S59 Open Letter to an Owner

Catherine Trammell - contributing reporter

The blog is having difficulty with our hired scouts, they seem to have taken offense to the Open Letter to Tacoma when the blog stated "That's a lot of cap space being used just for scouts to eat fast food around the continental United States" and seem to be on strike. Stay tuned in, if the Draft Recap makes it this year. 

Dear Mr Loins, 

As your enter your 47th season as owner for the Colorado Springs franchise, let's look back at what you've done. The franchise is a combined 3841-3673, good for a .511 winning percentage. The team has won 14 division titles, though finishing in dead last 10 times, including the last 3 and a franchise worst 114 L's last season. You'll need to win at least 93 games this season or you'll be showing the fans you are going in the wrong direction. Just because New York does it, does that mean your esteemed and storied franchise needs to do it? Don't stoop to their level! You're better than this. It's been 11 seasons since our World Series and us fans want more! Your last rebuild in the early S30s lasted ~6 seasons so the Loin faithful are hoping we are half way through and about to turn the corner. 

If there's one thing to say about the owner of this franchise, is the faith and trust he puts in his players. Unlike Atlanta, who would trade his mother if he could; topfotheworl loves to hang on to his players. Many of them have set or nearly set career records for innings pitched, at-bats, and the sorts. We all know the mantra he lives by: "Never gonna give you up. Never gonna let you down. Never gonna run around and desert you." Even non-Hall of Famer Dizzy Leonard has been on record saying topoftheworl is the best owner in the league. 

Pausing for a quick trivia question. How can you tell Colorado Springs is in a rebuild? The team moves towards the top of the league in plus plays!

To give the fans a little something to look forward to, let's take a look at what you've successfully built so far this rebuild. We'll only take at look at quality prospects; which also means not looking at salaries you've cleared....even though you seem to still be charging us the same ticket prices at the gates. 

S56

• You committed this season so it was more about clear the books rather than cooking them. 
• Amateur Draft: 
• #18 - Melvin Dykhoff (SS) - Might hit .230 and is a liability at SS. 
• #39 Carl Robinson (1B) - Limited power and no speed. .235 with 15 HR, and a wOBA below .300. Let's call him up, he can get the fans excited and help with the "rebuild"!
• Trades: 
• More about shedding contracts

S57

• Amateur Draft: 
• #7 Todd Torreyes (P) - traded to New Orleans this season for Omar Sanchez (2B)
• #49 Dan Higgins (2B) - a streaky poor man's Endy Wilste or Mark Yang. with even less power. Like Robinson let's get him promoted to save some money on payroll and get the fans excited! 
• IFA: 
• $23.4M Sammy Cora (RP) - Great to see him already promoted at age 22 after just 102 career minor league outings. He's a Stretch Story or Salvador Creek type reliever. Should be around 20 pitches a game and pitch in ~55-60 games a year. 1.15 WHIP with a 2.75-3.15 ERA in his best years. 
• Trades: 
• Anthony Cunningham (1B) - He's been solid and cheap, nice addition. 
• Anderson Toussaint (CF) - Another solid add while the team rebuilds. 
• Chase Watson (SS) - Solid defensive first Shortstop. But I think my grandma bench presses more than he does. She's also faster! 

S58

• Rule 5 Draft: 
• #2 Doug Salcedo (3B) - FYI, #6 pick Alan Carpenter (RF) made the S58 All Star team and hit 52 HRs last season. But yeah, let's go with Salcedo.
• Amateur Draft: 
• #2 Ali Hall (LF) - Finally someone for Loin fans to get excited about. He gives off Vin Pirela and Leonel Martinez vibes. For a franchise hyper focused on the counting stats, let's get him called up next year at age 20 and go after Alex Tarraga's HR record. Hall for the Hall, I can hear it now!
• #60 Albert Navarro (2B) - Not awful, if given full playing time might get .250 with 5 HR and 15 SB. 
• IFA: 
• $20.1M Victor Estrella (RP) - He's looking like a Kevin Duran/Ossie Crow type reliever with better pitches. Reminds me a bit of Tony Lim, just the relief version of him. 
• $21.1M Javier Segui (SP) - Might challenge Dizzy's walk record if he isn't careful. Oh wait, that's a good thing. More records, better chance to make the Hall! We'll give Segui a 1.45 WHIP and call the ERA+ a 90-105; hovers right around league average. Doesn't seem like a great way to spend $20M, but hey if you have it, spend it!

S59

• Rule 5 Draft: 
• #2 Travis Stafford (2B) - This guy would steal your date quicker than the Commish can eat a Tim Horton's donut. And that's wicked fast. That speed will help him get on base compared to his hitting comps of Rocky Steenstra and Orber DeLeon. What he's done so far this season seems about right. 
• Amateur Draft: 
• #2 Robert Flynn (SP) - He's another Tony Lim comp with a touch of Diory James or Ed Wood if you ask me. With that stamina and durability you know he'll reach 40+ starts for a couple of seasons. Our Loins are excited!
• IFA: 
• $25M Souta Tuivailala (RP) - By a large margin, the Loins will have the best bullpen in a few years with Tuiv, Estrella and Cora eating up 3-5 innings. Tuiv will be the best of the three, but the fans would love to see you spend money on an every day player for once. Give this guy Sherman Hawkins or Radhames Machado numbers. In his best season he might get below 1.00 for a WHIP, but I'd expect most seasons to sit in the 1.10-1.25 range. 150 ERA+; which is 50% better than league average. 
• Trades: Acquired Omar Sanchez (see S57 notes) - Fantastic trade that has fans buzzing again! He could be a .260 hitter with 25ish HRs.

-From My Loins, chasing coins; wanting to go yard, batters swing hard!

S59 Open Letter to an Owner

Catherine Trammell - contributing reporter

(covered AL last year, going NL this year.)

