Season 18 Draft Part 1

1. Erubiel Villafuerte, P - Washington D.C. Senators, Upside: control and splits, Downside: lack of pitches. Unfortunately, the DL has already reared its ugly head and claimed a good rookie start.

Grade: A-

2. R.J. Bellhorn, P - New York Mets, Upside: Cold be the complete package. Downside: He is a lefty.

Grade: A+

3. Russell Lewis, 2B, Houston Astros, Upside: glove, eye, contact and speed. Downside: range and splits. Good 2B although he might watch a couple bound to the outfield that he should have. Hitting could be interesting, lead off or 2nd slot maybe but might fall to 6th or so.

Grade: A-

4. T.J. Cota, SS, Tampa Bay Rays, Upside: Glove and Arm. Downside: Range and Contact. Overall a good player defensively. Offensively the contact could hold him back from being a superstar.

Grade: B+

5. Juan Espinoza, P, New Orleans Jubilee, Upside: Control and splits. Downside: Pitches and Fly Ball. Downsides really hurt IMO.

Grade: B+

6. Don Evert, P, San Diego Padres, Upsides: Just about everything. Downsides: Stamina. May not make the starting rotation but should make a shut down middle reliever.

Grade: A

7. Rich Faulk, P, Cincinnati Reds, Upsides: Control and Splits Downsides: Awkward pitches. May not go deep into games with the durability but could turn into a quality starting pitcher.

Grade: A-

8. Buster Kaufman, P, Arizona Diamondbacks, Upsides: Control and Splits. Downsides: Pitches. As a reliever could have iffy quality with those pitches.

Grade: B

9. Vicente Guerrero, P, Toronto Blue Jays, Upsides: Velocity, Pitches and Ground Ball. Downsides: Control. A bunch of red flags jump out at me with this kid. Will he develop is an interesting question and if he does will he be enough for ML quality. I am betting he doesn't.

Grade: C

10. Joakim Gandarilla, 2B, Texas Rangers, Upsides: Contact and Speed Downsides: Just about everything else. Playing 2B is iffy. Hitting consistently is iffy. Stealing bases will be easy at the ML level, getting him on base could be a problem.

Grade: C+

11. Corban Christman, LF, Dover Dung Beetles, Upsides: Range Downsides: Contact. Should be a good fielding LF. Has some power but not overwhelming, splits are good but the Eye and Contact may make him just mediocre at the plate.

Grade: B-

12. Mark McMichael, SS, Cleveland Indians. Upsides: Speed and Arm Downsides: Health and Makeup. SS was never the idea, 3B was but chances of that are slim and could end up in RF. Was looking for a lead off hitter but it doesn't look like he is going to be a candidate for that even.

Grade: C

13. Ralph Jackson, P, Chicago Cubs, Upsides: Many Downsides: Health. For a closer or short setup pitcher, he will fill the bill.

Grade: A-

14. Lou Garvin, P, Milwaukee Brewers, Upsides: Control, Ground Ball and Splits. Downsides: Stamina and Pitches. His control and splits should help his good pitches. May not go deep into games as a starter.

Grade: B+

15. Stewart Jones, P, Kansas City Royals - Unsigned

16. Jamie Milton, SS, Seattle Mariners, Upsides: Power Downsides: Range and Glove. SS is out of the question I believe, 3B is even iffy as RF is probable. To tell the truth, he is a little better version of my pick.

Grade: B-

Little Rock

Little Rock is actually one of the toughest places to play and the easiest at the same time. It can take a while to develop a team to play there however. I have a team in another World that plays there and they are a very good team but suffer the same problems as my Indians this year, Horrendous at 1-run losses (13-26).

Little Rock is a homer and hitting paradise, so it takes a good hitter with power to play there. A very good Eye and Contact is a must with above 50 splits and better. Switch hitters don't seem to do all that well either.

Defense can be rough, so outfield needs to be strong along with corner infield.

Pitching has to be somewhat top notch. High control, decent splits and at least two good pitches in the 1 and 2 slots. Control below 50 will not work at all. Control 50 to 60 will work if they have 70 splits with three good pitches. I suggest control in the 80's and above. Above all else with pitchers in Little Rock, Ground Ball/ Fly Ball needs to be high, anything below 65 is not good. Believe it or not, I have success with pitchers in Little Rock with 80+ control, 80 Fly Ball, first two pitches in the 70's with low 40 splits. Regardless of how good a staff you put together, they will give up a lot of long balls here.

