and he’s local. There may be a problem with him getting this far but I think he falls here.

8. Reds: Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul Saints – Unless his medical reports aren’t to the liking of the team doctor the Reds should take Scheppers here. Grant Green is also a possibility.

9. Tigers: Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy – This has been the consesus in the industry and his new asking price shouldn’t bother the Tigers.

10. Nationals: Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State – The Nats will most likely be taking a college pitcher who will take nothing above slot here. I think Alex White is the better choice but they appear to be leaning towards Jenkins. Mike Minor or Kyle Gibson (if they aren’t scared by his recent injury) could be taken as well.

11. Rockies: Alex White, RHP, North Carolina – White had another good weekend and if he gets here the Rox will be thrilled. He should sign for slot, too.

12. Royals: Grant Green, SS, University of Southern California – The Royals want a guy up the middle and they will be happy to see Green fall here. Tony Sanchez and Max Stassi could land here as well.

13. Athletics: Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State – I have had Leake in this slot for over a week since I started my mock and I still think he lands here. If Green falls here the A’s could take him.

14. Rangers: Shelby Miller, RHP, Brownwood HS – Another industry consesus. The Rangers will go for a high-upside guy here and Miller is exactly that.

15. Indians: Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt – They like college arms and Minor is one that will sign for slot. Eric Arnett, Kyle Gibson, and Rex Brothers are also possible here.

16. Diamondbacks: Rex Brothers, LHP, Lipscomb – The Diamondbacks have back-to-back picks and they are expected to take guys who are signable. Brothers fits the bill and is a guy that can be ready in two years.

17. Diamondbacks: Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Santa Monica HS – A little more upside here but longer from the majors. I think the D-Backs will go with one polished college player and one upside high school player with their two picks.

18. Marlins: Chad James – LHP, Yukon HS – This is another name that has been on my mock draft in the same slot since I started it. He fits the Marlins draft philosophy.

19. Cardinals: Randal Grichuk, OF, Lamar Consolidation HS – Thanks to inside info from Keith Law, the Cards have had him in for two workouts. The Cards want a lefty starter but the best ones are off my board here. This is a reach but it may be possible. Bobby Borchering is another possibility here.

20. Blue Jays: Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana – I bet the Jays would be excited to see him fall to them here. They could also take Kyle Gibson, Kyle Heckathorn, or some of the high school CFers.

21. Astros: Kyle Heckathorn, RHP, Kennesaw State – No real reason I have him going here but it seems like a logical choice and he’ll sign for slot for Drayton McLane.

22. Twins: Matt Davidson, 3B, Yucaipa HS – The Twins could go pitcher here but I think Davidson would be a welcomed pick for them. They could also take Mike Trout, Reymond Fuentes, or an arm here.

23. White Sox: Mike Trout, OF, Millville HS – I think Kenny Williams would like a big arm here but a toolsy guy like Trout is a good fit. Don’t be surprised if they pluck Donovan Tate and give him a big bonus.

24. Angels: Drew Storen, RHP, Stanford – Storen could be on the big club this season and is a logical pick here.

25. Angels: Reymond Fuentes, OF, Fernando Callego HS – He is one of my favorite players in the draft. The Angels will love to get a big arm like Storen or Billy Bullock with one of these picks and I think Fuentes is their top choice.

26. Brewers: Bobby Borchering, 3B, Bishop Verot HS – This would be gold if it happened. Borchering could easily be taken earlier. They could take Billy Bullock and rush him to their pen if they are desperate for relief help.

27. Mariners: Garrett Richards, RHP, University of Oklahoma – The Mariners have a pre-draft deal in place for their pick at 33 with high school catcher Stephen Baron so I don’t see them taking a catcher here. A college pitcher like Richards makes perfect sense to me.

28. Red Sox: Max Stassi, C, Yuba City HS – It just makes too much sense.

29. Yankees: Jiovanni Mier, SS, Bonita HS – The Yanks have not been linked to Mier but I think this makes sense. He’s the best shortstop (in my opinion) in this draft. He may want a little more than slot but the Yanks don’t worry about that. They could take Tate here and give him his bonus or Matt Purke, who wants Rick Porcello money.

30. Rays: Tommy Joseph, C, Horizon HS – I would love to see the Rays take a couple signability guys in this draft since they pick late. Joseph, whom I have not heard wanting above slot, would be a perfect pick and would allow the Rays to spend money deep in the draft.

31. Cubs: A.J. Pollock, OF, Notre Dame – The Cubs have been linked to Brett Jackson but Pollock is the better pick here if he makes it this far.

32. Rockies: Matt Hobgood, RHP, Norco HS – The Rockies would be in heaven if this happened. They have expressed high interest in Hobgood and he would be a steal here.

-Jonathan C. Mitchell