Down on the Farm - Chicago Sabercats

Dirk Yates - Cobb Times Herald

Chicago Sabercats

The Sabercat philosophy has always been to draft young pitchers. Considering how poor the franchise has been, maybe they should rethink the strategy. That being said, there are at least a few good prospects that should help the ML squad:

Hitters:

Jesus Henriquez, SS, AAA: Henriquez is the SS of the future in Chicago and the only hitting prospect worth mentioning in Chicago. He has a great glove and good splits for hitting, but his batting eye could use some improvement. That being said, he should produce both power and speed numbers for years to come.
Grade: Choice

Placido Tarasco Chicago Sabercats Age: 23 B/T: L/L Born: Morganfield, KY Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Pitchers:
Placido Tarasco, SP, AAA: will be the anchor of the Sabercats staff for years to come. Already a no-hitter under his belt AAA, the future looks bright for him. Great stamina and great control should be a good recipe for him to become a future All-Star.
Grade: Prime

Clark Jensen, SP, AA: should be a solid addition to any rotation. Good stamina, control, and splits should help him become a fixture in the Sabercat rotation soon. Should be a solid ML starter.
Grade: Prime

Angel Alfonseca, SP, AA: is a young pitcher that seems to have all the tools to be successful in the bigs. Good stamina, control, and splits. If he can somehow keep the ball in the park, he can be a successful ML starter.
Grade: Choice

Albert Suarez, SP, HiA: Most recent first round draft pick Albert Suarez has a lot of skills to be successful. Stamina might be a concern, but his control and splits could make up for it.
Grade: Choice

Down on the Farm - Fargo Fug Nuts

Chuck Biscuits - Cobb Times Herald

The Fargo Fug Nuts have traditionally been a very weak drafting squad. They have however always had a young team with rising prospects in the big leagues, thanks in part to the the trade savvy of their GM, mrploppie. Currently there are a few megaprospects in the bigs, and not much else in the minor leagues.

Hitters

James Cole Fargo Fug Nuts Age: 24 B/T: R/R Born: N. Bethesda, MD Position(s): 3B/1B/2B/OF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

James Cole, 3B, ML: Cole is a great fielding 3B with decent speed and great baserunning skills. He has some power, good for about 25 HR's a season, but his real talent lies in his ability to make contact at the plate against virtually any pitcher. He should be a doubles machine once he hits his stride.
Grade: Prime

Rodney Toombs, LF, ML: Toombs is a power hitting LF with good skills vs. lefties. He has decent enough abilities vs. righties and an okay eye, but is only an average contact hitter at the plate. He should be able to hit for a pretty good average, but the Times Herald thinks he's pretty much done developing.
Grade: Choice

Sammy Hunt, C, AAA: Hunt is a durable catcher who will be just good enough with the bat to justify his weak defensive skills behind the plate. He has decent accuracy with his weak arm, and is an average pitch caller. He projects to have good splits at the plate and an above average eye, but isn't in the same class as the elite catchers in the game. He should be a good option as a backup or a starter on a team without an elite catcher.
Grade: Select

Pitchers

Sean Monroe, SP, ML: Monroe is an above average pitching prospect, but nothing outstanding. He has above average controls and splits, but nothing dominant. He has two great pitches, one average one, and a poor 4th pitch. He should be good enough to spot start or hold a back of the rotation spot, but will probably never be an all star.
Grade: Select

Marty Combs Fargo Fug Nuts Age: 24 B/T: L/L Born: Lexington, KY Position(s): P (SuB) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Marty Combs, RP, ML: Combs is a relief pitcher with fantastic control and the ability to pitch an inning or two every day. The downside is his pitches in combination with his weak split vs. righties and low velocity keep him from being an elite RP prospect. He should be able to be a capable setup man, but will have his meltdown moments.
Grade: Select

DOWN ON THE FARM -- Charlotte Dogs

The Charlotte Dogs are a team that is still trying to find their way. They have a handful of nice young prospects in their system.

