text:
|1st (2)
|Dustin Ackley
|1st (3)
|Donavan Tate
|San Diego
|1st (9)
|Jacob Turner
|1st (15)
|Alex White
|3rd (82)
|Kyle Seager
|4th (119)
|Mark Fleury
|4th (135)
|Adam Warren
|NY Yankees
|6th (177)
|Matt Graham
|San Fran
|7th (203)
|Brian Moran
|16th (495)
|Bryan Mitchell
|NY Yankees
|17th (523)
|Brian Goodwin
|Chicago WS
|37th (1113)
|Colin Bates
|39th (1185)
|Cody Stiles
|NY Yankees
|44th (1327)
|Robert Orlan
|LA Dodgers
1:50 p.m. -- In the 44th round, the Los Angeles Dodgers have selected UNC signee Robert Orlan. The lefthanded pitcher from Glen Allen (Va.) Deep Run goes by "R.C." For more on Orlan, check out his Signee Profile.
12:50 p.m. -- UNC signee Cody Stiles goes to the New York Yankees in the 39th round. Stiles, a right handed pitcher and outfielder from Coral Springs (Fla.) Taravella, is a consensus Top 100 prospect (Baseball America and Perfect Game). For more on Stiles, check out his Signee Profile.
12:30 p.m. -- Oakland just used their 37th round selection on Tar Heel Colin Bates. As a third-year sophomore, who redshirted in 2007 for medical reasons, he was eligible for this year's draft. After a Freshman All-America season last year, Bates has been stellar in 2009, posting a 2.84 ERA in 31 appearances. He was projected to be picked in the same mid-to-high range as fellow reliever Brian Moran (who went in the 7th round), so one can assume pro teams got the impression Bates is planning to spend another year in college. Oakland says they plan on "scouting Bates further this summer" when he pitches for Hyannis in the Cape Cod League.
11:40 a.m. -- With Day 3 underway, two Tar Heel players are expected to be selected today: senior outfielder Garrett Gore and sophomore-eligible closer Colin Bates.
The top-ranked UNC signees left on the board (all in Perfect Game's Top 250) are Fla. RHP/OF Cody Stiles, N.C. RHP Parker Thomas, N.J. RHP Tim Brechbuehler and N.C. RHP Chris Munnelly.
11:15 a.m. -- Thursday is the third and final day of the 2009 MLB Draft. Rounds 31-50 will begin at 11:30am.
10:00 a.m. -- For those Tar Heel fans keeping the slim hope alive that Donavan Tate will somehow choose to attend college, don't hold your breath. "I don't think there is a decision to be made now," Cartersville (Ga.) coach Stuart Chester told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
9:15 a.m. -- Baseball American on Goodwin: "He didn't have a knockout spring and scared teams off when he chose Scott Boras Corp. as his advisers. Don't be surprised if he ends up patrolling center field for the Tar Heels next season."
8:40 a.m. -- Brian Goodwin wasn't glued to the TV or computer screen watching for his name to pop up this week. In fact, the UNC signee wasn't even at his Rocky Mount home when Chicago drafted him in the 17th round. He's on the road with his summer traveling team, the Midland Redskins, playing ball in Amelia, Ohio.
"I was kind of relieved and happy," Goodwin told the Rocky Mount Telegram. "I knew basically when I was going to be selected even before the draft started. I talked to my advisers, and they knew what was going on." Goodwin, who is also represented by super agent Scott Boras, is going to stay focused on baseball and expects to revisit his professional decision with Chicago in the coming months. "They said they would follow me through the summer and see what happens," he said of the White Sox.
Thursday, 7:30 a.m. -- Jacob Turner is fully expected to bypass college and sign with Detroit, but he's not willing to say so at this point. First there will be some hard negotiating by his notorious agent Scott Boras.
"Obviously North Carolina's got a good program and I could get a lot better there in three years, but obviously Detroit is giving me a good opportunity to play (in the pros) right now," Turner told the St. Louis Post Dispatch, as he's been quick to cite the huge contract Boras got for 2007 UNC signee and Detroit draft pick Rick Porcello. "It's a nice decision to have to make. Whatever's the best option to me long-term is probably the best thing."
9:40 p.m. -- Matt Graham, the UNC signee selected in the 6th round today by San Francisco, talked to our own Matt Clements tonight. Graham, a power pitcher from Spring (Texas) Oak Ridge, is ranked the No. 83 high schooler by Perfect Game.
"At the end it is a win-win in my eyes. If he gets it done and the Giants are willing to accept that, then great that is gravy. But if not I'll come to Chapel Hill and I am excited about that, too." ... Draft Q&A: Matt Graham
8:10 p.m. -- Our baseball recruiting reporter, Matt Clements, spoke with Bryan Mitchell tonight. Mitchell, a right handed pitcher out of Reidsville (N.C.) Rockingham County ranked the No. 103 prospect in the country by Perfect Game, was selected in the 16th round by the New York Yankees.
"It was hard because you always hear about what round you might be drafted in, then waiting and wondering. The suspense - it was so much better once I found out. I was relieved." ... Draft Q&A: Bryan Mitchell
6:00 p.m. -- After an afternoon of interviews at The Bosh, our beat writer Greg Barnes has authored an in-depth Draft Notebook with some interesting comments from Coach Fox and the drafted players. You can also listen to the full interviews with the audio files linked within.
5:10 p.m. -- Day 2 of the 2009 MLB Draft has come to a close with the conclusion of the 30th round. Rounds 31-50 will be held on Thursday starting at 11:30am.
4:30 p.m. -- When asked about oversigning with his recruiting class to prepare for losing some signees in the draft, Fox said he preferred to think of it not as "oversigning" but rather as "protecting himself," he told InsideCarolina.com's Greg Barnes today. "If they want to sign a pro contract, it's their choice – we want them to have all of the information," Fox said. "But we also want to talk to them about their long-term future here. If they can sign out of high school, they can sign out of college, as well."
4:00 p.m. -- Fox on his players getting drafted this week: "I hope none of them sign in the next four days," Fox joked. "I'm very excited for them, obviously. It's a dream come true for every kid that's ever played, to have a chance to play in the major leagues, so this is their chance, certainly. It speaks well for those kids that have developed and we're tickled to death for them."