Dear Smelly old guy of the Tacoma Aroma, 

The entire city of Tacoma, okay maybe not all 221,000 people who live here; but at least the 4,500 fans who somehow fill half the pitcher friendly Cheney Stadium every game, have been by your side since you took over the franchise in Season 51. You charged in, clearing house and budget to give yourself a fresh start and build the franchise the way you wanted while moving nearly 3,000 miles from Scranton. You dealt players such as Will Roth, Mike Lobstein, Trent Law, Rubby Furcal, Bennie Swann, and Ronnie Andrews. The latter two went on to win 2 World Series rings with New Orleans and Roth has been a major player in OKC since his arrival there. The franchise is a combined 533-818 (.395) 8 1/4 seasons you've been at the helm, but we the fans believe in you still. You are on track for your highest winning seasons since the initial S51 and you have many of the right pieces to push forward. The NL North has become weaker in recent years with Chicago entering a rebuild and Montreal not ready to come out of their rebuild just yet. That just leaves the strong Hartford franchise whose owners always seems to find a way to put out quality product on the field. The initial goal should be a Wildcard slot  whose only real competition is the loser of the NL West. Wildcard 2 is yours for the taking, but only if you want it! Time for Tacoma to make the franchise's 3rd World Series. 

Before we take a look at the current roster, let's do a quick dive into budgets. We can't tell you how happy the fans are to know you are no longer budgeting $20M for coaches and wasting that transfer money. The fans are hoping money to start to shift back to the player payroll to get the team more competitive. It's rare to have such a small budget and still be a playoff contender; we can't rebuild forever! Unless your mining for diamonds, the franchise needs to make a decision on the International market. Either commit to signing that one larger name instead of these piddly ones under $4M. Since S51 you've signed 124 international players, only 20 of them have been for over $1M bonus. That's nearly $9M on 104 players that won't pan out. Not saying you can't find a diamond, after all every dog has his day at least once. The only one that has really landed was Giancarlo Gutierrez, in S52 and he signed for nearly $24M. Cobbfather has quickly become a league where if you want a quality IFA, it's going to cost anywhere from $6-$35M. 

Let's look at your current roster and upper level prospects, build your lineup around these guys: 
C: 22 yr old Nicky Constanza - .290 w/ 25 HRs - solid C defense
1B: 26 yr old Ernest Page - .300 w/ 30 HRs - average 1B defense
CF: 22 yr old Bert Cooper - .255 w/ 20 HR, 15 SB - plus CF defense
SP: 23 yr old Domingo Rodriguez - 1.15 WHIP, 2.75-3.30 ERA - solid Ace
SP: 22 yr old Steve Mailman - 1.20 WHIP, 3.50 ERA - solid #2

Look to trade these prospects: 
3B: 24 yr old Reese Jacobs*, LF: 19 yr old Ryan Lawrence*, LF: 23 yr old PT Silverio, SP: 23 yr old Hughie Grace* & 21 yr old Marwin Villarreal. The latter two are decent mid to back of the rotation arms, so nobody in Tacoma would blame if you kept them; but to get something you've gotta give something in a trade. 

And anybody else on the ML roster that's costing you more than $1.5M and you don't think has a long term home in Tacoma. 
* denotes still in minors

The rest of this season should be in prep going full speed in S60.
Next steps: 

1. Drafts - Make good use of this year's #8 overall pick and next season's top 12. Shift budgets to track either College or High School but not both. That's a lot of cap space being used just for scouts to eat fast food around the continental United States, especially if you are at 18+ for both and finally coming out of a 9 yr rebuild. Even as the team improves, hopefully you can still find serviceable ML pieces late in the draft with a focus on one area instead of splitting the money for both. College kids would be quicker to the majors if that matters at all.  
2. IFA - As noted above either go all in or shift gears to signing FAs. Being able to sign that future ML talent will help extend your World Series window as it gives you someone to promote year after year; assuming you aren't outbid and waste the money one season; which is always the gamble of the international market. 
3. Trades - Before Page's power drops and making use of the Rodriguez/Mailman prime years, it's time to strike. The aroma is building up in Tacoma and the fans are unsure if it's a positive aroma! 
1. Don't move Page, Mailman, or Rodriguez for quantity unless it's just a crazy deal that improves your chance at a ring. 
2. Watch Anaheim closely this season and if they start to drop in the standings inquire on free agent to be Josh Hunt (Anaheim) if he'll resign, he'd fill a void at 3B while also adding a power bat to the lineup with Page; depending on the price tag. 
3. There's a fire sell going on in New Orleans, check out Yan Ozuna; he's getting up there in age but if he'll resign on a decent rate he could fill 2B as a plus defender and hopefully a .260 average w/ 15 HR and 5-10 SBs. Not bad if he's $3M a year but he is 33 next year so don't sign too long of a deal with him. 
4. Charleston is hanging in the NL wildcard race, perhaps they could use a boost of ML talent in exchange for a prospect that would help you in a few years. Tokyo or Salem could be good trade targets as well, they've been near the wildcard recently. In the AL, any time in the AL West outside of Colorado Springs appear to have a shot at the division. Salt Lake City currently sits the furthest back. 
5. Ask Atlanta about Kyle Crain. 
4. Winter Meetings/FA - Appears the franchise will finish within the bottom half of the bracket this season, giving you another protected draft pick S60. That is good news! Use that protected pick to potentially grab a Type A FA. 
1. Unless resigned, some of the top names are 3B Josh Hunt (Anaheim), LF Juancito Martin (Boston); both former champs. 
2. Being budget aware, you won't want to get into a bidding war with the larger budget teams like Santa Fe or Tokyo; who has Omar Gonzalez money coming off the books and ready to spend. You might look into the Tier 2 FAs and see who you can target for quick signings; even if on short term deals. If Tomas Urias can get things going again, he had been a .280+ hitter with 20-25 HR in Vancouver before going to Jacksonville this season on a one year deal. And signed for under $1M. 
3. Now realize, most of these FA comments are short term so you'll be looking to fill their spot again in a year or two. 
5. Rule 5 - Find a cheap quality glove first SS in the Rule 5 draft. Someone like Allan Ott (Anaheim) unless he gets put on the 40M before then. This guy will serve as a late inning replacement and add further value in the confines of your pitcher friendly home stadium. If you cannot find a starter at Short, at last you get a plus defender who makes your pitchers better!

