COVERITLIVE.COM

11:59

Jose de Jesus Ortiz - We'll get started in about three minutes. Hope you are on-line for this chat with Astros assistant general manager Bobby Heck to discuss the draft.

12:05

[Comment From Slim]
Bobby, who do you think was a "steal" that you got... lets say after the 5th round that you absolutly did not think would be there and why?

12:08

Bobby Heck - Probably Dallas Keuchel was a guy we thought dollar for dollar, although we haven't signed him yet because he's in the College World Series. He is a college lefthander in the SEC who had success, and you usually don't find him in the seventh round.

12:08

[Comment From Josh]
Who is a guy drafted later in the draft that we should keep an eye on?

12:11

Bobby Heck - 29th rounder Garen Wright a center fielder from Putnam High in Oklahoma. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school. His size and athleticism are very intriguing. He turned down multiple Division I basketball scholarship offers. He also turned down multiple Division I baseball scholarships. He wanted to get out and play. He's a not a fast-track guy. He's more of a developmental players. We're excited about his tools and upside. It's fair to say he wasn't treated like a 29th rounder.

12:11

[Comment From Josh]
What kind of player do you see Meyer becoming down the road? Is switch-hitting something the organization wants him to continue doing?

12:12

Bobby Heck - We'll continue to look at switch-hitting because the left side is still what we would say at infant stages. A solid all-round player, a good defender at third base who will hit for power. Fundamentally sound and a good leader.

12:12

Bobby Heck - This guy is made well.

12:12

[Comment From TxTrader]
GA. If you could do one thing different in regards to last years draft.. what would that be?

12:13

Bobby Heck - Signing third rounder Chase Davidson, but I'm now over that since we have now signed our compensation for him, Jonathan Meyer. And also not read about how my first two picks were overdrafts.

12:13

[Comment From Josh]
How much development time do you see Jiovani Mier needing before he's ready to reach the majors?

12:14

Bobby Heck - As I've stated before every player determines his own timeline to the majors. The sooner he's in an Astros uniform the sooner he decides what track or what lane he gets into.

12:14

[Comment From cp]
Are we going to get our spending under control so that we can get more young players in the club. Is this the plan? And hopefully get Biggio or Bags involved coaching... :)

12:15

Bobby Heck - I would hope from the outside looking in the public can see a commitment to scouting and player development.

12:15

[Comment From Michael]
Where the Astros ever seriously looking at Rice's Ryan Berry?

12:15

Bobby Heck - Yes, we did a lot of work on Ryan Berry.

12:15

[Comment From Josh]
This early in the game, how does next year's draft class look?

12:16

Bobby Heck - Next year's draft class is good. There's more first-round position players in it. There's better depth in the first round, especially in bats and position player prospects.

12:16

[Comment From John]
What are your thoughts on Bryce Harper?

12:17

Bobby Heck - My thoughts on Bryce Harper is a big body and big velocity. I'm saying this solely from reading reports because we took him on our area scout Jim Stevenson's recommendations.

Page 1 Next >