The World Series and the 2002 draft

So while watching the Hamels/Kazmir match up in game one I got to wondering how the rest of the pitchers taken in the first round of the 2002 draft performed in 2008. Sixteen pitchers were taken in the first round and while some have been major disappointments (the top four have failed to make an impact) others have turned into elite top of the rotation starters. (And isn't that what you are looking for in the first round?)

Player	Pick	Record	ERA	IP	K/BB	ERA+
Zack Greinke	6th	13-10	3.47	202.1	183/56	123
Jeff Francis	9th	4-10	5.01	143.2	94/49	92
Joe Saunders	12th	17-7	3.41	198	103/53	130
Scott Kazmir	15th	12-8	3.49	152.1	166/70	127
Cole Hamels	17th	14-10	3.09	227.1	196/53	142
Jeremy Guthrie	22nd	10-12	3.63	190.2	120/58	125
Joe Blanton	24th	9-12	4.69	197.2	111/66	89
Matt Cain	25th	8-14	3.76	217.2	186/91	116

Francis dealt with injuries but was coming off an impressive 2007 season (17-9 215 IP 114 ERA+). Blanton was ineffective but has a track record of an innings eating middle of the rotation starter (he's also starting game four of the World Series).

Zack holds his own compared to his draftmates and while it may have taken him longer to get established he's there with them right now and most likely will get better. Hamels is the only one I would trade straight up for him, Kazmir has electric stuff but is a bit too fragile for my taste. So this convinces me now more than ever that Greinke should not be traded unless he flat out rejects any extension talk - and even then only if Moore gets an overwhelming offer.