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Third pick may still net one of top two

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 20, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- Most talk about the Rays concerns which faction of the ownership group is in charge, when John McHale Jr. will be named chief operating officer and how many of the veteran players general manager Chuck LaMar will be able to trade. (For the gullible types, there also is the question of whether the team will be folded after the season.)

But there is another important decision looming.

The Rays have the third pick in the June 5 first-year player draft. The early buzz was -- in typical Rays luck -- that there were two premier players: Southern Cal pitcher Mark Prior and Georgia Tech third baseman Mark Teixeira.

But that doesn't mean the Rays will get a third-rate selection.

Prior, a right-hander who probably could pitch in the majors the night of the draft, should be the No. 1 pick.

But the fiscally conservative Twins have the first selection and may not want to spend the millions it will take to sign Prior. Plus, they may be enticed by hometown hero Joe Mauer, a star catcher at St. Paul's Cretin-Derham High, who happens to be a top Florida State quarterback recruit.

Next are the Cubs. They'd probably take Prior if he's there, or the switch-hitting Teixeira, who, despite missing much of this season with injuries, is considered one of the best collegiate hitters in years.

The Rays could have a shot at Teixeira, who could be a force in the middle of their order for years. But if Teixeira's not there -- or perhaps even if he is -- there are several other prospects with whom the Rays have become increasingly impressed.

The candidates include:

Mauer, who would fill a need for a top-notch young catcher but could bring a tough signing battle with Bobby Bowden.

Dewon Brazelton, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher at Middle Tennessee State who starred for the U.S. national team and could reach the majors quickly.

Roscoe Crosby, a tremendously athletic centerfielder from Union (S.C.) High who also is a top Clemson football recruit.

Gavin Floyd, a right-hander from Mount St. Joseph's High in Baltimore who is the top prep pitcher in the field.

And possibly Casey Kotchman, the sweet-swinging Seminole High star.

Because there is "good depth at the top of the draft," hard-working Rays scouting director Dan Jennings said he is confident the Rays will land an impact player.

"We'll line up who we think are the best three guys in the draft, and then we'll be in a chess game with the two teams ahead of us," Jennings said. "We'll be prepared, with lots of discussions and evaluations of the guys we feel will be the top three players."

LaMar said the ownership group turmoil won't have any impact on whom the Rays draft or how much they will be willing to pay him. "Business as usual," he said.

AVAILABLE, OF, SLIGHTLY USED: LaMar said ESPN's Peter Gammons' characterization that the Rays are having a "fire sale" of veteran players is not right. LaMar is exploring a number of possibilities but said he is under no mandate to make deals. "It's obvious to everyone we need to get younger and lower salaried," LaMar said.

VINNY'S VENTURE: Vinny Castilla signed with the Astros instead of the Cubs because he wanted the chance to play every day. But there is some talk that Castilla will have only a two-week trial, and that if he isn't a big hit the Astros will recall rookie Chris Truby. Of his time with the Rays, Castilla said: "We had a lot of problems and it was not a good situation in Tampa." ... The Cubs instead called up ex-Ray Miguel Cairo, who will try to play third for the first time in his career.

LABOR PAINS: Rumors of contraction continue to be spread by anonymous sources "close to" commissioner Bud Selig. The latest, in a Baseball Weekly notes column, was that "the sources insist Selig is serious about ceasing operations in Montreal and Tampa Bay after the season."

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION: Greg Vaughn tonight hosts Evening of Jazz II at the Batter's Eye restaurant, benefiting the Southside Boys and Girls Clubs. Tickets are $50; call (813) 601-7063.

HOO-RAYS: Fred McGriff was named the Rays' Florida Sports Awards Hometown Hero for his contributions to area youth through the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The overall state winner will be announced June 9. ... Larry Rothschild's name has surfaced in Texas and Los Angeles, where they may hire a pitching consultant, and in Kansas City, where they need a pitching coach. ... McHale spent the weekend in Detroit, but his potential move to Tampa Bay could be official this week. ... Baseball Weekly ranks the Rays' minor-league system fifth overall.

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