Gabrielle O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.
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Yet another draft season in Cobbfather, so let's round up the Rule 4 draft. We heard some grumblings about the talent pool, but nothing like in year's past.
1. Oklahoma City - Ed Wood (P) - OKC went with a HS pitcher for the top pick overall, the franchise's first ever first overall pick. Last time klown was selecting this early in the draft we were in the mid-30 seasons where he had the 2nd then 3rd overall pick in S35 & 36. But did he punt their first overall pick in hopes to land a larger IFA or in hopes a better player would show up in next year's draft? This writer heard plenty of news around the league about how many owners thought it was a weak draft class.
2. Huntington - Phil Wada (C) - First time in Cobbfather history, neither the first nor second players chosen in the Rule 5 draft will be signing with their team. After ponying up $49.1M to sign super stud prospect Wei-Yin Wan (1B) out of Japan on the IFA market, some have to wonder if they punted their pick in favor of Wan. I think it was Japan's way of influencing Cobbfather.
3. Milwaukee - Dario Lester (LF) - Finally a player who signed with his drafted team. Lester looks like the power 1B bats we see playing in the NL, the likes of Omar Gonzales, Keith Halter, and a lesser extent Alex Tarraga. Not a bad corner stone to build around. Has the durability and health to see 155-162 games a season. Also favors as an above average first baseman, don't think you'll see any gold gloves but he'll hold is own. Required a bit more to sign him, but I think the fans in Milwaukee will be happy with this year's draft.
4. Washington DC - Zach Fussell (SS) - Likely one of the fastest guys in the draft, but with that eye I don't know how he finds the next base. He'll struggle against both lefties and righties and lacks the power needed for AAA. His glove likely keeps him off shortstop, though that's where DC has him playing in Rookie ball. As of this writing he's already dealing with back pain; though he doesn't like Mr Glass and seems a rather patient kid for an 18 yr old who just received a $5.77M signing bonus.
5. Minnesota - Miles Cookson (CF) - A 5th straight high schooler selected in this year's draft, at no surprise to this writer. This guy matches the speed of your typical centerfielder, but you'd think he'd be a little better on the base paths. He makes up for it with a little more power to show. Against righties he should be able to leg out a few extra base hits, but might struggle a bit against the lefties. With his health as long as he can prove durable, you'll see this guy every season making the best of his opportunity and won't worry about him landing on the DL.
6. Vancouver - Brad Vernon (CF) - First college kid off the board and another centefielder, though Canada has him playing 2B in A+ right now. Compared to Cookson, Vernon shouldn't have any struggles in centerfield and with his durability he'll be there every single one of those 162 games. Good speed, and better on the base paths than Cookson. Two things he doesn't do as well as Cookson, he has less power, walks less, and struggles more against righties; but Vernon will make more contact and wont' struggle against lefties. If given the green light, he'll top out around 25 stolen bases with 15 HRs.
7. Washington DC - Daniel Federowicz (RF) - Washington received this pick for not signing 18 yr old Erik Henry in last year's draft. They pick up a very durable and extremely healthy right fielder out of college. Another 20-25ish stolen base guy, 15-20 HR guy. Are we sure this guy isn't Canadian? Considering his smooth demeanor, you could probably slap his momma and he apologize to you for it. Let's just hope he never has to lay down a bunt, some say his form is so bad he couldn't bunt off a tee.
8. Wichita - Normar Abraham (P) - Second pitcher off the board falls well behind our first overall pick, but 'Father' Abraham is the highest selected pitcher to actually sign for his team and should see plenty of innings out of the pen. 70 Grade control, 75 grade velocity and quite close to a pure groundballer should help him in the late innings. Like most righties, lefties will hit him better; but the key to his success will be the quality of his pitches. His curveball is league average, and both his slider and split fastball are below average. This writer was very surprised it cost nearly $8M to sign him, I guess the Wichita owner really believes in him.
9. Los Angeles - Tim Cotts (P) - Our third draftee to have not signed, and not surprising with his $6M demands. Anaheim is in need of pitching, but like the other two owners did he decide to punt until next year's draft? Only time will tell.
10. Helena - Jerry Ondrusek (P) - Rather than playing hockey as a kid, Jerry's father was working with him on developing his 4-seam fastball, Change up, and Curveball that most hitters will struggle with. If you're lucky, you'll see his league average Forkball. With pinpoint control, and a high grade velocity; I expect good things from Ondrusek in the future. He is currently closing for Helena in Rookie ball. He might struggle against righties, but given that pitch quality and control; he should be perfectly fine for 3-6 outs to end a ballgame.
11. Austin - J.D. Maness (RF) - Maness' glove will be his undoing on the field, it's underrated even for a first baseman. Has a few health concerns, but has great speed and knows how to manage the base paths. Should be interesting to see how he develops as he's the type who might have some big swings from season to season. One year you'll see him hit .280 with 25 HRs and the next it's .250 with 12 HR.
12. El Paso - Jon Schwartz (RF) - May the Schwartz be with you! Just don't give this guy a lightsaber, he might actually cut his leg off which would kill that great speed he has. At 18 yrs old he already has more power than many Cobbfather major leaguers, and I'd expect to see him in a few Home Run Derbys over the years...assuming he makes it to the majors with his extremely limited ability to make contact. His splits are below average, but maybe the pure muscle behind the bat will help.
13. Tacoma - Lazy Bigbie (SS) - Suiting name considering his speed for a Shortstop, but he has a killer arm and amazingly accurate. He hits lefties so poorly that they could probably throw underhanded and he'd still swing and miss. Over a 10 year career, he'll be lucky to hit 4 home runs. I suspect you'll see this guy enter the game with the closer and the only time he'll see an at bat is if said closer blows the game and it goes into extra innings.
14. Hartford - Spud Campbell (1B) - Hartford selects 'The Potato Soup' with their 14th overall pick, who has been producing very well in Rookie Ball; smashing 13 home runs in 166 at bats with 22 doubles and a .355 average as of this writing from the left side of the plate. He's likely better suited for a DH role but should remain health as an ox. His 70 grade contact, power, and splits versus righties should keep him on track to make the big leagues at some point in his career. Decent speed for a potato as well.
15. Colorado - Slade Lynch (CF) - Another Comp D pick, let's see who he gets instead of 21 yr old Shortstop Ale-ale-jandro Belliard. 10/10 for cool name! Drafted as a CF but quickly switched over to 2B in Rookie league. If scouts are correct he could be slightly useful against lefties but likely ends up a Rule 5 pick in a few seasons.
Let's go prospects, it's nearly your time to shine!!
