Thursday, February 7, 2013

Season 26 Draft

Time for the worst draft review I have ever had the pleasure of doing. It was sickening from my point of view and not sure it was worth taking my time to do it.  Out of 35 players, maybe half will find a way to the majors if they are lucky. Mets had 4 picks in the first 50 and maybe one might wear the uniform.  Yeah, I changed the format and didn't give them a grade, don't think they deserved one as some of the cheap Internationals are better.
  
1. Gene Fitzgerald

Position: RH Pitcher Type: SP
Team: Houston
Fielding: Great
General: Great
Hitting: Poor
Control: Above Average
Splits: Above Average
Velo: Above Average
GB/FB: Mixed
Pitches: Great

Notes: Very probable this was the best pitcher on the board. Houston is hoping he doesn't sign which would move them to a second pick next season if he doesn't. I don't blame them one bit for this move as it was not a very exciting draft. The scouts say he might be a bit of a developmental disappointment and may never rise above  #4 starter status if that.

2. Jhoulys Polanco
Position: CF Bats/Throws: L
Team: Montreal
Fielding: Exquisite potential
General: Health is lackluster
Speed: Good
Eye: Great
Splits: Good
Power: Good
Contact: Great

Notes: Has speed but horrible base running skills which knocks his stock down a bit. Favors LH pitching and hits with some authority and will be a very tough to strike out. Probably the best position player in the draft and could be a future force if he stays healthy. Gets the vote for best spelling of his first name.

3.  Hal Darwin

4.  Watty Headley
Position: SS Bats/Throws: R
Team: San Francisco
Fielding: SS ugly
General: Good
Speed: Slow
Eye: Above Average
Splits: Good
Power: Good
Contact: Good

Notes:  It is doubtful that he could play even as a poor SS, 3B/RF is best possibilities. Has great base running skills but is as fast as molasses. Has some power at the plate and should be a tough out if he develops well. What can ya say, he was the best player on my board.

5. Derrick Moylan
Position: SS Bats/Throws: R
Team: Minnesota
Fielding: SS UGHHH
General: Not the healthiest rabbit
Speed: Fast
Eye: Good
Splits: Good
Power: Good
Contact: Great

Notes: Chances of playing SS looks dismal but might play a decent 3B. Always a threat to steal is a plus factor. If his hitting develops could be a boon to the lineup but don't hold your breath.

6.  Alex Brush

Position: SS Bats/Throws: R
Team: San Diego
Fielding: SS decent
General: Great
Speed: Moderrate
Eye: Good
Splits: Poor
Power: Poor
Contact: Great

Notes: Definitely not a GG candidate at SS but possesses enough skill to play the position. Isn't a speedster but has enough ability to steal an occasional base. Hitting could be a disaster as he looks to be a seeing eye dog.

7. Tony Guillen
Position: SS Bats/Throws: R
Team: Helena
Fielding: SS ugly
General: Outstanding
Speed: Fast
Eye: Above Average
Splits: Good
Power: Good
Contact: Good

Notes:  I would imagine he would wind up at 3B/RF as he has a poor reputation at SS. Has lots of speed but it degenerates with terrible base running skills that doesn't look to improve. Should be a decent hitter with some long ball power though he favors lefties.

8. Matthew Ripken
Position: 2B Bats/Throws: R
Team: Milwaukee
Fielding: 2B iffy
General: Moderate
Speed: Good
Eye:  Average
Splits: Average
Power: Moderate
Contact: Above Average

Notes: His range could be the deciding factor whether or not he can play 2B, outlook is grim in this aspect. Further degrading his ability is the low durability which may induce an expensive backup player in the end. Has some speed but base running skills is a hamper. Hitting may never be an exact science with him and could be spotty though he does favor righties.

9. Ray Buck

10.  Kid Graves
Position: LF Bats/Throws: L
Team: St. Louis
Fielding: LF  Poor
General: Moderate
Speed: Amazingly Fast
Eye:  Below Average
Splits: Very Good
Power: Good
Contact: Better than I see hopefully

Notes: This kid is a contrast as he might be better than I am seeing. Durability looks to be a bust in the long term. Playing LF looks like a dream as he may be better suited at 1B. Has plenty of speed and knows how to use it, a refreshing change. Could have great splits and power but actually seeing the ball and hitting it might be accidental.

11. Ryan Barnes
Position: CF Bats/Throws: R
Team: Philadelphia
Fielding: CF Very Good
General: Less than appealing
Speed: Moderate
Eye: Fantastic
Splits:  Good
Power: Average
Contact: Good

Notes:  His Health and Makeup put a distinctive damper on the plus side of things. Could steal a few bases but not with any regularity.  Favors hitting against lefties and tends to hit opposite field. Bigger upside is that he can play 2B also.