3:45 p.m. -- Wondering how close UNC head coach Mike Fox is paying attention to the draft? "We were here last night and our athletic director [Dick Baddour] was here last night, as well, watching the draft with us, which I thought was really cool," Fox told InsideCarolina.com this afternoon. "We're trying to practice today and watch the draft at the same time. What does that say?"
3:30 p.m. -- Kyle Seager told InsideCarolina.com's Greg Barnes today about joining Dustin Ackley as a Seattle draft pick: "It's kind of ironic, because I've been playing with him for over 10 years now," Seager said. "We played together when we were really young and we played together a little bit in high school, so I've known him for well over 10 years. It's interesting to see the different routes that we've taken. We came to the same college and that was pretty weird when that happened. And now we got drafted by the same team, so it's just been a fun ride. It's good for me, because we're good friends and it's going to be an easier transition."
3:10 p.m. -- InsideCarolina.com's Greg Barnes was at Boshamer Stadium today and talked to Mark Fleury about being selected in the fourth round by Cincinnati. "I'm real excited – you work your whole life to get picked up," Fleury said. "It's fun, but we've got two more weeks left and I'm going to have fun with it."
2:40 p.m. -- Signee Brian Goodwin finally heard his name called by the Chicago White Sox in the 17th round. Goodwin, a consensus Top 100 prospect, dropped this far because of signability questions. His accolades include Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year and MVP of the Aflac All-America All-Star Baseball Classic. The MLB.com scouting report reads: "He has all the tools to be a top-of-the lineup center fielder in the future." For more on Goodwin, check out his Signee Profile.
2:35 p.m. -- The New York Yankees just selected UNC signee Bryan Mitchell in the 16th round. The right handed pitcher from Reidsville (N.C.) Rockingham County is ranked No. 103 in the high school ranks by Perfect Game and posted a senior season ERA of 0.62. For more on Mitchell, check out his Signee Profile.
While it remains to be seen how the negotiation process will play out between Mitchell and the Yankees, keep in mind that the New York front office managed to sign UNC signee Garrison Lassiter out of the 27th round last year.
2:30 p.m. -- Another five rounds have passed, so that's 15 rounds and 471 picks in the books.
1:25 p.m. -- We're through the first 10 rounds of the draft and 321 overall picks.
The next Tar Heel player expected to be drafted is closer Colin Bates, who is a draft-eligible sophomore.
As for the UNC signees, 15 remain on the board, including six that are ranked in the Perfect Game top 210 -- No. 29 Brian Goodwin, No. 70 Cody Stiles, No. 103 Bryan Mitchell, No. 142 Parker Thomas, No. 154 Tim Brechbuehler, No. 210 Chris Munnelly.
While 40 rounds and plenty of negotiating remain, this draft has gone well for the Tar Heels thus far with regards to its recruiting class.
12:40 p.m. -- Seattle sure likes the Tar Heels. The Mariners just took UNC reliever Brian Moran in the 7th round (No. 203 overall). Moran joins Dustin Ackley and Kyle Seager on the Seattle draftee list.
Moran was one of, if not the, most dominant pitchers in the ACC this season. Head coach Mike Fox made the case that Moran should have won ACC Pitcher of the Year, and a legitimate case can be made. His 1.95 ERA in 34 appearances is a standout statistic, and 88 strikeouts against eight walks is truly eye-popping.
12:30 p.m. -- San Francisco has drafted UNC signee Matt Graham in the 6th round (No. 177 overall). He's a relatively raw power pitcher (MLB.com's scouting report calls him a "project") from Spring (Texas) Oak Ridge that played in both of the top national all-star games. Perfect Game ranks him the No. 83 high school prospect in the nation. For more on Graham, check out his Signee Profile.
12:25 p.m. -- Warren's stock certainly got a nice boost from his strong postseason performances, but his senior season as a whole has been impressive in its own right. He's 9-2 with a 3.23 ERA and has held opposing batters to a .239 average. Just how much has Warren's stock skyrocketed in one year? He was selected in the 36th round of the 2008 draft (No. 1101 overall).
12:15 p.m. -- Adam Warren follows shortly thereafter at No. 135 overall to the New York Yankees.
12:08 p.m. -- Mark Fleury is off the board quickly on Day 2. Cincinnati just selected him with the eight pick of the fourth round - No. 119 overall.
11:45 a.m. -- Just as a FYI – the Draft resumes at noon ET today and is scheduled to run through the 30th round, and then will conclude on Thursday with the 31st through 50th rounds, beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.
According to MLB.com, "Of the 661 players on Major League rosters or on the disabled list as of Opening Day 2009, more than half of them -- 336 -- were selected after the 111th pick and would not have been drafted yet. Clearly, a lot of Major League talent remains on the board for Day 2 and Day 3."
11:05 a.m. -- MLB.com's Jim Street posted an in-depth article on Dustin Ackley this morning that makes for a good read.
Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik had this to say about Ackley -- "We think this guy has potential to be middle-of-the-lineup hitter. This was the guy we think could be [in the Majors] in a short period of time and help this organization as we move forward. He's an athletic kid. He can run. He's got a great swing."
Add to that the fact that Ackley's smooth swing from the left side of the plate is perfectly suited for Safeco Field, and the decision to draft the Walnut Cove, N.C. product with the No. 2 overall pick was an easy one.
Also of note is that Seattle and Ackley will not begin contract negotiations until the College World Series is finished, and that the organization paid close attention to the first baseman early in the season to see how he recovered from Tommy John surgery last fall.
Here's the link -- Mariners add offense in first round
10:30 a.m. -- We're barely 12 hours removed from Stephen Strasburg being selected as the No. 1 pick overall, and the talk has already begun that he may not sign with the Washington Nationals. ESPN analyst and former Mets GM Steve Phillips told the "Mike and Mike" radio show that he expects agent Scott Boras to use the hype surrounding the San Diego State phenom to push the Nats for a 6-year, $50 million deal and that he believes a deal won't be signed -- if it is -- until the the Aug. 17th deadline.
