17. Vince Leonard, P, Minnesota Twins, Upside: Durability, Splits and Pitches. Downside: Stamina. Has a ML future as a setup man. Stamina will probably negate a closer role possibility. The big question is whether or not his control progresses enough.
Grade: B-
18. Mac Hunter, SS, Baltimore Orioles. Upside: Eye, Splits, Power and Arm. Downside: Range and Contact. SS is out of the question in my books, 3B is a possibility. Could be a good power hitter if his contact improves more than shows. Has a long way to progress in a lot of areas, will he is the question.
Grade: C+
19. Gene Henderson, 3B, Little Rock Heads. Upside: Hitting Abilities. Downside: Health. Hitting looks good and just what Little Rock needs even though contact could be a little better. 3B depends if he attains the projections which should be very close. For Little Rock on drafted players and IFA's, 20 points in a ratings category is relatively easy to obtain but when the difference is more than 20 gets tougher and above 25 is next to impossible.
Grade: B
20. T.J. Lewis, DH, Colorado Rockies. Upside: Hitting Abilities Downside: Health. Very well could be a big hitting force at the ML level. That is if he stays off the DL long enough to play.
Grade: C-
21. Dustan Bullinger, LF, Atlanta Braves. Upside: Hitting Abilities. Downside: Fielding and Health. Another one of those big power hitters and the best potential I have seen thus far. He is playing 3B at the moment and it is unlikely he will play there at the ML level. Chances are he will wind up at 1B.
Grade: C+
22. Wandy Cabrera, P, Chicago Cubs.
Upside: Control, Splits and Pitch 1. Downside: Fly Ball and Pitch 2. A dominate closer is a maybe but a good setup man is probable. Power hitters love power pitchers and a weak power curve ball may finds its way bounding down the cause way in Wrigley.
Grade: B-
23. Jerome Carver, P, St. Louis Cardinals. Upside: Control, Durability, Ground Ball and Pitch 1. Downside: Pitch 3 maybe. Splits are only decent but should be good enough not to rule him out of a closers job in St. Louis. He is the reason why pitch types are only cosmetic.
Grade: B
24. Arthur Butler, 2B, Chicago Cubs.
Upside: Speed and decent hitting abilities. Downside: Fielding. 2B is out of the question, RF is a maybe. Should be a lead off hitter against lefties but where to put him against righties is questionable. Cubs had 6 total first round picks but did they find a player to keep remains to be seen.
Grade: B-
25. Jim Waters, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays. Upside: Splits, Arm and Power. Downside: None detected. I am seeing a player whose projections look easy to reach and maybe easily exceeded. Will have to reserve judgement.
Grade: B
26. Harry Richardson, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates. Upside: Defense and Hitting. Downside: Health, Durability and Makeup. For some reason they don't like anyone to have a superstar SS. This kid has the potential if he can survive the DL. If he does, will his potential be realized? Then maybe only get to play in 120 games a season? Oh, Bad Form, Baseball Gods.
Grade: B
27. Dennys Bush, CF, Texas Rangers.
Upside: Defense and Speed. Downside: Hitting Abilities. And then they make a good defensive CF with lots of speed and questionable hitting abilities.
Grade: C
28. Gregory Philips, RF, Helena Hot Pockets. Upside: Power. Downside: Contact and Glove. He will play in the Bigs with that power but don't expect anyone would seriously give him too big a contract.
Grade: C-
29. Fausto Park, 3B, Boston Red Sox.
Upside: Eye, Splits and Power. Downside: Contact. Red Sox list him as a SS, they wishing in one hand and hoping with the other me thinks. 3B is probable though. Has the ability to pound the Green Monster WHEN he makes contact.
Grade: C+
30. Bert Lamb, P, Colorado Rockies.
Upside: Splits and Ground Ball. Downside: Durability. Not so sure he has what it takes to pitch at Coors field but could in a few other places.
Grade: C
31. Chad Haad, P, Salem Super Sequoias. Salem took a chance on a good player but it doesn't look promising.
32. Daniel Baez, P, Florida Marlins. Upside: Ground Ball and Pitches. Downside: Control and Splits. To tell the truth, this late in the first round this is an exceptional choice. Being a closer is borderline with such mediocre control and splits , setup is very possible though.
Grade: B
33. Heath Gonzales, C, Pittsburgh Pirates. Upside: Adequate everywhere. Downside: Glove. Wish this kid was on my Draft Board as I would have taken him with the 12th pick as this type of player was on my wish list. Good hitting abilities. Defense isn't spectacular but good enough to get the job done.
Grade: B+
Note: And yes P-nut, Faulk was #1 on my draft board, my scouts saw him a bit better than I do now, but they saw it still a bit awkward.
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