Draft Review

With the new rules in place, did some take advantage of the Type D compensation in the first 3 rounds? Out of 7 drafts so far since the change, this is the best one I have seen. There seemed to be a theme with left handed starting pitchers though.

1. Mark James - Oklahoma City Kevin Durants, P: The best starting pitcher in the draft, no doubt about it. Has the control, splits and 5 pitches. The only slight drawback is his patience (every player has one I think). Cy Young awards should be in his future.
Grade: A+
ORG: A+ SWEET pickup in the supplemental

2. Bill Lloyd - Washington D.C. Senators, CF: Power hitting lefty CF with good eye and contact. Glove may be too weak for the position though. Health is borderline, but these days I am not sure it is a problem.
Grade: A
ORG: B+ The second round pick was fantastic

3. Vladimir Melendez - Texas Rangers, SS: An outstanding power hitting defensive SS. Has all the tools to be a MVP at the position. Best position player in the draft.
Grade: A+
ORG: A+ Outstanding draft if the first round pick signs and lives up to the pick

4. Santo Martin - Salt Lake City Multiple Spouses, CF: Doesn't have the glove or the range for the scouted CF or drafted 2B position. Best position could be 3B even with his somewhat weak arm. No sneaking a bad pitch by him with his eye and has good power and contact. Splits are a little weak but won't matter.
Grade: A
ORG: B+

5. Raymond Barr - Detroit Detroit, CF: Scouts have him listed as a CF, Detroit lists him as a LF. He projects to a GG CF by the way. Has a powerful gold swing with contact to match and his eye will make sure it is a hole in one. Biggest drawback is his patience.
Grade: A
ORG: B- 2nd pick is over the top, 3rd was decent but downhill from there

6. Willie Izquierdo - Helena Hot Pockets, P: A right handed fly ball power starting pitcher with very good control and splits. Pitches are good but might be a tad weak with only 3 in the stable.
Grade: A
Org: C even if first pick signs

7. Felipe Mendoza - Los Angeles Duffers, LF: Unknown
Grade:
Org: B- Not overly thrilled with some of the pitching prospects

8. Eric LaRocca - Vancouver Canadians, LF: Can someone say power hitting lead off? Eye might be a little weak but the rest is there. Range is problematic even at LF.
Grade: A
ORG: A+ if the 2nd pick signs

9. Herman Stark - Philadelphia Athletics, P: Left hand end of rotation starting pitcher which means a weak vsR and low stamina. However, with the GB, control and those pitches, it may not matter much.
Grade: A
ORG: C tried to find pitching and didn't succeed.

10. Kirk Donnels - New York Yankees, SS: A power hitting SS. Power hitting is definite, a SS is another matter. Glove and arm is a little weak even with the range, is good enough for CF. I wouldn't put him anywhere else though unless his projections don't pan out and that could put him at 2B or 3B for sure.
Grade: A
ORG: C Was not overly thrilled with the power hitters for old Yankee Stadium but when the NEW Yankee stadium hits, may change the grade of this draft. That is thinking ahead.

11. Clinton Cedeno - New York Mets, P: A left handed starting pitcher with somewhat weak vsR, probably 4th. Like Stark it probably won't matter with the GB, control and 5 pretty good pitches. Health could be an issue.
Grade: B+
ORG: B may have lucked out with the 3rd round pick and 2nd is iffy but good pen help after.

12. Neifi Montana - Omaha Lancers, P: Another left handed starting pitcher with somewhat weak vsR but is a very possible number 1 or 2. Has the GB, control and 5 nice pitches.
Grade: A
ORG: A if the second pick signs will improve to an A+, 5th round pick was a steal.

13. Bill Saunders - Austin Fightin' Armadillos, P: 2nd best right handed starting pitcher in the draft and possible number 3 slot. Has the GB, super control, splits and 5 good pitches.
Grade: A
ORG: A

14. Darren Cambridge - Tampa Bay Rays, SS: A possible GG defensive SS. Has a somewhat weak eye and splits are a bit below average but does have some power and very high contact. Is that a good fit for Tampa stadium?
Grade: B
ORG: B Went after pitching and did well

15. Peter Alexander - El Paso Czars, SS: Another outstanding power hitting defensive SS. I may have said Melendez was the best pick but not by much. Melendez may hit more home runs but Peter will have a better average or should. Both are going to be competing for the best SS all through their careers.
Grade: A+
ORG: A If the rest get signed.

