A's Land Drew, Bolster Pen at 2013 Draft

Post date: Apr 9, 2013 5:20:19 PM

The A's selected shortstop Stephen Drew with their first pick in the 2013 Majors Draft

Knowing that starting shortstop Derek Jeter was going to begin the 2013 season on the Disabled List, and be out for probably at least the first month of the season, getting a quality shortstop in the Majors Draft was a priority for A's GM Matt Veasey. So when the club's turn to select finally rolled around at the 16th pick of the 7th round, Veasey chose the best one available, and got himself a good one.

Stephen Drew became the 40th overall pick of the night, and Veasey thinks they got a steal. "We knew that Montreal, picking right behind us, was also looking for a shortstop. We believe Stephen only lasted that long because he was battling an injury himself at the time, but it was not serious, and we felt was only going to keep him out a week or so. He was perfect for what our needs were, and we're happy to have him on board in Philly."

With the only real need in the lineup satisfied, and with the starting pitching options unattractive, Veasey devoted the remainder of the A's five selections to bullpen arms, hoping to catch a closer as lightening-in-a-bottle. In order, those bullpen pieces were Octavio Dotel, Mike Adams, Tyler Clippard, Aaron Crow, and Matt Thornton. In the immediate aftermath of the draft, the club promoted Eric Hosmer, Bryce Harper, and Mike Trout, all of whom had been procedurally optioned to the Minors for draft roster space purposes. With the room created in those Minors the club then signed back reliever Heath Hembree.