Season 19 Draft

It is time to summarize the Season 19 draft, good or bad from my perspective. I am going to break down my thoughts on the first position player and pitcher in the draft. Remember, I only have 14's in my scouting departments across the board for those that have higher may see something better or worse that I don't see. I also don't know what your board looked like so it is hard to really second guess.

1. O.T. Kirk, P, Little Rock Heads.

His Overall is a 60 which is a good starting point but his projected is an 80. After looking over the potential areas I don't see an 80 happening, 77 at the most.

Fielding is not of great concern for a pitcher. However, he does have good Range and Arm, his Glove can receive the ball from the catcher and swat the gnats rather well but on bunts or ground balls would be better advised to bare hand the ball or duck. Will be very tough to steal on.

His Durability shows to be maxed, a 2 point gain would be rather nice and maybe possible. Health is good and shows a decent enough improvement. Patience, Temper and Makeup shows fantastic growth, though the Patience is probably unattainable but definitely will be good enough.

Hitting is not much of a concern to owners for pitchers, especially the AL. His continued improvement in his bunting ability could come in handy one day though.

Pitching ability is the meat of things. Stamina is very good and could become outstanding in time. Control could max out at 100, but I don't see it happening. I think 92 at the most, 90+ for any pitcher is fantastic. His splits show to be light for a great lefty. I see him at 64 max on the right well short of 70, how close he really gets should be a concern. The left split should be quality enough. Throws with power which is good and will be much better in the future. His Ground Ball capability will be decent, not great. The biggest issue is his pitches. Currently they show to be good but improvement shows to be awkward and low. This could be due to my scouting. A rule, power hitters love power pitchers! When this type of pitcher doesn't have that great first pitch and good second pitch bad things usually happen. The first pitch is actually mediocre at best while the second and remaining pitches are good.

Analysis: The fact that he was a lefty and his pitches didn't wow us made him unappealing to the Mets organization. In our minds he wasn't a top 5 pick. The big caveat here was the fact there wasn't any great starters in the draft. For a team that is probably pitching starved, he may have been the best choice. With an 18 in scouting, he may be better than I am seeing also. Might take a great pitch calling catcher to make him all that he can be.

Grade B

2. A.J. Rooney, P, Mexico City Diablos Rojos. Fielding is good. Medical is great. Stamina, control and splits are good. Bit of a Fly Ball pitcher with moderate power. Pitches are not so hot.

Analysis: I do expect him to break into a starting rotation maybe as a 4th or 5th starter. I don't expect him to win many awards however with his pitches being weak.

Grade B

3. Joshua Callaway, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks. Fielding is okay. Medically sound. Plate awareness is good.

Analysis: For a 2B he doesn't have the glove. Durability may be a factor. Has the speed and expertise to be a base stealing threat at any time. Has a good eye, splits and power though contact might be low for a great hitter. After looking at the D'Backs budget I get the feeling I may not be seeing the whole picture correctly.

Grade B

4. Clark Parrish, 2B, Kansas City Royals.


His Overall is a 53 and could grow to a 90 if my scouts are right. Though in reality it may reach 85 and that is pretty damn good in any ones book.

Fielding: Has the range to make the plus plays and the Glove to go with it. Arm isn't strong which is a characteristic of a 2B but has great accuracy which is a plus.

Durability is weak but has every game potential. Helathy, very fast with a great makeup. Patience and temper are moderate.

Hitting which is the guiding factor for a position superstar looks good. Should grow into a good Eye and Contact. Power should easily obtain 40+ homers at the ML level. Splits could cause a raise for concern but should develop nicely so that he isn't a big strike out victim. His Diamond Presence could cause problems with his speed getting caught stealing bases. Won't be helpful in the bunting department either. A Push meaning he is generally an opposite field hitter.

Analysis: Chances are good he can be a Gold Glove 2B. He could actually be used as an emergency SS or 3B in my estimation, he wouldn't be great but wouldn't stink up the joint. Playing CF is not out of the question either. Hitting with power with an average above .280 makes for a very good all round player. Definitely worthy of a top 5 pick.

Grade A

5. Leo Rodney, LF, New York Mets. His fielding won't win any awards in LF. Chances are he will be groomed to play a Gold Glove 1B. Medically sound for an every day player. Great Eye, Power and Contact. Splits are well above average. A 50 homer season could be expected with a .280 average. Bunting is out of the question along with base stealing but the diamond presence says he can stretch singles to doubles on an unaware opponent. Pull gap hitter but not to the power allies. The big question to the Mets is how much money he will want to sign.

Grade A

6. Tom Anderson, P, Baltimore Orioles. Fielding is good and could play some 1B. Medical should be good though durability could be higher. Could be a bit of a let down obtaining projections especially Control.

Analysis: Should make a very good pen pitcher in middle relief. Uncertainty about making his control projection lowers his grade a bit.

