It wouldn't be a season without the Draft review. So, I am taking some time out of my suddenly busy life to champion the cause.
1. Chris Sheridan, C, Pittsburgh Pirates: This pick made quite a stir as many camps thought he should have been a mid first rounder at best. The Pirates wanted a big power hitter and drafted one compact dynamo. May not be anywhere close to GG competent behind the plate however.
Grade: A
2. Delmon Allen, CF, Little Rock Heads: The Heads threw a big party that was busted three times on suspicion alone by three different agencies after they landed Delmon. He has it all, but could he become a Billy Bean disappointment?
Grade: A+
3. Patrick Man, P, Texas Rangers:
Grade: ?
4. Todd Talbot, SS, Vancouver Canadians: They took a bit of a gamble with this pick as they were looking for any kind of hitting SS. It might be close, but my feeling is a big fat 'NO' for SS, 2B/3B isn't all that bad but not a given either. Where to put him in the lineup could cause another problem as well.
Grade: B+
5. Oscar Yamakazi, P, Washington D.C. Senators: He could be the reason for all the budget problems at the Capitol. The Senators did a total flip when he was still on the list at #5 as they had him projected as the first pick overall.Yes, he could be that #1 starter everybody looks for.
Grade: A+
6. Derek Valdes, 2B, Minnesota Twins: They are happy that Twinkie the Kid is back on the market. Just like that, they take on a project player like Valdes. He has possibilities but it could be a huge disappointment in the long run.
Grade: B+
7. Howard Brooks, P, Houston Astros: Unknown
Grade: ?
8. Derrek McCracken, P, Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers have decided to retool after all the promising disastrous seasons of late. Not sure this was a step in the right direction to fit that theme. All the tools are in place but could be just like the 'Clash of the Titans' where the namesake lost his prey in the end. He is a lefty you know.
Grade: A
9. Pete Franklin, SS, Philadelphia Phillies: They were happy, not elated, this kid was still on the board. They were looking for a right handed player with left handed power, they did turn a blind eye to his right vs right stats. Might turn out they didn't get an every day player either and SS looks to be a potential over achievement. He is built like his namesakes, pot bellied.
Grade: B+
10. Brad Francona, 1B, San Diego Padres: The Padres owner went on the wagon to search for the right player in the draft. Everyone needs to stand and give an astounding round of applause for the attempt. Francona is the right player and could be a great 1B as well as hitter at PetCo and everywhere else of that matter. I wonder if pitching was over looked however.
Grade: A+
11. Harry Barajas, 2B, Montreal Expos: He looks like and Expo, we are not sure if he was scared as hell or they had a bunch of naked maple leaf beauties running around behind the camera at picture day, saying 'ouistiti'. He is a good hitter but finding a comfortable spot for him to play could become very indecisive.
Grade: B+
12. Joe Murphy, CF, Florida Marlins: He is sort of the player needed by the Marlins though the sanity of the pick is in question. Most teams had him listed as a possible lucky late pick in the first round at best. He has a good chance at being a decent hitter, good speed with the possibility of playing CF. His questionable health is on the minds of many however.
Grade: B
13. Gene Richard, P, Detroit Tigers: The Tigers searched high and low for the right pick. They found the pitcher that could easily be a great late inning closer. The big problem, they should have hired a real doctor for player physicals instead of cadaver dogs.
Grade: B
14. J.O. Barrios, CF, Memphis RedBirds: Yup, we all know what the J.O. stands for and his smug smile proves it. We aren't sure if he can sustain his after hours activity health wise with the little blue pill. He might be the first player sidelined with a herniated dick and it is messing with his eye sight to boot. 2B/CF is doubtful with 3B a maybe but could clean up in RF. Now if he could learn to use the right bat at the plate.
Grade: B
15. Quilvio Vidal, P, Arizona Diamondbacks: Not sure if he wasn't on the boards of the previous teams but this guy has potential and the D'Backs bit him with enough venom he couldn't say no. Now if, they can bamboozle his 5th pitch to the trash can they might have something of a good lefty. He really wanted to be a hair stylist to the stars, go figure.
Grade: A-
16. Lawrence Camp, P, Toronto Blue Jays:
Grade: ?