Hitting:

Abraham Traynor Charlotte Dogs Age: 25 B/T: R/R Born: Cuyahoga Falls, OH Position(s): RF/1B/LF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Abraham is a very solid player. He has played 1 full season, and a fraction of another. He shows decent power, and excellent contact , and flawless batting eye for the ball. He puts up numbers like a John Kruk would, except with a slightly lower average.
GRADE : CHOICE

Pedro Rivera 1b/dh -- AAA
--Pedro has good power and a very good batting eye. This alone should net him 25 homers, 100 runs scored, 110 rbi's and around 40 doubles a season. He is a player that could remind you of Kent Hrbek type number guy. He is a switch hitter, and still only 21. Patience will be the key with him.
Grade : SELECT

Pitching:

Eric Holdridge Charlotte Dogs Age: 19 B/T: R/R Born: Poland, ME Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Eric is the best pitching prospect in the organization. He is a workhorse, and has control to go with it. He has decent R/L splits,and 5 pitches ranging from 40-90 on the ratings scale. He has composed a 17-3 record in 2 short seasons, averaging a strikeout per inning to go along with that. He is a pitcher that could easily win 13-17 games a year. He should eat alot of innings to save the bullpen as well.
Grade : Prime

Rod Ross -- AAA

Rod Ross is a name that you will love to say all the time. With 4 pitches, 2 in the 40's and 2 in the 70's he should have a career like a Jamie Moyer type pitcher. He should post 10-15 wins a year, and close to 10 losses as well. His ERA will probably be a little over 4 for his ML career.He also will be a workhorse with great control.

Grade: Select

Milton Cedeno -- High A
I know everyone is scratching their heads over this one, but he will be a nice sleeper for Charlotte. Milton will be a nice closer, with great control, not to mention 2 pitches over 90. That alone will earn him a job. He has decent L/R splits. I think he will get by, and be a closer like a Tug Mc Graw. He will save 25-30 games easily, and have an ERA hovering 3.00 in the ML.

Grade: Standard (with "Select" potential)

Down On The Farm -- Anaheim Sharks

Studs McGrew -- Cobb Times Herald

The Anaheim Sharks are one of the elite teams in Cobb . They have averaged an outstanding 110 wins over the last 5 seasons. Even with low round picks, their owner continues to stay atop the AL West.

Sammy Bennett Anaheim Sharks Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: LaConcepcion, VE Position(s): LF/1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Hitters

Sammy Bennett, LF/1B/DH, ML: Bennett has crushing power to say the least. He made the jump in High A to the ML . In his first full season Bennett crushed 34 HR'S and drove in 113. In just 92 games this season, he almost surpasses he HR total from last season. Hitting .355 in his first full season was not too shabby either.

Grade : PRIME

Lew Allen, IF/OF/DH, AA: Allen reminds me of a version of Albert Pujols. He has excellent power, scores alot of runs, drive in alot of runs, and hits for high average. He does all this in a mere 6'4 185 lb frame. The big question is his " Jose Canseco health rating" Allen could set all kinds of records if he is healthy. This season alone in AA he has 45 HR'S AND 139 RBI'S in only 91 games. He has a split of about 80/80 against lefties/righties . Allen has been Silver Slugger SS and all-star 3 times in 3 full seasons. His defensive is not good, but he will be a monster ML DH.

Grade: PRIME

Wayne Burns, 3b, High A: Wayne is another premier stud for Anaheim's franchise. In Rookie league, he was a gold glove winner. In Low A he won a Silver Slugger award and was an all star. Another slim frame at 6'5 186lb . He slugged 49 HR'S and drove in 176 in Low A. Already in High A he has 38 HR'S and 128 RBI'S in just 91 games. This goes along with his Gold Glove potential at 3B over and over. Being from Kansas City, his numbers could remind you of a guy named George Brett.

Grade : PRIME

Morgan Webster, 3b/1b/of/dh, AA: Webster is already a 2 time Silver Slugger, and has only played 3 minor league seasons. He has good power and contact, both above 70. His lefty/righty split is only in the 60's, but he makes the most of his talent. Morgan hits for a high average like the other studs in Anaheim. He clubbed 71 doubles in Low A, scored an amazing 173 runs, had 229 hits, and drove in 184 runs.

Grade : PRIME

Greg Tyson, 1b/dh, AAA: Greg has won numerours awards already in his short career. He has won MVP, ROY 3 times already, also 3 time all star, 2 time Silver Slugger, and a Gold Glove to go along with the other awards. Tyson hits for a high average like the others above. He has hit above .350 in 4 of his 5 seasons in the minors thus far. He has average 135 runs scored, 193 hits, 50 doubles, 36 homers, and 135 rbi's in his first 4 seasons in the minors.