Pittsburgh Pirates Season 18

The Pirates are back for another go after a disastrous playoff loss to the Phillies. The Pirates were unable to resign future hall of famer Omar Elcano, but thanks to a trade with Tampa they were able to come up with a capable replacement in Ken Shumpert.
Additions: Ken Shumpert, Jose Guzman, Wallace Wyatt
Departures: Clarence Valentin, Miguel Owen, Alex Espinoza, Dallas Hyzdu, Omar Elcano

Season 18 Starting Lineup
C: Andy Reagan gold glove winner last season
1B: Juan Carrasquel, 53 home runs last season
2B: Bernard Shelley gold glove winner last season
SS: Don Gong steady defender, really improved at the plate last season
3B: Luis Cruz decent glove at 3rd.
LF: David Gomez started off slow last season, but finished up strong
CF: Lance Howard came over in a trade with Anaheim last season
RF: Alex Richardson could be his last season with the Pirates
Bench:
Rob Webster backup catcher,
Max Fuentes will pinch hit, play some 1B,
Derek Throneberry backup 2B and in CF
Jose Guzman will backup at SS and 3B
Yorvit Veras will see some time in LF, RF,
Season 18 Pitching Staff
SP1: Tim Loewer the best 6 inning pitcher in the game right now
SP2: Ken Shumpert gets to pitch for a playoff team
SP3: Emil Sosa 19 game winner last season
SP4: Jimmie Torres back in the rotation after a poor season in the pen
SP5: Felix Carter
Mop up: Nate Sager
LRB: Daryl Graves also start when Sosa and Loewer need some extra rest
LRB: Wallace Wyatt
SuA: Daniel Blackwell hall of famer
SuB: Max Carreras
SuB: Geraldo Rosa
CL: Andres Coronado all star last season

As has been the case the past few seasons, this season is all about winning the World series. Anything less will be a disaster. The NL North division will be pretty easy to win this season, as the other 3 teams are still rebuilding. The Pirates will be playing the regular season for a first round bye in the playoffs. Only Florida and Salem stand in their way.

GM of the Season

NL:

Chase39 - Pittsburgh Pirates
NL North Champs
4th division title

Wholck - Philadelphia Phillies
NL East Champs
1 win improvement
3rd division title

Sdhizzle - Florida Marlins
NL South Champs
4th division title

Jsholmes - Salem Super Sequoias
NL West Champs
7 win improvement
2nd division title

Yoker70 - Los Angeles Dodgers
#1 Wild Card
11 win improvement

Davisbrian - San Francisco Giants
#2 Wild Card

AL:

John_plotts - Detroit Tigers
AL North Champs
12 win improvement
1st division title

Pfontaine - Boston Red Sox
AL East Champs
7 win improvement
3rd division title

Edham55 - St. Louis Cardinals
AL South Champs
1st division title (5th for the franchise)

Slobs - Colorado Rockies
AL West Champs
20 win improvement
11 division titles

Thomas36is - Helena Hot Pockets
#1 Wild Card
9 win improvement

Mal247 - Anaheim Angels
#2 Wild Card
3 win improvement

Season 17 Draft

It is once again time to see what I think of the drafted players. Been a struggle to get it done. The vacation was great BTW.


1. Ernest Barrett, P - Washington Senators: Looks like the real deal as far as a #1 starter is concerned if he can stay healthy.

Grade: A

2. Ebenezer Munoz, 1B - Milwaukee Brewers: May lack good range but all the other tools are there. May not be a great power hitter but should be a high OBP player with lots of extra base hits.
Grade: A -

3. Jonathan Kennedy, P - Dover Dung Beetles: May not go past the 7th inning often but has a very good pitch selection, control and splits and good enough to be a #1 starter.

Grade A

4. Artie Betemit, CF - Tampa Bay Rays: Has the range but uses a glove with a hole in the webbing. has decent power at the plate.

Grade: A

5. Hack Dean, RF- Cincinnati Reds: May lack good defensive skills for RF. Not big on power with the bat but has good contact and very good splits with a so-so eye. His biggest asset is he could win a steady stream of Iron-man awards.

Grade: B+

6. John Ni, SS - Arizona Diamondbacks: Range looks pretty weak for a SS and may end up at 3B. Good hitter with some decent power.

Grade: B+

7. Ted Maxwell, P - New York Mets: Has a great arm and pitches but his stamina could make him a go-to guy in the pen or a 5 inning starter.

Grade: A

8. Todd Lawrence, SS - Detroit Tigers: Drafted as a 3B which looks to be a wise move. Has a power, decent eye and splits but fails to make contact a lot.

Grade: B+

9. Ronny Gant, 2B - Houston Astros: 2B is way out of the question as the Astros quickly discovered and LF is the answer. Development is key on how he performs at the ML level. Plenty of power and should rocket a lot of long balls at the OJ Box.

Grade: A

10. Barry Cook, 1B - Chicago Cubs: An under glover at 1B but should be adequate. A very big power bat. Will his health keep him on the field is the question.

Grade: B+

11. Alex Reddick, 2B - New Orleans Zephyrs: Great range and glove for a 2B. Should be solid but unspectacular at the plate. Decent speed is a plus. Poor makeup is a bit of a concern.

Grade: B+

12. Al Steele, C - Los Angeles Dodgers: With the exception of a mediocre eye he has the potential to be very solid at the plate. His arm is very good. Pitch calling is also very good. All the makings of a very good C, but poor durability will limit him to nothing more than a part time C. May have been a stretch at 12 for a part time player.

Grade: C+

13. Walt Shelley, RP - Texas Rangers: Potential to be a very good closer. Mediocre health could limit development, but no other significant weaknesses.