-Through the aroma, they swing like a boa, hitting homers each blast to Tacoma

S59 Initial Power Ranking

Richard Castle - contributing reporter

What a difference an offseason makes. The defending AL champs are still at the top, but the defending NL champs find themselves as a bottom 5 team. Did they run out of alcohol on Bourbon Street? Say it ain't so! By record as of this writing here are the top 5 records:

• 30-10
• Atlanta (AL-E)
• 28-12
• Houston (AL-S)
• 27-13
• Santa Fe (NL-S), Oklahoma City (NL-W)
• 25-15
• Anaheim (NL-W), Hartford (NL-N)
• 24-16
• Tokyo (NL-W)

In the AL, Atlanta has a small cushion of 10 games on their division, Minnesota is trying to pull away from what feels like a complete rebuild of a division, Huntington is happy to have Simon back in their rotation and face a strong division where Houston has the lead, and Anaheim is a game up on Helena and are trying to win the division for the first time since S37 - 4 owners ago. 

For the NL, the North is similar with really only one team vying for the title. In the East, Buffalo is holding off Washington DC by 2 games. As noted, in the South we find Santa Fe back on top and New Olreans back on bottom, just like it was back in the mid S40s. OKC is holding strong against both Tokyo and Salem. 

If we look at how each team has expected to win based off recent play, here is what we'd see. Champs and Wildcard are listed based on current playoff standings and highlighted in bold. Once again, seems the AL might be favored in the All-Star game and the World Series this year, having 4 of the top 5 teams but also 7 of the bottom 10 teams. No middle ground in the AL.  And once again, NY continues to tank for the top overall pick. 

1. .739 - Houston Space Cowboys (AL-S Champ)
2. .698 - Atlanta Expos (AL-E Champ)
3. .687 - Hartford Rising Stars (NL-N Champ)
4. .647 - Helena Hot Dogs (AL Wildcard 2)
5. .635 - Huntington Tropics 
6. .634 - Tokyo Nomo (NL Wildcard 1)
7. .618 - Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII (NL-S Champ)
8. .615 - Boston Mass Hysteria
9. .580 - Oklahoma City Barons (NL-W Champ)
10. .574 - Jacksonville Lizard Kings (AL Wildcard 1)
11. .572 - Salt Lake City Punk! 
12. .560 - Anaheim Diablos (AL-W Champ)
13. .545 - Salem Bourbon Makers (NL Wildcard 2)
14. .534 - Washington DC Nationals
15. .529 - Buffalo Bisons (NL-E Champ)
16. .497 - Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates 
17. .483 - Tacoma Aroma 
18. .474 - Charleston Offspring
19. .470 - Vancouver Canucks
20. .463 - Minnesota North Stars (AL-N Champ)
21. .448 - Columbus Corgis 
22. .439 - Austin Son's of Odin
23. .432 - Colorado Springs From My Loins
24. .411 - Mexico City Staring Frogs
25. .388 - Augusta Alcoholics
26. .384 - Milwaukee Metronomers
27. .365 - Chicago Gunslingers 
28. .358 - New Orleans Hurricane Dodgers 
29. .335 - Philadelphia Harpers 
30. .332 - Pittsburgh Yinzers 
31. .280 - Dover Hazmats 
32. .249 - New York Empire

S59 On the Clock - redrafting S49

Gabrielle  O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.

Another year of our On The Clock series that looks back at decade old drafts. We finished out S49 with Buffalo (bjc30) sweeping the title against Atlanta (ekoontz41) - this would be the last season of his current run where Atlanta didn't win 100+ games. New York and Colorado Springs were the top of the AL - though both on the downward slope. Buffalo and Columbus while dueling it out for the division were also dueling it out for the National League title. There were 20 Type A Free Agents!! Twice as many as the year before, yet only 4 of them landed the previous owner a first round pick. We at the blog still think it's better to trade an expiring contract them out out hope that you'll land a quality pick in the next season's draft. As usual, we'll take a look at each pick, where they are now, and who might have been a better pick (hindsight is everything!) for the first 15-20 picks. The Scranton Hammers (#24) and Minnesota North Stars (#30) both landed Type D picks in the first round; further pushing back the value of the compensation round. 

Take a look at our original recap and let's see how the players have turned out after what should be their first couple of years in the majors. Let's take a look at what could have been the best possible outcome at each pick in a perfect world where everyone has a crystal ball. 

All-in, this group has accounted for 20 all-star, 4 silver slugger, 2 gold gloves, X mvp, 1 cy young, X fireman, 1 rookie, 5 world series ring 

Asterisk denotes picks selected by another owner. Any stats listed are as of this initial draft of this article.

