It was a draft year considered by many to be lacking in talent and star quality. But upon closer inspection there were some good players available that should be a big help to teams in the future. Here is a look at the first round of picks.
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1. Tony Arnold, 1B- Tacoma Jerry Gang
Pros: Fantastic hitter with incredible contact and batting eye. Should be good for .350 avg. with 30 HR's a year. Eats right too, and is quite healthy.
Cons: Weak splits vs. left handed pitching, not as durable as you would like, only projecting to possibly 100-120 games played.
Grade: B+ ~ Great hitter who fills a need in the Tacoma organization, but there were more dominant players available with the first pick.
2. Bill Palmer, SP - Kansas City KILL
Pros: Five great to above average pitches, excellent splits vs. all hitting, good control, and is a workhorse pitcher.
Cons: Weak velocity and average stamina are all that is holding this pitcher back.
Grade: A ~ If he signs, Palmer will be a dominant force when he hits the bigs.
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3. Bosco Simon, 2B - Burlington Big Dogs
Pros: Excellent hitter who excels in all disciplines at the plate, is a good base runner, and has a good glove.
Cons: Not many.
Grade: A+ ~ Simon is a player that could make the bigs on any team in the league, and is pretty close to contributing at the major league level. Excellent pick.
4. Dick Wolf, 2b - Richmond Cohibas
Pros: Super healthy and durable, an everyday player with a potential gold glove, and excellent hitting splits.
Cons: Average contact, power, and batting eye.
Grade: A ~ Great 2B who will not only hit .300, but should win some gold gloves as well, if he signs.
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5. Rod Ross, SP - Santa Fe Heat Wave
Pros: Has stamina to throw deep into games, excellent control, 4 quality pitches.
Cons: Slightly above average splits, weak velocity.
Grade: A- ~ Good SP who should have a spot in the rotation, with his control and pitch selection overcoming his average splits.
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6. Frank Hartgraves, CF - Toledo Tsunamis
Pros: Everyday player with great hitting skills, good batting eye, and above average glove.
Cons: Average splits vs. right handed pitching.
Grade: A ~ Quality pick who adds some much needed hitting depth to the Toledo organization.
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7. William Coleman, SP - San Francisco Blur
Pros: Good control, great stamina and durability, excellent pitch selection.
Cons: Average splits, average GB/FB ratio.
Grade: B+ ~ There wasn't much pitching to be had in this draft, but the Blur came away with a quality pick who should produce in the bigs.
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8. Omar Valenzuela, SP - Durham Pitbulls
Pros: Great control, splits, 5 good pitches, and good stamina/durability.
Cons: Weak velocity.
Grade: A+ ~ Valenzeuela is possibly the best pitcher selected in the draft this year, great value for the pick for Durham.
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9. Larry Sabel, SS - Seattle Seacows
Pros: Excellent fielding skills, good contact, splits, and batting eye, very healthy and durable.
Cons: Range and glove are good but not great.
Grade: A ~ Sabel might be the most well rounded player in the draft, and is capable in the field and at the plate.
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10. Mike Boudreau, SP - San Diego Small Ballers
Pros: Great splits, durability, and 3 good pitches.
Cons: Suspect control, weak 4th pitch.
Grade: B ~ Boudreau is intriguing, if he can overcome his control problems he could be very good, if not then there could be trouble ahead.
11. Candy Robinson, SP - Philadelphia Floppin' Phils
Pros: Good control, velocity, pitch selection, and Chris Sabo glasses.
Cons: Average splits are nothing to write home about.
Grade: B ~ Good but not great pitcher isn't the value for the pick that could have been had.
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12. Shawon Lee, C - Huntington Hillbillies
Pros: Great hitter in all areas at the plate, durability to play every game.
Cons: Pitch calling is barely average, and his health is a concern.
Grade: A- ~ Lee is a catcher in the Vernon Jones mold, he should hit the lights out, but whether or not his defense can keep him behind the plate is the question.
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13. Mitch Watkins, CF - Wichita Wankers
Pros: Potential gold glove, hits for high power and average, health and durability.
Cons: Average contact, weak vs. lefties.
Grade: A ~ Excellent fielding player should play every day, and hit .300 with 40+ HRs.
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14. Tom Gibson, SP - Nashville Rebel Riders
Pros: Good control, splits, GB/FB ratio, and three good pitches.
Cons: Average vs. left handed hitting, low stamina, weak fourth pitch.
Grade: A- ~ Very good starting pitcher who should do well in the bigs, but perhaps in the pen instead of as a starter.
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15. Ira Black, 2B - Charlotte Dogs
Pros: Good range and glove, good batting eye, good base runner.
Cons: Average contact and splits, average durability.
Grade: B+ ~ Good player who will contribute in the bigs but probably won't be an all star. Solid and safe pick however.
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16. Brad Mann, 2B - New York Pick Pockets
Pros: Devastating contact and power, above average fielder, speedy base runner.
Cons: Average splits and batting eye, average durability.
Grade: A ~ If Mann doesn't hit 50+ HR's a year, it will be a disappointment with his skills at the plate.
1 comment:
Fine job Nate, but you're a little generous with my pick. The guy is a piece of crap. I'll be able to trade him to someone ( I'm looking at you Philly !)
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