17. Bryce Sedlacek, P, Dover Dung Beetles: The Beetles were doing back flips in their dung on this pick. He loved the idea of playing in Dover with his shit eatin grin. Surprise, they got a top notched starter.
Grade: A
18. Angel Roth, P, Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers weren't exactly whistling Dixie with this pick, but he was happy going to the West Coast though not to his favorite choice. He does have some decent qualities to be a middle reliever, maybe the coaches can quell that 5th pitch of his for starters.
Grade: B+
19. Ed Schneider, P, Cincinnati Reds: The Reds may be hoping he decides to play football instead. Either that or the scouts of Reds and Mets are one and the same. As we think he is highly over rated.
Grade: B
20. Peter Wilkins, P, Tampa Bay Rays:
Grade: ?
21. Brook Dukes, 2B, Oakland A's: He is scared he won't live up to the billing, then again it may have been that frightening chick behind the camera. Wait a minute, doesn't the A's owner snap the team pics? Oh well, he does have the potential to play 2B or CF, plenty of speed, sees the ball well and gets lucky at the plate as well as the pool. Making contact is one of his downfalls and tends to strike out and ground into double plays. The latter tends to do well at the pool however.
grade: B+
22. Rob Brock, P, Mexico City Diablos Rojos. Yup, the are you fucking kidding me look in the picture says it all. Mexico City must have been on an extend binge when ordering their board and didn't go low enough or they passed out and forgot they weren't done. Okay, that might have been awful low of me by my own standards even. Sorry in advance. A lefty closer that can't pitch to right handed batters is no joke in my books. Then again my scouts might be wrong in this matter and be on the binge themselves though benefit of doubt doesn't help the prognosis much.
Grade: B-
23. Leon Clements, P, New York Mets: Believe it or not, he was the #1 pick on my board. I ran the predraft scenarios pretty well if you ask me as the rest of my top ten were gone by now and #11 was drafted with the next pick. So yeah for me, though he didn't look happy when we had the photo session, must have been the sixty year old lady with her floppy fun bags. I did get a late inning reliever that has potential and was highly under rated if you ask me even though his durability is questionable.
Grade: B+
24. Hi Jones, SS, St. Louis Cardinals: Yup, the picture suits his name alright. How many stogies did he burn before hand? The Cards might be a little bummed if he doesn't sign as he does have some good potential if you ask me.
Grade: B
25. Jason Sisco, SS, San Francisco Giants:
Grade: ?
26. Ahmed Jacquez, Colorado Springs Sky Sox: They were watching Jeff Dunham when the team pictures were being snapped. We are not sure he was alive at this point or not. SS? What are Sky Sox thinking? He can be a GG CF or 2B and hits well if he survives Achkmeds warning, but worth the risk maybe.
Grade: B
27. Jose Vega, P, Mexico City Diablos Rojos: We waited with baited breath for this pick. A vast improvement overall if you ask me. Still, it might be questionable if he will have a long ML career. I liked their steal in the supplemental pick much better than their lame attempts at a closer in the first round.
Grade: B-
28. Chris Manning, RF, Boston Red Sox: Truthfully, the Sox pull a rabbit out of the hat just like Erf of old. Now, to get him to sign.
Grade: A
29. Jimmy Duran, P, Baltimore Orioles:
Grade:
30. Raymond Comer, P, Anaheim Angels: We see that evil face. We will have to take note as he is a good short inning situational pitcher. I think this is a good find this late in the draft but I am a little worried if he can fit into the Anaheim scheme.
Grade: A-
31. Greg Williams, P, Atlanta Braves: Yup, his picture tells us he snookered the Braves scouting. The Braves owner already sees a trade on the horizon for something better however. He could make a good 5th starter or long pen help but me thinks Atlanta is not the place.
Grade: B
32. Carlos Fernandez, P, Kansas City Royals: Yup, that sly look says it all, y'all missed out. He isn't great but has the awkward potential to get the job done.
Grade: B
33. Edwards Valentine, SS, Chicago Cubs: He was just happy to be drafted in the first round. The Cubs were trying to trade up but failed in that endeavor. I feel they got a solid potential hitting 3B for their efforts though.
Grade: B