1. Huntington - Roger Simon (SP)
• Called up for a start in S51 and four more in S52, some in Huntington were starting to get nervous if he'd come around. But he's kicked of S53 with no less than 32 starts a season, having now made over 200 starts and winning ~42% of them. The comps Simon received were that of Louis Combs as an ace. Up until that point in his career Combs was .240 OAV, 1.18 WHIP, 3.33ish ERA; look at his career stats that seems pretty spot on for the blog scouts!  Blog Scouts 1 - Canadian Scouts 0. Simon has helped anchor this Tropics rotation in their recent playoff run.
• Stats: 202 games, 202 starts, 1241 ip, 85-42, 370 bb, 1142 k, 1.16 whip, 3.63 era.
• Awards: 2x all-star, 1x gold glove P
• Redraft Pick: #5 Mitch Dillard - One has to wonder how much difference Dillard over Simon gives this Huntington team. The biggest difference is Dillard not slipping to Philly to be traded to Houston. 
2. *Los Angeles (Salem) - Norm Cunningham (SP)
• Salem said Cheers to Norm and good luck in Houston when they offloaded him in a prospect deal with Houston. You have to wonder where the Salem pitching staff would be with Cunningham in the rotation over #9 pick Jeff Jones in their bullpen. But don't forget, Salem also picked up $32M S53 IFA SS Jhonatan Castro in the deal while also dealing S50 #22 pick 1B/RF/DH Boone Maxwell in the deal. Some would say their defense would be much better without Castro at Short. 
• Stats: 219 games, 219 starts, 1333 ip, 96-63, 411 bb, 974 k, 1.22 whip, 3.64 era.
• Awards: 2x all-star, 1x world series ring
• Redraft Pick: #1 Roger Simon - My guess is, Simon would then get traded to Houston instead of Cunningham. 
3. *El Paso (Mexico City) - Adam West (CF)
• Who in their right mind would draft Batman 3rd overall and trade him out of Gotham El Paso? A true Joker, that's who! Drafted as a Shortstop, destined to play Centerfield where he's logged over 620 games. His journey to now Huntington has been trade after trade. Afterall, who wouldn't want Batman protecting centerfield at their home park? All of the players he was originally dealt for are no longer on the franchise's roster after 10 years, with one retired. Eric Mashore (now with Philly) was waived 5 seasons and before Arb2. Hipolito Maradona was released S57 before his Arb3 season. After a solid rookie season in New Orleans he was dealt for young pitching prospect Danys Solis (who was recently traded this season) to Atlanta. After quite a few successful seasons there, likely many other Atlanta players, he was dealt to Huntington for a slew of prospects again. 
• Stats: 1109 games, .279 avg, 152 hr, 166 sb, 684 r, 626 rbi, 318 bb, 558 k. 
• Awards: 4x all-star, 2x world series ring, 2x silver slugger CF, 1x silver slugger SS
• Redraft Pick: #2 Norm Cunningham. Knowing a solid pitcher is available do you take him or grab a CF? 
4. Milwaukee - Jimmy Blaser (3B)
• Jimmy 'the laser' Blaser has stuck with Milwaukee since being drafted, evening signing a 3 year extension prior to Arb3. Not a load of talent and might actually be one of the lesser defensive 3Bs in the league but he's good for a near .270 if you forget about his career worst season (S57) average and close to a 20 hr - 20 sb season even if he strikes out a ton. The blog had him as a .260, 20/20 but tempered to a 15/15. Had he stuck in right he would have been an above average defender as predicted but that bat just doesn't hit as well there with so many other power bats playing the corner outfield. As predicted he gets caught stealing more than a kid in a candy store. Another W for the blog scouts and L for the Canadian Scouts in Vancouver. 
• Stats: 823 games, .261 avg, 82 hr, 114 sb, 445 r, 325 rbi, 344 bb, 561 k. 
• Redraft Pick: #3 Adam West, could have slotted in at 3B in lieu of Blaser with ease. 
5. Philadelphia - Mitch Dillard (SP)
• We noted Dillard would challenge Simon as the top pitcher in the draft and many will point to Dillard's Cy Young as case in point. Dillard found himself being dealt from Philly to Houston where he found his success in a 6 player deal in S51. Dillard's Cy Young season S56 with Nick Shackelford and Joaquin Owen as the 2 and 3 starters. Might have extended the Philly window and kept them competing with the likes of Atlanta, Houston, and Huntington. 
• Stats: 188 games, 188 starts, 1075 ip, 100-24, 357 bb, 1114 k, 1.13 whip, 2.68 era.
• Awards: 3x all-star, 1x world series ring, 1x cy young
• Redraft Pick: #23 Jody Guthrie
6. *Anaheim - Danny Bridges (RP)
• Bridges was drafted back in the day when both Shea Crowe and Bonk Burnett were still with the club and unfortunately he hasn't really panned out, though he's only pitched in roughly 140 games with under 250 innings. The blog would have loved to see Bridges traded in S50 for one final run with both Crowe and Burnett; who were both traded S50 instead. 
• Stats: 140 games, 250 ip, 10-7, 39/46 sv, 74 bb, 203 k, 1.31 whip, 4.28 era.
• Redraft Pick: #217 Stephen Ramirez, our first diamond in the rough whose production has him in the top 10. Ramirez would have been a big upgrade over Bridges. 
7. *Washington D.C. - Bernard Morton (1B)
• As predicted Morton has mostly shifted to 1B where he's been a plus defender rather than a weak point in RF. Our other predictions had him as a .270 hitter and 15-20 SBs; the part we missed was projecting him for 25 HRs a season where he's hit 32/33 the last three seasons. 
• Stats: 1106 games, .271 avg, 185 hr, 104 sb, 631 r, 606 rbi, 361 bb, 819 k. 
• Awards: 2x all-star
• Redraft Pick: #14 Woodie Yarnall
8. Chicago - Edgar Amaro (SP)
• Our durability concerns were negated as he's thrown for 32 starts and roughly 180 innings the last 4 seasons. Our high 3 era, 1.30 whip were spot on; though he's improved the last two seasons so we'll see where he ends his career. Speaking of Crowe, Chicago dealt Amaro to obtain Crowe for their big NL run starting S50. 
• Stats: 190 games, 189 starts, 1042 ip, 65-59, 0/1 sv, 342 bb, 856 k, 1.28 whip, 3.78 era.
• Redraft Pick: #10 Charley Roberts
9. Houston - Jeff Jones (RP)
• As mentioned above Jefe was dealt to (now known as) Salem in a 2 for 2 deal that had a lot to like about both sides of the deal. Unfortunately Jones didn't quite develop into the bullpen piece the Blog saw as his ceiling, though still a strong useful part as a SuA or Closer pitching in 85 games just two seasons ago. His ERA has been a bit inflated but having a very successful S59 so far. Has been rather productive at keeping balls out of the air as well. 