Grade: CHOICE

Jared Jacobsen Anaheim Sharks Age: 24 B/T: R/R Born: Bronx, NY Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Jared is a 4 time minor league all star, in as many full seasons. He is being used as a set-up guy in the ML. He has proven to be a solid closer in the minor leagues. Jared has the luxury of being a set-up guy for a 4 time fireman of the year winner, Harold Charles. With control, lefty/righty splits around 80, Jacobsen will thrive when given the chance to be a everyday closer. His gb/fb ratings near 100 and velocity around 85, alot of balls will stay in the park for his team.

Grade : CHOICE

Down on the Farm - Atlanta Pitbulls

Chuck Biscuits - Cobb Times Herald

The Atlanta Pitbulls have enjoyed some solid drafting positions the last few seasons, and as a result have one of the best groups of young talent in Cobb World today. Here's a look at what's going on in the Hot Lanta' farm.

Lyle Crudale Atlanta Pitbulls Age: 24 B/T: L/L Born: Fruita, CO Position(s): 1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Hitters

Lyle Crudale, 1b/DB, ML: Crudale is a crushing hitter who can mash both lefties and righties with ease, and is enjoying a fine rookie season for the ML squad with a .312 average in his first season. Grade: Prime

Brook Colin, CF, ML: Colin is a defensive whiz CF with impressive power at the plate. His splits are only slightly above average, but he has good speed and solid baserunning ability. He has greatly improved his batting average and offensive output in his second full year of ML play, including winning the All Star Game MVP. Grade: Prime

Jerome Mancuso, LF, LoA: Mancuso is a hitter in the same mold as Lyle Crudale, with remarkably similar hitting stats. Mancuso is a little weaker vs. lefties, but is the fastest player on the team and has the best baserunning skills in the organization. He will be a terror in the leadoff position once he matures. Grade: Prime

Tanner Halama Atlanta Pitbulls Age: 20 B/T: S/R Born: Channelview, TX Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Pitchers

Tanner Halama, SP, AA: Halama is a top notch pitching prospect, currently residing in AA for the Pitbulls. Halama has control, splits, and velocity all projected between 80-90, and has 5 good pitches, including a projected 98 rated 1st pitch. His only weakness is a tendency to give up some flyballs. Grade: Prime

Julio Olmeda, SP, AA: Olmeda is a good SP prospect with high splits and velocity, and an above average pitch selection. His control is only average, and his pitches while good aren't elite. He also gives up fly balls with regularity. A nice prospect, but not as nice as Halama. Grade: Choice

Omar Valenzuela, SP, AAA: Valenzuela is a crafty control pitcher with great splits and and an impressive pitch selection. His GB/FB ratio is good, and he is healthy and durable as well. He doesn't have much heat on his pitches, but that is no big deal as his first pitch projects to an 88, and has 4 other pitches all projected to rate in the 50's or higher. The only concern is that he may have been rushed to AAA too soon, and as a result might not fully develop leaving his splits only above average instead of great. Grade: Choice

Down on the Farm

Over the next month The Times Herald will be taking the place of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in inspecting the farm systems of the various franchises in Cobb World. The Times Herald has several criteria it will use in the grading of the prospects.

• First, a prospect will be defined as a player who is under the age of 26, and has not capped out on their development.
  
• Second, a prospect is defined as a player who has less than 2 years of ML service time.
  
• Third, Prospects will be graded according to the USDA Beef Grades: Prime, Choice, Select, and Standard.
• Fourth, all teams will have at least 5 prospects rated, more if warranted.
  

With that being said, the Times Herald welcomes your opinions as this project moves forward.

Season 11 Draft Recap - NL East

NL East

Jerome Mancuso Atlanta Pitbulls Age: 18 B/T: S/L Born: Norwalk, CT Position(s): LF/1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Atlanta Pitbulls
--Picking at #13, the Pitbulls selected offensive powerhouse LF Jerome Mancuso, who is good across the board at the plate, with superior range, glove, and durability for the LF position. Mancuso is a potential all star if he develops, and has enough power to hit 30+ HR's a season in addition to his projected .300 yearly average. The Pitbulls only other early round pick was 5th round selection SS Ron Henry. Henry has a potential gold glove, and isn't horrible at the plate, making this a steal of a pick for the 5th round. All told, Atlanta made the most of their two picks, selecting one future all star and a valuable role player who both should feature on the ML squad at some point.
Grade: A-

