Recapping the 2007 1st Round MLB Draft Picks (Positional Players)

The 2007 consisted of the typical 30 first round picks of which 13 were positional players. Of these 14 players only four were college players. So let's check in at how they are doing in their first full season in the minors.

Of the 13 players 8 are currently in Low A ball, 3 are in High A Ball, 1 (Matt LaPorta) is in AA ball and one has yet to make an appearance (Wendell Fairley). All 4 players who came from college are in High A or better while all high schoolers are currently in Low A Ball. On average the college players are succeeding at a higher level than High Schoolers which is to be expected. The collegians are mostly excelling at a higher rate in regards to powers having 42 of the 65 total home runs, hitting at a slugging percentage of 530 compared to 455 and at an OPS of 902 compared to 813. The High Schoolers are showing superior speed having stolen all but 3 of the 39 bases as well as hit 17 of the 20 triples recorded.

Matt LaPorta looks like the most likely of any of the hitters to see a September call up. He currently is the only 1st round pick in AA (Brewers) and he is showing tremendous power. In 210 at bats in 57 games LaPorta has 15 homers, 49 RBI, 41 Runs, and an OPS of .981. higher level in power numbers.

Catcher Matt Wieters for the Orioles is not far behind. In High A Ball Wieters is currently hitting .329 with 12 home runs in 51 games played. At this pace he will likely ascend up the ranks quickly.

The current High Schoolers having the most success are outfielders Jason Heyward for the Braves organization and Ben Revere for the Twins organization. Heyward is hitting .332 with 7 home runs and 8 steals in 217 at bats. Revere on the other hand is showing leadoff skills by hitting .420 with and on base percentage of .463 and 16 steals in 33 games.

In total the numbers are what you expect, these players have talent and that's why they were drafted so high. In 490 total games the players are hitting .295 on average and an OPS of .851. Some players are excelling and others like #2 pick Mike Moustakas are struggling. In the long run the first 2 months of your first minor league will certainly not define your career but it's still nice for the organization to see your number 1 pick raking.

DRAFT CLASS STATS AS OF JUNE 2nd

Pick	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	SCHOOL	Club (League)
2	Mike Moustakas	SS	Royals	Chatsworth (Calif.) HS	Burlington (MWL)
3	Josh Vitters	3B	Cubs	Cypress (Calif.) HS	Peoria (MWL)
5	Matt Wieters	C	Orioles	Georgia Tech	Frederick (CAR)
7	Matt LaPorta	1B	Brewers	Florida	Huntsville (SL)
12	Matt Dominguez	3B	Marlins	Chatsworth (Calif.) HS	Greensboro (SAL)
13	Beau Mills	3B	Indians	Lewis-Clark State	Kinston (CAR)
14	Jason Heyward	OF	Braves	Henry County HS, McDonough, Ga.	Rome (SAL)
15	Devin Mesoraco	C	Reds	Punxsutawney (Pa.) HS	Dayton (MWL)
16	Kevin Ahrens	SS	Blue Jays	Memorial HS, Houston	Lansing (MWL)
18	Peter Kozma	SS	Cardinals	Owasso (Okla.) HS	Quad Cities (MWL)
21	J.P. Arencibia	C	Blue Jays	Tennessee	Dunedin (FSL)
28	Ben Revere	OF	Twins	Lexington (Ky.) Catholic HS	Beloit (MWL)
29	Wendell Fairley	OF	Giants	George County HS, Lucedale, Miss.