If Strasburg doesn't sign, he would return to school and make himself eligible for the draft again in 2010. The Nationals failed to sign their 2008 first-round draft pick, Aaron Crow.
How is this relevant to UNC? Boras is advising both Dustin Ackley and Donovan Tate.
9:35 a.m. -- Mark Fleury started his junior campaign with an impressive showing in the Cape Cod League last summer, and he's expected to be drafted in the early rounds today. His 6-foot, 194-pound frame, as well as his strong right arm, is ideal for the rigors of playing catcher in the pro leagues.
Baseball America has Fleury pegged as the No. 6 prospect in the state of North Carolina (No. 125 overall), while Perfect Game ranks him as the No. 4 option in-state. But Baseball America noted on May 27th that Fleury may slip past the sixth round due to a dip in his performance at the plate. Perfect Game highlighted in its preseason profile that the Roswell, Ga. native was vulnerable against off-speed pitches and left-handed pitchers, and the latter has showcased itself during UNC's postseason run. In seven appearances against lefties since May 20th, Fleury is batting .296 (8-of-27) with seven strikeouts, two walks and no RBI.
On the season, Fleury is batting .315 (73-of-232) with 12 HR and 59 RBI.
8:20 a.m. -- Keep in mind the draft is only the first part in the process. Teams have until Aug. 17 to sign their draft picks, so some decisions of college vs. pro will come down to that deadline.
7:30 a.m. -- With Tate and Turner going on Day 1, 16 UNC signees remain undrafted. The highest rated of that group is Rocky Mount, N.C. native Brian Goodwin. Perfect Game (29) and Baseball America (65) both have him in their Top 100.
Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. -- Some early morning links to check out ...
Raleigh N&O: Ackley, White go high in baseball draft
W-S Journal: Ackley selected by Mariners with No. 2 pick
Stokes News: Ackley goes to Seattle
Seattle Times: Dustin Ackley might be a safe pick, but he's a good pick
Seattle Times: Mariners take North Carolina slugger
Seattle PI: Mariners draft Ackley second overall
Cleveland PD: Indians Take White
Salisbury Post: Seager selected in third round by Seattle
Detroit FP: Tigers draft hard-throwing high schooler in first round
San Diego UT: High schooler Tate brings tools, no trials
10:50 p.m. -- Day 1 of the draft has come to a close with the conclusion of three rounds and 111 picks overall. The draft will resume Wednesday at noon with rounds 4-30.
10:10 p.m. -- With the second pick in the third round, No. 82 overall, Seattle took Tar Heel third baseman Kyle Seager. The Mariners have now drafted UNC's top two hitters in Ackley and Seager, who bat No. 2 and No. 3 respectively in the Tar Heel lineup.
9:45 p.m. -- The first post-selection quote from Donavan Tate is in via teleconference. "It makes it a bigger decision for me, as far as North Carolina or the Padres," Tate said. "It's exciting. Right now, me and my family, we are happy to be selected by them. I'm just enjoying the moment right now."
9:30 p.m. -- Cleveland scouting director Brad Grant on drafting Alex White: "Alex has been one of our targets since the beginning of the season. He was the top talent left up on the board. He was a guy we have known since high school. In high school, he was a power sinker/slider guy. He's added the swing-and-miss split to his repertoire. We're going to project him out as a bullpen guy -- a back-end, power arm."
8:55 p.m. -- Looking for some Ackley comparisons? One scout this season told us Steve Finley. The Seattle media is citing Darin Erstad and Todd Helton.
8:40 p.m. -- Alex White statement: "It's a great opportunity, and I was extremely excited (to hear my name called). I was with a lot of friends and family, and they were just as excited as I was. I'm looking forward to the opportunity when my time here is done, and it's a great honor to be a part of all these great players."
8:05 p.m. -- Ackley, interviewed on the MLB Network's telecast: "I'm very fortunate they picked me and took chance on me. Now I'll play in the College World Series and go from there. ... I don't feel like the draft has been a distraction. We've been focused on getting to Omaha. We finally got there, and I'm looking forward to playing."
7:21 p.m. -- Cleveland just picked Alex White at No. 15.
6:54 p.m. -- Jacob Turner goes at No. 9 to Detroit. The Tigers have a recent history of not shying away from high school stars that command top dollar and paying over slot to sign them. The best example being former UNC signee Rick Porcello, who was the No. 27 pick by Detroit in 2007 and got a $7.3 million contract with a $3.5 million bonus, when the slot for that pick called for a $1.2 million bonus.
6:35 p.m. -- Seattle's front office talks about its selection of Ackley ...
Scouting Director Tom McNamara: "Dustin has had an excellent career at North Carolina, and in our mind was the best position player in this year's draft. We feel we are adding a great combination of talent and character to our organization with this selection."
General Manager Jack Zduriencik: "We think this kid was the best hitter in the draft. ... He's an athletic kid who can run, and he's got a great swing. ... As we sat in the room, we thought this was a guy who could be here in a short order of time and help us establish a winner in Seattle. ... He's not that far away. We don't like to put labels on kids, but we think it'll be a short period of time before he's a big leaguer."
6:24 p.m. -- Donavan Tate goes No. 3 to San Diego. Let the negotiation and speculation begin ...
6:19 p.m. -- As expected, Seattle has selected Dustin Ackley with the second overall pick. The Seattle Times calls him "unquestionably the best bat available."
5:55 p.m. -- The draft is about to begin. As a reminder, the first round is live on the MLB Network channel (check your local listings), while the rest of the first day (rounds two and three) will air on MLB.com Live. There will be a total of 111 picks tonight, with four minutes between first-round picks and one minute between all other picks.
5:40 p.m. -- Dustin Ackley and Alex White were reportedly both invited to attend tonight's first round telecast at the MLB Network studio in New Jersey but declined, choosing instead to watch it from N.C. with family and teammates.
