D-Backs will pick early, often in MLB draft

Even the local major league baseball team is going green.

It's the color of money, and the Diamondbacks have spent months preparing for Tuesday's MLB First-Year Player Draft by sending high school, college and international scouts to roam the countryside looking for future pros.

They'll be spending more on new players because the D-Backs have seven of the top 64 picks this year. They had the No. 16 pick to begin with, then acquired No. 17 and three additional picks between the first and second rounds because of the free- agent departures of Orlando Hudson, Juan Cruz and Brandon Lyon.

It's a chance to help replenish a farm system which has been thinned considerably by promotions and trades, but it's likely they'll at least double last year's $4 million draft class.

With extra picks, this year's class could approach $10 million in spending, but the team won't waiver on their decision-making because of money.

"We'll stay true to best person on the board," D-Backs director of scouting Tom Allison said. "It does give you some leeway with back-to-back (first-round picks) but we're trying to have impact players with those guys who are available then."We have full support of ownership and organization to secure the best available. It's been a real blessing."

Speaking of "green," the team also made alterations to its scouting protocol.

Instead of scouts exclusively watching players within their genre, the D-Backs used a hybrid method of watching and evaluating to sift through and rank prospects. For example, high school scouts also watched college and international players, and pro scouts watched high school and college players.

Most scouting departments didn't used to be this specialized, but in the last decade, scouts have their areas of expertise and don't often cross over.

"Our goal was to makes sure our players were seen by every level from every angle, to not be as compartmentalized as in the past," said Allison, who's directing his third draft with Arizona.

Most baseball insiders and publications view San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg as the No. 1 overall pick to Washington. After that, this year's draft lacks can't-miss prospects, especially hitters, but is deep.

Most prognostications also view the Diamondbacks as taking a hitter and pitcher with their 16th and 17th picks.

Beyond that is (almost) anyone's guess, and the Diamondbacks have more chances than most at getting it right."The draft after the first few guys is down considerably in high-level talent, but there's some depth in the pool outside that upper echelon," Allison said. "We're excited with multiple picks that give you an opportunity to do some damage."

2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft

When: 3 p.m. Tuesday (Rounds 1 through 3), noon Wednesday (Rounds 4 through 30), 8:30 a.m. Thursday (Rounds 31 through 50)

TV/Internet: MLB TV (first round only)/mlb.com

Diamondbacks' first-day picks: Nos. 16, 17, 35, 41, 45, 60, 64, 95

Diamondbacks all-time 1st-round draft picks

Year, Pick, Player, Pos., Comment

1996, No. 30, Nick Bierbrodt, LHP, Franchise's first draft pick part of Mike Difelice trade to Tampa in 2001

1997, No. 30, Jack Cust, 1B, Traded in 2002 to acquire Mike Myers, Cust has spent time in Baltimore and currently in Oakland

1998, No first-round pick

1999, No. 4, Corey Myers, SS, Former Phoenix Desert Vista standout spent nine seasons in minors but never reached major leagues

2000, No first-round pick

2001, No. 22, Jason Bulger, RHP, Traded to Los Angeles Angels for Alberto Callaspo in 2006, currently in Angels' bullpen

2002, No. 27, Sergio Santos, SS, Split time at Minnesota and Toronto's AAA affiliates in 6th year of minor leagues

2003, No. 19, Conor Jackson, 3B, Converted to first base and left field; hit .300 with 75 RBI for D-Backs in 2008 but has played just 30 games this season (illness)

2003, No. 29, Carlos Quentin, OF, MVP-caliber season cut short by late hand injury with White Sox in 2008, but suffering from foot injury in 2009

2004, No. 15, Stephen Drew, SS, Struggled early this season after breakout 2008, but figures to be a D-Backs cornerstone for several years

2005, No. 1, Justin Upton, SS, No. 1 overall pick poised to be an All-Star selection in first full season at age 21

2006, No. 11, Max Scherzer, RHP, 24-year-old earned No. 5 starting job out of spring training

2007, No. 9, Jarrod Parker, RHP, Refining mechanics but could compete for starting job in 2010

2008, No. 26, Daniel Schlereth, LHP, Bullpen needs meant early call-up from Double-A to majors early last week