Howard Hughes St. Louis HoundDogs Age: 21 B/T: S/R Born: Edgard, LA Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

St. Louis HoundDogs
--The HoundDogs used the #21 pick on multibazillionaire aviation fanatic and ice cream fiend SP Howard Hughes, who is also notorious for his incredible stamina, splits, decent control, and great GB/FB ratio. Hughes does have a weak point, and that is his pitch selection, holding only 3 pitches, projected to 76, 53, & 33 respectively. Supplemental round pick C Greg Salazar is a great find, with capable defensive skills and a bat that just absolutely owns left handed pitching. 2nd round pick SS Chris Paquette has what is probably the best glove in this draft class, and should make the bigs on it's merits alone, even if he isn't very strong at the plate. The rest of the HoundDogs draft featured some minor league filler, but still, the top 3 picks for St. Louis could all be ML regulars, which is a pretty nice haul.
Grade: A-

Eddie Bird Syracuse Beagles Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Abingdon, IL Position(s): 1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Syracuse Beagles
--The Beagles picked at #30 this season, and used that pick on 1B Eddie Bird, a solid hitter who projects to produce similar numbers to current major leaguer Walter Stewart. He's good vs. lefties, has a good eye and good enough power to justify a spot at 1B. He won't be able to play 160 games, but should be good for 120 if he is used correctly. Supplemental pick SP Nate Cooke has ML potential as well, with good control, splits vs. righties, and an electrifying first pitch. 2B Willie Pryce, 1B Trenidad Montero, and 3B Dustin Hooper are very good AAAA players who might not be able to make it on the talented Beagles roster, but could have a place in another teams lineup. Syracuse had another solid draft with 5 good players who all have ML potential to some degree, even if none of them will ever be all stars.
Grade: B+

Russ Goodwin Wichita Wankers Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Vienna, OH Position(s): P (SuA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Wichita Wankers
--The Wankers used the #17 pick in the draft on talented RP Russ Goodwin, who has good stamina for a reliever, superb control, great splits and velocity, and 3 good pitches. He gives up a few more flyballs than you would like to see in a RP, but is still talented enough to be the centerpiece of most ML bullpens if he develops fully. #28 pick SS George Sears is also a bona fide ML prospect, with a capable glove and good hitting skills for the position. Supplemental pick SP Vicente Soto could be an ML regular if his splits fully mature, as his pitch selection is incredible, and might be enough to offset his lack of movement. Supplemental round pick C Ross Carsone is a little below average defensively for a C, but his bat is excellent, with great skills vs. right handed pitching, and a great eye. He might be better suited as a DH, but does have ML potential. Supplemental round pick LF Bryan Tartabull also has ML potential based on the ability of his bat vs. right handed pitching. 2nd round pick William Westmoreland was a steal for the pick with a decent ML bat and range and a glove that could actually allow him to excel at the CF position. Also notable is 5th round pick SS Andrew Moss, whose glove is almost as good as the HoundDogs pick Paquette. This was probably the best draft in the class this year, with quite the haul of ML prospects.
Grade: A+

Season 11 Draft Recap - AL East

AL East

Theodore Hafner Cleveland Steamers Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Oakland City, IN Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Cleveland Steamers
--The Steamers used the #22 pick in the draft on talented but injury risk SP Theodore Hafner. In a cruel twist of fate, Hafner was injured for 320+ games in the first inning of his first game in the Rookie League this season. So the verdict is out on whether or not he will actually be any good, but with a career opener like that, the odds are not in his favor. If he can overcome his injuries, then he has good splits, control, and pitch selection to work with. Clevelands second round pick Casey McDonald has a gold glove for a 2b/CF, but his hitting is strictly minor league. No other top five round picks signed for Cleveland, leaving this class based mostly on Hafner, who is mostly in the hospital.
Grade: D+

Kurt Small Pittsburgh SSP Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Somerset, NJ Position(s): P (SP4) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Pittsburgh SSP
--#14 overall pick Kurt Small is a very talented pitcher who has great splits, pitch selection, and control. He doesn't have the stamina to make it as a starter however, but will be extremely valuable in the bullpen as a setup man or a closer, as he should be able to log 150+ innings in a season with a very nice skill set. The two other top five round picks who signed for the SSP are good for the minor leagues, but not talented enough to make the major league squad, leaving this a one man draft pretty much based on the potential big gains from Small.
Grade: B-