• Stats: 369 games, 351 ip, 23-29, 163/195 sv, 122 bb, 231 k, 1.35 whip, 4.25 era.
• Awards: 2x all-star
• Redraft Pick: #7 Bernard Morton
10. Hartford - Charley Roberts (LF)
• While not a defensive liability in LF, he was not moved to RF as predicted by the blog, which would have improved his defensive rating every so slightly. Not enough to really make a difference. Perhaps his fielding coaches weren't the best. Canadian Scouts were more accurate on this one than the blog, his power/speed combo ended up not panning out which is best season being his rookie year where he hit 31 homers and stole 27 bases. Never would he top those numbers again in a single season - though he did tie the HR last year, his first in Helena. Speaking of Bonk Burnett earlier, Charley was the main piece going back to Anaheim in that S50 deal before he was dealt to OKC in S54.
• Stats: 960 games, .260 avg, 156 hr, 108 sb, 423 r, 450 rbi, 198 bb, 472 k. 
• Redraft Pick: #13 Jimmie Bryant
11. *New Orleans - Hooks Mateo (SP)
• The blog still can't believe you'd name a kid Hooks and not teach him to throw a curveball. Who in their right mind!! Hooks biggest contribution to the championship New Orleans teams have been because he was traded for Keith Halter in S54. His first year in Columbus he saw a few starts but has since been shifted to LRB for a couple of seasons now. Because of a paperwork error in Columbus in S55, Hooks was given a 5/27M contract rather than going through rookie contracts and then arbitration. Someone find out who his agent is!!
• Stats: 95 games, 23 starts, 267 ip, 12-13, 3/3 sv, 91 bb, 203 k, 1.40 whip, 4.28 era.
• Redraft Pick: #26 Yovani Franco
12. *Colorado (Salt Lake City) - Joaquin Villar (CF)
• First player no longer in the league, though he's ready to be signed and waiting for any willing tam in Free Agency. He even has World Series experience to teach your young stars! The move out of Colorado ruined Villar, he went from a projected .290 hitter to a hair below .270. His speed also was limited in Vancouver, stealing well under the 30 projected. His health concerns never came to anything. 
• Stats: 932 games played, .268 avg, 104 hr, 122 sb, 418 r, 389 rbi, 230 bb, 496 k.
• Awards: 1x world series ring
• Redraft Pick: #15 Mark Webster
13. *Wichita (Augusta) - Jimmie Bryant (3B)
• Another slight miss for the blog scouts, as he couldn't quite get the batting average up to the .250-.280 range; nor was he allowed to run much topping out around 15 SBs a season. The 25-30 HR was accurate though a few seasons the low batting average hurt that a bit. The shift from SS to 3B was natural and has become a plus defender. 
• Stats: 1067 games, .251 avg, 192 hr, 104 sb, 552 r, 624 rbi, 268 bb, 793 k. 
• Redraft Pick: #16 Miguel Perez
14. *Boston - Woodie Yarnall (3B)
• He was correctly predicted to shift to 3B but haven't seen any gold gloves as of yet. Look back he appears as bit better than your league average bat, so props to Boston for a quality pick this late in the draft. Minus a down year last season, he's been a .282-.295 hitter with 22-31 HRs. The down average last season came with more power, hitting 36 in total. He's also added anywhere from 11-35 stolen bases over the years. Last season's 35/35 would have been more than acceptable for any other club and helped propel Boston into the playoffs. 
• Stats: 728 games, .283 avg, 143 hr, 121 sb, 493 r, 473 rbi, 233 bb, 535 k. 
• Awards: 1x rookie, 2x all star
• Redraft Pick: #467 Turner Pryor
15. Austin - Mark Webster (2B)
• As for the last player covered in the draft recap, and given his struggles against righties, we are surprised to see his currently career batting average; it's been as high as .275 (S56). The low 20s power seems about right and he didn't quite get up to the 40+ SBs; typically just shy in the 32-38 range. The move to 2B also has him as a plus defender. Currently signed to Austin through next season. Austin is none for retaining their talent and making minimal trades so we expect he finishes the career there. 
• Stats: 920 games, .261 avg, 143 hr, 195 sb, 575 r, 463 rbi, 277 bb, 667 k. 
• Redraft Pick: #4 Jimmy Blaser
16. *Scranton (Tacoma) - Miguel Perez (SP)
• Did see a promotion to the majors until age 25 where he played in Tacoma before claimed on waivers by Anaheim followed by a rule 5 selection by Vancouver just 4 days later. Now he has a spot in the rotation for the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks - the baseball team not the hockey team that everyone thinks of. A sub 4.00 era and sub 1.30 whip could be considered a win in the mid first round picks. 
• Stats: 110 games, 57 starts, 433 ip, 22-18, 3/3 sv, 144 bb, 276 k, 1.28 whip, 3.94 era.
• Redraft Pick: #9 Jeff Jones
17. Vancouver - Shaggy Leary (CF)
• On to Vancouver's actual draft pick, the Shaggy one. In CF he's a defensive liability but in right he's a gold glover. Unfortunately his bat is a weak CF which means an even weaker RF bat. He just went through Arb3 and given the lack of production we expect he'll test FA next season to find no barber will cut his hair and no GM will sign him. We hope he sticks around and becomes the best named coach in Cobbfather history. 
• Stats: 820 games, .262 avg, 66 hr, 73 sb, 299 r, 242 rbi, 166 bb, 509 k. 
• Awards: 1x all-star, 1x gold glove RF
18. *Monterrey (Jacksonville) - Delino McCartin (SP)
• McCartin has taken an interesting career path, he was originally called up S53 until current ownership sent him back to the minors in S56 for two additional seasons to transition into a starter. While I can't say the outcome has been great, I suppose it could be worse. I imagine as he starts to hit the Arb seasons, he'll get too pricey and eventually be relieved of his duties. 
• Stats: 101 games, 11 starts, 201 ip, 9-4, 4/4 sv, 65 bb, 146 k, 1.28 whip, 4.25 era.
19. Minnesota - Warren Axelrod (2B)
• You just know this guy purchased a muscle car with his first paycheck. The high health and durability has kept his OAV high. Becoming a FA after his Arb3 season with Minnesota he signed a 5/$62M contract with Santa Fe who was retooling their roster and hedging towards those big budgets we all know and love about the franchise. Moving to hitter friendly Santa Fe should help those numbers at the plate as well; proven by the fact that his slugging % is a full .100 higher than his rookie season the previous career high. He hit 33 HRs that year, if he maintains the current pace he could easily hit 40+. The home park should help lift that career batting average as well. 