12. Les Tapani
Position: CF Bats/Throws: S/L
Team: Kansas City
Fielding: CF Doubtful
General: Supreme
Speed: Fast
Eye: Very Good
Splits:  Decent
Power: Average
Contact: Not so good

Notes: May wind up in RF as he just isn't good enough for CF then again I have J-MAC playing CF this season. Has speed but base running skills will make him moderately successful. Lack of contact, switch hitter and very average splits won't help his cause much either.

13. Emil Pineda
Position: SS Bats/Throws: S/R
Team: Louisville
Fielding: SS Doubtful
General: Very Good
Speed: Good
Eye: Average
Splits:  Above Average
Power: Below Average
Contact: Above Average

Notes: Could very well become a base stealing threat. Too many under areas to be a decent SS and would really thrive at 3B and maybe emergency 2B. In my mind I don't see him developing well at the plate maybe it is because he is a switch.

14. Shooter Romero
Position: RH Pitcher Type: SP
Team: Minnesota
Fielding: Great
General: Good
Hitting: Poor
Control: Average
Splits: Above Average
Velo: Flamer
GB/FB: GB
Pitches: 1

Notes:  Lacks control and really only has 1 pitch. If he can keep hitters on the ground with a good defense he might be surprising. Could be a 4th or 5th starter though I am not fond of weak 3 pitch pitchers in the starting rotation. Might be better served as a long reliever.

15. Artie Wagner
Position: LH Pitcher Type: CL
Team: Dover
Fielding: Could play 1B in spare time
General: Outstanding
Hitting: Poor
Control: Average
Splits: Above Average
Velo: Flamer
GB/FB: GB
Pitches: Good

Notes: Most don't like lefty closers, neither do I. Dom Tabaka proved it could be done with panache however. He could be a better version even. I am not fond of that low right split though, but if it gets into the 60's lookout.

16.Arthur Zavada
Position: RH Pitcher Type: CL
Team: Little Rock
Fielding: Good
General: Outstanding
Hitting: Poor
Control: Outstanding
Splits: Above Average
Velo: Flamer
GB/FB: FB
Pitches: Outstanding

Notes: Doesn't look like control and pitches will reach potential but close is really good enough. His splits will probably end up a bit short for a RH Closer, regardless I wouldn't underestimate his value in the pen.

17. Shaun Drew
Position: RH Pitcher Type: SP
Team: Los Angeles
Fielding: Good
General: Good
Hitting: Not bad
Control: Extreme
Splits: Above Average
Velo: Flamer
GB/FB: GB
Pitches: Very Good

Notes: His Health didn't scare me that much as I had him ranked second on my board. That Control, GB and three upper crust pitches had me google-eyed. Splits aren't great but can be overcome with a good catcher.

18. Kila Relaford
Position: CF Bats/Throws: R
Team: Baltimore
Fielding: 2B Possible
General: Outstanding
Speed: Good
Eye: Great
Splits:  Average
Power: Low
Contact: Above Average

Notes: Could be a hard sell to play 2B but at least if the ball is near him he will field it. Has a decent arm for 2B which could put him in RF also. Has base stealing tendencies, just not top notched.  Placing him in a line up could be a tough aspect as he isn't good enough for lead off and not enough power for the next several slots. Too good for the back of the line up, glad I ain't making the decision.

19. Kenny Quantrill

20. Harvey Christensen
Position: LH Pitcher Type: SP
Team: Washington D.C.
Fielding: Good
General: Poor
Hitting: Poor
Control: Extreme
Splits: Very Good
Velo: Off Speed
GB/FB: GB
Pitches:  Good

Notes: If it wasn't for his very poor Health he would have been the best pitcher in the draft and that is odd for a lefty. The biggest bet going is whether or not he will have a sun stroke before AAA.

21. Anthony Hardy
Position: LH Pitcher Type: SP
Team: New York
Fielding: Good
General: Poor
Hitting: Poor
Control: Good
Splits: Not
Velo: Flamer
GB/FB: Heavy GB
Pitches:  Decent

Notes: Chances at a ML career aren't helpful with the low Health. Then again chances are slim that he would make it to the Bigs anyway.

22. Steve McDonald

Position: LH Pitcher Type: CL
Team: Los Angeles
Fielding: Good
General: Extremely Good
Hitting: Poor
Control: Good
Splits: Good
Velo: Flamer
GB/FB:  GB
Pitches:  Good

Notes: Take a chance on me is his theme song as the scouts seem to like him. Development will take a front seat but still I don't see the control and right split to come all that close to projected which could make or break him.

