Collette Calls: Rolling the Dice

Baseball is a game of inexact numbers. Failing on stolen-base attempts 25 percent of the time is considered to be an excellent rate. Failing to reach base 65 percent of the time is perfectly acceptable for a leadoff hitter. High fail rates are the accepted norms for stolen-base proficiency and on-base percentage, but what about the Rule 4 amateur draft? Is there a bigger crapshoot in the sport?

The 48th Rule 4 draft takes place next Monday through Wednesday and 72 hours before the first pick, we still have no idea who the Astros are going to take. Will they go the high school route and take Byron Buxton or go the collegiate route and take Mark Appel from the powerhouse baseball factory in Stanford?

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