Patrick Ramirez Scranton Dragons Age: 21 B/T: L/L Born: Houston, TX Position(s): LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Scranton Dragons
--For not having a 1st round pick until #39, Scranton did very well in selecting Patrick Ramirez, a well rounded LF with no real weak spots at the plate. Ramirez also shows exceptional speed, but his baserunning skills are only average. Still, for where he was selected it was a pretty good deal for the Dragons. The rest of Scrantons early draft picks consisted of a CF with a decent glove and no hitting skills, and a selection of pitchers who probably won't be good enough to make the majors in anything other than a long relief or mopup role.
Grade: B-

Jeff Christians Washington D.C. Patriots Age: 22 B/T: L/L Born: Upper Lake, CA Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Washington D. C. Patriots
--The Patriots, picking late in the draft at #23, took a gamble on talented SP Harry Acevedo, who is a pretty big signing risk. He hasn't signed yet, but there is still hope for D.C. as he hasn't declined their offer at this point. If he signs, D.C. gains a workhorse SP with good all around skills on the mound. Supplemental round pick SP Jeff Christians is good enough to make the bigs with his impressive control and stamina, and capable splits and pitch selection. The rest of D.C's early round picks brought some AAAA players into the fold who might make the majors, but will probably spend most of their careers in the minor leagues. If Acevedo signs, this is a very good draft, if not this is an average one at best.
Grade: B+/C depending on Acevado signing.

Season 11 Draft Recap - NL North

NL North

Anthony Griffey Fargo Fug Nuts Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Philadelphia, PA Position(s): P (SP3) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Fargo Fug Nuts
--Selecting with the #32 pick, you would not expect the traditionally draft averse Fug Nuts to find a keeper, but this year they did in SP Anthony Griffey. Griffey is a high control SP with good splits and decent pitches. He's a bit of a health risk, but for where he was selected in the draft was about as good as you could expect, and could be a back of the rotation starter in the bigs. 2nd round pick 3B Odalis Saenz has some good hitting skills vs. righties, and could be a valuable bat off the bench some day in the majors. The rest of the Fug Nuts draft was unremarkable, but this was a pretty good one for them all things considered.
Grade: B-

Spud Ward New York Pick Pockets Age: 19 B/T: L/L Born: Thackerville, OK Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

New York Pick Pockets
--Carrying on a long tradition of having a player named "Spud" in the NL North, the Pick Pockets took SP Spud Ward with the 16th pick. Ward is a workhorse with good control, velocity, and splits vs. left handed hitting. He gives up a few flyballs, and has some trouble with righties, but by and large should be able to hold down a spot in a big league rotation. New York didn't pick again until the 4th round, where they inexplicably selected P Vasco Bennett, perhaps the worst pitching selection in Cobb history thanks to his awestriking projected control rating of ZERO. That alone is noteworthy, and the Times Herald looks forward to tracking this players future.
Grade: C+

Matty Palmer Sioux Falls Corn Cleats Age: 22 B/T: L/L Born: Albuquerque, NM Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Sioux Falls Corn Cleats
--With the #25 pick in the draft, the Corn Cleats took a flyer on talented injury risk SP Matty Palmer. Palmer projects to have very high control, splits, velocity, GB/FB, and a good pitch selection. If he can stay healthy he should be a top of the order starter. 2nd and 3rd round picks Mac Baldwin and Freddie Stark are AAAA pitchers who might get claimed off the Rule 5 someday, and 5th round pick 2B Robin Wilkerson has good power and skills vs. lefties. Not the best draft this year, but not the worst either.
Grade: B

Edgardo Bravo Trenton Lions Age: 20 B/T: L/L Born: Coffeyville, KS Position(s): RF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Trenton Lions
--The Lions used the #8 pick in the draft on sweet hitting RF Edgardo Bravo. Bravo is a contact hitter with great speed and baserunning capabilities, and should be an OBP player who scores a lot of runs from the leadoff position in the batting order. Unfortunately for Trenton the rest of their draft contained naught but minor league players, but Bravo is the kind of position player that Trenton needed in their farm system, and is far enough along in his development that they shouldn't have to wait too long to see him in the bigs.
Grade: C+

Season 11 Draft Recap - AL North

AL North

Albert Suarez Chicago Sabercats Age: 21 B/T: L/L Born: Wilson, OK Position(s): P (SP5) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

