17. Cesar Liriano, 1B - St. Louis Wiffle Ball KingsPros: Very good hitter across the board.
Cons: Health concerns could be a problem.
Grade: A- --Liriano is as good a hitting 1B as can be had, this was a good pick getting a solid bat at #17.
18. Dean Gagne, LF - Colorado Beer BashersPros: Good power, splits, and batting eye, very durable.
Cons: Weak glove and contact skills at the plate.
Grade: B+ --Gagne will be a solid player, but his glove will a liability that may force him to a 1B or DH role.
19. Weldon Black, SP - Colorado Beer BashersPros: Good control, velocity, stamina, and for solid pitches.
Cons: Only slightly above average splits, low velocity.
Grade: B+ --Black has the skills to be a #3 starter, but his movement at the plate isn't deceptive and could hold him back a bit.
20. Nick Burkett, SS - Cincinnati Flying PigsPros: Exceptional glove, range, arm accuracy, and arm strength, great vs. right handed pitching.
Cons: Dreadful vs. lefties.
Grade: B+ --Burkett may not be an offensive dynamo, but his skills with the glove and ability to hit righties will land him an everyday spot.
21. Art Parris, 2B - Chicago Old StylePros: Highly durable 2B who is above average with the glove and the bat.
Cons: Nothing exceptional in his skill set.
Grade: B/B+ --Parris is a durable and competent player who won't embarrass himself on the field. He probably won't be an all star though.
22. Erv Jodie, SP - Madison MuchoPros: Great control, excellent vs. right handed hitting, and good velocity, GB/FB, and pitch selection.
Cons: Health is a concern, stamina is low for a starting pitcher.
Grade: A --Jodie is the best pitcher in the draft vs. right handed hitting, and is very solid otherwise. Getting him at #21 was very good value for the pick.
23. Wesley Cooke, SP - Florida Shark WavesPros: Workhorse SP with excellent control and GB/FB ratio.
Cons: Average splits and only 3 pitches, one of which is below average.
Grade: B- --Cooke has the control to overcome his weak pitch selection and average splits, but he doesn't project to be more than a #3/4 starter at best.
24. Skip Jeffcoat, 2B - Hartford HighlandersPros: Above average glove, good contact hitter, and good baserunner.
Cons: Average splits and batting eye,
Grade: B+ --Jeffcoat falls into the same category as Art Parris, Wendell Weaver, and Moose Fossum.
25. Kris Matthews, C - San Diego SpicolisPros: Tremendous Power, superb batting eye, great vs. lefties, calls a good game.
Cons: Poor contact hitter, weak vs. righties, poor arm accuracy, average durability.
Grade: B --Matthews is one of the more intriguing players taken in the draft, his hitting skills are great in parts, and his play in the field is great in parts, but he isn't solid across the board in either skill set. It will be interesting to see how he develops.
26. Dan Forrester, 3B - Santa Fe Heat WavePros: Good power, splits, batting eye, and durability.
Cons: Poor contact hitter, glove is more suited for the outfield than 3B.
Grade: B+ --Forrester is a good hitter outside of his poor contact, but his glove isn't capable of playing 3B, but a move to LF or RF would make him a perfect fit for any lineup.
27.
Phillip Hawkins, SP - Mexico City Gringos
--Rating pending as Hawkins is unavailable to Post Gazette Scouts
28. Chuck Tremie, IF - Texas Fried PicklesPros: Highly durable, above average glove.
Cons: Average hitter, poor arm strength for an infielder.
Grade: C+ --Tremie seems destined to be a utility player, as he can play most postions, but not exceptionally.
29. Alex Cela, 1B - Durham RadicalsPros: Good contact hitter who is good vs. righties and has a very good batting eye.
Cons: Not as much power as you would like in a 1B.
Grade: B+ --Cela is a very good hitter, but if he had a bit more power he would be better suited to the positon.
30. Ben Neugebauer, P - Fargo Rat BastidsPros: Impeccable control, above average splits, fine pitch selection.
Cons: Low stamina, average GB/FB ratio.
Grade: B+ --Neugebauer doesn't have the stamina necessary to be a starter, but he would make a fine addition to any bullpen.
31. Orlando Rojas, DH - Los Angeles RoseborosPros: Masterful at the plate, can absolutely crush the ball.
Cons: Not real good defensively, very low durability limits him to platoon status.
Grade: B/B+ --Rojas can really hit the ball, but the question is if he will be able to get more than 300 AB's in a season.
32. William Power, RF - Monterrey Ducks
Pros: Great contact hitter, good batting eye, above average glove for position.
Cons: Weak vs. righties, poor health a concern.
Grade: B --Good pick for #32, but Power is limited by his ability vs. right handed pitching, and his injury risk.
the formerly luckless Jacksonville Klines. Reports out of Miami have stated that the Shark Waves offered the Cuban defector Carrasco a deal worth 13.845 million dollars, whilst the contract that was signed with the Klines is reported to be worth 12.7 million dollars. When asked why he took a deal worth roughly 1 million dollars less than another offer on the table from the hometown team, Carrasco said, "I sign contract, very good. Idol Dallas Kline is hitting idol." When asked if the Cuban national spoke any English, he said, "Me like the English! Bud Light!"
unavailable for comment, as he was passed out at a Jacksonville bar when our reporters were scheduled to meet with him. However, the Klines did issue an official statement about the signing. "Victor has been scouting for Jacksonville for over 60 years (since Ploppie first became a grandfather). While he has not lived a perfect life, we stand by him in denying these allegations." But there is no denying that the Klines scored big when Carrasco inked his name on their dotted line.