23. Cody Rivers
Position: RH Pitcher Type: CL
Team: Toronto
Fielding: Good, give him some glove love and a move to RF
General: Good
Hitting: He can bunt
Control: Very Good
Splits: Good
Velo: Tweener
GB/FB:  Tweener
Pitches:  Excellent

Notes:  Chances are probable that his control will only reach the low 80's and the right split may only reach 60. His pitches may be his key to success.

24. Earl Scales
Position: RH Pitcher Type: CL
Team: Little Rock
Fielding: Good
General: Very Good
Hitting: He can bunt
Control: Very Good
Splits: Very Good
Velo: Tweener
GB/FB:  FB
Pitches:  Excellent

Notes:  It will take some time but he should develop into a ML pitcher one day. I wouldn't say he he is Closer material but a setup man is still a job that pays well.

25. Damon Towles

26.  Armando Castillo
Position: CF Bats/Throws: R
Team: Tampa Bay
Fielding: 2B Good
General: Very Good
Speed: Decent
Eye: Average
Splits:  Above Average
Power: Some
Contact: Good

Notes: CF or 2B is an big advantage and he can possibly play either with a little bit of 3B thrown in for a change of pace. Hitting is tough as he likes lefties and is not real conducive to hit righties all that well. Has some speed and can steal a base every now and then which helps his resume a bit.

27. Lew Gutierrez
Position: SS Bats/Throws: R
Team: Tampa Bay
Fielding: SS Not Good
General: Very Good
Speed: Some
Eye: Below Average
Splits:  Above Average
Power: Above Average
Contact: Good

Notes: This is one of those guys you learn to hate. He can do most things so-so but not good at any of them. Range may be a bit short but have a fantastic Glove with a weak but accurate arm. Hitting is the same, good potential but tends to lucky instead of good.

28. Turk Cosby
Position: RH Pitcher Type: SP
Team: New York
Fielding: Good
General: Good
Hitting: He can bunt
Control: Very Good
Splits: Very Good
Velo: Slow
GB/FB:  GB
Pitches:  Average

Notes: Just maybe he can develop into a starting pitcher. Actually a pretty decent looking pitcher for this late in the draft.

29. Derek O'Donnell
Position: CF Bats/Throws: S/L
Team: Texas
Fielding: CF Butt Ugly
General: Very Good
Speed: Speedster
Eye: Below Average
Splits:  Below Average
Power:  Average
Contact: Average

Notes: He is still unsigned and Texas probably won't make a move because he just ain't worth it. On the bright side of things, he could play RF and has the audacity to steal a few bases. Hitting overall is as good as his purveyance in CF.

30. Terrence Bray
Position: RH Pitcher Type: CL
Team: Colorado Springs
Fielding: Good
General: Very Good
Hitting: He can bunt
Control: Average
Splits:  Good
Velo: Flamer
GB/FB:  Mixed
Pitches:  Good

Notes: Doubtful he could be a closer and setup is his destiny. Not overwhelming with his spots but does have those desirable splits and a very good pitch selection.

31.Juan Alfonseca
Position: C Bats/Throws: R
Team: Seattle
Fielding: DH Could be a rather ugly emergency catcher
General:  Good
Speed: Slow
Eye: Above Average
Splits:  Average
Power: Good
Contact: Great

Notes:  No speed and not really suited for anything other than DH. Hitting is not really all that great for a DH but can be a tough strike out victim. Has some power to hit the long ball but not consistently while biggest redemption is contact.

32. Frank Davidson
Position: RF Bats/Throws: R
Team: Florida
Fielding: RF Decent
General:  Great
Speed: Fast
Eye: Above Average
Splits:  Average
Power: Average
Contact: Good

Notes: Low end RF in the fielding department. Has speed but gets caught a lot and it doesn't look like development will help the situation. Hitting isn't bad just nothing to write home about.

33. Diory Valentin
Position: LH Pitcher Type: CL
Team: Little Rock
Fielding: Good
General: Decent
Hitting: He can bunt
Control: Below Average
Splits:  Above Average
Velo: Flamer
GB/FB:  Mixed
Pitches:  Outstanding

Notes: If his control or splits were better he might make it to the majors. I don't see it happening even in a setup role.

34. Ryne Witt
Position: LH Pitcher Type: SP
Team: San Francisco
Fielding: Very Good
General: Very Good
Hitting: He can bunt
Control: Above Average
Splits:  Good
Velo: Flamer
GB/FB:  FB
Pitches:  Very Good

Notes: A developmental project that will probably end up way low in crucial areas. Has two exciting pitches but the third ends up in the cheap seats more often than not. Making it to the majors is his dream but it may end up that way.

35. Henry Barry

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