The draft was relatively deep in pitching for the first time in ages and it looks like everyone took advantage. Only four position players were taken in the first 20 picks, that may be a first.
1. The Cincinnati Reds selected first and took pitcher Gary Carew. I thought that was a bit strange with the way their budget was spread. So the second pick must not have been on their board, interesting. His abilities are commensurate with the number 1 selection as the kid has it all. A Cy Young is very possible if he has offense and defense around him.
Grade: A+
2. Jack Root, P - Detroit Tigers: Expectations are great and has the ability to be great. The biggest fault is his health but if he gets close to the projections he will be one tough cookie on the mound. The big thing about Jack is his durability which could allow a smaller rotation. Maybe the Reds were smart in downgrading him if he was on their board, I did.
Grade: A
3. Bengie Cruz ,P - San Francisco Giants: No surprise here as I had him ranked fourth myself. His biggest drawback could be his GB/FB rating which won't hurt him at all in Frisco.
Grade: A+
4. Burke Moss ,P - Cleveland Indians: Another no brainer as the only fault I can find is the somewhat weak fourth pitch.
Grade: A+
5. Ryan Nicholson ,P - Chicago Cubs: All the tools are there to be a great pitcher. A big IF (maybe that should be HUGE) however will be the ability to avoid the DL. Cubs management was drawn to the eye wear and must have decided he couldn't trip over anything at least. A very risky pick if you ask me, maybe that is why the rebuild is taking forever?
Grade: B+
6. Patrick Towers, 2B - Dover Dung Beetles: My scouts said he was a 2B but was drafted as a 3B. I agree with the 3B tag though weak if you ask me. I took a long look as I thought he could be my RF that I have been looking for, but alas he wasn't left-handed. Was the best projected hitter on my board and looks to attain those projections rather easily.
Grade: A+
7. Yuniesky Chavez, P - Texas Rangers: The first player not on my board, how rude of them.
8. Stewart Eveland, P - Washington D.C. Senators: May have been a bit of a reach this early but those abilities look pretty good. The biggest problem is his durability which could cause a little frustration.
Grade: A
9. Stump Timmons, P - Charlotte Knights: A bit of a tough sell to me though I thought he looked better on the board myself. Chances of being a starting pitcher with minimal stamina and low durability will probably not be conducive. Chances look great in the pen however.
Grade: A-
10. Bobby Forbes, P - New York Mets: Believe it or not but I had him rated #1 on my board. To tell the truth I am not sure why, I just knew the other three wasn't going to be there but a lefty no less?. Odd stamina and durability perk, may not pitch deep into games as a starter but will recover fast. Or could pitch several games in a row out of the pen before needing a rest. The first lefty pitcher taken, for some reason they seem to gravitate to the Mets. I still like the choice.
Grade: A
11. Curtis Dunwoody, P - Kansas City Royals: Was the next pitcher on my board even. The pitching just keeps on coming this late in the draft for good starters even. May have a bit of a low durability and a late weak pitch selection but is deemed very viable. Could be costly in the money aspect though.
Grade: A
12. Zeke English, LF - Minnesota Twins: With the way position players were, maybe the second best available. Probably won't play anything but 1B if you ask me. But wowzers, he will be one tough out. Doesn't have great power but should an OBP machine. Could be tough to figure out where to put him in the lineup as he doesn't have blazing speed which could mean 2nd or 3rd at a minimum.
Grade: A+
13. Philip Walsh, P - Atlanta Braves: Another in the long line of pitching prospects. Has high durability again which has been rather uncommon for starters before. The biggest set back for this kid is his pitches. He has a nice hard cut fastball but the rest of his breaking stuff leaves a bit to be desired.
Grade: A-
14. Larry Overbeck, CL - St. Louis Browns: The first actual short pen pitcher selected. Abilities look impressive for a possible closer, pitches could be a little weak from what most like but are admirable.
Grade: A
15. Boots Joyner, 2B - Arizona Diamondbacks: Being a good 2B might be a reach, maybe adequate. Health is a bit low which could cause development problems if he hits the DL. Plate presence isn't great but has a good eye and contact.
Grade: B+
16. Heinie Laffey, P - Tampa Bay Rays: The second lefty starter taken. Abilities look great and hopefully his health doesn't hurt development. If he gets past this year it should go a long way.