• Stats: 951 games, .252 avg, 163 hr, 50 sb, 467 r, 490 rbi, 290 bb, 702 k. 
20. Pittsburgh - Daniel Barrett (RP)
• Before he could even make the majors, Barrett had already played for his third Cobbfather franchise. He's had a decent career as a bullpen piece and now finds himself playing with New Orleans Salt Lake City club. He was originally acquired by New Orleans in the Eduardo Cespedes deal in S50 but didn't last long as he was sent out in S51 as the NOOFs transition into their run for the NL title by acquiring Bennie Swann and Ronnie Andrews. Barrett was then packaged to his current club, Salt Lake City for another prospect. 
• Stats: 290 games, 3 starts, 411 ip, 19-24, 23/39 sv, 144 bb, 328 k, 1.41 whip, 3.72 era.
21. *San Juan (Charleston) - Ryan Cassidy (SP)
• On his Arb1 contract this season, and starting for the same club who drafted him. Seems to be on pace for league average numbers across the board. But is this club gearing up for the division or still rebuilding? Either way he'll have another couple of decent seasons with Charleston remaining. 
• Stats: 132 games, 83 starts, 596 ip, 27-28, 1/1 sv, 169 bb, 484 k, 1.30 whip, 4.27 era.
22. Atlanta - Juan Gonzalez (2B)
• Is anyone surprised Gonzalez lasted less than a season with Atlanta, being traded to OKC in S50 (acquired for Al Little). Spending 3 seasons where the wind blows and being traded to Augusta S53 (for Brace Lansing) where he FINALLY got some playing time in S56. I'm sure Juan would like to forget about his near 500 ABs in S57 where he hit under .200 with over 100 strikeouts! Imagine he might be kept around for Arb1, but lucky to make it through Arb2, and high unlikely that he sees Arb3 before retiring dreaming about what could have been if he stayed with the Expos club. 
• Stats: 413 games, .243 avg, 33 hr, 67 sb, 187 r, 154 rbi, 175 bb, 316 k. 
23. Hartford - Jody Guthrie (1B)
• Similar to the man drafted before him, Guthrie was traded just a year later along with #10 pick Charley Roberts for Bonk Burnett. Guthrie has had some streaky seasons hitting everywhere from .254 to .299. Pitchers seem to have caught on to him as he hasn't surpassed 40 HR in a season since his first three in the majors. His first 3 years he combined for nearly 130 HRs, and 300 RBI; the return for Bonk was looking pretty solid but he's turned into more of a 33 HR type hitter but still has the ability to knock in 100 runs. 
• Stats: 1070 games, .273 avg, 236 hr, 3 sb, 527 r, 645 rbi, 373 bb, 598 k. 
24. *Scranton (Tacoma) - Alan Koch (P)
• And so far the highest player drafted from S49 to have already retired and never made the majors. 
25. Chicago - Kevin Cambridge (SS)
• Cambridge just entered his Arb1 year and is still with the now rebuilding team. His tenure has just started as Short, having manned 3B and CF previously; even though he's a bit of a liability there. Single digit homerun hitter with practically zero speed; but hey he struck out 160 times last year and his contributions are more about helping Chicago earn a higher draft pick during their current rebuild. 
• Stats: 543 games, .237 avg, 27 hr, 4 sb, 185 r, 152 rbi, 145 bb, 386 k. 
26. Buffalo - Yovani Franco (RF)
• Always fun to check in with Buffalo's late first round pick. They typically own it, and it's typically pretty good given the 5 picks above them. This time they transition a C to RF, trying to get him quality at-bats. He's been a near 40 HR hitter with a good average and more walks than strikeouts. How did this guy not go sooner? 
• Stats: 670 games, .281 avg, 177 hr, 0 sb, 405 r, 400 rbi, 355 bb, 327 k. 
• Awards: 1x all-star, 1x silver slugger RF
27. Oklahoma City - Rico Campos (2B)
• OKC flipped Rico Campos and trash for #10 pick of this season's draft Charley Roberts in S54 to Anaheim who just this season flipped him to New Orleans in exchange for starting pitcher Davey Perez (signed through S62 - age 36). The return on OK's pick is great, he might as well have had a top 10 pick. 
• Stats: 350 games, .267 avg, 32 hr, 15 sb, 138 r, 127 rbi, 79 b, 190 k. 
28. *New Orleans - Chris Sinclair (RP)
• Sinclar was packaged with #11 pick Hooks Mateo and another IFA prospect in exchange for Keith Halter during Columbus' S54 quick fire sale. As the franchise gets back into competing for the division title; Sinclair has seem less innings. Similar to Hooks, with an accounting error in Columbus; Sinclair is on the final year of a 5/$29M deal that bought out all his rookie and arbitration years. 
• Stats: 217 games, 288 ip, 24-21, 7/18 sv, 87 bb, 220 k, 1.34 whip, 3.91 era, 
• Awards: 1x all-star
29. *San Juan (Charleston) - Vidal Sardinas (P)
• Did not feel like flying to San Juan and didn't not to sign. 
30. Minnesota - Joaquin Cordero (2B)
• Traded to division rival Milwaukee during S53 for major league talent in their push to overtake Philly for the division...with no luck until S56 but quickly gave it back. 
• Stats: 444 games, .250 avg, 93 hr, 10 sb, 203 r, 231 rbi, 127 bb, 289 k. 
31. Helena - Harold Gates (LF)
• Saw part time S52-54 but has been demoted to AAA since then. He'll retire at some point when he realizes Helena doesn't need his services anymore. 
• Stats: 217 games, .290 avg, 17 hr, 2 sb, 73 r, 77 rbi, 57 bb, 141 k. 
32. Colorado Springs - Herman Lee (DH)
• Another retired player with 0 ML experience. This late in the draft, that's just a tax write off. 
33. Montreal - Dick Bonds (LF)
• Did not sign - no comp pick
34. Chicago - Kevin Chen (SS)
• Did not sign - no comp pick
35. Huntington - Dan Hernandez (RP)
• Finally gets out of  Huntington in a S58 trade and wins a world series ring with Atlanta. And what does he get for that, a 5/$37.5M deal from Santa Fe who tries to regain the division and looks to do so this season as New Orleans rebuilds. But that's a lot of money for that WHIP and ERA, especially in a hitter's park like Santa Fe. 
• Stats: 278 games, 1 start, 431 ip, 37-17, 16/32 sv, 158 bb, 365 k, 1.32 whip, 4.22 era.
• Awards: 1x world series ring
36. *El Paso (Mexico City) - Joey Salazar (RP)
• Has only thrown more than 16 innings his rookie season, S55 after the franchise moved to Mexico City. Looks more like a 4th round pitcher than a comp round but you take what falls to you. FA who hasn't pitched since 3 innings in Tacoma S57.
