Friday, February 13, 2009

Season 11 Draft Recap - AL North

AL North

Albert Suarez
Chicago
Sabercats
Age: 21B/T: L/L
Born: Wilson, OK
Position(s): P (SP5)
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Chicago Sabercats
--The Sabercats took SP Albert Suarez with the #18 pick in the draft. Suarez projects to be a solid mid rotation starter, with good control, splits, velocity, and pitch selection. He may not dominate in any single category, but his across the board numbers don't have a weakness. 2nd round pick RP Desi Goya also has big league potential, with good control and splits. After him however the Sabercats draft descends into minor league pitcher territory. This was an okay draft, but not as spectacular as some of the others seen this season.
Grade: B-

Mike O'Shea
Detroit
Dashing Dingle-berries
Age: 20B/T: S/L
Born: Chagrin Falls, OH
Position(s): P (SP1)
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Detroit Dashing Dingle-Berries
--The #7 pick belonged to Detroit, and they used it on workhorse SP Mike O'Shea. The Irish Ohioan is a hard throwing beast with good control, above average splits, and some good pitches. His GB/FB is a bit worrying, as is his 15 rated 5th pitch, but with a good pitching coach, that problem can be overcome. Otherwise he should be bound for the majors to be counted on in the rotation. 3rd round pick LF Ronnie Tollberg has crushing power and great skills vs. lefties, which should make him valuable to some ML team in the future. No other top 5 round picks signed for Detroit, leaving this a 2 person draft, but two ML quality players.
Grade: B

Hulk Boone
Pawtucket
G-Maniacs
Age: 18B/T: S/R
Born: Philadelphia, PA
Position(s): P (SP2)
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Pawtucket G-Maniacs
--The G's selected a very nice SP in Hulk Boone with the #26 pick in the draft. Boone has great skills across the board, with exceptional pitches and velocity to go along with his good splits and control. If he develops fully he has #1 starter potential. Supplemental pick P Cody Pierce is also very good, but doesn't quite have the stamina to start, but should be a dynamite setup man. Pitchers Alex Coronado and Hub Evans also have ML potential, as does RP Rob Stearns. This was a very productive draft for the pitching future of Pawtucket, bringing in a future ace at a very late pick and four other ML quality prospects.
Grade: A

Justin Barnes
Toronto
Blue Jays
Age: 20B/T: S/L
Born: Belmont, CA
Position(s): P (SP2)
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Toronto Blue Jays
--The #1 pick in the draft belonged to Toronto this year, and they used to add another great young arm to their growing collection. SP Justin Barnes is a high movement pitcher with some serious heat. His pitch selection is good, and he is very durable, and should be a very good starter in the majors some day relatively soon. 2nd round pick RP Bailey Lockhart has good potential to be a player in the major league bullpen. After that, the Toronto draft loses some punch. Still, the #1 pick has it's advantages, and now Toronto has three of the best young arms in the game in their system, which is looking better every day.
Grade: B+

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