OK, I was wrong on Niese, (didn't know he was ranked that high), but in general, I don't understand how a projection can be made like "future middle relief guy"

Most of these guys won't make it to the show at all (at least, statistically), one or two might end up starters, perhaps good starters. I guess, I either object to, or don't understand that kind of projection, but maybe I'm making too big a deal out of it.

MLB.com has a summary of our picks from yesterday and it says that Leathersich was nicknamed "Rocket" by his teammates in the CC league because of his low-mid 90's FB. Now this might be total BS and they call him Rocket because he loves Elton John but hopefully it's a clue toward his real velocity.

Niese was a good prep arm so he doesn't fit what you are saying.

But as for your main point - maybe its fair, maybe its not. I'm just judging by what I read and what others say. A college lefty with decent velocity but not much else is pretty much a LOOGY-type reliever. But things can change. Coaches can alter things (like mechanics or release point), or teach him a different breaking ball, etc; he could certainly improve under professional coaching, so its not written in stone that he remains the way he is.

Yeah, who knows what this guy becomes, but he's not a throw-away pick it doesn't seem. Keith Law said something about him having good arm strength for when we got him (5th round), so there's at least some velocity there from the left side it seems.

Thats what I liked about yesterday's picks: even the "boring" picks have a little something to hold onto. Nobody's going nuts for a shortish, pudgy lefty from UMass-Lowell, but if he can dial it up to low 90's consistently with good command (the 6:1 K:BB leads you to believe he controls it well), you can dream on that a little bit.

He may be a relief arm long term, but you let him start til he shows you he can't. Carson has got to double-A as a starter with good command and a good fastball from the left side and everything else lagging behind.

I'd say Pill is a bit boring but that is nitpicking

Leathersich will sign.

www.bostonherald.com/sports/co...ty_will_answer/

“Oh my God. It’s unbelievable,’’ said the 6-foot Leathersich. “I talked to the area scout (Art Pontarelli) about 10 minutes before they called. I can’t put it into words. I have one year left (at UML) but I’m definitely going to sign.’’

Per his twitter:

Jack Leathersich
@LeatherRocket
I am in the New York Mets organization. Faith Focus 100 All or nothing.

Nice. Let's see what this kid got.

it baffles me that some fans ,mostly of us base our opinions on what other people say .we don't wait to make our own judgement ...if Klaw says he is a reliever everybody runs with it.let's just base our opinion on our own foundings.

Royce Ring II

I think people are basing it more off the scouting reports of a plus fastball, inconsistent breaking ball and nothing else.

Even DePo/Rad Chad insinuated he was probably a reliever.

You let him start, but I see nothing wrong with labeling him as a likely reliever. When the guys who just drafted him, who will always lean towards hyping a pick, leave open that possibility, I think its a pretty good bet.