• Stats: 105 games, 135 ip, 6-12, 6/9 sv, 45 bb, 77 k, 1.61 whip, 5.00 era. 
37. *Washington D.C. - Rigo Plata (2B)
• 10 years of ML service and finally got his promotion last season and still with DC; who has decided to let him bat leadoff - with much better results than last season.   
38. Chicago - Sammy Lorenzo (LF)
• Became a Rule 5 pick by Tacoma in S53 who finally released him after Arb1. Poor kid didn't even get through Arb2 like most players. 
• Stats: 579 games, .261 avg, 24 hr, 68 sb, 203 r, 118 rbi, 130 bb, 315 k. 
39. Hartford - Jose Ontiveros (CF)
• Solid pickup by Hartford though released after Arb1 in S56, signed a FA deal with Anaheim where he's turned into a low HR hitter with 15-20 SBs on a decent average. Regulated to the bench this season though. 
• Stats: 1015 games, .265 avg, 31 hr, 99 sb, 314 r, 205 rbi, 216 bb, 528 k. 
40. *New Orleans - Robin Motte (P)
• Held in the minors for the contending New Orleans and placed on waivers to clear roster space where he was claimed by Mexico City and then claimed a few days later in the Rule 5 but his current franchise. Just went through his Arb2 season, so we'll see what happens next year. 
• Stats: 142 games, 53 starts, 474 ip, 22-21, 4/5 sv, 154 bb, 330 k, 1.30 whip, 4.13 era.
41. *Boston - Robert Seaton (3B)
• 10 years of service and yet to make the majors. One day Seaton will have a seat on the bench in Boston. Or maybe not. 
42. Austin - Eliezer Valentin (SP)
• Another player yet to make the majors. 
43. Minnesota - Radley Lynch (RP)
• Finally got his promotion last season with Minnesota but not doing a ton. 
• Stats: 30 games, 41 ip, 3-2, 1/2 sv, 22 bb, 25 k, 1.63 whip, 4.39 era.
44. Pittsburgh - Wayne Chatwood (SS)
• Not sure if he's a starter in Pittsburgh or a role player, seems to be alternating seasons. The average is bad and he once made 71 errors playing shortstop in S56. OUCH! 
• Stats: 400 games, .237 avg, 12 hr, 27 sb, 114 r, 87 rbi, 114 bb, 252 k. 
45. *San Juan (Charleston) - Matthew Garland (RP)
• Signed with San Juan but only lasted a season before signing a minor league FA deal with Pittsburgh and retiring a year later. 
46. Columbus - Alfonso Pino (SP)
• 10 years, no ML service. And now a FA if you'd like to add him to your rookie team. 
47. Oklahoma City - Don Lin (SP)
• Considering we are nearly 50 picks into the draft, some seasons the 2nd round is only a few picks away; he's done great; though pitching for the Philly's after a S53 trade from OKC for Stretch Story. 
• Stats: 103 games, 56 starts, 400 ip, 20-18, 4/6 sv, 144 bb, 251 k, 1.37 whip, 4.36 era.
48. *Salt Lake City (Tokyo) - Juan Rincon (SP)
• 10 - 0. 10 years, no ML at bats. 
49. Colorado Springs - Jorge Sanchez (1B)
• This was a short career lasting only 5 seasons before he realized he'd never make the majors in CS, retiring at S54. 
50. Chicago - Marcus Hoyt (SS)
• Did not sign - no comp pick
51. *Boston - Jody Key (RP)
• Another 10-0 player. 
52. Minnesota - Rangel Garland (SP)
• Seems a string of draft picks who never made the majors, retired. 
53. Oklahoma City - Roy Lennon (RF)
• 6-0, retired. 
54. *El Paso (Mexico City) - Jerry Spencer (2B)
• S57 Rule 5 selection who was released just this past offseason. Not many gifts from this Spencer. 
• Stats: 415 games, .232 avg, 32 hr, 0 sb, 136 r, 150 rbi, 125 bb, 283 k. 
55. Milwaukee - Viosergy Verrett (2B)
• 10-0, might retire soon.
56. Hartford - Gabe Brown (P)
• Included in the deal that sent Alex Perez to Hartford from Jacksonville in S55 but released just a few seasons later (S58) and picked up by rebuilding Montreal where he finds himself in the bullpen. 
• Stats:  274 games, 62 starts, 732 ip, 38-30, 17/19 sv, 222 bb, 446 k, 1.40 whip, 4.49 era.
57. *Colorado (Salt Lake City) - Denzel Kennedy (CF)
• Went through Arb1 and while he was released by the franchise they also resigned him to save some money, unfortunately was released again and yet to find a new home. 
• Stats: 600 games, .262 avg, 52 hr, 48 sb, 217 r, 224 rbi, 149 bb, 390 k. 
58. *Wichita (Augusta) - Clark Miles (RP)
• Released after Arb1 and resigned with rebuilding Colorado Springs and then Philly on one year deals. Couldn't find another one year deal this season unless you, yes you - the only person to make it this far in the post wants to sign him. Do it!
• Stats: 246 games, 7 starts, 335 ip, 16-19, 23/37 sv, 179 bb, 283 k, 1.50 whip, 4.51 era.
59. Austin - Groucho Browne (P)
• Waived and claimed by rebuilding Colorado Springs and pitching poorly - unless you are CS then you think he's pitching perfectly for your rebuild. 
• Stats: 123 games, 254 ip, 9-8, 4/6 saves, 95 bb, 143 k, 1.45 whip, 4.15 era. 
60. *Scranton (Tacoma) - Duane Green (LF)
• 6-0 and retired. 
61. Minnesota - Alberth Lloyd (C)
• Released prior to last season, just before Arb3 when the salary outweighed the production he was providing, considering he's more of a DH than a C. 
• Stats: 662 games, .278 avg, 88 hr, 0 sb, 209 r, 273 rbi, 130 bb, 321 k. 
62. Pittsburgh - Archie Fitzgerald (SS)
• Solid defensively but leaves a lot to be desired at the plate. Seems one of those Rule 5 type players but has actually stayed with the Yinzers his entire career. 
• Stats: 436 games, .238 avg, 5 hr, 13 sb, 115 r, 124 rbi, 110 bb, 357 k. 
63. Sante Fe - JT Tabaka (CF)
• 6-0 and retired.
64. Columbus - Kevin Tartabull (P)
• 8-0 and retired. 
65. Buffalo - Gregory Brown
• 8-0 though still kicking in LoA with Salt Lake City.
66. Oklahoma City - Cyrus Diaz
• 6-0 and retired
67. Dover - Dennis Ellis
• Dover's first pick this draft comes in at pick #67! 5-0 and retired. 
68. Helena - Bing Beltre (2B)
• 10-0 but still trying his hardest in AAA and surprisingly still with the ballclub. 
69. *Colorado (Salt Lake City) - Otis Cain (P)
• No relation to Kyle and even if he did, judging by these stats Kyle would disown him. Saw some tie at the majors in S53 & 54 in Vancouver; who traded for him in S50 when Vancouver dumped Kenny Jacquez during the winter meetings
• Stats: 43 games,  43 starts, 261.2 ip, 13-17, 98 bb, 190 k, 1.43 whip, 4.57 era.
70. Austin - Keith Fletcher
• 4-0 and retired
71. *Scranton (Tacoma) - Rabbit Aurilia
• 6-0 and retired
72. Buffalo - Tris Lee
• No surprise Buffalo somehow found some ML talent this late in the draft. Currently pitching in long relief the last couple of seasons. 
• Stats: 139 games, 5 starts, 281.1 ip, 10-1, 9/9 sv, 85 bb, 195 k, 1.29 whip, 3.90 era.