Grade: A

14. Eugene Truman, SP - Minnesota Twins: He has the splits, pitches, and stamina to be a solid #2 or 3 SP. Mediocre health and control are his only weaknesses. Good pick at 14.

Grade: A

15. Sammy Uribe, RP - Kansas City Royals - At the ML level he should be a very solid reliever or closer. Durability may be his only limiting factor as a reliever. As a closer he would most likely be very good, but not dominate.

Grade: B-

16. Phil Levier, SP - San Diego Padres: He has the splits, and stamina to be a solid #2 or 3 SP. Only one good pitch and mediocre control are his only limiting factors. Great health and makeup are a plus. Solid pick at 16.

Grade: A

17. Brutus Mora, SS - Salem Super Sequoias: Defense is a little weak for a SS, but he should be able to play virtually any position. He has mediocre splits, and power meaning Salem shouldn't expect too much at the plate. With considerably slower than average speed Salem shouldn't much on the bases. Probably a very good utility player.

Grade: C+

18. Jackie Patel, RF - Salem Super Sequoias - Great speed, and better than average power. Poor glove and health are his most significant weaknesses.

Grade: C+

19. Stephen Melville, RF - Seattle Mariners: Pretty average all around. Below average splits and average power. Solid eye. Not a horrible pick at 19.

Grade: C+

20. J.D. Gibson, SP - Atlanta Braves: Poor vL will limit him to LR or as a back of the rotation SP at the ML. He does have two great pitches, great health, and decent control.

Grade: C-

A Look Around the World

Things look a little testy and some managers are scratching their heads trying to make sense of the season. I know I am.

AL North

The Tigers find themselves out in front today. It is a highly contested division at the moment with first place being traded back and forth with the mariners. The Twinkies are keeping pace ans not falling behind and might make an after All_Star break run. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, just can't seemed to get anything going.

AL East

The Red Sox seem to be breezing through the season so far but find themselves playing second fiddle to the #1 seed at the moment. The Braves seem satisfied with a possible Wild Card berth slipping to 10 games back. The Beetles and Senators will need a miracle to get into contention at this rate.

AL South

The Rays and Panthers find themselves tied for the division lead and could be a long season before this division is settled. The Cards and Royals are keeping in the thick of things just in case one or both should falter.

AL West

The Rockies are a rockin in Colorado! Helena has vowed to keep a close watch for an opening though. The Angels are suffering from jet lag at home which doesn't bode well for them. The Padres may not have the team for San Diego, ask the Zephyrs owner for help (MHO).

NL North

The Pirates find themselves in first, who would have thunk it? The rest of the division is good but still in the rebuild mode me thinks and will be up and coming soon.

NL East

The Phillies are in first, not sure why really. Oh, maybe it is because the rest of the division just can't seem to find some semblance of winning at home. The Indians get pitching and no hitting then hitting and no pitching...I for one am scratching my head, where is DJ's sister when you need her?

NL South

The Marlins (err.. Ivan Johnson) are in first, well that was a given. I am surprised to see the Rangers in second though and only 5 games back. Most of the NL teams are suffering from homeitis, in other words, the itch to get away? This is prevalent in the southland also.

NL West

Salem's dynasty has taken hold. How long though before it peaks? The rest of the West is struggling. Though me thinks Arizona is much better than their record indicates.

Indepth Look At The Indians

Ok, we are 30 games into the season and it is time to look at where things are going wrong. Is it time to tweak a few things? Make personnel changes? Wait a bit longer? Remember, must only analyze against the NL because of the DH factor.

Offense:

The park parlays some lowered effects quite a bit as it is a relatively odd neutral park. We are above the line which is pretty good in my books. Got to remember we play defense and sacrifice some offense (rather paltry hitting at catcher and SS).

Matt Pierce leads the team with a .377 average, .472 OBP and 7 SB's which I think is good for a lead-off hitter for a non-running team. Not often will you find an upper echelon power hitter in this position.

Felipe Mendoza leads the team in HR's (10), RBI's (30), .685 SLG and 1.103 OPS coupled with a .369 average. Very good for the #4 hitter.

Giovanni Jackson has been somewhat of a disappointment again this year but normally picks it up later in the season.

The rest of the team needs to do a bit better but are chipping in the best they can. At least they are not horrendous.

Defense:

Tied for 5th in the league with 15 errors which isn't bad. 14 plus plays and 2 minus plays. Surprisingly the two minus plays are at 1B and CF, though the CF one can be expected. #1 at stopping SB's, a big plus if you ask me.

Pitching:

This is where the woes seem to be at. SP is actually pretty good. Ok, they are not great but I only expect them to get to the 5th inning or so. The pen is where the biggest let down has been so far.

Mickey Frazier giving up 9 HR's already is no help. The two middle relief lefties has been beaten up badly so far.

Have got no recourse for the time being but to let it progress a little further to see if it straightens out. The problem could be with the schedule, 10 games in a row with the dominate forces can put a damper on anyones party.