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There's no A-Rod. There's no Griffey. There's no Pat Burrell or Lance Berkman.
There is another June baseball draft Tuesday. But in a draft that's a crapshoot to begin with, this one is practically a spin of the roulette wheel.
"I've been doing this 30 years," one veteran baseball executive said. "I can't remember a draft worse than this. Looking at the board, what really gets you is the lack of skilled position players. And people wonder why we keep running down to Latin America. At least there, these kids are playing a lot of baseball. And at least there, you've got the hunger factor."
Hunger factor? All some clubs seem worried about in this draft is the signability factor.
The Pirates, who pick first, spent Monday unsuccessfully throwing $4-million offers at Ball State right-hander Bryan Bullington, high school shortstop B.J. Upton and Canadian high school fireballer Adam Loewen. Even the Expos, who pick fifth, were busy exploring a potential predraft deal with Houston high school right-hander Clint Everts. The Expos were also interested in Joe Saunders, a left-handed pitcher from Virginia Tech.
"We find that real interesting," chuckled one scouting director, "when you consider who the owners are (i.e., the commissioner's office). I thought it was illegal to do pre-draft deals."
Well, it's illegal to finish those deals. But everybody these days at least tries to get the lay of the financial landscape. It's a way of life in a draft that has lost its way and lost its ability to fulfill its original purpose -- to make the lousy clubs better.
While that issue hangs over these picks and the issue of a worldwide draft sits on the bargaining table, the show must go on. But there was still uncustomary, massive uncertainty about who would wind up where as draft day approached.
The Pirates still had the names of Bullington, Upton and Loewen on the table. The Devil Rays, with the second pick, seemed locked in on Upton, even though he reportedly asked them for $7 million.
The Reds, at No. 3, were still bouncing around the names of Everts' high school teammate, Scott Kazmir, and California high school pitcher Chris Gruler.
The Orioles, who pick fourth, have zig-zagged among several options, but were thought to be leaning toward Loewen, who might have the most upside of any player in the draft.
And Montreal, at No. 5, was thought to be favoring either Everts or Bullington. But more than ever, just about all of that was subject to change.
With that disclaimer, here's how we saw the top five picks as of Monday evening:
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Bryan Bullington, RHP, Ball State
Agent: IMG
Scouting report: "If we were picking first, that's who I'd pick. Big strong kid. Plus stuff. Reminds me of Alan Benes before he got hurt. . . . Arm action is a concern. Pushes the ball. . . . Not a franchise guy, but nobody out there this year is that type guy. . . . Not a No. 1 (starter), but possibly a No. 2. More likely a No. 3. And he'll get there quick."
- Tampa Bay Devil Rays: B.J. Upton, SS, Greenbriar Christian Academy, Chesapeake, Va.
Agent: Larry Reynolds
Scouting report: "Far and away the best high school player. Really athletic. Can throw and field and run. The only question is his bat. But if his bat comes, he's got a chance to be another Barry Larkin. . . . He's going to take some time with the bat. But with that good an athlete, he'll hit. It's just going to be a while."
- Cincinnati Reds: Scott Kazmir, LHP, Cypress Falls HS, Houston
Agents: Jeff Moorad, Brian Peters
Scouting report: "Not a big guy (6-feet, 170), but lightning comes out of his hand. . . Quickest arm I've ever seen. His arm comes through, and you never see it. . . . Throws really hard with a good 'slurve.' Could wind up as a closer, like a Billy Wagner kind of guy."
- Baltimore Orioles: Adam Loewen, LHP, Fraser Valley Christian HS, Surrey, B.C.
Agent: Michael Moye
Scouting report: "Highest ceiling in the draft down the road. Big left-handed pitcher with a real live fastball. Not as advanced as some of the other high school kids, but really good top side. You can really dream with him."
- Montreal Expos: Clint Everts, RHP, Cypress Falls HS, Houston
Agent: Larry Reynolds
Scouting report: "Tall, slender. Throws 92-93 already and a real hammer breaking ball. But the fastball is so straight that at 92 or 93, even the high school kids got decent whacks at it. Competes. Good delivery. . . . I really like him as a shortstop, to be honest. Great runner. Very, very good fielder. Better defensively than Upton. But whether he can hit, that's the question."
Five more to watch
Chris Gruler, RHP, Liberty HS, Brentwood, Ala. (Could go anywhere from 3rd to 20th): "We love him. Throws 95, with a plus curve. Competes. Good delivery. Chance to be a No. 1 starter. Nasty stuff, with great poise. . . . Could be a Schilling."
Jeremy Hermida, OF, Wheeler HS, Marietta, Ga. (Believed headed to Florida at No. 11): "We like his bat, but not much power. Nice swing, but just an average arm, average runner. . . . Some people rate him higher than we do. Good athlete. Can swing the bat some. Good body. We just think he's a ways away. Still very green."
Jeff Baker, 3B, Clemson University (stock plummeting): "(Scott) Boras has hyped him to be another (Mark) Teixeira. But he's not worth the battle with Boras and he's not worth overpaying to get him. ... Bad makeup for me and a lot of holes. His swing's like a big swiss cheese. Great power, but I wouldn't touch him."
Prince (son of Cecil) Fielder, 1B, Eau Gallie HS, Melbourne, Fla. (Tigers would love him): "We hear the Brewers like him, but we don't see him being able to play in that league. Unbelievable power. You have to love that. But an American League player, plain and simple."
John Mayberry Jr., 1B, Rockhurst HS, Kansas City (anywhere from sixth to 19th): "Walked into the park expecting to see (a kid built like his dad), but he's much longer and lankier. More athletic than I expected. . . . Big-time bat. Reminds me of Jermaine Dye."
Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
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