Grade: B+
17. Jeff Thomas, P - Little Rock Heads: UNK
18. Sean Baker, C - Anaheim Angels: Maybe not the best catcher available but actually could be better than my present starter, unusual for me. His plate presence should be top notch and a great OBP hitter. Maybe they were looking at a DH and emergency catcher as he would do very nicely in that role.
Grade: A
19. Luis Reynoso, P - Houston Astros: Could be a good lefty in the rotation one day. May only possess two good pitches and some gophers, but looks adequate enough. Health will be the key issue but beggars can't be all that choosy this late in the draft.
Grade: B+
20. Ron Brinkley, P - Los Angeles dodgers: Pitching abilities is not the problem with this kid at all as they could be very good. Big health issue exists however which drove his stock way down and became a high risk proposition.
Grade: B
21. William Takada, CF - Helena Hot Pockets: UNK
22. Walt Rivera, C - Las Vegas Slobs: If I didn't get a pitcher this is the player I would have taken as he was the last of my top 5. He was listed as a DH on my board, why they were hiding his abilities behind the plate is beyond me. Well, maybe because his defensive abilities are not all that great but his pitch calling is which makes a huge difference. Contact may be a little weak but still could one tough out and power goes well with the eye.
Grade: B+
23. Buster Lord, P - Milwaukee Brewers: Could be a starter in a long rotation but the way durability has been going he has a bit of a lack thereof. Pitches are also a bit weak after the first, okay, maybe a lot. Health could be an issue unless he makes it out of this season.
Grade: B-
24. Jimmy Rushford, C - Las Vegas Slobs: Looks like the Sin City management and consulting were bound and determined to get a hitting catcher in the first round. Good thing they got Rivera earlier as this kid doesn't have the ability to be a catcher in my mind. Doesn't have the raw power to be a great DH either for a first round pick. Best quality is plate presence though as the does have some power and may pound lefties and could be an OBP nightmare. Health is weak but shouldn't cause much of a problem really (they don't injure catchers all that much due to availability I think).
Grade: B-
25. Mike Irwin, P - Boston Red Sox: pfontaine probably fainted or at least went thru the roof when he saw his first round selection. Getting such a quality starting pitcher this late in the draft is rare. If his right split gets near projection he will be a force to reckon with on the mound.
Grade: A
26. Elston Morris, P - Milwaukee Brewers: The Brew Crews second attempt to get a quality pitcher in the draft. This one maybe a dark horse to make a ML lineup IMO. Could be decent if future projections are met, but doesn't seem likely. Under 50 splits (my expectations) usually don't get the job done in the long run regardless of the other abilities.
Grade: C+
27. Michel Candelaria, SS - Philadelphia Phillies: Will probably sign, then again maybe the Phillies don't care one way or the other. He would be a poor excuse at SS but 3B is a pretty good idea so that isn't a total loss. Plate presence is just above middle of the road, .265 capable if you ask me.
Grade: B-
28. William Hamels, P - Florida Marlins: Another pitcher that did a sneaky impression of getting by the majority. Has the abilities to be a great pitcher. However, with rather weak health issue, will probably never make much of an impact sorry to say. Though things can change, I have seen them, so not all is lost. Sometimes risk turns into a gold mine but often turns to crap most of the time.
Grade: C+
29. Pedro Soto, RF - Salem Super Sequoias: Over ranged, under gloved with a good enough arm maybe. At the plate, will pop a few over the wall but will be more of a mixed bag and probably not consistent.
Grade: C+
30. Bill Kramer, P - Houston Astros: A decent quality pitcher doesn't slide this far down but looks like an exception this year. Maybe not great but can handle end of rotation duties for sure.
Grade: B
31. Les Gabriel, 2B - Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates are praying for development from this kid. Has the potential to be a good RF, I don't think INF is his cards at all. May have a good power presence at the plate which could go a long way one day. Time will tell and it may take a while.
Grade: B-
32. Buddy Hume, SS - San Francisco Giants: Giants make a second selection and make a so-so find. Could be a very good 3B, and under par for most other key positions. If projections are met at the plate, could be good enough for weak lead off or second in the lineup with his speed. I like the CF in the supplemental they got much better.
Grade: C+
33. Jared Spehr, P - Seattle Mariners: How did this kid slip through the cracks? Maybe not a monster like the early round players but better than some of the late rounders. Projections are obtainable and nothing to stop him from making it to the majors.
Grade: B+
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