With less than three days remaining before the 2013 MLB Draft commences in New Jersey, the top prospects in the field, in some order, seem to look like Stanford right-handed pitcher Mark Appel, San Diego 3B Kris Bryant and Oklahoma right-handed pitcher Jonathon Gray.
Of course, despite the proximity to the draft, narratives can change, stocks can fall and red flags can become evident when assessing the potential future of an organization.
That's why the news coming out of The Oklahoman about Jonathan Gray's positive test for Adderall, violating an NCAA rule, is a talking point around baseball draft circles.
Continuing a trend of athletes in connection with Adderall, there's still much to decipher about Gray's usage, how it's boosted his performance (if at all) and how it will effect the thought process of the Houston Astros, owners of the top pick in the 2013 Draft.
While any positive drug test should be taken into the equation before handing a prospect millions of dollars, the choice between Bryant, Appel and Gray shouldn't swing on the recent news.
In fact, Gray should have been atop the Astros draft board weeks ago. Nothing that occurred this week should change that.
When assessing the current state of the Astros franchise, and the future potential Appel and Bryant, Jonathan Gray is the logical choice for the first name heard on Thursday evening.
Appel, after failing to sign as a Top 10 selection out of Stanford last summer, is back, now completing his senior year and limiting his leverage in negotiations, is projected to be a good major league starter. He's certainly worthy of the top pick because of his skill, age, durability and consensus about his future in the show.
Yet a "wow" factor is lacking when watching him pitch. He may turn into an excellent pitcher, but the Astros rebuilding process should be focused on developing great, franchise-changing players. Specifically when they're afforded the right to select anyone in the 2013 class with the top pick.
Bryant, the power-hitting San Diego third baseman is a legitimate future home run hitter in the big leagues. In fact, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America, he outhomered most of the country this season in the NCAA.
No, not just players.
"He has out-homered 228 of the 296 teams in Division I. His combination of bat speed, strength, pitch recognition, discipline and barrel ability give him elite power," said Callis.
Yet a definitive projection on how great a hitter he can be is lacking. While his power is there, the swing can be long.
At the risk of downplaying the potential of Appel and Bryant, the reports make them feel like the second coming of Jeremy Hellickson and Pedro Alvarez, respectively.
If Houston wants to truly change their franchise, they'll select the big fireballer from Oklahoma: Jonathan Gray.
Adderall aside, he has the upside of a top-of-the-rotation ace who can anchor a team for years to come.
Playing it safe with the top pick in the draft can have its merits, especially with the new slotting system that allots teams a certain amount to spend annually, but Gray's junior status shouldn't dissuade him from being selected.
Appel may be more of a lock, on a faster track to the big leagues and a more polished pitcher. Bryant may be the answer at third base.
But neither can give Houston the answer to what the other teams in the AL West posses: A stud atop their rotation.
With Felix Hernandez in Seattle, Yu Darvish in Texas and Jered Weaver in Los Angeles, the blueprint has been laid out for success in one of baseball's toughest division.
If Gray's name is called first on Thursday, it will be the best move yet in the Jeff Luhnow regime in Houston.
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