The inaugural amateur draft in Cobbfather World was held last week, and now that most of the picks are signed it is time to see who fared the best in picking their future stars (or bench riders).
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1. Trey Padgett, 2B - Rochester Rolling Rocks
Pros: Supremely gifted hitter with the health and durability to play everyday. One of the highest ceilings of any player in the draft.
Cons: He can't pitch or play all 9 positions at once.
Grade: A+ --Padgett has all the tools to be a perennial all star, and at his current state of development, he is only a few seasons away from making a real impact.
2. Marvin Mays, SS - Tampa Bay Cyclones
Pros: Projects to be as talented at the plate as Padgett, but also has elite skills with the glove.
Cons: Might not sign
Grade: A+ (if he signs) --If Mays signs this is an excellent pick, but it is a risky gamble by the Cyclones.
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3. Sarma Flores, SP - Hartford Highlanders
Pros: Workhorse pitcher who with excellent control, high velocity, and several very good pitches.
Cons: Third pitch is weak, and he has only slightly above average splits vs. right handed hitting.
Grade: A --Flores should be a capable innings eater once he makes the bigs, and his control should overcome his weakness vs. righties.
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4. Al Martinez, C - New York Pride of the Yankees
Pros: Possibly the best hitter in the draft, also extremely durable for a catcher.
Cons: Not the best defensive catcher in the world, only average pitch calling skills.
Grade: A- --Martinez will work wonders with the bat, but is prone to defensive lapses. Still, his work with the stick should make up for that.
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5. Darrell Wright, SP - Pawtucket Pouncing Penguins
Pros: Workhorse pitcher with near impeccable control and serious velocity. Devastating vs. lefties and has a very good pitch selection.
Cons: Only above average vs. righties, fifth pitch isn't the greatest.
Grade: A+ --Anytime you can get an ace quality pitcher who could have been the first draft pick at #5, you have done well. Wright will be very good.
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6. Tom Brumbaugh, SP - Memphis Goats
Pros: Durable pitcher with great control and four good pitches who is very good vs. lefties.
Cons: Average velocity and GB/FB ratio, and only average vs. righties.
Grade: A --Brumbaugh is only slightly less great than Wright, the two pitchers compare quite favorably.
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7. Benny Christians, CF - Dover Monster Milers
Pros: Speedy contact hitter with great batting eye who picks up left handed pitching very well.
Cons: No power to speak of, and only average vs. right handed pitching.
Grade: A- --Prototypical CF with range, speed, and a good glove. Should hit for average and score a lot of runs.
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8. Matthew Newman, SP - Trenton Barge Bandits
Pros: Durable workhorse pitcher with high control and elite pitch selection.
Cons: Not the best vs. right handed hitting.
Grade: B+ --Everything is great with this pitcher save for his tendency to get knocked around by right handers, which could be an achilles heel.
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9. Davey Rivers, SP - Minnesota Blue Oxen
Pros: Above average pitcher across the board, no real weak spots.
Cons: Splits are good but not great, makeup could be a problem, just barely durable enough to start every 5th day.
Grade: B+ --Rivers is a solid pitcher who will hold down a spot in the rotation, but probably won't ever be a #1 pitcher.
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10. Johnny Sherman, LF - Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens
Pros: Can hit as well as anybody in the draft, great temper and makeup, excellent baserunner.
Cons: Health could be a concern.
Grade: A- --Sherman has all the tools to be an elite LF, if he stays healthy enough to play every day.
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11. Ronnie Bannister, 1B - Oklahoma City Fighting Lint
Pros: Devastating hitter with 50+ HR power. Excellent health and durability.
Cons: Glove is a weakness.
Grade: A --The best 1B in the draft, Bannister is an elite hitter who will be an anchor at the corner position.
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12. Moose Fossum, 2B - Las Vegas Hardways
Pros: Good hitting infielder with power and solid batting eye and intangibles.
Cons: Average range and glove for the 2B position.
Grade: B+ --Fossum will be a good hitter who should pop 30+ HR's a season with a .300 average, but he won't win any gold gloves.
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13. Wendell Weaver, 2B - Tucson Thunder
Pros: Average hitter with great batting eye, above average defensively.
Cons: Weak contact and power at the plate.
Grade: B+ --Very similar to Fossum except he is slightly better with the glove and slightly worse at the plate.
14. Frank Cain, LF - Jacksonville Klines
Pros: The best power hitter in the draft, has an excellent eye and good durability.
Cons: Health concerns could derail his development.
Grade: A- (If he signs) --Cain could account for MVP type hitting numbers if he can stay healthy for a whole season.
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15. Denny Martin, C - Sioux Falls Great Danes
Pros: Good contact hitter with superior batting eye, above average arm strength and accuracy.
Cons: Average pitch calling skills and makeup might hinder his work behind the plate.
Grade: B+ --Martin can hit the ball quite well, but unless he can fully develop his pitch calling skills he might have to move to 1B or DH.
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16. Jimmie Blanco - Pittsburgh KAA-POW
Pros: Near perfect control, 5 quality pitches, above average splits.
Cons: Poor GB/FB ratio.
Grade: A- --Blanco is a very good pickup at #16, with the skills to be a #1 starter, if his control can overcome his tendency to give up the longball.