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: 20 B/T: S/L Born: Chagrin Falls, OH Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

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: 18 B/T: S/R Born: Philadelphia, PA Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

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: 20 B/T: S/L Born: Belmont, CA Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

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+

Season 11 Draft Recap - NL South

NL South

Russ Hall Huntington Hillbillies Age: 18 B/T: S/L Born: Lafayette, LA Position(s): P (none) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Huntington Hillbillies
--With the #18 pick in the draft the Hillbillies selected SP Russ Hall. Hall is a workhorse innings eater with pinpoint control. He get's into trouble vs. right handed hitting sometimes however, and has a tendency to give up more fly balls than you would like to see. Supplemental pick SP John Damon would be good if his control projected to something higher than 23, but with an arm like that you can expect him to enjoy the good life in the minor leagues. 2nd round pick Tom Dunn is a borderline prospect who might make it to the majors in a bullpen role. The rest of the draft was pretty unremarkable.
Grade: C-

Morgan Kirby Jackson Pollocks Age: 18 B/T: L/R Born: Naperville, IL Position(s): SS/IF/OF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Jackson Pollocks
--The Pollocks selected SS Morgan Kirby with the #12 pick in the draft. Kirby is a speedy SS with above average hitting skills and some pop in addition to his solid glove. There is no reason to think that he won't be an every day starter at some point, although it will probably be at 3B as his range is on the low end for a SS. Supplemental round pick SS Jimmie Nash has a ML quality glove, but is light on the hitting side of the spectrum. 2nd round pick C Ron Allen is very good vs. right handed pitching, and should make the majors because of his hitting skills. SS Fernando Franco and RP Tedd Thurman could both potentially make the majors as backups. This was a solid draft for the Pollocks, much better than the previous two seasons.
Grade: A-

Tim Collins Montgomery Burns Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: Hamilton, ON Position(s): 2B/1B/COF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Montgomery Burns
--The Burns had the #2 pick in the draft, and with that pick selected monster slugging 2B Tim Collins. Collins has the glove to play 2B or CF, and a bat as good as any slugging 1B or OF in the league today. Simply put, he was a very good pick at #2 overall. Montgomery used their 3 supplemental round picks on pitchers, all three of whom should make the majors in some capacity. Their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round selections were all pitchers as well, each of whom also has ML potential in the bullpen. This was a very good draft for the Burns, netting seven players who could see time in the majors if things go right, including a megastar, which is a good a haul as you are going to see in a draft.
Grade: A+

Mandy Reagan Richmond Cohibas Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Culpeper, VA Position(s): SS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Richmond Cohibas
--The Cohibas used the #9 pick in the draft on SS Mandy Reagan, a great hitting SS with a very good glove and durability. His range isn't very good for a SS, but all of his other skills are top notch for the position. Supplemental round pick Tony Espinosa is a slugging RF who should eventually start in the majors as well. 2nd round pick 3B Ernest Carver and 3rd round pick P Ed House should also make the majors in some role in the future. The Cohibas draft starts to diminish a little bit after those players. Still the Cohibas drafted 4 players who could make an impact in the big leagues, including two very nice first round picks.
Grade: A-

Season 11 Draft Recap - AL South

AL South

Ralph Woods Charlotte Dogs Age: 22 B/T: L/R Born: Portland, OR Position(s): C View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Charlotte Dogs
--With the #10 pick in the draft the Dogs picked up mega slugger C Ralph Woods. Woods has everyday durability, is above average defensively, and can hit the hide off of nearly every baseball thrown his direction. If Francisco Espada weren't in this draft, Woods would hands down be the best catcher in it, but still is a franchise player once he develops. The rest of the Dogs draft features some AAAA players who might make the bigs, with P Arthur Spier having the best chance due to his control and pitch selection. Woods is worth his weidth though, and gives the Dogs a good grade.
Grade: B+

Thurman Tresh Kansas City Express Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Palm Harbor, FL Position(s): SS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Kansas City Express
--The #3 pick has it's benefits, and in this instance it was the selection of future superstar SS Thurman Tresh. Tresh has an amazing glove, and some of the best hitting stats in a SS since Dallas Kline. He doesn't have the everyday durability you would like to see in a franchise player, but should still be able to get 130+ games in over a season, which is still pretty good. 2nd round pick 2B Tanner Carillo has a solid eye and a good glove, and has ML potential. After that the K.C. draft descends into minor league filler. Tresh has the potential to be great though, and brings up K.C.'s score.
Grade: B+