5:25 p.m. -- It'd make sense to assume that high school prospects drafted in later rounds receive smaller signing offers and thus are likely to be college-bound. However, UNC's outcome in the 2008 Draft provided a reminder that it's hard to follow such logical expectations when it comes to whether or not high school prospects will sign. UNC had four signees selected among the first 115 picks, and they unsurprisingly all signed with their pro teams, but it was the decisions of Quentin Miller and Garrison Lassiter that provided the last minute shockers. Miller, selected in the 20th round - No. 594 overall - by Pittsburgh, was a highly regarded pitcher from New Jersey, but had fallen way down in the draft because he'd made it clear he was set on college. And he was literally packing his bags for Chapel Hill when a sudden, last-minute $900,000 signing bonus offer from the Pirates changed his plans. Lassiter, a shortstop from Clemmons (N.C.), was selected even later, in the 27th round (No. 839 overall) by the New York Yankees. Yet when the Yankees were unable to sign some of their top picks, they decided to use that money to try and sway some later picks that were expected to head to college and $675,000 got it done with Lassiter.
5:00 p.m. -- Whether or not a highly regarded signee opts for college is a complicated process and rarely easy to predict. UNC starting pitchers Alex White and Matt Harvey provide two good case studies that worked out in the Tar Heels' favor.
White earned high school All-America honors in 2006, but upon making it clear that college baseball was his priority (what is often referred to as "signability"), he was selected in the 14th round and headed to Chapel Hill. Harvey was a consensus All-American in 2007 and was at one point ranked the No. 1 prospect in the country by Baseball America. Signability questions made him drop to the third round (118th overall) and negotiations with the Los Angeles Angels went down to the wire - the signing deadline of midnight on August 15. The Angels' signing offer of $1 million-plus wasn't enough to get a deal done and Harvey ended up being the highest selected high school player in the 2007 MLB Draft to attend college.
4:35 p.m. -- Coach Fox talked to InsideCarolina.com's Matt Clements this week about how last year's draft impacted the way the UNC staff recruited for the class of 2009. "We recruited probably a few more numbers maybe than we would have to replace the guys that signed and it impacted where we looked for players - pitchers and a couple of junior college players – in trying to get some experience on next year's team," Fox said. "We kind of had to make a little shift here in a new direction and see what happens with this year's draft."
4:10 p.m. -- The MLB Draft's impact on a college recruiting class cannot be overstated. Last year provided the ultimate example for UNC. The Tar Heels had Baseball America's No. 4-ranked haul at this time a year ago, but after six of the Tar Heels' 10 signees inked with pro teams, the remaining class dropped out of Baseball America's Top 25 and even finished outside of Collegiate Baseball's Top 40.
3:45 p.m. -- North Carolina's top in-state signee is Brian Goodwin, an outfielder from Rocky Mount. Goodwin was named the 2009 Gatorade North Carolina Baseball Player of the Year after hitting .413 his senior season, with a .680 slugging percentage and .532 on-base percentage, while stealing 15 bases. He was named to the Under Armour All-America Game and also earned MVP honors at the prestigious Aflac All-America All-Star Baseball Classic. Goodwin is projected to be selected by the end of the supplemental round (located between 1st and 2nd round - picks No. 33-49), but interestingly enough, he won't be by his phone or watching the TV when his named is called. According to Rocky Mount High School, Goodwin will be playing a summer baseball league game in Amelia, Ohio tonight with the Midland Redskins.
3:20 p.m. -- UNC senior Adam Warren's postseason success has been hard for scouts to overlook -- six earned runs in 22 1/3 innings, with 23 strikeouts against just two walks. But the evidence is not just in the statistics. Scouts in attendance for the NCAA Tournament clocked Warren's fastball consistently in the low 90s and were overheard noting that he was clearly better than they had previously evaluated. Baseball America's Aaron Fitt told the Raleigh News & Observer that the third or fourth round is now a realistic possibility for Warren.
2:45 p.m. -- UNC has two junior college signees and both were ranked in Perfect Game's Preseason Juco Top 100: No. 80 Dillon Hazlett and No. 82 Jesse Wierzbicki. Neither are projected by Perfect Game as high round selections. Hazlett, a shortstop, did receive invites for workouts with MLB teams after hitting .470 and stealing 35 bases his sophomore season at Allen County Community College. He's an admitted lifelong Atlanta Braves fan. Wierzbicki, a catcher from Tennessee, was taken in the 40th round out of high school and has undoubtedly elevated his stock after hitting .373 with 12 home runs as a sophomore at Walters State Community College.
2:15 p.m. -- The final first round mock drafts have been submitted by ESPN.com and MLB.com. Here's how they predict the draft shaking out for UNC's players and signees ...
MLB.com: Dustin Ackley to Seattle at No. 2; Donavan Tate to San Diego at No. 3 though "it's still split in the Padres' Draft room" between Tate and Vanderbilt pitcher Mike Minor; Alex White to Cincinnati at No. 8; Jacob Turner to Boston at No. 28 due to signability concerns.
ESPN.com: Dustin Ackley to Seattle at No. 2 though the Mariners are "waffling" because of bonus money concerns; Donavan Tate to San Diego at No. 3; Alex White to Atlanta at No. 7; Jacob Turner to Detroit at No. 9.
Baseball America just chimed with a report that Ackley at No. 2 and Tate at No. 3 are "fairly certain at this point."
1:40 p.m. -- One additional name to add to the draft mix is Bryn Renner, the heralded quarterback who signed on with Butch Davis and UNC's football program. Renner is also considered to be an elite baseball talent as an infielder, ranked No. 232 in the country by Perfect Game. According to Tuesday morning's Washington Post, Renner worked out for New York Yankees last week and "could be a surprise selection."
InsideCarolina.com's Don Callahan talked to Renner on Tuesday to clarify the situation.
"It's a big honor to be considered and I love baseball, but I really want to be a Tar Heel," said Renner, who will take his last high school final on Wednesday morning and leave later in the day for Chapel Hill for freshman orientation, before enrolling early next week.
Renner plans to play both football and baseball for the Tar Heels, and while he will watch the draft tonight, he is taking a relaxed approach to the situation. "I'm really just looking at it in a fun way, and whatever happens, happens," Renner said. "It's just an honor to be considered."
As for whether he plans to enroll at UNC regardless of what transpires with the MLB Draft? "Most likely," he replied.