Grade B+

7. Elrod Cedeno, P, Tampa Bay Rays.
Good fielding and medically sound. Control and Splits might be a little weak for this off-speed ground ball pitcher. However, his pitches should mask his shortcomings.

Analysis: May be the best starting pitcher in the draft in my eyes. The projections are obtainable, how close is another story.

Grade B+

8. Osvaldo Reynoso, 2B, St. Louis Browns. Fielding leaves a lot to be desired other than COF. Medically sound. Not a speed demon by any means. Very good eye and contact with good splits geared toward lefties.

Analysis: Chances of winding up in the outfield is good. Hitting for average makes him a good fit.

Grade B

9. Jack Rivers, P, Washington D.C. Senators. Good fielder. Medically sound. May not have the stamina for a starting rotation job. Control and splits could be very good where as pitches might hamper.

Analysis: Control and Splits need to mask the pitches for this power ground ball pitcher.

Grade B

10. Martin Robertson, P, San Francisco Giants. Fielding is okay. Medically sound. Projections could easily be met.

Analysis: Good Control, splits should be good and pitches are good. Power fly ball pitcher temps fate even in Frisco. I like the pick though and should be a good #2 or #3 starter.

Grade B+

11. Hugh Perez, P, Dover Dung Beetles. Fielding is good although rangeless. Medically sound with excellent durability. Excellent control and pitches. Splits are admirable.

Analysis: Splits need to be better for a closer but should do fine as an 8th inning setup man.

Grade B+

12. Wilt Pagan, SS, Cincinnati Reds. Fielding is good but not for a SS. Medically great. Has good plate awareness.

Analysis: Don't think he will develop into a SS, but a Gold Glove 3B is in the equation. Hitting should garner him 20+ home runs and a .275 average. With the splits and a good coach should make him a great OBP hitter and a big threat to steal. Might be good enough to be used as a lead off hitter if proper development occurs.

Grade B+

13. Ruben Posada, SS, San Diego Padres. Fielding is good. Medically sound. Plate awareness is a bit of a mixed bag.

Analysis: May find out in the end that his arm and glove are a bit weak for SS. The next best thing though is a Gold Glove CF, 2B or 3B and he could do all three me thinks. Bigger drawback is his durability that may limit him to 135 games. Hitting might be troublesome as he has a good eye, but splits need to develop well and contact could be lacking but does have some power.

Grade B

14. Jerry Leary, 2B, New Orleans Zephyrs. One of those very iffy picks. Wants a large fortune and may not sign anyway. Range has to be better to play 2B. Health is an issue. Plate awareness is pretty good and could develop into a decent hitter.

Analysis: He should meet projections but New Orleans is in a hole and will need to meet his demands if they can. In my estimation they may hope he turns it down and use the pick next year.

Grade: C+ if he signs as I don't think he is worth the money. B- if he doesn't sign and they get a pick next year.

15. Alan McEwing, P, Chicago Cubs. Fielding is okay. Medically okay as durability could be better. Pitching wise could have good control, decent splits and some nice pitches.

Analysis: He is on the fence as a starter as the stamina and durability is not a prime mix. Cubs are really tempting fate with a fly ball pitcher to boot. Overall I think projections could be close.

Grade B-

16. Mike Jakubauskas, P, Kansas City Royals. Fielding is good. Medically sound. Pitching ability is pretty damn good.

Analysis: I had him as #2 on my board for a reason. Should make a great middle reliever. Has the control, splits, pitches, heavy ground ball. A great second pick in the first round.

Grade B+

17. Doc Coco, P, Atlanta Braves.
Good fielding, Medically sound though durability could be better. Another good common middle reliever in this draft.

Analysis: Great control and some good pitches. Right split could be problematic for this lefty.

Grade B-

18. Victor Julio, P, Minnesota Twins. Fielding is good. Medically sound. Projections seem a little strange to me, obtainable but very odd.

Analysis: Has a long way to go to meet projections that are not really out of bounds. The big thing is, he looks like a good lefty in disguise. Pitches are good if they weren't awkward. Me thinks the kid need psychoanalysis.

Grade B-

19. Tomas Ramirez, CF, Texas Rangers. Fielding could be very good for CF. Medically speaking of a health issue. Plate awareness is very good.

Analysis: Has the power and ability to hit 30+ homers in Texas. Eye and splits are good enough to be an on-base presence with a .285 average. Has the speed to be a base stealing threat but not the know how.

Grade B-

20. Geraldo Rondon, 1B, Colorado Rockies. Fielding is good enough for 1B. Medically sound. Oh wow for the plate awareness.

Analysis: Colorado will probably need to open the purse strings to sign this lad. With a good rookie year and a good rollover, could actually find himself on the ML roster next year. 50+ homers and an average of .300 is possible.

