Season 28 Draft Crop

It is time to get things underway. Who I like is a matter of opinion remember, mine of course.

1. With the first pick, Little Rock selected Alfredo Cromer.  I will give him benefit of the doubt that he should have been selected first. I am not really sure he will make SS status in my books even though the potential might be there. What he does have or will have is power and speed with the penchant to get the ball in play from the plate.

Grade: A

2. Mel Steenstra, SS, Vancouver Canadians - Unknown

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3. Henderson Washington, P, Washington D.C. Senators:  Off the pitching rubber, his durability and stamina might be in question. Four pitches and I am not liking two of them at all. He has something going for him that most overlook and that is arm strength and accuracy as I believe it comes into play somewhere along the line in the pitching realm other than picking off players at 1B. A Washington in Washington seems rather sublime if you ask me.

Grade: A

4. Piper Stevenson, P, Philadelphia Phillies: He almost looks like a mirror image of Washington though maybe a little better version by the slimmest of margins because of the better pitches.  It just might take their entire careers before if can be said which was the better choice.

Grade: A

5. James Kershner, SS, San Diego Padres:  A miss with the SS position for sure with the third one taken already. So what, me thinks he can do an admirable job at 3B. The splits are highly questionable but the speed and power portion is there.

Grade: A

6. Fernando Brogna, P, Florida Marlins: He was one of the few on my board that was drafted in the top 10.  I didn't have him in the top 10 on my board though which should tell us something. Either I had very bad scouting or he wasn't well received. After thinking about it he is a lefty, bad start, with a very low right split starting point, even worse, and low velo. On the bright side he does have very good control and a nice set of pitches.

Grade: B

7. Jayson Loaiza, SS, Toronto Blue Jays: Another SS already! Don't think he will ever have a good enough glove or arm to play SS, 3B or 2B is possible. Has speed with a little pop and luck might be on his side. His probable low contact isn't gonna win him any hitting awards however.

Grade: B

8. Dutch Mullin, P, Milwaukee Brewers: One thing I tell for sure, he is a starter though he might need heavy rest between starts.  Control isn't out of this world. The projected splits are unmakeable. The pitches are unremarkable as well.

Grade: B

9. Geovany Gregorius, LF, Dover Dung Beetles: This little firecracker was #1 on my board! All the speed in the world and has a tough time stealing. Can play a great LF and probably RF also if needed. Good eye, awesome power and contact and if those splits come along outfielders will have their backs against the wall.

Grade: A

10. Dan Andrews, 2B, Atlanta Braves: Another of those speedsters that has a hard time in theft department. I had him ranked second on my board because he can play 2B plus CF, just maybe. I think he will be a better hitter than what my scouts tell me also.

Grade: A

11. Eric Sherman, 3B, Minnesota Twins: Doubtful he could play a good 3B but RF is a pretty tough place to fill most of the time. Plenty of speed and a pretty good in the hitting department.

Grade: A

12. Richard Lawson, LF, Detroit Tigers: I wanted him to play 1B as that is the only position for him in my books. I had no interest in signing him however and Detroit might have the same idea. Not a health nut for sure and the durability will probably exhibit disgust in the end. But there is always the fact that he is a monster at the plate.

Grade: B

13. Yogi Roenicke, CF, Baltimore Orioles: CF is a tough position to fill in and he might be a good one.  Isn't a tremendous hitter but puts the ball in play a good bit and has speed to burn teams.

Grade: A

14. Angel Martinez, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers: With so many taken already it is doubtful he could really fill the position but it might be close in all reality. Another speedster that will need a lot of work on his hitting skills to be affable.

Grade: A

15. Luke Cookson, P, San Francisco Giants: I am not against left handed pitchers in this game but they are making them rather useless these days don't ya think.  I am not sure his right split will be good enough and pitch selection looks very iffy to me.

Grade: B

16. Allen O'Donnell, P, St. Louis Cardinals: Truth of the matter, the best pitcher in the draft so far looking at the overall picture.

Grade: A+

17.  Alton McAnaney, CF, Memphis RedBirds: CF or 2B looks very doubtful at this point in time, RF has its possibility as he might have a decent enough arm as that range is debilitating. Some useable speed and hits with power though very inconsistent.

Grade: B

18. Rob Haad, P, Oakland A's: Unknown

Grade:

19. Buster Valdes, SS, Houston Astros: SS is probably far from ever being in his future, maybe 3B but more than likely RF. Has enough speed for a steal or two and is a pretty decent middle power hitter.

Grade: A

20. Dick McCartney, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks: SS is not off the table though making it as a probable career backup is more likely and that is not always a bad thing.  Has speed but getting on base is not exactly a luxury he posses.

Grade: B

21. Kevin Kingland, P,  New York Mets: All I need is for him to turn down the offer or want more money and I will be happy. If neither of those happens then maybe I might have a serviceable pitcher for the future.

Grade: B

22. Davey Alvarez, P, Montreal Expos: A lefty that might make a difference one day.  Low durability doesn't help but if that stamina skyrockets it may not matter. If the control makes a good showing then it is possibly a good sign for him otherwise it may turn out to be a bust.

Grade: B

23. Robinzon Hernandez, P, Pittsburgh: The first setup man taken in the first round. Don't think he will make a closer with the less than needed stamina. However looks like he could come in and put a fire out with ease.

Grade: A

24. Jose Toregas, P, Anaheim Angels: Described as a poor mans "Ivan" by his owner already. Very high durability and stamina that almost reaches starter status is the reasoning.  Now if the rest of the abilities are persuaded out of him then we might have something monsterous. Sharknado!!

Grade: A

25. Nipsey Saberhagen, SS, Texas Rangers: Okay, put him in RF before I puke as I doubt he could play anywhere else. Has some pop but will probably struggle rather heavily at the plate.

Grade: B

26. Ned Marte, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays: No bout a doubt it! If those splits come around a power hitting 1B genie of the future. Why couldn't he have been on my board?

Grade: A

27. Kurt Fletcher, RF, Arizona Diamondbacks: Umm, power is one thing hitting it is another and that is the problem here. Rather lax with the glove causes lots of dropped balls for some awful reason.

Grade: B

28.  Joe Jakubauskas, P, Mexico City Diablos Rojos: Pretty good lefty setup man if I do say do myself.  Matter of fact I might even consider him a possibility for closer duty at the ML level.

Grade: A

29. Merkin Strickland, P, Cincinnati Reds: Unknown

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30. Joey Romero, P, Colorado Springs Sky Sox: Wow for a pick this far down. He looks like a sure thing as a shut dwon closer.

Grade: A+

31. Kolten Lowe, P, Pittsburgh Pirates: This looks like one those "hopefully it turns out good" picks. The potential is there to be a prime starter. A pitcher that can go 9 innings every outing? Those don't grow on trees. I think it was worth the risk.

Grade: A

32. Jose Gonzalez, 2B, Kansas City Royals: 2B is a doubtful position and COF is likely.  Decent power, eye and luck could help him overcome his lackluster contact.

Grade: B

33. Kennie Raymond, P, Boston Red Sox: Don't get mad but I don't think this lefty will make it beyond AAAA status. Not sure his control and right split will garner enough attention to get any further.  It isn't a bad pick this far into the draft however.

Grade: B