Every year, I post this little rundown of ESPN's Draft plans, and every year the number of people covering the event grows by four or five. We know that they've lost one person this year, in Stephen A. Smith (frowny face), so who are they going to replace him with? Well the answer is actually nobody. In fact, there are only going to be eleven ESPNers covering the event this year. Here's the list....

Main Stage: Stuart Scott, Jay Bilas, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Other Analysts: Fran Fraschilla, Dick Vitale
On-site Reporters: Ric Bucher, Andy Katz
Green Room Interviewers: Mark Jones, Lisa Salters, Rachel Nichols

Pretty obvious group there, but I'm surprised that neither Jon Barry, Magic Johnson or Michael Wilbon, is involved. But why would you need the majority of your studio team at the Draft? Other than that, it's going to be your pretty standard ESPN Draft production. You'll still have the crawl going during commercials, Bilas' "Best Available, Fran Fraschilla on the International prospects and video conferencing with fifteen NBA teams (Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Indiana, Los Angeles Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, Portland and Washington). Oh and here's your early look at the intro for this year as well....

(posted by One More Dying Quail)

2004 first-round draft pick Jeff Niemann made his major league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon, allowing one run on six hits in six innings against the Baltimore Orioles. The day threatened to spiral out of control early, as Baltimore loaded the bases with one out in the first, but Niemann retired Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott to escape the jam unscathed. He matched zeroes with Brian Burres for four innings before his teammates put up six runs in the bottom of the fifth and took some of the pressure off.

One of those teammates was Evan Longoria, making his second straight start at third base since being called up late Friday. After a 1-for-3 debut yesterday, Longoria is 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored thus far this afternoon.

Two other hot prospects weren't as fortunate. Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto followed up a pair of excellent performances in his major league debut and encore with a much more human line: six innings, five runs, five hits, six strikeouts, and Minnesota's Francisco Liriano struggled in his first outing against major league hitters since 2006, giving up four runs on six hits in 4.2 innings against Kansas City. His control was an issue, with five walks, although I'm sure the Twins won't complain as long as his elbow remains pain-free after 90 pitches.

Five games remain on today's schedule. Several other youngsters, including New York's Phil Hughes, San Francisco's Tim Lincecum, and Arizona's Justin Upton, should see action in the late games.