Grade A

21. Jamie Beltre, SS, Helena Hot Pockets

22. Kennie Jorgensen, SS, Anaheim Angels. Fileding doesn't look like a possible SS, 3B is a maybe along with RF. Medically very sound and may be his best redeeming value even though his picture looks like he has hemorrhoids or he was starring at his sister again. Plate awareness is above average with a little power.

Analysis: A good fielding RF can be tough to come by and Kennie just might be one. Might hit .270 with a few dingers. Nope, I be not impressed.

Grade C+

23. Artie Slotnick, P, Cincinnati Reds. Fielding is good. Medically good, patience tends to run this quickly. Good control and pitches.

Analysis: A left handed closer to setup type. The operative word left should clue people in quickly. That means poor right split. Will the control, ground ball and excellent pitches mask the problem?

Grade B-

24. Sherman Everett, P, Milwaukee Brewers. Good fielding. Medically sound though makeup could be higher. Good control, decent splits and 1 good pitch at least.

Analysis: Middle reliever that might be good or not depends on what side of the bed he gets out of each day. Control should be good, splits decent but power and fly ball is not a good mix in Brewer land. Couple that with 1 good pitch and one decent pitch with a couple jello shots and disaster could strike.

Grade C+

25. Chuck Lee, P, San Francisco Giants. Fielding good. Medically sound. Good control, above average splits. Power ground ball with a good pitch or so.

Analysis: Middle reliever and possibly spot starter. He isn't a super star but has a chance in Frisco.

Grade: B-

26. Matt Rath, 2B, Boston Red Sox. Fielding is no where near 2B. LF is more along the lines and maybe RF. Medically is a health risk. Plate awareness is why he was selected but the Red Sox might be a bit disappointed in the end.

Analysis: Ok, so he winds up in the outfield, big deal. Health could be a problem or not. Taking a chance on a possible power hitter this late is worth the pick.

Grade B-

27. Mariano Vargas, P, Detroit Tigers. Fielding is good. Medically a health problem. That health problems extends to fans, mascots, coaches, well just about everybody as his control is as good as Detroits economy. Splits and pitches are pretty good.

Analysis: If his control was better he might have a chance. But then again, if he gets a pitch across the plate can a hitter hit it.

Grade C-

28. Hoss Newman, P, Boston Red Sox. Fielding is ok. Medically sound except for the durability. Good control, good splits, good pitches.

Analysis: If Hoss can get to his pitching projections he could be good. Not as a starter mind you, but as a closer. Yes indeedy wondering people, an every day closer even. It was worth the pick to find out.

Grade B-

29. Marvin Weiss,P, Florida Marlins. Fielding is adequate. Medically speaking is superior. Good Control, decent splits, , power ground ball, couple decent pitches.

Analysis: An iffy pick to say the least and the money wanted is a bit much but less than an IFA with the same characteristics. Current to projected looks a little high to attain in some areas and low in others but could be very close.

Grade B

30. Carl Monroe, SS, Philadelphia Phillies. Fielding is bore suited to 3B than SS. Medically good. Eye is good, splits are a bit below average, great power, contact could be below average.

Analysis: The Eye says he will hit some dingers but with the splits and questionable contact probably means about 25. Average should fall in the .260 range with many strike outs.

Grade B-

31. Lou Rauch, LF, Salem Super Sequoias. Fielding is great for LF. Medically sound. Good eye and contact with some power.

Analysis: His range is good but glove may be a bit low in the end with a decent enough arm. I wouldn't hesitate using him at COF. Capable of hitting 25 home runs and is pretty decent against right handed pitchers. Could easily have a .270 - .240 split.

Grade B-

32. James Saitou, LF, Pittsburgh Pirates. Fielding is not so hot. Medically is sound. Plate awareness is great.

Analysis: How did this prospect slip so low should be the first question? The answer is easy in my mind, average power. What does that have to do with it? His fielding will fail at LF I think which leaves 1B. 1B is usually reserved for a power hitter which kinda leaves him out in the cold a bit. His hitting abilities though is top notch and would be a great OBP and .320 hitter. He is suited to hit in the top three slots of the line up but his durability could push him to seventh to get maximum games.

Grade B+

33. Eugene Stottlemyre, 2B, Salem Super Sequoias. Fielding is great. Medical problems is a concern. Plate awareness is a powerful so-so.

Analysis: Salem is in kind of a bind pitching wise for the Rookie league. A lot of the pitching prospects drafted wants way too much money to even be considered. Solve problem one before spending with a tight budget. Drafted as a CF but wants to play 2B and could do either. Could be a DL disciple though. Has speed for theft and power to hit the long ball and loves lefties. With this in mind could have a .260 - .270 split with 35+ dingers.

Grade C+

34. Neifi Hooper, SS, Atlanta Braves. Fielding looks to be limited to COF. Medically sound. Plate awareness is above average.

Analysis: Eye is just average but splits aren't bad with decent power and contact if it develops. Fielding doesn't come close to a SS and arm may not be good enough for 3B even so that leaves RF.

Grade C+