Thursday, November 20, 2008

Season 10 Draft Recap - Fargo through Jackson

Fargo Fug Nuts
--The Fug Nuts draft was so bad that they didn't even bother to sign any of their picks. Even for Fargo, this is a new low. There is no possible way that this isn't one of the worst drafts in league history.
Grade: F

Len Wall
Helena
Hellraisers
Age: 18B/T: R/R
Born: Linden, AL
Position(s): RF
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Helena Hellraisers
--Helena took RF Len Wall with the #26 overall pick in the draft. Wall is an above average RF, who should make the bigs but will probably never be more than a .280 career hitter with his projected splits, as he is just barely capable vs. right handed pitching. Considering how low he was picked he is still a decent pick in this years class. Supplemental round pick RP Jeffery Kaplar has much better ML potential than Wall, and should find a spot as a closer or setup man sometime in the future. The rest of the early rounds of Helena's draft yielded a collection of borderline ML players who could find a spot in the bullpen or on the bench, but probably never start. In this years horrible class, this was probably the best that could be expected.
Grade: B+

Charley Morton
Honolulu
Islanders
Age: 22B/T: R/R
Born: Poseyville, IN
Position(s): SS/IF/COF/DH
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Honolulu Islanders
--The #5 pick in the draft yielded SS Charley Morton, one of the few star position players in this seasons draft. With a ceiling projected in the 90's, there isn't much wrong with this player. His splits are above average but not elite, which at the SS position is entirely acceptable. His batting eye is superb, and his glove is good enough for the position. He also has the health and durability to play every game, which is a bonus. 2nd round pick Lynn Curtis has big league potential as well, although he is probably more suited to playing 3B than SS. Douglas Conroy might make it as a bench player, and from there the Islanders draft drops off.
Grade: B

Carlos Roque
Huntington
Hillbillies
Age: 18B/T: L/L
Born: Ashland, KY
Position(s): P (P)
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Huntington Hillbillies
--Huntington selected P Carlos Roque with the 19th pick in the draft. Roque is a tweener, with not enough stamina to start, and not quite enough durability to be an everyday reliever. If his pitch count is limited however he should find a home in an ML pen at some point based on the strength of his awesome pitch selection and above average splits. Supplemental pick Zephyr Nolan actually is more promising in the pen than Roque, with better splits, control, and durability. His pitches aren't as good, but he is superior in most other aspects as an RP. SP Russell Leonard also has a chance to make it in an ML rotation, but the quality drops off after him. This draft is unique for the Hillbillies as it marks the first time in several seasons they haven't drafted a power hitter with their first pick.
Grade: B

Roland Herzner
Iowa City
Corn Dogs
Age: 21B/T: L/L
Born: Westland, MI
Position(s): P (SP1)
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Iowa City Corn Dogs
--In what might be the biggest bust of the draft, the Corn Dogs selected SP Roland Herzner with the #6 overall pick. Herzner is projected to reach the low 80's overall, but his splits are heinous, especially his projected 37 vs. right handed hitters. With splits that low it is doubtful he will ever be an effective ML pitcher. The rest of the draft isn't much better, as none of Iowa Cities early round picks have potential to make the bigs. The only thing that makes their draft not be the worst this season is that they signed their picks, unlike the Fug Nuts.
Grade: F

Mike Lofton
Jackson
Pollocks
Age: 18B/T: L/R
Born: Ridgeland, MS
Position(s): 2B/1B/LF/DH
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Jackson Pollocks
--The Pollocks were another victim of the poor draft class, as evidenced by their selection of 2B Mike Lofton with the #13 pick. Lofton can make contact at the plate, but that is unfortunately for the Pollocks about all he can do with any proficiency. Everything else about their first pick is below average for the 2b position. Jackson's draft was salavaged somewhat by the selection of SS Alex Lugo in the supplemental round, a everyday defensive SS with excellent splits who should field well and hit for high average in the majors. Supplemental round pick Midre Bonilla was drafted as a SS, but defensively is more suited to the 3b position, although his bat is a bit weak for it. Mac Thompson and Adam Stratton also have qualities that could land them on a ML roster, but after them the quality is reduced. Not a bad draft, but the poor first pick drags the Pollocks grade down a bit.
Grade: B-

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