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Louisville Dogs
--Picking #11 this year the Dogs did very well in selecting SP Bennie Duvall. Duvall is one of the top 2-4 pitchers in the draft this season, and for him to drop to #11 was unexpected. Duvall is #1 starter quality elite across the board with the exception of his tendency to give up the fly ball, and his potential injury worries. He isn't nearly as fragile as the top overall pick though, so really he is a very good bet for the Dogs, and about as good of a first round pick that could be had this season. Supplemental pick CF Chet Patrick was a very good value selection at #51 overall as well, and has ML potential on the field and major league gap toothed smile. The two other top round signees by the Dogs are just minor league types, but capable and productive ones. Overall this was a very good draft for Louisville, adding two quality prospects, including a #1 starter in a spot where he probably shouldn't have been, which is worth its weight in gold.
Grade: A-
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Montgomery Burns
--Montgomery had the #3 pick overall, and while usually a pick that high isn't used on a reliever, in this instance it was justified with the pick of closer John Miller. Miller is a two inning shut down closer, with three good pitches and incredible splits and control. He is a total workhorse who will shorten the game significantly, which will make the starters win totals much better in the future. This was a great pick in a near talentless draft. Montgomery also had the #18 pick in the draft this year as well, but were unable to sign C Gerardo Alou. Alou was good, but Montgomery should be able to do as well or better next season with the #18 pick Type D pick. Still, missing out on a catcher with defensive skills in the 80's who can also hit very well hurts. The Burns had a high supplemental pick as well, #33 overall, and used it to take 2B Milt Slaughter, an above average fielder with a good batting eye and capable bat elsewhere. He should make a good role player at the ML level. 2nd round pick 2B Eric Sutton was a tremendous value pick for this draft, projected to the high 70's overall, which was quite a score this year at that draft position. He won't be an all star, but Sutton will be a capable role player and spot starter in the majors. 4th and 5th round picks C Michael Campbell and SS Orlando Sandoval also both have major league potential as well thanks to their positional skill sets. Even without the signing of Alou, this draft is one of the best, if not the best of the year.
Grade: A+
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Nashville Rebel Riders
--About the only really nice thing that can be said about RF Ernie Brows status as a first round pick is that he has a very nicely trimmed goatee. Otherwise this supplemental round selection is probably destined to top out at AAA at best. SP's Leon Jackson, Andrew Thomas, and Ted Chase were good value selections for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th rounds though, and could actually see ML duty at some point in their careers. But on the whole this is a pretty forgettable draft for Nashville.
Grade: D-
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New York Expos
--At #9 overall the New York Expos managed to nab one of the few genuine quality hitters in this years draft in RF Matt Malloy. Malloy is a tremendous slugger who absolutely owns lefties. The rest of his hitting skills are capable, although he will strike out every now and again, but that is to be expected for a projected #4 hitter. He has a perfect skill set for the RF position, and should be able to be a nearly every day player in the bigs. This was a great pick for New York. Supplemental pick SP Tim Sisler is intriguing, as he has some very good skills and great pitches, but his control issues will probably prevent him from having consistent major league success. But he was still probably the best player on the board at that point in the draft, as there really wasn't a whole lot to choose from. The only other pick of note was 5th round selection C Juan Sot, a great platoon option vs. lefties. The New York draft had some definite ups and downs, but scored more hits than misses.
Grade: B
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New York Pick Pockets
--At #21 overall there wasn't much left for the Pick Pockets to select on the draft boards, but they managed to pilfer SP Don Sherman into their organization. Sherman is a bit of an oddball SP, a lefty with average control, great vs. lefties, so-so vs. righties, excellent GB/FB ratio, velocity, one stellar pitch, one good pitch, and one bad pitch. All told he'll probably be the kind of pitcher who will throw a CG shutout one game only to get lit up the next. But he is a ML quality pitcher. Of the rest of the Pick Pockets top five round selections (all pitchers), only supplemental pick RP Alfredo Castro has any real major league potential. All told, this was a slightly below average draft.
Grade: C
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