For years, this has been the big debate at the baseball draft: Is it better to take a college player nearly ready for the majors or a high school prospect who might go farther in the future?
The Detroit Tigers faced that choice today, trying to decide which pitcher named Anderson - Rice University ace Matt Anderson or Michigan prep star Ryan - the No. 1 pick."Ryan has the highest ceiling," Tigers general manager Randy Smith said. "Matt has the best arm in the draft."
The Tigers were to make their selection at 1 p.m. EDT. No matter who they took, the Philadelphia Phillies seemed set to use the second pick on Florida State center fielder J.D. Drew.
Drew is regarded by many scouts as the best college outfielder ever. The 21-year-old junior is the only Division I player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season.
Still, the Tigers are likely to steer clear of Drew, mainly because it might take $10 million or so to get him. Drew is represented by Scott Boras, the same tough negotiator who got a $10.2 million signing bonus last year from the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays for high school pitcher Matt White.
Certainly it pays to be cautious. While recent No. 1 picks like Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones all zoomed to stardom, there are plenty of stories about guys like Brien Taylor.
Taylor, the top pick in 1991, got a $1.55 million signing bonus negotiated by Boras. But he injured his shoulder in a fight a few years ago and is languishing in extended spring training for the New York Yankees.
The Tigers, who had the worst record in the AL last year, seemed to like both Andersons.
Ryan Anderson is the local favorite, residing about 20 minutes from Tiger Stadium. At 6-foot-10, the 17-year-old left-hander who wears No. 51 has been likened to a young Randy Johnson.
Matt Anderson, however, might be ready for the majors sooner. The 20-year-old junior holds the Rice record for wins and is being projected as a closer, which the Tigers desperately need.
Only the results of the opening round will be announced today.