Gabrielle O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter
1. Anaheim - Bonk Burnett (CF) - What a name, Anaheim fans will be going bonkers for Bonk Burnett in the near future. Only thing better than his name are all the viral videos of his bat flips. You'll find him in the middle of a major league lineup in 4-5 years, but he'll struggle to throw out a tortoise from CF. I see a move over to LF in his near future. 2B would be a nice option but last year's first round pick Shea Crowe is holding that position down as a 20 yr old. Bonk will mash...lefties, period. But his future will depend on him hitting righties and staying healthy; two major question marks in his game.
2. Iowa City - TJ Christenson (2B) - I thought everything in Texas was big? Not this guy, barely 5’-11” and a 170...wet. Here's a free hint to all the managers out there, send your lefties to go party with Dennis Rodman in Vegas for the series; they are useless here. I could see a 60/60 season if all he faced was lefties, unfortunately that won't be the case so I'll lower that down to 40/40.
3. Chicago - Rando Powell (P) - With makeup like this, how can you depend on him to defend a teammate in a bench clearing brawl? What is it with players not liking lefties in this draft? Don't expect many free passes with this guy, 80 grade control, 70 velocity, and decent 4-seam/Slider combo. A lineup full of righties could make him slightly above average at best. Don't even worry about his Change Up or Curveball; more like straightball.
4. Atlanta - Zephyr Gross (P) - What do you call a pitcher with 80 grade control, 70 grade velocity, a top tier Sinker and Circle Change? Well his mother calls him Zyphr Evelynn Gross. With the right coaching along the way, we could be looking at a future HoFer. But somebody please tell this kid he doesn't have to date girls whose looks match his last name!
5. Washington DC (P) - Avisail Mujica - Didn't this guy just win the Little League World Series as a "13 yr old"?!? I'll tell you what I told the Eastbank Little League from River Ridge, Louisiana; you want to beat this guy you're going to have to wear him out. Take every pitch you can, make him work for every inch of those 6 innings he'll throw on his best night. Coming out of the pen to bridge a team's Ace to stud closer; better close your eyes and and pray. Or bunt it back to him, he'll flub the play and you might be safe at first.
6. Charlotte - Neil Cashner (P) - His fastball could rate as one of the best in baseball, but likely tops out at 85 mph. Proving once again the age old Korean proverb, it's not the speed but how you use it. I'm sure Gross' girlfriend will understand that. Speaking of lots of makeup, this has the it factor. He should be able to hold off decline until at least age 70; that's great news for that "fastball" of his. Get that lefty lineup ready, he'll be average at best against those guys.
7. Pittsburgh - Banjo Urlaub (SS) - B-A-N-J-O and Banjo was his name-o! This guy will either be throwing out base runners or being tossed from the game thanks to the highest temper in the game. Vegas continues to take bets if we'll see more bats broken over his knee then the walks he takes in a season. Good speed, decent bat; won't hit lefties, but unlike Powell this guy will have a teammates back in a brawl.
8. Dover - Dan Nixon (P) - Snooze...another pitcher. Unlike Cashner earlier, this guy has a fastball, could clock in the upper nineties. He throws so hard he might need a little extra rest between outings if he gets too taxed. His slider is something to watch as well and might help tally up a few Ks if he can find the right combination and mix them up. This guy had a lot of options enter the Cobbfather draft, one scout was even quoted as saying "He would have made a good Pope."
9. Columbus - Alan Harris (SS) - What this guy needs is a new ophthalmologist. He'll struggle his entire career figuring out what pitch is coming. Don't get me wrong, he'll make a TON of contact, I just can't promise you they will stay fair. Even Michael Jordan once hit free throws with his eyes closed. Let's just hope this guy pans out more like the basketball MJ than the baseball MJ. Aside from the sight, he potentially has make-up issues as well, but hopefully the Corgis' have Mary Kay or Avon on speed dial.
10. Austin - Lou Porozio (RF) - From the north side of Hurley, NY, there is a lot to like about this guy, including his mom’s pizzas. A lot of scouts think he'll have a great batting one, but one scout was overhead questioning it when he has to look over that huge Italian sniffer of his. I'll take this guy's .270/40 HR in his prime any day. Great health should keep him in the lineup on a regular basis as well.
11. Vancouver - Deivi Camacho (P) - Let's be gentle with this guy, he's already having to play ball in Canada. Say it with me now, 'soaree' Deivi. Not expected to walk many batters and will collect his fair share of strikeouts, but righties will mash him and he's not really from Queens, NY. Just because he can throw 5 pitches, doesn't mean he does it well. Look for him to stick with his knuckleball and curveball, I wouldn’t throw his other 3 in a little league game. Speaking of his knuckleball, it's the fastest one this writer has ever seen.
12. Florida - Joey Kubitza (CF) - He's somewhat an A-typical center fielder, I could see many future gold gloves but the awards end there for this Canadian. Did Vancouver not draft him because of a East Canada vs West Canada beef? Rumors has it, they are in need of a CF. His 4-seam fastball is better than many major league pitchers, but that won't help him at the plate. At best he's a .225 hitter with limited speed and health issues.
13. Philadelphia - Teoscar Zurbaran (P) - Teoscar ‘Two Trick’ Zurbaran has a 75 grade 4-seam fastball but a slightly above average curveball at best. Great health and durability, with just enough stamina to get through an inning but you wont' see any more than that. He should get through that outing pretty fast, according to one ex-girlfriend it's not the only thing he does by fast.
14. Tucson - Josmil Velazquez (1B) - From the squarest city in North America, easiest way to beat this guy is to challenge him to a foot race; even my grandmother could beat him. That said, he's not running out many infield hits, he'll look to use that contact and power of his in hopes to keep the balls fair. When he does, look out! Good health and good durability will keep him in the everyday lineup if he proves to hit well. Has the bare minimum to stick at 1B, but might be better suited for some DHing if he can't get that glove and accuracy to come around.
15. Seattle - Leslie McCartin (2B) - He's your prototypical average 2B; average glove, limited power, 70 game speed. This kid could steal 100 bases...if he can get on base. Debate is out on what will be higher, his weight after a thanksgiving meal or his batting average. No chance I let this guy see a left handed pitcher above High A ball.
Well if there's one thing worth while from this draft, it's the parents who named these kids. Good luck to all of these kids developments, maybe they one day live up to the hype.