1:10 p.m. -- Jacob Turner committed to North Carolina last September, but the chances of the standout pitcher ever stepping on Chapel Hill's campus are slim, at best. MASN Sports reported that signability issues could prevent the Baltimore Orioles from taking Turner, a right-hander from Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, with the No. 5 overall pick. The notorious Scott Boras is advising Turner, and the sports network is hearing that he "could command the same $7 million bonus that Josh Beckett and Rick Porcello received."
The beneficiary of that decision could be the Detroit Tigers, who paid Porcello – who signed with UNC before being drafted in 2007 – that large sum. The Detroit News reported Monday night that Turner is the heavy favorite for its hometown's squad at the No. 9 spot. The newspaper also noted this about the righty's situation: "While the Turner family, headed by Dr. Mark Turner, a dentist in St. Charles, Mo., is believed to prefer their son opt for North Carolina, it is understood Jacob wants to pitch in the big leagues -- if the money is right."
Various scouts believe Turner is the most talented pitcher in the draft not named Stephen Strasburg.
12:35 p.m. -- Donavan Tate has obviously received the most ink of any of UNC's baseball recruits, namely due to his decision to play both football and baseball at North Carolina. But it is appearing as though the Cartersville, Ga. outfielder will simply be offered too much money to turn down from a Major League club. ESPN's Peter Gammons suggested on Monday night that Tate will be taken by San Diego with the No. 3 overall pick and that sentiment is echoed today by MLB.com, which reports the Padres are "prepared to take" Tate, should Ackley go to Seattle at No. 2.
While the Padres are still feeling the effects of the Matt Bush blunder – the No. 1 overall pick in '04 never panned out after a $3.15 million signing bonus – but agent Scott Boras and Tate pushing for a $6 million signing bonus has reportedly not scared the San Diego front office away. The Padres have used their first-round picks on college players since the Bush fiasco, helping to create a mindset that VP for scouting and player development would prefer to stay away from the high school ranks early in the draft, but he has dismissed those rumors.
Even Padres closer Heath Bell has an opinion on the draft selection, telling the San Diego Union-Tribune that his team needs to draft a college player, saying, "I just think the organization needs someone a little more proven. It doesn't need a lot of time to develop people. It needs two or three years instead of four or five."
The Cleveland Plain Dealer noted sources that believe Tate "has the most upside of any position player in the draft."
11:20 a.m. -- Of UNC's 16 draft-eligible high school signees, 12 are in Perfect Game's Top 500 high school rankings: No. 2 Donavan Tate, No. 6 Jacob Turner, No. 29 Brian Goodwin, No. 70 Cody Stiles, No. 86 Matt Graham, No. 103 Bryan Mitchell, No. 142 Parker Thomas, No. 154 Tim Brechbuehler, No. 210 Chris Munnelly, No. 266 Cody Penny, No. 293 Tommy Coyle and No. 317 Brett Knief. Not making Perfect Game's Top 500 list is Josh Leemhuis (No. 592), an Under Armour All-America of whom scouts are mixed after some senior season struggles, but is ranked and/or listed on draft projections by other publications. Other UNC signees just outside the Top 500 are Chaz Frank (No. 537) and Zach Bernard (No. 600), while Robert Orlan checks in at No. 756.
10:20 a.m. -- To learn more about each of UNC's signees, check out the player profiles linked on Inside Carolina's Class of 2009 Recruiting Board (click the player's name to read the profile).
9:45 a.m. -- Head coach Mike Fox's program acquired 19 prospects for its 2009 incoming class. UNC officially announced 18 "signees," since Donavan Tate signed with the football program. That also included Levi Michael, who enrolled in January and was UNC's starting second baseman this season.
At the time the signees were announced, Fox said, "We achieved our goal of getting the very best players we possibly could from the state of North Carolina then finding those players from out of state who were not only very good players and students but also wanted to be at UNC. We signed ten players from nine different states, which shows not only how hard my staff worked but how attractive Carolina was to student athletes from all over the country ... We feel confident that we have succeeded in meeting our immediate and long term needs for our program. We brought in ten pitchers who all have the ability and potential to help us maintain our level of pitching success we have enjoyed the last three seasons. We feel that our position players are all athletic and versatile which will serve us well in the future. This group also brings outstanding academic achievement to our University and all come from great families. My staff and I are very excited about these young men joining our program and The University of North Carolina."
9:00 a.m. -- Kyle Seager doesn't get the headlines of Ackley or White, but he's projected as a likely first-day selection. MLB.com notes that "his offensive skills do profile better at second [base], though he could end up having a very nice career as a utility guy at both spots." Scouts have drawn comparisons to third baseman Bill Mueller, whose decade-long MLB career concluded in 2006. Baseball America predicts he'll be selected in today's second round.
8:15 a.m. -- Alex White seemingly cemented his spot in the top half of the first round with his performance against East Carolina in the Super Regional (one run, 12 Ks in 8 1/3 innings). After watching White hit as high as 95 on the radar, while showing improved command of his slider, one scout told Baseball America, "He'll probably go up now." Projections for White range as high as the No. 5 slot and as low as No. 12. "I don't think he'll slip past the Reds at No. 8," Baseball America's Aaron Fitt told the Charlotte Observer.
7:40 a.m. -- It's hard to find anyone questioning Dustin Ackley's talent level. Coach Fox calls him "the best player I've ever seen at this level." Nearly all mock drafts have the Seattle Mariners taking Ackley with the No. 2 overall pick. Barring contract concerns or a surprising decision to instead opt for a pitcher, experts agree that Seattle will select the consensus best hitter in the draft.
6:45 a.m. -- Perfect Game has a comprehensive Top 250 ranking for draft-eligible prospects (combining college and high school). Here are the members of UNC's current team that make the list: No. 2 Dustin Ackley, No. 6 Alex White, No. 86 Kyle Seager, No. 172 Mark Fleury, No. 208 Adam Warren. In a separate state overview by Perfect Game, Colin Bates is projected as a low high-round selection (rounds 4-10), Brian Moran is projected as a high mid-round selection (11-25), while Garrett Gore and Mike Cavasinni are projected as possible late round selections.
Tuesday, 6:00 a.m. -- The draft will begin tonight at 6 p.m. with the first 111 selections (there will be four minutes between first-round picks and one minute between all other picks). Rounds 4-30 will be held on Wednesday and rounds 31-50 are scheduled for Thursday. The MLB Network is airing live coverage of the first round, and the following rounds will be covered by MLB.com Live.


