Draft Review

 It is time for the dreaded overview of the draft picks. This season was no different than previous seasons in a way.  I did find it a little discomforting that after the first 6 picks, players did a hefty nose dive in quality.  For the newbies, the grading system indicates if the player is a ML contender or not.  Basically, an "A" indicates a for sure pick with probable star power. A "B" indicates a probable ML pick. A "C" indicates an iffy pick at best that might have ML potential. Anything else, let's just say he down right sucks that actually didn't happen in this draft as of yet.  My scouting is a bit off this year also, so I may not see them totally in the right light and am sort of guessing a little.


1.  Fautino Lopez , P, St. Louis Cardinals: If he develops and there is no reason why he shouldn't, should become very worthy of the number 1 overall pick.  Easily be a number 1 starting pitcher and a future Cy Young candidate. Just what the Cards needed in the rebuild and came at an unusually cheap price too.

Grade: A+

2. Robinson Montgomery, CF, Detroit Tigers: Has the potential to be a Gold Glove star at his position. At the plate, he could be intense and intimidating for a lefty.  Not one to go for the fences with every swing but could be an OBP nightmare. Speed also helps his cause one he gets there also. Detroit chose well.

Grade: A+

3. Vinny Gates, P, San Francisco Giants: May not have the overwhelming control, but the splits and pitches look to be top notch for a lefty flame thrower.  In Frisco, should be the talk of the town in the future.

Grade: A

4. Rock Trachsel, P, Kansas City Royals: If you needed middle relief and a lefty to boot this was the player to take. If my scouting is off the way I think it is, he could be a IJ look a like.

Grade: A+

5. Blaine Milton, C, Toronto Blue Jays:  May not be great defensively but may have the pitch calling needed for a long career at the catching spot. At the plate, his attentiveness will drive pitchers and balls insane. Well, if projections are met anyway, otherwise he might be just a super DH which bodes well for the Blue Jays. He could just as well be a big promising bust also but we don't think so. Okay, so the minus is inherent to his health.

Grade: A-

6. Alex Martin, C, Cincinnati Reds: Two possibly great catchers in the top 10 picks is rare let alone one.  This pick though leaves the Blue Jays with egg on their face.  Just like the previous pick, not great defensively but has the pitch calling potential already in place for the ML and will get better. Health is not an issue and looks to be an everyday player which is hard to come by in a catcher. At the plate, pitchers are gonna have to be very cautious as he will be a tougher than tough out. Very likely a yearly consensus MVP.

Grade: A+

7. Dean Venters, CF/2B, Louisville Colonels:  Defensively he isn't Gold Glove material at either targeted position, more like RF. At the plate, he has a good eye but likes lefty pitchers much better.  Doesn't have the booming power but makes contact most of the time which will test the opponents defense. Lots of speed for many thefts to go with it.

Grade: A-

8. Eddie McMillan, SS, Little Rock Heads: Could be a defensive star at SS but me thinks he will wind up short and may be better suited to play 3B or 2B.  His durability is severely lacking or it could be my scouting coming into play again. At the plate he only shows to be average with a little pop. Plenty of speed for those thefty situations. Robert has already told me it was the best pick on his ugly board and I might have to agree as things have surely went down hill quickly.

Grade: B

9. Flip Murray, P, San Diego Padres:  I would consider him to be a middle of the rotation starter. May have good control and splits and the scouts may be a little inept about his first two pitches. Development will be key to this more than likely good off-speed pitcher.

Grade: A-

10. Rondell Coomb, SS,  Baltimore Orioles: The O's may be in a bit of a tizzy on whether to sign this pick or not. He was a bit of a risky pick to begin with, but his health could be an even bigger risk to factor in. Looks to have the Range and Arm to play SS but the Glove is another issue which could relegate him to 3B and possible 2B. At the plate he makes contact but his eye and splits may not make him an over-achiever.

Grade: B

11. Sammy Santana, SS, Mexico City Diablos Rojos:  Defensively he could struggle to play a good 3B which could relegate him to RF and that ain't all bad.  At the plate he has some good pop and contact which will make him a tough adversary with his decent eye and splits. Plenty of speed once he gets on also.

Grade: A-

12. Tomas Otanez, 2B, Dover Dung Beetles: Chances are he would be best suited to play RF as it is doubtful he will aspire at 2B. At the plate he could be a tough out with lots of singles doubles and walks. His speed is good but know how could cause him to be caught a lot.