16. Keith O'Neill - Florida Marlins, P: Maybe he won't sign and that could be helpful in a way. Another of those left handers that seemed to be a theme with this draft. He doesn't exactly stack up to the others though.
Grade:
ORG: B even with the first being doubtful the rest were pretty good.

17. Pedro Saez - Toronto Blue Jays, C: Defensively good behind the plate but lacks the pitch calling to be considered a first rate catcher. As a DH he doesn't have the overwhelming power at the plate but is fantastic as a catcher. Can we say mixed reviews!
Grade: B
ORG: B

18. Randy Burkett - Trenton Ball Hogs, RF: Range could be a little weak but has a good arm for RF. Has great eye and splits but limited in power and contact.
Grade: B
ORG: A some very nice picks

19. Mike Hunt - Las Vegas 51s, P: If it wasn't for his health I would say he would be a good first round pick. If he survives the minors and the jokes, could turn into a first rate pitcher.
Grade: B
ORG: A- Just because I didn't like the first pick....

20. Trace Wallace - Cleveland Indians, 3B : Possible GG and SilSlug 3B in the making. Good eye, high splits, exceptional power and enough contact pitchers will pitch to him.
Grade: A
ORG: B+ went after short pen help and succeeded

21. David Gomez - Pittsburgh Pirates, 2B: 2B is a reach and health is an issue. Has a good eye and vsR is a little weak but does have lots of power and contact.
Grade: B
ORG: A- went after pitching help and did a good job

22. Albert Paronto - Milwaukee Brewers, P: Left handed starting pitcher that could be a project.
Grade: B+
ORG: B- two better picks later but for the most part iffy

23. Randall Frederick - Cincinnati Reds, C: Weak defensively and would make a better DH. However the power hitting numbers are there to make him a viable option.
Grade: B+
ORG: C+ all those picks and wasn't exactly overwhelming

24. Vicente Alicea - Dover Dung Beetles, SS: A possible GG SS but his hitting will probably make him a bench warmer. Can we say "Red Herring".
Grade: C
ORG: ummm scouting? need to spend more or get help using current ratings and 20/10 rule

25. Johnny Brown - Chicago Cubs, CF: CF is probably out with the range issues. Has the speed and hitting ability to be a lead off hitter if he can stay off the DL.
Grade: B-
ORG: B+ at least the following picks look better.

26. Lorenzo Osuna - Las Vegas 51s, SS: Scouts tell me he isn't a SS and maybe a 3B. Shows to have very good eye, splits and power but contact is lacking.
Grade: A better second pick

27. Zeke Little - Houston Astros, C: Defensively a mess, has the PC but catching the ball and throwing out runners will be interesting. When it comes to hitting, one might want to stand on that upper promenade at the juice box as you will have a better chance of catching anything he hits. Does that make him a viable option? umm...maybe
Grade: B+
ORG: C+ too many unseen HS players wanting too much money maybe

28. Wilt McCracken - Anaheim Angels, 2B: Range is a little short to be real good at 2B. Hitting is a decently above average all the way around.
Grade: B+
ORG: B- overall average players

29. Harry Ramos - Atlanta Pork-N-Beans, P: Right handed pitcher that could be a shut down closer with the 3 pitch stable or could be used as long setup. Exceptional control, spits with some nice pitches.
Grade: A
ORG: ? depends if the organization is willing to part with big bucks

30. Hong-Chih Hasegawa - Los Angeles Duffers, P: I am not overly thrilled with low control, high split pitchers but this guy could be good.
Grade: B-

31. Matty Venafro - St. Louis Barracudas, LF: Pretty good defensively. Hitting is not overwhelming.
Grade: B
ORG: B- overall average players

32. Trevor Thompson - Chicago Cubs, SS: Defensive abilities may not make projections as they have a long way to go. Hitting abilities are in the same boat. One never knows though and could turn into a good player.
Grade: C