Gordon Beckham or Justin Smoak?

From the looks of it the first pick in the 2009 SOT draft is going be no other than CC Sabathia to 101 Wins.  We all know the money is there, and along with King(still waiting on that injury) and Zach Greinke, 101  is looking to sure up the best starting rotation in SOT.   That leaves the Jewish Mafia with the second pick.  Without a 1st round selection in the 2008 draft and coupled with a second to last place finish, what can we expect out of JM come the second pick?  Is it rebuilding time?  Just looked at the roster and we have the likes of Ichiro, Vlad, Magglio, and Carlos Guillen.  Maybe a Pat Burrell goes early and JM gives the squad another year to put it together, or maybe he goes with the best young talent available.

Let’s look at a couple options!

Gordan Beckham(ss/2b) comes to mind as a possible candidate.  Beckham, a college draftee, should report to AA this year and barring any setbacks most have him cracking the 2010 starting lineup in Chicago.  Is he a .280/.350/.490 with 20-25  hr potential as a middle infielder as many predict?  I seem to remember drafting a similar type player in Bobby Crosby back in the first round of 2004.  Ouch, that one still hurts.  

Justin Smoak(1b) another college draftee who will find himself smacking line drives in Arlington come 2010.  While the position is not the sexy ss/2b option with G. Beckham, Smoak is almost  a sure bet for a .290/.360/.503 line playing in the cozy confines in Arlington.  We’ve all heard the Mark Teixeria comps.  He’s a switch hitter, while playing plus defense at first.  But, will Smoak be a run producing superstar to the likes of Tex? 

Who knows, this may be the first he’s heard of either player.  I’m certain of one thing, upon being asked who he might take, expect an answer to look something like this. “I don’t have my roster in front of me right now, but i’ll take a look later and get back to you”.