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ArenaMaps.com | York Mills Arena | Toronto (North York) | ON | Canada
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text:
Target: Music legend Iggy Pop
Goal: Applaud Iggy Pop for taking action and being a voice for Michigan's wolf population
Iggy Pop, famed musician and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is standing up for wolves that are in danger of being hunted. Pop has endorsed the 'Keep Michigan Wolves Protected' campaign to stop wolf hunting for sport. The group aims to stop 'trophy' hunting of wolves in Michigan and involve the public in laws involving hunting wildlife.
Michigan's wolves have been protected since 1965; this protection has unfortunately been lifted recently by the Michigan Natural Resource Commission. Iggy Pop sent a letter to Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder proclaiming his dismay about the lifted protection, and also mentioned that the reasons behind the reinstated wolf hunting were lies and half-truths. The lies that recently surfaced were made-up scenarios, by lawmakers, that made wolves seem like a nuisance to Michigan residents, such as a wolf sighting outside of a daycare that never occurred.
Iggy Pop is a Michigan native and an avid animal lover. He encourages all of his fans in Michigan to stand up with him and fight against wolf hunting for sport. By signing this petition you will provide support for Iggy Pop and give him signatures to take to Michigan's Governor; help Iggy Pop save Michigan's wolf population.
Dear Iggy Pop,
You have been a strong voice for wolves in Michigan. Your recent letter to Governor Rick Snyder explaining your disappointment was well researched and heartfelt. You understand that hunting wolves for sport is barbaric and should not be tolerated. They are majestic animals that deserve respect and a peaceful existence.
I support your efforts to save the wolves of Michigan. You asked your fans in Michigan to show their support by gathering signatures aiming to overturn the decision to allow wolves to be hunted. I sincerely hope that you, and the other members of 'Keep Michigan Wolves Protected' will gain enough support in Michigan for wolves to once again be protected. Please take my signature, along with all of the others that this petition generates, to Governor Rick Snyder.
Michigan's wolves are loved by many and should be respected and protected. Thank you for your valiant efforts to make a peaceful existence a reality for the wolves.
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Robert Scales via Flickr


text: I watched Weezy for 2 years here in Seattle. First, the bad: No defense. It's not that he can't, it seems like he just doesn't know how. Of course, that Sonics team may have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league at every position, so maybe that wasn't Wilcox's fault. He is NOT a center. His first season he started at center with Nick Collison at PF. Both were horrible. Once the Sonics switched them around, they both improved tremendously. Now, the good: Wilcox is very athletic. He's quick, has GREAT hops, and good hands. He's a great finisher. He has good hands. He can rebound. If he's healthy, I think he would be a steal for 3-4 mil.


text:
(Login Required)
Library 428
Lisa welcomed everyone and individuals introduced themselves.
**Note: All meetings are in Library 428.
Stephanie Atkins approached Paula and Bob last year about addressing community outreach needs e.g. local public school, Parkland Community College, WILL. It was recommended that a working group be formed to assist in focus, planning for goals, and assessment. Susan expressed concern regarding the addition of work responsibilities for such a project and Stephanie reassured that the intention is for her to coordinate outreach and to solicit willing volunteers for projects. As an example of outreach, Stephanie pointed to a local project in collaboration with WILL in helping students find research materials for a media project. Lori M. suggested a partnership with local public school librarians might be a possibility.
Lisa suggested that, in order to make the case for additional resources, the group should focus on doing one or two projects really well. This will increase the impact of the project for the library administration and campus. This group is an opportunity to address the call by Chancellor Hermann for civic engagement.
Suggestions were made regarding library faculty and staff for inclusion on this working group and it was decided that the initial term would be one year. This will help to keep up momentum as well as clarify the expected commitment. Stephanie will extend invitations to participate in the group.
Charge: The group will explore opportunities for extending access to the Library's content and expertise to the local community. The focus is to identity opportunities that fall outside of existing library programs and services and that serve a wider audience than the campus community. The group will strategize possibilities for outreach through partnerships and collaborations with local area schools (pre-K-12), Parkland College, public libraries, museums, local organizations, local PBS television/radio, and other community entities interested in working together to address community needs. Members will use campus and Library strategic plans as well as draw from their own experiences.
The committee reviewed and confirmed the charge and membership for the group.
Charge: Explore emerging technologies for ideas and possibilities to reach out to users to encourage and improve library use.
Membership: Chris Hamb (chair), Leah Dodd, Stephanie Atkins Meg Burger, Lisa Hinchliffe, JoAnn Jacoby, Shannon Malcolm, David Ward and Nikki Wright
4. Graduate Student Information Literacy Needs Assessment
The committee reviewed and confirmed the charge and membership for the group.
Charge: Explore graduate student information literacy needs and make recommendations for and/or implement ways to meet those needs as appropriate.
Membership: Melody Allison (chair), Jim Kelly, Joe Straw, Lori Carroll, Lisa Hinchliffe, Mary Stuart and Allison Sutton
Lisa distributed the list of items suggested as possible areas of focus for the coming year. The items were submitted by committee members through an email-based brainstorming. The list is appended to these minutes. Susan started by stating that several of the items were related to each other. She would like to see some promotion for the library in places like YouTube. She cited the example of ASU's short video on RefWorks.
Lisa suggested and the group agreed that that numbers 4, 10, 24, 25 and 26 be given to the Outreach Innovations Working Group.
Items 6, 19-23 could be directed to a new subgroup focusing on Professional Development for Teaching and Learning. Lisa will chair this group and invited members will include Sue Searing, Beth Woodard, Dawn Cassady and Susan Avery.


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The S'well Angel Food 0.5L Stainless Steel Bottle is a subdued bottle for the subtly stylish city rider.
Keeping your hot drinks hot for 12 hours and your cold drinks cold for 24, S'well bottles are non-toxic, non-leaching and BPA free. Made from durable 18/8 double walled stainless steel, these sustainable bottles replace your plastic landfill fodder with something that's both a functional and aesthetic joy.
