Part 4 of the Draft recap covers Fargo through Huntington. Let's get it on!
Fargo Rat Bastids
I’m putting as much effort into the Fargo draft recap as ploppie put into his draft prep!!
Final analysis: horrible
Draft Grade: F
Florida Shark Waves
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Florida’s first rounder Terrell Blair is a contact hitter, with good splits. He isn’t quite good enough defensively to play shortstop, but will be a tremendous fielding 3rd baseman. Although he may be relegated to backup duty on the major league level due to only having an average bat. Florida didn’t sign any other draft picks, so we’ll stop here!
Final Analysis: Blair is great defensively, but may lack the bat to be a starting 3B at the big league level. No other signings hurts the draft grade, fo sho!
Draft Grade: D
Honolulu Haoles
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1st round pick Joseph Hyun is crafty lefty with superior control, great splits, and excellent bases. He does have a low GB/FB ratio, but I don’t see that holding back his success. I’d say he’s a #2 starter on the Major League level, with ace upside. Good value at #19. Supplemental pick Magglio Marichal is a hard throwing lefty reliever with definite closer potential in the majors. And dude, can you believe their second supplemental pick? Dude Beltre! Dude has excellent splits and pitches, but his mediocre control may land him in a bullpen role once he hits the majors. They landed a couple of more good pitchers later on as well.
Final Analysis: Honolulu came away with a handful of good pitchers. Nice draft.
Draft Grade: A-
Houston Rockets
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First rounder Willy Murray has great pitches and splits, but mediocre control. Still, he could be an end of the rotation guy in the majors, and with the 30th pick, this is about as good as you could hope for. Supplemental pick Tony Witt projects to be an excellent major league reliever, and could close. Vinny Thomas has great power and batting eye and should crush lefties. Low contact is a weakness, but he should definitely contribute at the major league level. Great value in round 2, probably slipped because of signability issues, but Houston got his ink on a contract. Another 2nd rounder, Louis Benjamin, has great baserunning skills, and could be a nice backup in the majors.
Final Analysis: Nice draft. Getting Thomas in Round 2 was a big plus.
Draft Grade: B+
Huntington Liberators
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First round pick Hector Andrus is a great fielding shortstop, but his poor bat, particularly his splits, may make him questionable as a solid first round pick. Supplemental pick Pete Wilkins, also a shortstop, doesn’t have quite the glove that Andrus does, but looks like he’ll be a lot better at the plate, particularly against lefties. The rest of the early picks are ok, probably a borderline major leaguer or two. Their draft will improve if 2nd supplemental pick Tyler Caseres signs, although he appears to be holding out and demanding serious cash.
Final Analysis: Huntington got some decent players, but no one really jumps out as having a major impact in the big leagues.
Draft Grade: C