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“I think it’s very important in the first round and early in the draft, to stay flexible,” said Brian Parker, Blue Jays director of amateur scouting, during a conference call this week. “I think in this draft in particular it’s important to do because there’s still a lot of uncertainty about what is going to happen ahead of us.

“But, going in, it’s very similar for us. We’re just trying to line everything up and take the best player that fits for us.”

The term “best player” has different meanings for different teams. For many, it will mean the best player, at the best price. Consider, for example, the Philadelphia Phillies, who have the No. 1 pick, overall. They are going to get a very good baseball player with that pick but they are undoubtedly going to try to protect some of the $9 million that is slotted for the first pick in the first round, so they can us some of it on later picks.

As recently as Wednesday afternoon, the Phils were said to be mulling over six or more candidates for that No. 1 selection, based upon who they can get for the money they want to spend and how much they want to save to spend on their second pick, No. 42 overall.

That strategy could be used by other teams high in the first round, allowing some very talented players to slip down the board as time goes on.

“I think there is good depth in this draft,” said Parker. “It’s a pretty good draft overall. The top of the draft, in the top 10, it’s a little more uncertain than it has been in the past. There have been more college players near the top the last couple of years than there is this year, as far as premium players are concerned. This year it’s a little more high-school oriented. There is more uncertainty about what the teams at the top are going to be doing.”