More from S'well
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All orders are packed & shipped from our HQ in the UK on the same day you order, if in stock and ordered before 3pm GMT Monday to Friday.
We offer both mail and express ship options courtesy of Royal Mail, UPS and DPD depending on the country. Below you will find a rundown of default delivery costs, but to see your personalised shipping cost, please visit the delivery section of checkout when you have added some items to your bag. Please note that orders of bulky items will attract a surcharge.
|Up to 10 working days, from $5
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You may return items from your order for any reason up to 60 days after delivery.


text:
Hi there,
Is anyone here designing files with Inkscape?
I would like to upload a few files but i don't know what would be the best format to include in the files. Inkscape can do a SVG format (plain SVG ) that can be imported in Adobe Illustrator, however SVG is not part of the file types listed in the upload page, so i doubt this would be accepted.
Shall i export to Vector EPS ?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
I think it depends on the file category. For instance, if you're making icons then transparent png (I'm pretty sure Inkscape can save in png format) files could be included.
You could export to EPS but as far as I know EPS files saved with Inkscape don't preserve some effects when opened with Illustrator.
But if you're making items (like logos or vector backgrounds) with just solid colors and export to EPS in Inkscape they could maybe be uploaded here.
Its actually a logo i'm trying to upload (i have posted a preview in item discussion a few minutes ago). All the colors are 100% in opacity so i could i guess export to EPS .. Thanks for the tip.
Anyway i'll first wait to see what the reviewer says about it (it probably will be rejected since it's in SVG format) but hopefully he'll come with some good feedback.
Thanks again!
Nice logo! Curious, are the elements (ears, tongue, etc.) on different layers?
I too wanted to upload logos made with Inkscape but I wasn't sure so it would be nice to see what the reviewer says for your logo.
Thank you!
I will let you know as soon as a get a review (should happen soon, i am in the green land in terms of progress bar ^^) – sadly there are no layers, however the file is pretty simple (3 items for the tongue, 3 for the eyes, etc.) and can be tweaked quite easily.
I will definitely consider making layers for my next file – and even maybe rework this one into layers depending of how the review goes
simonswiss said
I will let you know as soon as a get a review (should happen soon, i am in the green land in terms of progress bar ^^)
for a logo to get approved, it must contain .AI file and .EPS Version 10
Titan18 saidIs this an absolute necessity? Does it mean i need to purchase AI before i can upload logos on here? Or is there a way to export to .ai without having the actual AI?
for a logo to get approved, it must contain .AI file and .EPS Version 10
In the Logo Upload Instructions of the wiki, it's written at step 1, 4th point:
While creating your logo, keep in mind that you must include either a vector EPS or a PSD that's at least 2400×2400px.So if your EPS file is fully editable in Illustrator, that's fine
oh good! thank you for pointing that out Tanguy!


text:
U.S. light-vehicle sales fell for the third straight month in March, as the heated price competition among the Big Three again failed to lift sales on a par with year-ago levels. Demand fell 1.5% to a daily selling rate of 56,080 (27 selling days), compared with March 2001's 56,941 (28 selling days). That left first-quarter 2002 sales trailing last year's three-month pace by 4.5%. March's seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.9 million was above the prior month's 16.6 million and ...
Premium Content (PAID Subscription Required)
"U.S. Sales Down Third Straight Month in March" is part of the paid WardsAuto Premium content. You must log in with Premium credentials in order to access this article. Premium paid subscribers also gain access to:
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For WardsAuto.com pricing and subscription information please contact
Lisa Williamson by email: email@example.com or phone: (248) 799-2642
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text:
Yes, yes we know these are two very different products. The Zune is a touchscreen spouting, 32GB touting, 720p outputting multimedia powerhouse. The new Nano is a diminutive sliver of plastic and aluminum with a VGA camera slapped onto it. But both gadgets were announced around the same time and both represent significant divergences for their respective companies. That's why Mark McClusky and I sat down and sparred about the merits of each device. Don't worry we're not really pitting them head to head, just engaging in a friendly exchange of ideas. And besides, arguments are fun!Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.
Skip Article Header. Skip to: Start of Article.


text:
By Representative Reid Riblle
For most of my professional life, Congress has passed piecemeal tax policy fixes in order to buy extra time until the next election. As a former small business owner I know firsthand what it takes to adapt and react to the ever-expanding 10,000-page tax code, and it usually doesn't come cheap. This uncertainty has cost many businesses the opportunity to grow, hire new workers or even purchase new equipment. Congress must seriously address tax reform now so our nation's job creators can begin hiring and investing again.
Businesses, large and small, typically plan years into the future. Purchasing expensive, new equipment or opening a new store are not spur of the moment decisions, but are carefully thought-out and evaluated. A business must know if it has the cash on hand or credit standing to purchase the equipment, or pay the bills from the new store. During the 30 years I owned my roofing company, I didn't take these types of decisions lightly because they didn't just affect me, they also impacted my employees and their families who counted on me for their paychecks.
In my home state of Wisconsin, more than 90% of all businesses pay taxes at individual tax rates -- inevitably linking business decisions with families. Families often decide whether or not to expand their businesses at the same dinner table where they decide if they can afford to put more money in their children's college fund, buy a new car, or save a little more for retirement. I know this all too well from my days running my family's business.
Unfortunately, with tax and fiscal policy operating on a month-to-month, and sometimes week-to-week basis, businesses and families are forced to make decisions by estimating what the government will do next.
The National Federation of Independent Business recently released their Problems and Priorities Survey of small businesses across America. Two of the top five problems are related to uncertainty in the economy and surrounding government policy. Four of the top ten are tax-related, with "tax complexity" and "frequent changes in federal tax laws and rules" cited as the seventh and eighth highest-ranked problems. And twenty percent of these businesses reported taxes are their "single most important problem" on the survey.
Whenever comprehensive tax reform has been attempted it has seen bipartisan compromise. Both sides can find common ground in eliminating special interest loopholes and lowering rates across the board. These seemingly simple changes would result in a more efficient and equitable tax code that would not only create certainty, but also increase American competitiveness around the globe. Liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans have a history of finding areas of agreement to pass real tax reform, and there is no reason we could not do it again.