Other notable picks:

• #105 - Onelki Moya - Huntington
• Stats: 368 games, 13 starts, 650 ip, 48-26, 35/45 sv, 338 bb, 545 k, 1.42 whip, 4.08 era.
• #120 - Alex Kennedy (3B) - Oklahoma City
• Has made a nice additional piece to three different trades.
• Stats: 558 games, .224 avg, 86 hr, 0 sb, 147 r, 205 rbi, 107 bb, 416 k. 
• #186 - Kevin Duran (P) - *Monterrey (Jacksonville)
• Stats: 199 games, 231.1 ip, 16-5, 18/24 sv, 84 bb, 130 k, 1.44 whip, 4.01 era.
• #217 - Stephen Ramirez - Vancouver
• Stats: 373 games, 453 ip, 28-20, 257/283 sv, 136 bb, 352 k, 1.11 whip, 2.40 era.
• #328 - Ron Hill - New  York
• Stats: 198 games, 112 starts, 727 ip, 39-39, 3/4 sv, 283 bb, 491 k, 1.39 whip, 4.37 era.
• #335 - Mike Karsay - *Washington D.C. 
• Stats: 185 games, 185 starts, 1184 ip, 56-69, 420 bb, 816 k, 1.40 whip, 4.39 era.
• #371 - Brandon Grim - *New Orleans
• Stats: 810 games, .237 avg, 95 hr, 81 sb, 372 r, 359 rbi, 258 bb, 675 k.
• #379 - Stewart Greer - Minnesota
• Stats: 117 games, 78 starts, 603.1 ip, 35-27, 216 bb, 384 k, 1.44 whip, 5.10 era.
• #400 - Flash Eveland - Chicago
• Stats: 341 games, 0 starts, 601.2 ip, 43-21, 19/35 sv, 208 bb, 397 k, 1.15 whip, 3.23 era.
• #467 - Turner Pryor - *New Orleans
• Stats: 989 games, .279 avg, 141 hr, 15 sb, 485 r, 497 rbi, 458 bb, 524 k. 

Not bad for notable late picks. 

Building a team from S49 draft.

C: Yovani Franco #26

1B: Jody Guthrie #23

2B: Mark Webster #15

SS: Wayne Chatwood #44

3B: Woodie Yarnall #14

LF: Charley Roberts #10

CF: Adam West #3

RF: Jimmie Braynt #13

DH: Yovani Franco #26

SP1: Mitch Dillard #5

SP2: Roger Simon #1
SP3: Norm Cunningham #2

SuA: Jeff Jones #9

ClA: Stephen Ramirez #217

For the Records - bold indicates leader in that category. Each is 10 seasons after they were drafted.
S49 - 20 all-star, 4 ss, 2 gg, 1 cy young, 1 rookie of the year, 5 world series ring 

S48 - 20 all-star, 11 ss, 7 gg, 6 mvp, 1 rookie of the year, 9 world series ring 
S47 - 19 all-star, 10 ss, 12 gg, 2 rookie of the year, 8 world series rings
S46 - 14 all-star, 5 ss, 3 gg, 2 fireman, 12 world series rings
S45 - 27 all-star, 12 ss, 1 gg, 3 rookie, 9 world series rings
S44 - 17 all-star, 4 ss, 8 gg, 1 fireman, 6 world series rings