Grade: A-


13. Jon Moore, P, Washington D.C. Senators:  The draft wasn't really great in the pitching department especially with starters. Yes he has ML potential, greatness however isn't in his cards without a good offense for this lefty. Control is only decent, splits could be decent but the pitches look they could be great. Has some velo but is a fly ball type pitcher which proffers the need for a good outfield.

Grade: B

14. Devon Mercedes, P, Atlanta Braves:  Another starter who may make a spot in the end of a rotation.  Has a lot to develop and coming up short won't help his cause. Pitches don't look good enough but that could be my scouts. Control and splits will be decent just not overwhelming but has the tools to keep the ball in the park maybe.

Grade: B

15. Sawyer Christensen, CL, Milwaukee Brewers:  Shows to have the control, velo and pitches to be a successful closer. The question is whether the splits will make the grade in the end as they have a long way to go.

Grade: B+

16. Tony Toregas, P, Cincinnati Reds: After their first pick they were hoping for a pitcher to help but failed miserably.  He is young and could develop but it will take time and maybe not well enough for the majors after that. I am calling this the "Red Herring" pick of the draft.

Grade: C

17.  Philip Creek, LF, Anaheim Angels:  The Angels are overjoyed with their pick or should be. He may not develop into a great LF but 1B and DH are other options this kid can fill.  Has power at the plate with a good eye and high splits with some decent contact which should put him on-base alot. Speed and know how isn't great so don't look for any thievery.

Grade: A

18. Chin-Hui Kuroda, C, Arizona Diamondbacks:  When I first looked I went, "WoW! a third 1st round catcher." Then I looked at his durability and said " Awww shucks.".  Well, it could be better than I am seeing. Defensively he is a very strong backstop pitchers will love. At the plate he has good power, eye and splits but could be lacking in the contact area.

Grade: B

19. Orlando James, 2B, Helena Hot Pockets: How well this kid plays 2B is up to him, could be decent or mediocre but intuition dictates the latter.  His contact is what drew the eyes of Helena, very high even though the rest is average.

Grade: B

20. Esteban Bennett, P, Milwaukee Brewers:  My scouts look befuddled again but looking things over I think he could make it as an end of rotation starter.  Not sure if Milwaukee will be to his liking but could have decent control and splits and maybe pitches to go with it. Off-speed and nearly Fly ball doesn't help his cause.

Grade: B-

21. Herb Jenkins, SU, New York Mets: Gee, would think that this pick would be great for the first setup type guy drafted since I deemed the other a closer but au contraire laddies.  Good control is a maybe, splits may be a little weak, off speed isn't all that helpful either but has the pitches. In reality, he was the best player left on my board.

Grade: B-

22. Kyle Gilke, P,  Minnesota Twins: unknown

23. Andrew Bergen, P, Tampa Bay Rays:  End of rotation starter to long relief. Could be a rare find this late in the draft. Could have the control and splits with the pitches necessary to compete at the ML level. The big problem is that it might take a while for him to develop, a long way to go and maybe a short time to get there.

Grade: A

24. Trent Hodges, 2B,  Helena Hot Pockets: May not be defensively great at 2B, has great speed but health could be an issue. At the plate he doesn't have a lot of power but may have the penchant for getting on base.

Grade: B

25. Julio Merced, P, Philadelphia Phillies: Another development project that might end up short.  Control might be okay, splits could be so-so for a lefty but the pitches might be a mystery.  Velo and ground ball look good though.

Grade: B-

26. Willie Clark, CF,  Salem Super Sequoias: Unknown

27. Royce Brown, CF, Chicago Cubs: The Cubs have already decided they didn't like the pick. Evidently they didn't wait for my interpretation and already demoted him to LF.  No he really won't have the range for CF and doesn't have the arm for RF, so they are right in that aspect.  At the plate he has a decent eye and could develop into a decent hitter with a little pop.

Grade: B-

28. Chance Cummings, P, Montreal Expos: We all can hear the ABBA tune playing already, now to just get it out of my head and the porn jokes that just won't subside.  Other than having less than admirable control though I don't see any reason why he can't make a ML roster.

Grade: B

29. Domingo Blanco, SS, Colorado Springs Sky Sox: Not sure he has the arm for SS but should be good enough for 3B and range will probably wind up a bit short also.  Has some pop at the plate but development could make or break him.

Grade: C+

30. Philip Well, CF, Houston Astros: Unknown

31.  Gregg Clark, 2B,  Salem Super Sequoias: Unknown

32. Alex Latham, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays: 2B could be an iffy proposition. At the plate he has a good eye but the rest will need to come around to make the majors. Has speed and knows how to use but must first demonstrate the ability to get on base.

Grade: C+

33. Johan Hunter, RF, San Francisco Giants: Unknown