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DRAFT ROUNDUP: WITH THE 23RD PICK, THE PADRES SELECT ... A LEFT-HANDED HITTING 1ST BASEMAN? by Jason Martinez posted 6/07/08 I think it's safe to say that the Padres were focused on adding some offensive firepower to their farm system. With 10 of the first 13 picks, the team chose offensive players. The first pick in the draft was somewhat of a head-scratcher. If there was anything the Padres didn't need, it was another 1B/DH type. Adrian Gonzalez will hopefully spend his entire career in San Diego. Kyle Blanks is already blocked by Gonzalez. And now 1st round pick Allan Dykstra will get in line behind the both of them. The 21 year-old Dykstra is 6'5" with tremendous power so the Adam Dunn comparisons are inevitable. Jim Thome is another name that's come up in comparison. Paul DePodesta says Dykstra has 'monster power'. Baseball America ranked the 21 year-old third among all college players in the category of "Best Strike Zone Judgement". He set school records at Wake Forest for walks in a season, as well as career walks and HBP's. If you've heard any of the Sandy Alderson interviews in the last few months, you understand this pick. The Padres' CEO preaches power and OBP whenever asked if the team would like to address the lack of team speed. Dykstra is a below average runner and will need to work to become an average first baseman. If the Padres want to be aggressive with Dykstra, he could start the season at Lake Elsinore, playing in the hitter's haven that is the California League. If they want to be patient with the kid, they could start him at short-season Eugene. A more likely destination is Fort Wayne, where last year's #1 pick, Nick Schmidt, pitched before his season-ending injury. Regardless, he won't be joining the Padres anytime soon. Gonzalez is signed through 2011 and would most likely want to stay in his hometown well after this contract expires. Hopefully, the Padres will be ready to show him the money before he's able to test the free agent waters. So what if Dykstra is killing the ball a few years down the road? How about a position change? According to the scouting reports, it seems highly unlikely. But hey, if Adam Dunn can play left field... The most likely scenario has the Padres trading one of Blanks or Dykstra in the next few years, which will leave the other as insurance at 1st base in case of a Gonzalez injury or if he decides to bolt after 2011. |