Just like more than a quarter-century ago in 1986, if comprehensive tax reform legislation were to be signed into law -- Congress would utilize one of the most effective tools governments can wield to repair a broken economy: clarity in their tax code.
The more important and necessary outcome of comprehensive tax reform is certainty. When businesses have certainty they have confidence, which will boost economic activity and spur job creation. Instead of exhausting bad policies and traveling on worn-down paths, it's time to go back to the drawing board and start anew. Our economic future depends on the growth of the small business sector, and sometimes going back to the basics is the best policy. When it comes to the tax code, I firmly believe that less is more and simpler is better.
Ribble represents Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District and is a member of the House Budget Committee.
Source: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-a-budget/258627-simplifying-the-tax-code


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Proposal for Pre-Conference Workshop
Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE)
Increase Your Understanding: Using NASA Data for Authentic Science Inquiry in Pre-service Teacher Preparation
Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at Conference Hotel
2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. in The Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort
Presenters: Rick Pomeroy, UC-Davis; Stephanie Shipp, NASA, and Tim Slater, University of Arizona
Contemporary science education reform efforts consistently encourage teachers to more frequently and more deeply engage their students in authentic inquiry learning experiences. The most meaningful inquiry experiences engage students in meaningful questions, to facilitate students in pursuing evidence and analyzing data to answer their questions, and to communicate and defend their data-based conclusions. However, managing diverse students with widely varying interests, motivations, and backgrounds is challenging even for the most experienced teachers. In this half-day workshop, participants will utilize NASA online data sets and powerful analysis resources to develop the knowledge and skills for managing inquiry learning appropriate for education students in pre-service teacher preparation programs. The underlying long-term goal for this workshop is that our prospective teachers who have robust experiences engaging in authentic inquiry will be most able to bring inquiry learning to their students. Participants are requested to bring their own laptops, equipped with MS Office, and a CD-ROM drive.
Rick Pomeroy
Science Teacher Education
School of Education
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8579
Phone: (530) 752-0622
Stephanie Shipp
Manager, Education and Public Outreach
South Central Organization of Researchers and Educators (SCORE)
Lunar and Planetary Institute
3600 Bay Area Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77058
(281) 486-2109
Timothy F. Slater
Associate Professor of Astronomy
College of Science Science Teacher Preparation Program
Steward Observatory
933 N Cherry Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85721
(520) 621-7096
Fax (520)621-1532


text:
'"It's like seeing part of your childhood slip away," said Miller, who watched Kings assistant John Van Boxmeer play for the Sabres from 1979 to 1983. "It's tough to watch their guys late in the game with nothing to play for. Somebody has to save this team."'
Sabres' plight saddens Miller
February 22, 2003 Submitted by


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Dismissing the petition filed by the employee M Vengan challenging the order of compulsory retirement, Justice M Venugopal said when the first marriage subsists, a second marriage is not permitted under Law of the Land as per Hindu Marriages Act.
Based on a complaint from first wife, a charge memo was served on Vengan and later the punishment of compulsory retirement was imposed which was confirmed by the Transport Secretary.
In his petition, Vengan contended that the second marriage was not consummated and mere registration of the marriage alone cannot be a authentic proof for acceptance. He further contended that as the first wife had withdrawn her complaint, the department cannot take action against him.
In his order, the judge said in the case of a Hindu Government servant, if he marries when his spouse is alive, he/she shall be liable to punishment under the Hindu Marriages Act read with Section 494 and 495 of IPC (and) has to face disciplinary action for violation of rule 19 of Tamil Nadu Government Servants conduct rules.
"Undoubtedly a second marriage during subsisting of the first marriage was certainly misconduct." The Judge, who rejected the contention of the petitioner that the bigamy complaint lodged against him by the first wife was later withdrawn, said it will not give him any premium nor will it be helpful to reduce the punishment of compulsory retirement awarded by the concerned authorities.
The judge then said the compulsory retirement imposed by the authorities does not suffer from any irregularity or patent illegalities in the eyes of law.


text:
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge & Visitor's Center
Lawton, OK 73505
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a one-of-a-kind destination in southwest Oklahoma. Located near Cache and...Learn More
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a one-of-a-kind destination in southwest Oklahoma. Located near Cache and...Learn More
War Eagle Resort offers all the services for an enjoyable float trip on the Illinois River. Rentals are available for 17...Learn More
The Keystone Ancient Forest in northeast Oklahoma has been around for centuries: the oldest tree found in the forest is...Learn More
Archery has been an integral part of the Cherokee tradition for hundreds of years, and those hoping to hone their skills...Learn More
Located by the flood gates of the Pensacola Dam at Grand Lake, the Disney/Little Blue Area at Grand Lake State Park is...Learn More
Beaver Dunes Park, located in the sandy panhandle city of Beaver, offers 520-acres of dune buggy riding on 300 acres of...Learn More
Located in the scenic wooded Cookson Hills of eastern Oklahoma, Brushy Lake Park offers visitors a quiet, secluded...Learn More
Lake Murray State Park is Oklahoma's first and largest state park consisting of 12,500 acres located on the shores...Learn More
Located on the shore of Grand Lake is Grove's own Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park. The 38-acre park is...Learn More
Located on beautiful Lake Tenkiller, the Pine Cove Marina is your one stop shop for everything to make your Tenkiller...Learn More


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Quickie Book Review – Spirit Horses by Alan S. Evans
Spirit Horses by Alan S. Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What was Great: The plot, characters, emotions, scenery and plight of the horses.
What I had a problem with: the chunks of "story teller" passages.
I understand the need to condense larger amounts of information for the sake of book length, but I didn't care for the longer voice-over type of narratives toward the beginning of the novel. I felt like a really good editor would have pruned and condensed these areas for better readability. Had it not been for the things that were great about this novel, I wouldn't have been able to overlook the parts that irked me.
Now, with all that said, this is a book that I could see some Hollywood big-shot making into a fabulous movie. It has it all– heartache, tragedy, a man on a mission, second-chance love, beautiful scenery, historical references, and an ending that you won't see coming.
Posted on March 19, 2013, in books, Reading and writing and tagged fiction, horse training, native american, romance, suspense, wild horses. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.