Norman Shields Mexico City Diablos Rojos Age: 21 B/T: R/R Born: Grandview, WA Position(s): 2B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Mexico City Diablos Rojos
--When your best pick is a 3rd rounder who hasn't signed, and you are left showcasing a 4th round minor league powerhouse, you know that it probably won't equal a grade A draft. But somebody had to provide all those supplemental picks for other teams, and that would be Mexico City. Since they really didn't focus on the draft this season, they probably don't care that they don't receive a passing grade.
Grade: F

Mariano Ramirez Nashville Rebel Riders Age: 18 B/T: L/L Born: San Diego, CA Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Nashville Rebel Riders
--Nashville used the #27 pick on P Mariano Ramirez, a hard throwing lefty with projected 100 control, and 3/5 pitches near or above 80. Ramirez doesn't have the stamina to make him a true starter, but he would excel in the bullpen as a 2 inning closer, and is a very good first round choice. Supplemental pick RP Dwight Averill has ML potential as a left hand specialist, and 2nd round pick C Ronnie Jacobsen has starting lineup capability. 4th round pick C Bill Parker could also make it into the majors as a backup, and completes a pretty solid draft for the Rebel Riders.
Grade: B+

Season 11 Draft Recap - NL West

NL West

Charlie Erving Honolulu Islanders Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Hatch, NM Position(s): LF/1B/2B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Honolulu Islanders
--The Islanders used the #5 pick in the draft on baserunning maestro 2B Charlie Erving. Erving has enough skills with the bat to ensure that his incredible projected 100 speed and 100 baserunning abilities will wreak havoc on any weak armed catcher he goes up against. He should be a run scoring machine. The rest of the Islanders draft featured a collection of AAAA players who could make the bigs, but have some weird skill deficiencies that will probably ultimately keep them in the minors. The quality of the first pick though makes this a respectable draft.
Grade: B-

Walt Poole Iowa City Corn Dogs Age: 22 B/T: L/L Born: Chino, CA Position(s): CF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Iowa City Corn Dogs
--The Corn Dogs used the #4 pick in the draft to select C Francisco Espada, who is quite possibly the most gifted catching prospect Cobb World has ever seen. Espada, who has yet to sign, is durable and gifted defensively, although he only projects to a 50 PC. His bat however is legendary, projecting near or past 90 in every category. In short, Espada is a beast who has HOF potential if he signs. 2nd round pick Walt Poole is a capable defensive CF, but his bat is lacking ML potential. None of the other top 5 round picks have signed for the Corn Dogs, so this draft is entirely dependent on the signing of Espada.
Grade: A- if Espada signs, D if he doesn't.

Willie Gandarilla Omaha Sluggers Age: 21 B/T: L/L Born: Barrow, AK Position(s): CF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Omaha Sluggers
--The Sluggers had a bounty of 1st round picks, with 5 total including the supplemental round. Their fist pick, #31, was used on CF Willie Gandarilla, a speedy CF who really owns right handed pitching. Pitcher Jim Alexander will be a solid ML reliever, 2B Brett Moore is very good vs. lefties and has some pop. Meanwhile RF Ryan Little is average for his position, and RP Hector Villareal has great control but isn't good enough vs. right handed hitting to cut it in the bigs. The rest of Omaha's draft yielded some solid minor leaguers. This was all told a pretty good haul for the Sluggers, who pick late every season. There were no major stars in the bunch, but still this is a solid class wth some depth.
Grade: B+

Pablo Vincente Salem Bitches Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Chittenango, NY Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Salem Bitches
--Salem welcomed their newest Bitch in Pablo Vicente with the #11 pick in the draft. Vicente is a workhorse pitcher in the Vance Weaver model, good control, velocity, GB/FB, good pitches, and good vs. righties. He should be a #1 or #2 pitcher in the majors when he matures. Supplemental pick SS Darren Paquette also has ML potential, with an above average bat for the SS position, and a capable glove. 2nd round pick CF Rondell Richardson has a very good glove and ok hitting skills, enough to make it in the majors. After him the Salem draft drops off into minor league filler territory. Still, 3 ML potential players including a top of the line starter make this a very good draft for the Bitches.
Grade: A-